Chapter 68: First Shrine Visit

The New Year is a festival that Muye Village holds in great regard, second only to the day Muye was founded and the day the Hokage assumes office, especially for families with a long lineage.

Before dawn, Shisui and Sima Yi rose early; at Sima Yi's request, Shisui changed out of his usual ninja attire into a more elaborate kimono.

"Grandpa, that's all for this morning."

Since the others were given the day off, only the two of them were home today, so Shisui had to cook breakfast for Sima Yi himself.

"No problem, it's quite good."

The fragrant rice porridge paired with the dishes purchased earlier made Sima Yi eat very happily.

After the meal, since it was still early, Sima Yi, feeling lively, began sword dancing in the courtyard.

"Grandpa, is this a new martial art?"

The slow movements piqued Shisui's interest; he sat in the hallway and asked curiously.

"It's just a way to move the body. I've been sitting at home for a long time; inactivity breeds laziness, and laziness leads to illness.

You, as a ninja who has been battling abroad for years, are now only slightly weakened, which may not show its damage, but it inevitably harms your foundation, and later it may be hard to endure; you must pay close attention to your health."

Sima Yi, while sword dancing, explained; he had seen too many people die young and did not want Shisui to meet the same early demise.

"I'll keep that in mind, Grandpa."

Shisui, still young, had little concrete feeling about it, but nodded obediently.

Sima Yi said no more, and after half an hour of tidying up, the two finally left the house.

At this moment the sky was still dark, yet people kept emerging from the village alleys, gathering in small groups to chat softly as they headed in the same direction.

"Lord Shisui."

Someone who saw Shisui and the other approaching bowed and gestured; Shisui smiled and responded to each.

"The annual gathering isn't solemn."

As the crowd moved forward, Sima Yi noticed the gathering was far from solemn; on the contrary, it was very simple and casual.

The villagers emerging from the alleys, men, women, old and young alike, mostly wore home clothes, and some even wore ninja outfits.

"During the Warring States period the clan's annual gathering was very important, but since ancestor Madara began, it was simplified a lot; I heard he, as clan head, disliked such hassles."

Shisui, having some knowledge of the gathering, explained in response.

Sima Yi shook his head and sighed lightly: "Madara Uchiha? I've heard of him often, but matters of state concern only rites and war; for a family, such ceremonies are better kept solemn."

Shisui was puzzled, but with many people around he asked no further and continued to brief Sima Yi on the gathering's details.

The two chatted and, following the crowd, soon arrived outside Fugaku's house, where the gathered people buzzed and chattered, becoming somewhat chaotic.

But they didn't have to wait long; Fugaku's family emerged quickly.

The courtyard gate swung wide; Fugaku, dressed in an elaborate black kimono, slowly stepped out under everyone's gaze, followed by Uchiha Mikoto in a Tang-style robe.

Even Itachi and the infant Sasuke were carefully dressed up.

"The clan head's family must preside over the whole ceremony, so it must be more solemn," Shisui continued to explain.

After Fugaku's family left, the crowd on the street immediately reacted; many bowed and then cleared a path for the four of them to pass.

"Hurry, Lord Clan Head, we can't wait any longer."

The scene was lively, with someone shouting urges.

Fugaku was not angry; he gave a slight nod to those who saluted.

The crowd cleared the way; after Fugaku's family led, the others followed them outward from the clan grounds.

Hundreds to thousands of people gathered from every corner of the clan grounds, forming a long line, with Fugaku at the front leading them out toward the direction of the Nanhe Zhi Chuan.

Although the Uchiha clan is famed for the Copy Wheel Eye and fire techniques, surprisingly the deity they worship is the River God of the Nanhe Zhi Chuan.

The River God's Nanhe Shenshe lies downstream on that river, near the Uchiha's original clan lands, so they must follow the river downstream back into Muye's inner region.

"Strange? In previous first shrine visits the streets were sparse but not empty; why is there nobody this year? Too cold?"

Just after leaving the clan grounds at an intersection, Shisui looked at the deserted street with some puzzlement.

It is still winter; although the sky hasn't brightened, it's not that late yet.

