Uchiha Namiichi might have seemed cold, but Shita Genichi found him easier to get along with than Yamanaka En.
You didn't need to be especially strong. As long as you had something you excelled at, you could get along with others just fine.
Of course, Uchiha Namiichi was still very proud. He wouldn't bother with most people, but he wouldn't bully them, either.
At that moment, Hatake Sakumo was also quite pleased with Shita Genichi's performance.
He had agreed to let them spar because he wanted Shita Genichi to show his strength in front of Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the others.
In the world of ninja, strength had always been paramount, and it was through strength that one earned the respect of others.
Having Shita Genichi demonstrate his abilities would benefit this mission.
At the same time, he wanted the three great clans—Ino-Shika-Cho—to spread the word about Shita Genichi's strength.
The night passed without incident.
The next day, Shita Genichi and the others set out again, crossed the border, and entered the Land of Rivers.
They arrived at the mining area around dusk.
Standing on another hilltop, Shita Genichi could see the area below glowing with lights.
Besides rows of wooden cabins that were clearly living quarters, there were plenty of lights and buildings at the mine entrance, with people coming and going.
Mining operations were still underway.
Turning around, he saw a Konoha Ninja in a green vest handing over the task to Hatake Sakumo.
A moment later, Hatake Sakumo returned and said to Shita Genichi and the others, "Split into two groups. First, familiarize yourselves with the trap zones, patrol routes, and posts."
Shita Genichi and the others nodded.
The two teams then set off, each accompanied by a Konoha Ninja.
Their mission was to protect the mining area from attack, but they weren't supposed to stay at the mine. Instead, they were to establish a defensive perimeter around it.
The team that had been carrying out the mission had already set up the trap zones, planned the patrol routes, and established a series of visible and hidden lookout posts.
Now, Shita Genichi and the others just had to familiarize themselves with everything.
This was the handover.
It took two hours before Shita Genichi and the others finally returned to the mining area.
The wealthy merchant's people had prepared hot water and food for them, as well as a few songstresses.
Merchants certainly knew how to enjoy themselves. They'd even brought songstresses along to entertain them in the mountains. It was enough to make anyone jealous.
But Hatake Sakumo firmly turned the songstresses away.
After washing up and eating a sumptuous dinner, Shita Genichi and the others rested in the wooden cabins.
The official handover of the mission would take place the next morning.
Shita Genichi, however, didn't turn in so early. Instead, he spent two hours studying the Nine Syllables Hand Seals and jotting down his insights in his notebook before lying down to rest.
The night passed peacefully.
At eight the next morning, after breakfast, Shita Genichi and the others officially took over from the two teams and began their mission to protect the mine.
At the top of a mountain, Shita Genichi stood atop a large tree, holding a Monocular Telescope in one hand as he surveyed the distance.
The view here was excellent. Anyone approaching the mine from any direction would be spotted.
Of course, the forest was dense with vegetation. From a distance, even from a high vantage point, you couldn't see what was happening beneath the canopy, even with a telescope.
But several clearings had been cut around the perimeter of the mine, leaving unobstructed lines of sight.
For now, they were mainly watching these clearings.
Of course, that didn't make it foolproof.
After all, no one could keep watch constantly, so this was only one observation post.
Hatake Sakumo and the others had their own duties. Some patrolled their assigned routes, while others checked the traps. Wild animals could accidentally damage them, so they had to be inspected regularly to make sure they'd work when needed.
Besides, both teams had sensory ninja, so Yamanaka En and the others were also on sensory duty, checking at intervals to prevent enemies from infiltrating.
It was a straightforward, multilayered defense.
But the mission was also incredibly dull.
Especially Shita Genichi's fixed observation post. He had to stay at the top of the tree for half a day at a time.
Fortunately, Shita Genichi was focused on studying the Nine Syllables Hand Seals, so he didn't find it boring.
Before he knew it, lunchtime was approaching. Uchiha Namiichi appeared and said, "Genichi, I'll take over for you."
Shita Genichi lowered the Monocular Telescope and smiled as he nodded. Then he leaped down from the treetop like a great bird.
After taking ten minutes to fill his stomach, Shita Genichi returned to relieve Uchiha Namiichi and continue his duties.
Uchiha Namiichi went on patrol.
"If only we had a Byakugan..."
Watching Uchiha Namiichi leave, Shita Genichi realized just how useful and convenient the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan was.
All you had to do was sit there and open your eyes, and you could see for miles. No need to go through all this trouble.
Nothing happened on the first day.
Early the next morning, Shita Genichi saw a line of carts leaving the mine, carrying partially smelted iron ore.
They were horse-drawn carts...
Shita Genichi was speechless.
The Ninja World's technology was quite advanced.
Air conditioners, refrigerators, and other electrical appliances had been around for a long time.
Electricity had even become widespread back in Senju Tobirama's era.
Konoha Hospital, for instance, had all kinds of electronic medical equipment. As far as Shita Genichi could tell, it wasn't all that different from the modern world he'd come from.
Before, after graduating, Shita Genichi had even gone to have graduation photos taken, and he'd taken a group photo with Hatake Sakumo and the others.
Cameras, video cameras, radios, and the like were all readily available.
In the future, Kumogakure would even develop a chakra-powered planet-destroying cannon.
Yet the nobles of the Ninja World still traveled around in palanquins.
And they still used horse-drawn carts to transport goods.
Cars, motorcycles, and bicycles were nowhere to be seen.
Maybe it had something to do with the terrible roads in the Ninja World?
Watching the carts gradually disappear into the distance, Shita Genichi couldn't help feeling exasperated with this world.
That raised a question.
Would there be any money in developing bicycles and cars in the Ninja World?
"Cars probably won't work, but bicycles... those might."
"Konoha's roads are nice and flat. They'd be perfect for riding bicycles."
Shita Genichi's eyes brightened as he thought it over.
It seemed worth a try.
He could make some money and use it to build an Experimental Base.
Or invest it in Orochimaru's research...
Shita Genichi made up his mind. He'd give it a try once he returned from this mission.
Ninja wouldn't need them, but ordinary people would.
And even ninja could use them inside the village.
Before he knew it, the morning was almost over.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Shita Genichi frowned. Through the telescope, he saw several bedraggled figures running toward the mine.
They were coming along the main road.
They seemed to be mine workers.
Setting down the telescope, Shita Genichi immediately blew a whistle: three long blasts and one short.
It was an alarm.
The whistle that followed indicated the direction.
Hatake Sakumo and Yamanaka En were at the outermost perimeter. When they heard the whistle, the former immediately formed Hand Seals and sent off a clone.
Before long, Shita Genichi heard the summons whistle, so he immediately formed a Shadow Clone.
His real body remained where it was, keeping watch in every direction.
Beneath a large tree, Shita Genichi appeared in front of Hatake Sakumo and the other two. "Sensei!"
Hatake Sakumo nodded, then said, "The convoy transporting iron ore was attacked. There are ninja involved."
A thought immediately occurred to Shita Genichi. "A diversion!"
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