After defeating Uchiha Kiyoshi—
The way the Uchiha clan looked at Uchiha Shin completely changed.
No longer ridicule.
No longer disdain.
Only respect—and burning admiration.
Kiyoshi's strength was recognized by everyone present as among the best of the Jonin.
And Uchiha Shin—
At only eighteen—
Had defeated him.
What did that mean?
His talent far surpassed Kiyoshi's.
The Uchiha revered strength.
Even after Uchiha Madara left Konoha—
That pride rooted deep in their bloodline remained unchanged.
—
"Did you all hear that?"
"The Five Kill Orders—regardless of who you are or which clan you belong to—you will obey them strictly."
"If anyone dares challenge Tsunade-sama's authority…"
"You won't even make it to the battlefield."
"I'll send you to your death myself."
Uchiha Shin's voice was cold and absolute.
Not just directed at the Uchiha—
But at every ninja present.
All of them responded loudly:
"Yes!"
Especially the Uchiha—
They obeyed with even greater discipline.
—
Seeing this, Uchiha Shin nodded.
Then he called out:
"Nawaki—step forward!"
"Yes!"
A boy around ten years old stepped out.
His face was simple and honest—
His eyes filled with admiration for Uchiha Shin.
He had witnessed the entire battle.
No hand seals…
Only his grandfather and his grandfather's rival could do that!
This man could too—
Didn't that mean he could stand on the same level as his grandfather?!
Nawaki was practically bursting with excitement—
But he held himself together.
Everyone was watching.
He couldn't disgrace his grandfather or the Senju clan.
Uchiha Shin glanced at him and smiled.
"Come with me."
Then he gestured and turned to the army.
"All units—dismiss!"
"Rest and recover."
"A tough battle is still ahead."
—
With that, Uchiha Shin led Nawaki toward the command office.
Inside—
The future Sannin were already discussing strategy.
Jiraiya was enthusiastic:
"We should strike directly at the heart—go head-on against Hanzo!"
Orochimaru looked utterly speechless.
How am I even from the same teacher as this guy…?
Hanzo of the Salamander—
Even their teacher might not be able to defeat him.
His swordsmanship alone was terrifying—
Not to mention his poison body and summoning beast.
His salamander—
Could rival a tailed beast.
Even if the three of them might win together—
What about the vanguard troops?
Let them die?
All elite ninja.
If they were wiped out—
Danzō would slap them with a charge of poor command.
And once that label stuck—
The position of Hokage would be out of reach.
—
"Reporting, Tsunade-sama."
"Uchiha Shin and Nawaki request permission to join the meeting."
Uchiha Shin's voice was steady and composed.
Orochimaru's thoughts were interrupted.
Uchiha Shin…
Tsunade mentioned him earlier…
The one who can predict danger?
He looked toward Tsunade.
Jiraiya did the same.
After all—
They were guests here.
Tsunade was the host.
Tsunade nodded.
"Come in."
"Yes."
—
The door opened.
Uchiha Shin entered with Nawaki.
"Tsunade! You brat! You're not hurt, right?!"
Tsunade rushed forward, checking Nawaki carefully.
"Big sis, I'm fine!"
"I even killed three or four Rain ninja this time!"
Nawaki scratched his head proudly.
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
Then she turned to Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, thank you. With you taking care of Nawaki, I feel at ease."
Orochimaru waved his hand.
"Nawaki is smart and sensible."
"His growth is his own achievement."
As he spoke, he looked at Nawaki with a slight smile.
After all—
Nawaki was his student.
—
Tsunade snorted.
"Don't praise him too much. I know exactly what kind of brat he is."
Orochimaru laughed.
At this time—
He was still far from the cold, obsessive man he would become.
Like most others—
His goal was to become Hokage.
—
Meanwhile—
Jiraiya pulled Nawaki aside with a grin.
"Ahem… did you finish those books I gave you?"
"When we return, I'll give you more!"
Nawaki's eyes lit up instantly.
"Thank you, Jiraiya-senpai!"
—
Watching this scene—
Uchiha Shin smiled.
The bond between the Sannin.
Nawaki's innocent grin.
These were things he had only seen in anime—
Now he was witnessing them in reality.
It stirred something in his heart.
—
Tsunade suddenly stepped in front of him, waving her hand.
"Uchiha Shin-kun? Uchiha Shin-kun?"
"What are you thinking about?"
Uchiha Shin snapped back to reality.
Seeing Tsunade so close—
He blushed slightly and immediately dropped to one knee.
"Tsunade-sama, forgive me."
Tsunade blinked, then rubbed her forehead and helped him up.
"I just saw you smiling to yourself and got curious."
Uchiha Shin said shyly,
"Seeing Nawaki, and Tsunade-sama, Orochimaru-sama, and Jiraiya-sama getting along so well…"
"It's… something to envy."
—
At this moment, Orochimaru stepped forward.
"Uchiha Shin-kun."
"Tsunade mentioned you have a technique that can predict danger."
"May I see it?"
He was deeply curious.
What kind of technique—
Could allow a unit to suffer almost zero casualties?
At his words—
Jiraiya and Nawaki also stopped talking and looked over.
Uchiha Shin first glanced at Tsunade.
She smiled and nodded.
"They're all our own people."
That small action—
Though seemingly unnecessary—
Was pure social awareness.
Then—
Uchiha Shin nodded.
He covered his left eye.
Sand particles in the air began to gather—
Forming an eyeball.
It floated in midair—
Circling the room again and again.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up instantly.
"A detection-type Magnet Release…"
"Shared vision… intelligence gathering…"
"Reduces casualties…"
"I wonder about the range—and what happens if it's destroyed?"
Even before becoming a researcher—
Orochimaru's analytical ability was already top-tier.
Uchiha Shin answered calmly:
"The range is ten kilometers."
"If it's destroyed, I won't be able to use it again for three hours."
"As for side effects… just a bit of strain."
Orochimaru nodded slowly.
No wonder.
With such a technique—
As long as they avoided danger—
Casualties could be minimized to near zero.
He looked at Tsunade again.
And couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Mito-sama's judgment…
Truly terrifying.
She found Tsunade a genius like this…