Konoha Security Department.
Beneath the Red and White Ping Pong Racket Clan Crest.
A group of Uchiha stood in the Security Department's hall, selecting missions.
A handsome young man squeezed through the crowd, looking up at the bulletin board covered in mission slips.
Normally, missions were issued at the Mission Assignment Office in the Hokage Building.
But Uchiha Ci was not a registered Konoha ninja.
He was like the cannon fodder ninja alliance suddenly cobbled together by the Five Great Nations during the Fourth Shinobi World War.
He was a Clan Ninja belonging to the Uchiha Clan.
Although he also wore a Konoha Dog Tag on his head, there were still differences.
For instance, missions were generally assigned by the village directly to the clan, then posted internally in this manner.
The main idea was participation first, acting within one's capabilities.
However,
that clearly did not meet Uchiha Ci's expectations.
"Damn it, there isn't a single mission even remotely connected to the border?"
Uchiha Ci was dumbfounded.
At this time, the most dangerous places
were undoubtedly the areas caught between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind,
especially places like the Land of Rain and the Land of Valleys.
Yet on the mission board right now,
there was not a single mission involving Border Patrol, Cross-border Supply Escort, Stalk and Assassinate Enemy VIP, or anything similar.
Every one of them could be completed within the country's borders.
There were even plenty of D-Rank Missions like Cat Search, Message Delivery, and farming, thrown in to pad the numbers.
Among the C-Rank Missions he was eligible to accept,
the most dangerous one
was actually driving a massive wild boar that had escaped from the Death Forest back into it, not far outside the village.
"Damn it, I thought once I could leave the village, I could go die." Uchiha Ci looked like he was about to cry.
"But how is this any different from before?"
Uchiha Ci looked ashen, shaking his head helplessly. He could only decide to take the most dangerous C-Rank Mission, the one to drive away the wild boar.
He would try and see whether he could give Brother Boar an extra meal.
But just then, a somewhat youthful hand beat him to it and took down the mission scroll.
"Sorry, please leave this mission to me."
A clean-cut youth dressed in a black high-collared short-sleeved shirt and trousers, with a wakizashi strapped to his back, smiled at Uchiha Ci.
His distinctive button nose made Uchiha Ci recognize him instantly. This was the Uchiha Genius whose name had not yet become known.
Shisui Uchiha.
Uchiha Ci: "."
Damn it, you're a registered Konoha ninja. Why are you competing with me for a Clan Mission?
"Sorry, Uchiha Ci.
This mission can help temper my swordsmanship. I can give you the mission reward,
but please give me this opportunity!"
Shisui Uchiha smiled earnestly, his feelings sincere.
Faced with such a bright, cheerful smile, Uchiha Ci had no reason to refuse.
It was only a C-Rank Mission anyway. He probably would not die from it. Once the Ninja World War broke out later, there would be plenty of chances to die, so Uchiha Ci did not care about this one.
Still, he was surprised. "You know me?"
Of course he knew Shisui Uchiha.
But the fact that the other person knew him still caught Uchiha Ci off guard.
"Yeah, we did D-Rank Missions together before. Don't you remember?" Shisui Uchiha smiled and casually made up a lie.
"Maybe." Uchiha Ci muttered. He had done too many missions to remember.
He had no interest in befriending people from the Original Work. What if that changed the future and caused the Crown Prince to fail to save the world?
Then his sin would be enormous!
Right now, he only wanted to die sooner and return home.
With that, he could not be bothered with the other party and continued looking over the Mission Bulletin Board.
In fact, Shisui Uchiha had only just found Uchiha Ci's name in the Mission Log.
And Uchiha Ci's record had shocked him.
Uchiha Ci: Genin, one year of ninja experience.
Missions completed: D-Rank, 855; C-Rank, 0.
This unremarkable peer was actually a mission fanatic, completing an average of two or three D-Rank Missions per day without taking a single day off throughout the year.
It was terrifying!
Uchiha Ci had no idea that his record would shock Shisui Uchiha. He had only completed so many missions to see whether he could drop dead from overwork.
But if he knew he had earned Shisui's approval for that reason, he would definitely twist his body around and howl:
"What a sin!"
