On the final day of Konoha’s fifty-third year, heavy snow fell over the village, covering the trees and buildings in a pristine layer of white.
The four Hokage on the Hokage Rock had even been given festive “wool” hats, as though they were looking forward to the shinobi world maintaining this superficial peace for another year.
Uchiha Mikoto and Tōru left the house wearing knitted hats, intending to do some shopping.
“Are you really not cold dressed like that, Tōru?” Unlike Uchiha Mikoto, who was wearing a wool coat, Tōru was dressed in nothing more than a high-collared, long-sleeved Uchiha-style shirt and children’s shorts.
From time to time, thick clouds of steaming white vapor escaped his mouth.
His cheeks had taken on an adorable reddish tint, but anyone who looked closely would realize that it wasn’t caused by the cold.
“I’m fine.” Half of Tōru’s face was hidden beneath his high collar as he headed toward the clan district’s gate.
“Wait for me, Tōru.” Uchiha Mikoto called after him and extended one hand.
“Could you hold Mommy’s hand?
Otherwise, I might slip.
You wouldn’t want to see Mommy fall over and make a fool of herself, would you?” Tōru looked confused.
“But Itachi can walk directly on water.” [How could a Jōnin possibly slip on snow?] Mikoto froze for a moment before revealing a sly smile.
“But Mommy isn’t as amazing as Itachi, so you’ll have to protect me, Tōru.” Her expression immediately turned pitiful.
She dabbed at the corner of her eye with a finger, looking as though she were about to cry.
“Does Tōru only care about Sasuke and Itachi?
Do you not care about Daddy and Mommy at all?
I’m really hurt.” [Take the bait!
Take the bait!
Take the bait!
Take the bait!] Sure enough, seeing how genuinely “sad” his mother looked, Tōru’s small hand immediately grasped three of her fingers.
Mikoto instantly “burst into a smile through her tears.” “But speaking of that—” The next moment, however, Tōru stared at her seriously.
“Are the standards for becoming a Jōnin in Konoha too lax?
Is Itachi really safe when carrying out missions in the village?
If someone discovered that he couldn’t even walk on water, wouldn’t you be punished?” After all, walking on water was extremely simple.
Tōru had learned it after watching only once.
The smile on Mikoto’s face gradually froze.
But after giving Tōru’s little hand a squeeze, she suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
“Eh?
Tōru, why are you so hot?
Do you have a fever?” “No.” Tōru firmly shook his head.
His body temperature had risen sharply because he was practicing Flame Breathing.
That morning, after coaxing Sasuke into using his “Little Fireball” a few times, Tōru had finally completed his analysis of Flame Breathing.
[Current Breathing Style analysis progress—Flame Breathing: 100%; Wind Breathing: 9.8%; Thunder Breathing: 4.1%; Stone Breathing: 2.4%; Moon Breathing: 15.44%; Sun Breathing: 0%.] At this point, the training methods for Flame Breathing, its nine Forms, and the breathing rhythm required for Constant Total Concentration had all been imprinted in Tōru’s mind.
Next, Tōru only needed to cultivate Flame Breathing to the level of Constant Total Concentration before he could use the Summoning Technique to summon Kyojuro Rengoku.
However, using this particular Summoning Technique seemed to require something extra.
[Please prepare human genetic material, such as hair, blood, saliva, or skin, as the summoning medium.
The revived Hashira’s physical constitution will be influenced by the genetic material used.] Tōru had never heard the word “gene” before.
But after asking one of the more bookish children in the clan, he more or less understood.
For example, if he used his own hair as the summoning medium, the body Kyojuro Rengoku revived with might inherit some of Tōru’s characteristics.
Perhaps black hair.
Perhaps blue eyes.
Perhaps even the Sharingan’s Kekkei Genkai…
But Tōru absolutely couldn’t accept a black-haired Kyojuro Rengoku.
As far as he knew, Rengoku himself was quite proud of his distinctive hair color.
He had even said that several generations of his ancestors had eaten too much tempura shrimp, resulting in that particular coloration.
So today, Tōru planned to look around while shopping and see whether he could find someone whose hair and physical characteristics were close to Kyojuro Rengoku’s.
Given that unique combination of red and yellow hair, however, he wasn’t holding out much hope.
Finding someone with either red or yellow hair and a relatively sturdy physique would be enough.
As for how to become acquainted with that person and ask for a strand of hair afterward, he would worry about that later.
Speaking of which…
Mikoto still wasn’t entirely at ease.
She carefully examined Tōru’s body.
Tōru had always possessed the best constitution among the three brothers.
He hadn’t even caught a cold once in his entire life.
But there was a saying among ordinary people that those who rarely suffered minor illnesses would become seriously ill when they finally did get sick.
