Leaf Village: I'm Uchiha, Done Lying Flat!

He understood better than most people the difference between noble clans and commoners.

Even setting aside the desire to rise above others in the future, if one simply wanted to survive the war, they should get as close to the noble clans as possible.

Because the information those people had access to came far more easily than it did for commoner ninjas like them.

Even if it was not for ninjutsu, merely quietly telling you a bit of information could mean the difference between life and death.

Uchiha Jin did not say much about this.

Something like Inner Armor could not be hidden anyway.

So, forget it.

They could think whatever they wanted.

It was not a big deal.

Only...

Nara Kazama and Kudo Shin were fine. Their looks were still relatively normal.

Only Ishikawa Itsuki...

Most of what filled his gaze when he looked at him was jealousy and resentment.

It seemed...

He would have to watch out for him in the future.

Having lived two lives, he understood very well that while little people like this could not accomplish much, it was exceedingly easy for them to ruin things.

Just then, a Chunin in a green flak jacket walked over.

"Team 7, this is your mission."

His expression was calm.

He merely glanced at Uchiha Jin's Inner Armor, then handed over the mission scroll and turned to leave.

Kudo Shin became serious.

He immediately read through the mission scroll, then spoke with a solemn expression.

"Our team's mission is to escort supplies to the Frontline."

"Let's go!"

Without another word, he turned and left.

That was right.

As a ninja who had experienced the battlefield, he knew exactly what needed to be done and when.

Uchiha Jin and Nara Kazama simply followed behind Kudo Shin.

Only Ishikawa Itsuki...

His face was full of displeasure.

He resented practically everyone in the team.

The reason was simple.

At the academy, he had ranked among the top three in the class. That was what he had always been proudest of.

But after truly joining the team, he discovered that what he took pride in seemed to be something no one cared about.

To put it bluntly...

He did not see the admiring looks he expected in anyone's eyes.

It could even be called disregard!

How could someone who had stood so high and mighty at the academy possibly endure that?

Kudo Shin was one thing.

But what did Nara Kazama and Uchiha Jin amount to?

Though they came from noble clans, their grades had only been middle to lower tier in class. What gave them the right to look down on an "excellent" student like him?

Was it just because of their backgrounds?

Thinking of that, he could not help looking again at the Inner Armor on Uchiha Jin's body.

Something he might never obtain in his entire life.

Why?

Just because he was a commoner?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and his gaze naturally turned fierce.

Clearly...

It had never occurred to him that their middling grades were only because they did not care to compete.

Being among the top students of Class B held no appeal at all in Leaf Village.

It might impress commoners, but what noble clan would take that honor seriously?

Not long after.

The group arrived at the supply depot. With the mission scroll in hand, they received enough supplies to fill three carriages, along with an escort team of eight commoners.

That was right.

Though scroll technology existed in this era, its costs could not be brought down.

So unless the supplies were important or few in quantity, they were still transported by mules, horses, and commoners.

"Lord Ninja, are we setting off now?"

"Mm, let's go!"

Facing this group of commoners, Kudo Shin appeared immensely proud.

That was right.

Though he had once been a commoner, from the moment he became a ninja, he and true commoners had become people of two different classes.

Before the great clans of Leaf Village, his status seemed worthless.

But before these true commoners, the pride of being a ninja immediately showed itself.

Leaf Village Border, Encountering the Mist Village

The Land of Fire was beautiful.

Throughout the Ninja World, the Land of Fire was rich in resources and had four distinct seasons. It could be considered a land blessed by nature.

Think of Amegakure, where it rained all year round; the Sand Village, deep in the desert; the Stone Village, whose entire country was made of rock...

Looking across the Ninja World.

Every other place had its shortcomings. Only the Land of Fire on Leaf Village's side truly did not have a single flaw.

That was why, whenever war broke out, Leaf Village would be targeted by all the ninja villages.

It was a juicy piece of meat.

Everyone in the Ninja World craved it.

Even now, as they traveled through the wilderness, the land was lush with trees and grasses, birds and beasts gathered in flocks, golden sunlight spilled down, and a gentle breeze brushed against their faces. Anyone would feel a touch of laziness.

Within their convoy, the commoners worked hard.

As for the ninjas in their squad, they sat casually atop the supply carts, leisurely taking in the scenery.

That was right.

They were still within the Land of Fire. Under normal circumstances, it was impossible to encounter enemies.

People could not remain tense for too long, so the convoy naturally seemed somewhat lax.

On the last carriage of the Transport Squad.

Uchiha Jin sat cross-legged, paying little attention to the beautiful scenery around him.

His brows were slightly furrowed.

He kept thinking about that earlier conversation with Shisui.

Whether it had been right or wrong was difficult for him to define.

On one hand, after keeping his head down for so many years, he had naturally been suppressing himself terribly. He also wanted someone to talk to.

But more importantly...

It had also been a test of Shisui.