141-145

*Chapter 141: Roar! A Twist of Fate! The Ten Thousand Serpents Devour Their Master!*

A fierce gale carried what seemed like an endless storm of dust and sand into the air!

Grass, trees, stones, boulders—even the deep-rooted red willows, charred into cinders underground, were completely uprooted!

*Wind Release: Infinite Sandstorm Breakthrough*—

Under the control of Shukaku, the One-Tail, this jutsu could cover an area of several kilometers.

The forbidden technique, further refined in Ryūsa's hands, instantly ravaged everything before it!

Even Shinji struggled to maintain his footing under the onslaught of this ferocious wind, pulled backward uncontrollably and teetering on the brink of being flung into the sky!

He could only squint through the turbulence and, with his left hand, dig a kunai deep into the ground, his body flapping like a flag as he clung to the weapon, trying desperately to stay anchored!

Meanwhile, his right arm, swept up by the storm, had already flown a hundred meters away.

Through Shinji’s precise calculation,

it landed right in front of the remaining Sand ninja squad battling the massive serpent, Manda.

At this moment,

Ryūsa’s whirlwind had unintentionally engulfed the Sand ninja as well, forcing them to raise their arms in defense as the storm raged around them.

Who could have predicted that,

suddenly,

the wind would carry along something blackened and gleaming, almost too blinding to look at?

It was an arm, scorched like charcoal, with cracks forming across its surface, radiating dazzling light.

The sight of the arm made the Sand ninja freeze in shock.

Sensing danger, one of the Sand shinobi instinctively reacted, immediately unleashing *Wind Release: Turbulent Air Dance* in an attempt to blow away the strange object.

But at that moment,

the dark chakra packed into the arm combusted, producing an eerie, crackling sound, and triggered a chain reaction—

a chakra-fueled explosion, using Fire Release principles to ignite chakra beyond its normal operational limits.

The arm, fully consumed by the burning dark chakra, was moments away from exploding.

But as it collided with the incoming *Turbulent Air Dance*,

The flames began to spread!

They ignited the external chakra—

enveloping the Sand shinobi, the surrounding squads, the massive serpent Manda, and even the chakra embedded within the wind release.

Everything burned—wind, enemies, chakra, and even the serpent itself—until the power swelled to its peak!

In the next instant—

*BOOM!!!*

A sound far more terrifying than the roar of Shinji’s *Great Flame Dragon Dance* tore through the battlefield!

Both Ryūsa and Shinji turned their heads in shock.

In the dark night sky, a blinding white light suddenly erupted, illuminating everything like it was broad daylight.

Then, as the white light dimmed slightly,

a massive fire-red mushroom cloud connecting heaven and earth came into view!

It was as though the sky itself had been scorched into a gaping hole!

This spectacle was even more awe-inspiring than the scene Shinji had created earlier with his fire dragon technique!

Even Deidara would’ve called it true art!

Staring at the sight before him,

Ryūsa’s eyes widened in disbelief, his face twisting with fury and despair. His teeth clenched so hard they nearly cracked, and his voice quivered with rage:

“What—what is that?!”

“Damn it! Damn it! DAMN IT!!”

“What have you done?!”

“You monster! Demon! YOU DEMON!!!”

With a loud thud, he fell to his knees, screaming hoarsely at Shinji, his face distorted in fury.

Before his eyes, his subordinates—his comrades—

had nearly been wiped out by his own Wind Release!

Now, of the three hundred men under his command, only a sparse handful of fewer than ten remained.

In the center of the explosion’s aftermath, all that remained was the lifeless, massive corpse of a purple serpent lying in eerie stillness.

Nothing else.

“This… this was my doing?!”

Shinji stared at the mushroom cloud rising from the ground, his face twisted in disbelief.

Heaven bear witness—

as someone who had used Fire Release chakra countless times, he was intimately familiar with how much chakra would result in what level of power.

In his original plan,

this chakra-imbued "grenade" was only meant to be strong enough to scatter Ryūsa’s team blocking Manda or, at best, create an opening in the Sand ninja’s formation.

That way, Manda could break free, securing victory for Shinji.

But never, in his wildest dreams, did he expect this "grenade" to win him the battle in such a devastating fashion!

This outcome left him dumbfounded—since when could Fire Release chakra burn not only itself but also ignite someone else’s chakra?

This was absurdly powerful!

“Whew…” Shinji exhaled, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Although he still had no idea what had caused the "grenade" to transform into a miniature nuclear bomb,

He had won!

And in the chaos of the battlefield, where life and death were but fleeting moments,

the death of these Sand ninja at his hands caused him no guilt.

Seeing Shinji’s faint smile, Ryūsa erupted in fury.

“You wicked, despicable Uchiha—”

He leapt to his feet, furiously weaving hand seals and shouting in rage.

But before he could complete his cry,

In the very next moment—

A massive, menacing purple serpent head suddenly burst out from beneath the ground, its enormous jaws opening wide.

Ryo Suna felt a chill run down his spine. Turning his head to glance back, his eyes were filled with shock.

*"Manda? How is it here?!"*

*"Wasn't it blown to pieces along with that brat's grenade?!"*

*"And its corpse was still there!"*

But Manda had no intention of heeding the grievances of the "snack" it had consumed.

With a loud snap, its massive jaws clamped shut. The giant snake raised its head high and swallowed Ryo Suna whole, along with a sizable chunk of earth from the ground beneath him.

Inside Manda's throat, a rhythmic pounding and muffled struggle could be heard. Clearly, Ryo Suna was fighting back from within.

Manda's body writhed and twisted, increasing the pressure in its gullet. Within three minutes, the sounds of resistance stopped completely.

This was precisely why Shinji dared to claim his victory. Through the keen sight of his Sharingan, he had detected an unusual chakra fluctuation moving rapidly underground toward this location.

It was Manda, who had narrowly escaped death during that massive explosion by shedding its skin with the Snake Shedding Technique!

