The moment the restaurant owner saw the young clan head's friends had taken their seats, he quickly ordered the waiters to start serving the dishes.
This place belonged to the Akimichi Clan, who were renowned for their culinary expertise.
In fact, much of Arima's own grilling techniques had been learned from Torifu.
As they ate, the group naturally turned the conversation to the current state of the shinobi world.
Listening to their latest intelligence reports, Arima couldn't help but feel uneasy about the direction things were heading.
Nowadays, every major hidden village possessed a Tailed Beast as a weapon of mass destruction.
These ultimate weapons could wipe out an entire town with a single strike. If deployed on the battlefield, war would instantly devolve into a bloodbath.
Arima didn't exactly agree with his grandfather's decision to distribute the Tailed Beasts, but since that had happened before he was born, it was no longer something he could influence.
Just then, the group's discussion shifted to the topic of Tailed Beasts.
Curious, Arima asked, "Do you know what methods the other villages use to seal their Tailed Beasts?"
He was genuinely interested in sealing techniques outside the Uzumaki clan's style.
He had already mastered nearly all of the Uzumaki's methods and was planning to begin training in the Yin Seal soon.
When the time came, he would also bear the same diamond-shaped mark on his forehead as Mito once did.
The others, however, hadn't heard much about this kind of intelligence.
After all, Tailed Beasts were the trump cards of each village, trying to get close to them was a death sentence. Information on them was incredibly scarce.
Homura adjusted his glasses and replied, "I've heard a little about Sunagakure.
Supposedly, their current Jinchuriki is named Bunpuku and is skilled in sealing techniques.
That hasn't been verified though. Also, there are rumors that they're developing a new Kekkei Genkai... something called Magnet Release."
Hearing this, Danzo immediately said, "Sunagakure might become a major threat to our village.
I think we should start building a specialized intelligence network focused on them as soon as possible."
Though Hiruzen was a kind person by nature, he spoke cautiously when it came to matters of the village's survival.
"We should bring this up to the teacher in a few days. Considering how harsh the environment in the Land of Wind is, it's hard to believe they wouldn't covet the Land of Fire's rich resources and pleasant climate."
The others agreed with this idea. With the First Hokage no longer around to keep the peace, the other villages were growing restless.
Arima suddenly thought of the Uzumaki clan and said, "What do you all think about the Uzumaki clan?"
His sudden question left the others momentarily puzzled. Koharu asked, "Arima, why bring them up out of the blue?"
Arima took a moment to gather his thoughts before replying.
"I think the Uzumaki clan might become a target of the other villages in the future.
We don't know how they seal their Tailed Beasts, but they do know that we used Uzumaki sealing techniques to seal the Nine Tails.
If their methods ever fail, the Uzumaki homeland would be the first place they look to."
Danzo responded indifferently.
"You're thinking too far ahead. Back when the First Hokage gave the Tailed Beasts to the other villages, he mentioned their sealing methods should be able to last at least twenty years.
I doubt they'll turn on the Uzumaki any time before that."
Hiruzen added, "Besides, while the Uzumaki and Senju clans have always had close ties, the village includes members from other clans too.
Any decisions we make have to consider the village's overall interests, or we won't get widespread support.
If we want to protect the Uzumaki, they'll have to be willing to migrate here first. Otherwise, our hands are tied."
Arima found himself agreeing with their logic.
At that moment, Kagami set down his sake cup and said.
"I think Arima should visit the Uzumaki clan ahead of time. Since you've studied their sealing arts, you're practically a disciple of Lady Mito.
If you go under that title, the clan's leadership might be more open to you."
Arima's eyes lit up. He had never considered identifying as Mito's student before, but Kagami was right, sometimes it takes an outsider's perspective to see clearly.
He glanced at Kagami with genuine gratitude. Kagami laughed heartily, deepening the quiet sense of guilt Arima already felt toward him.
The conversation soon moved on to other topics. Hiruzen, for instance, mentioned he'd invented a jutsu that could spy on enemies from a distance.
Danzo, however, quipped that it sounded more like a perfect technique for peeping on women in the bath.
Hearing that, Hiruzen's eyes lit up like he'd discovered a new world. His imagination quickly spiraled into forbidden territory.
Noticing his shifting expression, Koharu didn't hesitate to give a punch at his nose, making him yelp in pain.
With a triumphant "hmph," she turned to young Tsunade, who was happily munching away, and said.
"Tsunade, if this guy ever ends up your teacher, you'd better be careful. Keep an eye out when you're bathing so this pervert doesn't sneak a peek."
She then shot a meaningful look at Hiruzen.
