Shisui Uchiha

Over the next few days, Gentō threw himself into the hectic preparations for war.

The personnel rosters submitted by the various ninja clans arrived in his hands one after another.

After reviewing them carefully, Gentō fell into thought.

Although these clans had not committed all their core fighting forces, most of those they sent were experienced chunin. They had not simply padded their numbers with rookie genin.

Clearly, these rosters represented a measure of recognition and a wager on him, their young commander.

The Hyuga Clan surprised him most.

As one of Konoha's prestigious clans, they had not only sent higher-caliber ninja, but placed them under the personal command of Hizashi Hyuga, a jonin from the branch family.

Such substantial support made the responsibility on Gentō's shoulders feel heavier still.

Meanwhile, vast quantities of war supplies were sorted by category and sealed into specially made Storage Scrolls.

Specially made Soldier Pills, medical supplies, Explosive Tags, ninja tools for replenishment...

Gentō personally took part in the final inventory and sealing, ensuring nothing went wrong.

With Elder Zong Yan's assistance, the Uchiha Clan's combat personnel were also finalized.

As the departure date drew closer, Kurenai Yuhi grew especially clingy.

Whenever Gentō had some free time these past few days, the two would engage in "in-depth exchanges."

Sometimes, Kurenai even came to see Gentō three times in a single day.

Part of it was the novelty of their first taste of forbidden fruit, and part of it was her reluctance to let Gentō leave.

Gentō, meanwhile, had been thoroughly worn out these past few days.

If a ninja's constitution had not surpassed that of ordinary people, he might truly have been unable to keep going.

He could only console himself with a wry smile. I suppose this counts as a sweet burden.

Just as the preparations neared completion, a travel-worn squad of ninja entered Konoha.

There were six of them, all with blood on their clothes.

They headed straight to the elder's office at the Konoha Military Police Force, where they encountered Gentō discussing the final arrangements with Zong Yan.

Their leader was a boy of about eleven or twelve.

He had the Uchiha Clan's characteristic black hair and deep eyes, but those eyes now held a composure far beyond his years, and even a barely perceptible trace of grief.

"Shisui Uchiha, reporting to Lord Zong Yan."

Gentō's gaze sharpened slightly.

So this is the genius who will one day possess the most powerful genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami?

"Shisui, Tekka... why have you come back?"

Zong Yan raised his head.

"We escorted the Clan Head's remains back to the clan."

Shisui stepped forward, presenting a Sealing Scroll with both hands.

Zong Yan took the scroll, walked to an open space, and formed hand seals to release the seal.

A black coffin appeared.

Zong Yan slowly pushed open the lid. Inside lay the remains of the Uchiha Clan's current Clan Head.

Parts of his body were missing, clear evidence of a horrific final battle.

Zong Yan stared for a long time, deep grief weighing upon his eyes.

He drew a deep breath, then raised a hand and gently closed the lid.

Gentō watched everything in silence.

The figure in the coffin served as a cold reminder:

This was the real Ninja World. There were no heartwarming fairy tales here, only the brutality of life and death, and fates beyond one's control.

Before the tides of history, even choosing how to survive was a luxury for the weak.

At that moment, his determination to grow stronger became firmer than ever.

"You've just returned from the front line. Go home and see your families first, then get some proper rest."

Zong Yan turned to Shisui and the others, his voice calm once more.

The six bowed in acknowledgment and quietly withdrew.

Zong Yan sealed the coffin back into the scroll, then turned to Gentō and suddenly asked:

"What do you think of Shisui?"

"An exceptional talent with a steady temperament. He's certain to become a pillar of the clan."

Gentō answered honestly.

A trace of relief crossed Zong Yan's face, softening his earlier sorrow.

"Yes... he's already begun to distinguish himself on the battlefield."

"Not long ago, he intimidated an elite Kirigakure squad into retreating single-handedly. Their leader was a long-established jonin-Ao, the one with the Byakugan."

"People have already started calling him 'Body Flicker Shisui.'"

