Bring That Kid Along

Uzumaki Mito narrowed her eyes, making Tsunade nervous enough to clench both her hands tight.

"Salamander Hanzo is known as a demigod. His strength is far beyond what you three little ones can withstand; remember, a reputation is rarely without substance," Uzumaki Mito said calmly.

Tsunade gritted her teeth. "Grandmother, this is the first mission my teacher has entrusted to us. I don't want to give up! I know Salamander Hanzo is a Kage-level powerhouse, but how will I know if I don't try?"

A glimmer of something called determination shone in her eyes. Seeing this, Uzumaki Mito didn't feel happy; instead, she sighed.

"If that is the case, I will not try to persuade you further, but you must come back alive," Uzumaki Mito said, closing her eyes.

"I do not wish to lose you as a granddaughter as well." Uzumaki Mito's words drifted through the air, leaving Tsunade momentarily dazed as she couldn't help but reflect on her grandmother's life.

She had married into Konoha from her homeland, leaving behind her kin, only to lose her husband in middle age and her son in her later years. Now, the only people she had left with blood ties were Tsunade and her younger brother.

With both siblings now heading to the battlefield, it was an unbearable reality for an old woman. Tsunade had been so focused on proving her own strength and showing that Senju Hashirama's granddaughter was a powerhouse that she had forgotten her grandmother at home only wished for their safety and happiness.

"I will, Grandmother. I will survive and come back safely." Tsunade's eyes were slightly red, her voice trembling.

Uzumaki Mito suddenly thought of something. "Oh, Tsunade, I recall that a squad leader can bring a trusted aide along, correct? Do you have a candidate?"

"Huh? Grandmother, I haven't chosen yet, but someone recommended a boy from the Kato clan to me. I hear his Spirit Transformation Technique is quite unique," Tsunade said, wiping away her tears.

"Spirit Transformation Technique? That is merely a minor path in the end." Uzumaki Mito shook her head. "I think that boy from the Uchiha clan is quite good."

"Xiao? But his strength is only that of a Genin!" Tsunade said in surprise.

Uzumaki Mito rose and walked toward the door, then suddenly turned to look at Tsunade. "That little one's Sharingan may only have one tomoe, but the chakra within it is more powerful than most two-tomoe Sharingan, perhaps even rivaling a three-tomoe."

Tsunade was stunned. Three tomoe? Did that mean Xiao had the combat capability of a Jonin? Even so, the person from the Kato clan also seemed to be a Jonin and possessed the unique talent of the Spirit Transformation Technique.

By comparison, Xiao still seemed inferior. Just as Tsunade was feeling doubtful, Uzumaki Mito added, "That boy also possesses Magnet Release."

Tsunade's pupils constricted. Magnet Release! A Kekkei Genkai formed by combining Wind and Earth chakra—the signature Kekkei Genkai of their neighbors and old rivals, Sunagakure. How could it appear in someone from the Uchiha clan?

"If Uchiha Xiao has Magnet Release, why hasn't he shown it before?" Tsunade was puzzled. She couldn't understand why Uchiha Xiao would hide such a talent instead of revealing it.

"That is exactly where he is stronger than you. A tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind. He is not valued in his clan and even suffers discrimination, and within the village, he is an Uchiha. Who does he have that he can trust?" Uzumaki Mito smiled.

"Even I only discovered that trace of anomaly through the perception of my Kagura Shingan. So, little Tsunade, find a way to bring Uchiha Xiao along tomorrow. I have a feeling that boy is not simple," Uzumaki Mito said earnestly.

She then walked out of Tsunade's room without looking back, returning to her own quarters to sleep.

Tsunade took off her clothes and pondered carefully. The Spirit Transformation Technique was indeed unique, but it had a major drawback: the body had to be protected at all costs. If the body were struck while the soul was out, death was certain.

Moreover, the Spirit Transformation Technique was child's play to a Kage-level powerhouse; its floor was high, but its ceiling was low. The Kekkei Genkai Magnet Release was different. Even before Sunagakure was established, there were Magnet Release powerhouses.

Every Magnet Release user without exception would eventually reach the Kage level. Wasn't the current Third Kazekage a Magnet Release user, specifically of the rare Iron Sand variety?

Beyond that, the Uchiha clan's Sharingan could also allow Xiao to reach the Kage level. Comparing the two, the position of trusted aide was better suited for Xiao.

Having reached this conclusion, Tsunade made up her mind, though she decided she would still ask for Xiao's opinion in person tomorrow; after all, a forced melon is never sweet.

Lost in thought, Tsunade drifted off to sleep.

The night passed quickly, and as the stars shifted, a new day dawned.

Around five in the morning, Uchiha Xiao woke up. This was his body's biological clock. The first thing he did after getting up was fold his bedding and place it neatly in its original spot.

He then went to wash up. Clear water flowed from the faucet, and Uchiha Xiao cupped his hands, feeling a chill seep into his skin.

Uchiha Xiao couldn't help but shiver, then splashed the water onto his face. Sss—refreshing to the core! It was a bit uncomfortable at first, but he soon adapted and found it quite pleasant.

After washing his face, Uchiha Xiao wiped it dry and headed to the Senju clan's training ground. He couldn't skip his daily training.

He took eight shuriken from his ninja tool pouch and threw them using his highly practiced Uchiha Style Shurikenjutsu. The eight shuriken collided in mid-air, all flying toward the wooden training dummy's head.

Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack.

The tips of the eight shuriken embedded themselves into the dummy's temples, forehead, and the back of its skull—all vital points. It was clear just how ruthless Uchiha Xiao's technique was.

Next, Uchiha Xiao drew a standard-issue longsword—or rather, a katana, though it was often referred to as a sword.

As he drew the blade, his eyes lit up. Relying on muscle memory, he performed a diagonal slash followed by a kick toward the target. A blade mark appeared on the dummy's carotid artery. Uchiha Xiao then kicked the dummy's body, performed a 360-degree aerial flip, and landed perfectly.

Well, how to put it? This was very "Uchiha"—high damage, but also quite theatrical.

If this strike had landed on a person, they would likely be clutching their throat, gasping their last breath by now.

Uchiha Xiao twitched his mouth. The Uchiha style of swordsmanship was powerful and exquisite, but how should he put it? As a youth from the 21st century, he couldn't help but feel it was a bit... showy?

Suppressing his thoughts, he continued practicing swordsmanship for another forty minutes before sheathing his blade. He was careful to restrain his strength so as not to destroy the dummy.

After all, this wasn't his own training ground, but because the Senju compound was sparsely populated, this was the first time he had enjoyed the luxury of having the place to himself, which brought him some joy.

Uzumaki Mito was currently in her room, projecting her Kagura Shingan. In truth, she had woken up the moment she heard Uchiha Xiao throwing shuriken. She simply wanted to see to what extent Uchiha Xiao could train, so she stayed in her room and observed using her Kagura Shingan.

She discovered that Uchiha Xiao not only had a solid foundation but was also exceptionally diligent and hardworking, completely unlike the exaggerated rumors circulating outside.