The Mission

"To add a little insurance...!"

Uchiha Tajima's smile faded. He turned to Uchiha Shin and spoke with a serious expression.

"Add a little insurance?"

Uchiha Shin looked puzzled.

"The Hagoromo Clan and the Senju Clan are enemies."

"Although the Hagoromo Clan never allied with the Uchiha Clan before, we've always kept in contact."

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

"By that logic, the Hagoromo Clan could become an ally of the Uchiha Clan."

Uchiha Tajima explained.

"Also, although the Uchiha Clan has contacted several other ninja clans for this mission, and we'll be able to retaliate against them afterward, if necessary..."

"Those clans are fine when things are going smoothly, but if the situation turns bad, we definitely can't count on them."

"So, in my view, those clans will serve only as cannon fodder."

"That's why this escort mission needs a powerful ally who won't turn against us and will truly fight alongside us."

"The Hagoromo Clan is a good fit."

"Although the Uchiha Clan will have to give up a large share of the benefits, it'll be worth it."

After explaining all that, Uchiha Tajima fell silent.

Some things were only clear when you looked at them from the position of a clan head.

As for whether Uchiha Shin understood, that depended on his insight.

Hearing Uchiha Tajima's reasoning, Uchiha Shin thought it over. It did seem like they should bring the Hagoromo Clan in.

After all, Uchiha Tajima and Uchiha Shin both believed there was definitely a conspiracy behind this mission.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire was certainly involved, and the Senju Clan was also highly suspect.

As for who else might be involved, Uchiha Shin couldn't make any guesses with the limited information he had.

But just as Uchiha Tajima had said...

The Hagoromo Clan would never stand by and watch the Uchiha Clan's strength be weakened during this mission.

The Hagoromo Clan's leader surely knew that if the Uchiha Clan fell, the Hagoromo Clan would be next in line to become the Senju Clan's first target.

Everyone understood the principle that when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.

So, having the Uchiha Clan standing in front of them was actually a good thing for the Hagoromo Clan, too.

It looked like they'd have to deal with things as they came during this escort mission.

That was all Uchiha Shin could think.

"Looks like you understand now, Shin."

Seeing the dawning realization on Uchiha Shin's face, Uchiha Tajima felt pleased.

That's my son, haha.

Uchiha Tajima was delighted.

"By the way, what brings you here?"

As if remembering something, Uchiha Tajima casually asked Uchiha Shin.

"Well, we're leaving soon to carry out the escort mission, right?"

"I came to ask you for a requisition slip so I can go to the supply depot and collect my equipment!"

Uchiha Shin quickly explained his main reason for coming to the Briefing Room.

Then he listed the types and quantities of equipment he needed.

"So that's it. I understand."

"Wait a moment. I'll write you a slip now."

After hearing why Uchiha Shin had come, Uchiha Tajima immediately took a thick ledger from the pile of documents on his desk.

He opened it to the latest blank page and quickly wrote out a requisition slip. Then he tore out the page.

Looking at the two remaining copies in the ledger, Uchiha Shin couldn't help thinking to himself:

Three copies...

Triplicate forms? What is this...

Heh, who said the people back then were stupid? They even had something like triplicate forms during the Warring States Period in the Naruto world.

"Then, Father, I'll be going."

"All right, go ahead!"

Uchiha Shin put away the slip, said goodbye to Uchiha Tajima, then turned and left the Briefing Room, heading for the supply depot.

The supply depot was actually quite close to the Briefing Room.

After walking for a little while, Uchiha Shin reached its entrance.

"Big Brother Kenichi, I'm here to collect equipment. Here's the requisition slip."

Uchiha Shin greeted Uchiha Kenichi with a cheerful smile. He was both the guard and the supply depot's quartermaster.

"Shin, are you heading out on a mission?"

"I can't believe you passed the clan's trial and became a ninja so soon!"

"Congratulations!"

"Haha..."

Uchiha Kenichi laughed happily and took the requisition slip from Uchiha Shin.

"Wow, that's quite a list."

"But we've got everything in stock. I'll get it all together for you right away."

Uchiha Kenichi glanced at the slip, then turned and went into the supply depot to gather Uchiha Shin's equipment.

Ten minutes later, Uchiha Kenichi came back with a bamboo basket.

"Here, this is what you wanted, kid."

"Check the numbers. If anything's missing, let me know."

Uchiha Kenichi set the basket down in front of Uchiha Shin.

Uchiha Shin crouched down and carefully examined the equipment in the basket, checking its quality as he went.

"Shuriken."

"Kunai."

"Wire."

"Military Ration Pills."

"Explosive Tags."

"Short blades."

"Signal flares."

Uchiha Shin took out the equipment one type at a time and sorted it by use, putting it into his ninja tool pouch and first-aid kit.

"Okay, Big Brother Kenichi, all the types and quantities are right."

"I'll get going. I'll come visit you again when I have time."

Uchiha Shin slung the short blade over his back.

"Oh, Big Brother Kenichi..."

Uchiha Shin was about to leave, but seemed to remember something. He turned around and called out to Uchiha Kenichi again.

"If I wanted to have some ninja tools custom-made, like shuriken, short blades, or kunai..."

"Big Brother Kenichi, do you have any recommendations?"

Uchiha Shin wanted to have a set of ninja tools made to suit him, so he asked Uchiha Kenichi for advice.

"I see..."

"You're right. Having tools that suit you can make a huge difference in battle."

"I don't think the Uchiha Clan has any craftspeople like that."

Uchiha Kenichi immediately understood why Uchiha Shin wanted custom-made ninja tools.

"Where the border between the Land of Iron and the Land of Fire meets the edge of the Gekko Clan's territory..."

"There's a black market nearby. One of the ninja clans there is famous for raising Ninja Cats."

"Of course, that clan is also a family of black-market traders."

"The person in charge is called Cat Granny. It seems every generation's leader has used that name."

"Cat Granny accepts custom orders for ninja tools, and her prices are fair. Her craftsmanship is quite good, too."

"You can even find some rare metals there."

"But it'll cost you a bit more."

"If you have time, you can check it out."

Uchiha Kenichi cheerfully shared what he knew.

"Cat Granny?"

Uchiha Shin repeated the name to himself. It sounded strangely familiar.

"All right, I'll keep that in mind, Big Brother Kenichi."

"Thanks!"

Having gotten the information he wanted, Uchiha Shin said goodbye to Uchiha Kenichi with a smile, then headed straight home.