Zong Yan paused.

"Just like you, Lord Hokage promoted him directly to jonin without an examination."

"He's Lord Kagami's descendant. Lord Kagami and the Third Hokage both studied under the Second Hokage, so that old bond remains. I intend to recommend him for the Anbu, where the Hokage can personally nurture him. What do you think?"

Gentō immediately frowned at that.

Shisui was undoubtedly a rare treasure of the Uchiha Clan.

Once he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan in the future, he would be even more valuable.

If things were handled properly, he might even resolve the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha.

But in the original story, it was after joining the Anbu that Shisui had been thoroughly taken in by the Hokage and the other higher-ups with their so-called "Will of Fire," ultimately meeting a tragic end.

In Gentō's view, the so-called "Will of Fire" was nothing but toxic brainwashing.

All that talk of burning yourself to light the way for others was pure bullshit-a shackle on the mind!

Burn yourself up, and all you would get was others warming themselves over your corpse.

If a group needed someone to shoulder its burdens and press forward, then someone else was surely enjoying a peaceful life at your expense!

I can't let such a promising talent as Shisui fall into the Hokage's hands and be led astray again!

"Leave him to me."

Gentō's tone was decisive.

"This war against Sunagakure is the best stage for Shisui to hone his edge and earn distinction. When he returns victorious, he'll bring back not only experience, but tangible military achievements and prestige!"

Zong Yan looked hesitant.

He did want Shisui to join the Anbu so he could be nurtured, but was he not also hoping to get him away from the front line for a while, to keep him from dying on the battlefield too soon?

Zong Yan truly could not bear to put such an outstanding genius at risk.

Seeing his concerns, Gentō continued:

"Sunagakure has no top-tier powerhouse stationed there. The risks of this war are manageable. It's a heaven-sent opportunity to build experience and establish prestige. The battlefield is where a genius grows fastest."

After a long silence, Zong Yan finally gritted his teeth and nodded.

"All right, Gentō!"

"You and Shisui are both the Uchiha's hope for the future. On the battlefield... make sure you keep yourselves alive!"

"Understood."

Only after the two discussed the subsequent arrangements in detail did Gentō take his leave.

The next day, Konoha held a grand funeral for the Uchiha Clan Head.

A fine rain fell beneath the gray sky.

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi personally attended with the village's senior officials to offer condolences, delivering a heartfelt, sorrowful eulogy.

The Uchiha clansmen stood silently in the rain, bidding their Clan Head farewell.

The people of Konoha had long since grown accustomed to such scenes.

After years of war, farewells had become part of their lives.

Once the funeral ended, Gentō officially led his troops to the battlefield.

For this war, Konoha had assembled a force of just over six hundred.

Compared with other battlefields, where forces often numbered in the thousands, this was hardly a large contingent.

To conceal their movements, Gentō split the force into small units that traveled stealthily in separate groups, secretly making their way toward Kikyo Mountain.

Every squad included ninja from either the Hyuga Clan or the Inuzuka Clan, using the Byakugan and their sense of smell to avoid enemy reconnaissance as much as possible.

Although this slowed their progress somewhat, it ensured their strategic intentions would not be exposed.

After more than half a month, all the personnel finally assembled quietly at the designated location.

Then, under Gentō's command, the ninja planted a full hundred thousand Explosive Tags along the route the Sunagakure Army would have to take and throughout the surrounding area.

Once all the preparations were complete, all that remained was to conceal their presence and wait.

Time slowly passed.

Over the past few days, several Sunagakure squads had begun secretly entering the Land of Fire to scout within the area where the Konoha ninja lay hidden.

Although their movements were highly covert, none of it could escape the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan.

Gentō knew that with these scouting ninja appearing, war was close at hand.

Sure enough, that night, a Hyuga ninja entered Gentō's underground command post to report:

"Reporting to the commander-in-chief! Our Byakugan reconnaissance squad has confirmed that a large force of Sunagakure ninja is advancing toward our designated ambush zone!"