The next morning, sunlight pierced through the thin mist, spilling over the streets of Konoha.
Minato Namikaze, dressed in his Hokage cloak and holding a carefully wrapped gift box, stood at the entrance waiting.
Kushina Uzumaki helplessly picked up a rowdy Naruto and adjusted the slightly crooked little hat on his head.
Jiraiya leaned against the doorframe, spinning a kunai in his hand with his trademark lazy smile, though his eyes darted around as if searching for something.
"Sensei, where is Gamakon-san?"
Minato straightened his collar and asked casually, "He's been nowhere to be found since early this morning. Today is the day we visit the Uchiha compound. Isn't he usually the one most excited for this kind of thing?"
The kunai in Jiraiya's hand stopped spinning, and his expression stiffened for a moment before he let out a loud laugh.
"That toad? He said he was preparing a 'surprise' for you."
Jiraiya waved it off dismissively. "Don't worry about him; he'll show up. He said he was going to help Fugaku 'rehearse' the welcoming ceremony so those stiff-necked Uchiha wouldn't forget their manners."
"Rehearse?"
Minato's hand paused while buttoning his cloak, his brow twitching slightly.
A premonition of dread rose from the depths of his heart.
That toad's so-called 'rehearsals' usually involved scenes so awkward they made one's skin crawl.
"Sensei, are you sure it'll be alright?" Minato asked.
"Relax, relax."
Jiraiya pushed Minato's back, ushering him out. "That toad might be eccentric, but he knows where to draw the line for important events... probably."
Jiraiya muttered those last few words to himself.
The group left the Hokage's residence and headed toward the Uchiha compound.
Villagers along the way stopped to bow, and Minato nodded back with a smile.
The closer they got to the Uchiha compound, the more noticeable the eerie silence became.
The usual whistles of the Police Force patrols were absent, and not even a single Uchiha clansman could be seen wandering the streets.
"We're here."
Jiraiya stopped and pointed toward the grand gate ahead.
The Uchiha clan crest—the red and white fan—was particularly striking under the sunlight.
The gate stood wide open, but no guards were in sight.
Minato took a deep breath, suppressing the growing sense of strangeness in his heart, and stepped over the threshold.
It wasn't until Minato was led into the Uchiha meeting hall that his premonition was finally confirmed.
The spacious reception hall was packed with people.
They weren't ordinary clansmen; judging by their chakra signatures, every single one of them was an elite Uchiha Jonin.
Instead of kneeling to greet him as usual, they stood in a perfectly organized square formation, hands pressed against their sides, chests out, looking as serious as if they were about to embark on an S-rank suicide mission.
The air was frozen.
Dozens of pairs of eyes—though the Sharingan weren't active—were fixed on Minato like physical nails.
Just as Minato stepped one foot inside.
"Get ready—"
An Uchiha elder in the front row suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs.
In the next second, a scene unfolded that Minato would never forget for the rest of his life.
"LOYALTY!"
Dozens of Uchiha elites raised their arms simultaneously and jumped with all their might.
*Thud!*
The floorboards let out an overwhelmed groan.
"LOYALTY!"
They landed and jumped again.
The slogan they shouted was perfectly synchronized, the sound wave shaking the dust loose from the ceiling beams.
The Uchiha in the back, seemingly afraid the Hokage wouldn't see their sincerity, jumped with extra effort, their heads nearly hitting the hanging chandeliers.
In Kushina's arms, Naruto was startled by the sudden roar and burst into tears.
Even Jiraiya, who had seen his fair share of grand spectacles, stood there with his mouth agape, his kunai falling to the floor with a clang.
These Uchiha, who usually looked down on everyone from their high horses, were now acting like a bunch of wound-up frogs performing some kind of absurd religious ritual.
Minato didn't need to guess whose handiwork this was.
He closed his eyes and sensed carefully.
Sure enough, at the very back of the Uchiha formation, a familiar presence was vibrating slightly.
The purple toad was hiding there, clutching its stomach and shaking, clearly on the verge of passing out from laughter.
"Stop! Stop right now!"
Minato quickly raised his hand and shouted to end the farce.
If they kept this up, rumors that the Hokage had driven the Uchiha insane would spread across the entire shinobi world by tomorrow.
At the Hokage's command, the Uchiha stopped mid-motion.
They landed and maintained their raised-hand posture, looks of confusion appearing on their faces.
