Over the next several days, Shinsuke devoted himself entirely to the war preparations.
The personnel lists submitted by each ninja clan gradually arrived on his desk.
After carefully reviewing them, Shinsuke fell into thought.
Although none of the clans had committed all of their core combat strength, most had sent experienced Chunin instead of carelessly filling the ranks with rookie Genin.
Behind those rosters was clearly a measure of recognition and a wager placed on him, the young commander.
The one that surprised him the most was the Hyūga Clan.
As one of Konoha’s prestigious clans, not only had they sent higher quality ninja, but they had also placed them under the personal command of the branch family Jonin, Hyūga Hizashi.
Such substantial support made Shinsuke feel the weight of responsibility on his shoulders grow even heavier.
At the same time, enormous quantities of war supplies were sorted and sealed into specially made storage scrolls.
Special Military Ration Pills, medical supplies, explosive tags, weapon supplies…
Shinsuke personally took part in the final inspection and sealing process to ensure that nothing could go wrong.
Meanwhile, with Elder Sōen’s assistance, the Uchiha Clan’s battle roster was finalized.
As the departure date drew closer, Kurenai Yūhi became noticeably clingier.
Whenever Shinsuke had free time during those days, the two would spend it enjoying each other’s company.
Sometimes, Kurenai even came to see him three times in a single day.
Part of it was the excitement of newly discovered love, while another part came from her reluctance to see Shinsuke leave.
As for Shinsuke, he was utterly exhausted by those days.
If not for a ninja’s extraordinary physique, he doubted he would have been able to endure it.
He could only smile bitterly and comfort himself.
‘This must be what they call a sweet burden.’
Just as all the preparations were nearing completion, a travel worn squad of ninja entered Konoha.
The squad consisted of six people, all with bloodstained clothing.
They headed directly toward the Elder’s office within the Konoha Police Force, where they happened to encounter Shinsuke, who was discussing the final preparations with Sōen.
Leading the group was a young boy of about eleven or twelve years old.
He possessed the Uchiha Clan’s characteristic black hair and deep eyes, yet those eyes carried a composure far beyond his age, along with a trace of sorrow that was difficult to detect.
“Uchiha Shisui greets Lord Sōen.”
Shinsuke’s eyes narrowed slightly.
So this was the genius who would one day possess the strongest genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami?
“Shisui, Tekka…
why have you returned?”
Sōen looked up.
“We’ve escorted the Clan Leader’s body back to the clan.”
Shisui stepped forward and respectfully presented a sealing scroll with both hands.
Sōen accepted it before walking to an open area and forming hand seals to release the seal.
A pitch black coffin appeared.
Sōen slowly pushed open the lid.
Inside lay the body of the current Uchiha Clan Leader.
Parts of his body were missing, making it obvious that he had fought a brutally fierce final battle.
Sōen gazed silently for a long time, suppressing the grief deep within his eyes.
Taking a deep breath, he gently closed the coffin once more.
The cold figure resting inside the coffin reminded him of one undeniable truth.
This was the real shinobi world.
There were no warm fairy tales here, only cruel life and death, along with destinies beyond one’s control.
Before the tides of history, even choosing how to survive was a luxury reserved for the strong.
At that moment, his determination to become stronger became even more resolute.
“You’ve just returned from the front lines.
Go home, reunite with your families, and get some proper rest.”
Turning toward Shisui and the others, Sōen’s voice had already regained its calmness.
The six of them bowed in acknowledgment before quietly departing.
After sealing the coffin back into the scroll, Sōen turned toward Shinsuke and suddenly asked,
“What do you think of that child, Shisui?”
“He possesses exceptional talent and remarkable composure.
He will undoubtedly become one of the clan’s future pillars.”
Shinsuke answered honestly.
A trace of satisfaction appeared on Sōen’s face, easing some of the grief from earlier.
“Indeed…
he’s already begun making a name for himself on the battlefield.”
“Not long ago, he forced an elite Kirigakure squad to retreat through his own strength alone.
Their leader was the famous Jonin Ao, the one who possesses the Byakugan.”
“Nowadays, people have already started calling him Shisui of the Body Flicker.”
After a brief pause, Sōen continued.