As the events unfolded, lines of text suddenly appeared before Shinji's eyes:

*[Ding!]*

*[You have bravely defeated Ryo Suna, an elite Jonin of Sunagakure who sought to kill you. You have acquired a random skill from your opponent: Wind Style: Grand Air Cannon (B, Proficient).]*

*[Your counterattack was overwhelming, leaving your opponent dead and unable to retaliate. Critical reward triggered.]*

*[Skill upgraded to: Wind Style: Grand Cyclone Cannon (B+, Mastered).]*

*[Your Steel Will level has increased.]*

Of course, there were also numerous notifications about the Sunagakure ninjas who had died from the grenade explosion. Most of the resulting Wind and Earth-style jutsus were of little importance, as weaker enemies rarely provided high-quality skills.

The only noteworthy acquisition was the Wind Style: Grand Air Cannon.

This jutsu, similar to the Fire Style: Grand Fireball, is on par with Shimura Danzo's Wind Style: Vacuum Great Sphere. Earlier, Ryo Suna had used this very technique to unleash a series of wind bullets at Shinji, showcasing its considerable power and impact.

If Shinji could later master the single-seal technique for Fire Style that the Uchiha elder, Shana, was known for, he might combine it with the Grand Fireball to create an even more devastating combination jutsu: Fire-Wind Fusion: Grand Blazing Cyclone.

"Whoo…"

After taking stock of his spoils, Shinji exhaled deeply, feeling a sense of relief.

With a thud, he collapsed onto a patch of rubble, gazing up at the galactic band of stars that spanned the night sky.

The night wind flowed silently. The once-chaotic battlefield had fallen into an eerie stillness.

His mind, which had been operating at full throttle, went completely blank for a moment.

The battle had pushed him to his limits; he had used every last ounce of strength. Now, he was utterly drained of chakra.

But just then, a faint hissing sound broke the silence, followed by the unmistakable slithering of something massive moving across the ground.

Manda's voice, filled with arrogance and simmering anger, suddenly echoed in his ears:

*"Brat, you dared to blow me up along with everyone else?"*

*"Even my sacrifices were all destroyed."*

The giant snake lowered its head, its shadow engulfing Shinji like a dark cloud. Its cold eyes bore into him as a flash of murderous intent flared in its pupils.

*"Do you think you've lived long enough to insult me?"*

Faced with Manda's menacing tone, Shinji merely smirked, his lips curling into a faint, disdainful grin. He met the snake's gaze coldly and replied in a calm voice:

*"Stupid snake, are you thinking of betraying me?"*

Manda's eyes narrowed, and a sinister smile, oddly human-like, spread across its face.

*"And if I am? What of it?"*

*"You're out of chakra, aren't you? That oversized fire sword of yours is unusable, and you can't activate Orochimaru's regenerative techniques either."*

*"Right now, you’re no match for me."*

Manda's pupils dilated as it opened its massive jaws, its voice chillingly cold:

*"It’s time you learned who the true master is!"*

*"Hissss!"*

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 142: A New Mission—Dominating the Battlefield!*

Shinji lay on the ground expressionless, staring at Manda without uttering a word.

Just as Manda had pointed out, he was completely out of chakra. It was impossible for him to defeat this serpent in his current state.

As one of the massive summons from the three great sanctuaries, Manda was the strongest among them. At full power, it could simultaneously overpower the slugs summoned by Tsunade and the toads summoned by Jiraiya.

Unlike most summoning creatures, Manda's relationship with its summoner was far from the typical master-servant dynamic.

This massive serpent from Ryuchi Cave was notoriously arrogant and ruthless.

Each summoning required a live sacrifice as tribute, and Manda didn't even bother respecting Orochimaru, treating their relationship as a partnership of equals. During the legendary Sannin battle, when Orochimaru’s strength waned due to his sealed hands, Manda went so far as to threaten him and openly disdained Kabuto. (Of course, this arrogance eventually led to Manda being turned into the second-generation Manda by the petty Kabuto, who then unleashed it during the Fourth Shinobi World War on the Ryūchi Island.)

To Manda, betrayal was as natural as eating and drinking.

And now, Shinji not only failed to provide it with sacrifices but also had the audacity to freeload off of it—wielding a 40-meter-long blade against it one moment and using it as a shield the next.

This was utterly intolerable!

In Manda’s many years of terrorizing the world, it had never encountered such an audacious brat!

Still, having wandered the battlefield with this boy and enjoyed a hearty feast, Manda wasn’t in a hurry to kill him.

Manda understood the difference between a one-time meal and regular feasts.

If it had truly wanted to act, it would have done so already instead of wasting time talking.

The truth was, Manda wanted to negotiate.

With a cunning glint in its eyes, Manda stared at Shinji, thinking about how to intimidate him first before laying out its demands.

Should I demand 100 sacrifices? Or maybe even 150?  

Shinji knew Manda probably wasn’t planning to kill him, which was why he didn’t bother putting on a friendly face.

But letting Manda exploit him?

Not a chance.

He was practically broke, barely able to scrape together enough for food. How could he possibly gather sacrifices for Manda?

Is this what a true alpha male should do? If you’ve got the guts, just eat me already and let me reincarnate as a dragon king with five billion!  

In short, Shinji embodied the spirit of having nothing to lose.

And so, amidst the scorched and battle-scarred terrain, human and snake locked eyes in a fierce standoff.

Manda waited for Shinji to compromise.

Shinji waited for Manda to give up and slither away.

Neither was willing to back down.

The scene remained frozen until—

A series of heavy footsteps suddenly broke the silence.

A young, somewhat anxious voice called out, “Brother Zhenyi, I think that snake is going to eat Shinji!”

Another voice responded, equally tense:

“Shisui, I know!”

“Minyi, Shi’er, let’s go!”

In the next instant, several shouts echoed through the battlefield:

“Beast Mimicry Technique: Fang Over Fang!”

“Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!”

“Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!”

Hearing this, Shinji’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

Before he knew it, three people and a dog had landed in front of him, launching a simultaneous attack.

Fierce winds intertwined with roaring flames, obscuring Manda’s vision.