"Hehehe, perhaps they're afraid of colliding with us,"

Sima Yi let out a light laugh, showing no hint of surprise.

Shisui's expression shifted slightly; he glanced at Sima Yi thoughtfully.

Shisui sensed something amiss, and Fugaku did as well; without showing emotion, Fugaku guided the crowd along the pre‑designated route. To avoid affecting the villagers, the path they chose was already the most remote, with no room for improvement.

Thus the main‑road intersection was empty, making this spot even quieter.

Shisui looked around and could keenly detect faint glances from the surrounding houses, many of them hostile.

Fortunately no conflict arose; after crossing several streets, the Uchiha's party took twenty minutes to reach the Nanhe Zhi Chuan, after which Fugaku led the crowd in a long dragon formation downstream, arriving near their original clan grounds.

"That is the Nanhe Shenshe; inside it enshrines the Nanhe Zhi Chuan God. Shortly, Clan Head Fugaku and Aunt Mikoto will perform a purification ceremony for us,"

Following Shisui's direction, Sima Yi saw the shrine on the hill, and at the same time the leading line slowed to a halt.

From there two figures could be seen stepping onto the climbing steps beyond the torii first—Fugaku and Mikoto.

A moment later, as if preparations were complete above, the villagers below began moving, gradually stepping onto the stone steps on the left.

"Looks like it will take some time,"

At least two hundred people were still ahead of them; even though the shrine ceremony wasn't elaborate, the two waited about an hour.

"Brother Shisui, Grandfather Yi, good morning,"

Itachi, carrying Sasuke, suddenly approached at the steps; the crowd recognized Itachi and made way for him to stand beside the two.

"Good morning, has Itachi already finished?"

"No, I haven't gone up yet,"

"How hard it must be, Itachi,"

Shisui glanced at Sasuke, who was perched on Itachi's back, eyes wide and darting about, and sighed appreciatively.

"No, dad and mom are the ones who are truly struggling."

"That's true."

Shisui thought it was indeed the case; there were over a thousand clan members here, meaning that Fugaku and Mei Qin would have to preside over the entire ceremony for five or six hours.

"Go up first."

Seeing the two start chatting again, Sima Yi could only speak up to remind them that the surrounding clan members were watching them.

"Sorry!"

Shisui gave an awkward smile, and only then did the four of them ascend the steps.

After passing the torii, there was another flight of stone steps; atop the steps, before the shrine, Mei Qin stood under a wooden pavilion, smiling as she held a wooden ladle. In front of her lay a straw mat, and at her side a wooden bucket.

Whenever a clan member passed by, they would kneel on the straw mat, allowing Mei Qin to take some droplets of water and sprinkle them on their bodies to cleanse impurity and drive away evil and bad luck.

Although it was a simple gesture, she faced over a thousand clan members; fortunately, Mei Qin was also a ninja, and her body was robust.

"Mom~"

"Aunt Mei Qin."

When it was the four's turn, Mei Qin only looked at them gently and said nothing more.

Although Sima Yi did not approve of the act of worshiping deities in his heart, he still cooperated and, together with Shisui and the others, received the water‑droplet baptism.

"Itachi, you must take good care of your younger brother~"

After the baptism ended, Mei Qin finally had a moment to give a kindly admonition.

"Hmm, no problem, I'll take good care of my younger brother." Itachi turned his head, glanced at Sasuke, and solemnly agreed.

"Shisui, may I entrust Itachi to you today?"

"Don't worry, leave him to me; I'll take good care of them." Shisui smiled and likewise agreed.

"Thank you~"

As they spoke, more clan members stepped forward, and Mei Qin had to hurriedly thank them, ending the conversation.

Leaving the wooden pavilion, the main hall of the shrine lay ahead; clan members on the left formed a line to enter, while those emerging on the right looked at the spirit talismans in their hands and chatted in small groups.

"Inside is the River God's statue, and Lord Fugaku is also there; after we pay respects to the statue and obtain the spirit talismans, we can leave."

"Divination?"

Ri Wan is still too difficult for me; I can only try Ri Liu first, and writing too much makes my brain go blank, then I flood.

There will be another chapter later.

(End of chapter)