The Will to Follow

"You mean to say, you want to transfer to the Military Headquarters?"

In an unnamed forest, the border squad was resting. The captain looked at Uchiha Shisui before him, his expression one of disapproval.

"May I know the reason?"

"There are reasons I must go."

The captain fell silent. Seeing that Shisui's expression was not one of a fleeting whim but rather the result of deep deliberation, he could only advise: "Shisui, with your current military merits, once the war ends, you could easily apply for a position in the units directly under the Hokage."

In the nearby thicket, Zi Luochun lay prone on a tree branch, holding her breath and listening quietly to their conversation.

"Besides, the Military Headquarters is a place where entry and exit are strictly controlled. The entire department is under the direct jurisdiction of Orochimaru and Danzo. Never mind me, even the Hokage might not be able to intervene." The captain looked at Shisui, lowering his voice: "I don't know why you want to go to the Military Headquarters; while that place coordinates with us to some extent, it is, after all, an organization established outside the village."

Shisui remained silent, but it was clear he was not swayed.

"Shisui, I know the current Hokage thinks highly of you, so you should carefully consider whether that place is suitable for you. Think about your future before making a decision." The captain sighed, his brow furrowed.

"Of course, if you are determined to go to the Military Headquarters, I can write a letter to inquire for you, but you will need to achieve even greater results for the higher-ups to see before a transfer can be successful."

"Thank you," Shisui said, finally looking up, his eyes bright.

"I know this is not an easy task, and I am sorry to trouble you."

"It's no trouble. As the most outstanding talent under my command, I hope you can reach even greater heights while following your own will. If you do, I, as your captain, will be very gratified."

Shisui smiled and was about to leave when the captain called him back: "This month's supplies have arrived. Go tell the others to pack up; we are leaving for the supply station immediately."

Shisui's gaze flickered, and he replied, "Understood."

"Senior, are you really going to the Military Headquarters?"

On the road, Zi Luochun spoke cautiously, tilting her head to look at the black-haired youth leaping beside her.

In truth, she wasn't sure if she should ask this question, but ever since she heard the news, she had been anxious. After holding it in for a long time, she finally asked.

"No, nothing is confirmed yet."

Zi Luochun lowered her head. She didn't know why Senior Shisui always kept her at a distance, and she felt a pang of sadness.

After a long while, she spoke again: "Senior... as far as I know, the Military Headquarters is full of desperate people. Aside from carrying out the commander's missions, they have activities that are never reported, and even—"

There was even much darkness, things they couldn't even imagine, taking place within.

Hearing this, Shisui merely glanced at her and said in a low voice, "Don't speak of these things to anyone else."

Zi Luochun watched Uchiha Shisui accelerate and dash forward, feeling a bitter ache in her heart. Her footsteps faltered for a moment, and as she watched his retreating figure, she clenched her fists, her fighting spirit reigniting.

If Senior Shisui really was going to the Military Headquarters, she would have to work hard and strive to get transferred there as well!

Half a day later, they reached the supply station.

As soon as Shisui's group was cleared for entry, they heard a loud shout.

"Yo, Shisui, long time no see!"

Shisui looked up to see a youth waving at him, holding a clipboard, a lazy smile on his face, completely devoid of the tension of wartime.

Indeed, the supply station was heavily guarded. Those stationed here were either powerhouse figures holding the fort or logistics personnel with limited combat capability. Compared to the fires of war outside, this place seemed peaceful and stable.

"Business is good, A-Yong?" Shisui approached, greeting a few officers along the way, and walked up to the youth to pat him on the shoulder—

They hadn't seen each other for a while since graduating from the academy.

"Yeah... I've been dying to see you, but the inspections here are too strict. I can't get out, and you can't get in. I have to wait a month or two for any personnel movement. It's bored me to death." Hyuga Isamu rolled his eyes. "I shouldn't have listened to my brother and become a supply clerk. Fighting in the war is so much more interesting."

Shisui smiled and asked casually, "How is your brother doing lately?"

"Not sure. I haven't seen him in almost half a year. The occasional letter comes back via ninja hawk; I really don't know what he's so busy with." Hyuga Isamu muttered, then suddenly grabbed Shisui's hands, begging with stars in his eyes: "Shisui, I heard your border squads go on long-distance missions and can visit the outskirts of various countries—"

"Do me a favor and get your captain to pull me out of here!"

