Fugaku stepped off the stage in his polished leather shoes as the red curtain rose once more.
The villagers seated in the audience could vaguely hear footsteps moving behind the curtain, heightening their anticipation for the performance to come.
"I wonder what kind of show it'll be this time, brother. Your relative works in the police department, right? Got any inside info?"
"If it were just normal news, I could find out. But something this secretive? Come on. Like my cousin's wife's brother's sister-in-law would tell me that kind of classified stuff. Just be patient."
"Fair enough. I'm really curious what kind of performance the new Deputy Chief of the Police Department has in store. Could it be something wild—like rap from the Hidden Cloud Village?"
"Alright, alright, enough guessing already. You're too loud. Just watch."
Dozens of seconds passed, and the crowd under the stage buzzed with anticipation.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
From either side of the stage, Uchiha Inahina and Fugaku launched their jutsu. The roaring fireballs were met by an equally powerful water wall, the impact causing the flames to hiss and fizzle into steam.
Some villagers flinched instinctively, startled by the explosive display—but many were captivated by the spectacle unfolding before them.
As fire and water collided, a thick cloud of steam spread across the stage, casting it in a mysterious mist.
"Woooah…"
The red curtain opened.
Uchiha Hikaru and Uchiha Izumi stood confidently at the center of the stage. Behind them, Uchiha #1 and Uchiha #2 led the others—both boys and girls—as they arranged themselves in a formation resembling a human character, stylized and artistic.
"Damn! Are all the guys and girls in the Police Department this attractive? I swear, joining them is now my life goal!"
"Whoa… so big… and smooth…"
"You perv! Who told you to stare at her like that? Knock it off!"
"I'm getting an Uchiha boyfriend. That's it. I've decided."
Regardless of age, gender, or background, everyone in the audience had their own thoughts—but all were rooted in the same reaction:
Uchiha Hikaru and the eleven Uchiha he had brought to the performance had astonishingly high charisma. They captured every onlooker's imagination.
Then, the red cloths hanging on both sides of the stage were pulled back by Fugaku and Inahina, revealing two massive speakers placed prominently at the front.
Melodic, emotional music began to flow from them.
Izumi gently raised a microphone to her lips. As she began to sing, each note seemed to brush softly against the audience's eardrums.
"Just a simple question…"
"What is love?"
"Is it a flavor, or an invisible pull?"
Her clear, vibrant voice brought a new sensory experience to the villagers. Enchanted, they lost themselves in her song. Even some of the older spectators closed their eyes, lost in nostalgia.
Then Hikaru raised his microphone. As he began to sing, his voice was warm and bright, like a young man sweet-talking the person he loved.
"From the moment I first fell in love~"
"It was sweet at first…"
"Then came the wind and the rain~"
Hikaru was fully absorbed in his performance. He didn't realize that Kurenai and Anko had arrived silently on the rooftops flanking the crowd, watching from the shadows.
Anko, arms crossed, smirked slightly and leaned toward Kurenai with a teasing tone.
"You know, I was Hikaru's first love, Kurenai. In that department, I've got you beat."
Kurenai simply smiled, unfazed.
"You were just kids back then. Puppy love at most. If thinking you were his first love makes you happy, then be happy."
"Tch. Believe what you want. Doesn't change the truth—I was his first."
Anko huffed and turned back toward the stage, eyes locked on Hikaru's figure as he sang.
Kurenai said nothing, but her expression softened.
In her heart, she knew—perhaps both of them had been Hikaru's first love. That mission beneath the tree, that night not long ago… it seemed fate had always pushed the three of them to intersect at the most important moments.
She and Anko continued to watch in silence, their expressions unreadable.
Hikaru and Izumi continued their duet, alternating solos and harmonizing together. The audience was completely swept away by the performance.
The two performers drew closer, locking eyes as they sang in perfect sync.
"So how long is forever?"
"Forever is short, and forever is slow."
"Everyone has a different way to measure it."
"Mysterious promises and oaths."
"Even lies we choose to believe ourselves."
"Maybe years, maybe a moment."
"You'll have to find your own answer."
As the song ended, Izumi turned shyly toward the audience.
Her ears were slightly flushed beneath her hair, and a faint blush crept up her cheeks. She gave a soft chuckle, then addressed the crowd.
"That was the song 'Answer,' brought to you by the Police Department. I hope all of you young people find your own answers. And I hope the older generation continues to hold fast to theirs. Let's work together to build a better Konoha!"
In the audience, many of the older villagers held their partners' hands. In that moment, they felt young again, hearts pulled back to memories of their first loves.
Some elderly villagers wept. Their spouses were long gone—lost to war or missions—but tonight, under the moonlight, their hearts stirred with hope again.
"Alright everyone, it's getting late. That concludes tonight's celebration by the Police Department. You're all free to go!"
The crowd began to stir as people in the back prepared to leave.
But then, Fugaku picked up the mic one more time and spoke with a grin.
"Oh, and one more thing! Tonight, everything at the Akimichi BBQ Restaurant is free for all villagers! Courtesy of the Police Department! We've already asked them to set up tables outside the restaurant—so head over and enjoy!"
As soon as those words left his mouth, ninjas shot off the rooftops like cannonballs, racing toward the barbecue joint.
Everyone knew how expensive the Akimichi BBQ Restaurant was. Most average ninjas could only afford to eat there maybe once a month, with the bulk of their pay going toward gear, blades, and supporting their families.
There was no way they were missing this.
"Let's go! Akimichi BBQ, here we come!"
"We're eating good tonight! Let's show the Akimichi chefs what real appetite means!"
"FREE FOOD?! Hell yes! Don't leave me behind—save me a seat!"
Ninjas and villagers alike beamed with joy. Laughter and excitement filled the night air.
High above, in the Hokage's Office, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the gathering through his crystal ball using the Telescope Technique.
"It's all thanks to that boy, Hikaru. I never imagined that at sixteen, he could bring stability to the Uchiha."
"And allow the rest of the village to see the Uchiha in a new light."
"If he continues to show strength and character, then why not entrust the Hokage title to him—and to the Uchiha?"
"Lord Tobirama… if you're watching from the Pure Land… I hope you can accept this answer I've given."