Chapter 23 - Chapter 23: The Eve of War

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"Fill the world with love and peace."

Heshu smiled.

Planting the flag of his ideals in every corner of the shinobi world.

That was the shared dream between him, Madara Uchiha, and Obito.

As for that great filial son, Black Zetsu, who just wanted to save his mommy…

Once Heshu had enough power, he'd send the little freak off for a family reunion with dear old mother Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.

He was just too kind-hearted, really.

Always so willing to help others achieve their dreams.

"Fill the world… with love and peace?"

Itachi Uchiha's young mind reeled.

His perspective was so narrow compared to Heshu's.

Seizing the chance, Heshu ruffled Itachi's silky-smooth hair—the kid definitely used premium shampoo—and spoke with profound gravity. "Itachi, don't limit your vision to just the village. We're all specks of dust in the torrent of the times. So is Konoha. In the Warring States Period, who could have imagined we'd live in hidden villages one day? And today, none of us can truly predict where the future flows."

Itachi's eyes widened in shock.

His previous confusion and fixed ideas were being washed away, grain by grain, by Heshu's words.

"But we can guide that torrent," Heshu continued. "Steer it. Change the world according to our methods, our direction."

Itachi stared, transfixed.

When Heshu spoke of this, he seemed to glow with a brilliant light.

It made you want to believe him, instinctively.

"I want a world that is prosperous, harmonious, and free of war. A world where everyone is equal and free. Shinobi shouldn't be tools for slaughter and conflict. A world where people are friendly, honest, dedicated… and full of love."

"Can such a world… truly exist?"

Itachi's eyes also filled with longing for that vision.

Yet all he had ever seen was blood-soaked slaughter, the carnage of battlefields.

"Of course! As long as someone takes that first step, more and more will follow."

Heshu smiled, his eyes seeming to hold galaxies. "A single spark can start a prairie fire."

[Ding! Target: Itachi Uchiha. Favorability: 40!]

Heshu nearly jumped for joy.

Unbelievable!

Just some philosophical talk, and boom—thirty points!

Every major player in this world really was a philosopher at heart.

No time to waste. Keep going!

"I'm willing to be that first spark," Heshu declared, fist clenched. "I'll strengthen myself, become Hokage, and gain the power and voice to build that world! Use love and peace to unite everyone, to create a stable, harmonious world!"

Love and peace, my ass.

This is all kid stuff.

Once I'm invincible, I'll have the Ten-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball in my left hand, a max-favorability Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha on my right, a Susano'o-clad Buddha behind me. Let's see who dares disagree then.

Heshu's expression was one of firm resolve, his eyes shining with hope and longing for a beautiful future.

Itachi pressed his lips together. The confusion in his eyes faded, replaced by clarity.

Heshu was right. He had to strive to create that beautiful world.

If Heshu wanted to be Hokage, then he, Itachi, would strive to be one who supported him.

In the future, he and Heshu would build a truly wonderful world together.

"I… I want to be one of those sparks."

[Ding! Target: Itachi Uchiha. Favorability: 50!]

Perfect!

A smirk tugged at Heshu's lips.

Two birds with one stone.

Not only did favorability go up, but he also gained a powerful future follower.

"Then I'll join too!"

A voice chimed in from behind them.

Shisui stood there, a gentle warmth swirling in his dark eyes.

[Ding! Target: Shisui Uchiha. Favorability: 80!]

Heshu was internally doing cartwheels.

"Shisui!"

Heshu turned, feigning surprise—he'd sensed Shisui waking up a while ago.

Shisui's smile was light. "I never knew your goals were so grand, Heshu."

But the world Heshu described… it was truly alluring.

Heshu gave a shy smile. "It's getting late. We should head to Uncle Fugaku's place."

Itachi stood, ready to lead the way.

The confusion that had clouded his pitch-black eyes was gone.

A clear goal now took root in his young heart.

Heshu's first recruit, Itachi Uchiha, was a resounding success. Bonus: a second recruit, Shisui Uchiha.

Heshu was quite pleased with his Talk-no-Jutsu.

Uchiha clan architecture favored courtyards, and Itachi's home was no exception.

The clan's wealth came not just from shinobi missions, but also from their business ventures across the Land of Fire. Money was never an issue.

Anyone who'd seen the anime knew—Itachi's home was a testament to that.

Classic architecture. Elegant furnishings. A sprawling courtyard.

Mikoto Uchiha was not only beautiful, but an excellent cook.

Heshu and Shisui ate until they were satisfied, then politely set down their chopsticks.

Fugaku Uchiha sat at the head of the table, a subtle gleam flashing in his eyes as he observed Heshu.

Mikoto began clearing the dishes.

