New Year's Day is the most important day throughout the ninja world, and Hatsuhinode is the biggest event of the year.
Hatsuhinode is the custom of visiting shrines or temples at the start of the new year to pray for blessings and good fortune throughout the coming year. Since the omikuji (fortune-telling paper strips) drawn during this time are believed to reveal one's fortune for the entire year ahead, this ritual holds extraordinary significance for many people.
Therefore, shrines and temples become extremely crowded from January 1st to January 3rd.
The Uchiha likewise observe this tradition, though unlike others who pray to gods and Buddhas, the Uchiha regard their ancestors as divine beings.
On January 1st every year, all Uchiha clan members, whether adults or children, drop whatever they're doing to visit the Naka Shrine and pay homage to their ancestors, praying for good fortune in the coming year.
At dawn, the two brothers who had stayed up together for New Year's showed no sign of grogginess whatsoever and got up right on time.
Aozora skipped his usual morning training session and quickly rose to prepare traditional New Year foods like Toso wine, kazunoko (herring roe), black beans, and soy sauce-flavored dried fish, along with some tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), dumplings, and mochi (rice cakes).
After breakfast was ready, Shisui was already awake. The two, dressed formally in elegant kimono, offered incense at the household altar before sitting down to eat.
With those two auspicious dishes in his stomach, Aozora felt a slight boost in his luck for the year ahead.
After finishing breakfast, they tidied themselves up and headed out together.
"Brother, are you feeling better today?"
Still bedridden yesterday yet walking today, Aozora worried about Shisui's physical condition.
Shisui smiled warmly. "I'm fine! I haven't sustained any injuries. Why would you worry about me?"
"That's exactly what worries me," Aozora thought.
Walking for a while, Aozora suddenly said, "Big bro, I think your frame's too weak. From now on, get up early with me and train together!"
The Mangekyo Sharingan was taking a toll on Shisui's body—ordinary eyes couldn't endure its burden. For his older brother's health, Aozora felt it was time to teach him some nurturing techniques from the Yin Yang Eyes and Dao Yin Lian Qi (Guidance Method).
Of course, prior to that, Aozora still needed to find an opportunity to talk with Shisui and convince him to abandon the idea of following the Third Hokage.
Upon hearing this, Shisui cheerfully replied, "Sounds good!"
He didn't see any reason to say no to morning training with his younger brother.
Not long after leaving home, Aozora and Shisui met many clan members heading toward the shrine in large groups.
Most were with their whole families, forming big groups, which made Aozora and Shisui look kind of alone by contrast.
But gradually, more people gathered around them.
The first to approach were Tetsuka and Inabi, the two brothers.
While Shisui and Tetsuka caught up with old times, Aozora chatted casually with Inabi.
"Your parents are over there. Why aren't you staying with them?"
"I've had enough of them! I'm only fifteen years old, yet my parents can't wait to push me into marriage. Is it really that urgent?"
"Uh... seems like your parents really care about you then! What about Tetsuka? He's already married!"
"They're pushing for grandchildren now! Been married for a whole year but hasn't produced kids yet. My parents made him come here specifically to pray for offspring."
Looking at the two brothers being pressured into marriage and fatherhood at such a young age, Aozora couldn't help but think the Uchiha Clan's prosperity must be closely related to their emphasis on reproduction.
Speaking of having children, Aozora suddenly asked, "What about Kyudai? I bet he's having it rough too!"
Hearing this, Tetsuka laughed. "Of course! He's an only child in his family, yet shows absolutely no sense of responsibility. Captain Hachidai is extremely anxious about it. In fact, right after this holiday started, Captain Hachidai scheduled several matchmaking meetings for Kyudai right after Hatsuhinode."
"Haha, that's only proper. Kyudai dedicates himself completely to work. If Captain Hachidai didn't take this seriously, there might not even be a tenth generation."
...
The two weren't discussing missions. They were just chatting casually about daily life as they strolled comfortably with the crowd.
Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound interrupted their conversation.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Both had keen senses and instantly turned their heads as dozens of small stones flew through the air toward Aozora and Tetsuka.
Though they weren't shuriken or kunai, the force and speed of these stones would definitely cause serious injuries if they hit someone.
Shisui and Inabi stood nearby, close enough to help, but recognizing this as merely a test, they had no intention of intervening.
Facing the incoming stones, Aozora and Tetsuka reacted differently.
Aozora didn't even activate his Sharingan, easily dodging the incoming stones with his exceptional perception as though strolling leisurely through a garden.
Tetsuka somehow pulled a kunai from beneath his kimono, flipping it skillfully in his palm to deflect the flying stones.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The stones shattered under the kunai's strikes, exploding into powder midair and immediately coating Tetsuka's elegant clothing with dust.
Seeing his new clothes ruined, Tetsuka became furious enough to curse, and activated his Sharingan, glaring angrily toward the source of the flying stones.
"Haha— sorry about that! I was waiting here for someone and got bored, so I threw some stones around. I didn't realize you folks were nearby."
It was Shinki who was apologizing — a middle-aged ninja dressed in Police Force uniform. Though verbally apologetic, his expression clearly showed enjoyment at what had happened.
Tetsuka's anger caught in his throat, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Aozora smiled and held back Tetsuka, saying, "Tetsuka, don't bother with a child's antics."
Shinki coldly replied, "What did you say?"
Aozora responded, "Isn't throwing stones a child's game?"
"You!"
Though angered by the remark, the older ninja inhaled deeply several times to calm himself.
"I've heard people say your tongue cuts sharper than a knife, and now I've witnessed it firsthand. Let's hope your throwing knife skills are equally sharp!"
Aozora gave a knowing nod. "So you're Kenta or Shinki?"
Shinki angrily retorted, "You're mocking me?"
Just then, Kenta walked by supporting his pregnant wife Aya, and upon hearing someone call his name, turned his head and asked, "Who called me?"
Aozora hesitated and asked, "May I ask who you are?"
Kenta answered, "I'm Uchiha Kenta. I just heard someone calling my name!"
Aozora wiped sweat from his brow and apologized, "Sorry about that—I called the wrong person!"
After exchanging greetings with everyone, Kenta continued walking forward, carefully supporting Aya.
Today, they had decided to pray to their ancestors for Aya to give birth to a healthy baby boy—although a daughter would be just as good.
After Kenta's earlier incident, tensions between both sides had eased considerably.
Shinki said coldly, "I hope next time I can see your skills with kunai and throwing knives!"
With that, he lightly pushed off the ground, disappearing from sight after several leaps.
He was just waiting here, and when he spotted Aozora—the one the intel had warned him about—he couldn't resist testing him a bit. Besides, today was New Year's Day; he didn't feel like drawing weapons today.
Tetsuka brushed off his clothes and said, "Shinki really went too far! Making me look like this on New Year's Day!"
Inabi snorted, saying, "How come Aozora is spotless while you're all dirty? He threw stones intending to mess up your clothes—you actually fell for it by blocking like an idiot. This time it was just a stone, but what if next time it's a poison pouch?"
"Come on, bro!" Tetsuka snapped. "I'm not stupid!"
"That Shinki must be gunning for my spot as Flying Tigers instructor. Obviously, he was just trying to test my limits."
Aozora apologized to Tetsuka, "Sorry, because of me, your clothes got dirty."
"No problem! Well, it's nothing a little brushing can't fix!" Tetsuka said. "When you run into him during the election, don't hold back. Teach him a real lesson."
Aozora nodded seriously, "Okay!"
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