Then, two spiraling whirlwinds shot forward like drills, striking Manda square in the chin.

Caught off guard, Manda’s massive head jerked backward from the impact.

Before it could react, a tall figure leapt through the fiery windstorm and landed atop Manda’s head.

With a sharp glare, the figure opened its eyes—revealing a pair of crimson Sharingan, the tomoe spinning ominously.

“Damn it! Sharingan!”

“Another damn Uchiha brat! Hisssss!”

Manda let out a startled cry and instinctively tried to close its eyes.

But it was too late.

Uchiha Zhenyi’s gaze locked firmly onto Manda’s, and the Sharingan’s Genjutsu immediately took hold, immobilizing the serpent.

Shinji, now completely dumbfounded, watched as Zhenyi leapt gracefully from Manda’s head.

With one hand on Shinjishoulder, Zhenyi’s concerned gaze bore into him.

“Shinji, are you okay?”

Squatting beside him, Zhenyi’s eyes scanned the injured boy’s body with a mixture of shock and regret.

Seeing Shinji reduced to a one-armed warrior, Zhenyi’s expression faltered, tinged with guilt and disbelief.

For most shinobi, losing an arm spelled the end of their career.

Yet this boy had willingly sacrificed so much, battling three hundred Sand shinobi to save them all.

This... This was—

Ci’s brow furrowed as he noticed Zhenyi’s expression resembling the overly sentimental look Shana had worn before. Nervously swallowing, Ci quickly sat up.

Raising his left hand, he casually patted the bloody stump of his right arm and hurriedly explained:

“Don’t get the wrong idea! This... This can grow back on its own!”

“It has absolutely nothing to do with you!”

“Hm?” Uchiha Shinichi froze for a moment, then quickly activated his Sharingan to examine Shinji's right arm.

Immediately, he noticed that, as Shinji had said, the stump of his severed arm was slowly regenerating. The flesh buds wriggled and grew under the effect of his immortality, even the jagged bone fragments quietly beginning to reform.

The process was exceedingly slow—so slow that, without the enhanced perception of the Sharingan, it would have been nearly imperceptible.

“That’s good, then. That’s really good.”

Although Uchiha Shinichi didn’t understand the reason behind it, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

“If something happened to you, I wouldn’t know how to explain it to the Great Elder!”

He looked at Shinji with concern, remaining silent for a moment before reluctantly admitting:

“Kid, I admit it—you’re strong. Even stronger than me!”

“But don’t ever pull off something this reckless again!”

Uchiha Shinichi scanned the area solemnly, taking in the battlefield's devastation under the night breeze. The wreckage was overwhelming, and he couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

“This... this was way too dangerous!”

At that moment, the moonlight bathed the wasteland in its silvery glow. The barren ground was littered with wildfires.

Everything on the battlefield was burning. Thick black smoke rolled into the sky, broken stones scattered everywhere, and kunai jutted out of the earth at chaotic angles.

Flames danced, swayed, and flickered in the night sky, casting light on charred, mangled corpses whose features were unrecognizable.

The vast craters left by two massive explosions on the Gobi Desert made the scene all the more terrifying—enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine.

As the architect of all this destruction, Shinji gazed at the ruins, his heart growing heavier with each moment.

Only now, standing amidst this wasteland, did he truly understand the horrifying power he wielded.

This was what it meant to be a ninja. This was war.

Once you stepped onto the battlefield, there was no turning back.

If it hadn’t been for him today, the ones lying dead here would have been everyone he cared about—Shisui Uchiha, Shinichi Uchiha, and the entire Konoha Assault Unit.

Shinji exhaled deeply, avoiding Shinichi’s gaze without responding. Instead, he turned toward the other side of the battlefield.

As the rest of the Konoha Assault Unit regrouped, the Root ninja who had been issuing commands approached as well.

Not far from Shinji, the Root ninja, with a bird-mask adorned with red markings, stared at him intently, his eyes gleaming with fervor.

Shinji hesitated briefly, unsure how to address him.

“Well…”

Fortunately, the Root ninja understood immediately. As soon as their gazes met, he stepped forward without hesitation.

He knelt on one knee in front of the exhausted and seated Shinji, placing a hand over his chest in salute.

“Lord Asura, I am Otsu!”

Shinji was momentarily taken aback, only then recalling that within the Root division, he had indeed been given the nickname "Asura." The honorific “Lord” was directed at him.

He shook his head, his expression solemn as he looked at Otsu and asked in a low voice:

“Otsu, what exactly is Orochimaru-sensei’s plan? Why was a signal like that released from Aburame Ryoma’s position?”

He raised his still-functional left hand, pointing to the wavering plume of red smoke in the distance.

Fixing his gaze on Otsu, whose bird-mask reflected the red glow, Shinji’s tone grew colder.

“You better not tell me this was a ruse by Orochimaru to force me onto the battlefield.”

Hearing this, Otsu immediately lowered his head and replied with utmost seriousness:

“Lord Asura, Lord Orochimaru has already led a team to assassinate the Fourth Kazekage.”

“I swear on my life, there is no deception in the strategy!”

“I don’t know the details of the mission being carried out by Lord Aburame Ryoma, but given Lord Orochimaru’s decisive nature in executing strategies, if a red signal flare was fired, it can only mean—”

Otsu paused briefly before continuing in a heavy tone:

“It can only mean they encountered a threat severe enough to warrant it!”

Hearing Otsu’s explanation, Shinji frowned deeply.

In his mind, the Root division under Danzo Shimura had always been little more than a band of troublemakers.

From the beginning, he’d suspected that the red smoke released by Aburame Ryoma was part of a scheme devised by Orochimaru and the Root to create an illusion of danger, forcing him into a desperate battle on the frontlines.

Perhaps Orochimaru was lurking somewhere even now, watching him, waiting for the moment he was on the brink of death to swoop in and save the day.

But these doubts—combined with the Sand's preemptive strikes, their seemingly uncanny knowledge of Konoha’s actions and hiding spots, and the fact that Orochimaru had yet to appear—made everything feel out of place.