"Heshu, you're welcome to visit the Uchiha compound whenever you have time," Fugaku said.

As clan head, his vision was long-term. This girl had remarkable potential, was the direct disciple of Tsunade Senju of the Hokage's line, and was building close ties with the Uchiha. She was undoubtedly a worthwhile investment.

Though Heshu's past life was that of an ordinary shut-in, his innate god's-eye perspective and years of anime-watching experience let him see right through Fugaku's intentions.

He smiled. "Shisui, Juri, and I are good friends. I'll definitely visit often, as long as Uncle Fugaku doesn't find me a nuisance."

"Hahaha…"

Fugaku couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head in amusement. "Of course not."

Itachi watched his father with surprise.

Fugaku's image among the clan was one of stern severity, never smiling lightly. Today, he'd laughed more than he usually did in a month.

Heshu, aiming for Hokage, would need the support of Konoha's major clans.

He was happy to accept Fugaku's investment.

And he was confident he'd be Fugaku's most profitable one yet.

But…

Heshu's lips twitched.

For all Fugaku's warm smiles and friendly tone, his favorability meter hadn't budged a single point from its baseline ten.

No wonder he became clan head so young.

Silver moonlight crept across the veranda. It was time for Heshu and Shisui to leave.

"Itachi, see Heshu and Shisui out," Fugaku instructed his son.

"Yes."

Itachi stood and walked beside them as they made their way out.

When they reached the edge of the Uchiha district, Heshu stopped them.

"This is far enough. I can make it back on my own."

Heshu gave them a final smile.

Shisui almost said it wasn't safe for a girl to walk home alone at night. Then he remembered Heshu's combat prowess and swallowed the words.

"Be careful," Shisui said instead.

"Mm."

Heshu's gaze shifted to Itachi, who stood a head shorter than Shisui. A wicked hand reached out and ruffled his hair. "Train hard, okay?"

Itachi nodded obediently.

Heshu, forever on the receiving end of head-pats, had finally experienced the joy of doling them out.

With a final wave, Heshu turned and left.

Back home, Heshu began his nightly training.

He took Shinsō from the wall mount in his bedroom and began to draw it.

"Hah."

He centered his breath, focused his chakra, and gripped the hilt with total concentration.

Nothing.

Just as he was about to release his grip—

Shiing!

A crisp, beautiful sound of metal sliding against metal.

The roar of a supercar's engine. The ringing cry of a blade leaving its sheath. Sounds no man could resist.

Heshu's eyes widened. Silver light flashed within them.

The blade was drawn. The full form of Shinsō was finally revealed before him.

A flawless, silver-white blade. No intricate patterns. Simple. Elegant.

He couldn't resist testing it. He didn't know how much of Shinsō's true power he could unleash yet, but he needed a secluded spot.

Heshu's figure seemed to hang in the air for an instant within his room. The next moment, he vanished.

Elsewhere.

Night in the forest. A thin mist rose. A river flowed silently.

All was still.

A figure appeared on the riverbank.

Heshu's feet sank into the soft grass. He drew Shinsō from his waist once more.

He aimed at a nearby tree. A flash of silver light.

A pillar of light pierced straight through the trunk.

Heshu estimated his current extension limit was about two meters.

The tree swayed. Groaned. Then collapsed with a thunderous crash.

Dust swirled in the air.

"Crap."

A disturbance this big would definitely draw the night patrol.

Especially during this sensitive, war-tension era.

Heshu sheathed the blade. Sensing shinobi approaching from not far off, he flashed away, disappearing from the spot.

A man with a pineapple haircut, wearing the standard green flak jacket, landed before the fallen tree. Several other green-clad shinobi followed.

Nara Ikifumi stepped forward, his hand tracing the tree's perfectly smooth cut surface. "Search the area for casualties."

"Yes, sir!"

Green figures scattered in all directions.

Moments later.

"Captain, no casualties. No scent of blood or signs of a struggle."

The reports made Nara Ikifumi's furrowed brows relax slightly. He shook his head. "Likely someone practicing a jutsu. Return to patrol. Stay alert."

"Yes, sir!"

Ikifumi took one last look at the severed trunk, deep in thought.

A cut that clean… it had to be a weapon. Or a terrifyingly powerful jutsu.

But in all the intel he knew, no Konoha chūnin or jōnin possessed such a technique.

Heshu, now back home and oblivious to the commotion, lay in bed. He replayed the feel of Shinsō's attack in his mind, then gradually slipped into sleep.

Six Months Later.

Life continued its orderly rhythm.

But the tense atmosphere of impending war slowly seeped into everything. Even the children in class sensed the danger gathering on the horizon.

Their instructor, Satō Kakamoku, finally cracked under the pressure from above and made an important announcement.