A leading elder, panting heavily, looked at Minato and then toward the back where Gamakon was hiding.
"Hokage-sama, was it not synchronized enough?"
The elder asked, his voice tinged with a bit of trepidation. "The Sage Sovereign said this is the latest trend in Konoha for expressing the 'Will of Fire.' He said you love this kind of energetic ritual."
Minato's lip twitched.
When had he ever liked a ritual that looked like a cult meeting?
"No... I've received everyone's sentiments."
Minato rubbed his temples and forced a warm smile. "It's just that this method is a bit too... unique. Let's skip it in the future."
"I see."
The elder nodded thoughtfully. "It seems we didn't jump high enough. We failed to demonstrate the superior physical prowess of the Uchiha clan."
Minato opened his mouth but ultimately gave up on trying to correct them.
Surprisingly, Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head, hadn't done anything to stop it.
He stepped out from the back of the crowd, wearing a black formal kimono.
Fugaku's face still held that same stiff, humorless expression, but his eyes carried a sense of relief, as if he had 'finally completed the mission.'
In his view, as long as the Hokage could feel the Uchiha's determination to integrate into the village, he wouldn't mind performing circus acts, let alone a jump-exercise.
"Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama."
Fugaku bowed slightly and made a welcoming gesture. "The ceremony was simple; please forgive the lack of decorum. Please, join us at the table. My son's first-year ceremony is ready."
Seeing that the atmosphere, though awkward, had finally livened up, Fugaku timely led the group to the guest seats in the front.
Gamakon only then hopped out from behind a statue and made his way onto Minato's shoulder in a few leaps.
"So, how was it, Minato?"
Gamakon leaned into Minato's ear and whispered with a mischievous grin, "I spent the whole morning training them. Isn't it therapeutic to watch those stuck-up Uchiha perform the 'Loyalty Dance'?"
Minato turned his head and gave Gamakon a helpless glare.
"Never again."
"If you trick them into becoming idiots," Minato whispered, "who's going to handle the village's security?"
"Relax, they're in great shape."
Gamakon puffed his cheeks. "Let's go. Time to see our Young Master."
Passing through the front hall, they arrived at the Uchiha clan's inner courtyard.
The atmosphere here was much more normal.
The long tables were laden with exquisite dishes, and Mikoto Uchiha was sitting at the head table with a porcelain-doll-like child.
The child had short black hair and large, bright, dark eyes that were curiously taking in everything around him.
This was Sasuke Uchiha.
Seeing Kushina arrive, Mikoto quickly stood up with a gentle smile on her face.
"Kushina, you're here."
Mikoto greeted her, her eyes falling on Naruto in Kushina's arms. "So this is Naruto? He looks just like the Hokage."
"Mikoto-nee!"
Kushina walked over with her usual boisterous energy and held Naruto out to Mikoto. "Look at him. This kid is as heavy as a little pig. Your Sasuke looks much more refined."
The two mothers huddled together, their conversation instantly shifting from ninjutsu to childcare.
Naruto and Sasuke, the two fated rivals, were forced into their first 'face-to-face' diplomatic meeting at an age where they had only just learned to walk.
Naruto reached out a chubby hand, wanting to grab Sasuke's face.
Sasuke's brow furrowed, and he twisted his little face away, avoiding Naruto's hand with a look of disdain while making sounds.
"Heh, this kid is pretty arrogant."
Gamakon hopped onto the table and chuckled at the sight. "Spoken like a true Uchiha. He already knows how to put on airs at this age."
Fugaku walked over and poured sake for Minato and Jiraiya.
"Where's Itachi?"
Minato looked around but didn't see the genius youth he had planned to take as a student.
"He's helping out in the kitchen."
Fugaku replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "He said the guests today are distinguished, so he must personally verify the safety of every dish."
Just as he spoke, a small figure wearing an apron emerged carrying a tray.
Although Uchiha Itachi was only five years old, his steps were steady and his gaze was clear.
He walked up to Minato and gave a respectful bow.
"Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama."
Itachi set down the tea and snacks with fluid, flawless movements.
"Good boy."
Minato looked at Itachi with growing approval. "Don't work too hard. Today is your brother's day. Come, sit with us."
Itachi nodded and obediently walked over to Mikoto, reaching out to tease his brother's cheek.
Sasuke, who had been acting cold and aloof, immediately beamed when he saw his brother, reaching out with both hands for a hug.