Now, Otsu’s words confirmed the reality of the situation:

At this moment, the one leading Root and orchestrating the battlefield was not Danzo Shimura but Orochimaru.

Orochimaru, the “Cold Strategist”!

In this era and on this battlefield, Orochimaru had reemerged as a decision-maker and commander—a figure so ruthless that even the major nations trembled at his name.

For the sake of strategy, he had coldly sacrificed the Assault Unit as pawns, throwing them into this inferno.

For the sake of strategy, he had personally taken the risk of leading a team to assassinate the Fourth Kazekage.

For the sake of strategy, he could even disregard the life of a disciple he highly valued.

If he could go so far, then why couldn’t he sacrifice Aburame Ryoma, a comrade in the Root?

Shinji took a deep breath, his brow furrowing as he mulled over the situation. After a moment, he looked up sharply at Otsu and asked:

“Did Orochimaru mention what my mission would be after I destroyed the 300-strong Sand unit?”

“Of course!”

Otsu raised his head and met Shinji’s gaze with a solemn expression.

“Lord Orochimaru instructed me to tell you—

‘If you truly achieve victory, as a reward, the Konoha Assault Unit will come under your command.’

‘And then, according to your will, you may freely leave your mark on this Third Great Ninja War!’”

With that, Otsu retrieved a document from his cloak, holding it reverently in both hands as he presented it.

Amid the fiery ruins, under the astonished gazes of the entire Konoha Assault Unit, he declared in a loud, respectful voice:

“The Konoha Assault Unit, as one, will follow you—

“To dominate the battlefield!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 143: A One-Man Surprise Attack!

With a resounding shout from Root Ninja Otsu,

everyone's gaze immediately focused on the document in his hand. When they saw the official seal and signature of numerous high-ranking leaders in the current Konoha camp,

a wave of astonishment swept through the crowd.

What? This Uchiha kid is going to lead their surprise attack force?

He's only twelve, right?

Even Konoha's most talented young ninja, Kakashi Hatake, is still just a Chūnin, currently doing odd jobs under Minato Namikaze.

But Shinji...

He's about to become the leader of an entire squad?

For a moment, everyone stared at Shinji in disbelief, feeling as if they were dreaming.

However,

after witnessing this boy's unparalleled prowess on the battlefield earlier, no one had any objections to the decision—not even the notoriously stubborn Uchiha clan members in the squad.

On the contrary, in the chaos of the Land of Rain battlefield—a gruesome meat grinder where brains and guts splattered everywhere—

having such a powerful leader significantly increased their chances of survival!

At this thought, a glimmer of hope lit up in everyone's eyes as they looked toward Shinji, hoping he would accept the appointment.

Under their watchful eyes, Shinji was stunned.

He had anticipated that Orochimaru might grant him some freedom of movement, but he had never expected Orochimaru to hand over command of an entire squad with such trust and boldness.

To entrust a twelve-year-old Chūnin with such responsibility?

Instinctively, Shinji wanted to refuse.

Are you kidding me? He barely knows anything about commanding a squad!

Commanding isn’t child’s play, and it's not like leading a cheering squad standing behind him.

These are living, breathing human beings—comrades fighting on the same side. As a commander, failing in intelligence, coordination, offense, or defense could cost all their lives.

He raised his head, about to refuse, but then noticed the looks of anticipation in the eyes of those around him.

Those gazes were complicated—filled with unease, anxiety, and fear, but also with the clear determination that comes from self-reflection.

Above all, they showed trust.

There was no reason behind it,

just a gut feeling—a belief that he could lead them to victory!

Shinji couldn’t quite put the feeling into words. As the entire Konoha surprise attack force fixed their eyes on him, a familiar line from a woman’s voice suddenly echoed in his mind:

"I never wanted to be a leader. I fight, and they follow. The weight of responsibility feels like a thousand people hanging on your every word. They're waiting for me to speak. What should I say?"

The words of refusal lingered on his lips.

But under those gazes, Shinji somehow swallowed them back.

Yes,

at this moment, what should he say?

Would he fight alone again?

Knowing the enemy was powerful enough to force Aburame Ryoma to fire the red distress signal—

Knowing that his chakra was depleted, leaving him so weak that he couldn't even take down a single dumb snake—

Faced with such an overwhelming disadvantage,

every bit of strength was crucial!

Could he really refuse this gift, one that came at such a high price?

Shinji fell silent.

In his current state, it was impossible for him to rush to Aburame Ryoma’s aid alone.

If he wanted to save lives, join the fight, and turn the tide of battle,

he had no choice but to shoulder the lives of these people, their expectations, and their fate.

This opportunity lay before him. If he wanted to continue fighting, there was no way to reject it.

But to bear the weight of their hopes, to lead them into the carnage of this battlefield and risk sending them to their deaths—this clashed deeply with his lone-wolf approach to battle.

The wildfires danced in the night wind. Smoke drifted under the starlight.

In the barren center of the battlefield,

ninety ninja of the surprise attack force stood expectantly,

surrounding Shinji, waiting for him to accept the appointment.

Finally,

under the gaze of the entire force, Shinji opened his black eyes.

He took a deep breath.

With the help of Uchiha Shinichi and Shisui, he struggled to stand.

Then,

he raised his remaining left hand and accepted the official document, lifting it high!

That simple gesture sent a wave of excitement through the entire squad.

Facing his comrades, Shinji's gaze grew deep, and he spoke in a low, commanding voice:

"Everyone!"

"In this Third Great Ninja War, in this operation against Sunagakure—"

"We are expendable!"

"We are the abandoned ones!"

"We are the bait deliberately thrown to Sunagakure!"

"But,"

Shinji pointed to the battlefield he had turned to ruins and declared loudly:

"If the Sunagakure forces before us are a dragon's gate, then at this moment, we have already leapt through it and become dragons ourselves!"

---

"From now on, we will be the true assault unit!"

He swept his gaze across the group, analyzing in a low voice:

"At present—"

"The main battlefield is locked in fierce combat, the side mission faces imminent failure, and the core task force’s status is unknown!"

