"Inviting everyone to dinner is just Clan Leader Seiryu's personal gesture. It doesn't affect the mission," Hyuga Ken also sided with Seiryu.
Hayate, Yugao, and the two civilian ninjas didn't speak because of the clans behind them, but by standing with Seiryu, they showed silent support.
And through it all, the instigator—Seiryu—hadn't said a word.
After the drama, the group entered the town. Koharu Taki and Mitokado Hayato, sulking, went straight to a cheap inn preferred by most ninjas on missions.
Seiryu, meanwhile, led the others to another feast.
"Are we really just ignoring them? What about the mission?" asked Kuroki Ryuta, one of the four jōnin, after downing a glass.
"Relax, Ryuta. Their presence doesn't make a difference. We're up against Orochimaru. For us regular jōnin, one more or less won't change anything. When push comes to shove, it's up to Clan Leader Seiryu and Captain Kakashi. We just need to support them. Didn't you see neither Inuzuka nor Hyuga objected?" said Nagai Seiichi, the oldest.
"Thanks to Seiryu's generosity, we get to enjoy gourmet food from all over the Land of Fire during this mission. I say we toast him!" Nagai raised his glass.
"Seiichi, that's what I should do," Seiryu replied, raising his glass. "When I was just an academy, I grew up under the Will of Fire spread by the Third Hokage. Helping everyone is the best way to embody that will. So if you want to thank anyone, thank the Third, thank the Will of Fire!"
"You're right, Clan Leader Seiryu. With your understanding of the Will of Fire, you're practically the Third Hokage himself," Nagai said.
"Haha, you could say that. I am an embodiment of it," Seiryu laughed.
"If we do well on this mission, earn some merit, let's not forget the Third Hokage and the Will of Fire."
"To the Third Hokage! To the Will of Fire!" Seiryu said, downing his drink.
"To the Third Hokage! To the Will of Fire!" everyone echoed, even the youngest, Hayate and Yugao, getting swept up in the moment.
After several rounds, everyone loosened up even more. Faces flush with drink, they laughed and joked.
At one point, Nagai Seiichi sighed.
"What's wrong, Seiichi?" Seiryu asked.
"Sorry, Clan Leader Seiryu, I'll drink three cups as punishment. It's just when I drink, I can't help but think of my useless son," Nagai said.
"Don't say that. You're a jōnin, the backbone of the village. Your son must be gifted too," Seiryu replied.
"I wish that were true," Nagai sighed. "I got lucky and made jōnin, but all I know I learned from the village. I could teach him some basic jutsu, but my son inherited his chakra nature from my late wife, who died six years ago. I want to teach him, but I just can't. If he graduates next year and doesn't get a good sensei, what will he do?"
"Forget it, let's not talk about this. Sorry to kill the mood." Nagai waved it off and drank another cup.
"Don't say that. Every parent worries about their kid. With you as a father, I'm sure he'll be fine," Seiryu said, recalling Nagai's file in his mind.
Nagai Seiichi, Ninja ID: 009841. Missions: D-rank 472, C-rank 617, B-rank 391, A-rank 122, S-rank 4. Promoted to jōnin during the Third Great Ninja War, specializes in Water Style, but limited talent makes him one of the weakest jōnin in the village. As a civilian, he has little hope of rising higher. His fate is likely to die on a dangerous mission or retire.
But it looked like he wasn't content to settle. Sensing the Uchiha might be making big moves, he saw an opportunity and wanted to take a chance.
"Have you thought of getting your son into the police force? They recruited some rookies recently, but after the next academy class graduates, they'll take more. If he's interested, I'll ask Captain Fugaku to keep an eye out."
Seiryu casually offered an olive branch. He wasn't afraid of ambitious followers—as long as they were loyal, he could give more than they imagined.
"Really?" Nagai was delighted. "Thank you so much, Clan Leader! A toast to you!"
After Nagai drained his cup, Inuzuka Kaze laughed. "You've set your son up for life—pay and benefits in the police force are way better than for regular ninjas. Even my clan has kids wanting in!"
"Really? But I haven't seen any Inuzuka names on the application list," Seiryu asked curiously.
"The elders won't allow it," Inuzuka Kaze said. "Our ancestors followed the Senju, so we're not exactly close with the Uchiha. Plus, most of your clan's summons are ninja cats, so after a few beatings from the elders, our kids gave up."
"But our clan head is considering selling a batch of our newly bred police dogs to the police force. After all, when it comes to catching criminals, ninja dogs are way better than ninja cats, don't you think?"