The Elder Was Going to War Too

An aged voice suddenly rang out from the alley entrance, making Yūto's eyelid twitch. "Wait!"

Yūto looked back. It was actually the Elder!

This old man is here to ruin things for me again!

It would be so easy to die a glorious death if I went to war with Minato. Why are you meddling, old man?

Do you really want me to drop dead right in front of you?

Minato turned and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Elder."

As he straightened, his eyes held sincerity. "Yūto has a strong desire to protect the village and his comrades. Lord Hokage specifically..."

"Outsiders have no business interfering in Uchiha affairs!"

The Elder cut him off coldly, staring at Minato as he rapidly weighed his options.

This boy is the Third's confidant. If Yūto goes with him, there's no guarantee the Hokage's faction won't win him over...

But if I refuse outright, it will only make the Uchiha seem unwilling to consider the bigger picture.

At that thought, the Elder suddenly loosened his grip on his cane, his tone softening slightly. "However, since he is going to the battlefield..."

"I will personally lead the clan's elite and set out with Yūto. That will satisfy the Hokage's request while also preventing a young man from dying needlessly for lack of experience."

Minato paused at his words. The Elder's personal involvement would certainly strengthen their forces, but coordination between the Uchiha and headquarters had always been awkward...

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Yūto's expectant gaze and recalled the boy's heroic act of risking his life to protect his comrades in the Valley.

Perhaps this is an opportunity to ease relations between the Uchiha and the village?

"I understand."

Minato finally broke into his signature warm smile. "Sorry for the trouble, Elder. Please lead the Uchiha members to rendezvous with my squad early in the morning five days from now."

He winked at Yūto. "I look forward to fighting alongside you."

Once Minato left using the Body Flicker Technique, Yūto's shoulders immediately slumped as he wailed inwardly.

I'm doomed!

Now I won't just fail to die. I'll have this old man watching me and piling on extra training the whole way!

An ingratiating smile appeared on Yūto's face as he sidled up to the Elder and said:

"Elder, you..."

"Hmm!" The Elder narrowed his eyes, his voice instantly rising. "Yūto, you brat, what should you be calling me?!"

Yūto thought for a moment, then immediately caught on and said respectfully, "Teacher!"

He rubbed his hands together, a hint of pleading in his voice. "Teacher, you saw how hard I trained yesterday. How about letting me get some proper rest before heading to the front..."

"You fool!" The Elder's voice made Yūto's eardrums buzz. "Do you think war is a game of house? Those brutes from Kumogakure won't go easy on you with their blades!"

Seeing Yūto shrink back without daring to speak, the Elder suddenly softened his tone. "I taught you most of the combat skills you needed yesterday. Beyond that, you'll have to work things out for yourself..."

He awkwardly turned his back. "It's not that I'm worried about you, you little brat... I just don't want that girl Tsukimi crying all day..."

Yūto froze.

This old man...

Does he really see me as his own student now?

Yūto's nose suddenly stung.

He suddenly remembered his life on Blue Star. Before he had become an orphan, his grandfather had also been all harsh words and a soft heart.

This old man really does treat me pretty well.

I suddenly don't feel quite so eager to die...

"However!" The Elder suddenly turned around. "Since you'll be fighting on behalf of the Uchiha, you must kill at least a hundred enemies!"

"If you fall short by even one, I'll personally give you an extra year of training after the war!"

Yūto inwardly unleashed a torrent of complaints.

A hundred?

Has this old man mistaken me for Minato Namikaze? I'm just a Chunin. Even with the Sharingan, I'm only a little stronger than an ordinary Chunin.

He could never kill a hundred enemies, even if he worked himself to death.

Yūto suddenly wanted to die again...

I really want to hurry back to Blue Star.

"I... I'll try." Yūto agreed with slumped shoulders, already working out how to get himself killed on the battlefield.

The Elder snorted coldly. "You won't try. You must!"

With that, he turned and left.

The Elder walked slowly along the stone-paved paths of the Uchiha Clan Compound, his brow furrowing unconsciously.

At first, I only intended to use this boy...

He recalled that he had initially approached Yūto only to recruit this Hawk Faction member hidden among the Dove Faction and give the Hawk Faction more leverage.

Yet at some point, he had actually begun to worry sincerely about the boy's safety.

Is it because he saved Tsukimi?

The Elder's steps briefly faltered, then he snorted and nodded firmly, as though trying to convince himself.

That's right!

I'm merely repaying a debt of gratitude!

But when he recalled how desperately Yūto had worked at the Training Ground, those stubborn eyes, and the bedraggled figure that had still climbed back up after being kicked away, an unfamiliar feeling stirred in his heart again.

Hmph. If this boy dies on the battlefield, that girl Tsukimi is sure to cry her eyes out...

He shook his head hard, driving those unnecessary thoughts from his mind.

Meanwhile, Yūto looked up at the sun in the sky. It was already noon.

Standing outside his home and gazing down the empty street, he felt momentarily at a loss.

With his training suspended and preparations for the battlefield yet to begin, he suddenly had a rare stretch of free time.

"I've got nothing to do anyway..." He scratched his head and muttered to himself, "Might as well go see those kids again."

With that thought, he headed toward the general store in the Uchiha Clan Compound. This time, he planned to buy more rice, flour, and candy.

After all, once he went to the battlefield, he would probably never return to Konoha.

He pushed open the general store's door, and the owner greeted him as warmly as ever. "Yūto, shopping for supplies again?"

"Yeah. I'll get a little more this time."

Yūto nodded, his tone light, though it concealed a trace of loneliness that was difficult to detect.

The owner keenly sensed something, but asked no further questions. He simply went into the storeroom and wheeled out a larger cart, filling it with food and everyday necessities.

"Will this be enough?" the owner asked with a smile.

Looking at the little mountain of supplies, Yūto's lips curved slightly. "Yes. Thank you."

After paying, he pushed the cart along, silently thinking, At least I can bring the children a little more warmth before I leave.

Yūto walked through Konoha's streets. The sunlight was as bright as ever, yet an inexplicable sense of oppression hung over everything.

Outside the usually bustling shops, owners gathered in small groups, quietly discussing news from the border.

Ninjas hurried past, brows furrowed beneath their forehead protectors, as though invisible gunsmoke permeated the air.

When he reached the orphanage, Nonō was crouching in its small vegetable garden, her fingertips covered in dirt, staring blankly at the sparse seedlings.

Hearing footsteps, she abruptly looked up. A trace of panic flashed through the eyes behind her glasses before she quickly forced her usual gentle smile. "Yūto, you're here..."

Noticing Nonō's reaction, Yūto felt a flicker of puzzlement and asked:

"Nonō, what's wrong? You look like something's on your mind."