Sudden Upheaval

With the Chunin Exams over,

Team 1's Uchiha Yufeng, Yuhi Kurenai, and Uzuki Yugao officially became Chunin.

Afterward, classmates of the same generation like Kakashi, Nohara Rin, and Might Guy celebrated their advancement in the Chunin Exams. As they encouraged one another, the classmates got along happily and harmoniously.

Before long, life for Uchiha Yufeng's Team 1 finally returned to its previous peace.

Every day, they followed the team on a few D-rank Missions—catching cats, helping people water trees...

Life was simple, but quite pleasant.

"Lord Hokage summons you!"

While Uchiha Yufeng was holding Yuhi Kurenai's hand and reading her palm, an Anbu ninja came over and spoke.

Uchiha Yufeng nodded, and the three of them ran toward the Hokage Building.

As soon as they arrived, they saw that the Hokage Building was full of ninja.

"Shinku Sensei, why are there so many people here?"

The three found Yuhi Shinku and asked quietly.

"There may be trouble!"

Yuhi Shinku did not answer directly, but a trace of worry flashed through his eyes.

Seeing Yuhi Shinku's reaction, the three of them grew much more serious.

"I noticed that everyone summoned here today is at least a Chunin, so the three of you need to be prepared!"

After looking around, Yuhi Shinku gave the three of them a solemn reminder.

They were all Chunin or above. To mobilize such a large force?

A thoughtful look flashed through Uchiha Yufeng's eyes.

Before long, the Third Hokage arrived.

"I have summoned everyone here today to assign a mission!"

After speaking, the Third Hokage had the Anbu at his side distribute the documents.

As Team 1's Jonin leader, Yuhi Shinku handed the document to Uchiha Yufeng and the other two after reading it.

Uchiha Yufeng's gaze sharpened as he looked over its contents.

Assigned Mission: A-rank!

Tomorrow, the squad would head to the Border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Fire to drive out Sunagakure ninja who had infiltrated the Land of Fire.

The specific location was marked on the map.

Uchiha Yufeng pulled a detailed map from the back of the document.

Several arrows on it marked the direction and locations for this mission.

"Recently, the Land of Fire has suffered repeated harassment from Sunagakure ninja."

"The Land of Fire's Daimyo sent word for Konoha to dispatch ninja and clear out the Sunagakure ninja within the Land of Fire."

Hearing the Third Hokage's words, Namikaze Minato stepped forward.

"Third Hokage, by drive out, do you mean...?"

The Third Hokage pondered for a moment.

"If you discover Sand Shinobi, first order them to leave verbally. If they continue advancing into the Land of Fire, then regardless of their reason, kill them!!"

At the word "kill," all the ninja were shaken.

"Yes!"

"If there are no questions, follow the missions just distributed. Operate with one squad as a unit and begin your actions!"

After the Third Hokage spoke, his gaze swept over Uchiha Yufeng and the other two. He paused, then spoke again.

"Also, should you encounter danger, prioritize your own safety!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

With resolute gazes, everyone answered the Third Hokage in unison.

"Dismissed!"

With those words, the ninja left the Hokage Building one after another.

Uchiha Yufeng and the other two followed Yuhi Shinku to Ichiraku Ramen.

"I really don't know whether your promotion to Chunin is a good thing or a bad thing!"

As a veteran Jonin, Yuhi Shinku was fairly sensitive to the overall situation in the Ninja World.

What had happened today meant they were already on the brink of war.

Seeing Yuhi Shinku fall silent, Uchiha Yufeng and the other two exchanged glances.

"Shinku Sensei, we've read the mission. Judging from the location, it isn't very deep inside enemy territory."

Yuhi Shinku looked at Uchiha Yufeng.

"Yufeng, what do you think of the current situation?"

"What situation? The Sunagakure ninja inside the Land of Fire this time?"

Yuhi Shinku nodded.

"I don't think it looks optimistic. Either the Sunagakure ninja entered the Land of Fire to provoke a war, or something has happened in Sunagakure and they fear that Konoha will act if we find out."

Uchiha Yufeng did not spell it out. After all, no one would believe that Sunagakure's Kazekage had been killed by a boy.

"Some news came in a while ago. It was said that Sunagakure's Kazekage had gone missing..."

After Yuhi Shinku spoke, his expression changed.

"No, you've only just become Chunin. I need to speak with Lord Hokage about this. I can't let you take this mission!"

Yuhi Shinku's face was solemn, but just as his words fell, Uchiha Yufeng stepped forward and stopped him.

"Shinku Sensei, everyone who came to receive missions this time is at least a Chunin. We've just been promoted to Chunin. If we don't go, then what was the point of taking the Chunin Exams?"

Yuhi Shinku looked over the three of them. The gazes of the young boy and girls before him were firm.

He could not bear it. They were the students under his command, their faces still childish. Sending three children like this to the Border was simply too dangerous...

"Shinku Sensei, we are your students, but we are also ninja of Konoha..."

Uzuki Yugao put down her chopsticks and spoke seriously.

Yuhi Shinku was silent for a moment. In the end, it turned into a sigh, and his gaze became more serious than ever.

"Since you've all made up your minds, I won't say anything more. But you must protect yourselves. Put the mission aside for now—ensuring the safety of you three comes first! Understood?"

"After you finish your ramen and return, pack your things properly! Meet at the usual place!"

"Yes!"

The four each had a large bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen, and they thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

After eating, Uchiha Yufeng headed home.

He briefly cleaned up the house, packed his daily necessities, and left.

After buying some necessities on the street, he went to Konoha Orphanage.

Yakushi Nonō was, as always, insisting on going out to earn money, so she was not at the Orphanage.

He put down the things he had bought, briefly chatted with the person in charge of the Orphanage about recent events, and did not leave until it was nearly time to meet.

At this time, inside an upscale casino somewhere in the Land of Fire.

Tsunade stood somewhat dazedly before the cards on the gambling table, while Shizune beside her was brimming with excitement.

"Lady Tsunade, ever since we left Konoha, we haven't won once. This time, we're finally going to win!"

Hearing Shizune's words, Tsunade came back to her senses.

Her gaze fell upon the gambling table, and her face turned solemn.

Tsunade casually played several cards.

The faces of the people across from her turned livid.

"Why are these cards lining up so perfectly?! What rotten luck!"

After they folded, the next round began.

Several rounds passed in succession.

Tsunade won a fortune, while Shizune at her side was so excited that her eyes seemed filled with nothing but money.

"Lady Tsunade, your luck today is incredible!"

Tsunade ignored her and simply turned around and walked out of the casino.

Shizune hurriedly gathered up the money they had won and rushed after her.

"Lady Tsunade, wait for me!"

The two went one after the other straight to a restaurant.

"Bring wine and food!"

Tsunade called out skillfully to the staff inside, then led Shizune to the private room at the very back.

Before long, all the wine and dishes were served.

"Lady Tsunade, what's wrong with you today?"

Seeing Tsunade's brows still tightly furrowed, Shizune was at a loss for a moment.

"Sit!"

Tsunade pointed to the seat beside her. Shizune obediently sat down.

"Have a drink with me..."

"Huh? Lady Tsunade, I'm not of age yet..."

Shizune looked flustered, but before she could say anything else,

Tsunade had already poured the wine from the flask into her cup and drained it in one gulp.

One cup after another.

Shizune stared dumbfoundedly from the side.

This was also the first time she had seen Lady Tsunade like this...

"Lady Tsunade, drink more slowly!"

Tsunade ignored Shizune. She raised another cup and downed it in one gulp, muttering under her breath.

"...What disaster is it this time?"