That thought occasionally charged through Mikoto’s mind like a maddened bull, so she examined him especially carefully.
After a thorough examination, however, she realized that Tōru wasn’t simply running a fever.
He was more like a burning furnace, continuously radiating heat outward.
Snowflakes falling from the sky couldn’t even come within ten centimeters of Tōru’s body before being instantly evaporated by an invisible wave of heat.
This was far beyond anything an illness could produce.
Rather than a sickness, it looked more like the Boil Release ninjutsu Mikoto had once witnessed on an Iwagakure jinchūriki during the Shinobi World War.
“Tōru, you’re really amazing.” Mikoto stared into her son’s eyes as though trying to discover some hidden secret.
She spoke cheerfully.
“In summer, you’re cooler than a refrigerator.
In winter, you’re warmer than a heater…” Then she suddenly hugged Tōru and vigorously pressed her cheek against his, rubbing against him like a lion.
“Mommy is so jealous of you!” Tōru’s expression changed dramatically.
He tried to retreat in horror, but without using chakra, there was no way he could break free.
If he did use chakra, he might accidentally hurt his mother, who apparently couldn’t even walk on water.
The last time Tōru had experienced this sensation was during the Hashira meeting, when Mitsuri Kanroji had tried to tickle him.
(As depicted in the official novel.) “All right, all right.
Look how scared you are.” It was the first time Mikoto had ever seen Tōru make such an expression.
She couldn’t help laughing as she adjusted the knitted hat on his head and stood up.
[I wonder what kind of girl Tōru will marry in the future…] [A girl as shy as Izumi probably wouldn’t even be able to make Tōru change his expression.] [But if she’s too forward, would Tōru end up being bullied?] As Mikoto imagined events from who-knew-how-many years in the future, she continued walking while holding Tōru’s hand.
Tōru, meanwhile, wore a worried expression.
He was so preoccupied that he even forgot to maintain Flame Breathing.
“Tōru!” When they reached the main gate of the clan district, Tōru heard someone call his name.
He looked up.
It was Uchiha Gan.
The boy was carrying a bag of fireworks and excitedly waved at Tōru before politely bowing to Mikoto, who had composed her expression.
Tōru merely nodded in return.
Gan didn’t mind at all.
He handed Tōru a lollipop and left, clearly accustomed to Tōru’s aloof manner.
Afterward, Tōru encountered a group of Uchiha boys building a snowman.
When they saw Tōru and Mikoto, they stopped and invited him to join them.
Tōru declined as usual.
Only after the mother and son had left the clan district did Mikoto peek at him and say: “Tōru, I didn’t realize you had such good relationships with the children in the clan.
Does everyone know you?” She was genuinely surprised.
The Uchiha were famous for being difficult to get along with.
Given Tōru’s personality, it should have been even harder for him.
Ever since she had been freed from most of her household duties, Mikoto had been working as a team-leading Jōnin.
She had no idea that during the day, when Itachi wasn’t around, Sasuke and Tōru trained together with the children of the clan.
At first, the only ones training alongside Tōru and Sasuke had been the three Genin—Gan, Wen, and Cui.
But when the younger children saw even Genin training and “playing” together with Tōru and Sasuke, they naturally began joining one after another.
Influenced by Gan, Wen, and Cui, they gradually realized that Tōru’s advice could make their training much more efficient.
They became increasingly grateful to him.
And Tōru often brought delicious food to share with them.
Over time, everyone became friends.
And thanks to the Uchiha children’s love of showing off, they competed every day to fire Fireball Jutsu at the lake.
That was why Tōru’s Flame Breathing analysis progress had continued climbing at an astonishing rate…
To be honest, they were grateful to Tōru.
And Tōru was grateful to them as well.
If he had relied solely on Itachi and Sasuke to accumulate analysis progress, it would probably have taken more than a year.
Thus, when faced with Mikoto’s confusion, Tōru answered seriously: “They’re all friends of mine and Sasuke’s.” “Oh, Tōru, you’re full of surprises.” Mikoto smiled warmly and rubbed the back of his head.
“Then you have more friends than your big brother.” The only person Uchiha Itachi openly considered a friend was Uchiha Shisui.
But rather than ordinary friends, the two were more like brothers without a blood relationship.
After crossing the Konoha River, mother and son stopped outside a shop on the main street.
Its sign was pink and bore the words Yamanaka Flowers, giving it a distinctly girlish appearance.
“Tōru, I want to buy some Cymbidium and cyclamen for the house.
Do you want to come in with me?” Mikoto asked.
“It might take a while.” As soon as Tōru heard that it might take a while, he was about to head straight to the market to save time.
Then he noticed a small figure with yellow hair flashing past the flower shop’s glass door.
[The color is a little pale, but there’s no mistaking it.
