At the beginning of the New Year, the cold snap of winter has not completely dissipated,

However, in the Uchiha Itachi's dining room, there was no cold feeling at this time.

Even at night, it is warm in this lively atmosphere.

At the round table, the ferret, who had finished the meal first, did not leave.

He set up a small coffee table directly next to him, and brewed tea while finishing today's work.

Drinking tea late at night is not a good habit, but it is still a good choice for them who need to stay up late to work next.

"It's yours, with just the right amount of sugar and milk."

Artoria's favorite flavor is more special, and after passing the tea, Itachi himself brews a cup of mellow and bitter tea.

Today, there is no basement in the home, so there is no place for large-scale gatherings.

The study room can't fit so many people, so I just wait for everyone to clean up after eating, and work directly in this dining room.

"But speaking of which, I noticed that the atmosphere in our clan seems to have changed a little since we came to Kyoto Castle."

"It's a little different, how could we worry about this kind of communication and return gift in the past, this is boring content when you think about it."

"More important things, you haven't found out yet, it's wartime!"

“…… Yes, it's wartime, and Konoha and Yunyin are still negotiating peace. ”

"Is it really appropriate to hold a festival and worship the gods during such a period?"

……

Is it appropriate?

After Itachi left the table, the atmosphere of the other people's chatting was noticeably more relaxed.

However, some of the things revealed in their conversation made Itachi a little concerned.

"Although I haven't had a chance to go out these days, I've heard from others that there are countless festivals outside Kyoto Castle, not only some local customs in the Fire Country, but also people from other countries who will participate in the New Year in their own way."

"Indeed, when I greet guests at the gate of the clan land, I can hear the sound of firecrackers outside."

"It's incredible to think about it, the last time the three generations of Hokage negotiated peace with Tsuchikage, not to mention the celebration of the New Year in Konoha, even the daily travel of some ordinary people would be restricted."

"It really feels like two worlds, there's still a war out there, but here...... Dancing and singing, I don't know why, I feel a little uncomfortable. ”

"What's so uncomfortable, aren't we living like this now?"

"No, it's different."

……

Isn't it the same?

Of course.

Who here has not been on the battlefield, who has not felt the cruelty of war.

But in this cruel war, when these ninjas fought for their lives, these ordinary people in Kyoto City lived a more nourishing life than them.

That...... What's the point of exercising, cultivating, and getting stronger?

Is it better to be an ordinary person, or is it better to be a ninja?

"Aren't you afraid that your people have lived here for a long time and contracted the bad diseases of some people here?"

Sitting opposite the ferret, Artoria, who was also sipping the fragrance of tea, asked in a heartfelt way.

"The glitz and glamour of Kyoto Castle is false, but it is indeed beautiful."

"At first, when I was out and about, I was a little blinded by this place, and I mistook it for the ideal place of my dreams."

"The battlefield here is much more obscure and dirty than a real life-and-death war."

For the delicate and thoughtful Artoria, Itachi has a different idea.

"They'll figure it out."

"Compared to normal people, the blood flowing in our Uchiha's body is the most expensive treasure."

"If the people are really like the people of Kyoto City, who are content to enjoy themselves, they don't know what will happen to us when we lose the weapons and shields to protect them."

"After all, the friction with Konoha for so many years has not only brought pain to the Uchiha, but also gained."

"As for those clansmen who don't know what to do, then let them be ordinary people with peace of mind, and don't think about being ninjas in the future."

He also responded with a heartfelt voice.

Itachi took it for granted that Uchiha Homon and others had this kind of thought.

When he first came to Kyoto Castle, he had a similar feeling when he saw such a world.

But later, when the weasel saw more clearly the facts behind all this, he lost these thoughts.

For example, the Daimyo's Mansion has very little opposition to Konoha's decision-making, such as the re-appointment of the three generations of Hokage.

Another example is that the daimyo government gained power by emphasizing class, high and low, through various rules.

Even, their persistence and desire for cultivation made them forget their fear of death.

Let's try it soon, everyone. 】

The ninjas, including the Uchiha, and Konoha all want peace, whether by balance or by force.

And these princes and nobles in Kyoto City, obviously based on their status as ordinary people, as long as they regularly pay tribute to the Konoha side as ninjas, and even the armed forces that Konoha may be replaced in the future, they can enjoy quiet happiness and enjoy the beauty that is difficult for ninjas to obtain.

Can......

They are desperate to break free from the cage called 'Kyoto', they don't want to be kept in captivity like sheep.

Even if they start to learn to develop and master, this matter of power that is different from the ninja may bring disaster to the entire ninja world, and bring even greater disasters, but they do not hesitate to do so.

This is a very contradictory idea.

These two envy each other and desire each other to get what they don't have.

And the ferret personally thinks that they ...... It doesn't seem necessary to limit yourself too much.

Define yourself in a variety of words.

"A person who has not mastered chakra, but is skilled in swordsmanship, is called a samurai, and it is a profession."

"The person who masters the chakra is called a ninja, and this is also a profession."

"A person who has an official seal and rules over a place is called an official, and this is also a profession."

"Even if it's the Daimyo of the Fire Nation and the Konoha Hokage, it's also a profession, or status."

"I've always thought about how the Uchiha should define himself after he leaves the village, whether he will assassinate the family as a mercenary or bounty hunter, or develop into an industry similar to the Cangtian family through cooperation with the Daimyo's mansion."

Itachi spoke suddenly, and this time he didn't speak in a heartfelt way.

Instead, it sounded in this dining room, inserted into the conversation of the Uchiha Homon and others on the dinner table.

Almost instantly, Homon and the others, who were still commenting on the difference between Konoha and Kyoto's lives, stopped their voices and listened quietly to Itachi's voice.

"But now I don't think we need to be too limited to ourselves, to define the family itself and what kind of development it is."

"As long as we have a clear understanding of what is needed for the development of our race, what factors are indispensable for our survival, and what kind of direction is not necessary for us, these three points alone are enough."

"These three questions will be raised at the next clan meeting."

Itachi explained as he stared at them as he poured cups of tea on the coffee table.

Is this an advance exam?

Everyone at the dinner table looked at each other, a little unclear what these words meant, and why they suddenly said this.