After finishing the task distribution, Nara Shikaku did not immediately send the three ninja into action. Instead, he instructed them to wait quietly while Minato Namikaze finalized the overall plan.
Uchiha Ran, meanwhile, remained unhurried. He stayed beside Shikaku, eyes closed, calmly resting as if nothing around him had anything to do with him.
"Uchiha Ran," Shikaku said after a moment, glancing at the boy who was far too composed for his age. "This is our first meeting, isn't it? May I call you Ran-kun?"
"Of course, Shikaku-sama."
Seeing Ran's easy smile, Shikaku's thoughts drifted back to the past.
In his generation, there had been a particularly obnoxious member of the Uchiha clan—Uchiha Aoka.
Shikaku had always carried a deep-seated stereotype about the Uchiha, and Aoka had fit that impression perfectly.
From the Academy onward, Aoka had been arrogant and self-important. Later events only reinforced Shikaku's views.
Back when Shikaku was still a chūnin, he had once been assigned to a mission alongside Aoka and several other Uchiha. They had worked together for over ten days—long enough to truly understand one another.
During that time, Shikaku noticed that Aoka shared many traits common among the Uchiha.
Whether facing enemies or handling internal team matters, the Uchiha consistently displayed an almost unreasonable level of confidence—bordering on arrogance. They preferred acting alone, firmly believing that their own strength was enough to solve everything.
That personality made them outstanding in combat, but it also isolated them from others.
Over time, Shikaku came to understand the reason behind it.
The Uchiha's power—and their pride in their bloodline—bred absolute confidence in themselves. Unfortunately, that confidence often crossed into blind arrogance, preventing genuine cooperation.
Yet during that period, Shikaku also noticed something else.
Beneath that pride, the Uchiha still longed for companionship and teamwork.
Through continued interaction, Aoka gradually began listening to Shikaku's advice. He became more humble, more open, and more willing to rely on others—learning to share both ideas and strength.
But after the mission ended and they went their separate ways, time passed.
When Shikaku saw Aoka again, he had reverted almost entirely to his old self.
It's systemic, Shikaku had concluded back then.
A problem rooted in the Uchiha clan itself.
If things continued like that, the Uchiha were bound for disaster someday.
"Of course, Shikaku-sama," Ran replied politely.
Shikaku's thoughts returned to the present.
"Alright," he said, turning to the others. "Inuzuka Tsubaki, Domu Masano—come over here. I'll explain the requirements for ninja missions, especially ones where the enemy also has jōnin-level combatants."
"Huh? You even know our names?" Tsubaki asked in surprise. "We've never met before."
Shikaku laughed. "I've got a decent memory. I keep track of the village's ninja. More or less, I know everyone."
"So amazing…" Masano muttered instinctively.
Ran, however, wasn't surprised in the slightest.
After all—this man was a Nara.
The Nara clan's official duty was raising deer and providing medicinal materials for medical ninjutsu research. As a result, they possessed deep knowledge of pharmacology. Their intelligence was legendary, and Shikaku was the pinnacle of that reputation.
Remembering every ninja's name and face was probably the bare minimum. Ran even suspected Shikaku remembered everyone's techniques and specialties as well.
Shikaku sighed.
"Honestly, the Third Hokage shouldn't have sent ninja here at all. He likely believed this was only a Cloud Village reconnaissance force. In reality, this operation involves A, Killer B, and several elite jōnin. The danger level has already surpassed what most chūnin can handle."
Masano immediately began sweating.
"Because the arrival of A and Killer B drastically escalated the situation," Shikaku continued, "we have no choice but to assign you more dangerous tasks. Remember this above all else—your lives come first. When scouting Cloud outposts, be extremely cautious. If you encounter danger, retreat immediately."
Internally, Shikaku assessed them.
Tsubaki, with her ninken, was ideal for reconnaissance. Masano could support her operations. As for Ran—fresh out of the Academy—he was clearly unsuited for high-intensity frontline scouting.
After a moment's thought, Shikaku made a decision.
Sending for reinforcements from Konoha would take too long. Messages were likely already on their way.
Instead—
The Land of Frost.
It was one of Konoha's allied nations and lay very close to the Land of Rice Fields. If Kumogakure made large-scale moves here, Frost Country would inevitably be affected.
Sending Ran there to request support—an allied jōnin—made sense.
Soon after, Minato and Yuhi Shinku finished coordinating and arrived at Shikaku's camp.
Shikaku relayed his analysis and proposed assignments.
Minato trusted Shikaku completely. After reviewing the plan and finding no flaws, he explained it to everyone present.
"Tsubaki. Masano," Minato said warmly. "We'll directly restrain Cloud Village's main force. You'll be responsible for scouting their newly established camps. Your safety comes first—report back once you confirm locations."
Both straightened instinctively.
"Yes! We'll complete the mission, Commander Minato!"
Minato then turned to Ran.
"As for requesting aid from the Land of Frost—that task is yours, Ran-kun. Take this letter and deliver it to their leader."
"Understood, Minato-senpai."
Ran accepted the sealed scroll from Minato's hand.
The pieces were in motion.
And the storm at the border was only just beginning.
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