"Internally, intelligence has been leaked, and the situation has fallen into enemy control!"

"Externally, the Sand Village's army is advancing, and the ambitions of other nations are blatantly exposed—they aim to invade our homeland!"

"At this moment, we are beset by internal strife and external threats; it is a critical juncture for survival!"

"The only certainty is that here, with us, we have achieved a resounding victory!"

"I now fully understand the significance of standing here!"

Shinji's gaze turned fierce as he boldly raised his arm, clutching a document and pointing toward the red smoke billowing on the desert horizon ten miles away.

In a booming voice, he declared:

"Then, from this moment on, I will take command of the Konoha Assault Unit—"

"I alone!"

"Will execute a true assault!"

As his words landed, the entire Konoha Assault Unit's eyes lit up, their gazes focused intensely on Shinji.

"Yeah!"

The crowd roared in unison, their ranks straightening as if an adrenaline surge had reinvigorated them, their spirits shining brightly!

The initial confusion and helplessness caused by their predicament quietly dissipated after Shinji's speech.

Indeed, as Shinji stated, while all other battlefronts were in disarray, they, the decoys, were the only unit to have secured a victory!

Even if this victory had been achieved by the young man before them, what could be more inspiring than witnessing someone single-handedly dominate 300 opponents through sheer audacity?!

Even Uchiha Shinichi, who was supporting Shinji, felt his face flush with excitement, itching to let out a wild shout and follow Shinji to witness what a true assault looked like!

However, as the assault unit members basked in their fervor, exhilarated and motivated by Shinji's words,

Standing on Shinji's right, Uchiha Shisui's eyelid suddenly twitched violently.

Shisui suddenly realized that this scene seemed eerily familiar,

And this tone...

Why did it feel so unsettlingly recognizable?

And what did Shinji mean by "I will execute a true assault"?

Normally, wouldn’t it be "we" as a unit executing the mission?

Shisui’s head shot up as unease flooded him, turning to glance at Shinji in shock.

At that moment,

Shinji stood at the center of the excited crowd, observing their eager and determined expressions with a faint smile.

In the next instant,

He clenched the document tightly, raised his left hand high, and issued a loud command:

"Everyone, listen to my orders!"

At his shout, the entire Konoha Assault Unit instantly straightened their posture, lifting their heads to focus on the young man at the heart of the battlefield.

"Yeah!"

Their response echoed powerfully, startling even the crows circling the sky, drawn by the scent of blood.

Shinji's gaze became heavy as he looked at the group,

As if preparing to deliver a critical mission.

The atmosphere fell into silence, oppressive and tense. The crowd unconsciously swallowed, their solemn eyes fixed on the young man before them.

Then,

They watched as he spoke gravely:

"Konoha Assault Unit, all personnel!"

"Under Uchiha Shinichi’s command, prepare your equipment and return to the Konoha camp along the original route!"

Shinji paused, his words leaving the group in stunned disbelief, wondering if they had misheard.

Then, with his left hand clenched in a fist, he struck his chest and solemnly vowed:

"This mission—"

"Will be executed by me alone!"

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 144: Facing Reality, Shisui’s Outburst!*

Silence reigned on the battlefield tonight.

All the ninjas of the surprise attack unit stared in shock at the boy who had just uttered such audacious words.

“Are you kidding me?!”

“I’ll admit, kid, you’ve got some skill!”

“But this is going way too far!”

“Ridiculous!”

“What do you mean you alone will lead the assault?!”

The crowd erupted in disbelief, their shock giving way to curses and scolding.

You’ve got everyone worked up, and now you’re saying you’ll take this on by yourself? What are we supposed to do, pack up and go home?

Shinji had anticipated this reaction. He calmly raised his hand, signaling for silence.

His gaze carried the signature Uchiha disdain, sweeping over the crowd as he sneered:

“That’s right!”

“I’m going in alone!”

“All of you would only drag me down!”

At that moment, Uchiha Shinichi stepped forward, placing himself between Shinji and the others. His anger boiled over as he shouted:

“What did you just say?!”

“Shinji, don’t let your arrogance get the better of you!”

“Arrogance?”

Ji chuckled coldly, his piercing black eyes locking onto Shinichi’s furious expression.

“As an elite Uchiha jonin, Shinichi, if anyone should understand, it’s you!”

“Surely you know the vast difference in power between an ordinary ninja and a true master!”

Ji’s voice grew colder as he swept his gaze over the crowd.

He thrust his left arm forward, pointing at the crimson smoke rising in the distance, and shouted:

“I understand!”

“That’s precisely why I can’t let you go!”

“I’ll tell you outright—my superior, Aburame Ryoma, is the one handling the mission over there!”

“Ryoma alone could wipe out this entire unit!”

“And whatever forced him to fire that red signal flare must be an enemy so powerful that ordinary ninjas would die just by approaching!”

Ji took a deep breath, his tone heavy with conviction.

Looking at the stunned silence of the crowd, he paused before continuing:

“As your leader, I want you all to live. There’s no sense in throwing your lives away for a meaningless cause.”

“This is the harsh reality of the world.”

“Those with power often disregard the weight of life. If you rush in blindly, you’ll only be cut down like blades of grass.”

“The truly naive ones are those who refuse to face reality!”

“If you lose your composure and act recklessly, the harder you chase after something, the more likely you are to lose it!”

“Life, ideals, friendship, family, love—everything can be reduced to rubble in an instant!”

He looked at them gravely, extending his arm to gesture at the ruins around them. With a sweep of his hand, he gestured toward the devastation he had caused.

“Do you mean to tell me—”

“That all this wasn’t enough proof?!”

The crowd stared at the ruins before them, swallowing nervously as Shinji words echoed in their hearts.

Faced with his overwhelming power—the crushing blow of a forty-meter sword, the despair of a fifty-meter fire dragon, and the earth-shaking explosion—everyone imagined trading places with the Sand ninjas who had been annihilated.

