6-10

*Chapter 6: The Ninja Cat Contract and the Way of the Ninja*

After finishing his meal at Obito’s house and listening to some advice from his beloved teacher, Minato, Obito shared, Uchiha Shinji bid farewell and left.

Shinji and Obito became acquainted because Obito's grandmother lived next door and often visited to say hello. Over time, their relationship grew closer.

Unlike other characters in the Naruto universe, Uchiha Shinji could comfortably maintain a friendship with Obito.

After all, Obito’s will—those who know, know.

Even if their bond grew deeper, it wouldn’t stop Obito from stabbing him in the back post-dark transformation.

Leaving Obito's home, Uchiha Shinji strolled through the streets of Konoha with his wallet in hand.

At this time, the looming threat of war had not fully spread among the villagers, and the Hidden Leaf Village still appeared to be a scene of peace and prosperity on the surface.

However, subtle signs of unrest had begun to emerge.

At this moment, Uchiha Shinji pushed aside the curtain and entered a ninja tool shop.

“Hey there, Shinji! Back again to buy more explosive tags?” The shopkeeper, sporting a big beard and a wide grin, greeted him warmly.

“Not this time. I’m here for shuriken,” Shinji replied.

“Well, bad news. Prices for shuriken and kunai have risen by 20%, and specialty steel wire is up 30%. But I’ll tell you this—stock up while you can. According to news from Grandma Cat, these essentials will only get more expensive.”

“Alright then. I’ll take six sets of ninja tools with steel-wire slots, two large spools of wire, and a sealing scroll. Let me see... I’ve got about 200,000 ryo left. Convert the rest into explosive tags,” Shinji said, patting his wallet with a grin, showing no hesitation.

D-rank missions typically awarded between 5,000 and 10,000 ryo, with some paying just a few hundred. However, Shinji avoided the lower-paying ones. Since he completed missions solo, there was no need to split the earnings.

A year of grinding missions had left Shinji with seven-figure savings.

And that money was saved for moments like this.

“Wow, Shinji! You’re going all out!” The shopkeeper’s eyes widened slightly. Shinji purchasing power rivaled, if not exceeded, that of some elite Jonin.

Shinji smirked. He didn’t have a family to support—just himself to blow up.

Unlike the ninjas who scrimped and saved for retirement, his priorities were different.

In the ninja world, prices for tools were polarized. Explosive tags cost 2,000 ryo each. Shuriken were the cheapest at around 50 ryo, while kunai ranged from 200 to 30,000 ryo depending on quality. The cost of throwing kunai and those for blocking attacks differed significantly.

A high-quality set of ninja tools, including ranged and melee weapons and protective gear, could cost up to 200,000 ryo.

Swords and ninja blades were even pricier. A basic practice sword started at 3,000 ryo. Tools made from chakra metal were exorbitantly expensive, essentially non-sellable items. If sold, they’d be priced in "Asuma units."

Why was Uchiha Shinji buying so many tools and explosive tags?

The reasoning was simple: Shinji was preparing to die—but not deliberately.

It sounded paradoxical, but that was the logic.

Intentional suicide would be deemed fraud by the will of heaven. He’d gain nothing and lose his life for nothing.

But if a determined ninja, armed with all their possessions and peak skills, fought bravely for a noble cause and fell in battle, who could deny that it was an honorable death?

Wouldn’t it parallel a ninja-world version of, “The late emperor died halfway through his grand enterprise”?

If I give it my all and die gloriously, you better hand over my insurance benefits!

Soon, the shopkeeper emerged, struggling under the weight of a large pile of tools. The six sets of ninja gear were so heavy that sweat dripped from his forehead.

With a loud thud, he placed the equipment on the table.

Then, like shuffling cards, he fanned out stacks of explosive tags for Shinji to count.

“Shinji, are you taking on a dangerous mission? Buying this much gear isn’t for fun,” the shopkeeper remarked.

Shinji looked up, frowning slightly.

“Don’t get me wrong. I understand ninja confidentiality rules. But I run this shop under Grandma Cat and also dabble in intelligence.”

“A mission from your clan? It’s either the Rain Country battlefield or the Hell Valley in the Land of Hot Water.” The shopkeeper’s expression grew serious. “Neither is suitable for someone at your level.”

He spoke bluntly, without mincing words, then hesitated, glancing at Shinji with some concern.

“Since you’ve been a loyal customer of the ninja cats for so long, I’ll give you a little something extra.”

The shopkeeper produced a piece of parchment and laid it in front of Shinji.

“This is a one-time contract with the Ninja Cat Clan. Once signed, you can summon a Ninja Cat Envoy using summoning jutsu.”

The Ninja Cat Envoy was an elite ninja cat from their clan.

They frequently operate in chaotic areas, with their base located in a hidden, abandoned city known to few.

