An Ominous Premonition

Naruto World, Leaf Village border camp in the Land of Rain.

It was late at night. Hinata Tianyi huddled in the corner of his bunk.

With his back to the faint glow of the campfire, he carefully sank his consciousness into the Book of Ten Thousand Worlds.

At precisely ten o'clock, 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 a major development to tell you," Commander Tian said, getting straight to the point.

"Academician Chen's team has made a breakthrough in the basic theoretical research on chakra!"

Tianyi's heart skipped a beat. "What kind of breakthrough?"

"We've successfully deciphered it!" Commander Tian declared firmly.

"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 external environment!

It's still very rudimentary, but we've cracked the underlying principles!"

"What?! You've... already deciphered it?!" Tianyi could not help crying out.

Fortunately, he had kept his voice low and deliberately muffled it, so he did not wake Nawaki and Kaede nearby.

A storm raged in his heart. How long had it even been?

From the time the samples had been transmitted until now, the speed and efficiency of the national research team were simply unimaginable!

"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 refine chakra more efficiently.

Once the prototype has been tested and proven stable, we'll transmit it to you immediately!"

"Damn... as expected of my country, that efficiency..." Tianyi quietly swore for once.

"That's not the only good news," Commander-in-Chief Tian Weidong's steady, forceful voice came through again.

"Our research into Hanzo's toxins has also entered the final critical stage.

We've begun clinical trials. If all goes well, an initial version of the antivenom serum

will be prepared within the next few days. At our next contact, we may be able to transmit it to you."

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 odds of surviving on the battlefield would undergo a qualitative leap!

"One more thing!" Tian Weidong paused, and his tone grew solemn.

"After hearing the full report on the Dragon City incident, the highest leadership has a few words that they specifically asked 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 a pioneer in another world.

Do not have any worries holding you back.

Your family will be properly cared for by the motherland;

your mission will receive the motherland's full support.

We look forward to seeing you, on this extraordinary path you have opened,

create a future that is more peaceful, prosperous, and beautiful.

Comrade Fang Tianyi, the motherland and its people stand with you!"

Tears welled up in his eyes without warning, instantly blurring his vision.

A feeling of responsibility intertwined with a blood-deep sense of belonging surged into his heart.

The fear of struggling alone in the past, the helplessness of facing another world,

and the confusion about the future all seemed to melt away in that moment beneath this recognition and promise from his motherland.

He bit down hard on his lip to keep himself from choking up.

Yet his faintly trembling shoulders still betrayed the turmoil in his heart.

A few seconds later, he forced his breathing to steady and sent back his reply with determination:

"...Thank you. Thank you to the country, thank you, everyone.

I... Fang Tianyi, will not fail your trust. I will do everything in my power

to be this pioneer!"

"Tianyi! Get up, quick! We have a mission! Emergency assembly!"

Nawaki's voice came from nearby, brimming with excitement.

Tianyi abruptly sat up, all traces of sleep instantly gone.

"A mission? So suddenly?" He quickly grabbed the ninja tool pouch and jacket beside him.

"Yeah! And Orochimaru-sensei is personally leading it!"

As Nawaki handed him his forehead protector, he lowered his voice, unable to conceal 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 expectations for me now!"

Orochimaru was personally leading the team? Tianyi's heart suddenly sank.

That cold lord would personally lead a mission that required a Genin squad's involvement?

That alone was highly unusual. Either the mission had some special, non-combat purpose,

or... its difficulty might not lie in the enemy's obvious strength.

Either way, being directly noticed by Orochimaru sent a chill down Tianyi's spine.

"After this mission, I'll be one step closer to becoming a Chunin!"

Nawaki clenched his fist, his face filled with burning anticipation.

"Then I'll definitely make my sister see me in a new light!

I'll show her that I, Senju Nawaki, am 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 raised his head and, unusually, took the initiative to speak.

"My mother's illness needs another round of treatment fees recently.

The reward for this mission should be just enough."

After hearing the two of them finish speaking, Tianyi felt a sense of déjà vu from countless film and television works in his previous life.

Accompanied by an icy chill, it instantly crept over Tianyi's spine!

"I'll retire after this mission."

"I desperately need this money to save my family."

"Isn't my daughter adorable?"

"The old hen at home is about to lay eggs."

Th-These were standard death flags, weren't they?!

Tianyi's pupils constricted instantly, goosebumps rising all over his body as he roared inwardly:

Hey, hey, hey! No way! Nawaki! Kaede! Could you two please not raise flags at a time like this?!

They come true all the time! Especially in a world like this!

I've only just been entrusted with a major mission by my motherland and become a glorious pioneer.

I don't want to die before I've even accomplished anything! And I definitely don't want to watch my teammates fall in front of me because of these damned flags!

Orochimaru, what the hell 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, along with his urge to complain.

He swiftly checked his equipment once more:

Kunai, shuriken, grenades, 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 chance to object, 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.