All three were born into shinobi clans. Even a smaller clan like the Uzuki, which had survived since the Warring States period, possessed its own unique heritage that required time and dedication to master.
Uchiha Gen, on the other hand, primarily devoted his time to studying Uchiha-style Kenjutsu and medical theory.
Although the daily pace was grueling, it was exceptionally fulfilling. A month passed quietly in this manner. With a master like Orochimaru providing guidance, a month of hellish training had brought Gen more improvement than an entire previous semester.
Most importantly, during this month, Orochimaru had led them through fifteen D-rank missions. Even though the experience was shared because the missions were carried out as a team, the high frequency made all the difference. Naturally, his level increased as a matter of course.
[Character Name: Uchiha Gen]
[Character Level: 10]
[Currently Loaded Character Card: Sakura Haruno (Academy Student)]
[Currently Available Item Cards: None]
[Available Card Draws: 1]
[Current Attributes: Nin: 5; Tai: 5; Gen: 4; Pow: 4; Spd: 5; Stam: 4; Seal: 6; Int: 6; Total: 39]
"Finally!"
Outside the Hokage's office, Uchiha Gen held a small booklet as usual, but his attention was focused entirely on the system.
This time, it was Sarutobi Enjun who had gone into the office to submit the mission report. Clearly, the mission had been officially recorded as complete, which was why the experience had finally been credited.
Gen had been looking forward to this card draw for a long time. Every tenth draw triggered a "pity" mechanism, guaranteeing a character card of the highest quality for the current pool. At his current stage, he was guaranteed to receive a green-quality character card.
It was hard to say who would appear, but regardless, they would certainly be stronger than the white-tier Academy Student Sakura.
Should he draw now, or wait until he got back, washed his face, and built up some luck?
While Gen was still hesitating, Sarutobi Enjun came down with the mission reward.
"Gen, catch!"
Before the team split up, Orochimaru suddenly spoke and tossed a bell toward Gen.
"Orochimaru-sensei, this is..."
"A small ninja tool to help you improve your Genjutsu resistance. It can also help offset some of the shockwave erosion when you form a contract with Rashōmon. I have already taught you the necessary battlefield experience. If you go to the front lines in the future, how effective it is will depend on your own luck. From now on, our theoretical lessons will be replaced with Genjutsu combat testing. The team will take turns practicing against two teammates until you can release a Genjutsu on yourself within one second and can stably perform Ninjutsu under the interference of the bell's sound on your chakra."
Understood. The curriculum had been updated; a new course had begun.
"By the way, regarding those medical books, which one are you on now?"
"I just finished the last one yesterday. I originally planned to review and consolidate for a while before telling you, and also to finish transcribing those rare copies."
The medical books provided by Tsunade, except for a few rare Senju Clan manuscripts, were provided in three copies—one for each member of the team. Because Uchiha Gen read the fastest, those rare copies were currently in his possession.
"I have asked Jiraiya to take over your training for the next three days. Since you have finished the reading material, you will go find Tsunade to begin live-subject experiments after you complete your special training with Jiraiya. Tomorrow, a Kumogakure Peace Treaty Delegation will arrive. The Sandaime has arranged for me and Elder Mitokado to be responsible for the reception, so I will not have time for you for now."
A Kumogakure Peace Treaty Delegation?
Gen's heart skipped a beat.
In the original timeline, did the peace talks between Konoha and Kumo ever actually succeed? It seemed they never really did.
The first time they held peace talks with Kumo, they encountered internal strife within the Hidden Cloud, leading to the death of the Second Hokage. They had been forced to pick the best of the bunch and pass the mantle of Hokage to Hiruzen Sarutobi. The subsequent negotiations... well, it seemed the other side wasn't even aiming for a treaty, but was simply using the opportunity to kidnap people.
At this point in time... Gen thought of that famous "Red-Hot Habanero" in the Academy who was one year junior to him and had beaten up most of the boys in her grade, as well as that number one fifth-grader with the yellow hair.
The timing seemed to match up perfectly. Could it be this time?
"I understand, Orochimaru-sensei. But do you think Kumogakure will really make peace with us right now?"
Gen looked into Orochimaru's eyes and asked with feigned curiosity.
"I am not sure either. While they are fighting us, they are also at war with Iwagakure, so the pressure on them is significant. Even if the peace talks do not succeed, they will certainly hope both sides can reduce the intensity of the conflict during the negotiations. But when it comes to pressure, we are the ones facing the most. Hanzo of the Salamander has declared war on multiple major powers at once, muddying the situation. Combined with having to simultaneously fight the main forces of the Land of Wind and the Land of Lightning, the Sandaime will definitely do his best to ensure the peace talks succeed."
Orochimaru paused before continuing.
"Even if the talks fail, Lord Sarutobi wouldn't mind letting the front lines cool down for a while. Otherwise, if the war continues like this, Konoha will inevitably run short on manpower. At that time, not only will your year be sent to the front, but some elders have even suggested that high-level Academy students graduate early to replenish the troops."
Orochimaru's meaning was clear. Given Konoha's current situation and the Third Hokage's personality, regardless of whether Kumo's peace talks were sincere, Konoha would treat them as real and strive for peace.
This wasn't something Orochimaru, a Jonin in charge of reception, could decide. Even though he was now the face of Konoha's younger generation, the village's decision-making power rested with high-level officials in their prime.
"I see. But perhaps because the village suffered such heavy losses during the negotiations with Kumo in the First War, I still have a bad feeling."
"Alright, Gen, what's there to worry about? This is a negotiation inside our own village. What could those barbarians from the Cloud possibly do? Even though my old man is lousy, he's not useless. Let's go! Since Orochimaru-sensei is busy for the next few days, shouldn't we have a proper get-together tonight? My treat! At Yakiniku Q, order whatever you want!"
Sarutobi Enjun reached out and put his arm around Gen's neck, patting his chest with the other hand, looking very generous.
Buddy, it's exactly your 'lousy' father I'm worried about!
Forget it, I'll deal with it when the time comes. If I can intervene, I will; if not, that's something for the big shots to handle.
Uchiha Gen only hoped that the outcome of this event wouldn't take a turn for the worse because of the butterfly effect caused by his presence.