At that moment, Shinji words carried undeniable weight.

Silence fell over the scene, suffocating and heavy.

When the facade of courage was torn away and reality laid bare, all that remained was a sense of helplessness.

However,

“No!”

A firm, youthful voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silence.

Everyone turned their heads to see Uchiha Shisui standing tall. He positioned himself in front of the group, right beside Shinji.

Shisui glared coldly at the boy beside him before resolutely releasing the hand that had been supporting him.

In the next instant—

“Shisui, what are you doing?!”

Ji cried out in shock as he lost his balance, collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud, landing amidst the rubble.

Dust rose into the air as Shinji struggled to move but couldn’t even manage to stand.

The scene left everyone stunned. Was this really the same boy who, just moments ago, had cut through the battlefield with unparalleled skill?

How could he now be so weak that he couldn’t even lift himself off the ground?

“Shinji!”

Shisui gritted his teeth, his face contorted with anger and his eyes reddening as if on the verge of tears.

He looked down at Shinji and shouted furiously:

“I knew it!”

“You idiot, you’re doing it again!”

“Over and over, time and time again, you insist on acting like this!”

“Do you see it now?!”

“This is the real you!”

“Crawling on the ground, powerless like a worm!”

“You talk a big game, spouting all that grandiose nonsense, but in reality?!”

Uchiha Shisui abruptly drew his tanto and swung it fiercely, planting the blade in the ground between Shinji’s legs. The sudden action made Shinji leap back in shock.

Sweat dripped down Shinji’s face as he stared at the trembling blade embedded in the earth.

A chilling breeze brushed between his legs, sending shivers up his spine.

If Shisui’s aim had been just a little off, he might have had to say goodbye to his future prospects as a man.

Ci tilted his head upward, swallowing hard. Staring at the suddenly emotional Shisui, he couldn’t help but wonder what kind of madness had gripped his young clan brother this time.

Shisui raised his head sharply and coldly exposed the truth:

“I know what you’re planning—”

“I know exactly what’s on your mind—”

“Shinji!”

“You want to take on this identity. You want to carry the name of the Konoha Assault Corps and charge headfirst into certain death!”

“You intend to prove our presence here, to shoulder the most dangerous mission and bear the blame for its failure, all while leaving the glory and recognition to the survivors!”

“You’re planning to use your life to build a bridge between the clan and the village!”

“Just like my ancestor, Uchiha Kagami!”

Shisui’s entire body trembled as his crimson Sharingan eyes burned with intensity. He glared deeply at Shinji.

Suddenly, Shisui leapt forward and straddled Shinji, landing a solid punch to his face.

“What kind of joke is this?!” Shisui roared furiously.

“You call us immature!”

Grabbing Shinji tattered collar, Shisui’s voice cracked with emotion as tears streamed down his face.

“The truly immature one is you!” he shouted, his voice trembling with anger and sorrow.

Shinji blinked, his pupils quaking as he stared in utter shock at the furious Shisui, who was now inches away.

*Oh my god, what on earth is happening?!*

Ci swore he never had such grandiose thoughts!

All that nonsense about charging forward under a banner, taking responsibility for failure, giving away credit, and being some bridge between the clan and the village—what kind of lunatic came up with that?!

He just thought a real man couldn’t let the weak die in his place.

A real man wouldn’t stand idly by while his friends were in trouble.

With those principles guiding him, he’d decided to save Aburame Ryoma without hesitation. Success or failure didn’t matter much; he even had insurance in case things went south.

It was convenient that his teacher, Orochimaru, was genuinely busy elsewhere this time,

so no one could pull a miracle rescue out of nowhere.

But who could’ve guessed that Shisui’s inner drama was so elaborate that he’d already written out an entire script of heroic self-sacrifice for him?!

“You...you...”

Shinji’s lips trembled as he stared helplessly at Shisui, his face twitching.

For a moment, he wanted to explode in anger.

But looking at his clan brother, who was crying and yelling with the stubborn sincerity of a mule, he found himself at a loss for words.

And this scene, in the eyes of the onlookers,

instantly became irrefutable evidence that Shisui’s words had hit the nail on the head, leaving Shinjiunable to refute them.

Which meant...

Shisui was right!

Suddenly, understanding dawned on the crowd.

*So that’s how it is!*

*That’s how it really is!*

This brat, spouting all those over-the-top lines, was actually trying to save them!

And he was even willing to trade his life for theirs!

Dragging along a crippled body that even a toddler could knock over, he planned to pave a way for their survival,

shouldering the burden of failure and leaving the credit and hope to them!

This...this...

As the realization sank in, the crowd’s gaze toward Shinji subtly shifted.

In that moment, something in their hearts began to change.

(End of Chapter)  

Chapter 145: Splitting into Three Teams, Rushing to Aid!

For a moment, no one spoke.

The starry sky slowly shifted above, reflecting a breathtakingly beautiful Milky Way.

Shinji groaned in pain. Under everyone's gaze, he had been fiercely beaten by Shisui.

One moment, he was the epitome of the proud and aloof Uchiha; the next, he was utterly humiliated, his image shattered to pieces. The social death and the agony of the situation felt as real as a physical wound.

And to make it worse—it was a critical hit!

Shinji couldn't help but raise an elbow to cover his face. Summoning all the strength he could muster, he attempted to push Shisui, who was pressing down on him, off and salvage what little remained of his strong image.

But just as he was about to open his mouth and use his words to fight back,

Uchiha Shinichi, who had been silently watching with a complex expression, finally seemed to reach a conclusion.

He suddenly took a bold step forward, took a deep breath, and solemnly declared:

"I understand now!"

Hearing this, Shinji froze mid-breath. His expression stiffened instantly.

Great, just great!  

Shisui was still young, so it made sense for him to act foolishly.

But big brother, what’s your excuse?  

What the hell do you understand now?!  

Are you kidding me?!  

They say when an Uchiha starts thinking, even the gods laugh in disbelief.

At this moment,

Uchiha Shinichi turned to face everyone. His tone was serious as he began to speak:

"Everyone!"