This made Shisui Uchiha even more convinced that this peer was no ordinary Uchiha.
A mere Genin had gone this far!
He was truly burning himself for the village!
For that reason, Shisui Uchiha did not mind being ignored by Uchiha Ci.
Instead, he stepped closer until their shoulders were practically touching.
"W-What are you doing?!" Uchiha Ci let out a terrified shriek.
Who would have thought?
You, Shisui Uchiha, with those thick brows and big eyes, had this kind of hobby at such a young age?
Shisui Uchiha only thought his companion was somewhat socially anxious. Smiling knowingly, he leaned close and whispered in his ear:
"Ci-kun, I know what you're thinking."
Uchiha Ci's eyes widened.
Y-You know I'm trying to scam the insurance payout?
"The Great Elder will hold a mobilization meeting later. There are two extremely dangerous missions." Shisui Uchiha said solemnly.
"But don't worry, I won't let you accept them!"
Like a Demon whispering in his ear, Uchiha Ci shuddered.
He looked at Shisui Uchiha in horror.
Was this bastard using some kind of mind-reading cheat?
Was he trying to fleece him?
Still, the two missions Shisui mentioned made Uchiha Ci's eyes light up.
"What missions?" Uchiha Ci lowered his voice, not wanting anyone else to hear. The two of them looked like they were conducting some shady underground deal, all secretive and mysterious.
"So you really are that kind of person!" Shisui Uchiha froze, then looked at him in amazement.
In his heart, he acknowledged Uchiha Ci once more!
Then he secretly resolved that he absolutely would not let Uchiha Ci die on a dangerous mission.
Someone this talented
should become a bridge between the village and the Uchiha Clan!
Just then,
an old man with grizzled spiky hair, a Cold Half Mask, and only a high-collared black Uchiha Clan robe, without a Konoha Headband, ascended to an elevated spot in the Security Department hall.
His sharp, hawk-like gaze was so piercing that no one dared meet his eyes.
Uchiha Ci was startled.
Because this man before him was the Uchiha Clan's sole remaining Great Elder,
Uchiha Setsuna!
As a fierce man who had once plotted to assassinate the Second Hokage and still lived to tell the tale,
he was naturally the Hawk Faction Leader of the Uchiha Clan.
The Uchiha Group present all turned their gazes toward the old man, their expressions varying from respect to hatred to indifference.
"You all probably have some guesses as to why you were summoned here."
Uchiha Setsuna spoke calmly, his voice echoing through the Security Department hall.
"That's right!"
"War is about to begin!"
"Since the Third Kazekage disappeared, the entire ninja world has gradually descended into chaos."
"Here in the Land of Fire, border conflicts have become increasingly fierce.
The latest news is that small-scale battles have already begun in the Land of Rain.
And farther afield,
Iwagakure and Kirigakure have long harbored grievances against each other. It looks like war will break out any moment now.
Those Kumogakure barbarians have not given up their ambitions either, repeatedly probing their way into the Land of Fields."
"The era in which the entire ninja world will be ravaged by war is coming soon!"
"However—"
Uchiha Setsuna paused, then said coldly:
"We Uchiha have endured a thousand years of war. Such petty threats are nothing worth mentioning!"
"The Battlefield of the Land of Rain and the Valley of Hell garrison in the Land of Hot Water
need two ninja of each rank—Jonin, Chunin, and Genin—to form two squads and head there as reinforcements."
"Genin will not be forced. Jonin and Chunin may choose for themselves. If there are not enough people by the deadline, I will name them and compel them to participate."
As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell utterly silent.
Hearing the two locations named by Uchiha Setsuna, many people went pale.
Uchiha Ci, standing among the crowd, had been about to raise his hand immediately and volunteer,
shouting, "To rebuild Uchiha glory, it is our duty to answer the call!"
when his vision suddenly blurred, and his whole body trembled.
An emotionless voice suddenly sounded in his mind:
[Talent received.] [Heart of Steel (SSS): Please, let me steel myself one more time!—Steel, Gate]
With a deafening clang, Uchiha Ci immediately came to his senses.
But upon hearing the name of that talent,
Uchiha Ci's heart skipped a beat.
Please bookmark and keep reading, gentlemen. Bang, bang, bang.
Before you continue