[ Ding! New A-Rank Mission acquired: [Ambush the Explosion Release Unit] ] [Mission Name]: Ambush the Explosion Release Unit (A-Rank) [Mission Difficulty]: A [Mission Description]: Recently, the Explosion Release Unit of Iwagakure, led by its captain, "Explosion Release: Gari," has been active along the borders of the Land of Earth. It has repeatedly attacked Konoha's logistical supply lines and forward outposts, inflicting severe casualties on our forces. According to frontline intelligence, the unit intends to break through Konoha's blockade and head south to join the main Iwagakure forces, preparing to launch another large-scale offensive. Konoha High Command's orders: Dispatch an elite squad to lay an ambush in the Qionggu Ridge area along the border of the Land of Earth. Block the Explosion Release Unit's route south and eliminate as many of its forces as possible. [Mission Requirements]: Rendezvous with the Konoha elite squad (captain: Uchiha Fugaku; members: Aburame Shibi and others) and complete preparations in the designated ambush area. Assist the squad in battle and at least drive off or eliminate more than half of the Explosion Release Unit's fighting force. [Mission Rewards]: Copper Coin ×5,000,000, Ninja World Recruitment Scroll ×5, Random A-Rank Ninja Fragment ×5, A-Rank Missions Completed: +1 (Current: 2/7), Gold Coin ×650
"Hm? Ambush the Explosion Release Unit? Tsk, it looks like this mission was probably assigned by Sarutobi Hiruzen. Whatever. I already have a score to settle with Explosion Release: Gari, so I might as well let him experience the power of Susanoo!"
Uchiha Jun thought to himself as he looked at the mission before him.
Ever since he had acquired "Skeleton Dog," Uchiha Jun had also picked up Sasuke's signature habit of acting cool.
It wasn't as if he was so arrogant that he'd use up his Mangekyo in two weeks or hit every stray dog on the road with an Amaterasu, but using Susanoo in his daily routine was still standard practice.
"Pfft—"
Huh?
Just as he was about to call Uchiha Hikari and head with her to the border of the Land of Earth, Uchiha Jun suddenly received a report from his Shadow Clone.
As he'd guessed, this A-Rank Mission really had been assigned by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Otherwise, the mission his Shadow Clone had accepted would have been an ordinary assassination or escort mission.
After all, a mission to ambush the Explosion Release Unit was already at the upper end of A-Rank Missions. The slightest change could raise it to an S-Rank Mission.
For that reason, a mission like this usually required an entire squad to carry out.
Given his circumstances, Uchiha Jun naturally preferred not to cooperate with others whenever possible.
But this time was different. First, the mission had been assigned by Sarutobi Hiruzen. Second, Uchiha Fugaku would also be taking part, and he would be leading the squad.
No matter how he looked at it, Uchiha Jun had no reason to refuse.
"Hikari, come with me to the Land of Earth. I'll see if I can get Uchiha Fugaku to arrange an 'identity' for you."
"Okay!"
Deep in a forest along the border of the Land of Earth.
The area lay where the Land of Earth and the Land of Waterfalls met. Its terrain was rugged, its vegetation dense, and a thick mist shrouded it year-round.
The air was heavy with the smell of damp earth and an indefinable tang of rust—the lingering traces of war.
A five-person squad of elite Konoha ninja lay hidden on a secluded cliff, watching from above an Iwagakure unit resting in the valley below.
"Target confirmed: the Explosion Release Unit. It's led by Elite Jonin Gari. The unit consists of three Jonin, nine Chunin, and twelve Genin."
The speaker was Uchiha Fugaku.
Crouched behind a boulder at the edge of the cliff, he held a reconnaissance report recently delivered by Konoha's Intelligence Division. His voice was steady, his gaze sharp. "According to the report, this squad withdrew from the front lines in the Land of Grass two days ago. It's now retreating through this valley toward the interior of the Land of Earth."