However, unlike traditional summoning beasts, ninja cats are highly independent and almost impossible to enslave by ninjas.

This clan runs a business dealing in ninja tools and has a close partnership with the Uchiha clan, who are skilled in using ninja tools.

Uchiha Shinji knows that the head of the ninja cat clan, Granny Cat, has a fondness for children.

If possible, Granny Cat is willing to help children, especially those of the Uchiha clan.

Now, the shopkeeper takes out a disposable summoning contract, hinting at his deduction based on the information he has received—

Uchiha Shinji is highly likely to face near-certain death in this mission.

The shopkeeper produces this ninja cat contract, ostensibly to help Uchiha Shinji, but in truth, he hopes to dissuade him—

To make him abandon the mission.

“You understand what I mean, don’t you?” The shopkeeper stared directly at Uchiha Shinji, his pupils subtly shifting into vertical slits.

His tone became heavy.

Uchiha Shinji smiled faintly and took the disposable contract from the shopkeeper’s hand.

Ninja cats are a neutral ninja clan and will not interfere in ninja conflicts unless sufficiently compensated.

Thus, the primary purpose of this contract is to provide survival supplies and combat tools on a chaotic battlefield—for a price, of course.

However, to Uchiha Shinji, who had spent all his money that night, this contract was nothing more than a useless piece of paper. It wouldn’t hinder his plan to cleverly exploit the situation.

With that thought, he turned and walked straight out of the ninja tool shop.

He left behind a single remark:

“Thank you, sir.”

“But I have something I must accomplish, something I won’t shy away from even if it means facing death.”

“This is my ninja way!” ─=≡Σ((( つ•̀ω•́)つ

After delivering this dramatic declaration, Uchiha Shinji exited the shop, clutched his wallet, and checked the balance within.

Then, he turned into the red-light district of Konoha Village.

Faced with the terror of death awaiting him tomorrow, Uchiha Shinji couldn’t help but feel both excitement and a trace of fear.

So, he decided to erase that lingering regret tonight.

Three minutes later—

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 7: Kiyoshiro, Chinoike, and Glory*

"Get out! Get out! This is a legitimate establishment—no minors allowed!"

Amid the rough shouts, Shinji was unceremoniously thrown out the door by two burly men.

Dusting himself off with a disgruntled expression, Shinji muttered curses under his breath as he got to his feet.

"Damn it, they call this a legitimate place when minors aren’t even allowed in?"

"Heh—ptui!" ┌∩┐(◣_◢)┌∩┐

Hearing the commotion outside, the villagers inside turned to glance at him with peculiar expressions.

"You thought you could sneak in here with a Transformation Jutsu? You think we wouldn’t notice?" one of the burly men sneered disdainfully.

"Get lost now, or I’ll call the adults in your clan to come drag you home!"

Those words made Shinji shrink back slightly.

He shot a glare at the two "watchdogs."

If only social death were covered by insurance...

"What, still peeking in? Believe me, I’ll call someone right now!" The guard furrowed his brow and prepared to shout.

Quickly dismissing the fleeting inappropriate thoughts in his mind, Shinji covered his face and fled the alley in embarrassment.

Back on the main street, the once-bustling road was now sparsely populated.

The full moon silently observed the world below.

A lingering chill from early spring swept across his face, causing Shinji to shiver and regain his composure.

At that moment, Uchiha Kiyoshiro, a clanmate and member of his team, staggered out of a nearby alley, clutching a bottle of sake.

Noticing Shinji, Kiyoshiro gave him a once-over. Spotting the dusty marks on his clothes, Kiyoshiro smirked mischievously.

"Well, well, if it isn’t the pride of the Uchiha clan!"

"What happened? Got kicked out?"

Shinji’s face immediately stiffened. "No, I just got stepped on by black cat while walking down the road."

"Heh, who hasn’t been young and reckless at some point?" Kiyoshiro chuckled, his face flushed and breath reeking of alcohol.

"I get it, I really do," he teased.

"Especially with a mission like this coming up."

Kiyoshiro’s tone darkened, and his gaze at Shinji shifted, as though recalling something unpleasant.

Suddenly, his expression turned impatient.

"Your name is Shinji, right? Listen carefully—"

Kiyoshiro paused, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"For this mission, don’t expect me to help you."

*[Uchiha Kiyoshiro now harbors resentment toward you.]*

Shinji glanced at the sudden message that appeared before him. Raising an eyebrow, he replied coolly, "Don’t worry, Kiyoshiro-senpai."

"I won’t drag you down."

"Heh, you really don’t understand what kind of mess you’ve caused, do you?" Kiyoshiro’s expression darkened further at Shinji’s calm response.

"I don’t know why the elder chose to include you in this mission."

"But this mission was initially assigned to three jonin-level clan members."

"Thanks to your ninja games, the elder changed the plan, forcing a mere chunin like me into such a dangerous situation!"

