The autumn breeze was cool, and specks of blood splattered across that handsome face. His expression remained utterly calm.
"Kirigakure again? They've been far too active lately. They've gone to war with Sand Hidden and Cloud Hidden one after another. Are they running short of capable fighters after all?"
A drop of blood fell, yet the razor-sharp kunai blade remained spotless.
"S-so impressive! No wonder they're from Konoha's prestigious Uchiha Clan. They took out three Kirigakure squads so effortlessly! That's incredible!"
He turned his head and replied in an even tone.
"It's nothing special. Kirigakure's been harassing us more and more lately. You two should be careful as well, Duy, Kosuke."
"What a considerate captain! I wish my son could grow up to be a ninja like you. Now that's youth!"
Konoha Genin Might Duy and Maruboshi Kosuke were the subordinates Uchiha Hanazuki led as part of the battlefield rescue unit.
Neither seemed particularly remarkable, but their actual strength was dozens of times greater than that of an ordinary Genin.
"What are you saying? You were able to lead a squad into battle as soon as you graduated, and you've saved hundreds of Konoha Ninja over the past two months. You're a prodigy."
"Whether it's the Chunin Ninja Exams or the Jonin exams, you'll have no trouble passing. If my boy can become a Jonin, I'll be satisfied as a father. Hahahaha!"
Might Duy laughed heartily. Beside him, Kosuke smiled and waved them over. The stew he'd prepared filled the air with an appetizing aroma.
"Having you two assigned to my squad was a huge help. Without you, I'd have to handle all those bodies by myself and live on dry Military Ration Pills. Just thinking about it makes me miserable."
Caw! Caw! Caw!
A flock of crows suddenly burst from the woods in the distance. Hanazuki furrowed his brow and murmured,
"Crows always gather near battlefields to wait for food. That can't be a good sign. Is this area about to become a battlefield?"
"I didn't expect young people these days to believe in omens, Captain. You really are something else. That's just old men making things up."
Kosuke smiled kindly. He'd lived from the time of the Second Hokage to the present and had fought in two Shinobi World Wars. His actual strength was no less than that of an ordinary Jonin.
"No. I don't believe in omens, but I do believe in luck. Luck is important, especially on the battlefield. A lucky comrade is always much more welcome than an unlucky one."
"Uncle Kosuke, you've always been lucky, haven't you? Hehehe..."
Hanazuki's smile clouded Kosuke's old, bleary eyes. If he hadn't made that mistake back then, if he hadn't given the wrong order, his comrades wouldn't have died.
If he could, he would have rather been the one to die instead of getting lucky and surviving the battlefield.
That was why he'd rather remain a Genin for the rest of his life and atone for his sins.
"Anyway, New Year's is only a few days away. Captain, Brother Kosuke, what are your plans?"
Might Duy had already eaten two bowls of rice. Kosuke shook his head without a word. He was all alone, so naturally he'd spend the New Year by himself.
"Me? I'll probably spend it alone. Though I might invite some friends. I don't know if they'll be able to come, but I'll manage somehow."
Suddenly, smoke billowed from the woods in the distance. Hanazuki was about to serve himself another bowl of rice when he furrowed his brow and said without turning around,
"I'll go take a look. Keep a close eye on the battlefields in the other directions. Kirigakure's movements have been strange lately. If you run into anyone dangerous, flee immediately."
"If it's nothing serious over there, I'll be back as soon as I can. If there's an emergency, don't worry about how many enemies you might attract. Fire a signal flare right away."
In a flash, Hanazuki was gone. Tears welled in Might Duy's eyes.
"Captain! The Captain is just so kind! What a gentle man. He's practically a model for all ninjas!"
"Ah... He should be at the age where he's still cuddling up to his parents, yet his personality has become so... This wretched war."
Kosuke shook his head slightly, but his eyes settled on Might Duy.
"Speaking of which, your son, Might Guy, is already a Chunin. Is he on a mission on the battlefield too?"
"Ah! My son's different from me. He's a Taijutsu prodigy. One day, he'll become a Jonin. I've always believed in his talent!"
Might Duy spoke animatedly, proud of his son. Kosuke put out the fire and packed some food in a thermal container for Hanazuki. Then he looked into the distance, his eyes widening at a fleeting figure.
"Duy, I think your son just ran past."
"Brother Kosuke, are you serious? Where? Which way did he go?"
Might Duy looked around excitedly. Kosuke pointed into the depths of the forest and cautioned him quietly,
"Be careful. It might be a trap..."
"I understand. I'll inform the Captain right away. Don't worry, Brother Kosuke. I know a thing or two about surviving on the battlefield. Hahahaha!"
Kosuke watched Might Duy's departing figure, his brow furrowed. A lone crow in the distance silently landed among the trees. Its dark eyes watched the figure disappearing into the forest, and its piercing call sounded like the Grim Reaper's trumpet.
Meanwhile, somewhere else...
Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and Ebisu were carrying out a mission. The three exchanged glances as cold sweat dripped from their brows, their backs already soaked through.
In the woods nearby, a group of grotesque figures wielding all sorts of bizarre Ninja Blades made a chill shoot straight through them.
"The Kirigakure Ninja. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—they're the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist! Should we run?"
Ebisu stayed on full alert. Shiranui Genma lowered his eyelids and answered candidly,
"They're all elite Kirigakure Ninja. With just the three of us Chunin, we have no chance of escaping. Is this where we die?"
"Running won't help. We can only fight to the death. Is this where Konoha's beast meets his end?"
The pressure on the three mounted, and uncertainty filled their hearts. Across from them, the others laughed loudly, their sharp shark-like teeth gleaming coldly.
"I didn't realize we'd gotten so famous that even Konoha brats know who we are. Your luck's not great, is it? You may be brats, but this is a battlefield."
"So, should we cut them to pieces?"
"No. Hack them apart. The sound of brats wailing before they die is music to my ears."
"We should use Lightning Style..."
"Thunder Fang, your jutsu draws too much attention. This is a battlefield."
As they argued, that familiar green jumpsuit dashed through the woods and came to a stop in front of Might Guy and the others.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As the smoke cleared, Might Duy turned back with a smile. His white teeth sparkled in the sunlight.
"Guy, true youth is only just beginning. Even if it costs you your life, you must protect what matters most. Do you understand?"