Konoha Police Force Headquarters
Beneath the red and white Uchiha clan symbol—resembling a fan—a group of Uchiha shinobi stood in the Police Force's main hall, selecting missions.
A handsome young man wedged himself into the crowd, staring at a bulletin board covered with mission postings.
Normally, missions were posted at the Assignment Desk in the Hokage Building. But Tsukasa wasn't registered as an official Konoha shinobi. He was like the cannon fodder that the Five Great Nations hastily assembled during the Fourth Great Ninja War—a clan ninja belonging specifically to the Uchiha.
While he wore a Konoha headband, there were still some differences. For example, missions were mostly assigned directly from the village to the clan, then posted internally within the clan headquarters.
The main idea was to participate where possible and contribute what one could.
However, this clearly didn't meet Tsukasa's expectations.
"What the hell? Not a single mission even remotely related to the border?"
Tsukasa was dumbfounded.
During this period, the most dangerous areas were the regions between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind—especially places like the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers.
But the mission list surprisingly didn't include any tasks related to border patrol, cross-border supply escorts, or tracking and assassinating enemy officials.
All of them were tasks that could be completed within the country's borders.
There were even several D-rank missions posted as filler—finding lost pets, delivering messages, and helping with farm work.
Among the C-rank missions he could accept, the most dangerous was driving back a massive wild boar that had escaped from the Forest of Death near the village.
"Damn it! I thought I could finally leave the village and die!" Tsukasa cried out, tears in his eyes. "But how is this any different from before?"
Tsukasa's face went ashen as he shook his head helplessly. He had no choice but to reach for the most dangerous C-rank mission—the wild boar extermination.
He wanted to see if he could let the pig finish him off.
But just then, a slightly youthful hand snatched the mission scroll before he could grab it.
"Excuse me, please leave this mission to me."
A handsome young man in a black high-collared shirt and pants, carrying a tantō on his back, smiled at Tsukasa. His distinctive curly hair and kind eyes immediately identified him as the then-unknown Uchiha prodigy:
Uchiha Shisui.
Tsukasa stared in disbelief: "..."
Damn it, you're a registered Konoha shinobi, and you're trying to compete with me for a clan mission?
"Sorry, Tsukasa-kun. This mission will help me polish my swordsmanship. I can give you the reward, but please let me have this opportunity!"
Shisui smiled earnestly, his sincerity evident.
With such a genuine smile, Tsukasa had no reasonable grounds to refuse. It was only a C-rank mission anyway, with a low probability of death. And with the Third Great Ninja War breaking out soon, there would be plenty of opportunities for death later, so Tsukasa didn't mind.
Still, he was surprised: "You know me?"
Of course Tsukasa knew who Shisui was. But the fact that Shisui knew him was unexpected.
"Well, we did a D-rank mission together once. Have you forgotten?" Shisui smiled and lied smoothly.
"Maybe," Tsukasa muttered. He had completed so many missions that he couldn't remember them all.
He had no interest in befriending these characters from the original story. If this changed the future and caused Naruto to fail in saving the world, he would bear tremendous guilt!
Right now, he just wanted to die and go home early.
Not bothering to pay Shisui any more attention, Tsukasa continued examining the mission board.
In truth, Shisui had just looked up Tsukasa's name in the mission records. He was shocked by what he found:
Uchiha Tsukasa: Genin
1 year of shinobi experience
Completed missions: D-rank 855, C-rank 0
This relatively unknown peer was actually a mission maniac, completing an average of 2-3 D-rank missions daily without taking a single day off in an entire year.
It was simply terrifying!
Tsukasa had no idea his resume would shock Shisui like this. He'd been completing so many missions purely to see if he could die from overwork. But if he'd known this was how Shisui recognized him, he would have undoubtedly fallen to his knees and cried out: "What a terrible mistake!"
This only made Shisui more certain that this peer was no ordinary Uchiha.
