The main gates of Konoha were a sea of green flak jackets.
The morning mist was thick, but it couldn't dampen the intensity of the deployment. This wasn't a patrol; it was an army.
Ren stood near the massive wooden doors, adjusting his gloves. He activated his right eye for a fraction of a second.
Analysis:Uchiha Clan: 50 personnel. Mix of Chūnin and Jōnin. High morale.Senju Clan: 50 personnel. Mostly veterans, but dwindling numbers compared to the past.Hyūga and Support Clans: 30 personnel.Total Force: ~130.
"It's a lot of firepower," Ren muttered. "We aren't going for a skirmish. We're going for an occupation."
And by occupation, I mean a muddy camping trip with a high chance of death, Ren thought dryly. 130 ninja. That's a lot of paperwork if things go south.
"Straighten your back," Satoshi ordered, walking up to him. "We represent the clan."
Satoshi looked every bit the Captain today. His armor was polished to a mirror sheen, his face stern and heroic. Beside him, Kaori was checking her medical pouch, humming a tune that was far too cheerful for a war zone.
Look at them, Ren mused. Dad looks like he's posing for a recruitment poster, and Mom looks like she's packing snacks for a picnic. I love them, but sometimes I worry about their sanity.
"Squad Satoshi, assemble!" Satoshi barked.
The squad gathered. Taki and Kenta fell in line. And then, a new figure approached.
Mikoto Uchiha walked up, wearing the standard Police Force combat gear, a ninjatō strapped to her back. She stopped in front of Satoshi and bowed perfectly.
"Officer Mikoto reporting for duty, Captain," she said, her voice steady, though her eyes flickered briefly toward Ren.
"Welcome to the squad," Satoshi nodded.
Mikoto moved to stand beside Ren.
"Hey," Ren whispered. "Welcome to the family business."
Mikoto offered a small, relieved smile. "Thanks. The atmosphere in Fugaku's squad was... stifling."
"Oh?"
Stifling is a polite word for 'Fugaku probably spent the whole time staring at the wall brooding about his destiny,' Ren thought.
Suddenly, Kaori appeared between them like a teleporting demon.
"Welcome, indeed!" Kaori beamed, grabbing Mikoto's hands. "So, you requested a transfer? Specifically to our squad?"
Oh no, Ren panicked internally. Code Red. Mother has engaged Matchmaking Mode. Abort! Abort!
Mikoto blinked, taken aback by the sudden warmth. "Ah, yes, Kaori-san. I felt that my synergy with Ren and Captain Satoshi was—"
"Synergy!" Kaori winked, nudging Mikoto with her elbow. "Is that what the kids call it these days? Nothing builds 'synergy' like a life-or-death rescue, right?"
Mikoto's face turned a shade of pink that matched the Uchiha crest. "I... um... that is..."
Kaori turned to Ren and gave him a big thumbs up. Good job, son.
Mom, please, Ren screamed internally. I am trying to look cool in front of the pretty girl and the entire army. You are destroying my street cred.
Ren groaned aloud. "Mom, please. We are going to war. Can you save the matchmaking for when we aren't marching to our deaths?"
"Nonsense," Kaori let go of Mikoto but kept beaming at her. "War is the perfect time for romance! It adds dramatic tension! Don't worry, Mikoto-chan, I'll protect you. You just focus on... synergy."
Great. Now my romantic life is a shoujo manga plot directed by my mother, Ren sighed.
Mikoto looked down, hiding a smile. "I will do my best, Kaori-san."
"Attention!"
A chill ran through the crowd. The chatter died instantly.
Walking through the center of the formation was a man who radiated cold, predatory charisma. He had pale skin, long black hair, and eyes like a golden snake.
Orochimaru.
Ah, yes, Ren thought, suppressing a shudder. The man who looks like he needs a moisturizer and a restraining order. Why does he always look like he's mentally dissecting everyone?
