Applying for the Battlefield

Konoha.

The next day, the rain stopped. Under the sunlight, Konoha brimmed with vibrant life.

A rainbow appeared over Konoha, bringing innocent, joyful smiles to even more villagers and children.

Even the passing ninja smiled when they saw the rainbow beneath the bright sunlight.

"Sister Mikoto, congratulations. You'll soon become a Special Jonin."

After returning to the village and hearing Uchiha Mikoto's words, Uchiha Yoru smiled and congratulated her.

However, Uchiha Mikoto's eyes held a trace of sorrow and heaviness.

"Grandfather's health isn't very good. Though my Sharingan only has two tomoe right now, I still have to take on the family's responsibilities."

Those few words revealed quite a bit of information.

That old bastard, Elder Uchiha Setsuna, was about to kick the bucket.

And as that old bastard's only blood-related granddaughter, Uchiha Mikoto would inherit the Elder's legacy.

"Elder Setsuna...?"

Thinking this, Uchiha Yoru was delighted inside, though he still showed concern on his face.

Seeing this, Uchiha Mikoto gave a self-deprecating smile.

"It's fine. It would be better if that old man left sooner. It would save the clan some worry."

The two headed toward the clan grounds together, while Uchiha Yoru kept pondering the information hidden within their earlier exchange.

Although Uchiha Mikoto becoming a Special Jonin was somewhat forced, she had the Two Tomoe Sharingan, and at her age, Elder Setsuna's Hawk Faction needed an heir.

It seemed... this was a thigh worth clinging to!

Suddenly, Uchiha Mikoto turned around and stared directly at him. Her slender hands cupped his face as she gazed deeply into his black eyes.

"Yoru!"

At that moment, Uchiha Mikoto revealed a complicated, solemn expression.

"We don't have much time left. Your Chunin appointment will be issued soon, but you need to achieve Eye Awakening as quickly as possible. I'll need you in the future!"

Hearing this, Uchiha Yoru immediately nodded with a resolute expression.

"Sister Mikoto, don't worry. I'll definitely help you."

This free meal was going rather nicely. Uchiha Yoru nodded to himself. He could not let Mikoto down.

Elder Setsuna was in poor health, and the only person who could inherit the power he left behind was Mikoto. Mikoto was currently alone and unsupported, so she needed his help.

That was also why, after Mikoto's Eye Awakening and the mental shock it caused, she had been so anxious for him to awaken his eyes as well.

The moment they returned to the clan grounds, they heard shocking news.

"First Hokage's grandson, Nawaki, has had an accident!"

Upon hearing the news, both Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Yoru were stunned.

Uchiha Mikoto was shocked because he was the First Hokage's only direct bloodline.

Uchiha Yoru was shocked because Tsunade already knew, yet something had still happened?

Before the Memorial Tablet.

That day, Tsunade stood silently before a newly erected stone tablet, dressed in a blue overcoat.

She clutched a necklace in her palm, grief on her face as two streams of tears ran endlessly down her cheeks.

A murderous intent lurked within the silence!

"Nawaki!"

Soft footsteps approached. Uchiha Yoru, who had just returned from a mission, hurried over without even going home to change out of his clothes, his face exhausted.

Holding a bouquet of white chrysanthemums, Uchiha Yoru walked to Nawaki's gravestone and lowered his head in silence.

"I only learned the news after returning this morning. Captain Tsunade, hadn't it already—"

Bang!

Before Uchiha Yoru could finish, Tsunade swung her hand, sending him flying with a bang. He crashed to the ground more than ten meters away.

White chrysanthemums scattered through the air.

Tsunade stared fixedly at him, her face filled with murderous intent.

"Cough, cough!"

Uchiha Yoru slowly rose and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Without a word, he began picking up the scattered white chrysanthemums.

"Captain Tsunade, someone must be trying to drive a wedge between you and the village!"

Uchiha Yoru looked utterly incredulous as he stared at the grief-stricken Tsunade.

Even the Senju Clan had failed to guard against Nawaki's death?

He had already leaked the intelligence, yet Nawaki had still died! He did not know whether it was real or fake, but there was one thing he had to believe—it was real.

The situation had greatly exceeded his expectations, but having come this far, Uchiha Yoru could only brace himself and continue.

"Be quiet! You evil little brat from the Uchiha Clan!"

Although Tsunade had already guessed that this brat was merely a pawn, she still had to confuse the enemy lurking in the shadows.

"Brat, you personally delivered this intelligence. It came from that old ghost Setsuna of your clan!"

Tsunade stared at him word by word, tears of rage glimmering in her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Yoru's expression changed drastically. Then, a determined glint flashed through his eyes.

"Captain Tsunade!"

Determination filled Uchiha Yoru's eyes, making Tsunade secretly alarmed. Had she gone too far with the act and made this brat lose hope?

However, the next moment!

"Captain Tsunade, Genin Uchiha Yoru will personally eliminate the village's traitor!"

"Be quiet!"

Tsunade swept him with a sharp gaze and coldly stopped the nonsense coming from this brat who had been brainwashed by the Will of Fire.

Assassinate Elder Uchiha Setsuna? This brat really dared to say it!

Yet only she and Grandma Mito knew Nawaki's secret. This brat was giving Tsunade a headache, but she still had to put on a cold and grief-stricken appearance.

"Brat! Remember the ninja confidentiality regulations!"

As Tsunade's cold warning echoed out, it was practically a reminder to him. Uchiha Yoru gradually lowered his head and fell silent.

A gentle breeze passed by as Tsunade turned away coldly to look at her younger brother's gravestone.

Uchiha Yoru silently stepped forward, slowly placed the white chrysanthemums before the gravestone, and lowered his head without speaking.

Seeing this, Tsunade secretly sighed, feeling she had wronged the brat somewhat. But Nawaki's matter was too important, and she naturally could not reveal it lightly.

However, this intelligence was known by this brat as well. Realizing this, Tsunade said hoarsely:

"This intelligence was the work of enemy spy ninja!"

Tsunade directly told Uchiha Yoru that this matter ended here, and that his intelligence had already been classified.

However, upon hearing this, Uchiha Yoru lowered his head even further. His mind raced, and then a trace of sorrow appeared on his face.

"Is it because of the war?"

Uchiha Yoru's silent expression seemed to say that, because of the war, this intelligence could not be exposed. Otherwise, it would cause unrest in Konoha.

Tsunade remained silent, seemingly acquiescing.

Before Nawaki's gravestone, neither of the two was mourning Nawaki.

After a long while, Uchiha Yoru stood with his back to Tsunade, fists clenched tightly as though he had made some decision.

Under Tsunade's astonished gaze, the brat turned around and stared fixedly at her, determination shining in his eyes.

"Captain Tsunade, Uchiha Yoru requests deployment to the Land of Rain battlefield!"

At that moment!

Uchiha Yoru was prepared to die on the battlefield, to make this intelligence disappear forever and make himself more valuable.

Damn it!

This one-track-minded Uchiha brat!

Tsunade felt utterly stifled inside, but this was very Uchiha.

However, the next moment, Uchiha Yoru suddenly frowned. Pain appeared on his face, and his body began to tremble.

"Brat!"

In an instant, Tsunade, an Elite Jonin, immediately noticed that something was wrong with him.

This is bad!