Kiyoshiro’s gaze grew colder as he let out a snort.

"You have no idea what kind of maniacs you’ll be facing in this mission!"

"Without a Sharingan, you’re nothing more than a plaything to them!"

Shinji raised an eyebrow. Having read the original story, he was all too familiar with what awaited them in the Land of Hot Water.

The mission’s destination.

In the depths of Hell Valley lay Chinoike clan.

Their Blood Dragon Eyes reflected centuries of hatred toward the Uchiha clan, a vendetta spanning all the way back to the Warring States period!

Kiyoshiro wasn’t entirely wrong.

Without a Sharingan, Shinji was at a clear disadvantage against the Blood Dragon Eyes (the Ketsuryūgan), a fellow dojutsu bloodline.

The Blood Dragon Eye, much like the Sharingan, required intense emotional stimulation to awaken.

But unlike the Sharingan, once awakened, the Blood Dragon Eye granted abilities such as Hypnotic Eyes, Genjutsu amplification, Blood Release Ninjutsu, and human bomb techniques—on par with a two-tomoe Sharingan.

As its power grew, it could potentially unlock even more terrifying abilities.

For an Uchiha who had yet to awaken or had only just awakened the Sharingan, encountering Chinoike clan in battle was almost a death sentence.

Moreover, Chinoike clan had long adapted to surviving in Hell Valley, a desolate and barren land. Every member of their clan had honed their taijutsu skills for hunting birds and small game.

At the very least, their throwing techniques were at a mastery level.

In the environment of the boiling blood pool, conventional ninjutsu is suppressed by the Blood Dragon Ninjutsu, which has fully mastered the water nature transformation.

Ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu are completely outmatched.

Faced with such hellish difficulty, even with Uchiha Shinji masterful skill in the Uchiha-style Wire-Controlled Shuriken Technique, he could only stand there helplessly.

It’s almost too perfect.

Ahem, what Shinji means is, "What a formidable opponent."

"I must give my all to overcome this!"

"Forget it. Telling a kid like you all this is pointless. You wouldn’t understand," Uchiha Kiyoshiro muttered, taking a swig from a bottle of liquor. His expression grew vacant as he mumbled to himself:

"I only just unlocked my two-tomoe Sharingan. Why... why does it have to be me?"

Gripping his head in anguish, he crouched to the ground, his face filled with fear.

Watching Kiyoshiro crouch in despair, Uchiha Shinji pursed his lips, sighed, and stepped forward to pat him on the shoulder, choosing silence.

The thing he feared most had happened. Because of his interference, he had altered the storyline, dragging this poor soul into it.

Though the two were not close, Uchiha Shinji still felt a certain pressure weighing on his heart.

Shaking his head, he finally spoke earnestly:

"Kiyoshiro-senpai, don’t worry. I still stand by what I said."

"If someone has to die, that person will be me."

Uchiha Shinji said heavily, "You only need to protect yourself. I’ve long prepared myself to face death."

"What did you just say?" Kiyoshiro raised his head, his tone filled with disbelief.

His face darkened slightly, and he sighed.

To him, Uchiha Shinji was still too naive, speaking without thinking.

Only when this boy truly faced death would he understand what fear meant.

As a member of the same clan, Kiyoshiro already felt he had said too much today. Being too harsh on the boy now would feel unnecessarily cruel.

After all, Uchiha Shinji was still just a child.

"Forget it. This is my fate."

In an instant, as if resigning himself to his destiny, Kiyoshiro wobbled past Uchiha Shinji with his liquor bottle, staggering toward the path home.

Under the clear and bright full moon, his battered figure looked like a stray dog unable to find its way home.

Suddenly, Kiyoshiro tilted his head slightly and asked in a low voice:

"Kid, can you tell me why you’re going to such lengths?"

Shinji was momentarily stunned.

Scratching his head, he looked slightly embarrassed.

He couldn’t possibly say it was to cash in on insurance, could he?

After a long pause, standing amidst the cold wind that brushed against his face, under the unfeeling moonlight, and atop the lengthened shadow of the massive Hokage Rock, Uchiha Shinji clenched his hand into a fist over his chest.

"Why, you ask?"

His expression was unreadable, but his voice carried a resolve as sharp as a blade piercing through weakness.

"I often wonder, as an average shinobi, what can someone like me even accomplish?"

"What is the true meaning of the village and the Uchiha clan?"

"But after thinking long and hard, I can only confirm one thing."

"Without strength, nothing can be achieved."

"And so, I willingly throw myself into the flames of battle, surrendering to the inferno, searching for meaning in life and death—for the path meant for these eyes."

"Then, with these eyes, I will illuminate the world!"

"I will rebuild the glory that belongs to the Uchiha!"

Standing straight and unwavering in the cold wind, Uchiha Shinji resembled an unyielding statue.

