Inside the Konoha Police Force headquarters, beneath the iconic red-and-white fan crest of the Uchiha clan, a crowd of ninjas gathered. They were busy scanning the mission board, picking their next assignments.
A handsome youth squeezed through the throng, his eyes fixed on the notices pinned to the board.
Normally, missions were issued at the Hokage Building's mission center. However, Uchiha Ren was not a registered ninja of the Leaf Village. Like the countless nameless shinobi who would later make up the Allied Shinobi Forces, he was a "Clan Ninja"—loyal to the Uchiha first.
While he wore the Konoha headband, most of his assignments were funneled directly to the clan. It was a system designed for participation based on one's own ability.
But for Ren, this was a disaster.
"Are you kidding me? Not a single mission near the border?"
Ren stared at the board, dumbfounded. At this point in time, the most dangerous places were the buffer zones between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind—specifically places like the Land of Rain or the Land of Valleys.
But the board was filled with local domestic tasks. D-rank missions like finding lost cats, delivering letters, or tilling fields were everywhere.
The most "perilous" C-rank mission available? Chasing a giant wild boar back into the Forest of Death.
I thought I'd finally get to leave the village and die, Ren thought, tears welling up in his mind. How is this any different from before?
Resigned to his fate, Ren reached out for the boar-chasing mission. Maybe he could provoke the pig into goring him to death...
Suddenly, a slender hand snatched the scroll just before he could touch it.
"Pardon me, but please leave this mission to me."
A youth with delicate features, wearing a black high-collar shirt and carrying a short blade (wakizashi) on his back, smiled at Ren.
The distinctive "dango" nose gave him away instantly. Ren recognized him immediately: the young genius whose fame hadn't even peaked yet—Uchiha Shisui.
Ren stared at him, speechless. Damn it, Shisui! You're a registered Konoha ninja. Why are you snatching up clan-exclusive missions?
"I apologize, Ren-kun," Shisui said, his voice brimming with sincerity. "This mission will help me refine my swordsmanship. I'll give you the entire reward, but please, let me take this opportunity!"
Facing such a bright, honest smile, Ren had no reason to refuse. It was just a C-rank mission; he probably wouldn't have died anyway. With the Great War looming, there would be plenty of chances to get killed later.
"You know who I am?" Ren asked, genuinely surprised.
"Of course. We did a D-rank mission together once. Did you forget?" Shisui lied smoothly, flashing a grin.
"Maybe..." Ren muttered. He had done so many missions he couldn't keep track. He had no interest in befriending the main cast anyway. In his mind, changing the future might prevent Naruto from saving the world, and that would be a catastrophe.
He just wanted to die and go home.
In reality, Shisui had just looked up Ren's name in the mission records and had been utterly shocked by what he found.
Uchiha Ren: Genin. Ninja Career: 1 Year.
Missions Completed: D-Rank: 855. C-Rank: 0.
This unknown peer was a mission fanatic! He completed an average of two to three missions a day, every single day, for an entire year without a break.
Terrifying, Shisui thought.
Ren had no idea his record was so shocking. He had only grinded those missions hoping he might drop dead from overwork. If he knew Shisui was admiring him for this, he'd probably scream in agony.
To Shisui, however, this proved that Ren was no ordinary Uchiha.
A Genin pushing himself to this limit... He is truly burning his life away for the sake of the village!
Moved by this, Shisui ignored Ren's cold shoulder and leaned in closer, their shoulders almost touching.
"W-What are you doing?!" Ren let out a startled yelp. Don't tell me this kid has 'special' interests at such a young age?
Shisui simply assumed Ren was socially anxious. He leaned toward Ren's ear and whispered:
"Ren-kun, I know what you're thinking."
Ren's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Wait, you know I'm trying to commit insurance fraud?
"The Great Elder is about to hold a mobilization meeting," Shisui said solemnly. "There will be two extremely dangerous missions. But don't worry... I will make sure you don't get either of them!"
It felt like a demon whispering in his ear. Ren shuddered, looking at Shisui with pure horror. Did this guy have a mind-reading cheat? Was he trying to steal Ren's "death opportunities"?
However, the mention of those two missions made Ren's heart skip a beat.
"What missions?" Ren whispered back, his voice low and secretive.
Shisui was stunned for a moment, then looked at Ren with even more admiration. I knew it! Even after hearing how dangerous they are, his first instinct is to ask about them!
He secretly vowed right then and there: I will not let Ren die in a dangerous mission. A talent like his should be the bridge between the Uchiha and the village!
At that moment, an old man with spiky white hair and a cold half-mask ascended to the high platform. He wore the traditional high-collared black robe of the Uchiha, noticeably devoid of a Konoha forehead protector.
His gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, making it impossible for most to look him in the eye.
Ren's heart tightened. He knew this man: the last remaining Great Elder of the Uchiha—Uchiha Setsuna.
As a radical who had once plotted to assassinate the Second Hokage and lived to tell the tale, he was the undisputed leader of the Uchiha hawks.
"You all likely have an idea why you've been summoned," Setsuna's cold voice echoed through the hall.
"It's true. The war is beginning!"
"With the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, the world is descending into chaos. Border skirmishes are intensifying. Small-scale battles have already begun in the Land of Rain."
Setsuna paused, his voice turning even colder.
"But we are the Uchiha! We have survived a thousand years of war. These fools are beneath us! Currently, the front lines in the Land of Rain and the garrison at the Valley of Hell in the Land of Hot Water need reinforcements."
"We need two squads, each consisting of one Jonin, one Chunin, and one Genin. Participation is voluntary for now—but if the spots aren't filled, I will draft you personally."
The hall fell into a heavy silence. At the mention of those two locations, many faces turned pale with fear.
Standing in the crowd, Ren was about to throw his hand up and scream, "Restoring the Uchiha glory is my duty!" when his vision suddenly blurred.
His body trembled as a cold, emotionless voice rang out in his mind:
[Talent successfully delivered.]
[Heartsteel (SSS-Rank): Please, let me be 'steel' just one more time! — "The Gateway of Steel"]
CLANG—!
A deafening, metallic ring echoed in Ren's head, snapping him back to reality. But as he processed the name of his new talent, Ren's heart sank.
Wait... Heartsteel? Oh, no...