The End of Wilderness Survival

On the first day, they encountered a wolf pack. On the second, they ran into ninja bees, and a family of wild boars went berserk. On the third day, they encountered a large-scale chain of traps. Starting on the fourth day, Ming personally joined in, launching all kinds of sneak attacks. After every attack, he took everything they had, leaving each of them only three shuriken before walking away without a word. This intense training continued for a full fifteen days.

When the three of them emerged from the forest, they felt as though they had entered another world. Never in their lives had they experienced days like this, never knowing whether they would survive until morning. Traps were everywhere, and they could be ambushed at any moment. No one cooked for them, and no one offered them help. All they could rely on were the brothers at their side and the shuriken in their hands. This training made them understand that being a ninja was not the childish game it had once seemed. Ninjas were people who danced on the edge of life and death.

"Rest for three days. Go home. Meet at the usual place in three days." With that, Ming vanished in a Body Flicker.

"Let's go, brothers. We're going home." "We can go home... it doesn't feel real." "We need to get home fast. Mom is probably going crazy. Look at the state I'm in—do you think the uncle at the gate will stop me?" The three chatted as they headed together toward the clan grounds.

A single special training session did more to unite a team than any bell-grabbing exercise, any poem about the Will of Fire, or even a lavish meal. After the three left, Ming emerged from the woods. Seven ninjas bearing the Uchiha Clan emblem stood beside him. "There were three groups, nine people total: three jonin and six genin. Six were from Root, while the rest were ANBU. All the Root ninjas were killed. The ANBU withdrew after discovering us, then monitored us from a safe distance after we killed the Root operatives," one Uchiha said. "The village sure values them. Elder Danzo is as caring toward the Uchiha Clan as ever!"

"I'd say Lord Third hasn't neglected them either. He came twice—he's really showing us respect." The group joked back and forth, sneers occasionally appearing on their faces as killing intent flickered around them.

"Ah, I'm exhausted. I need to get home. If that kid gets back and can't find me, he'll be heartbroken." A handsome middle-aged man sighed and strode away.

"Ieyasu still has expectations for those higher-ups. Don't let his cheerful act fool you—he sees everything clearly," said an Uchiha carrying two swords on his back. "Lord Nobunaga had Ieyasu personally take action this time so he would understand exactly what the village thinks of the Uchiha Clan's geniuses, and finally give up." Ming watched Ieyasu's retreating back.

"Alright, let's head back too. Want to have a few drinks?" "You're treating? Let's go, let's go! Hahaha, it's rare for you to be this generous!" "Hey, when did I say that? Besides, I kind of miss home too. Better go back." They scattered in twos and threes, disappearing at the edge of the forest.

"You're back? You look like you've been through the wringer. Did you collect the Hokage's coming-of-age gift for our son on his behalf?" Uchiha Ran looked calmly at her husband. "It's not what you think. Danzo was probably trying something, while the ANBU seemed to be there only to monitor them," Ieyasu explained.

"Heh, how considerate. He even sent several bodyguards. Fine! Danzo's people weren't having a picnic at the Uchiha training grounds, were they?" With that, she stood and headed for the door. "Where are you going?" Watching his wife's back, Ieyasu was full of confusion. Their son would be home soon, so where was she going? With her back to her husband, Ran activated her three-tomoe Sharingan. "I made plans with a few sisters to buy some dishes to go with drinks. The child is grown up now, so I'll make an exception and let him have a drink today." She quickly left. "What? You're only thinking of that now? You stay at home all day and never think to prepare in advance..." Listening to her husband's complaints, Uchiha Ran shut the door and silently cursed him as a big idiot.

"Why is big sister taking so long?" complained a beautiful woman dressed in combat gear. "Where are my clothes? Have the targets all been identified?" "They're here. Chunshu and Kong have already kept watch and recorded everything," replied another dark-skinned woman. "Then let's move. In ten minutes, buy the groceries and leave them at Huizi's house. I'll pick them up on my way home." Uchiha Ran changed into her clothes, looking imposing in full battle attire.

Ten minutes later, "My son is back! Mommy missed you so much! Let me see how thin you've gotten. Mommy bought you so much food. It'll be ready soon, just wait for me." With that, she headed into the house, grumbling as she walked about how the old ladies at the market would not give her a discount.

Uchiha Yo stared at his mother's back and fell into thought. There was a smell of blood—not the smell of blood from a market, but human blood.