Naruto World, Leaf Village border camp in the Land of Rain.
It was late at night. Hyuga Tianyi huddled in the corner of his bunk.
With his back to the faint campfire light, he carefully sank his consciousness into the Book of Ten Thousand Worlds.
At exactly 22:00, the familiar faint hum and warmth arrived on schedule.
"Comrade Tianyi, can you hear me?" Commander Tian's voice carried a hint of excitement.
"Received, Commander Tian!" Tianyi immediately replied, keeping his voice extremely low.
"I have major progress to report," Commander Tian said without wasting words, getting straight to the point.
"Regarding the basic theoretical research on chakra, Academician Chen's team has made a breakthrough!"
Tianyi's heart skipped a beat. "What kind of breakthrough?"
"We've successfully deciphered it!" Commander Tian's voice was decisive.
"By analyzing your cell samples, we not only confirmed the existence of Chakra Source Essence.
We also successfully guided and gathered a stable flow of chakra energy in a simulated in vitro environment!
It's still very rudimentary, but the underlying principles have been figured out!"
"What?! You've already... successfully deciphered it?!" Tianyi could not help crying out.
Fortunately, he kept his voice low and deliberately muffled it, so he did not wake Nawaki and Kaede nearby.
A tidal wave of shock surged through him. How long had it even been?
From sending the samples to now, the speed and efficiency of the national research team were simply inconceivable!
"Yes, we succeeded!" Commander Tian spoke faster.
"Based on this breakthrough, Academician Chen's team is urgently developing a prototype chakra guidance device.
It can help you extract chakra more efficiently.
Once the prototype has been tested and proven stable, we'll transmit it to you immediately!"
"Holy shit... as expected of my country, this efficiency..." Tianyi muttered a rare curse under his breath.
"And that's not the only piece of good news," Commander-in-Chief Tian Weidong's steady, powerful voice came through again.
"The research into Hanzo's toxins has also entered its final critical stage.
We've begun clinical trials. If all goes well, an initial version of the antivenom serum
will be produced in the next few days. We may be able to transmit it to you during our next contact."
Antivenom serum! There was finally hope against Hanzo's terrifying poison!
Tianyi clenched his fists, his nails nearly digging into his palms.
This meant his chances of surviving future battlefields would undergo a qualitative leap!
"Additionally!" Tian Weidong paused, his voice turning solemn.
"After hearing the complete report on the Dragon City incident, the highest leadership had several words they specifically instructed me to convey to you."
Tianyi held his breath, his heart pounding. Words from the highest leadership?!
"Comrade Fang Tianyi," Commander Tian began slowly.
"Thank you for trusting the country, and thank you for everything you have done for it.
Starting today, the country grants you a special identity.
You are a messenger between two worlds, and even more so, a pioneer in another world.
Do not have any worries holding you back.
Your family will be properly cared for by the country;
your mission will receive the country's full support.
We look forward to seeing you, upon this extraordinary path you have opened,
create a more peaceful, prosperous, and beautiful future.
Comrade Fang Tianyi, the country and its people stand with you!"
Tears welled up in his eyes without warning, instantly blurring his vision.
A feeling that mingled responsibility with a sense of belonging rooted in blood surged into his heart.
The terror of struggling alone in the past, the helplessness of facing another world,
and his confusion about the future all seemed to melt away at this moment beneath the recognition and promise from his country.
He bit down hard on his lip to stop himself from choking out a sob.
Yet his faintly trembling shoulders still betrayed the tumult in his heart.
A few seconds later, he forced his breathing to steady and sent back firmly:
"...Thank you. Thank you, country. Thank you, everyone.
I... Fang Tianyi, will not fail the trust placed in me. I will give everything I have
to become this pioneer!"
"Tianyi! Get up, quick! We have a mission! Emergency assembly!"
Nawaki's voice came from nearby, filled with excitement.
Tianyi sat bolt upright, the last traces of sleep vanishing instantly.
"A mission? So suddenly?" He swiftly grabbed the ninja tool pouch and coat beside him.
"Yeah! And Orochimaru-sensei is personally leading it!"
As Nawaki handed him his forehead protector, he lowered his voice, unable to hide his excitement.
"Orochimaru-sensei is personally leading us! What does that mean? It means the mission is important!
And he's finally willing to take me on a mission. He must have started expecting something from me!"
Orochimaru was personally leading the team? Tianyi's heart sank.
That cold-blooded man would personally lead a mission involving a Genin squad?
That alone was highly unusual. Either the mission had some special, non-combat purpose,
or... its difficulty might not lie in the enemy's visible strength.
Either way, being directly noticed by Orochimaru sent a chill down Tianyi's back.
"After this mission, I'll be one step closer to becoming a Chunin!"
Nawaki clenched his fist, his face filled with fervent longing.
"Then I'll definitely make my sister see me in a new light!
I'll let her know that I, Senju Nawaki, am also an outstanding ninja who can stand on his own!"
After saying that, he gave an embarrassed chuckle and scratched his head.
Moonlight Kaede, already fully equipped beside them, silently checked every shuriken in his ninja tool pouch.
Hearing Nawaki's words, he looked up and, unusually, spoke first.
"My mother's illness needs another round of treatment expenses lately.
The reward for this mission should be just enough."
After hearing the two of them, Tianyi felt
a sense of déjà vu from countless film and television dramas from his previous life.
Along with an icy chill, it instantly crawled all the way up Tianyi's spine!
"After this mission, I'll retire."
"I desperately need this money to save my family member's life."
"Isn't my daughter adorable?"
"The old hen at home is about to lay eggs."
T-This... wasn't this the standard death flag?!!
Tianyi's pupils contracted instantly, goosebumps rising all over his body as he roared inwardly:
Hey, hey, hey! No way! Nawaki! Kaede! Can you two stop raising flags at a time like this?!
They come true! Especially in a world like this!
I was just entrusted with an important mission by my country and became a glorious pioneer.
I don't want to die before accomplishing anything! And I definitely don't want to watch my teammates fall before my eyes because of these damned flags!
Orochimaru, what exactly are you plotting?!
"Tianyi? What's wrong? You look a little pale." Nawaki patted his shoulder with concern.
"...N-Nothing. I'm just a little out of it after waking up." Tianyi forced out a smile.
He forcibly suppressed the unease churning inside him and the urge to complain.
Then he quickly checked his equipment:
Kunai, shuriken, grenades, a first-aid kit, and the Book of Ten Thousand Worlds pressed tightly against his chest.
"Come on, come on! Don't keep Orochimaru-sensei waiting!"
Without giving him a choice, Nawaki grabbed the still-stiff Tianyi and rushed out of the tent.
At a designated gathering point on the edge of the camp, moonlight fell sparsely.
A thin, pale figure stood there soundlessly.
It was Orochimaru.
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