Chapter Twenty-Three: Investigation

“Yu, what day is it today?” If there’s no school or work, it’s easy to forget what day of the week it is.

“Thursday.”

“Ah! That means the day after tomorrow I have to go register?”

“Mm.” After answering, Yu Higashino asked curiously, “You’re about to start school—are you happy or not?”

“Of course I’m happy!”

“Heh.” Yu let out a laugh, sounding a bit mischievous.

“What? Yu, why did you laugh like that?”

“You’ll understand once you actually start school.”

“Huh?” Naruto began to catch on to Yu’s meaning. “Yu, are you saying school isn’t fun?”

Yu didn’t answer Naruto directly—he simply repeated, “You’ll understand once you start.”

“…Hmph! You’re just trying to scare me. I know your tricks, Yu—you love to fool little kids.” Naruto gave him a look of knowing suspicion.

But Yu was unmoved, only repeating in a calm voice, “You’ll know once you go.”

Without waiting for Naruto to retort, Yu stood up.

“It’s getting late, I’ll go make lunch. There’s work to be done this afternoon.”

Watching Yu’s receding figure, Naruto’s earlier excitement faded, replaced by the memory of Yu’s slightly sinister smile. What if ninja school really isn’t fun? Naruto started to worry.

As Yu walked up the stairs, he glanced back and saw the worry written all over Naruto’s small face, and couldn’t help but feel a trace of satisfaction—serves him right for waking Yu up so early.

While making lunch, Yu pondered how to conduct the afternoon’s investigation.

Having encountered countless surveys in his previous life, and being familiar with the issues between the Uchiha and the village, Yu had his plan mostly worked out by the time lunch was ready.

He called Naruto up for lunch, and while Naruto washed the dishes afterwards, Yu grabbed a notebook and jotted down the questions he needed to ask.

“Yu, I finished washing the dishes.”

“Alright, let’s go,” said Yu, finishing his notes.

“Yu, maybe I shouldn’t go.”

“Why?”

“I can’t really help with a survey like this—I can’t even write yet! I’ll stay and mind the shop for you instead. Who knows, maybe more customers will come?”

“…Fine, you stay and watch the shop,” Yu considered it. Naruto really wouldn’t be much help for the survey, and besides, there was something in the air today—perhaps there’d really be business.

“I’m heading out. If anything comes up, just lock up and leave.”

With that, Yu took his notebook and pen and stepped outside.

After a moment’s hesitation on the street, he walked into the neighboring snack shop.

Ayano Natsukawa’s snack shop was doing well; when Yu entered, he saw seven or eight customers—adults and children alike—browsing the shelves.

“Welcome—oh, Yu! What brings you here?” Ayano greeted him.

“I’ve taken on a commission and need to investigate a few things. Could you help me?”

“Of course. What do you need?”

“Just answer a few questions.”

“Alright.”

Yu took out his notebook and began:

Identity: Retired ninja
Gender: Female

After writing this, Yu asked, “First question—what do you think of the Uchiha?”

“Uchiha?!” Though Ayano tried to hide it, Yu keenly noticed the subtle change in her expression—surprise, recollection, and even a touch of fear.

What’s this about? Why that reaction? Is there some connection to the Uchiha? Yu wondered.

But Ayano quickly composed herself and answered, “I think they’re impressive and very capable. They seem cold on the outside, but once you get to know them, they’re reliable companions.”

Yu noted this down, then continued, “Second question—why do you feel that way?”

“Well… In my old squad I had a teammate like that. After working together, that’s the impression I got.”

Yu recorded her answer and asked, “And your impression of other Uchihas?”

“They seem a bit arrogant and aloof,” Ayano replied after some thought.

“Why is that?”

“They just give off that vibe,” she said, giving an answer that was unexpected yet reasonable.

“Thank you, that’s all.” Yu thanked her as he finished writing.

Remembering Ayano’s earlier expression, he added, “An Uchiha commissioned me to find out what Konoha villagers think of their clan—probably hoping to ease tensions.”

“Oh, I see,” Ayano replied, her tone unchanged.

Yu looked around the shop, considering whether to survey the other customers.

But in the end, he decided against it—there were plenty of people outside, no need to disrupt Ayano’s business.

“I’ll be going, then.”

“Alright, see you, Yu.”

“Goodbye.”

As Yu stepped out, he immediately spotted a group of children—familiar faces.

“Hey, you three—wait up!” Yu called out to them.

“It’s that guy from last time!” The three kids looked afraid.

“What do you want? We’re not bullying anyone this time!”

These were the same kids who had bullied Hinata before.

People on the street glanced over, but Yu remained indifferent.

“Don’t be scared—I just want to ask you a few questions.”

“W-what kind of questions?”

“Let’s talk over here—don’t block the street.”

The three kids glanced nervously at the alley Yu indicated, swallowing hard.

“Can’t we just talk here?”

“Hmm?”

“Okay, okay, we’ll go.”

Anxiously, the three shuffled to the alley entrance, glancing warily at Yu.

He got straight to the point: “What do you think of the Uchiha?”

While speaking, Yu wrote in his notebook:

Identity: Civilian boys (x3)
Gender: Male

“Uchiha?” The boys thought for a moment.