A genin had pushed himself to such extremes! He truly burned himself out for the village!
For this reason, Shisui didn't mind being ignored by Tsukasa. Instead, he stepped closer, almost shoulder to shoulder.
"W-what are you doing?!" Tsukasa let out a horrified cry.
Don't tell me that you, Shisui, despite your innocent appearance, have such interests at such a young age?
Shisui simply thought his new friend was a bit socially anxious. He smiled knowingly and whispered in Tsukasa's ear:
"Tsukasa-kun, I know what you're thinking."
Tsukasa's eyes widened in shock.
How do you know I'm trying to commit insurance fraud?
"The Great Elder will hold a mobilization meeting soon. There are two extremely dangerous missions," Shisui said solemnly. "But don't worry—I won't let you take them!"
Like a devil whispering in his ear, Tsukasa shuddered. He looked at Shisui in horror, wondering if this guy had some kind of mind-reading ability.
Does he want to expose me?
However, the mention of two dangerous missions made Tsukasa's eyes light up.
"What missions?" Tsukasa lowered his voice, not wanting others to overhear, making their conversation sound mysterious—like an underground transaction.
"Just as I thought—you're exactly that type of person!" Shisui was stunned, then filled with admiration.
He acknowledged Tsukasa even more in his heart! He secretly resolved that he would never let Tsukasa die in a dangerous mission.
Such talent should become a bridge between the village and the Uchiha clan!
At that moment, an elderly man with spiky gray hair, wearing a cold half-mask and dressed in the high-collared black robes of the Uchiha clan—but notably without a Konoha headband—ascended to the upper level of the headquarters hall.
His eyes were sharp as an eagle's, so piercing that people dared not meet his gaze directly.
Tsukasa was suddenly startled.
The man before him was none other than the last surviving Great Elder of the Uchiha clan: Uchiha Setsuna!
As a fierce individual who had once plotted to assassinate the Second Hokage and somehow managed to walk away alive, he naturally served as the hawkish leader of the Uchiha clan.
All the Uchiha present turned their attention to the elder, their expressions ranging from respect to hatred to indifference.
"I'm sure everyone present has some idea why you were summoned here," Uchiha Setsuna said calmly, his voice echoing throughout the Police Force hall.
"That's right! War is about to begin!"
"Following the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, the entire shinobi world has gradually descended into chaos."
"Here in the Land of Fire, border conflicts are becoming increasingly intense. The latest intelligence indicates that small-scale battles have already begun in the Land of Rain."
"In the wider world, Iwagakure and Kirigakure have harbored grudges for years, and it appears war is imminent. The brutes of Kumogakure are also unwilling to abandon their ambitions and have repeatedly attempted to force their way into the Land of Fields."
"The entire shinobi world will soon be engulfed in an era of war!"
"However—"
Setsuna paused, then continued in a cold voice: "We Uchiha have experienced thousands of years of warfare. Such enemies are nothing to fear!"
"The battlefield in the Land of Rain and the garrison at Hell Valley in the Land of Hot Water both require reinforcement."
"We need two shinobi each of genin, chunin, and jonin rank to form two teams for support missions."
"Genin participation is voluntary. Chunin and jonin will decide for themselves. If we don't have enough volunteers, I will assign personnel by force."
After he finished speaking, the hall fell completely silent.
Hearing the two location names mentioned by Setsuna, many faces turned pale with fear.
Tsukasa, standing in the crowd, wanted to immediately raise his hand and volunteer, shouting: "Restoring the glory of the Uchiha is our duty!"
Suddenly, his vision blurred and his entire body trembled. An emotionless voice suddenly echoed in his mind:
[Talent has been activated.]
[Heart of Steel (SSS-Rank): "Please, let me steel my resolve once more!" —From the Gate of Steely Determination]
With a deafening, crystal-clear sound, Tsukasa suddenly snapped back to awareness.
However, upon hearing the name of this talent, Tsukasa's heart couldn't help but race with excitement.
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