"Judging by the usual pattern, they're probably heading back to Iwagakure to restock before redeploying to the Kannabi Bridge front."
A tall, lean Konoha Jonin—Aburame Shibi—stood behind him. The lower half of his face was obscured by his high collar, and his trademark sunglasses covered his eyes. He added in an even tone, "But I can't help feeling that their retreat route is a little too 'neat,' almost as if they're deliberately letting us see it. I think we should send some insects to investigate."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded. "I was thinking the same thing. This mission calls for caution. We're hidden, and they're exposed. We have plenty of opportunities."
"Gather as much intelligence as possible, and strike to kill if necessary!"
"Shibi, you're in charge of sensing. Deploy Kikaichū within a ten-kilometer radius of us to make sure our position isn't exposed."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to a figure at the back of the squad.
"Jun, you're our reserve. If a main squad member is killed or rendered unable to fight, you need to take their place immediately."
Uchiha Jun leaned against a tree trunk. He wore a standard-issue Konoha flak jacket over his combat uniform and carried a Ninja Blade on his back—the Nameless Kusanagi Sword Orochimaru had given him. A Konoha Headband hung at his waist, and his eyes were closed as if he were dozing.
Only when he heard Uchiha Fugaku's voice did he open his eyes. He simply nodded. "Understood."
Uchiha Fugaku studied Uchiha Jun's calm face, his mind churning, but he kept any unnecessary emotion from showing.
The meeting soon ended, and the other Jonin dispersed to their observation points nearby.
Only Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Jun remained on the cliff.
"Jun, come with me for a moment."
Uchiha Jun followed him through a patch of low shrubs to a clearing deeper in the forest. It was empty and secluded, a suitable place to talk.
Uchiha Fugaku stopped in front of a rock and turned around. His dark eyes fixed on Uchiha Jun, and his voice carried a rare note of gravity. "Jun, there's something I want to ask you."
"Go ahead, Clan Head."
Uchiha Fugaku fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly and quietly. "...How far can those eyes of yours see now?"
Uchiha Jun's expression didn't change, but he weighed the situation in silence.
—Uchiha Fugaku is testing me. Given his status, the fact that he's asking this means the pressure he's facing from within the clan and from the Hokage's faction has increased.
Shimura Danzō? Right. Apart from copying a Uchiha's Sharingan, there's no other explanation for him using Danzō's signature jutsu.
But I used Vacuum Blade before... Heh, looks like the Hokage's faction is using it as an excuse to put even more pressure on the Uchiha Clan!
Interesting. The situation among Konoha's High Command is about to become unstable. Since I went alone this time, the daimyo certainly won't let this go. Looks like it's time for me to step onto the stage!
Uchiha Jun pretended to hesitate for half a second, then raised his eyes and met Uchiha Fugaku's gaze.
The pupils, once pitch-black, shifted. One tomoe appeared, then a second.
Three black tomoe unfurled like a fan in the night, forming a perfect triangle as they slowly spun.
Uchiha Fugaku's pupils contracted.
Three-Tomoe Sharingan!
The ocular power Uchiha Jun had just revealed left Uchiha Fugaku completely stunned. The shock seemed to sink into his very bones. Not long ago, this Uchiha clan member had been a dead-last student who could barely spit out a Great Fireball without stumbling.
He'd thought Jun lacked the talent for the Sharingan and was simply gifted in Water Release Ninjutsu and Taijutsu.
He hadn't expected Jun to awaken the Sharingan after carrying out a few missions!
And not just that—the Three-Tomoe Sharingan!
Could Orochimaru's pressure have been too much for him?
"When did you awaken them?"
Uchiha Fugaku's voice wavered, betraying a rare loss of composure. "Was it on your first mission with Orochimaru, after your fight with those Iwagakure Jonin, or—"
"During my time at the Ninja Academy. After I broke all four limbs of a guy who provoked me, I felt these eyes awaken in my blood. It was like seeing the world anew."