The spring sunlight grew warmer by the day. Yet beneath the peaceful surface, hidden currents stirred, casting a subtle tension over the entire village.
Children continued to disappear one after another. Rumors spread that the Uchiha Police Force had once again arrested some innocent passerby. But were those people truly innocent? If they hadn't done anything wrong, why would the guards take them away?
What the villagers saw and heard was only what others wanted them to believe and spread. Nothing more.
Under such an oppressive atmosphere, conflicts and contradictions slowly began to build.
It had been a week since the start of the Ninja Academy. The students had already adapted to their new routines. Just as Hakken and Itachi had expected, their plan to attend classes using Shadow Clones was going smoothly.
By day, sweat flew freely across the training grounds. By night, Hakken and Itachi would sit beneath the stars, talk for a while, and sometimes visit the hot springs to strengthen their friendship. Hakken's life had become almost perfectly structured.
The only difference was this—his strength was growing steadily, day by day.
The unlocking progress of the first template of the King of Normal Attacks—the Complete Form of Zaraki Kenpachi from the Bleach universe—had reached 7%! Only 3% remained before he could access the next template. The next activation of the Normal Attack trait would arrive once the second template reached 5%. Hakken looked forward to it eagerly.
The Normal Attack trait wasn't the only one!
His daily task hadn't changed: two thousand slashes per day. Hakken had long since adapted to this training style. As for Orochimaru's previous remark about observing him—he didn't take it seriously.
Life went on.
...
Uchiha Clan District.
In the cherry blossom grove outside the clan head's residence, several figures sat around a round table. The vernal equinox was the perfect season for viewing cherry blossoms.
He vaguely remembered that during his last visit, the blossoms had only been buds—now they were in full bloom. It was a sight Hakken had never witnessed in his previous life.
The cherry blossoms were beautiful. Leaning back comfortably beneath the trees, he took a sip of liquor, savoring the distinct flavor.
"I don't know why, but your friend gives me this feeling of total ease," someone said.
Several people sat around the table. The one who spoke was a boy who looked somewhat unfamiliar. He had the Uchiha clan's distinctive rounded nose, wore a dark high-collared short-sleeved shirt with triangular armor guards, matching pants, and leg wraps, and carried a short tachi on his back.
His name was Shisui Uchiha.
Shisui—heart as still as water. Yet his personality was nothing like his name.
He was, so far, the second Uchiha youth still alive who radiated warmth and optimism. At this moment, he had just returned from the battlefield. Though it was called a battlefield, he didn't necessarily harm anyone when he fought. Just a single glance from Shisui of the Body Flicker had been enough to make Ao of the Kirigakure border abandon his mission. His Genjutsu had reached extraordinary heights.
Itachi said nothing. The aura surrounding Hakken was something he himself could never imitate. Still, that didn't stop him from introducing his best friend to his mentor and closest companion.
Two Uchiha, and one outsider youth.
Beside them sat two quiet girls—Izumi Uchiha and Yūgao Uzuki. Like Hakken, Yūgao had come at Izumi's invitation to enjoy the cherry blossoms in the Uchiha compound.
Yūgao felt a bit uneasy. After all, it was her first time visiting the Uchiha district. Yet after spending so much time with Izumi, she couldn't help but feel confused.
The arrogance and aloofness often spoken of by outsiders—she hadn't seen any of that here. Wasn't it careless to condemn an entire clan based solely on one person's arrogance? She couldn't be sure.
Quietly, she sipped her tea, her gaze occasionally drifting toward the boy beneath the cherry blossoms. A faint sense of contentment settled in her heart.
"Care for a sip?"
Stretching lazily, Hakken plopped down beside Shisui, offering his flask with a glint of admiration in his eyes.
Shisui Uchiha.
A cheerful young man. A descendant of Uchiha Kagami. Possessor of the most powerful genjutsu, known as the ultimate illusion—Kotoamatsukami.
"Uh..."
Staring at the flask before him, Shisui's mouth twitched. He'd thought through countless scenarios, but never expected that the first words from Itachi's so-called best friend would be this.
"Drink up, Shisui."
Itachi patted Shisui's shoulder, his gaze filled with firm encouragement and affirmation. Some things didn't need to be said aloud. He understood—Hakken was the kind of man who expressed himself through actions.
The offered drink was a gesture of camaraderie. Drink today, and it meant you were now acquainted. The next time he invited you, it would mean he'd acknowledged your existence.
A simple, straightforward man—his nature as direct and forceful as his sword techniques.
After a brief silence, Shisui chuckled, took the gourd, tilted his head back, and gulped down a large mouthful. The fiery burn of the liquor scorched his throat instantly.
"Heard you're quite skilled in Kenjutsu!"
Setting the gourd down, Shisui gasped for breath, his sharp eyes locking onto Hakken. Swordsmanship that even Itachi admired—he wanted to see it for himself.
"Come on! Let's have a go!"
Fueled by the liquor, Shisui drew his short blade and stepped beneath the blooming cherry tree.