Say That Again, and I'll Kill You

After encountering the Fuma Clan, the rest of the escort journey became simple and uneventful.

Whether Arata's reputation had spread through that small town, or the later groups of bandits simply had better judgment and knew that a small merchant caravan capable of crossing the Land of Fields so easily and without the slightest dishevelment must have something to rely on, was unknown.

In any case, the mission was completed smoothly.

"Thank you. We could only reach the Land of Lightning safely this time because of you."

Kujo Sho, standing at the border, gave a slight bow.

He truly admired the boy before him.

It was not only because of his strength, but also because of his extreme self-discipline!

Even when they stayed out in the wilderness, even when the road was rough and bumpy, the kid never forgot to train and absorb other knowledge.

"Mm. We both got what we needed."

Arata shook his head and answered succinctly.

Along the way, he had also learned plenty of information that was not widely known from Kujo Sho.

For example, which routes could get one to the Land of Lightning more quickly; which cities' Daimyo were easier to deal with, and which were difficult to get along with.

Perhaps he could use that information in future missions.

"Here. This is your payment. I hope we'll have the chance to work together again."

Kujo Sho naturally had not forgotten the most important part and directly handed over the payment. As for what Konoha might think, that was outside his considerations.

In any case, he liked the boy in front of him. At worst, he could entrust all future missions entirely to the Uchiha Clan.

"Alright. Goodbye."

Arata nodded lightly and turned to leave.

He did not enter the Land of Lightning with them. After all, that power was openly collecting all sorts of special secret techniques. The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan was one of the things they coveted most, and because of it, that clan had once lost an elite jonin for no reason.

[Stage Mission: First Trial] had naturally been completed as well.

It was worth mentioning that this mission had been rated A-rank!

Mission Rewards: [Intermediate Contract Talisman x1, Skill Points x3]

That rating left Arata somewhat puzzled.

Although Kagerou was honored within the clan as its strongest jonin and carried out the duties of acting clan head, it seemed that he had not even displayed his true strength.

The Fuma Clan was indeed a small shinobi force, but its overall strength was still far too weak.

The entire A-rank mission had truly posed no difficulty at all.

Of course, perhaps he had merely exploited a loophole in the evaluation. If the shinobi blocking their path had come from one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, things would definitely have been entirely different.

The sense of threat that Root shinobi had given him last time remained vivid in his mind.

When he returned to Konoha, Arata did not head directly back to the clan compound. Instead, he went to the shopping street in Konoha's main district.

This was the first mission he had completed. He wanted to buy some things to bring back for Sister Izumi, Brother Shisui, and Yuki-onna.

Three-color dango was his first choice.

And then—

"Hey, did you hear? The Uchiha Clan's genius, Uchiha Shisui, committed suicide!"

Just as Arata was wandering around without any particular destination, he suddenly heard those words beside him.

The news was so direct that Arata froze where he stood.

"Yeah, I heard the Uchiha Clan refuses to accept it. They're searching for the killer like mad!"

A voice joined in agreement.

"Tsk, who told them to act so arrogantly all day long? Hmph, they've finally tasted the consequences."

There was even a hint of gloating in the response.

"Shut up!"

Arata suddenly roared toward the source of the voices.

Two men came into view. They wore Konoha Headbands and light green shinobi armor.

"You're lying!"

"It's all lies!"

"How could Brother Shisui be dead?"

"He was so strong! He was Body Flicker Shisui!!"

"Besides, he personally promised me that he would absolutely, absolutely be careful of Danzo."

"He also said he would protect the little brother he had just acknowledged forever and ever."

"He wouldn't lie to me!!"

"..."

Being rebuked in public, especially by someone who was clearly just an underage brat, made the two Chunin's faces turn pale and green.

If it had been an Uchiha Clan expert, then fine—they would endure it!

But what was a mere junior worth?

Did he really think this was the Uchiha Clan's shinobi village?

"Uchiha Shisui really is dead. His corpse was found in the Naka River within your clan grounds."

"You don't think someone could kill a person in the heart of your Uchiha Clan territory, do you?"

"Especially Shisui, who possessed the Body Flicker."

Uehara Munetomo spoke mockingly, a trace of delight filling his brown eyes.

Bullying children was not something worthy of praise.

But if that child was from the Uchiha Clan, or that fox demon, then it was another matter entirely.

"I told you to shut up. Didn't you hear me?"

Arata said word by word, suppressing his emotions as his scarlet Sharingan opened without warning.

"Demonic Illusion: Ignis Fatuus!"

Anyone who dared discuss his brother without permission was unforgivable!!

"Ah!"

Piercing screams suddenly erupted from the two Konoha Chunin. The agony of being engulfed in blazing flames instantly stripped away every bit of composure befitting Chunin.

The surrounding pedestrians hurriedly retreated, afraid of provoking the boy whose eyes brimmed with hatred.

During that time, members of the Military Police Force arrived. Yet after witnessing the scene, they all fell silent and subtly blocked the Anbu who had arrived at the same time outside the circle.

Without needing any words, they understood the cause of the incident.

They also shared the boy's pain.

"You!"

"You people!"

"Lord Hokage will... demand an explanation from you for us!"

Uehara Munetomo endured the inhuman torture and growled. His eyes had already filled with bloodshot veins, and hatred spread wildly within him. Damned Uchiha!

However, Arata felt nothing at all in the face of such a threat.

Clear Mirror, Still Water silently unfolded. An invisible force swept outward without restraint, and unlike the time in the mission hall, this time that pressure carried threads of bloodlust.

"Say that again, and I'll kill you."

Arata said softly.

After saying that, he turned and walked toward the clan compound.

"Brother Shisui, I've already taught those bastards spreading rumors about you a lesson."

"I also bought three-color dango. I bought it with the money I earned from my first mission~"

"I'm heading back now. We'll eat it together."

Two streams of tears quietly slid down Arata Uchiha's cheeks.

Yet he seemed entirely unaware of them.

"Thud."

Freed from the genjutsu and crushing pressure, Uehara Munetomo abruptly collapsed to the ground.

The hatred in his eyes had vanished at some unknown moment, replaced by fear!

"That guy!"

"That guy!!"

"He really would kill me!!"

An inexplicable certainty thundered through his heart. That unmistakable scent of blood was clearly the best proof that his hands had been stained with blood!

One had to know that even he, a Chunin, had never truly killed anyone!

"Madman!"

"Madman!!"

"Everyone in the Uchiha Clan is insane!!"