Three Things Before the Core Battle

Only a few people remained in the tent when Orochimaru slowly walked over to Sen, his vertical pupils holding a complex emotion.

"The last mission," he said in his hoarse voice, "was a secret order directly from a Konoha higher-up, bypassing me. I couldn't trace its specific origin either."

Sen nodded first, then shook his head. "It's in the past, that's not important. You said you had two things to tell me?"

A hint of admiration flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. "To be precise, three."

"First, among the reinforcements that just arrived, many are ninja from your Uchiha clan. They specifically asked to see you."

Seeing Sen nod, Orochimaru paused for a moment before continuing, "The second matter is, the village... has higher-ups who wish for you to 'hand over' the sword on your back to the village."

"Are you serious? Orochimaru?" Sen retorted directly, muttering inwardly, Could this be the Pot Kage's doing again?

On the battlefield, spoils of war belonged to the individual; that was the age-old rule.

If the village wanted it, they should have exchanged it for money.

But Orochimaru's tone clearly implied he should "donate it for free."

"I also find it somewhat unreasonable," Orochimaru seemed to read his mind. "I've already refused for you, stating that you urgently need the sword for combat. You don't need to worry."

Seeing Sen had no objections, Orochimaru continued with the third matter:

"In this battle against Kirigakure, you might also be their priority target. According to the intelligence we've gathered, the Mist Ninja, fearing village punishment, seems to have kept quiet about you stealing Samehada. Sen, with your talent, there's no need for you to fall in this chaotic battle. How about you provide long-range ninjutsu support from the rear?"

Upon hearing this, Sen's face showed undisguised displeasure:

"What about the others? Are they not people? They are all Konoha's comrades! I will never hide in the back and let them take the risks for me!"

What a joke!

How am I supposed to level up my skills like this?

His words were sonorous and powerful. The Jonin who hadn't left the tent yet cast sideways glances, their eyes showing admiration.

They had heard long ago that Uchiha had produced a genius who could single-handedly kill a Mist Ninja Jonin, but they hadn't expected his character to be so noble.

They weren't ordinary Genin and knew much more than ordinary people.

"Good disciple! Well said!" Jiraiya, seeing this, immediately walked to Sen's side with a sense of pride, patting his shoulder heavily. "This is how my disciple should be!"

Sen rolled his eyes in disgust, pushed his arm away, and said to Orochimaru, "If there's nothing else, I'll go see my clan members. Senior Orochimaru, remember to call me when the fighting starts."

With that, he left the tent directly.

Sen stepped outside and immediately saw the Uchiha clan members gathered in the distance.

Only the Uchiha clan would gather so distinctly apart from other ninja, with that inherent arrogance, at the farthest point.

And of course, their above-average good looks.

He walked over and scanned the group. There were twelve in total. Most of them were sitting on the ground, resting.

"You are Uchiha Sen?" Before Sen could speak, an elder ninja stood up, scrutinizing him with a critical gaze, and snorted, "Since you're here, you can leave. I thought the Great Elder valued some formidable character, but you're just a ten-year-old brat."

Hearing this, Sen looked at the scrutinizing gazes of the surrounding clan members and shook his head. Sometimes, you had to admit, the Uchiha clan was truly a bit foolish, still engaging in infighting at a time like this.

"Brat, I told you to get lost..."

The ninja's words abruptly stopped!

Because a hand had already gripped his throat like a vice! Suffocation and fear instantly made his eyes widen.

"Let him go!" A middle-aged ninja beside him immediately moved to intervene but saw the slender fingers tighten their grip.

He instinctively tried to use an Illusion Technique but met a pair of cold, scarlet eyes, within which three Tomoe slowly rotated.

"Three Tomoe! How is that possible?! He's only ten!"

"Out of the twelve of us here, only three have awakened their eyes!"

"Chizuru, don't act. It's wartime, and the opponent's talent is truly incredible. Even if the clan head agreed to a fight, this isn't permissible!" A ninja beside them advised.

The two sides were in a stalemate for a moment. The ninja named Uchiha Chizuru ultimately chose to compromise. "Apologies, it was our fault. Let him go."

Sen casually tossed the man aside like trash. After intimidating everyone with his strength, he said coldly, "There are too many eyes here. Follow me."

In a secluded spot, Sen spoke with his back to the group, "I know most of you are from the clan head's faction. I can consider what just happened a misunderstanding."

Seeing no response, Sen continued, "Sometimes I really don't understand you people. With the enemy at our gates, instead of thinking about how to survive, you're still engaging in internal strife here?"

He turned around, his gaze like a blade sweeping across each person. "Have you ever considered why our Uchiha clan, which primarily cultivates Fire Style jutsu, was sent to fight the Mist Ninja, who are most skilled in Water Style?"

As soon as he said this, it was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand waves.

"That's right! Why us? This is practically a type disadvantage!"

"And Kirigakure is known for its cruelty. Most of us here are Chunin and Genin, how are we supposed to handle it?"

"That's not right," someone raised an objection. "When we were mobilized, didn't the Hokage say it was because our Sharingan could see through the dense fog, and our Fire Style could disperse it?"

"Then, how many of you here have awakened your Sharingan?" Sen retorted incisively. "Are we the only ones in Konoha skilled in Fire Style? What about the Sarutobi clan? How many of them have come?"

At this, the crowd fell completely silent.

Ten minutes later, in the stifling atmosphere, someone asked in a low voice, "Captain Chizuru, what... what should we do?"

Uchiha Chizuru, known as the captain, didn't answer. Instead, he looked up at the ten-year-old boy standing in the distance with his arms crossed. After a long moment, he sighed deeply.

"We are indeed Lord Fugaku's supporters. But now, at least here, we are willing to listen to you."

"How can we listen to a ten-year-old..."

"Slap!"

A loud slap cut off the questioning voice.

The speaker was the same person whose neck Sen had grabbed earlier.

After delivering the slap, Uchiha Chizuru took a step forward and bowed to Sen, saying:

"I apologize. I failed to control my clansmen. Sen, as someone favored by the Great Elder, you must have a solution, right?"

Sen pondered for a moment. If it weren't for the need to establish his authority within the clan later, he wouldn't have bothered with the lives of these fools.

A moment later, under everyone's expectant gaze, Sen spoke:

"Seeing as you aren't acting with the others, you must be operating in small, multi-person teams. In that case, the captain would be you, Uchiha Chizuru, right?" Seeing the other nod, Sen continued:

"If that's the case, during the operation, you will follow behind us, Team Seven. Coincidentally, I can set up a plan within a plan."