“They’re scary.”

“Why do you think so?” Yu pressed.

“Mom said never to mess with the Uchiha or they’ll take you away.”

“Anything else?”

“No,” two of them replied, but the third hesitated.

“Go on,” Yu encouraged.

“My brother was always beaten up by Uchiha kids at the ninja academy—he’d come home with his face swollen like a pig. So I think they’re scary.”

“Anything else?”

“No, that’s it!”

Yu recorded everything faithfully.

“Alright, you can go.”

“Really? We can leave?”

“Mm?”

“Run! Let’s go!” The three bolted.

Yu glanced over his notes, lost in thought, then left the alley and continued on.

Not far ahead, he noticed the vegetable vendor had few customers and approached.

“Young Yu from the Higashino family, here to buy groceries at this hour?” the vendor greeted him.

“No, I’m on a commission and need your help.”

“What kind of help?” Unlike Ayano, the vendor was clearly wary.

“Just a few questions.”

“Alright, ask away.”

“What’s your opinion of the Uchiha?”

The vendor grew more cautious, which Yu noticed, so he explained, “An Uchiha hired me to survey villagers’ opinions—probably hoping to ease tensions.”

“Oh, I see…” The vendor thought a moment, then asked, “Can I speak honestly?”

“Of course. I’ll still be buying veggies from you, after all. I won’t let you get in trouble.”

If an Uchiha had asked, no amount of reassurance would have convinced the vendor to speak honestly. But with Yu, and given his assurances, the vendor spoke freely.

“I think the Uchiha are arrogant and don’t consider themselves part of Konoha.”

Yu was surprised by the vehemence of the response.

Identity: Middle-aged civilian
Gender: Male

“Why do you feel that way?”

“First, the police force they run—when something really happens, like during the Nine-Tails attack, they were nowhere to be seen. But if there’s some minor trouble, they show up and arrest people. My friend had a few too many at the tavern and got into an argument—next thing he knew, he was locked up for over a week.”

“Well, that’s their job, keeping the peace.”

“I know, but if it’s one of their own causing trouble, it’s just a slap on the wrist. My friend was locked up for days. Feels like we’re being targeted.”

“And my friend wasn’t even at fault, but they wouldn’t listen to any explanation. They don’t respect us.”

Yu nodded along, jotting it all down as the vendor continued.

“And there’s no standard for arrests—they detain whoever they want, for however long they want. Sometimes we don’t even know what counts as causing trouble.”

“Mm,” Yu mused, nodding.

“And Yu, have you noticed? This street is the busiest in Konoha, but you hardly ever see Uchiha here.”

“That’s true.”

“That’s because they have their own shopping district in their compound. They never bother with our shops—it’s like they’re from a different village altogether.”

“It does seem that way,” Yu replied.

“And…” The vendor went on, listing complaint after complaint, and Yu wrote everything down.

At last—

“That’s all I’ve got.”

“Alright, thank you, sir.”

“No problem, but please don’t repeat all this to the Uchiha or I’ll be in trouble—probably locked up for a few days at least.”

“I understand, don’t worry.”

With that, Yu continued his survey, approaching suitable people along the way. Some were willing to answer, others refused. Those who did, he recorded; those who didn’t, he didn’t mind. He continued until evening.

All told, he surveyed a hundred or two, young and old, ninja and civilian, all sorts. Their impressions of the Uchiha varied, but most were negative.

Yu realized the rift between the Uchiha and Konoha was even greater than he’d imagined. But…what did it matter to him? He was only gathering information for Shisui; how to solve it was Shisui’s problem, unless Shisui commissioned him again.

Returning home with the results, he was met at the counter by Naruto.

“Yu, you’re finally back.”

“What’s up? Another commission?”

“Uh…no, I was just bored being here alone.”

“...Hungry?”

“Yeah, a bit.”

“Let’s go get some ramen at Ichiraku.”

“Yeah!”

Yu thought for a moment, then took out some money.

“This two hundred is your wage for the past two days—I’m not treating tonight.”

“You’re not coming with me?”

“I am, but we’ll each pay our own way.”

“Oh, okay.” Naruto accepted the money. “I’m earning my own money now!”

Yu ruffled his hair, set the notebook on the counter, and said, “Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

They locked up and headed for Ichiraku Ramen.

“Uncle Ichiraku, one large pork miso chashu ramen.”

“And I’ll have a salt ramen,” Yu said, in the mood for something different from Naruto’s beloved pork miso chashu.

As they finished ordering, they noticed someone else in the shop: silver hair, a face mask, one eye covered by a Konoha forehead protector.

From these features, Yu recognized him—Kakashi Hatake, a ninja famous as a “chakra unit of measurement.”

Yu had always liked this character, but he gave no sign of recognition now, treating Kakashi as a stranger.

Naruto, of course, didn’t know him at all.

But Kakashi recognized Naruto—the blond hair was exactly like his father’s.

Seeming to recall something, Kakashi masked the complicated emotion in his eyes and quietly ate his ramen.

At that moment, Naruto noticed him.

“Hey mister, are you a ninja? You’ve got a forehead protector, so you must be.”

“Mm,” Kakashi replied.

“I’m about to start at the ninja academy too. I’m going to become an amazing ninja!”