Escort Mission, To the Front Lines

For an entire day, Uchiha Ryoshi became a nuclear-powered workhorse, giving Indra one-on-one instruction.

When Uchiha Mikoto returned that evening and saw how full of life her grandfather was, doubts began to creep into her heart.

"Grandpa, are you all right?"

"I'm fine. I feel better than ever before." After saying that, Uchiha Ryoshi wolfed down five bowls of rice in one go.

Seeing that even the white hair at her grandfather's temples had darkened considerably, Uchiha Mikoto was stunned.

Are you sure this is normal?

Having learned quite a bit of medical knowledge from Tsunade, Uchiha Mikoto could not help feeling that her grandfather looked like he was having a final burst of vitality!

Under Uchiha Mikoto's worried gaze, Uchiha Ryoshi resumed his teaching.

"The key to the Phantom Body Flicker Technique actually lies in Uchiha-style Swordsmanship. The two complement each other..."

Brimming with energy, Uchiha Ryoshi taught with great patience.

In just three days, Indra had mastered Uchiha-style Swordsmanship, while the Phantom Body Flicker Technique and Hell Viewing Technique had both reached the beginner level.

"Not only are you exceptionally talented, but you're diligent as well.

"Indra, you will definitely become one of the Uchiha Clan's elites in the future!"

Uchiha Ryoshi praised him from the bottom of his heart, a constant smile on his face.

Then, he solemnly took out a chakra short sword and handed it to Indra.

The instant he gripped the short sword, Indra eagerly injected a little chakra into it. A faint glow emerged along the silver-white blade.

Only weapons specially forged from chakra metal could transmit chakra so smoothly and seamlessly.

Judging from his first attempt, this short sword definitely contained no small amount of chakra metal!

He hurried to the backyard to test it. With just a light swing, the blade split a branch in two as smoothly as a hot knife through butter.

Indra's eyes lit up, and his fondness for the chakra short sword soared to its peak.

"Haha~ It seems you really like this short sword, Indra. But a ninja needs more than just weapons. It's best to have ninja beasts to assist you as well."

With a smile, Uchiha Ryoshi took out a summoning scroll and laid it before Indra and Mikoto.

"This is the summoning scroll of the Ninja Cat Clan. Though they are not particularly powerful, their stealth and perception are first-rate. They will make excellent helpers."

The Ninja Cat Clan had maintained a contractual relationship with the Uchiha Clan for generations, so there was no need to defeat them to earn their recognition.

All one needed to do was write one's name on the summoning scroll, leave a handprint, and establish a blood contract. Then, they could be summoned through specific hand seals.

Grandpa Ryoshi, you're practically my real grandfather!

Without hesitation, Indra formed a blood contract on the summoning scroll together with Mikoto.

Seeing that he had done everything he could, Uchiha Ryoshi finally let out a breath of relief.

He said gravely, "I've received word that the higher-ups will soon assign missions to you two. Once you're on the battlefield, prioritize your own safety above all else."

As an elder of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Ryoshi could not interfere in Hidden Leaf Village's internal affairs. However, the Third Hokage would not hide from him the things he ought to know.

Upon hearing the news, Indra and Mikoto hurriedly began making preparations.

At the same time, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, gazed toward the Uchiha compound as though he could see the two of them busily at work.

"Uchiha Indra and Uchiha Mikoto are both Tsunade's disciples, and she holds them in high regard."

"They may become some of the few Uchiha Clan ninja to inherit the Will of Fire. They need to be cultivated properly."

In Indra and Mikoto, Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the shadow of Uchiha Kagami.

Tsunade was his disciple, and they were Tsunade's disciples. By nature, they belonged to his faction.

Ever since Uchiha Setsuna's rebellion and the Second Hokage's death, the rift between the Uchiha Clan and Hidden Leaf Village had only grown deeper.

Although the policy of isolating the Uchiha had become a political measure of Konoha since the Second Hokage's era, not every Uchiha was treated that way.

For example, Uchiha Kagami had once been accepted into the Second Hokage's elite personal guard unit. He was an Uchiha who possessed the Will of Fire.

If he were still alive, things would never have turned out this way.

What Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted was to carry on the Second Hokage's true intentions: divide the Uchiha Clan, suppress one faction, and win over another.

To put that idea into practice, it was necessary to cultivate his own people within the Uchiha Clan.

Ever since Madara Uchiha left, the Uchiha Clan had no longer had the position of clan head.

Now, the Uchiha clan head was effectively the chief of the Konoha Police Force, while the elders held most of the power.

Uchiha Ryoshi was a dove within the council of elders, making him precisely the sort of person who needed support.

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the pipe in his hand, withdrew his gaze, and continued with his official duties.

The deployment of frontline personnel and the transport of logistical supplies—every matter required his attention.

With Konoha now fighting Hidden Rain Village, Hidden Stone Village, and Hidden Sand Village on three fronts, Hiruzen Sarutobi was utterly overwhelmed.

The task he had assigned Tsunade was an extremely important one.

"Phew... finally finished."

Looking at the antidote before her, Tsunade let out a long breath.

The Hidden Sand Village and Konoha were locked in a fierce battle on the front lines, both sides already resorting to every possible means.

Among them, Chiyo of the Hidden Sand Village was renowned for her exceptional medical ninjutsu and puppet techniques. The poisons she developed had caused heavy casualties among personnel on the front lines.

After samples of the toxins were brought back from the front lines, they were sent to the rear for Tsunade and a group of medical ninja to analyze and counter.

Hard work paid off. After this period of research, she had finally found a cure for Chiyo's poison.

No sooner had she reported the situation to her superiors than a mission was placed in her hands.

Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Tsunade to lead a ninja squad to the front lines as quickly as possible and deliver the antidote.

"Teacher Sarutobi really won't let anyone rest for even a moment. And he wants me to bring Indra and Mikoto along..."

Tsunade frowned slightly at that request, though she was not overly surprised.

Genin being sent to the battlefield was commonplace these days. Indra, Mikoto, and the others had graduated from the Academy, so going to the front lines was unavoidable.

If they went with her, she could protect them instead.

"Nawaki set out with Orochimaru the day before yesterday too. With him looking after Nawaki, there shouldn't be any problem."

"That little brat Indra... now that he knows he's going to the front lines, I wonder if he'll be scared enough to wet himself."

Tsunade put away the mission scroll, planning to give Indra and the others a "surprise" today.

When she met up with Indra and Mikoto that afternoon, Tsunade no longer wore the ecstatic expression she had when developing the antidote.

She stared sternly at the two of them and said in a grave tone, "A mission has been assigned from above. Starting tomorrow, you two will officially be heading to the battlefield!"

Indra: "Oh."

Mikoto: "Understood, Lady Tsunade."

Uchiha Mikoto's response at least sounded serious, but Indra's utterly flat reply left Tsunade awkwardly speechless.

"What kind of expression is that? You're going to the battlefield, brat! Do you think this is child's play?!"

"This day was always going to come. I've been preparing for it all along. What, was I supposed to cry?"

Indra's calm reply left Tsunade without a retort.

Tsunade rubbed his black hair and complained, "Being this mature from such a young age isn't a good thing. Don't always act like an adult."

In Tsunade's mind, children his age should have been as silly and clueless as her younger brother.

At the very least, when she was Indra's age, she had not possessed such a mature mindset.

Tsunade sighed inwardly as she looked at Indra with a little more pity in her eyes.

No longer wanting to joke around, she explained the mission.

"Tomorrow, we'll secretly leave the village and escort the antidote to the front lines."

"Lady Tsunade, can we really handle such an important mission?"

Uchiha Mikoto was uneasy. She felt their squad was incapable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility.

Tsunade immediately laughed and shook her head. "Of course it won't be just you two. The real main force will be me, along with two elite jonin.

Your main job will still be to accompany me. When the time comes, you can gain some experience on the battlefield."

Tsunade had no intention of putting too much pressure on Indra and Mikoto.

After bringing them to the battlefield, she planned to have them remain at her side as medical assistants.

As for Indra... leaving that aside, Uchiha Mikoto had quite decent aptitude for medical ninjutsu.

She had already reached the second stage and could make withered branches bloom.

In these special times, Mikoto already counted as a qualified medical ninja.