On the third day after arriving at the camp, the ninjas began restocking their supplies. Yuhara's team was the last to reach the supply point. He followed behind his three teammates, observing the process.
He removed his ninja tool bags and placed them in the designated bin, then picked out two new ones. After checking the contents—shuriken, steel wire, scrolls, medicine, and other standard gear—he reattached the bags to his waist. They were filled with the most common weapons and consumables.
Next, he followed the others and collected a bag of military ration pills—compact, calorie-dense, energy-packed. The main rations for field operations.
Finally, they stopped at a box guarded by two Konoha ninjas. Inside were tightly bound "paper bundles" about the size of banknotes. Yuhara picked one up.
one large character stood out:
Explosion.
...Detonating tags.
Could they really be handed out this casually? A single box could probably level the entire camp. The thought made chakra twitch in his fingertips.
Yuhara kept his hands steady. Silently exhaling, he slipped the dozen detonating tags into his pouch.
With that kind of bomb in his pocket, he felt more like a terrorist than a soldier.
After resupplying, the four of them started walking away when Yuhara suddenly turned and caught up to their team leader.
"Captain Kirikou, I've never used a detonating tag before… how do I use it?"
If he didn't understand how to handle them, he'd risk blowing himself up—and possibly others—without even knowing why. Best to act like a clueless rookie. Strictly speaking, it was unlikely any ninja didn't know how to use such basic equipment. But as long as he insisted, it was hard to argue.
His teammates gave him a glance. Kirikou, usually quiet, still took the time to explain.
"The detonating tags issued by the village are already chakra-filled. They're live the moment you activate them. There are two triggering methods: one reacts to your chakra, the other to the enemy's. The first is for throwing, the second is for traps. Either way, be very careful about the kill radius…"
She continued with a practical explanation. Yuhara listened closely, nodding occasionally.
The mechanics were simple. The "pull" method was like tossing a grenade, the "trigger" method like laying a mine.
Once she was done, Kirikou hesitated, then added, "We're a reserve squad. We won't be engaging the enemy directly. Don't use the tags unless absolutely necessary."
"..."
Yuhara didn't say anything, but the meaning was clear: they didn't trust him.
Fair. Letting someone like him carry live explosives was already generous. It was like handing a grenade to a trainee and hoping he didn't panic.
His question also shattered the "calm and capable" persona he had worked to maintain over the past few days. Now his teammates knew what he really was—barely qualified, uncertain, a liability under pressure.
They didn't say it, but the conclusion was obvious.
This guy can't be relied on in battle.
****
An hour later, the team of twenty-four left the camp, following Hinoki lead in a tight march formation.
Since they were still within the Fire Country's borders, there was no need for combat formation. Their destination and objectives hadn't been disclosed. Yuhara only knew they were moving north, likely toward the territory of Iwagakure or Kumogakure.
Most of the group ran at a steady pace. Yuhara and his squad stuck to the middle, resting at intervals. By modern standards, this was a forced march. But his body—now a Chunin's—handled it easily.
Five days later, they reached the border. Beyond it lay the warzone.
Captain Hinoki called a halt. The group formed a circle as he pulled out a battle map.
"Our mission is to eliminate an elite jonin from Kumogakure. The target operates in a two-man team near the east. The enemy has already killed several of our personnel. The village wants that threat neutralized."
He marked the enemy's activity zone on the map with a pencil.
"We'll report to the forward base for updated intel, then proceed to the area to search and engage."
Twenty-four of them against two enemies sounded good on paper. But their side was composed of Genin and Chunin. The other side included an elite jonin.
If things went wrong, they could all be wiped out.
Hence the A-rank classification.
Yuhara understood immediately: they were bait. Konoha was throwing expendable teams at elite enemies to grind them down. If the enemy was killed, it would be a victory. If the entire squad died, it would still be a strategic gain.
Brutal, efficient, logical.
And it made Yuhara's desire to desert even stronger.
"The mission will be tough," Hinoki continued. "But the war is nearing its end. If we keep pushing, victory will belong to Konoha. We are here to rebuild that glory."
After the brief speech, the team moved out.
They soon arrived at Konoha's front-line camp. Only Hinoki entered; the others waited outside.
Half an hour later, he returned with news.
"The road ahead is likely clear. Konoha's 'Golden Flash' drove back the AB brothers of Kumogakure, so enemy presence in our path has weakened."
It sounded like good news.
But Yuhara wasn't comforted by the name "Golden Flash." It didn't make him feel inspired. It made him feel irrelevant.
A figure like that was too far removed from his own life. Hearing that Minato Namikaze had pushed back elite enemies was like hearing that the Monkey King had broken through Heaven's Gate.
Impressive. But meaningless.
Big stories happened far above his head.
He was just a small person, trapped in small stories.
But he will definitely work hard to be part of big stories. He won't be a small character who died in the ditch in attempt to stop an enemy.
No, he will become stronger, make a name for himself…and then make everyone who wrongs him regret it.
Whatever konoha or especially Orochimaru..that bi fucker would regret wishing to live an eternal life instead of dying of old age in peace.