“Just like you, Lord Hokage promoted him directly to Jonin without any examination.”
“He’s Lord Kagami’s descendant, and Lord Kagami studied under the Second Hokage alongside the Third Hokage.
Because of that connection, I plan to recommend him for the ANBU so the Hokage can personally train him.
What do you think?”
Hearing those words, Shinsuke immediately frowned.
Shisui was undoubtedly one of the Uchiha Clan’s greatest treasures.
After awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan in the future, he would become even more invaluable.
If handled properly, he might even become the key to resolving the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha.
But according to the original storyline, after joining the ANBU, Shisui was gradually led astray by the Hokage and the higher ups through the so called Will of Fire before ultimately meeting a tragic end.
In Shinsuke’s eyes, the so called Will of Fire was nothing more than poisonous indoctrination.
Burn yourself to illuminate others?
What complete nonsense.
It was nothing more than chains used to bind people’s minds.
If you burned yourself, all that would happen was that others would warm themselves beside your corpse.
Whenever a group required someone to bear its burdens, it simply meant someone else was enjoying peace because of that sacrifice.
Such an outstanding talent like Shisui absolutely could not be handed over to the Hokage to be led down the wrong path again.
“Give him to me.”
Shinsuke’s answer was firm and decisive.
“This battle against Sunagakure is the perfect opportunity for Shisui to sharpen his abilities and establish military merit. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
When he returns victorious, he’ll bring back not only invaluable experience, but also genuine achievements and prestige.”
Sōen hesitated.
His desire to place Shisui in the ANBU truly came from wanting to nurture him, but wasn’t it also because he wanted to remove him from the front lines for a while and prevent such a brilliant genius from dying too early on the battlefield?
Shinsuke understood his concern and continued.
“Sunagakure doesn’t have any top tier powerhouse overseeing this war.
The risks are manageable, making this a heaven sent opportunity to build experience and establish prestige.
For a genius, the battlefield is the fastest path to growth.”
After remaining silent for a long time, Sōen finally gritted his teeth and nodded.
“Very well, Shinsuke.”
“You and Shisui are both the future hope of the Uchiha Clan.
On the battlefield…
make sure you both survive.”
“I understand.”
After discussing the remaining arrangements in detail, Shinsuke finally took his leave.
The following day, Konoha held a grand funeral for the Uchiha Clan Leader.
A light drizzle fell from the gloomy sky.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally attended alongside the village’s senior officials to pay his respects, delivering a solemn and heartfelt eulogy.
The members of the Uchiha Clan stood quietly beneath the rain, bidding farewell to their Clan Leader.
The people of Konoha had long since grown accustomed to scenes like this.
After years of constant warfare, farewells had become a part of everyday life.
Once the funeral ended, Shinsuke officially led his forces toward the battlefield.
This time, Konoha had managed to gather a little over six hundred ninja for the campaign.
Compared to other battlefields where thousands of ninja clashed, this number was pitifully small.
To conceal their movements, Shinsuke divided the army into smaller units and had them travel separately toward Kikyō Mountain in secret.
Each squad was accompanied by members of either the Hyūga Clan or the Inuzuka Clan, using the Byakugan and their enhanced sense of smell to avoid enemy detection as much as possible.
Although this slowed their advance somewhat, it ensured that their strategic intentions would remain hidden.
After more than half a month, every unit quietly regrouped at the designated location.
Then, under Shinsuke’s command, the ninja deployed a total of one hundred thousand explosive tags along the route the Sunagakure army was expected to take, as well as throughout the surrounding area.
Once every preparation had been completed, all that remained was to conceal themselves and wait.
Time slowly passed.
Over the past few days, several Sunagakure reconnaissance squads had already secretly entered the Land of Fire within the area monitored by Konoha’s hidden forces.
Although their movements were extremely well concealed, none of it could escape the Hyūga Clan’s Byakugan.
Shinsuke knew that with the appearance of those scouting ninja, the war was no longer far away.
Sure enough, that night, a Hyūga ninja entered the underground command post established by Shinsuke and reported,
“Reporting to the Supreme Commander!
Our Byakugan reconnaissance team has confirmed that a large force of Sunagakure ninja is advancing toward our designated ambush zone!”
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