Buying Hearts, Paving the Way for the Future

The Uchiha Chiyu squad arrived at the highest point of the small island, activating their Sharingan to confirm the enemy's positions:

One in a wooden watchtower, and two in a house a hundred meters below.

Uchiha Chiyu quickly issued orders: "Mitsuhiko, Hien, and I will handle the two in the house. Kato, Totsuka, you two take care of the one in the watchtower!

If you're at a disadvantage, just stall them. We'll support you immediately after we finish! Remember, the Jonin are protecting us from the shadows, don't be afraid!"

The others nodded, and the battle instantly erupted!

Chiyu and the other two formed hand seals simultaneously.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!

Three massive fireballs roared towards the small house, engulfing it instantly!

Ninja combat styles were inherently like this; if a sneak attack could finish the opponent in one move, they would never opt for a straightforward duel.

Furthermore, this was a tried-and-true attack method for the Uchiha clan.

But unfortunately, it wasn't successful this time.

From within the burning house, a loud voice shouted:

"Water Style: Water Wall Jutsu!"

With a roar, surging water erupted from all sides of the burning house, instantly extinguishing the flames!

Two Mist Ninja leaped from the roof, unharmed, their kunai held ready as they warily watched their opponents.

"That guy is a Jonin!" one of the clan members exclaimed. "The range of his Water Style is too vast!"

"No," Chiyu frowned and shook his head. "They're very young, probably around Totsuka's age, twelve or thirteen at most. It's the environment here... the air humidity is too high, greatly amplifying the power of Water Style."

And our Fire Style was weakened.

He didn't voice that last thought, to avoid affecting his squad's morale, and simply said gravely, "Don't let them use Water Style again. Close combat!"

With that, the three drew their weapons and charged.

On the other side, Kato and Totsuka had also engaged the enemy.

Their opponent wasn't particularly strong, likely also a Genin. With two against one, they were gradually gaining the upper hand.

However, Sen, hidden in the shadows, felt a sense of unease. He spoke to Jiraiya and the other two beside him:

"Jiraiya, have them move forward a bit. You help me watch Chiyu's group. While I don't think there's a major problem, the rest of you shouldn't just watch the fight; stay alert like Minato."

Seeing them nod, Sen pushed off the ground, rapidly approaching Kato and Totsuka.

As he got closer, he also sensed something was wrong. Kato and Totsuka's attacks, every move and strike, bore the mark of the Ninja Academy – standard, but lacking killing intent.

The Mist Ninja's attacks, however, were a completely different matter—

Every strike was deadly, every move a fight to the death, even willing to trade injuries!

Like now!

At this moment, seeing his prolonged assault failing, a hint of madness flashed in the Mist Ninja's eyes.

He actually ignited an Explosive Tag in his hand and attached it to the tip of his kunai, charging forward like a madman!

Kato and Totsuka had never encountered such a desperate fighting style. Their minds faltered, and their movements slowed by half a beat.

Seizing this opening, the opponent unleashed a rapid barrage of attacks, instantly leaving them both bruised and battered, collapsing to the ground!

"Let's die together!" The Mist Ninja's kunai thrust directly towards Uchiha Totsuka's eyes!

At that critical moment, a flash of white light streaked through the air!

The Mist Ninja felt a chill on his wrist, followed by excruciating pain. His arm, the one holding the kunai, had been severed at the wrist!

There was no kunai in his hand, only a spurting, bleeding wound.

The severed arm, along with the attached Explosive Tag, was sent flying high into the sky with a swift kick!

"Boom—"

The violent blast wave knocked Sen, who had arrived just in time, to the ground.

He quickly got up and, with a swing of Samehada, slammed the still-screaming Mist Ninja, shattering his bones and ending his agony.

Totsuka gasped for breath, still shaken from her near-death experience. Looking at the dead Mist Ninja, she hesitated for a moment before managing to squeeze out, "Thank you so much, Sen. If you hadn't been here just now, I probably would have..."

"It's fine. Be more careful next time."

Sen replied simply, then looked at the distant battle and commanded Samehada, "Eat this person and heal those two ninja."

The scent of blood had already excited Samehada. It immediately opened its large mouth, swallowed the corpse, and then regurgitated pure Chakra, healing the wounds on the two.

About ten minutes later, the battle on the other side also concluded.

Uchiha Chiyu, dragging a half-dead enemy, approached Sen. "Mission complete. The other one was killed by an Explosive Tag."

"Are you injured?" Sen patted Samehada, signaling it could "dine."

"We're fine, just a bit drained of Chakra," Chiyu said with an embarrassed smile. "I didn't believe you earlier when you said Water Style counters us."

"It was only with the combined effort of the three of us using the Great Fireball that we could barely block one of their C-rank Water Style jutsu."

"That's good." Sen directly called the others over, tossed Samehada to them, and said, "This can help you recover your Chakra."

Seeing everyone's Chakra rapidly recovering, Uchiha Chizuru asked in shock, "This... isn't this Kirigakure's ninja sword, Samehada? How did it end up in your hands..."

"I took it."

Sen answered casually, then led the team back to the ship and coldly ordered, "Let's go, next target. Time is tight!"

Uchiha Chizuru gave a wry smile. He had always been told that he was a cool Uchiha, but today, he, a thirty-year-old man, was being treated with indifference by a kid.

Everyone returned to their respective ships and continued sailing towards the next target.

But this time, when the Uchiha clansmen looked at Sen again, there was no trace of doubt in their eyes, only heartfelt admiration and trust.

The series of events just now, from the planned arrangement for the newcomers to get familiar with combat, to saving a teammate who was on the verge of death, and finally the statement "I took it," all perfectly proved his strength.

That was a famous sword from Kirigakure; it couldn't possibly be something any Tom, Dick, or Harry could wield, right?

"I think... Lord Sen is really reliable," Chiyu said in a low voice.

"Indeed," Uchiha Totsuka nodded. "He just saved me too. If it weren't for him, I would probably be dead! Why did the clan head have me monitor him back then..."

"Don't forget your position!" Uchiha Chizuru heard the others and reminded them, "Don't forget you were trained by the clan head. We still need to be loyal to the clan head. This person is one of the Elder's men, don't forget that."

"But he saved us today! He solved so many problems for us! If we hadn't been with him, the squad mission would never have gone so smoothly!" Uchiha Totsuka argued earnestly.

Uchiha Chizuru earnestly advised everyone, "I can understand your thoughts. After all, he did save your life today. But have you considered that Sen has almost no resources?

Even if he has strength, he can at most develop in the Guard Unit in the future and cannot compare to Fugaku's status in both the clan and the village.

For your own future, just consider him a clansman worthy of respect, but don't openly express your support."

His voice grew softer and softer, and he finally sighed helplessly, "Alas, political struggles are far more cruel than you think..."