Join the Military Squad!

"Meeting you is nothing but bad luck!"

On the horizon, two small figures pushed two carts side by side, drawing lines with lime as they moved forward.

One walked straight and silent, while the other swayed unsteadily, complaining incessantly.

"Can you just shut up?"

I had been listening to Kusama Shigeo chatter the entire way, and I was so annoyed I truly wanted to seal his mouth shut with steel wire!

"Are you thinking about sealing my mouth with steel wire?" He laughed arrogantly. "Let me tell you, we're teammates now. If I can't finish the mission, you can't either!"

"Besides, I'm a medical ninja. I can save your life on the battlefield, so you'd better show me some respect. It would be best if you knelt down right now and called me Master Shigeo; I might consider forgiving your previous crimes! Let me tell you, I am—mmph mmph mmph—!!"

Several ropes bound his mouth, leaving only his nostrils to breathe.

Two steel wire locks secured his hands and feet. I kicked Kusama Shigeo to the ground, where he rolled and squirmed, unable to flip over no matter how hard he tried—a truly ridiculous sight.

I didn't say a word, grabbed his cart, took one in each hand, and continued forward.

Ah, the air was finally fresh.

However, by the time the sun hid its last glimmer of light beneath the horizon, I had only completed one-third of the land.

A cold wind brushed past my hair, and as I looked at the boundless rocky terrain before me, I completely froze.

QAQ I don't want to do this anymore!!

"Not allowed to use ninjutsu... this is just torture..."

Rubbing my hands together, I hesitated for a long time before putting down the carts. I turned back to find the spot where I'd left Kusama Shigeo, only to discover that aside from a pile of steel wire and rope, he had long since run off! On the ground, there was even a graffiti drawing of a pig's head with four words written next to it—

"Stu! pid! Chi! Yue!"

"Damn it, you run fast!"

I stomped my feet in frustration, then calmed down and let out a long sigh. After oscillating several times between despair and renewed determination, I finally sniffled, returned to the road, and dragged the two carts that were freezing to the touch.

I may not be a powerhouse, but I am not someone who gives up easily.

So be it, if I'm a fool, I'm a fool.

The night wind was already biting, and after the sun went down, it scraped against my face like a knife. I wrapped my mother's scarf tighter, breathed out to warm my hands, and inched forward step by step.

I don't know how much time passed, but the stars had moved directly overhead. I looked up to see a bright moon hanging in the dark blue sky, illuminating patches of mist-like clouds—beautiful and vast.

It was just like the time several years ago when I woke up in the training grounds of the Uchiha clan.

What was I living for back then?

It was Mother, I suppose...

But now, my heart is filled with so many people, including Itachi... Shisui... Obito... Kuixing...

I feel my heart is full, overflowing with a sense of happiness.

I want to protect them, and I want to protect the village we live in together—Konoha.

This is the meaning of my existence.

My chest suddenly warmed up, my body was no longer cold, and strength surged through me once more.

Because I am not alone!

Looking ahead, the brownish-earth land was endless, the horizon almost curved, carrying starlight and moonlight like water—it was indescribably beautiful.

I grew excited, clenched my numb, frozen hands, and took a long stride forward.

The road has only just begun; I cannot stop here!

Early in the morning, a ray of orange light shone upon the ramparts, piercing the entrance of the underground fortress and spilling into the room.

In the Northern Theater, the sentry woke up as usual. He rolled up his bedding and jumped onto the ramparts, only to be astonished to find that the entire expanse of land had been partitioned by white lime, laid out neatly, with not a single error within his line of sight!

He looked at the scene before him and sighed in genuine admiration:

"That is truly impressive."

"You just wait."

At the 12th Military Division, I, who hadn't slept all night, stood in stark contrast to the vibrant Kusama Shigeo. Orochimaru had already returned and was in the same spot as yesterday, flipping through files.

"Your mission was completed well," he praised, though his gaze was fixed only on me, his snake-like pupils glinting with a dark golden light.

"Next, change your clothes and prepare to join the squad."

"Change clothes? Join the squad?" I was stunned. Beside me, Kusama Shigeo was already shouting excitedly—"We're joining an elite squad!"

A ninja suddenly appeared beside me, holding a large pack of equipment, which he handed to me without warning. I scrambled to catch it and was immediately forced back a step by the weight.

So heavy!

"The chunin originally assigned to you was ambushed and died on the front lines. Your team cannot be formed for the time being. For now, I can only draft you into my unit while we wait for orders from above." Orochimaru smiled, his tone very indifferent, but I furrowed my brows, feeling a complicated mix of emotions in my heart.

War is like a roaring steamroller, and human lives are but the grass beneath its treads; crushed to pulp, they leave no trace, only dissolving into the soil along with blood and tears.

"Akatsuki, Shigeo, your identities are different." Orochimaru walked over and instructed, "On the battlefield, you must be prepared to die, yet you must maintain a rational fear, because you cannot afford to die."

I was stunned for a moment.

Indeed, with my current status, dying would be quite troublesome.

"Furthermore, we are in wartime. You must not let your guard down on any mission. I do not wish to see any issues arise under my watch." Orochimaru leaned in toward me, his cold pressure descending: "Especially you. You must not have a single moment of laxity."

It felt like being stared at by a snake.

"If you understand, assemble at the West Training Ground in five minutes."

Leaving behind that final sentence, Orochimaru vanished in an instant.

In the changing room stood a small, thin child with brows tightly furrowed.

Military uniforms are designed for combat. Arm guards, knee pads, leather gauntlets reinforced with iron plates, flexible brown chest armor, a black form-fitting undershirt and trousers, and ninja shoes designed for long-distance trekking. Add in some medicine and military rations, and you have the standard kit for a battlefield ninja.

The clothes and shoes were a bit too large. I pulled the buckles to the final holes, but accidentally pinched my skin, causing me to yelp in pain as I struggled for ages to free myself.

I mimicked the others, putting on each piece one by one and tying every knot, until it finally fit—though I looked rather ridiculous.

Sighing, I endured the mocking gazes in the changing room, strapped Murasame to my back, and hurried toward the West Training Ground.

A squad had already gathered there.

It was a squad of over a dozen people, most of whom were adults judging by their height. There were both men and women, clad in combat gear and carrying weapons. Everyone stood solemnly under the sun of the training ground like sharpened blades, radiating a chilling aura.

As expected of Orochimaru's unit; even their presence was identical.

I walked over step by step and stood beside Kusama Shigeo.

"Why were you so slow changing? You're like a girl!" He shifted to the side, putting some distance between us.

"None of your damn business."

"You—!!"

I looked at everything before me, feeling as though this scene were deja vu, as if I had entered a military academy once again after graduating from the Ninja Academy.

But these people were not comparable to students at the Ninja Academy. And I was no longer a genius standing above the rest.

Here, I was just a little piece of trash.

At least I had that much self-awareness.

"Uchiha Akatsuki, Kusama Shigeo, your new teammates."

Without even a proper introduction, just a mention of our names, Orochimaru ordered us to join the ranks.

In that moment, a sense of disappointment permeated my chest.

I had longed for a four-man cell, like Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—with a strong, reliable teacher, comrades to entrust my back to, enduring friendship, and bonds that could never be severed... rather than drifting among a group of war weapons like this, completing missions merely for the sake of completion.

My expectations for ninja life dissipated significantly at that moment.

Children who grow up in war always lose something along the way.