Strange Thieves

"The Fujiwara Mine is one of our clan's three major mines. It produces high-quality iron ore that is essential for forging almost all of our clan's ninja tools, with the surplus exported to various daimyo and generals. It is an extremely important source of revenue for the clan.

However, about half a month ago, five groups of bandits suddenly appeared. They have been harassing the mine's operations and robbing the ore shipments destined for the clan, causing severe losses and effectively bringing transportation to a standstill. If this continues for another month, the clan's financial losses will exceed one million."

Uchiha Tadashi pointed to the map of the mine on the table and introduced the situation earnestly to Uchiha Shin. The several routes he pointed out were the vital paths for transporting the ore, all of which had now been cut off by the bandits.

Shin stared at the map, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Have you engaged them in combat? Logically speaking, you are also clan ninja. Even if you are just ordinary genin, dealing with bandits shouldn't be a problem. How could they cut off your trade routes? Do they have ninja as well?"

Uchiha Tadashi gave a wry smile and said, "Indeed. I clashed with one of the bandit groups, and that group had two chunin. I was no match for them, so I retreated to request reinforcements from the clan. Others have also discovered traces of ninja among the other bandit groups, though we cannot confirm their ranks."

Shin watched the map quietly, analyzing the intelligence he had heard. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something strange about this matter.

Slap!

A rough palm slammed onto the map in front of him, and a large face reeking of alcohol appeared. Shin frowned in annoyance. He recognized this face; it was one of the five genin stationed here, a man named Uchiha Kyo.

"Kid, stop putting on an act. I don't know why the clan sent a brat like you, but this isn't a place for you. You'd better go back home and drink your milk, and let the clan send some real ninja!"

Shin hated being interrupted while thinking, and the rudeness of this genin only deepened his disgust, causing his gaze to turn icy.

"Haha, look at this, everyone! This kid's look is so scary, just like a little tiger baring its fangs... oh, wait, I should say it's like an angry little kitten, a little calico cat... haha!"

The other genin nearby chimed in with loud laughter, their mockery undisguised.

Because the Fujiwara Mine was so close to the clan, it was essentially under the clan's direct control. Consequently, the ninja guarding it were, to some extent, a forgotten group. As long as they supervised the miners daily, they received little attention from the clan. They had long harbored resentment, and seeing that the clan had sent a child, they became even more indignant, leading to the current scene.

Uchiha Tadashi looked embarrassed. Although he was also dissatisfied that the clan had only sent a child, this was still a junior from the clan. He felt they should have just politely advised him to leave and asked the clan to send someone else, rather than targeting a child like this.

"A little calico cat?!"

Shin muttered the words, a cold smirk appearing on his face as he slowly stood up.

"Oh, so what if I said you're a little calico cat? Are you thinking of making a move? Your expression is quite convincing, but let this uncle tell you, this world relies on strength... Hmph..."

Bang!

Before he could finish his sentence, his entire body was struck by a massive force and sent flying backward. With a loud crash, he slammed into the wall, the intense impact causing fine cracks to spiderweb across the surface. He lost consciousness immediately, unable to withstand the violent force.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye; no one had even seen how Shin made his move.

"Laugh, why don't you keep laughing!"

Uchiha Shin turned his head and swept his gaze over the four genin who had just been laughing heartily. His eyes had transformed into an eerie red, and the three tomoe within them were clearly visible.

"Gk... gk... gk..."

Everything had happened too suddenly. Even now, their brains hadn't processed what had occurred. Their smiles remained frozen on their faces, their expressions twisted and strange, emitting weird, guttural sounds.

"Three... three tomoe!" Uchiha Tadashi took a step back, his face full of shock, muttering unconsciously: "How is it possible? Three tomoe... how could three tomoe appear on a child!"

The other four genin could only stare blankly at the three tomoe in his eyes, their minds struggling to even function. Wasn't the three-tomoe state something only the clan's jonin could reach? How could it appear on a child? What had happened to this world?

Shin sat down slowly, the three tomoe in his eyes rotating and fading back to their normal color. He said calmly, "Continue briefing me on the situation with these bandits!"

Uchiha Tadashi gave a start and hurried to Shin's side. His attitude changed completely, becoming entirely respectful as he pointed to the map and began to detail the situation of each bandit group. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding this child, the three-tomoe Sharingan was not a fake; that was enough. In the Uchiha clan, the level of one's Sharingan was a symbol of status.

Shin listened quietly without interrupting. After Uchiha Tadashi finished, he tapped his right hand rhythmically against the table. After a long while, he said, "Something is wrong."

Uchiha Tadashi was stunned and asked instinctively, "What?"

Shin said flatly, "The situation is too bizarre. I can't see the purpose of these bandits. What exactly do they want?"

Uchiha Tadashi smiled, shaking his head inwardly. Even if he was a genius, he was still just a child; he couldn't even see the bandits' obvious goal. He said, "This is a mine. The ore produced here is famous even throughout the Warring States period. Their goal is obviously the ore."

Shin turned his head and looked at him strangely, asking earnestly, "What do they want the ore for?"

Uchiha Tadashi felt a bit stifled. This child has great strength, but why is his brain so slow? Could this be the price for awakening the three-tomoe at such a young age?

"They want the ore to forge weapons, of course. Wait... forge weapons?" Uchiha Tadashi was suddenly startled, realizing something as he looked at Shin in surprise.

Seeing that he understood his point, Shin continued, "Exactly. Ore is an important resource, yes, but ore is not equivalent to weapons, nor is it even equivalent to iron. The iron ore produced at Fujiwara Mine requires professional smelting to remove impurities before it can become iron, and turning it into weapons requires even more specialized methods. These bandits have none of that. To them, the ore is just useless rock. Tell me, would anyone go out of their way to rob useless rocks?"

Uchiha Tadashi shook his head blankly, staring at Shin in a daze, the word "monster" echoing in his mind.

Shin ignored him and continued to himself, "Furthermore, this is an Uchiha clan property, and it's close to the clan's location. A jonin could arrive in less than a day. They actually have the audacity to rob here and blockade the trade route? This is no longer about seeking wealth; it's bordering on suicide. How could there be such stupid bandits in the world? Don't you agree?"

Shin smiled at Uchiha Tadashi and asked softly.

Uchiha Tadashi could only nod woodenly.