It’s yellow…] “I’ll come too.” “Really?
That’s wonderful.” Mikoto’s face lit up with a broad smile.
“How about choosing a pretty flower for Mommy too?” Before Tōru could answer, she immediately pushed the door open.
An extremely warm and humid atmosphere swept over the two of them.
“Welcome to Yamanaka Flowers.” An elegant and gentle-looking woman emerged from behind the flower racks with a warm smile.
“Oh, Mrs.
Uchiha.
It’s been such a long time.
Having you visit our humble shop is truly an honor.” Although it was a standard flattering phrase, coming from her, it didn’t feel unpleasant.
Instead, it made one feel genuinely honored.
She gave Tōru much the same impression as Kanae Kocho had when she was still the Flower Hashira.
Tōru only needed a glance at the thickness and coloration of the woman’s neck veins to know that she wasn’t a shinobi.
“You’re too kind.
I’m still young, so please just call me Mikoto.” “Since you insist, I won’t stand on ceremony.” The Yamanaka matriarch then turned her attention to Tōru.
“But Sasuke seems to be a little different from before—” “Mom?
Is Sasuke here?” A boisterous voice came from the back room.
After a series of loud clatters, the door opened.
A girl with short, pale-yellow hair poked her head out from behind the counter.
Her two bright sky-blue eyes stared intently at Tōru.
Soon, a hint of confusion appeared on her face.
“Ino, don’t be so rambunctious.
Come over here.” The Yamanaka matriarch beckoned.
Yamanaka Ino immediately went to her mother’s side and stood there, scrutinizing Tōru.
“No, Mom.” She stated firmly: “He isn’t Sasuke.” “Oh my, I was actually hoping to tease Ino a little.” Mikoto covered her mouth and laughed.
She then explained: “This is Sasuke’s twin brother, Tōru.
It’s actually his first time coming shopping with me.” “What’s more, quite a few people in the clan can’t tell the two brothers apart, yet Ino recognized him immediately.
That’s impressive.” “Of course!” Ino planted her hands on her hips and proudly lifted her chin, brushing the hair from her forehead.
“From the very first time I met Sasuke, I decided I was going to marry him into the Yamanaka Clan.
How could I possibly mistake him for someone else?” The two mothers exchanged glances.
Then, without coordinating it beforehand, they both burst into laughter, tears almost appearing in their eyes.
“Why are you laughing?!” Ino didn’t understand what was so funny.
She angrily demanded: “Do you think I can’t do it?” The mothers laughed even harder.
Seeing that they were too busy laughing to pay attention to her, Ino shifted her attention to Tōru, who was roughly the same height as her.
“Hey, do you think I can’t do it either?” Mikoto knew she was about to witness something entertaining.
She gave the Yamanaka matriarch a gesture that meant let’s stop for now, then folded her arms and waited for Tōru’s response.
“Me…?” Tōru stared blankly at Ino.
He thought about her saying that she wanted to marry Sasuke.
Then he suddenly understood.
“Sorry.
I only just noticed that you’re a boy.” [If you were a girl, wouldn’t it be called marrying out instead?] “You!” Ino’s eyes widened.
She never expected to hear the one thing she hated most from Sasuke’s own younger brother!
[“Ino, stop acting like a boy all the time!”] [“Tomboy Ino!”] Damn it!
Damn it!
Damn it!
[He looks so much like Sasuke.
Why is he so annoying the moment he opens his mouth?!] “All right, all right.
Why don’t you two go play in the back for a while?
I’ll help Mrs.
Uchiha pick out some flowers.” The Yamanaka matriarch desperately suppressed her laughter and pointed toward the back room.
“Ino, go pour Tōru something to drink.” “Mom!” Ino stomped her foot unwillingly.
“Don’t make a face at our guest.” The Yamanaka matriarch bent down and smiled.
“Sasuke and Tōru are both the same age as you.
Starting next March, you’ll all attend the Ninja Academy together.
You need to get along well, understand?” “…” Seeing her mother’s smile become increasingly intense and suspiciously cheerful, Ino nodded nervously.
But when she turned back toward Tōru, her expression immediately became fierce again.
“Come with me!” “Tōru, Mommy will call you out in no more than ten minutes.” Mikoto gave Tōru a gentle push.
“Go on.
You’ll get to make another new friend.
You should be happy, right?” “Mm.” Tōru stared seriously at Ino’s pale-golden hair and nodded.
[I think this girl’s personality actually suits Tōru better than Sasuke’s does.] Mikoto watched the two children disappear through the doorway with a satisfied smile.
She had no idea that after Tōru sat down in the back room, the very first thing he said to Ino was— “Could you give me a strand of your hair?” The drink in Ino’s hand fell to the floor with a loud clatter.