'The brother-complex is real with this one,' Gamakon thought, snagging a piece of tempura from the table when no one was looking.
After a few rounds of drinks, the banquet's atmosphere grew warmer.
Those Uchiha Jonin who had been performing the 'Loyalty Dance' earlier also relaxed and began drinking with the accompanying Anbu members.
Fugaku stood up and clapped his hands.
"Everyone."
Fugaku's voice was loud and clear. "Next is my son Sasuke's first-year grab ceremony."
Servants quickly cleared a space and laid down a red velvet cloth.
Various objects symbolizing the future were placed upon it.
A kunai for a shinobi, an abacus for business, a scroll for knowledge, a coin pouch for wealth...
There was even a model of the Hokage's hat, which Fugaku had pointedly placed in the most prominent position.
Mikoto placed Sasuke at one end of the red cloth.
"Sasuke, go pick one you like," Mikoto encouraged softly.
Little Sasuke sat on the ground, looking somewhat bewildered at the colorful array of things before him.
The surrounding crowd held their breath, everyone craning their necks.
Everyone wanted to see what path the second son of the Uchiha clan head would choose.
Sasuke moved.
He crawled forward on all fours, moving quite fast.
His eyes were fixed; he seemed to have a target in mind.
He bypassed the coin pouch representing wealth, pushed aside the abacus blocking his way, and didn't even glance at the sharp kunai.
He crawled straight toward the model of the Hokage's hat.
Fugaku's breathing quickened, and his hands clenched into fists on his knees.
Could it be that the Uchiha clan would truly produce a Hokage?
However, just as Sasuke's little hand was about to touch the hat, he suddenly stopped.
He tilted his head, as if he had found something even more interesting.
He suddenly changed direction and crawled toward Itachi, who was sitting nearby.
Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, Sasuke grabbed Itachi's hem and burst into giggles, refusing to let go.
"This..."
Fugaku was stunned.
What did this mean?
He grabbed his brother?
"Hahaha!"
Jiraiya burst into laughter, slapping the table. "Good! Excellent! This shows deep brotherly love. With these two brothers working together, how could the clan not prosper?"
Minato also nodded with a smile.
"It seems Sasuke trusts his brother most after all."
Minato looked at the slightly overwhelmed Itachi. "Itachi, it seems your burden has become heavier. You not only have to protect the village but also take care of this clingy little brother."
Itachi looked down at Sasuke clutching his clothes, his eyes filled with nothing but tenderness.
He reached out and pulled his brother into his arms.
"I will."
Itachi said softly, his tone as firm as an oath. "No matter what happens, I will protect Sasuke."
Gamakon watched this scene, a trace of complexity flashing through his eyes.
The tragedy of brother killing brother from the original story might truly be avoided in this timeline.
"Alright, since the ceremony is over," Minato stood up and took out the gift box.
"It's time I presented my gift as well."
The attention of the entire room instantly focused on the Hokage's hands.
Everyone was curious about what the Hokage would give the second son of the Uchiha.
Minato walked up to Mikoto and handed over the gift box.
"This is a small token from Kushina and me."
Mikoto took the box and opened it in front of everyone.
What lay inside was neither a legendary weapon nor a precious ninjutsu scroll.
It was a finely crafted set of baby clothes.
On the back of the clothes was the embroidered Uchiha fan crest.
On the chest, the Konoha spiral symbol was embroidered.
The two symbols were connected by golden threads, blending into one.
The room fell into a brief silence.
Every Uchiha clansman stared at the clothes, their eyes shaking.
The meaning of this gift was beyond obvious.
The Hokage was telling everyone: the Uchiha are Konoha, and Konoha is the Uchiha.
Fugaku stood up abruptly, his eyes reddening slightly.
He walked up to Minato and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Fugaku's voice was a bit choked with emotion. "The Uchiha clan will not fail this trust!"
"You're too formal, Fugaku-san."
Minato helped Fugaku up, his gaze sweeping over every Uchiha present. "We are all Konoha. Since we are family, there's no need for such formality."
Thunderous applause erupted.
In this moment, the rift that had separated the Uchiha from the village for decades truly seemed to dissolve along with that small piece of clothing.
Gamakon lay on the table, watching the scene, and let out a satisfied burp.
"Looks like this meal wasn't in vain."
Gamakon muttered to himself, "As long as the Uchiha don't revolt, Konoha's military power doubles at least. When the Otsutsuki show up, we can give them hell with those bizarre eye techniques."