Konoha Year 37, January 3.
Only two days had passed since the New Year when Team 7 received orders to report to the Hokage Building...
"What do you think Lord Hokage wants with us?" Akaseki asked eagerly, practically buzzing with excitement.
When Akaseki woke up at his clan's training ground that morning, a clansman had come to inform him that Lord Hokage wished to see him. Ranwu and Minato had received the same notice.
"It should be... about the Land of Rain," Ranwu said, looking slightly nervous.
"Is it finally our turn to go to war?" Akaseki's voice brimmed with anticipation.
As an Uchiha, Akaseki was a textbook case of someone who delighted at the mention of battle.
Even though death notices had already returned to the clan over the past month, Akaseki had no fear of heading to the battlefield.
"The reason they specifically summoned us is probably because we'll be among the first Chunin under sixteen to go to war. But... I don't think we'll be on the front lines. We'll probably be assigned to a support unit," Minato speculated.
By the time they had finished guessing, the three had arrived outside the Hokage Office.
"Come in," the Third's voice called from within.
Hearing that, Akaseki pushed the door open and led the way inside.
Besides the Third and Shimura Danzō, who was practically always there, three others stood in the office—Shinnosuke Sarutobi, Inuzuka Tsume, and Shibi Aburame.
"Lord Hokage. Shimura's adviser."
The three spoke in unison. As usual, Akaseki did not greet Shimura Danzō. Everyone had long grown accustomed to it, and Sarutobi, who knew of the tension between them, did not remind him again.
"I called you here this time... because the fighting on the Land of Rain battlefield has grown increasingly intense. So... Konoha needs