Subordinates

The Uchiha Clan currently had two elders: Uchiha Yasunari and Uchiha Narisawa, both elite Three-Tomoe Jonin just over fifty.

Fortunately, neither elder had anything important to discuss. They had merely heard that the two had become disciples of Orochimaru and Minato and called them over to offer some encouragement.

More than ten minutes later, the two bade the elders farewell and went to eat.

Soldier Pills were emergency provisions. Under normal circumstances, ninjas still ate regular food, mainly rice balls supplemented with vegetables and meat.

The taste was fairly mediocre, but there was little room for refinement during wartime. Konoha was not Italy during World War II, after all.

After eating, the two went their separate ways. Uchiha Gen washed up and returned to his tent to sleep.

A whole day of high-intensity travel had truly exhausted him.

It was worth mentioning that their tents were not located within the Uchiha Clan Estate's area, but beside Orochimaru's and Minato's tents.

After a night of rest, the Konoha Ninjas who had arrived were fully recovered from their fatigue, each one brimming with energy.

After breakfast, Uchiha Gen received a notice and headed to Orochimaru's tent.

As deputy commander, Orochimaru's tent was second only to Tsunade's. Of course, it could not be called luxurious on the battlefield; it was merely taller, larger, and wider.

"Orochimaru-sensei, you wanted to see me?"

Uchiha Gen stepped into the tent and gave a slight bow.

"Mhm. Come sit."

Orochimaru was eating breakfast. Without even raising his head, he casually pointed with one hand, his voice low and hoarse.

Uchiha Gen followed suit and sat down in front of Orochimaru.

"Want something to eat?"

"I've already eaten."

"Mhm. I called you here this time because of leading a team. You're already a Jonin, so you've long been qualified to lead one."

"Can I not lead one?" Uchiha Gen asked directly, without standing on ceremony with Orochimaru.

"Reason."

"Alone, I'm more flexible. Teammates can sometimes hold you back."

"Orochimaru-sensei, have you heard the saying, 'A pig-like teammate is worse than a god-like opponent'?"

In truth, Uchiha Gen wanted to use this opportunity to harvest souls.

"Heh heh... I have not."

"Your way of thinking is a little off, boy. Don't show it in front of others in the future."

Although ninjas prioritized missions, the idea of treating teammates as burdens would certainly arouse much dissatisfaction.

"I know. I wouldn't spout nonsense like that in front of others."

"Orochimaru-sensei, so can I or not?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "No, because they will be your subordinates, not your teammates."

"So that's how it is. The difference really is quite huge..." Uchiha Gen said with a look of sudden realization.

Orochimaru caught the sarcasm in Uchiha Gen's words, but he did not get angry.

In truth, Orochimaru was quite broad-minded. As long as you were a genius or useful to him, he would not take certain offenses to heart at all.

"If I were the commander, I would definitely grant your request. But am I not merely the deputy?"

"Tsunade, Jiraiya, Minato—they all value teamwork more than the last. It would be difficult to get approval if you alone made an exception."

"Fine, you've convinced me."

"However, although your teacher is only the deputy, I still have some authority."

Orochimaru put down his food and flicked his right hand. His arm rapidly stretched out, grabbed a scroll from the table, and retracted. He then casually tossed it to Uchiha Gen.

"This is the list of Chunin Konoha sent to reinforce the front lines. Pick three according to your wishes, and I'll handle the rest."

Tsk tsk, having a big tree to lean on really did make things easier. You could even do things like this?

That was truly awesome. With Minato's personality, he absolutely would not abuse his position for personal gain like this.

Orochimaru was different. As a research scientist, wasn't inflating research funding standard practice?

"That's truly awesome, Orochimaru-sensei."

Awesome?

Orochimaru considered it briefly and understood.

This disciple of his occasionally blurted out new terms. He had already grown used to it.

After flattering him, Uchiha Gen opened the scroll and began selecting.