"Is that so?"

Kiyoshiro, gazing at Uchiha Shinji in such a state, nodded slightly. His face softened as he recalled the words spoken by the honorable Shisui-sama—also a member of the peace faction—when he sought him out earlier.

"I understand now."

After a moment of silence, Kiyoshiro left those words behind and walked away.

Leaving Shinji bewildered, his eyes darting, scratching his head in complete confusion.

"What the hell do you mean, ‘you understand now’?!"

Thud, thud, thud. Everything I wanted to say is right there on the ground. You get it, don’t you?

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 8: The Ninja Survival Code, The Clouds and Thunder Gather!*

*6:00 AM*

Before his alarm could ring, Shinji slammed it with a single blow, smashing the clock that had annoyed him for a year.

By then, he was already fully geared up:

- Forehead protector.

- Knee guards.

- Shuriken pouch strapped to his legs.

- Gloves.

- Foot wraps.

- A scroll pouch on his side and a tool bag secured at his lower back.

Throwing on a high-collared black cloak adorned with the Uchiha clan emblem, he stood in front of the mirror. He lifted his hair, pulled down his eyelids, and let out a sinister chuckle:

"Now, I can see your death coming!"  

(Cue: Sasuke vs. Itachi finishing move artwork.jpg)  

(￣ε(#￣) #○=(一-一o)

After a brief moment of self-admiration, the clock struck six. Shinji leaped out the window, only to encounter Uchiha Obito next door performing the exact same maneuver.

"Shinji, are you heading out for a mission too?" Obito asked.

Shinji gave a cool nod and reminded him, "Don’t be late again."  

"You’re kidding me! Uchiha Obito, future Hokage, never gets—AHHHHH!"  

Before he could finish boasting, Obito slapped his chest confidently, missed a step, and plummeted headfirst out of the second-story window.

Shinji shook his head slightly, thinking to himself, Classic Obito, the king of tardiness.  

This time, Obito twisted his ankle and bumped his head. To an outsider, it might look like he’d just limped back from the Rain Country battlefield with a "battle damage package."

With a trip to the Konoha hospital now inevitable, it would take at least an hour before Obito could even reach Minato’s squad.

But Shinji was long accustomed to this scene. Without giving it much thought, he smiled and called out, "Obito, next time let’s meet at the memorial stone. Don’t forget to burn some incense for your big bro!"  

With that, Shinji launched himself off the roof with agile precision, heading toward the rendezvous point. His steps were imbued with eager anticipation.

Behind him, Obito blinked, bewildered: "Huh??"  

---

*Uchiha Clan Grounds – A Majestic Residence*

"That’s the situation, Lord Fugaku."  

Uchiha Shisui bowed respectfully to the young man in front of him, explaining the reason for his visit.

"Shinji, you say?" Uchiha Fugaku’s face remained stoic as he nodded slightly, committing the name to memory.

"I believe he has the potential to be a bridge between the clan and the village. Lord Fugaku, when you arrive in the Land of Hot Springs, please look after my friend!"  

"I would be most grateful."  

Uchiha Fugaku folded his arms and replied calmly:

"Very well, Shisui. I will be heading to the Land of Hot Springs with Elder Setsuna shortly. I will keep an eye on your friend."  

"But as for you, once you reach the Rain Country, contact our clan’s camp immediately."  

"Also, there’s a newly emerging organization in the Rain Country you should be cautious of."  

Shisui paused, lifting his head slightly in confusion. "A new organization?"  

Fugaku furrowed his brows faintly.

"An organization called Akatsuki. Their ideals are idealistic, but you might consider making contact with them."  

"After all, the three leaders of that organization are disciples of Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin."  

"They are naturally inclined to align with Konoha."  

Shisui nodded slightly, contemplating for a moment before murmuring to himself, "Akatsuki, huh..."  

---

*8:00 AM*

At Konoha’s main gate, two Uchiha-only teams gathered.

Elder Uchiha Setsuna glanced at the sky, then swept his eyes over the assembled members, speaking in a calm tone:

"Since everyone is here, the mission begins now!"  

"Once you reach the designated location, team captains will open the mission scrolls, explain the objectives, and assign tasks."  

"That’s all. Move out!"  

With that, Elder Setsuna took the lead, beckoning to Shinji and Uchiha Kiyoshiro before stepping onto the road leading out of the village.

In such circumstances, there was no time for the two squads to catch up or chat.

Shisui gave Shinji a smile and tapped his chest with a clenched fist before following the group.

This left Shinji slightly puzzled.

He shook his head, not giving it too much thought.

Although Shisui seemed to have some misunderstanding about him, their assigned missions couldn’t have been more unrelated.

One path led northwest toward the Land of Rain, while the other went straight east, crossing endless hills to reach the Land of Hot Water.

