The Will to Follow

"Are you saying you want to transfer to Military Headquarters?"

In an unnamed forest, the border squad was taking a break. The captain looked at Uchiha Shisui with disapproval.

"May I know why?"

"I have a reason I have to go."

The captain fell silent. Shisui didn't look like he'd brought it up on a whim. It seemed more like the result of careful consideration, so the captain could only try to dissuade him. "Shisui, with your current service record, you can apply for a position in Lord Hokage's personal unit after the war ends."

In the bushes nearby, Zi Luochun lay against a tree trunk, holding her breath as she quietly listened to their conversation.

"And Military Headquarters is very selective about who gets in and who gets out. The entire department is under the direct command of Orochimaru and Lord Danzo. Even Lord Hokage might not be able to interfere, let alone me." The captain looked at Shisui and lowered his voice. "I don't know why you want to go there. Although they coordinate with us from time to time, they're still an organization based outside the village."

Shisui remained silent, but he clearly hadn't been swayed.

"Shisui, I know Lord Hokage has high hopes for you, so think carefully about whether that place is right for you. Give some thought to your future before you decide." The captain sighed, his brow furrowing.

"Of course, if you're determined to go to Military Headquarters, I can write and ask on your behalf. But you'll need to achieve even more so the higher-ups take notice. Then you might have a chance of transferring."

"Thank you." Only then did Shisui look up, his eyes bright.

"I know it won't be easy. Sorry for the trouble."

"It's no problem. You're the most talented person under my command, and I hope you'll continue to advance while following your own will. As your captain, that would make me very proud."

Shisui smiled and was about to leave, but the captain called after him. "This month's supplies have arrived. Tell the others to get ready. We're heading to the supply station right away."

Shisui's eyes flickered. "Yes, sir."

"Senpai, are you going to Military Headquarters?"

On the way, Zi Luochun asked cautiously, turning to look at the black-haired boy leaping along beside her.

She wasn't sure if she should ask, but ever since she'd heard the news, she'd been restless. After holding it in for so long, she finally asked.

"No. I haven't decided yet."

Zi Luochun lowered her head. She didn't know why Shisui-senpai always kept things from her, and it made her sad.

After a long while, she spoke again. "Senpai... as far as I know, Military Headquarters is full of desperados. Besides carrying out their commanders' orders, they also have activities they don't report. And even—"

Even a lot of darkness we couldn't imagine was being carried out there.

Shisui glanced at her. "Don't tell anyone else about this."

As Zi Luochun watched Uchiha Shisui speed ahead, a pang of sorrow welled up inside her. She paused, silently watching his retreating figure. Her fists clenched, and her fighting spirit flared again.

If Shisui-senpai really went to Military Headquarters, she'd have to work hard and try to transfer there too!

Half a day later, they reached the supply station.

Shisui and his group had just been let inside when a loud greeting rang out.

"Hey, Shisui! Long time no see!"

Shisui looked up. A boy was waving at him, a copied form in his hand and a lazy smile on his face. He seemed completely untouched by the tension of wartime.

That was right. The supply station was heavily guarded. Those stationed here were either powerful figures in charge of holding the fort or support staff with limited combat ability. Compared with the fighting outside, this place was peaceful and secure.

"Business is good, A-Yong?" Shisui walked over, greeting several officers along the way before stopping beside the boy and patting him on the shoulder—

They hadn't seen each other in a while, not since graduating from the academy.

"Yeah... I've missed you so much. But security here is too strict. I can't get out, and you can't get in. We have to wait a month or two for personnel to rotate. I'm going stir-crazy." Hyuga Isamu rolled his eyes. "I shouldn't have listened to my brother and become a supply clerk. Fighting is so much more fun."

Shisui smiled and casually asked, "How's your brother doing?"

"No idea. I haven't seen him in almost half a year. The occasional letter gets sent back by a Ninja Hawk. I have no clue what he's so busy with." Hyuga Isamu muttered, then suddenly grabbed Shisui's hand and pleaded with shining eyes. "Shisui, I heard your border squad goes on long missions and gets to travel around the neighboring countries—"

"Help me out. Get your captain to get me out of here!"

