Ryosuke lay on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
He realized he had overestimated his psychological resilience.
The tension and anxiety of going to the battlefield had thrown his heart into disarray, preventing him from sleeping.
Nervousness, excitement, worry, thrill, confusion… all sorts of emotions blended together, leaving him in a strange state.
He stopped trying to sleep and went to the balcony.
Looking at the dimly lit village in the early morning, his mood slowly calmed down.
He realized there was nothing to worry about, he just had to do his best to survive.
Why bother with unnecessary anxiety?
Suddenly, he saw someone dragging a small cart on the street in the distance.
He wondered why someone was setting up a stall so early, it wasn’t even five o’clock yet.
“Hmm?” He looked closer and was startled.
It was Mikoto, pulling a small cart towards him.
Without needing to guess, he knew she was coming for him.
Ryosuke quickly jumped off the balcony and ran over.
“Why are you here?” Ryosuke took the cart and pulled it, it was quite heavy.
He looked back curiously and saw two boxes on the cart’s flatbed: one filled with Shuriken, the other with Kunai, and a large bag of explosive tags.
Mikoto wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled.
“Aren’t you going to the border for a mission?
I can’t help much, so I brought you some ninja tools.” “So many?” “Not that many.
Two hundred Shuriken, one hundred Kunai, and one hundred explosive tags.
It’s safer to have enough, since we don’t know how long your mission will take.” “That’s quite a lot.
You didn’t empty out the clan’s warehouse, did you?” Mikoto smiled.
“How could I?
These are all from my family’s warehouse, just a part of it, and my grandfather agreed.” “Alright, poverty is limiting my imagination.” Ryosuke dragged the cart to his doorstep and moved the two boxes inside.
Mikoto said, “You should quickly pack your things.
I’ll make you breakfast.” Then she went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Ryosuke stored all the Shuriken and Kunai into the sealing space on his wrist, then stuffed all one hundred explosive tags into his ninja tool pouch, securely tying it to his left leg.
He then went upstairs and packed two sets of clothes into a small backpack.
When he came back down, Mikoto had already cooked two bowls of egg noodles and placed them on the dining table.
Ryosuke quickly went over, and they sat facing each other.
They began eating and chatting with smiles, filling the dining table with comfort.
“Oh, by the way, this is for you.” Mikoto blushed, holding something in her right hand and offering it to Ryosuke.
“What?” Ryosuke reached out and took it.
It was a small handmade sachet tied with a red string.
He opened it and found a photo of Mikoto inside.
Mikoto’s face turned even redder.
She quickly took the utensils and rushed to the kitchen to wash them, feeling too embarrassed to stay face to face with Ryosuke.
Ryosuke was deeply moved, his heart warm, yet a strange feeling arose.
He remembered a famous flag on the battlefield: if someone looked at a photo of their loved one or family during a war, they would surely die.
He hadn’t even gone to the battlefield yet, and he had already set a flag.
Ryosuke awkwardly touched his nose, but still put the photo back into the sachet and hid it close to his body.
“I’ll wear it well, don’t worry!” Ryosuke shouted.
Mikoto, who was washing dishes, paused her movements and nodded, replying with an “Mm.” Afterward, neither of them spoke.
About fifteen minutes later, when Ryosuke put on his small bag and walked out the door, they had a simple farewell.
“You absolutely must take good care of yourself.” Mikoto urged.
“Yes, I will definitely come back safely.” Ryosuke replied.
“Okay, I’ll wait for you.” “Mm, don’t worry.” Mikoto stood at the doorway, watching Ryosuke walk out of the Uchiha Clan compound.
— By the time Ryosuke reached the village gate, it was only 5:20 AM, and two groups of people were already gathered, almost all the reinforcements heading to the front line.
Danzo and the Root members formed a single line.
Everyone except Danzo wore strange masks, exuding a murderous aura.
The other team, led by Orochimaru, all wore Konoha’s standard green vests and sandals, looking more lively, but they also remained silent, standing perfectly straight.
Two people in this team looked particularly out of place, their height and equipment were different.
These two were Nawaki and Shibi, standing at the very end.
Ryosuke quickly hurried over to join his companions, asking in a low voice, “Am I late?” Nawaki shook his head and replied, “No, there are still ten minutes until the agreed time.
They just came early.” “Oh, good.” Ryosuke didn’t want to be targeted for being late, especially since the leader was Danzo, so he had to be extra careful and prepared.
“Let me show you something.” Nawaki said.
“What is it?” Nawaki first chuckled, then looked around to confirm no one else was paying attention, before pulling a necklace from his collar.
Ryosuke’s heart sank when he saw it and he almost blurted out “It’s over!”.
This was another flag!
Isn’t this the First Hokage’s relic, that “death necklace” that only those with strong fates could suppress?
This thing was a death notice, you couldn’t wear it.
“Do you know what kind of treasure this is?
Hehehe…” Nawaki boasted, “This is the First Hokage’s necklace, a blessing my sister gave me.
It’s priceless.” Ryosuke naturally felt not a shred of envy.
Instead, he patted Nawaki’s shoulder and said earnestly, “Sorry, Nawaki, I still want to live.” “Huh?
What do you mean?” Nawaki failed to understand how the conversation had veered towards life and death.
Shibi pushed up his sunglasses and said seriously, “The First Hokage’s necklace is indeed extraordinary, and perhaps it can bring good luck, but battle doesn’t rely on luck.
It relies on Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, as well as tactics and wisdom.
It’s a complex and disordered endeavor that integrates multiple factors…” “Silence!” Danzo had stepped out of the ranks at some point and stood before everyone, taking command.
He bellowed, “All personnel are present!
Depart immediately for the Land of Fire border!
Move out!” At his command, the Root members moved towards the gate like machines.
As Orochimaru followed the lead team, the second team followed suit.
“Quick, move!” Ryosuke, Nawaki, and Shibi scrambled to follow, trailing at the very end.
This was Ryosuke’s first time leaving the village since his transmigration.
As he rushed through the vast forest, he couldn’t help but marvel at Konoha’s natural advantages.
No wonder other ninja villages coveted it day and night.
“They say this large forest outside Konoha was created by the First Hokage using Wood Release.
Is that true?” Ryosuke asked Nawaki beside him in a low voice, curious.
Nawaki chuckled proudly.
“That’s right, my grandma told me.
Back then, grandpa slammed his hands on the ground, and the ground rumbled like an earthquake.
Then, trees sprouted from the ground.
That’s how we got this great forest beneath our feet.” ‘Wood Release…
Truly a power to yearn for.’ Ryosuke couldn’t help but sigh.
“Hehe, pretty cool, right?
This is the power that pacified the Sengoku era.” Nawaki said proudly.
“Indeed, it’s good.
Probably 5 times cooler than me, and 1000 times cooler than you.” Ryosuke said.
“What!
You mean you’re 500 times cooler than me?” Nawaki bristled.
“Oh, not bad, your math is pretty good.” “You conceited jerk, I…” “Let’s focus on the road.
We’re getting further and further from the front team.” Shibi said abruptly.
“Damn it, it’s all Ryosuke’s fault!” Nawaki quickly sped up to catch up.
Ryosuke and Shibi hurried after him.