Mission (4)

"To add a layer of insurance...!"

Uchiha Tajima withdrew his smile, then spoke to Uchiha Shin with great solemnity.

"Add a layer of insurance?"

Uchiha Shin was somewhat puzzled.

"The Hagoromo Clan and the Senju Clan are hostile toward one another."

"Although the Hagoromo Clan has never allied with our Uchiha Clan before, we have always maintained communication."

"The enemy of an enemy is a friend."

"Following that logic, the Hagoromo Clan can be a natural ally to our Uchiha Clan."

Uchiha Tajima explained to Uchiha Shin.

"Furthermore, while our Uchiha Clan has contacted several other ninja clans for this mission and possesses the strength to retaliate against them afterward, that is not the point."

"These clans are fine when the wind is at their backs, but if the situation turns dire, they certainly cannot be relied upon."

"Therefore, in my view, the only role these clans can play is that of cannon fodder."

"That is why, for this escort mission, our Uchiha Clan must have a powerful ally that will not betray us and will put in real effort."

"The Hagoromo Clan is very suitable."

"Even though our Uchiha Clan will have to concede a large portion of the benefits, it is well worth it."

After Uchiha Tajima finished speaking, he fell silent.

After all, some things can only be seen clearly when standing at the height of a clan head.

As for whether Uchiha Shin understood, that would depend on his own insight.

Hearing Uchiha Tajima's reasoning, Uchiha Shin thought it over carefully; it did indeed seem necessary to bring the Hagoromo Clan into the fold.

One had to realize that regarding the mission behind this request, Uchiha Tajima and Uchiha Shin both agreed that there was undoubtedly a conspiracy afoot.

The known participants in this conspiracy certainly included the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, and the Senju Clan was also highly suspect.

As for who else might be involved, intelligence was limited, and Uchiha Shin could not deduce it.

However, just as Uchiha Tajima had said earlier...

During this escort mission, the Hagoromo Clan would absolutely not stand by and watch the Uchiha Clan's strength be whittled away.

Because the head of the Hagoromo Clan surely knew that if the Uchiha Clan were brought down, the Hagoromo Clan would inevitably be the first to bear the brunt of the Senju Clan's focus.

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

Therefore, having the Uchiha Clan standing in front was actually a good thing for the Hagoromo Clan.

It seems that for this escort mission, I will just have to take things as they come.

Uchiha Shin could only think this to himself.

"It seems you have figured it out, Shin."

Seeing the look of realization on Uchiha Shin's face, Uchiha Tajima felt a sense of gratification.

He is worthy of being my son, haha.

Uchiha Tajima thought happily to himself.

"By the way, what did you come here for?"

As if suddenly remembering something, Uchiha Tajima looked at Uchiha Shin and asked casually.

"Well, aren't we leaving in two days for the escort mission?"

"I came here because I wanted Father to write me a slip so I can go to the equipment depot and collect my gear!"

Uchiha Shin quickly stated the main purpose of his visit to the briefing room.

He then told Uchiha Tajima the types and quantities of equipment he required.

"So that's how it is, I understand."

"Wait a moment, I will write you a slip right now."

Upon hearing Uchiha Shin's intent, Uchiha Tajima immediately pulled a thick booklet from the pile of documents on his desk.

He opened the booklet, flipped to the latest blank page, scribbled out the requisition slip, and tore the page off.

Looking at the two remaining stubs in the booklet, Uchiha Shin couldn't help but want to complain.

Triplicate copies...

A three-part invoice, is this...

Heh, who says the natives are stupid? Look at this, in the Warring States Period of the ninja world, something like a three-part invoice has already appeared.

"Then, Father, I will take my leave."

"Mm, go ahead!"

Uchiha Shin put away the slip and, after greeting Uchiha Tajima, turned and left the briefing room, heading towards the armory.

The armory was actually quite close to the briefing room.

After walking for a while, Uchiha Shin arrived at the entrance of the armory.

"Brother Kenichi, I'm here to pick up some equipment. This is the authorization slip."

Uchiha Shin greeted Uchiha Kenichi, who was both the guard and the quartermaster of the armory, with a smile.

"Shin, you're going out on a mission!"

"I can't believe how much time has passed, and you've already passed the clan trials and become a ninja!"

"Congratulations."

"Haha..."

Uchiha Kenichi laughed happily and took the authorization slip Uchiha Shin handed him.

"Good heavens, that's quite a list."

"But we have all these things in stock. I'll get them ready for you right away."

Uchiha Kenichi glanced at the slip and then turned to walk into the armory, beginning to gather the equipment for Uchiha Shin according to the list.

Ten minutes later, Uchiha Kenichi walked up to Uchiha Shin carrying a bamboo basket.

"Here, these are the things you requested."

"Count them first, and let me know if anything is missing."

Uchiha Kenichi placed the bamboo basket in front of Uchiha Shin.

Uchiha Shin looked at the equipment in the bamboo basket and immediately crouched down to examine it carefully, checking the quality of the items.

"Shuriken."

"Kunai."

"Steel wire."

"Ration pills."

"Explosive tags."

"Dagger."

"Signal flares."

Uchiha Shin took out the equipment from the bamboo basket one category at a time and, according to their uses, stored them in his ninja tool pouch and first-aid kit.

"Mhm, Brother Kenichi, the quantity and variety are all here."

"I'll be going now. I'll visit you again when I have time."

Uchiha Shin casually slung the dagger onto his back.

"Oh, right, Brother Kenichi..."

Just as he was about to leave, Uchiha Shin seemed to remember something and turned back, calling out to Uchiha Kenichi.

"Um, if I wanted to custom-order some ninja tools, like shuriken, daggers, or kunai..."

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

Uchiha Shin thought about wanting to custom-order some ninja tools that suited him and thus asked Uchiha Kenichi for advice.

"I see..."

"Indeed, ninja tools that suit oneself can play a huge role in combat."

"It seems our Uchiha Clan doesn't have such craftsmen."

Uchiha Kenichi immediately understood Uchiha Shin's desire to custom-order ninja tools.

"On the border between the Land of Iron and the Land of Fire, where the Moonlight Clan's territory also borders..."

"There's a black market nearby. In this black market, there's a ninja clan famous for raising ninja cats."

"Of course, this clan that raises ninja cats is also a black market merchant family."

"The person in charge of this clan is named Cat Granny, and it seems that the person in charge has always been named that for every generation."

"Cat Granny accepts custom orders for ninja tools, and the prices there are fair, and the craftsmanship is also very good."

"You can even find some rare metals there."

"However, the cost will be a bit higher."

"If you have time, you can try going there."

Uchiha Kenichi shared the information he knew with a smile.

"Cat Granny?"

Uchiha Shin muttered the name repeatedly, finding it sounded very familiar.

"Alright then, I understand, Brother Kenichi."

"Thank you!"

Having obtained the information he wanted, Uchiha Shin smiled, bid farewell to Uchiha Kenichi, and hurried home.

PS: Seeking recommendation tickets, collection, monthly tickets, and investments. This is the second chapter, hehe.