A few more days passed.
Uchiha Hikaru brought eleven clan members with outstanding appearance and vocal ability to a flat training ground outside the compound.
Leading them was Uchiha Izumi, following behind Hikaru. The remaining five pairs — five young women and five young men — stood in two neat lines.
The five women were all between fifteen and twenty years old, and the same went for the five men opposite them. The only exception was Izumi. Though just thirteen, her uniquely beautiful voice far surpassed the others in musicality and control — so Hikaru made an exception and brought her in as a vocalist.
Hikaru stood at the front, his gaze sweeping across the eleven he'd selected. Each of the girls had a distinct appeal: one was petite and youthful, another graceful and refined, one had a big-sister vibe, another was mature and elegant, while the last was a tomboy with short hair and confidence in her stance.
The boys had just as much variety — one with a bright youthful charm, another like a dependable older brother, one with a playful younger brother look, another cool and aloof, and one more with flowing long hair and a gentle, delicate demeanor.
"You're the ones I selected from among our clan's youth who best match the image I want. Your task from now on is to form a performance unit. You'll focus on dance. Uchiha Izumi and I will handle the vocals. Your job is to coordinate harmony and synchronize with the beat."
At that moment, the young man standing closest to Hikaru — Uchiha #1 — raised his hand and spoke up.
"Deputy Clan Head, is this really something useful for us? Isn't this the kind of thing done by civilan in the Land of Fire?"
His tone was skeptical, though not disrespectful. Like many others in the Uchiha clan, Uchiha #1 valued tradition and dignity. Dancing publicly felt humiliating — unbecoming of a shinobi.
Hikaru let out a quiet sigh, rubbing his temples.
It wasn't really Uchiha #1's fault. In his rush to find people with musical talent, Hikaru hadn't properly explained what kind of dancing he meant. They were shinobi — trained in taijutsu, coordination, and rhythm — so simple choreography should be easy. But when most people heard "dance," the first thing they imagined were geishas performing for nobles.
Hikaru crouched down, pulled a small scroll from his waist pouch, and unsealed it with a quick swipe. A compact black speaker popped out and landed softly on the grass.
"I'll show you. This is the kind of dancing I want you to learn. I'll demonstrate the men's choreography now. I'll show the girls theirs later."
He pressed the power button on the half-meter-high speaker. A bass-heavy pop beat began pulsing through the air.
The others watched in confusion as Hikaru stepped forward.
Then — he moved.
Without hesitation, Hikaru caught the rhythm and launched into fluid, precise choreography, singing in sync with the beat.
(Note: Song – "Trap" by Henry Lau. You can find it in Japanese, Korean, English, or Chinese versions. Search it on video platforms.)
[Like a cat in a cage]
[It's like the isolation of iron↘↗, there's no escape↗]
At first, the boys and girls just stared blankly. It felt strange watching their clan's Deputy Leader suddenly break into dance and song.
But the longer Hikaru danced — his sharp movements, his confidence, his smooth vocals — the more hypnotic it became.
Some of the girls began blushing. Their gazes were locked onto Hikaru's every move, eyes wide in admiration. Even the boys were caught off guard by how stylish and commanding he looked.
One of them, Uchiha #1, activated his Sharingan mid-dance and began copying Hikaru's movements.
He got the steps down pretty well — but his singing voice cracked badly.
"Uchiha #1! If you want to dance, fine — but shut the hell up!" snapped a girl across from him — Uchiha #2.
Uchiha #2 was eighteen, petite and slim with long black twin tails. Her cheeks were slightly chubby, giving her a youthful look, but her features were fine and symmetrical.
"Got it, sis," he mumbled, wisely choosing to dance in silence.
The other boys followed suit, activating their Sharingan and copying Hikaru's dance.
Seeing this, Hikaru smirked and gestured.
"You five — line up behind me and keep up."
The boys' faces lit up, thrilled to be involved. They quickly got into formation and danced behind Hikaru.
At first, they didn't see what was so impressive about it. But as they watched his moves more closely, their pride as Uchihas kicked in.
This is cool. This is badass.
As Uchihas, how can we not master this kind of thing?
Hikaru's words echoed in their heads: "If you don't act cool, are you even an Uchiha?"
Their earlier doubts faded. The Deputy Clan Head had made up his mind — all they had to do was follow.
After nearly four minutes, Hikaru struck the final pose, the others mimicking him as the music faded out.
He turned to them with a calm smile.
"So? Still feel like you're training to be geishas?"
All five shook their heads like drumsticks.
"No, sir! Not even close!"
Uchiha #1 was practically bouncing in place. "Deputy Clan Head, when do we get to use this kind of dance?"
Hikaru gave him a light bop on the head.
"Calm down. At least you're on board now. But it's not your turn yet — you guys aren't ready to perform. Your vocals aren't strong enough."
The boys' enthusiasm dimmed slightly, but they nodded in understanding.
Suddenly, something soft and warm latched onto Hikaru's arm.
"Deputy Clan Head… what about us? Are you going to show us girls what to do too?"
He turned his head to see Uchiha #2 clinging to him, giving him the full "puppy eyes and pout" routine.
He sighed. She was right. He had promised to show the girls their version afterward.
"Yes, Deputy Clan Head, what about ours?" said another. Even Uchiha Izumi was blushing slightly, cheering along.
Surrounded by pleading eyes and pretty faces, Hikaru experienced a rare feeling: helplessness.
He quickly formed hand seals and transformed into the appearance of Uchiha #2.
"Alright, Sharingan on — follow my moves. Stand behind me."
Uchiha #2 watched the transformation in amazement. "Hey! Why'd you copy me? You should've picked someone with longer legs like Uchiha #3!"
Uchiha #3 walked over, long-legged and elegant, and pinched Uchiha #2's cheeks.
"#2-chaaaan~ What are you saying~?"
"N-Nothing! I was just praising how beautiful you are, #3-nee!"
Uchiha #3 released her and walked beside her with a smirk.
Hikaru shook his head and chuckled, scrolling through his playlist. Then, he pressed play on the next track.