He quickly chose three subordinates, then got up, took a pen from Orochimaru's desk, made a small mark, and handed the scroll back to Orochimaru.

"Mhm... Three Chunin respectively skilled in ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu. There are both men and women, and they also possess strong reconnaissance abilities. Not a bad eye."

"Of course. How could the disciple of someone like you have poor judgment?"

"Heh heh... You're becoming more and more uninhibited."

"Can't be helped. That's what happens when you follow a good teacher."

Orochimaru: "..."

This brat kept feeding him sweet talk, but... it did feel rather nice.

Speaking was an art. No one disliked hearing compliments, unless they had a masochistic streak!

"Alright, if there's nothing else, leave. They'll come report to you this afternoon."

"I have one more question."

"Speak."

"Orochimaru-sensei, will we launch an attack today?"

"No. Mist changed their deployment overnight, so today we must first have the reconnaissance unit determine their arrangements."

"If all goes well, we'll stab Mist tomorrow. If not, it could be the day after tomorrow or the day after that."

"To maintain morale for the long term, we still need to win a battle. Relying solely on the few of us, morale is ultimately somewhat hollow..."

Uchiha Gen nodded slightly. The higher-ups at the front lines still had clear heads.

"This is confidential. Do not reveal a single word."

"Rest assured, Sensei. I'm a Jonin, not a fool."

"If there's nothing else, I'll slip away first."

What an interesting new phrase. The corners of Orochimaru's lips curved slightly as he casually waved a hand.

Uchiha Gen gave a slight bow, then turned and left.

"Oh, right. How is your snake-style ninjutsu coming along?"

"I've learned Hidden Shadow Snake Hands."

Learning one snake-style ninjutsu in about ten days was passable.

"What about the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique?"

"I learned that a while ago."

With the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique plus the Dust Concealing Technique, the Hidden Mist Ninjas had nothing that could restrain this disciple. On the contrary, they were faintly countered by him. It was the perfect time to achieve great merit.

Orochimaru lowered his head and resumed eating breakfast. The taste did not matter, but he had to replenish enough energy.

Uchiha Gen could not be bothered to run around, so he returned to his tent to study Chakra nature transformation and ninjutsu, while also letting Zhurong and Wusheng get some fresh air.

At two in the afternoon, after lunch, Uchiha Gen was taking a nap. Zhurong and Wusheng lay quietly beside him, napping along with him.

"Captain, Hyuga Tokuma, Hayama Shirakumo, and Kurenai Yuhi are here to report for duty!"

That was right. The subordinates Uchiha Gen had chosen were three future Konoha Jonin, though all three had only recently been promoted to Chunin.

Kurenai Yuhi, Uchiha Gen, and Obito had all been born in Konoha's thirty-sixth year. They were one year older than Kakashi and were all thirteen this year.

Hearing the commotion outside the tent, Zhurong, who had been lying down for a nap, sprang up like a carp and swiftly disappeared into Uchiha Gen's left arm. Wusheng also quickly rose and slid into its scabbard.

Uchiha Gen opened his eyes, stretched, sat upright, and said, "Got it. I'll be right out."

It was not that Uchiha Gen was being arrogant by not inviting them in to speak. The tent simply was not large enough to accommodate three people.

Other than the tents of a few important figures, all other ninjas, including Jonin, used military tents. The differences were not very great.

Outside the tent, three figures stood side by side. The most eye-catching among them was Kurenai Yuhi.

Female ninjas were already few, and beautiful female ninjas were even fewer.

Kurenai Yuhi had delicate, fair features and a rather heroic air. She wore a Konoha Ninja forehead protector, her beautiful hair thick and glossy black. She wore a blue top and shorts, her slender legs covered in black mesh, with the same black mesh covering her arms and collarbones.

At this moment, Kurenai Yuhi stared blankly ahead, her beautiful, dazzling red eyes slightly unfocused...

Didn't Father say I would be following him?

Why had I suddenly been transferred under an old classmate?

This felt so awkward...