Because he'd gotten too absorbed in developing the prototype for the Spiral Sphere, Fenghuo had neglected Maitedai's daily taijutsu training, which made Dai visibly frustrated. But after a few breaths and a hearty laugh, Dai seemed to calm down.
"After all, Fenghuo's an Uchiha," he reasoned to himself. "He needs to master ninjutsu and genjutsu too… He can't just rely on taijutsu."
Even so, the thought didn't sit well with him.
Dai's thick, jet-black eyebrows twitched continuously, reflecting his complex emotions—and with every twitch, Fenghuo grew increasingly uneasy.
Next to them, the future Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, introduced himself rather modestly.
"Hello, my name is Namikaze Minato."
"Ah, hello! I'm Maitedai. I've heard of you—Jiraiya-sama's student, right? A true genius! It's an honor to meet you. Please guide me in the future!" Dai's mood instantly recovered, his boundless optimism and humility kicking in like clockwork.
"You don't have to be so formal," Minato replied with a soft smile. "Well, I have to get going for now. Fenghuo, let's continue working on that jutsu next time. Oh, by the way—what's it called?"
Fenghuo waved his hand nonchalantly. "Call it whatever you like."
"Really?! That's great! Then let's go with... Super Invincible Whirlwind Thunderclap Ultra Mega—"
"Wait!" Fenghuo interrupted, face twitching. He suddenly remembered—Minato, despite his gentle nature, had a unique naming sense. Even his "Flying Thunder God" had been named with questionable flair.
"What's wrong?" Minato tilted his head, confused.
"I remembered. The jutsu already has a name… It's Rasengan! Yes, Rasengan!" Fenghuo forced a grin. He couldn't imagine shouting out "Super Invincible Whirlwind Thunderclap Whatever" every time he used the jutsu. It was just too embarrassing!
"Aww, you already named it?" Minato looked genuinely disappointed.
Fenghuo's eye twitched. Sorry, but no way am I letting you name it, you madman.
After Minato left, Dai enthusiastically dragged Fenghuo back to his "pistol,"—cough, that is, a session of burning taijutsu training.
A few days later, the temperature dropped, and snow began falling steadily, blanketing Konoha in white. The snow didn't stop for a whole day and night, and it significantly disrupted daily life in the village.
The Hokage Office quickly issued E-rank missions to Genin and even some Chūnin to help with snow removal. Among those tasked with the job was the ever-dependable Maitedai, who never turned down village work—even if it meant shoveling snow.
At the same time, the Ninja Academy went on a short break—let's call it winter vacation.
After mooching off Fenghuo's homemade bento lunches for half a year, Yūhi Kurenai, Rin, and the others decided to return the favor and invited Fenghuo to their homes for a proper feast.
Sarutobi Asuma, always cunning, immediately insisted on tagging along once he heard the words Kurenai's house.
Fenghuo was slightly excited too. Kurenai's father… was it Yūhi Makoto? Or Yūhi Zenkō?
Wait—if her father is Makoto ("true red"), would her grandfather be "very red"? And great-grandfather "extremely red"? Fenghuo's imagination went on a rampage.
But one thing was clear: Yūhi Makoto was a skilled genjutsu user.
Fenghuo's Sharingan had already awakened to a single tomoe. He knew that under intense emotional stress, it could evolve to two tomoe—but he wasn't about to endanger a comrade to get there. So he hoped that experiencing simulated life-and-death scenarios through genjutsu could trigger the evolution.
Like being "executed" a hundred times by a genjutsu gun?
Yes, that might work.
That afternoon, Fenghuo and Obito, bundled up like snowballs, walked out of the Uchiha compound. They met up with Rin and headed to Kurenai's house together.
Asuma had already arrived early to help out, making himself useful and visible.
"Fenghuo, Obito, Rin—you're here!" Kurenai greeted them at the door. Her crimson eyes shimmered in the snow, and her round cheeks were flushed pink from the cold.
Fenghuo couldn't resist reaching out and gently pinching her cheek. So soft!
Asuma, watching from the side, nearly coughed up blood.
"Hong, what did you make today? I skipped breakfast just to save space!" Obito said proudly, rubbing his stomach.
"Obito, that's so rude!" Rin scolded with a sigh.
"Kai didn't come?" Kurenai asked.
"He said he wanted to spend the time training instead of playing," Fenghuo answered with a grin.
"What a shame. I made extra just for him…" Kurenai pouted slightly.
Inside, they were welcomed by Yūhi Makoto, Kurenai's father.
"Welcome, everyone. I'm Yūhi Makoto, Kurenai's father," he said warmly, his red eyes sharp yet kind. "I've heard a lot about you all. Especially you, Fenghuo—your bento lunches are legendary. I'd love to try one sometime."
"Haha, I'd be honored!" Fenghuo chuckled nervously, heart pounding.
"Hello, Uncle!" Rin greeted politely. Obito quickly followed her lead.
Makoto gave them each a warm pat on the head before heading to the kitchen. "Dinner will be ready soon. Make yourselves at home."
As they waited, Obito whispered to Rin, "Hey, did you invite Kakashi?"
"I did, but… he refused. He's training for the Chūnin Exams," she said with a sigh.
"What?!" Obito's jaw dropped. "He just graduated and already wants to take the Chūnin Exams? That guy's so smug… Fine, then! I'll surpass him with these eyes!"
After months of "wall-staring" practice, Obito could now partially activate his one-tomoe Sharingan on command, though his control still wavered.
Fenghuo remained calm. With his current ability, he too could probably pass the Chūnin Exams after a bit more field experience. But for now, mastering the Rasengan and unlocking his Sharingan were his top priorities.
Though Makoto was a man, he was also a superb cook. Even Obito, who had skipped breakfast, stuffed himself until he was literally round.
After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room. Makoto asked the question that every teacher and parent eventually did:
"So, what are your dreams?"
"I want to be Hokage!" Obito shouted without hesitation.
"I want to be a kunoichi as amazing as my father!" Kurenai chimed in.
"I want to become an excellent medical ninja!" Rin said with a determined smile.
Asuma scratched his head awkwardly. "Honestly… I'm not sure yet."
As a Hokage's son, Asuma seemed a bit adrift—a far cry from the reliable ninja he'd one day become. Fenghuo recalled how in the manga, Asuma had a rebellious streak, even leaving the village to serve in the Daimyo's Twelve Guardian Ninja.
Then, everyone turned to Fenghuo.
Makoto's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. As a loyal follower of the Third Hokage's Will of Fire, he wanted to see what kind of ideals Fenghuo—a young Uchiha—held in his heart.
He was a genjutsu master, and carefully observed every twitch in Fenghuo's face for signs of deception or insincerity.
Unaware of all this scrutiny, Fenghuo prepared to answer honestly...