"This foolish brat’s words might be harsh,"

He addressed the crowd with remarkable composure.

"But he’s right!"

The entire unit erupted in surprise. Even Ichiji, the captain of the middle squad, frowned and stepped forward to question him:

"Captain, what do you mean—"

However, Uchiha Shinichi raised a hand to cut off Ichiji’s question and spoke gravely:

"Listen. Even among Jonin, there are differences in strength.

"In the presence of a truly powerful enemy, sheer numbers cease to matter."

"But!"

His gaze became sincere and passionate as he looked at everyone.

"This does not diminish our worth, nor should it lead us to despair!"

"When we step onto this battlefield, when countless kunai rain down from above, when our paths intertwine to reveal our destined end—"

"Each of us has a place where we are meant to stand!"

"This foolish brat doesn’t know how to speak properly, and I apologize on his behalf!"

"But his intent and his hope that we will all survive to reunite in the village—that, I believe, is something we all understand!"

After saying this, Uchiha Shinichi bent at the waist and bowed deeply in apology, right in front of everyone.

The crowd was stunned, staring in disbelief.

The fact that this Uchiha brat could compel the proud, disdainful Uchiha Shinichi to bow in apology was utterly beyond their imagination.

In the face of this shocking gesture, everyone fell silent, waiting to hear what Uchiha Shinichi would say next.

When he straightened up again, his gaze sharpened as he looked down at the group. He took a deep breath and said firmly:

"So—"

"From now on, I will assign everyone their tasks!"

He raised a finger and pointed toward the faint trail of red smoke drifting ten miles away, directing everyone's attention.

"First, the enemy is confirmed to be someone even Aburame Ryoma finds troublesome. If too many people participate, it will only cause unnecessary casualties. The raid mission will proceed, but it will be carried out by an elite team."

"The team will consist of me, Inuzuka Myouichi, Uchiha Shisui, and this brat."

Hearing this arrangement, Shinji immediately frowned. Struggling to stand, he shouted indignantly:

"Wait, Shinichi, I am the commander!"

"Tch."

Uchiha Shinichi gave him a dismissive glance, looking him up and down—his broken arm, his trembling figure just barely able to stand.

He shook his head and replied flatly:

"In your current state, even if you were the Hokage, it wouldn’t matter."

Shinji opened his mouth but was at a loss for words.

What could he say? Should he go along with it and reply:

"You’ll regret this, Shinichi!"  

But the real issue was—I’m the commander of the raid unit!  

How could this guy so casually sideline me like this?!  

At that moment, Ichiji, the Jonin squad leader who wasn’t included in the raid team, quickly asked:

"Shinichi, what about me?"

Uchiha Shinichi turned and gave him a serious look, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Ichiji, you have an even more important task to accomplish!"

After saying this, he turned to face everyone.

Under their watchful eyes, he pulled a map from the storage pouch at his waist and hung it around Shinji’s neck.

Then he shouted loudly:

"Everyone!"

"This battle isn’t just about raids, killing, or direct confrontation!"

"We must understand what we’re fighting for!"

Slamming his hand on the map at their current location, he began to analyze with a grave tone:

"Right now—"

"Three hundred Sand shinobi have fallen here. This has created a massive gap in their front line at the Land of Rain. This gap was carved open by this brat for us!"

"And our next step is to capitalize on this victory!"

---

Shinji was treated like a human bulletin board, staggering from being slapped, and angrily glared at Uchiha Shinichi.

Now he was completely certain:

This bastard was absolutely using his position for personal revenge!

However, there was nothing wrong with what Shinichi said.

At the onset of the Third Shinobi World War, the Wind and Fire nations stationed their troops in the Land of Rain. The positions of their outposts were critical strategic points within the Land of Rain’s borders. Every location was crucial, and each was an extremely difficult stronghold to attack head-on.

But now, the situation had shifted slightly!

Thanks to the assault unit operating behind enemy lines, most of the manpower in this camp had been blown away by Shinji.

Realizing this, Shinji immediately understood:

This was a golden opportunity!

Clearly, Uchiha Shinichi, who had been operating in the Land of Rain for several days, had recognized this even earlier.

He turned solemnly, glancing at one of the three Jonin in the assault unit, Ichiji. With a grave tone, he instructed:

"Ichiji, take all the Chunin from the unit and head to destroy the Sunagakure camp. Capture any remaining ninjas there and sabotage the terrain. This will leave a massive gap in the strategic line. This accomplishment alone could be pivotal—if we can establish this as a breakthrough point, we might just bring this war to a swift conclusion!"

He then turned to face the others and raised his hand, pointing in the direction they had come from.

"Additionally, for all Genin in the assault unit—"

"Your mission is even more critical. It could determine the lives of every one of us!"

Uchiha Shinichi raised a finger, pressing it heavily onto the map and tracing a route.

Then, in a serious tone, he explained:

"From Sunagakure’s deliberate encirclement efforts, it’s clear that our intelligence has been leaked. The route we used to reach this point from Konoha has been exposed, and there’s no guarantee it will be safe or free of ambushes on our return."

"I need you to split into twenty teams. Retrace our original route, scout the situation, and make your way back to the Konoha main camp. Report the battle conditions to the command center and request support from the Hyuga clan for their Byakugan abilities. From the rear to the front line, we must establish a secure and informed path forward!"

After finishing, he lifted his head, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone, and declared in a loud, inspiring voice:

"These are the responsibilities each of us must bear!"

"We will split into three groups and work together seamlessly!"

"As Konoha’s assault unit, we must execute a true surprise attack behind enemy lines!"

Shinichi’s words clarified the mission for everyone in the assault unit.

The assault team would assist Aburame Ryoma in completing the task of destroying enemy supplies, an immediate tactical advantage.

The Chunin team, led by Captain Ichiji, would destroy the Sunagakure camp and sabotage the terrain, securing a future strategic edge.

Meanwhile, the twenty Genin teams—sixty people in total—would scout the route and gather intelligence. Their mission would ensure the safety and retreat options for the other two teams.