Shinji scoffed at the thought. Uchiha Shisui was in the Land of Rain. Could he really stop him, a mere ninja on his way to the Land of Hot Water, from throwing himself into danger?

This was it. The greatest risk factor had already been eliminated. The advantage was mine!

The team Shinji was part of departed from Konoha Village, quickly advancing toward the Land of Hot Water at a steady pace.

The speed and endurance of ninjas rival heavy-duty trucks. Crossing the vast, hilly terrain of the Land of Fire to reach the Land of Hot Water took them only a day.

None of the three members of the team were particularly chatty, so their journey was silent. Once they left Konoha Village and moved away from the prosperous regions of the Land of Fire,

the scenery before them changed dramatically.

Refugees from the Land of Hot Water’s southern border, along with displaced locals, gradually filled their view. The lush greenery of spring gave way to bleak desolation.

Withered branches, bark-stripped trees, and the lifeless gazes of those leaning against them became the most common sights for Shinji.

This was only the midway point of their journey.

Signs of ninja activity had already begun to appear in the area.

Scattered remnants of campfires, traps set around the area for vigilance, and the occasional furtive glances from the shadows made the three-person team tread cautiously.

On the eve of the Third Shinobi World War, the small nations caught between the great powers were the most chaotic battlegrounds.

The Hidden Hot Water Village’s ninjas couldn’t protect the Land of Hot Water, nor could they bear the consequences of failing their missions. Many defected and, blending in with the refugees, infiltrated the Land of Fire.

Ultimately, they turned into bandits, with bounties placed on their heads.

---

As the light of day gradually faded from the earth,

the sun dipped below the horizon, the red hues of the sunset dissipated, and darkness was about to descend.

Uchiha Setsuna called for the advancing team to halt.

He pulled out the mission scroll, unrolled it on a nearby rock, and spoke in a cold, detached voice:

“Come here. It’s time to go over the mission briefing.”

Shinji straightened up, realizing the main event was about to begin.

Whether he could survive the “death on departure” achievement depended on this.

“This mission’s objective is to reach Hell Valley in the Land of Hot Water and provide support to the Uchiha clan members stationed there,” Setsuna announced.

Then, after a moment of silence, he asked, “What do you think is the greatest danger we face?”

Uchiha Kiyoshiro smirked and replied, “Aside from what’s written in the ninja survival manual, the main threat would be handling the backlash from the Chinoike Clan, wouldn’t it?

Those lunatics are each more dangerous than the last.”

Shinji nodded in agreement without speaking. He shared Kiyoshiro’s view.

But he also knew—

Beyond those lunatics, there was someone even more terrifying.

The Chinoike Clan’s patriarch, or more precisely, Chinoike Homura.

This man, Itachi’s predecessor in ultimate filial piety, had single-handedly annihilated the entire Chinoike Clan without any outside help. Apart from his daughter, he wiped the clan off the map of the ninja world.

It was hard to imagine the level to which his Ketsuryugan had evolved.

Compared to him, Chinoike Chino, who appeared in Sasuke’s Light Novel Arc, wasn’t even worthy of carrying his sandals.

Now, this was a truly formidable figure.

However,

Uchiha Setsuna shook his head, sighed heavily, and closed his eyes, speaking with a somber tone:

“You’re both wrong.”

“The real danger isn’t the Chinoike Clan but something above them!”

“What?” Shinji froze.

Wait a minute. Was he saying that beyond a top-level master, there was an even higher level of threat?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 9: The Past of Cloud and Thunder, Three Men Make a Tiger

The bonfire burned brightly, illuminating the wilderness under the night sky.

Amid the rustling of leaves, faint screams and distant chaotic noises seemed to echo.

Three people sat silently around the fire.

Uchiha Setsuna glanced at the other two before speaking with a grave expression:

“This mission’s real danger stems from an unexpected incident.”

“Half a month ago, Chinoike Clan submitted their third confession to the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning.”

“However, the envoy sent by the Daimyō to deliver the response was ambushed and killed en route, with the bounty exchanged at an underground gold exchange.”

“The Daimyō of the Land of Lightning was furious and decided to continue imprisoning Chinoike Clan.”

“Facing despair, Chinoike Clan, realizing they had no other options, secretly reached out to the Hidden Cloud.”

“The Hidden Cloud agreed to send people to liberate Chinoike Clan. In exchange, Chinoike Clan would merge into the Hidden Cloud Village as a Kekkei Genkai clan.”

Uchiha Seiichiro was instantly puzzled. “But isn’t Chinoike Clan already a Kekkei Genkai clan of the Land of Lightning? Why would they agree to such terms with the Hidden Cloud?”

Uchiha Ji shook his head slightly, having some guesses based on his knowledge of the original story.

During the Warring States period, a daughter of Chinoike Clan married into the Daimyō’s household as a concubine.

