"Tsukasa-kun," Shisui stepped forward and patted Tsukasa's shoulder.
He keenly observed Tsukasa's trembling.
However, because Shisui had graduated early and was still young, he was as short as a child, making his comforting gesture somewhat comical.
"Don't worry too much. I didn't expect Elder Setsuna to personally lead this mission. It seems the danger level on your side shouldn't be too high."
Shisui smiled kindly, offering comfort.
He had clearly chosen the more dangerous battlefield of the Land of Rain, yet here he was consoling Tsukasa.
Tsukasa snapped back to reality and stared at him in despair. Damn it!
You stole my boar extermination mission, but you're also taking on a job that's practically suicide?
Can you even call yourself human?
"Tsukasa-kun, I have to complete my mission before tomorrow's assembly. I'll excuse myself."
Shisui waved the C-rank mission scroll he had just accepted and immediately took his leave.
After Shisui departed, Tsukasa's eyes flickered with uncertainty.
Is the danger level of Hell Valley in the Land of Hot Water really not that high?
That's not necessarily true...
At night, the full moon parted the clouds, casting clear light across the earth.
In the Uchiha clan compound, Setsuna, wearing traditional wooden geta, calmly slid open a wooden door.
In the dimly lit room, pairs of scarlet eyes suddenly illuminated the darkness.
"Great Elder!"
Amid the chorus of greetings, Setsuna sat cross-legged at the head position in the center of the room.
Sitting beside him was the second-in-command of the Hawk Faction, Uchiha Yashiro.
Below them sat nearly a hundred Uchiha clan members—all chunin level or higher with awakened Sharingan.
This was the foundation of the Hawk Faction.
"Great Elder, didn't you already decide to send a team of strong clansmen to the Land of Hot Water?" Yashiro frowned as he asked, "Why is there a genin on the roster—one who hasn't even awakened his Sharingan?"
"Didn't you explain to the clan the dangers of this mission?"
Setsuna raised his tea cup, glanced at Yashiro, and said calmly: "I will personally undertake this mission."
"I alone am sufficient."
"But this time it's not just about the Chinoike Clan's unusual movements and increased security concerns," Yashiro analyzed with a frown. "The Land of Hot Water is located between the Lands of Fire, Lightning, and Water. Moreover, Iwagakure and Sunagakure have recently engaged in small-scale battles with Kirigakure. That place has descended into complete chaos."
"There's a lots of spies and combat troops from various countries, plus numerous small organizations that emerged among the minor nations after the Second Great Ninja War: the Fuma Clan, the Demon Brothers, the Jashin Cult, the Tsuchigumo Clan, remnants of the destroyed Hoshigakure, missing-nin from Kirigakure, Iwagakure's Explosion Corps, Rasa pursuing the Kazekage position on the Kirigakure front, and bounty hunters from the underground exchange."
"The place is a complete war zone," Yashiro shook his head gravely, feeling that Setsuna was being overconfident.
Even if the Third Hokage himself were to fight in such conditions, victory wouldn't be guaranteed.
Although Setsuna was a veteran Uchiha from the Warring States era, bringing only one genin and one chunin seemed inadequate.
However, the clan wasn't at full strength, and Police Force members were restricted by Konoha and couldn't leave the village without permission.
Yashiro suddenly suggested: "Perhaps we could request assistance from Konoha?"
"That's enough," Setsuna said, setting down his tea cup. His tone was calm but unquestionable. "I alone am sufficient!"
"Yashiro, the mission to garrison Hell Valley doesn't come from Konoha. It's a long-term contract entrusted to the Uchiha clan by the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning. It's one of our few remaining sources of independent income."
"Don't depend on others for your sense of security—especially not Konoha, Sarutobi, or Danzo." Setsuna raised his head, his crimson Sharingan gleaming with chilling intensity.
"Only what you can control yourself truly matters. If you accept charity like a dog, they can kick you out whenever they're dissatisfied."
Yashiro fell silent at these words.
Shinobi were tools of war—unconventional assets. Apart from ancestral property and Konoha village real estate, the wealth the Uchiha could generate came from income earned by clan ninja completing large-scale missions undertaken independently.
The annual reward for the clan's Blood Pool garrison mission was equivalent to an S-rank assignment—long-term and stable.
This was why Setsuna wouldn't allow Konoha to interfere with this mission.
Click.
Tsukasa had just opened the door to his residence when a dusty young man wearing orange goggles tumbled from a tree in the courtyard.
Tsukasa could tell at a glance that the boy had fallen because his chakra distribution and output were uneven while practicing tree-walking, and he hadn't maintained a proper grip on the trunk.
"Obito, what are you doing this time?"
Tsukasa spoke with exasperation as he watched this uninvited guest.
This was none other than Uchiha Obito, who had graduated from the Academy the previous year and was currently his neighbor.
"Oh, it's Tsukasa! Haha, I'm preparing for the Chunin Exams!" Obito rubbed the back of his head and laughed, then his expression turned indignant.
"That damn Kakashi is actually using his chunin rank to boss me around!"
"It was just a simple mission to catch a lost cat!"
"When I master this training, I'll definitely wave my chunin vest right in his face!" Obito grumbled as he recounted the entire incident.
Tsukasa was slightly stunned after hearing this, then sudden realization struck him.
Before he knew it, he had already spent an entire year in this relatively peaceful Konoha.
He realized that by this point in the timeline, Obito had formed Team Minato with Kakashi and Rin last year under Namikaze Minato's leadership, and they had been conducting D-rank missions for some time.
However, Obito's wish to become chunin this year probably wouldn't be realized.
The Third Great Ninja War was about to break out, and Minato, as an elite jonin, would soon be dispatched to the front lines. The team would only be able to follow Minato for the remainder of the year.
It wasn't until the offensive from the Land of Lightning slowed down, giving Konoha a chance to catch its breath, that the Chunin Exams were finally held in Konoha's 48th year.
It was also around that time that Obito was severely injured in a spar with Might Guy. Although defeated, he ultimately succeeded in becoming chunin.
"What are you daydreaming about? Grandma made ramen. Come eat with us," Obito asked, tilting his head as he waved his hand in front of Tsukasa.
"Alright, let me put my things down first," Tsukasa nodded, not refusing the invitation.
On his way back, he had stopped by the river to retrieve his net and work boots.
However, a sack full of recyclable cans had disappeared along with the collection bag. Who knew which troublemaker had made off with it?
Tsukasa cursed internally—the world was truly going downhill.
How could such theft happen in Konoha?
It was because the Uchiha Police Force had been busy with war preparations meetings lately and had no time to handle petty crimes.
This was the reason for the current surge in minor theft throughout Konoha.
End of Chapter 5
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