"No problem, just give me twenty pounds of military rations."

Shisui looked at Hyuga Isamu with a smile, successfully using an even more absurd method to bring the absurd Hyuga Isamu back to reality.

Hyuga Isamu wailed and slumped over the table; if it were possible, his eyes would have rolled back and white foam would be bubbling from his mouth.

Shisui couldn't help but laugh. Knowing he couldn't rely on him, he began to distribute the squad's items himself. While filling out the forms, he warned Hyuga Isamu: "A-Yong, even though it's safe here, you must remain vigilant and continue your training. You can't just do nothing."

Although the war situation between Sunagakure and Konoha was currently stable, if other major nations intervened or took advantage of the chaos, then even support personnel like them would be forced onto the battlefield.

After all, even students from the ninja academy were being sent directly to the war zones.

"Of course I'm training," Hyuga Isamu said, finally recovering, pointing to his eyes triumphantly—"I can already use my Byakugan to locate cargo! Isn't that amazing!"

Shisui sighed with a smile and didn't reply.

A dōjutsu capable of seeing through everything was being used to find cargo; it was a bit of a waste of talent.

But Hyuga Isamu's aptitude was truly limited; his Byakugan had only barely awakened at the age of eleven, and being able to see through cargo now was already quite an achievement.

Not everyone was a genius.

In this world, there must always be room for ordinary people.

"Hey, Shisui!" After a moment, Hyuga Isamu grew mysterious again. "I heard your unit has been racking up merit, and even the Elders have taken notice of a talent like you!"

The Elders he spoke of were the true power-holders within the Konoha high command who controlled the village. This included the likes of Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura—figures capable of speaking face-to-face with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

Hyuga Isamu leaned in close, acting like they were the best of brothers.

"If you get a promotion, don't forget about your brother here~"

Although Shisui was very young, anyone who could survive on the battlefield and even carve out a reputation for themselves was, without exception, a future pillar and elite of Konoha.

Namikaze Minato was like this, and Uchiha Shisui was no different.

It was just that the latter, limited by his clan's connections, was not heavily promoted by Konoha, yet his brilliance could no longer be concealed. It could be said that whenever the Uchiha clan was mentioned, Uchiha Shisui was mentioned as well; this rising star, whom enemies remembered for fear and death, had thoroughly ascended.

"Even if I get promoted, don't I still have to eat the rations you prepare?" Shisui grabbed a damaged bag and discovered the grain inside had leaked out, emitting a stale odor, which made him shake his head involuntarily.

"Take things seriously for once, at least so your brother can be at ease and stop worrying about you."

Hyuga Isamu snorted, his mood turning uncharacteristically gloomy.

"Who knows what he's been busy with lately? Not even a single letter. He threw me here all by myself; I'm practically molding away!" After venting his temper, Hyuga Isamu sighed, slumped back onto the table, and muttered.

"What kind of brother is he anyway... he doesn't care about me at all..."

"Senior, we can set off now, the new mission has been issued!"

Just as Shisui was about to offer comfort, he heard a shout. He turned back to see Zi Luochun and the others fully prepared, waiting for him at the entrance of the supply station.

If he left now, it would be at least half a month before he could return.

Seeing Shisui stand up, Hyuga Isamu grew anxious.

"Leaving already? Wait a second!" He rummaged through the supplies for a long time and actually fished out several pieces of fresh fruit, along with rare rice balls and other exquisite food. He handed them to Shisui with a feigned air of generosity, unable to hide the smugness at the corners of his mouth—

"Here, you're going on a long trip again, keep these for the road. My treat!"

Shisui chuckled, reached out to take them, and tucked them into his robes.

"Thank you, A-Yong."

Shisui turned around and was about to walk toward his companions when he seemed to remember something. He looked back and called out, "A-Yong."

"Hm?"

Hyuga Isamu had been watching him, and as their eyes met, he felt a gentle breeze brush past. It was as if he had been captured by something, and he fell completely silent.

Uchiha Shisui gazed at him, the red in his eyes slowly fading. He turned back around, his final words lingering in the air, the tail end of his voice dissipating with the wind.

"A-Yong, I hope you never have to do anything that goes against your own will."

Just keep living this ordinary life, forever.