"Sure. Just give me twenty pounds of Military Ration Pills."

Shisui smiled at Hyuga Isamu, and managed to bring the ridiculous boy back to reality with an even more ridiculous offer.

Hyuga Isamu groaned and collapsed onto the table. If he'd been allowed, he might have rolled his eyes back and foamed at the mouth.

Shisui couldn't help laughing. Knowing he couldn't rely on him, he distributed the squad's supplies himself. As he filled out the form, he warned Hyuga Isamu, "A-Yong, even though it's safe here, you still have to stay alert and keep training. You can't just do nothing."

The fighting between Sunagakure and Konoha was stable for now, but if another great nation joined in or took advantage of the situation, those of them on standby would have no choice but to go to the front.

After all, even students from the Ninja Academy were being sent straight to the war zone.

"Of course I train," Hyuga Isamu said, finally recovering. He pointed at his eyes, looking smug. "I can use my Byakugan to find cargo now! Pretty impressive, huh?"

Shisui smiled and sighed, but didn't reply.

A visual jutsu capable of seeing through anything was being used to find cargo. It was a bit of a waste.

But Hyuga Isamu's talent was limited. His Byakugan had only just awakened at the age of eleven, so being able to see through cargo was already quite impressive.

Not everyone was a genius.

This world had to make room for ordinary people, too.

"Hey, Shisui!" After a moment, Hyuga Isamu grew mysterious again. "I heard your unit keeps earning distinction, and even the elders have noticed what a talent you are!"

The elders he meant were the real power brokers among Konoha High Command, the ones who held the village's reins. They included Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and the others who could speak face-to-face with the daimyo of the Land of Fire.

Hyuga Isamu leaned closer, acting like they were old pals.

"Once you get promoted, don't forget about me, buddy~"

Though Shisui was very young, those who survived the battlefield and made a name for themselves were without exception the future pillars and elite of Konoha.

Namikaze Minato was one such person, and so was Uchiha Shisui.

The latter, however, was held back by his clan and wasn't widely celebrated by Konoha. But his brilliance could no longer be concealed. It could be said that whenever people mentioned the Uchiha Clan, they mentioned Uchiha Shisui. This rising star, whose enemies remembered him through fear and death, had truly emerged.

"Even if I get promoted, I'll still have to eat the rations you put together, won't I?" Shisui picked up a torn sack and found that the grain had spilled out, giving off a stale smell. He couldn't help shaking his head.

"Try to take things seriously, at least so your brother can worry less about you."

Hyuga Isamu snorted, his mood darkening for once.

"Who knows what he's doing lately? He hasn't even sent me a letter. He left me here all alone, and I'm about to grow mold!" After venting, Hyuga Isamu sighed and slumped back over the table, muttering to himself.

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

"Senpai, we're ready to go. The new mission has come in!"

Shisui was about to comfort him when someone called out. He turned and saw Zi Luochun and the others ready to leave, waiting for him at the supply station's gate.

Once they left, it would be at least another half month before they came back.

Seeing Shisui stand, Hyuga Isamu suddenly panicked.

"You're leaving already? Wait!" He rummaged through the cargo for a while and managed to find several fresh fruits and some rare rice balls, along with other delicacies. Pretending to be generous, he handed them to Shisui, unable to hide the smug little smile at the corner of his mouth—

"Here, you're heading out again, right? Keep these for the road. My treat!"

Shisui chuckled, took them, and put them inside his vest.

"Thanks, A-Yong."

Shisui turned and started toward his companions, then seemed to remember something and called back, "A-Yong."

"Yeah?"

Hyuga Isamu had already been watching him. Their eyes met, and a breeze seemed to pass by. It was as if something had entranced him, and he fell completely silent.

Uchiha Shisui watched him as the red in his eyes slowly faded. He turned away, leaving his final words hanging in the air, their last syllable carried off by the wind.

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

Just keep living an ordinary life like this.