He walked into the classroom stiffly—not angry, but burdened by a profound, unspoken heaviness.

His lips were pressed tight. His gaze swept over the faces still soft with childhood innocence. His heart clenched.

"Today," he began, voice thick, "we will discuss how to conduct yourselves on a battlefield."

The moment he spoke, many already guessed the reason.

In normal times, they wouldn't have made the connection.

But the tense climate had slowly infiltrated their awareness.

Heshu sighed softly.

Whether it was the prodigious Hyūga Rin and Hyūga Gingin, the already-Sharingan-awakened Uchiha Juri, or the clever Nara Sōsai… these kids all had remarkable talent.

Yet they never appeared in the anime.

Heshu guessed they probably died on the battlefield.

Swallowed by the merciless torrent of shinobi history.

"Teacher, why are we learning this?"

Sarutobi Aoki tilted his head, genuine confusion in his eyes.

Some people were just born carefree.

Like Aoki.

He felt the classroom's mood plunge, but didn't understand why.

Heshu looked at the innocent Aoki with immense pity.

Shisui lowered his gaze slightly, determination burning within.

He hadn't awakened his Sharingan yet, but these past six months, he'd begun developing new jutsu.

He wouldn't let Heshu leave him behind.

"Because you will be deployed to the frontlines soon."

Satō hadn't wanted to be so blunt, but the children had to accept this brutal reality.

Aoki froze.

Sure, he loved to boast about becoming a hero. But the real battlefield… that hit differently.

Many faces in the room paled.

It wasn't fear. Or cowardice. It was resignation. And a deep, unsettling confusion.

A lump of cold iron seemed to settle in Heshu's chest.

If he were still just a viewer from his past life, he might not feel much.

But now, in this world, every character he once saw as a 2D drawing was a flesh-and-blood person. He couldn't remain completely detached.

Watching the anime, the number of Konoha jōnin from Kakashi and Itachi's generation was pitifully small. A generational gap, likely caused by war.

"The battlefield is brutal. I hope every one of you returns safely," Satō said. "What follows… I need you all to listen carefully."

Even without the warning, they would have.

No one dared take war lightly.

Even if their average age was eight.

Half an hour later, Satō finally stopped. His lips were dry and cracked from the rapid, continuous speech, but he didn't reach for water.

He continued, "On the battlefield, you are Konoha shinobi. Heroes protecting the village. To increase your experience and…"

He paused for a heartbeat.

"…and survival rate, you will be divided into three-person cells, led by a jōnin sensei on missions."

Forget strength for a moment—these kids lacked even basic field experience.

Hence, the leading jōnin were crucial.

"Now for the cell assignments."

"Cell One: Tsukimi Heshu, Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Juri."

Satō's eyes met Heshu's.

Heshu narrowed his.

This grouping was full of profound implications.

The Uchiha played a massive role on the battlefield now. Heshu was close to the two Uchiha prodigies, but her strength surpassed theirs, and she mastered a miraculous healing art like the Reverse Cursed Technique.

From the Konoha higher-ups' perspective, this cell seemed designed to use Heshu as a check on the Uchiha.

From the Uchiha's perspective, this cell guaranteed the survival rate of their new generation.

A move that benefited both sides, while also binding them.

The assignment clearly pleased both Shisui and Juri.

"Cell Two: Sarutobi Aoki, Hyūga Rin, Iwai Yuzu."

This group paired the cold, sharp Hyūga Rin to rein in the impulsive Aoki. The only girl, Yuzu, was the obedient type who followed orders well.

"Cell Three: Nara Sōsai, Hyūga Gingin, Uehara Tsume."

Nara Sōsai's intelligence was paired with Hyūga Gingin's combat prowess. Uehara Tsume had also begun learning medical ninjutsu.

As the son of Nara Ikifumi—younger brother of the Nara clan head—Sōsai was unlucky. He lacked the stable Ino-Shika-Chō formation.

Once the assignments were done, the classroom buzzed with mixed reactions—some happy, some worried.

Heshu patiently dealt with Aoki, who desperately wanted to switch cells. "Aoki-kun, Rin and Yuzu are both excellent classmates. The teacher's assignments can't be changed."

Aoki's shoulders slumped. "I know we can't swap," he mumbled, dejected. "But I'll miss you so much, Heshu!"

His eyes even grew misty.

Aoki's affection for Heshu was genuinely unwavering.

Heshu smiled. "I'll miss you too, Aoki-kun. But once the war is over, we can all eat together again."

Aoki quickly perked up, clenching his fists. "You're right! After the war, we're having a feast!"

Similar scenes played out across the classroom.

Satō Kakamoku watched, and despite himself, his eyes began to redden.

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