In comparison, Hakushi realized that Elder Shikora, though holding a crucial position in the Uchiha Clan, actually had a great temperament. He didn't object to his and Ruri's relationship, but rather seemed to approve.
What an open-minded elder.
"Don't be fooled by his gentle appearance. His political maneuvering is even scarier than the Third Hokage's. Till now, I still can't figure out what exactly he's thinking, or what schemes he's plotting. Just… be careful."
Ruri's expression grew serious.
"He can't be that terrifying, right?"
"He's the kind who can be laughing and chatting with you one second, and the next, smiling as he gets rid of you—a true hardliner, cold-blooded to the extreme. In his mind, he's already sorted out what's useful and what's not within the clan."
Hakushi was a little surprised to hear Ruri speak so about that kindly elder Shikora.
"Back in the day, quite a few members of the Uchiha opposed him being the leader of the radicals, but within a few years, his was the only voice left in the clan. Those who voted against him, the ones that challenged him—they're all gone now. Either they died on missions, or mysteriously disappeared. Within the Uchiha, he's the one the Hokage's faction fears most."
"Really?"
Knowing Ruri never exaggerated, from the sound of things, that Elder Shikora really was remarkable.
Old but not dead is a thief... Guess that's what that means.
After all, he'd survived the Warring States, the founding of Konoha, outlived both the First and Second Hokage, and was still alive under the Third. A living fossil.
Calling him a witness to the ages isn't an exaggeration.
But… what does that have to do with him?
He was, after all, the guy chosen by the clan's future star—no way anyone would set their sights on him, right?
Thinking this, Hakushi relaxed a lot.
◎
December went by quickly, and soon it was January.
With the coming of the New Year festival, Konoha Village was getting lively.
Ninjas stopped their assigned tasks; only those with special duties kept working overtime at their posts.
Plenty of Konoha Ninja stationed on the borders had come back to the village for the holidays.
Meanwhile, the Hidden Sand Village remained eerily quiet, showing not a hint of intent to start a war.
If it weren't for the huge orders of medical supplies from the Shion Flower Company—ordered by the Sand, even now insisting the company speed up production not just on medicine but also on stuff like medical gauze, cotton, and bandages—Hakushi would've suspected that Sand had completely given up on attacking the Land of Fire.
Could it be that Hidden Sand also wanted to happily enjoy New Year, host a lively festival, and only start trouble after the holiday?
If that's the case, then the Third Kazekage seemed surprisingly humane.
Maybe they just didn't want bloodshed during the holidays. After all, starting a war at New Year was a bad omen.
On the night of Konoha's New Year festival—
"Well?"
Ruri had changed into a kimono, spinning lightly in front of Hakushi to show off her stunning figure.
Her long black hair, glossy as silk, flew up; the light blue kimono was elegant and fresh, decorated with beautiful, bright patterns. A moon-white sash at her waist was tied in back into a butterfly knot, making her look all the more spirited. Gone was her usual coldness; even her gaze was much gentler.
"You look beautiful."
Hakushi answered a little dazzled.
Maybe leaving Konoha after New Years wasn't such a bad idea after all.
But how was he going to explain things to Ruri, and when would be the best time to lay it all out... The thought gave Hakushi a headache.
He wasn't normally the indecisive type, so why was he dropping the ball at such a critical moment?
Hand in hand with Ruri, he stepped out of the Uchiha compound.
By the time they reached the village's shopping street, it was already a sea of people.
Frankly, "town" fit Konoha's size way better than "village," Hakushi thought.
They bought some barbecue from a stand, walking and eating as they went—though on the street, they started playing that "feeding each other" game.
It was kind of embarrassing and awkward, but seeing Ruri's blushing, happy face, Hakushi decided to just brazen it out.
"Cough, cough…"
He'd eaten too quickly and choked a little.
"Idiot, you're eating too fast."
"Sorry, it's just too tasty."
"So what exactly tastes so good?"
Ruri raised her head to look at Hakushi.
The lively festival as a backdrop, her black hair fell straight down her back, pure and graceful like moonlight, her eyes flickering.
"Um…"
This question was philosophical—was the food tastier, or was the unmarried girl more "appetizing"?
Just as Hakushi was about to answer, a familiar voice cut in, not at all politely and with a teasing tone:
"You two brats, is it fun to play flash bomb in public like this?"
Tsunade was wearing a blue kimono with pale yellow floral patterns, giving off a real lady-of-the-manor elegance.
She also possessed the kind of magnificent "assets" over which countless warriors would fight to the death.
Beside her was Shizune, wearing a miniature kimono, staring at Hakushi and Ruri with curiosity.
She never expected that even someone as ordinary as Senior Hakushi would have such a beautiful girlfriend.
She'd definitely underestimated him.
That's what she was thinking inside.
"Tsunade-sensei, and Shizune, you guys are here too?"
"With such a lively festival, how could I waste the chance to go out and have a drink?"