Owlman Plan

With Kosuke's loud response, he quickly left the Wounded Placement Area, leaving behind only a scene of bustling activity.

At this time, the entire Uchiha Clan grounds were devoted to treating the wounded.

Every day until late into the night, the high-intensity labor finally allowed the clan members to drag their exhausted bodies into a deep sleep.

Deep in a forest, a small clearing had been carved out with ninjutsu, where a row of Marching Tents stood closely packed together.

Amid the dark green shadows of the trees, figures in a hurry flickered past like ghosts.

On their backs or sleeve shoulders were embroidered different Clan Emblems—one was an upright tree pattern rooted at the base, with branches spreading outward like hands clasped in prayer, symbolizing vibrant life; the other was a striking spiral crest, its flowing lines like surging Water Flow, with a deep vortex at the center as if it would suck everything into a mysterious Power Core.

"Senju Clan Head, the ten Jōnin Death Warriors trained within our clan have arrived on the battlefield. Should we now execute 'Owl Hunt'?"

Senju Butsuma, who had only returned to camp that day after confronting Uchiha Tajima on the front lines, sat at the head of the meeting with a weary expression, yet his gaze remained sharp as ever.

Sensing the lingering murderous intent and piercing stare from Senju Butsuma, the Uzumaki Elder, leading this support team, showed no sign of fear, meeting his gaze with eyes devoid of any fluctuation.

After a moment, recognizing his own lapse, Butsuma instantly reined in his released killing intent and sharp glare, his eyes calming.

"Tajima, have our Senju Death Warriors been pulled out?"

Watching Senju Tajima, whose gaze had suddenly fallen on him, the elder of the Senju Clan naturally maintained a composed demeanor, speaking calmly: "The ten Jōnin Death Warriors have already made contact with the Uzumaki Clan."

Hearing this, Butsuma looked at the Uzumaki Elder, gave a slight nod, and said in a deep voice: "The 'Owl Hunt' plan is now officially in execution!"

Recalling the scene of being hunted by the Uchiha years ago, the resentment in his heart had no outlet.

Uchiha Tajima!!

I hope you'll like this gift!

With Senju Butsuma's command, the Death Warrior Squad composed of Senju and Uzumaki members leaped and bounded, vanishing into the black forest as they sped toward the Uchiha Clan grounds.

Time slipped by like a fish in water, and in the blink of an eye, several days had passed.

This day.

As the first batch of wounded clan members sent back began to walk out of the Medical Unit one after another.

When he saw them wearing smiles of having survived a disaster, Kosuke's hanging heart finally settled.

The rescue knowledge he had incorporated from his past life had ultimately proven effective.

"We did it! Captain Kosuke is amazing!"

The Child Medical Rescue Team behind him erupted in unprecedented cheers.

These children, who usually followed Kosuke to learn bandaging, first aid, and such, now ran wild through the clan grounds like unleashed little monkeys, their cloth shoes stained with various liquids.

Their clothes were still marked with dark red bloodstains and scraps of bandages, yet they shattered the oppressive atmosphere that had hung over the clan grounds for days, their bell-like laughter echoing through the compound.

And the civilians, who had long been weary and worried, saw their furrowed brows relax, and they broke into smiles.

At this moment, the cheerful laughter also infected the patients and Medical Ninja. Even the ten ninjas stationed around the clan grounds smiled upon hearing it, their patrol steps quickening noticeably.

This day was destined to be a joyful one.

The blazing sun hanging in the sky seemed infected by the laughter and joy of the humans below, sheathing its scorching midday edge and sinking westward wrapped in orange clouds, as if hurrying to attend an evening gathering.

In the evening, Kosuke, who had followed his mother home carrying two Lunch Boxes brought by clan members, now buried his head in one of them, gulping down food.

Watching Kosuke eat so ravenously, Aoba felt a pang of tenderness in her heart.

She gently reminded him: "Little Kosuke, eat slowly."

Hearing his mother's concern, Kosuke pulled his head out of the Lunch Box and gave her an obedient smile.

Looking into his mother's eyes, he suddenly thought of something and asked her expectantly: "Mom, how have your eyes been feeling lately?"

"Feeling?" Aoba swallowed the food in her mouth and savored the sensation: "Rushing between various surgeries these past few days, now that I think about it, I just feel a bit of a swelling sensation, a pulsing kind of swelling."

"Hmm? Has your vision changed at all? Is the swelling the kind of tired, uncomfortable feeling from overusing your eyes?"

Kosuke set down the empty Lunch Box, his expression turning excited as he stared at his mother's eyes.

Seeing her child so worked up, Aoba instantly understood the reason for his excitement.

She then put down her own Lunch Box, closed her eyes, and carefully focused on the changes in her eyeballs.

After a brief moment, Aoba suddenly opened her eyes, two sharp glints flashing through them.

"Mom, how is it?"

Aoba's answer did not disappoint Kosuke.

"No change in vision, and the swelling isn't from eye strain. It's caused by the Dojutsu of the Mangekyo."

"Nice!!!"

Kosuke shot to his feet, swinging his arm forcefully as he roared with excitement.

The backing of the Eternal Mangekyo!!

And in an era before Hashirama had even grown up!

Hahahaha!!

Just thinking about it is incredible!

A golden finger? With a mother whose strength is about to explode, who needs a golden finger?!

Aoba continued eating, her gaze tender as she watched the wildly gesticulating Kosuke, her heart equally stirred.

After a long moment, Kosuke slowly pulled back from his excitement.

He sat back down properly. Before, looking at the low table had made his heart ache, but now he stroked it with joy.

"Mother, on ordinary days from now on, if you have nothing else to do, you can slightly increase the nourishing Dojutsu."

Though Kosuke was trying hard to calm the turmoil inside him, the light shining from his eyes was still exceptionally bright.

Aoba set down the Lunch Box in her hands, smiled, and nodded.

Then she began clearing the dishes from the table.

"Little Kosuke Captain, go wash up and rest in your room. You've all been quite tired these past few days."

Kosuke, still caught up in his excitement, froze the moment he heard his mother's teasing.

He let out two awkward laughs, saying he was already used to it and it didn't matter.

As the saying goes—as long as I'm not embarrassed, the embarrassment belongs to someone else.

"Mother, you should rest early too."

Kosuke stood up and stepped toward his room, but inside he was thinking—tomorrow, I'll find a chance to replace this damn low table!!

Aoba, still kneeling, paused her hand as she tidied the table, seeing Kosuke like this.

A crisp laugh rang through the hall.

Night.

Under the cover of darkness, the Uchiha Clan grounds were eerily silent, with only scattered lanterns swaying in the cold wind.

As usual, after Kosuke had gone to sleep, Aoba headed to the medical camp to check on the wounded.