Chapter 36: Uchiha Shisui
Hearing Danzō's new assignment, Gōenji sighed and rose to his feet.
His three teammates rose with him: Aburame Kazami, Ryōma, and Zē.
"Your mission is to reinforce the Kirigakure front. Gōenji, as a member of the Uchiha clan, it makes sense for you to go there. Fugaku is currently leading that front. Complete your mission properly."
Danzō spoke calmly.
He had developed a strong appreciation for Gōenji and wanted to keep him by his side. However, the Kirigakure front needed capable jōnin like Gōenji, and sending him there would better serve Konoha's interests.
"Yes, Danzō-sama."
Gōenji accepted the assignment.
Their mission was to head to the battlefield and reinforce the forces led by Fugaku against Kirigakure.
Whoosh, whoosh!
After the four of them departed, Shimura Danzō stared deeply at Gōenji's back.
"With him... and now Shisui as well. The Uchiha truly produces one genius after another..."
"Those Sharingan..."
He turned toward the remaining shinobi.
The new teams had already been arranged. The people left behind were all assistants he trusted completely—people who would never betray him.
"Let's go. It's time to carry out our real mission."
...
Whoosh, whoosh!
"Captain Gōenji, I didn't expect we'd get to work together again. Hopefully, we'll coordinate even better this time!"
Ryōma, his weapons strapped across his back, looked toward Gōenji with a smile.
The three teammates respected their captain immensely.
Gōenji was exceptionally well-rounded. His analytical ability, strategic thinking, and intelligence-gathering skills were all first-rate.
Following someone like him was reassuring.
"Hmm. We'll make sure the enemy trembles on the battlefield just like they tremble at the name of Minato-sama!"
Gōenji's eyes were filled with determination.
He was confident he could do it.
During the two days since returning to Danzō's side, he had already begun applying his new approach to chakra shaping.
He had successfully incorporated a simple application of the lever principle into ordinary ninjutsu, allowing him to use his chakra more efficiently and produce greater force without increasing his chakra expenditure.
Considering the current situation, there was still a long way to go before the war ended—roughly another two years.
That was more than enough time for him to become a top-tier shinobi.
"Captain has quite the ambition. I believe in you."
Aburame Kazami smiled softly.
"Don't let your guard down. We're almost at the Konoha camp. Keep your eyes open."
Whoosh, whoosh!
The four of them soon reached the outskirts of Konoha's camp.
A stretch of land near the coastline came into view, with several outposts scattered throughout the area.
"Stop! Who goes there?"
Whoosh, whoosh!
A squad immediately surrounded the four newcomers, ninja tools ready in their hands as they prepared to attack at any moment.
"Konoha reinforcements."
Gōenji gave the appropriate signal.
...
Konoha Camp
Temporary buildings constructed from packed earth and stone stood throughout the camp.
"Oh? You've already completed Danzō's mission? Your timing couldn't be better."
Uchiha Fugaku looked at Gōenji and his team, his eyes lighting up.
"Shisui has obtained information that a small Kirigakure force has entered the Land of Fire from the coast. I want you to assist Shisui in surrounding and eliminating them."
Several other senior Konoha shinobi stood beside him.
They were all jōnin.
"That's right. We need people stationed around the camp so we can provide support whenever necessary. Your arrival is perfectly timed and will help cover our shortage of manpower."
Another jōnin nodded.
Jōnin were among Konoha's senior military personnel.
Gōenji was considered one of them as well, although he held no actual administrative authority.
He was more than capable of leading a small squad.
However, because battles were occurring so frequently—and because his own squad was exceptionally effective while Gōenji lacked experience commanding large formations—the Hokage had not yet entrusted him with a major force.
If something unexpected happened and the senior commanders were killed, however, Gōenji would have to step forward as a jōnin.
Gōenji exchanged a glance with his teammates.
"Before that, we need to replenish our ninja tools. After spending so long in the Land of Rain, we don't have many supplies left."
After spending so much time in the Land of Rain, their stocks had indeed been depleted.
Danzō's forces were already operating with limited resources, so aside from their own physical abilities and chakra, they lacked many other means of combat.
Hidden weapons, traps, and other ninja tools were important supplements to a shinobi's combat ability.
Even shinobi at the level of the Sannin needed such equipment.
Especially on a battlefield.
Unlike the one-on-one or one-against-many battles commonly shown in anime, actual warfare was far more complicated.
"Hmm. The Kirigakure front has plenty of ninja-tool supplies. Go to logistics and collect what you need."
Fugaku nodded.
Gōenji nodded as well and prepared to lead his team away.
"Wait."
Fugaku's voice stopped him.
Gōenji halted and turned around.
Fugaku looked directly at him.
"Give it everything you've got. Don't bring shame to the Uchiha clan. Show them your true strength."
"...Understood."
Gōenji was momentarily speechless.
The Uchiha really are stubborn to the end.
And Uchiha Fugaku is no exception.
...
After collecting their supplies, Gōenji and his team immediately departed according to the information Fugaku had provided.
Their destination was the location where they would meet Shisui.
Land of Fire — Coastal Forest
They were now in the Land of Fire.
Because Kirigakure was located overseas, its shinobi had to travel by ship before landing on the coast of the Land of Fire.
Most of the country's coastal regions were covered in dense forests.
Whoosh, whoosh!
A squad of more than twenty shinobi moved rapidly and silently through the trees.
They left almost no trace behind.
They didn't even disturb the birds.
Their concealment was excellent.
However, their ninja tools and forehead protectors clearly identified them as a Kirigakure force.
At the head of the group was a young man with spiked hair and a covering over one eye.
"Captain Ao, I think someone is following us."
A shinobi approached him and whispered.
Ao's expression sharpened.
He concentrated his chakra, and the vision in his right eye suddenly changed.
The world around him took on the stark black-and-white vision of the Byakugan.
"Hmm. This guy is troublesome. Everyone, be careful. Let's deal with him first."
His expression was grim.
With the Byakugan of the Hyūga clan implanted in his right eye, Ao immediately identified their pursuer.
His pursuer was none other than Uchiha Shisui, the genjutsu specialist currently wreaking havoc across the battlefield.
He possessed the rare ability to cast genjutsu from an extraordinary distance.
Even Ao found him extremely troublesome.
Fortunately, he possessed the Byakugan.
At least avoiding genjutsu wouldn't be a problem.
Whoosh, whoosh!
Then Ao's expression suddenly changed.
"Quick! Split up! Spread out!"
Through his Byakugan, he saw four figures approaching.
The leader's chakra reserves were enormous—far greater than even Uchiha Shisui's.
The other three were no pushovers either.
Judging from the forehead protectors they wore, they were clearly Konoha reinforcements.
Hearing Ao's command, the Kirigakure shinobi immediately split into several groups and scattered in different directions.
They followed his orders without hesitation.
"Hmph!"
They hadn't run far when Ao suddenly noticed something was wrong.
The chakra of the shinobi in his own squad began changing.
Then they attacked their own comrades.
Ao's expression became ugly.
He looked back toward Uchiha Shisui.
Shisui was still extremely far away.
"Damn it! How is he able to use genjutsu from that distance—and even control people?"
Ao clenched his teeth.
What kind of monster is this?
Meanwhile, Gōenji and his teammates continued closing in.
And somewhere nearby, an entirely unrelated thought suddenly crossed Gōenji's mind.