Hiruzen rubbed his nose, trying to hide his embarrassment.
He thought to himself, 'Damn Danzo... If he wanted that jutsu, he could've just asked. Now I've got to worry about Koharu telling Biwako about this.'
He and Biwako were in a somewhat ambiguous phase of their relationship, and he didn't want a misunderstanding to ruin things.
Quickly, he gave Koharu a look, promising he'd teach her the defensive technique later. Only then did she let him off the hook, for now.
Tsunade, oblivious to the subtext, turned to Arima and said, "Arima-nii, what's so great about watching someone bathe? If you wanna see, you can help me bathe next time."
Arima nearly choked. He glanced around in panic, only to find his senpais wearing teasing expressions.
Even the usually serious Homura raised his brow in amusement.
Koharu laughed and tugged Tsunade's ponytail, saying, "You really are your Arima-nii's perfect little sister."
Tsunade puffed up proudly and said to Arima, "You love Tsunade the most, right?"
Arima quickly nodded, trying to shut her up before she said anything more outrageous.
But fate had other plans. Tsunade, still licking sauce from her fingers, innocently added.
"Arima-nii, can you wash my hair later? All this meat made it so greasy... I don't wanna dirty your bed."
Everyone froze, then the teasing exploded like wildfire.
The older students looked at Arima like they were seeing him in a whole new light.
He blushed furiously, wishing he could use earth release to hide like a mole right then and there.
He didn't understand how this girl could be so unintentionally destructive. In the end, he could only comfort himself by chalking it up to sibling closeness.
As the laughter died down, faint shouting could be heard from outside.
Everyone exchanged glances. Torifu, as the host, got up to investigate.
Before long, the noise subsided, and Torifu returned.
He sat back down, glanced at Kagami, and said, "Just a drunk causing trouble. The village's Military Police took him away."
Everyone instinctively turned to look at Kagami.
Kagami could only shrug and say.
"I've told my father several times to regulate how our clan enforces the law, but he believes maintaining the Uchiha's reputation requires strict, by the book procedures.
Because of that, people are starting to fear our clan's patrols. I really want to change this..."
He drained his cup, clearly frustrated.
Seeing his dejected state, no one dared press the issue, except Danzo.
"If this continues, your clan will grow arrogant and complacent," Danzo said bluntly.
"That's a path to ruin."
Hiruzen frowned, thinking Danzo had gone too far, and prepared to step in to stop an argument from breaking out.
But Kagami remained composed.
"I don't have a good solution right now. But once I become clan head, I'll do everything I can to mend the relationship between our clan and the rest of the village.
I'm very aware of the danger signs. Danzo, you're not exaggerating. Sometimes I even wonder... could this lead to our clan's destruction?"
The room fell silent.
The others quickly tried to take his drink away, thinking he was speaking drunken nonsense.
But Arima wasn't so sure.
Everyone's expressions had grown serious. They didn't seem to think Kagami was joking.
After all, no one understood the Uchiha better than another Uchiha.
If Kagami had reached this kind of conclusion, it meant he had truly thought it through.
His pessimism only highlighted the severity of the issue.
The Uchiha could become a dangerous element within the village.
Right now, things still seemed peaceful, but people's hearts were unpredictable... who's to say what would happen in the future?
Arima was only ten, but thanks to the teachings of his grandfather and granduncle, he could already think in terms of the village's long term stability.
He didn't think Kagami was being overly dramatic. He knew that as Uchihas awakened their Sharingan, their emotions would often become unstable. Many grew arrogant and aggressive.
Looking at Kagami's troubled face, Arima silently thought.
'As long as Kagami-senpai can restrain his clan... then when I reach that position one day, I'll do my best to integrate them into the village completely.'
The group only exchanged a few more casual remarks before leaving the restaurant one by one.
Arima felt a bit disappointed. The gathering hadn't gone as perfectly as he'd hoped, but there was no helping that.
At least little Tsunade had enjoyed herself. With Arima-nii doting on her, she had nothing to worry about, happily stuffing herself full. Her little belly was round as a dumpling.
Arima picked her up and used chakra to help her digest. After a while, she finally felt better.
Then, grinning mischievously, she wiped the grease from her mouth onto Arima's cheek.
Seeing her innocent smile, all of Arima's heavy thoughts faded away.
He held her in his arms and walked home through the quiet night.
Along the way, his heart remained uneasy. But when he looked up at the starry sky and heard Tsunade's sleepy murmurs, his mood gradually lightened.
This was his family. As long as he could help it, he would protect this home and stop any signs of decay before they could take root.
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