Chapter 95: Nagisa's Sharingan
"Oh? You're not going to ask why I want you to go to the battlefield?" the Third Hokage said. Despite his words, he felt a sense of gratification.
In his eyes, the reason Kyosuke had agreed so readily was not just because he was unaware of the true horrors of war, but because of a genuine desire to serve Konoha. Thinking this, the Third felt even more pleased. However, given Kyosuke's special status, some things had to be made clear beforehand.
The Third went on to explain why he was being sent to the front lines and described the brutal reality of the battlefield. He also subtly indicated that the matter would require the Uchiha clan's approval.
Hearing this, Kyosuke immediately replied, "I'll go and explain the situation to my family right now."
He was about to leave when he stopped at the door, as if remembering something. "Um... there's one more thing..."
"Go ahead," the Third said, still in a good mood.
"Well... I hope Hyuga Saori can accompany me to the battlefield," Kyosuke said, his expression somewhat sheepish.
"Hyuga Saori... ah, I remember her. A very talented girl," the Third mused, then looked at Kyosuke with curiosity. "Why do you want her to go with you? Could it be..."
Seeing the Third's suddenly mischievous expression, Kyosuke instantly understood what he was thinking. His earlier hesitation must have given him the wrong idea—that he had a crush on Saori and didn't want to be separated from her.
Realizing this, Kyosuke decided not to correct him. If you want to misunderstand, then go ahead. It saves me the trouble of coming up with another reason.
And so, under the Third's knowing gaze, Kyosuke simply nodded.
"Well, it's not out of the question. After all, she's only... ahem. If she has no objections, I'll assign her to the southwestern front with you," the Third said after a moment's thought, granting the request. As for the Hyuga clan, he felt no need to consult them; reassigning one of their members was something he could do with a single order. While this showed the difference in their relationship with the Hokage, it also highlighted the gap in status between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans within Konoha.
With the matter settled, Kyosuke gave a respectful bow and left.
That evening, in the Second Elder's residence.
"What? This is absurd!" the Second Elder said, fuming as he stared at the formally seated Kyosuke, his beard practically bristling with anger.
Seeing the elder's reaction, Kyosuke shot a subtle look at Nagisa, who was giggling on the side. But the mischievous girl, instead of helping him, chimed in loudly, "I want to go to the battlefield too!"
"You, stay out of this. Don't cause more trouble," the Second Elder scolded her before turning back to Kyosuke. "Why would you even consider such a thing? Was it the Third Hokage who..."
"This was my own decision," Kyosuke said, hesitating for a moment before slowly explaining his reasoning.
In his version of the story, he was being suppressed within the Anbu by the Third Hokage and others, preventing him from advancing. That was why he wanted to go to the battlefield to earn merit. He even told the Second Elder about his request to Orochimaru without holding anything back.
His reasons were simple.
First, since he was being ostracized in the Anbu, it was better to leave that system entirely and operate as a Konoha chunin.
Second, if he could achieve great things in the war, then no matter how much the Third Hokage distrusted him, he wouldn't be able to stop his rise.
Third, the Third Hokage was aging, and the selection for the next Hokage would begin in a few years. His teacher, Orochimaru, was a leading candidate. If the Uchiha clan could help him win the war, the benefits for the clan would be immense once Orochimaru took power.
After hearing Kyosuke's explanation, the Second Elder sighed. "You've got a silver tongue, kid. I can't win an argument with you."
"Hehe," Kyosuke chuckled, facing the elder's exasperated gaze.
The Second Elder rolled his eyes and waved his arm. "Go and bring Clan Head Fugaku here."
"Yes, sir." A clan shinobi appeared and vanished in an instant.
"Huh? Why are you calling for Brother Fugaku?" Kyosuke asked curiously.
"Hmph, why?" the Second Elder said irritably. "What else? To arrange for people to protect you, of course."
"Uh..." Kyosuke opened his mouth but didn't know how to refute him. He had never been on a real battlefield himself, so he didn't know the true dangers. Since the Second Elder had decided to send help, he could only accept.
Before long, Fugaku hurried in.
After a brief greeting, the Second Elder explained the entire situation to him.
"No problem. I'll arrange for some men to go with Kyosuke," Fugaku said with a slight smile, looking at Kyosuke's determined expression. He knew that even if he disagreed, it would be useless. Besides... he wanted to go to the southwestern front more than anyone.
"Chiko..." Fugaku closed his eyes. After a long moment, he said to Kyosuke in a low voice, "I have a favor to ask of you..."
"Please, speak, Brother Fugaku," Kyosuke said, having a good idea of what was coming.
"Kill a few more Sand ninja for me. Consider it... revenge for your sister Chiko," Fugaku said, his voice heavy.
Hearing this, the room fell silent.
After a long while, the Second Elder was the first to break the silence. "Let the past be the past. We who are still alive must look forward."
"Yes, I understand," Fugaku replied faintly.
Just then, the Second Elder seemed to remember something and asked Kyosuke, "When are you all planning to leave?"
Kyosuke knew he was asking about the battlefield deployment. After thinking for a moment, he said, "It should be within the next two weeks."
"Oh, then there's still time," the Second Elder said, then glanced at Fugaku, as if reminding him of something.
Fugaku finally reacted. He looked at Kyosuke, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
Helpless, the Second Elder had to speak for him. "Fugaku is preparing to marry Uchiha Mikoto in a week. Don't forget to attend."
"Oh... I know," Kyosuke replied, his voice quiet.
Seeing his reaction, the Second Elder sighed. "Fugaku... he had no choice. He's doing this for the good of the Uchiha clan. I'm sure you can understand, Kyosuke."
"Yes, I understand," Kyosuke said flatly, looking at Fugaku's averted gaze.
At that moment, the silent Uchiha Nagisa suddenly spoke up. "I'm going with Kyosuke."
Hearing her, the Second Elder frowned and was about to scold her, but what happened next made his eyes go wide.
It wasn't just him; Fugaku and Kyosuke wore the exact same expression of shock.
Because in Nagisa's eyes, a crimson light was now glowing. And within them, a single tomoe was slowly spinning.