Shortly afterward, the Daimyō passed away due to illness. The daughter faced envy and slander, leading to the exile of the entire Blood Pond Clan to Hell Valley.

To put it bluntly, Chinoike Clan, having already risen to nobility, naturally didn’t want to lower their status and join the Hidden Cloud Village to live a life of constant fighting.

They preferred imprisonment in Hell Valley, hoping that one day they would be pardoned and restored as aristocrats of the Land of Lightning.

With their hope for pardon now dashed, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and join the Hidden Cloud’s ranks.

The Hidden Cloud, for its part, welcomed this development. With the Fourth Shinobi World War looming, Chinoike Clan’s strength was a valuable asset.

It wasn’t impossible that the murdered envoy was the Hidden Cloud’s doing.

Understanding this, Shinji felt like the whole situation became much clearer, as if a fog had been lifted.

Elder Uchiha Setsuna didn’t explain much to Seiichiro. Instead, he solemnly said:

“You only need to know that the Hidden Cloud is now our greatest threat.”

“So, our top priority is to safely reach Hell Valley and rendezvous with the Uchiha clansmen there.”

“Night is approaching. Seiichiro, you and Shinji will take turns standing watch and setting up traps for perimeter security.”

“That’s all. Get to work.”

Uchiha Setsuna waved his hand nonchalantly, instructing Seiichiro.

Seiichiro, who received no answers but plenty of chores, grumbled under his breath as he reluctantly got up.

At that moment, Shinji eyes gleamed as he asked:

“Why don’t we travel at night instead?”

“In this situation, wouldn’t it be better to reach Hell Valley as soon as possible?”

Seiichiro sneered, casting a disdainful glance at Shinji.

“Ridiculous!”

“Kid, have you even read the ninja code?”

“Should I recite it for you? The first rule of the code states that ninjas should avoid traveling at night to prevent ambushes.”

*[Uchiha Seiichiro disdains you.]* ୧༼ಠ益ಠ༽୨

Seeing the imaginary text floating in front of him, Uchiha Shinji couldn’t help but shake his head.

The logic was sound, but if they stuck to the plan and departed in the morning, it would be like handing the Hidden Cloud their chance to ambush.

He left the village for one purpose: battle, battle, and more battle!

Moreover, Shinji suggestion wasn’t without reason.

With this in mind, Uchiha Shinji smiled and stood up.

“Situations demand flexibility.”

“Tonight is pitch dark and windy, you can’t even see your own hand in front of you. Forget about ambushing anyone—good luck finding toilet paper in these conditions. Besides, we’re the Uchiha. What exactly are you afraid of?”

Shinji confidence came from the Uchiha clan’s Kekkei Genkai, the Sharingan.

Even in complete darkness, the Sharingan’s dynamic vision and ability to perceive chakra made ambushes by the Hidden Cloud meaningless.

If this plan succeeded, Uchiha Setsuna and Seiichiro stood a good chance of breaking through the Hidden Cloud’s defenses.

As for Shinji, who hadn’t awakened his Sharingan…

In a battle like this, he stood no chance of survival!

Which meant he could die gloriously and be rid of his burden!

Elder Uchiha Setsuna’s eyes flickered as he glanced at the overcast sky upon hearing Shinji words.

Seiichiro, however, sneered.

He stepped forward, grabbed Shinji by the collar, hoisted him up, and leaned in to whisper coldly:

"Uchiha Shinji, I'll tell you one more time—"

"It's because of you that I got dragged into this messy mission!"

Uchiha Kiyoshiro clenched his teeth, his gaze icy cold, his tone full of disdain:

"Do you even know what you are?"

"And you think you’re qualified to question the Ninja Code compiled by the Second Hokage?"

"Do you have any idea how many ninjas in Konoha die every year because they ignore the warnings in that code?"

As his words fell, silence filled the surroundings. The wind stopped, and the clouds stilled.

Uchiha Shinji calmly looked at Kiyoshiro, clearly seeing the cold fury in his eyes.

After a moment of silence, Shinji spoke faintly:

"Senpai.., ninjas climb walls because it’s the most efficient method."

"And if climbing takes more effort—"

"Then breaking through the wall is also an option for a ninja."

Uchiha Shinji curled his lips into a smirk, glanced at Kiyoshiro, slapped away his hand, and coldly said:

"You’ve lost sight of what really matters."

As his words echoed, a deafening, crisp sound rang out by Shinji ear.

CLANG!  

---

Hot springs are often found along riverbeds in mountain valleys. The Land of Hot Springs, renowned for its onsens, is a region of towering mountains and deep valleys.

Traveling from the Land of Fire to the Land of Hot Springs involves a journey through hilly terrain that transitions into steep mountains.

Passing through the gorge between these mountains is the only route across the border of the two nations.

