-----------
This high quality machine translation is powered by: https:// geriatrictranslations.com/
Special Permission was given to upload the novel on WebNovel.
Geriatric Translations can be supported on patreon (https://www. patreon.com/geriatricvibes) where additional chapters can be enjoyed.
You can also join the Geriatric Translations Community on Discord to connect with other readers: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------
Leaf Village Border Town.
Under the cover of night, inside a simple house, three ordinary Samurai were seen sleeping soundly in the midst of a thick fog.
The wooden door creaked open, revealing two large figures and a smaller one. The two leading figures had blood-red eyes, with the shorter one clearly displaying a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, while the taller one, seemingly the leader, had a One-Tomoe Sharingan.
It was a peculiar sight, as usually the more powerful one would be the leader, but this time it was different.
Uchiha Shisui, always cautious, swiftly threw three senbon, embedding them into the neck pressure points of the three sleeping Samurai, ensuring they fell into a deep sleep. This method also helped to detect if anyone was pretending to sleep.
After completing this, Uchiha Shisui carefully surveyed the surroundings, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan fixated on the children bound together with grass ropes, their hands tied, a total of eight in number.
"Big Brother Yoru, these three are Slave Traders. According to the intelligence, these eight children were gathered to be sold in the Land of Iron."
Listening to Uchiha Shisui's report, Uchiha Yoru nodded lightly, while Uchiha Itachi, who had come along, looked bewildered and unsure.
At this moment, Uchiha Itachi was only six years old, not yet attending the Ninja Academy. Although he had seen the brutality of war at the age of four, he was now even more confused.
Uchiha Itachi, looking at the scene before him, especially the children bound like livestock, hesitated. Shisui, noticing this, sighed softly and lowered his head, speaking in a low voice, "They are all orphans, either kidnapped or found from the civilian population. They all share one trait: the ability to produce chakra, which makes them highly sought after by various factions."
"Apart from the Five Great Nations and some other powerful countries, smaller nations need to buy children from the civilian population to ensure the number of ninjas."
People capable of producing chakra are always a minority, especially in war-torn small countries, which naturally need to find fresh blood, and children are the best choice.
Hearing Shisui's explanation, Uchiha Yoru sneered, "Shisui, you should be honest with Sasuke. It's not just the Five Great Nations that are exceptions; they are the ones with the highest demand."
With the danger averted, Uchiha Yoru squatted by the fire, setting up a pot to cook the dry rations prepared by the three Samurai. Shisui, hearing this, shook his head helplessly, stepped forward, and stroked young Itachi's head, sighing, "Sasuke, this world is cruel."
However, when Uchiha Yoru finished everything and saw the group of children, his eyes twinkled. He then began forming hand seals in front of Uchiha Itachi: Pig-Dog-Cock-Ape-Sheep.
"Summoning Technique!"
In an instant, a puff of white smoke appeared, and a brown python emerged. Looking at the summoned snake, Uchiha Yoru pointed to the distant children and said hoarsely, "The children are over there. Remember to bring these eight children to Orochimaru-sensei."
Seeming to detect the greedy look in the snake's eyes, Uchiha Yoru snorted coldly, his body radiating a killing intent as he warned, "If you dare to eat even one, I will roast and eat you. You know the consequences!"
Under this threatening tone, the large python shrank back in fear, then reluctantly slithered toward the children. Uchiha Itachi, witnessing this, looked at the scene in disbelief, finally voicing his greatest doubt.
"Big Brother Shisui, why is this mission to find children with chakra-producing abilities?"
At this moment, Itachi was still full of confusion, a child filled with uncertainty about the future. It was precisely because of this confusion that at this age, he went to the Ninja Academy and was indoctrinated with the so-called Will of Fire, filling the void in his heart.
Uchiha Yoru naturally saw Itachi's confusion and understood deeply. Indeed, as the eldest son of the Uchiha Clan Head, when did he become brainwashed into a Leaf loyalist? Only the Ninja Academy could have done this, for before attending the academy, Uchiha Itachi's status made it impossible for outsiders to casually interact with him, let alone manipulate him.
It must be said that in this aspect, the Uchiha were too careless, or perhaps the Hokage's methods were too sophisticated, completely blind to the obvious. The Uchiha clan focused on other Uchiha children, and Clan Head Fugaku was complacent, resulting in Uchiha Itachi being overlooked. No one would have thought that the eldest son of the clan head would defect.
After analyzing this in his mind, Uchiha Yoru decided to take advantage of this opportunity to leave a deep impression on this young boy, ensuring that Itachi would not become the traitor from the original story.
Uchiha Yoru watched the fire, the only sound in the room being the disgusting noise of the snake greedily swallowing the children.
"Shisui, Itachi is not an ordinary child. He was taken to the battlefield by the Clan Head at the age of four and has experienced the cruelty of war. He is a genius of the Uchiha."
First, he praised Itachi to help the young Uchiha Itachi relax. After all, at this age, even if he was mature for his age, he was still a six-year-old child.
Sure enough, when Uchiha Itachi approached with a frown, looking like a little adult, Uchiha Yoru's lips curled into a smile, but his face showed a mocking grin.
"The future of these children is already set. They will either become tools for other factions or die on this path. Don't think that the so-called neutral Land of Iron is any better, or that the Five Great Shinobi Villages are full of sunshine. Reality is this cruel and cold."
"Big Brother Yoru!" Shisui voiced his concern, seemingly suggesting that Uchiha Itachi was too young to hear such things.
Seeing this, Uchiha Yoru glared at Shisui with a look of frustration. It was because of people like you who worry about the child's age but still send him to the battlefield at four. After experiencing the cruelty of war firsthand, you don't teach this child the correct values. Teaching only half the lesson, no wonder he becomes a traitor.
In the original story, young Uchiha Itachi even had thoughts of suicide. Having experienced war at such a young age without a personal worldview or values, Itachi's heart was left with a void, which was exploited by the Hokage's faction. It can only be said that he deserved it.
"The future of these children is already cruel, but if we are not cruel to other countries, then this cruelty will fall on the Fire Country and Konoha."
Seeing Uchiha Itachi's puzzled gaze, Uchiha Yoru sneered, "Your calm demeanor truly befits a child who has been on the battlefield, and you do not disappoint as the eldest son of the Clan Head."
After another round of praise, Uchiha Yoru changed the subject, looking at Uchiha Shisui and shaking his head, "After we return, you should tell Itachi about the customs and cultures of the various countries. If he wants to enjoy certain privileges, he must also be prepared to make sacrifices."
As the eldest son of the Uchiha Clan Head, if you want to enjoy the glory, you must also bear important responsibilities.
Support is requested.
(End of Chapter)