LightReader

Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: Applying to Go to the Battlefield

The next day, the rain had stopped, and the sun shone brightly over Konoha Village. Life in the village seemed vibrant and cheerful, with laughter and chatter filling the streets. A rainbow stretched across the sky, evoking innocent smiles on the faces of children and villagers alike. Even passing ninjas couldn't help but grin at the sight of it under the clear sunlight.

"Mikoto-sister, congratulations! You'll soon become a Special Jonin!"

Returning to the village, Uchiha Yami greeted Mikoto with a warm smile upon hearing the news. Yet, behind her smile, a faint sadness lingered in Mikoto's eyes.

"Grandpa's health isn't good. Even though I only possess a double magatama Sharingan, I must shoulder the family's responsibilities," Mikoto said quietly. Her words revealed a lot. Elder Uchiha Setsuna, a venerable figure of the clan, was nearing the end of his life. As his only granddaughter, Mikoto would inherit his legacy.

"The elder?" Uchiha Yami asked, her excitement mixed with concern.

Mikoto let out a self-deprecating laugh. "It's alright. Perhaps it's better for the old man to pass soon. The clan will have fewer worries."

The two of them walked toward the clan territory, while Uchiha Ye pondered the implications of what he had just heard. Mikoto might have been a stretch to qualify as a Jonin, but with her twin magatama Sharingan and the clan's need for a successor at this critical juncture, she was indeed the right person.

Suddenly, Mikoto turned to Ye, cupping his face with her slender hands and gazing deeply into his dark eyes.

"Ye!" she called, her expression solemn. "We don't have much time. Your Chuunin appointment will be issued soon, but you must open your eyes as soon as possible. We'll need you in the future!"

Hearing this, Uchiha Ye nodded firmly. "Don't worry, Sister Mikoto. I'll help you, no matter what."

Mikoto's situation was dire. With Elder Setsuna in failing health and Mikoto being the only heir, she needed all the support she could get. Once her eyes were opened and her spirit stirred, urgency weighed heavily on her.

Upon returning to the clan, devastating news awaited them.

"Something has happened to the First Hokage's grandson, Nawaki!"

Both Mikoto and Ye were shocked. Mikoto's concern stemmed from Nawaki being the only direct descendant of the First Hokage. Ye was astonished that Tsunade already knew about it. How could something like this happen without her awareness?

In front of the memorial stone, Tsunade, dressed in a blue windbreaker, stood silently. Her hand clutched a necklace, her face etched with grief as tears streamed down. The silence carried a fierce, almost murderous intent.

"Shengshu!"

Rustling footsteps interrupted the moment. Uchiha Ye, returning from a mission and still holding a bouquet of white chrysanthemums, hurried toward the memorial. He knelt before Shengshu's gravestone and lowered his head in respect.

"I just received the news this morning, Captain Tsunade," he said quietly, still catching his breath.

Before Ye could finish, a sudden force swept him off his feet, sending him flying more than ten meters. White chrysanthemums scattered into the air as Tsunade's glare pierced him.

"Ahem!"

Slowly, Ye picked himself up, brushing blood from the corner of his mouth. He gathered the scattered flowers and met Tsunade's eyes, disbelief mixed with determination.

"Captain Tsunade, someone is trying to sow discord between you and the village," Ye said, his voice steady despite the pain.

Tsunade's grief was apparent, but she maintained a facade of control. Even knowing Ye was only a pawn in a larger scheme, she wanted to mislead any potential enemies.

"Shut up! You evil brat of the Uchiha Clan!" she snapped.

Her anger was more a mask than reality. Ye had simply brought news, yet Tsunade could not reveal the sensitive details of Rope Tree's secret, known only to her and Grandma Mito.

"Brat! Remember the ninja code of confidentiality!" she warned coldly.

Ye bowed silently, his head lowered. A gentle breeze passed, and Tsunade's eyes lingered on her brother's gravestone. For a moment, neither spoke of sorrow or grief.

After a pause, Ye turned his back to Tsunade, clenching his fists in resolve. Tsunade watched in astonishment as he fixed her with a determined gaze.

"Captain Tsunade, Uchiha Ye applies to go to the battlefield in Rain Country!"

Ye's resolve was unshakable. He was willing to risk his life on the battlefield to protect critical information and to prove his worth.

Damn stubborn Uchiha brat! Tsunade's heart swelled with frustration, yet she couldn't help but feel a trace of pride. This was quintessentially Uchiha—stubborn, loyal, and unwavering in the face of danger.

Moments later, Ye's expression changed. Pain flickered across his face, his body trembling slightly.

"Kid!" Tsunade shouted instinctively, realizing immediately that something was wrong.

Her senses, honed as an elite ninja, detected the sudden danger.

Ye lowered his head, silent but resolute. His mind raced as sorrow mingled with determination. The war and the secrets it held forced him to act carefully, even if it meant personal risk.

At Rope Tree's gravestone, the wind carried the quiet rustle of white chrysanthemums. Ye placed the flowers gently on the grave, bowing his head in silence. Tsunade observed, a twinge of sympathy piercing her stoic exterior.

Yet, the matter at hand—Rope Tree's secret—was of such magnitude that she could reveal nothing. Ye, however, had understood the implications. This knowledge weighed heavily on him, shaping his next move.

"This information is the work of an enemy spy ninja!" Tsunade finally said, her voice firm but quiet. She acknowledged the situation without revealing details, confirming the threat while maintaining village stability.

Ye's gaze dropped, a shadow of sadness crossing his features. The war had taken a heavy toll, and some truths were too dangerous to disclose openly.

Tsunade's silence seemed to agree with his unspoken question: yes, certain truths could not be shared, lest they disrupt the village.

With renewed determination, Ye turned to face the horizon. His fists remained clenched, his resolve as unyielding as ever. Under Tsunade's watchful eyes, the young Uchiha made a decision that would shape his future.

"Captain Tsunade, Uchiha Ye will personally fight in the Rain Country battlefield!" he declared once more.

His determination was clear—he would put himself at risk, willing to sacrifice everything to protect vital secrets and support the village.

Tsunade's heart swelled with mixed emotions—grief for the loss, frustration at the recklessness, and begrudging admiration for the young Uchiha's spirit.

This stubbornness, this fierce loyalty, this unyielding sense of duty—it was, after all, the Uchiha way.

Ye's eyes, dark and resolute, met Tsunade's one last time before he turned to leave, ready to face the storm of war.

More Chapters