That mission

In theory, with Kakashi Hatake in Team 7, the team should have been able to take on some difficult missions fairly soon. After all, Kakashi was already a chunin.

"A stupid cat scratched me! Forget about that. You still haven't told me how your mission went. Haha, it must have been exciting."

Obito Uchiha's expression immediately stiffened at the question. The source of the scratches on his face seemed rather embarrassing, and he promptly laughed awkwardly and began changing the subject.

"Because this dead last dragged us down, we failed the assessment mission Minato-sensei set for us, so we can only take E-rank missions for now.

"As for the wounds on his face, he got scratched by the mission target while we were working. Heh, a genin who can't outrun a cat. A dead last through and through."

Beside him, Kakashi Hatake rolled his eyes and bluntly exposed Obito Uchiha's embarrassing situation.

"Damn you, Kakashi! You want to fight?!"

Exposed, Obito Uchiha shouted in shame and anger.

But evidently, Kakashi ignored Obito outright, just as he always did.

"Father asked me to pass along a message. He said that while the Sharingan's power is strong, it has also obscured some of your own edge. He suggested that you set aside the Sharingan for now. The Fire Release Ninja Sword Technique you learned would be a good choice.

"Father thinks that since you've studied swordsmanship, it would be a shame if you didn't awaken sword force. Hmm, I think so too."

Ignoring Obito, Kakashi looked at Uchiha Gen and spoke earnestly.

As before, Kakashi never doubted his father's judgment.

Uchiha Gen was somewhat surprised to hear this.

Sword force...

No matter how he looked at it, this didn't sound like something that belonged in the Shinobi World.

Although he had seen relevant records in the Uchiha Clan's books, hearing those words from someone else for the first time felt entirely different.

Sword force was an advanced form of power beyond basic swordsmanship techniques. It was an oppressive, domain-like intangible aura or flow of power formed when a swordsman completely fused his will, sword intent, essence, energy, and spirit with the natural world and the battlefield environment.

In other words, it was a domain expansion and oppressive presence unique to swordsmen.

"Have you grasped it?"

Uchiha Gen looked at Kakashi and asked.

"No. Awakening sword force does depend on talent, but it depends even more on luck. It requires a special battle, and right now... even getting into a fight is difficult for me."

Kakashi shook his head lightly. After glancing at Obito Uchiha, who was chatting with Rin Nohara nearby, he spoke helplessly.

He couldn't understand why Minato-sensei wanted to form a genin team, or why his father was so supportive of Minato-sensei's idea.

"Is that so? What a shame. It looks like I'll awaken sword force before you do."

Following Kakashi's gaze, Uchiha Gen also glanced at Obito Uchiha. Understanding what Kakashi meant, he shrugged and replied.

In terms of strength, teaming up with Obito wasn't actually much of a problem. The real problem was having to watch out for Obito's erratic behavior.

And erratic behavior was the last thing the ninja profession needed.

So, if Minato Namikaze was responsible enough, Team 7 would probably have to prepare for a long stretch of low-level missions to wear down Obito's temperament.

"That remains to be seen. Awakening sword force isn't that easy, so don't be too confident. Gen, interested in another fight? I've developed something new lately."

Looking at the confident Uchiha Gen, Kakashi spoke softly.

He paused, and the fighting spirit that had lain dormant in his eyes for so long quietly ignited. His tone grew more serious.

Their last battle had given him a few new ideas for developing Chidori.

Looking at the fighting spirit Kakashi couldn't conceal, Uchiha Gen's lips curved slightly, his expression calm and composed.

"Not interested. Keep wrangling with Obito. I'm very busy."

With that, Uchiha Gen turned and walked straight toward Team 8. Shibi Aburame and Minato Namikaze had just finished their conversation as well.

It was time to collect his share of the mission payment.

"This guy..."

Watching Uchiha Gen walk away, Kakashi couldn't help gritting his teeth slightly.

That guy was as infuriating as ever.

After Team 8 parted ways.

Inside the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat upright behind the Hokage's desk, his fingertips tapping lightly against its edge. His gaze rested on Shibi Aburame, who stood before him with a bow.

"So Uchiha Gen defeated an A-rank Onmyoji head-on, and still had strength to spare."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was low and gentle, yet carried the authority of a superior who would not tolerate a perfunctory answer.

At this point in time, he was still the powerful ninja known as the Shinobi Hero.

"That's right. In his battle with Jigumi, aside from using the power of his Sharingan bloodline limit, Gen hardly used any other ninjutsu.

"By my preliminary estimate, Uchiha Gen's strength is already infinitely close to that of an elite jonin. After all, with the increase in strength provided by the Three-Tomoe Sharingan alone..."

Shibi Aburame stood straight and proper, his head slightly lowered as he answered respectfully.

"The strongest ocular bloodline limit... Since Uchiha Gen's strength has already reached jonin level... perhaps... we could have him join that mission too, and while we're at it...

"Shibi, continue leading Team 8 properly. For now, don't take any missions that require leaving the village. Go back and wait for instructions. In a few days, there will be a special mission that will require you and Uchiha Gen to participate. As for Asuma and the little girl from the Yuhi family... have them temporarily join Team 7 on missions."

Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep draw on his pipe and rose to his feet. Gazing out the window at Konoha's bright, clear sky, he spoke in a low voice.

"Yes."

"Go get some rest."

After Shibi Aburame left, only Hiruzen Sarutobi and the gradually rising thick smoke remained in the office.

"It looks like I'll need you to step in, Kosuke. Whether that child possesses the Will of Fire... Kagami, this junior of yours truly is remarkable."

Smoke drifted through the air. Hiruzen Sarutobi looked beyond the window frame toward the distant, continuous outlines of Konoha's houses, a lingering trace of reminiscence rising in his eyes.

Kagami Uchiha.

The dear friend who had once fought at his side, an Uchiha... who had been Konoha's most clear-sighted and most mindful of the bigger picture.

Throughout his life, he had set aside his clan's personal grudges and put the village first, keeping the greater good in his heart. He had been one of the very few members of the Uchiha Clan who truly understood the Will of Fire.

Sadly, as the years passed, that old friend had long since been laid to rest beneath the earth.