At this moment,

Beneath a large tree near a mountain pass, two ninjas in Kumogakure attire, both carrying long swords, were leisurely roasting meat, their expressions relaxed.

A younger ninja frowned and asked,

"Senpai Ramui, Senpai Dodai, isn’t it risky to be this careless?"

"Moroi, you’re wound too tight," the older Ramui said calmly, even offering him a roasted rabbit leg. He explained:

"We’ve stationed Hot Spring Village ninjas ahead to keep watch."

"The moment something happens, we’ll receive a signal immediately."

"Besides, the Uchihas aren’t made of steel. They’ve been traveling all day, and they’re exhausted. Knowing there’s danger ahead, they wouldn’t dare show themselves."

"Relax. This time, it’s Uchiha Setsuna we’re dealing with—that old hawk. Tomorrow will be a tough battle."

"He has to die here. Only then can we ensure the Two-Tails Jinchuriki destroys the Hell Valley garrison."

Moroi looked at the three-man team, considered their odds, and finally felt reassured.

An elite jonin, a jonin, and himself as a special jonin—

No matter how he calculated, taking down an old Uchiha seemed like a sure thing.

And the three of them were far from ordinary.

Ramui, a veteran jonin, had survived from the Warring States period to the present day. He witnessed the negotiation conferences of the Second Shinobi World War and had seen the terrifying Gold and Silver Brothers in their Nine-Tails forms. He had fought through countless battles without breaking, earning a reputation as a resilient veteran.

Dodai, an elite jonin with one eye and a black hat, was the right-hand man of the Third Raikage. He possessed the Lava Release kekkei genkai and had recently served as the chief examiner for the “Hell Stab” technique. In his prime, his strength rivaled Kage-level ninjas.

Moroi, a special jonin, was the captain of the Kumogakure Barrier Team’s first unit and the designated successor to the team leader role. With sealing techniques inherited from the Uzumaki clan, he could immobilize even jonin if they let their guard down.

These three could be considered among the finest in Kumogakure!

Even if another jonin team showed up, they wouldn’t stand a chance against this lineup.

For the sake of bringing Chinoike into Kumogakure, the village had spared no expense this time!

All they needed was for Uchiha Setsuna, the war leader of the clan, to show up.

And then, he and his team would be buried here forever!

(End of Chapter)  

Chapter 10: Internal Conflict, Fiery Phoenix Flame Attack!

*[You argued back at Uchiha Kiyoshiro with sound reasoning.]*

*[You acquired a skill from him: Fire Style - Phoenix Flower Jutsu (C-rank) (Proficient).]*

*[Your "Steel Will" layer count has increased.]*

*[You can now view your "Steel Will" stack count and open your skill panel.]*

Shinji was momentarily stunned, then a wry smile appeared on his face.

He hadn’t intended to trigger this talent; he simply wanted an excuse for his self-sacrificing plan.

*“Did that really just work?”*

As Shinji thought about it, a translucent grid suddenly appeared in front of him.

*[Employee: Shinji]*

*[Title: Heaven-Sent Tough Guy.]*

*[Talents: Steel Will (SSS), Sharingan (Unawakened, B), Combat Instinct (Untrained, S).]*

*[Skills: Uchiha-Style Shuriken Manipulation Technique (Masterful, S), Fire Style - Great Fireball Jutsu (Novice, C), Fire Style - Phoenix Flower Jutsu (Proficient, C), Taijutsu (Novice).]*

*[Stacked Steel Will Layers (expandable).]*

*[Insurance Status: Paid.]*

Shinji glanced briefly at the panel. It was more or less as expected, except for one surprise: the sudden appearance of the *[Combat Instinct]* talent.

Though unexpected, it wasn’t a big deal.

Adding another skill and a panel to review was harmless. After all, panels were just for display, and Phoenix Flower Jutsu was a modest C-rank technique.

Fire Style, known for its leniency, followed the "smoke but no harm" principle.

If he could convince the other two team members, there was still a chance to test this risky plan.

However, what Shinji envisioned and what happened were entirely different.

His reasoning reached Uchiha Kiyoshiro’s ears, causing his expression to darken instantly.

Kiyoshiro, a pacifist within the Uchiha clan who was privy to the mission's hidden agenda, was already brimming with frustration.

Now, being lectured by Shinji only worsened his mood. His Sharingan awakened silently, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

*“Shinji, are you lecturing me?”*

Kiyoshiro’s icy tone cut through the tension as his eyebrows knitted tightly.

*“You’re a mere genin without even an awakened Sharingan. What gives you the right to lecture me?”*

*“It seems you need to be taught a lesson!”*

Though Shinji’s argument held merit, Kiyoshiro's primary goal in this mission was self-preservation.

Night raids on the border were reckless and perilous—not part of his plan.

Seeing Kiyoshiro's Sharingan activate, Shinji instinctively averted his gaze, lowering his eyes to focus on his opponent's chest.

