The Third Hokage's Expectations

Twelve hours had passed since Konoha's internal meeting.

The shadow of war once again loomed over the entire shinobi world.

In truth, ever since the Second Shinobi World War ended, the clouds of war had never truly left the shinobi world.

Just as Uchiha Lan had complained, this world possessed an exceptionally peculiar obsession with war and bloodshed.

Nearly everyone was certain that with the Land of Wind launching an undeclared war against the Land of Fire, the Third Shinobi World War would erupt soon.

It could not be helped. Everyone had ample faith in Sunagakure, the masters of starting fights!

Although the outbreak of the Third Shinobi World War was the inevitable result of accumulated conflict and hatred, its sudden onset still caught people off guard.

On the rooftop of the Hokage Building.

The Third Hokage stood at a high vantage point, his sharp gaze sweeping across the five thousand assembled shinobi.

Sunlight shone upon him, coating his figure in a golden radiance, yet his expression was exceptionally grave, without the slightest trace of ease.

"Everyone, ten years have passed since the Second Shinobi World War, and the shadow of war has once again enveloped the entire shinobi world."

The Third Hokage's voice echoed across the rooftop. His tone was resolute and powerful, every word seeming to strike directly against the shinobi soldiers' hearts.

"The outbreak of war is the inevitable result of conflicts and hatred accumulated over a long period, but we cannot allow it to easily destroy our homeland."

"Konoha is our shared home. Our families and friends are all here. We cannot allow the flames of war to burn all of this to ashes."

He stepped forward, his voice rising:

"I know that war is cruel. It takes lives and brings pain."

"But today, we stand here not for war, but for peace. To protect our homeland and safeguard our future, we must bravely face this war."

His gaze swept across every shinobi's face, as though he wished to see all their resolve.

"You are all Konoha's elite, our most powerful force. I believe in you. I believe that you can display Konoha's courage and resilience in this war."

"We cannot let the enemy trample our land so easily. We must let them know that Konoha is not a place they can humiliate at will."

"Today, we are not merely fighting for ourselves. We are fighting for our families, our friends, and all of Konoha."

His voice gradually lowered, yet his tone became even firmer:

"Remember, you are Konoha's shinobi. Our will is unbreakable. No matter how many hardships lie ahead, we must press forward. For Konoha, for peace, victory will be ours!"

As his words fell, the five thousand shinobi on the rooftop erupted in deafening cheers.

"Victory for Konoha!"

Before the waves of chanting had completely subsided, before the fervor and determination surging through the air had cooled—

Uchiha Lan and his squad—three Uchiha elites who likewise possessed pitch-black eyes and the fan crest of their clan: Uchiha Daosui, Uchiha Inada, and Uchiha Tetsuka—

were silently led to the very front of the assembled ranks by an ANBU shinobi wearing an animal mask.

"Uchiha Lan Squad!"

The ANBU's voice sounded cold and formulaic through the mask.

"By order of the Hokage, you are assigned to the Special Advance Reconnaissance Unit. Depart immediately. Objective: the border of the Land of Rivers. Monitor Hidden Sand's movements and impede their advance. Mission rank: S."

Uchiha Lan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

S-rank? Straight to the front lines? And they specifically named the Uchiha... This arrangement was less trust than it was... sending us to our deaths!

Was this really the Hokage's order? Hadn't I acted enough like an inheritor of the Will of Fire in front of him? Was the old Third really that hard to fool?

From the corner of his eye, he swept his gaze over the surroundings. When the shinobi who had just been shouting the slogan in unison heard that an Uchiha squad would take the lead—

more or less all wore complicated, unreadable expressions: awe, distrust, and even a faint vigilance that was difficult to detect.

Ten years of peace had not completely erased the Uchiha Clan's delicate position within Konoha.

"Understood."

Uchiha Lan's voice was calm and even, betraying not the slightest emotion.

The three Uchiha behind him also gave slight nods. Their movements were perfectly uniform, revealing both the discipline of elite shinobi and Uchiha pride.

Perhaps, in their eyes, serving as the vanguard of the advance force was an honor.

But in this world, that was not wrong. Those who charged at the front were often the elite among elites.

Moreover, the role they were playing was that of scouts who ventured deep into enemy territory. They had to be elites, or they would simply be handing the enemy free kills and damaging morale.

(For reference, the advance reconnaissance unit led by Kankuro during the Fourth Shinobi World War.)

Just as they were preparing to depart, the Third Hokage had already arrived at Konoha's main gate. Beside him stood Orochimaru, the commander-in-chief of the western front.

The latter was busy having the staff arrange the marching routes, but he also cast a covert glance at Uchiha Lan.

"Konoha Spark, Uchiha Lan. Your former teammates, Sarutobi Asuma and Yūhi Kurenai, both believed you were the best teammate. I, too, believe that you are a true inheritor of the Will of Fire."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice reached him. It was lower than when he had addressed the entire army earlier, but it carried a sense of expectation.

"The Land of Rivers has complex terrain. Hidden Sand's puppet techniques and poison mist are impossible to guard against."

"The Uchiha's Sharingan is a powerful tool for spotting traps, dispelling genjutsu, and tracking enemies. Be sure to exercise caution. I hope the four of you can buy time for the main force that follows."

After saying that, he patted each of them on the shoulder and offered a few words of encouragement.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Uchiha Lan replied succinctly.

"Mm, Uchiha Lan. By the authority vested in me as Hokage, I hereby promote you to Jonin. I hope you can make the greatest contribution to the village!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Uchiha Lan remained very composed. The old Third had long wanted to promote him to Jonin so he could carry out A-rank and even S-rank missions.

A highly paid worker still wanted to do cleaning work and catch little cats? Keep dreaming. Did he think he was my old friend Maruboshi Kosuke?

Uchiha Tetsuka and the others, however, were thrilled. Who could refuse a charge from the Hokage in a scene watched by thousands?

But Uchiha Lan finally understood that the little monkey and the gorgeous beauty had meant well but caused trouble instead.

No wonder his former captain, Uchiha Shizumizu, had fought so desperately to protect the few of them. It had to be said, that monkey really had some influence.

That was right. In the mission that had made Uchiha Lan famous, his teammates had been Sarutobi Asuma, the Third Hokage's youngest son, Yūhi Kurenai, and a civilian shinobi named Haruno Kaze.

Their Uchiha Jonin squad leader had been Uchiha Shizumizu, Uchiha Shisui's father—and the son of Kagami Uchiha, the Third Hokage's close comrade-in-arms.

Unfortunately, during that encounter battle with Hidden Mist, after taking down two of their Jonin and some lesser shinobi by himself, he had been surrounded and killed by dozens of enemy shinobi.

He had both bought time for Sarutobi Asuma and the others to escape and worn down more than half of the enemy's fighting strength. He had done right by the trust the Third Hokage had placed in him.