However, the situation faced by these Genin teams was even more dangerous.

Before them lay the unknown.

They might return to camp smoothly with everyone intact, or they might encounter ambushes and suffer significant losses.

Nevertheless, when Shinichi finished speaking, the confusion in everyone’s hearts dissipated. They all raised their heads and responded in unison:

"Yes!"

Seeing the morale rise, Shinichi nodded in satisfaction. He then turned his head to look at Shinji, who was still serving as a human bulletin board with a map hanging around his neck.

With a sly, fox-like smile, he asked:

"Well, Commander, do you have anything to add?"

Shinji looked back at him with a blank expression, only managing to mutter dryly:

"Nothing."

After all, he wasn’t skilled in commanding. If it were up to him, he would only issue two orders:

"Either everyone go home, or follow behind me as cheerleaders."

Strategic depth, expanded battle outcomes, intelligence gathering?

How the hell would I know anything about that?

Shinichi’s speech felt like something out of a detective story, where the case is fully explained, and then the lead detective turns around and asks, "Watson, what’s your opinion?"

What the hell can I say? You’ve already said everything!

Damn it! Was this all just to make me the scapegoat and humiliate me in public?

This cunning Uchiha bastard!

At this moment, a Root ninja named B seemed to notice the glaring awkwardness on Shinji’s face. He quietly stepped closer and whispered:

"Lord Shinji, this man has seized power without permission. Should I eliminate him in secret?"

Cough, cough, cough!  

Hearing this, Shinji couldn’t help but choke and cough violently. He quickly looked up, eyes wide, staring at B.

Whose subordinate is this? How is he so fearless?

Is this something you can casually say in public?

Don’t you realize that they’re the ones seizing power, not me?!

Nearby, Uchiha Shisui, who had been fuming earlier but had since calmed down after getting the position of the assault team from Shinichi, heard Shinji’s coughing fit and looked over in surprise.

"Ci, are you okay?"

Startled like a frightened bird, Shinji jolted, shaking his head rapidly and waving his hands.

"No, no, I’m fine!"

He then leaned closer to B and whispered:

"There’s no need for that. Don’t say such divisive things in the future!"

"Understood!"

B’s eyes under his mask curved slightly, revealing a sly smile.

For a moment, the cold, ruthless Root ninja, who lived only for missions, seemed to gain a sliver of humanity.

After giving his orders, Shinichi quickly moved on to discuss the finer details of the plan with his team. As the assault unit captain, he was a professional in this area.

This included how the three groups would communicate, relay real-time intelligence, and what specific tasks they’d complete after the mission. For example, determining which parts of the terrain should be destroyed to render the Sunagakure camp strategically useless.

In less than five minutes, Shinichi, already in sync with his team, finalized all the arrangements.

"Then, the victory—and our safety—rests in your hands!"

He patted Ichiji on the shoulder, and the latter immediately sprang into action.

With that, the entire unit mobilized!

Finally, when everything was ready, the expressions on the faces of the ninjas grew increasingly solemn.

The sand in the wind seemed to carry a somber heaviness.

The night breeze whispered through the hollowed-out rock formations, producing a mournful, horn-like wail.

A ninety-strong unit prepared their gear and assembled amidst the crackling sounds of wildfires scorching the earth. Their spirits were high, and their eyes burned with unwavering resolve.

They lifted their heads to gaze at the group of elite strike team members standing atop the enormous serpent's head:

Shinji, Uchiha Shinichi, Uchiha Shisui, Inuzuka Akira, Akimaru, and a Root ninja known as Otsu.

Five humans and one dog, burdened with a mission, ready to set off!

Uchiha Shinichi took a deep breath, staring at the radiant full moon in the sky. With a soft click, he snapped shut the pocket watch in his hand, turned to look at the scarred young man beside him, and let out a dry chuckle before speaking:

"It’s time to give the order, Commander!"

“Understood!”

Shinji stood atop Manda’s head, gazing down at the forces that were now his to command.

His expression was unreadable, a tangle of emotions that even he couldn’t quite put into words.

When he chose to lead a solo raid to rescue Aburame Ryoma, he knew deep down that this was a mission with no return.

With his chakra depleted and his strength almost entirely gone, he couldn’t fathom how he could possibly save Ryoma.

But Ryoma had once saved him, treating him with honesty and sincerity. Ryoma had even charged headlong into battle against the future Fourth Mizukage, an opponent far beyond his league, all for Shinji sake. Whatever motives lay behind Ryoma’s actions, Shinji felt compelled to repay that kindness.

He couldn’t abandon someone trapped in peril.

Even if it meant his death!

Now, as he prepared to embark on this perilous mission, it wasn’t out of a desire to help the others around him.

No, his motivations were selfish, driven by desperation and resignation.

And yet—

In this seemingly hopeless moment—

They had reached out to him.

With their support, perhaps, just perhaps, he could truly save Aburame Ryoma.

Feeling the charged tension in the night breeze,

The unspoken complexity of his emotions,

The weight of the soldiers’ heavy, resolute breaths,

And the pounding, ever-quickening rhythm of his own heart—

Shinji abruptly opened his eyes.

In the darkness, his crimson Sharingan glimmered, filled with an intricate, ineffable blend of emotions—love, determination, and sorrow.

Then,

He raised his left hand, gripping the hilt of the Kusanagi sword.

Turning to face his troops, the people who had extended their hands to him in this critical hour—

“Everyone!”

Shinji’s voice rang out, clear and resolute, his youthful tone carrying strength beyond his years.

“From this moment on—”

“We will divide into three groups and launch a surprise attack!”

“Let the enemy witness the fury of our flames!”

“Let them hear the clash of our blades!”

“Let them know our strength, see the sweat on our brows, the steel in our spines, and the courage in our hearts!”

With a swift motion, he drew the Kusanagi sword, striking its hilt against his chest. His eyes blazed as he shouted with unrestrained vigor:

“Now, Konohagakure’s Strike Force—”

“Advance!”

(End of Chapter)