But in the next moment—

Kiyoshiro lunged suddenly, grabbing Shinji by the hair with one hand and aiming to press his head down with the other.

With a knee strike aimed at Shinji face, the attack came fast and unrelenting.

Shinji's pupils shrank.

He hadn’t expected Kiyoshiro to turn on him so brazenly, especially with Elder Uchiha Setsuna watching nearby.

Reacting instinctively, Shinji inhaled sharply and moved.

Using the force of Kiyoshiro's grip, he twisted his feet into the ground, driving power through his waist and legs. Flipping backward, he narrowly evaded the incoming knee strike, twisting his body mid-air to avoid further harm.

While in motion, Shinji hand darted to his lower back, swiftly pulling out three shuriken.

In the blink of an eye, the shuriken were hurled toward Kiyoshiro, targeting his throat, wrist, and the temple beside his ear.

*“What?!”*

Kiyoshiro was shocked. His Sharingan spun, dynamically tracking the incoming projectiles. He quickly leaned back, releasing Shinji hair to dodge the shuriken.

Though he evaded, his initial shock gave way to a simmering rage.

*“Shinji... How dare you resist me?”*

As his second tomoe spun within his Sharingan, Kiyoshiro's eyes gleamed dangerously. He began weaving hand signs with precision.

But before he could finish, Shinji had already begun his own sequence mid-air.

*Rat - Tiger - Dog - Ox - Rabbit - Tiger!*

*"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"*

Before Kiyoshiro could complete his final sign, six fireballs formed and shot toward him with fierce intensity.

The fireballs were followed by the sharp whistle of projectiles cutting through the air.

Six shuriken and three kunai were concealed among the fireballs, creating a chaotic barrage.

*“Damn it!”*

Kiyoshiro’s eyes widened.

The sheer volume of projectiles—fifteen in total—turned into an overwhelming assault.

Even with the dynamic vision of his two-tomoe Sharingan, evading all of them was impossible.

His only option was to use the Body Flicker Technique to escape.

Yet as Kiyoshiro prepared to dodge, Shinji was already reaching for more.

With his left hand, Shinji snatched four additional shuriken.

Meanwhile, his right hand swiftly unsealed a scroll from his storage pouch.

In the center of the scroll, a large "忍" (Ninja) character was boldly written!

Judging by the length of the scroll, it likely held no fewer than a hundred ninja tools inside.

What the heck?!

How can this kid throw so much?!

"Enough!"

At that moment, Uchiha Setsuna, who had been silently observing from the side, spoke in a cold voice.

He suddenly appeared between the two, casually drawing the ninja sword from his back.

The blade swung in a circular arc, casting a crescent-like glimmer.

Clang! Clang!  

Without fail, six fireballs, six shurikens, and three kunai were all deflected and sent flying by that single swing.

"Uchiha Kiyoshiro," the elder, Uchiha Setsuna, slowly sheathed his sword, his gaze so icy it sent chills down one's spine.

"Go do your job."

Under the elder's piercing stare, Kiyoshiro trembled slightly before falling silent.

He walked off to a short distance away, setting up traps for security.

Still, a faint trace of dissatisfaction lingered on his face.

After all, he was a Chūnin, and what just happened was simply because Shinji overwhelmed him with an unexpected barrage of ninja tools.

If he got serious, there was no way Shinji, a mere Genin, would stand a chance against him.

With the conflict resolved, Shinji was now quietly picking up the scattered ninja tools on the ground, distressed beyond words.

The elder’s single strike had completely ruined two high-quality kunai.

As for the cheap, crudely made shurikens? They had been cleaved cleanly in half.

This is money!  

Money that should have been saved for facing stronger enemies was wasted on Kiyoshiro. The thought made Shinji feel like he’d suffered a huge loss.

Uchiha Setsuna's eyes lingered for a moment on the three shurikens Ji had initially thrown. Then, with a faint look of realization, he withdrew his gaze.

With his sharp vision, he had noticed that thin strings were wound around those three shurikens.

Had he not stepped in to stop the fight...

Kiyoshiro would have moved to that spot in an instant. Then Shinji would have pulled the strings.

If this kid had been more ruthless, Kiyoshiro would’ve likely ended up beheaded on the spot.

At this point, Uchiha Setsuna furrowed his brows slightly and looked at Shinji.

A peculiar feeling struck him.

It felt as though the one who had just countered Kiyoshiro was himself.

This kid's shuriken skills… were impressive.

“You. Your name is Shinji, correct?” Uchiha Setsuna suddenly asked.

“Uh, yeah, that’s me,” Shinji replied, momentarily stunned before nodding.

Setsuna narrowed his eyes slightly and walked over to sit by the campfire. He gestured for Shinji to come closer.

“Come here.”

(End of Chapter)