He was leading the Senju battalion.
Walking right beside him, looking wildly out of place next to the sinister Sannin, was a twelve-year-old boy. He wore a green poncho, goggles, and a grin that was way too big for his face.
Nawaki Senju. Tsunade's little brother. The grandson of the First Hokage.
"Listen up!" Nawaki shouted, waving to the crowd. "We're gonna kick some Rain Ninja butt! And when I come back, I'm gonna be one step closer to being Hokage!"
Some of the Senju veterans smiled indulgently. Orochimaru just smirked, looking at the boy like he was an interesting lab rat.
Ren watched Nawaki.
In the original timeline, everyone related to Tsunade dies in the Second Ninja War, Ren thought grimly. That kid is wearing a bright green poncho in a stealth profession. He's not just a target; he's a walking neon sign that says 'Explode Me'.
Nawaki, noticing Ren staring, ran over. The Uchiha and Senju sides stiffened, the old rivalry flaring up.
"Hey!" Nawaki pointed at Ren. "You're Ren Uchiha, right? The guy who made the white lightning?"
Ren looked down at the kid. "Word travels fast."
"Kushina told me!" Nawaki grinned, thumbing his chest. "I'm Nawaki. I'm gonna be Hokage. And that means I gotta be stronger than you!"
"Is that so?" Ren asked amusedly.
Kid, I have eyes that can burn anything and a soul that eats nature energy. You have a poncho. Let's not compare stats.
"Yeah! So don't go dying out there, Uchiha! I want a match when we get back!"
Orochimaru glided over, his presence making the air temperature drop. He placed a hand on Nawaki's shoulder.
"Now, now, Nawaki," Orochimaru hissed, his voice raspy. "Don't bother the Uchiha prodigy. He has... delicate work to do."
Orochimaru's golden eyes locked onto Ren.
"Ren Uchiha," Orochimaru licked his lips. "I heard about your ninjutsu. Perhaps when we have downtime, you and I can discuss the mechanics of chakra."
Ren met the Sannin's gaze. He didn't flinch.
Stranger danger, Ren thought. Do not go into the van with the snake man. I repeat, do not go into the van.
"I'm just a Chūnin, Orochimaru-sama," Ren said calmly. "I doubt I have anything to teach the disciple of The strongest Hokage."
"Modesty," Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "A rare trait in your clan. I look forward to seeing your 'white lightning' in person."
"Alright, move out!" Satoshi shouted, breaking the tension.
The massive gates of Konoha creaked open. The army began to march into the mist.
Ren walked silently between Mikoto and his mother.
While his body moved on autopilot, his mind was racing. He had already mastered the Mystical Palm Technique thanks to his mother's nagging, but he was thinking about efficiency.
He glanced at the pouch on his mother's waist. It was bulging with Explosive Tags.
Ren remembered watching her make them at the kitchen table late last night. The Village Council had cut the Police Force budget to fund the war effort, so his mom had been crafting tags to sell on the side just to keep food on the table.
Wait, Ren thought, his eyes narrowing. That's actually really sad. The wife of a Captain has to make bombs on the kitchen table to buy groceries? Stupid budget cuts.
But... hang on.
How does an explosive tag work?
You compress volatile Fire Nature chakra and seal it into a paper medium using a specific script. When the seal is broken or triggered, the chakra releases violently, creating an explosion.
So... if I change the chakra nature...
If he compressed Yang Release (Medical Chakra) instead of Fire Chakra... and sealed it into the paper...
When the seal breaks, it wouldn't explode. It would burst outward with pure healing energy.
A Healing Tag.
Ren's steps didn't falter, but internally, his jaw dropped.
Instant healing without hand signs. Portable. Usable by non-medics. Consumable items!
If I could patent this...
The Village would pay a fortune. Every squad would need hundreds. The Police Force budget cuts wouldn't matter. I could buy the entire Uchiha district. Hell, I could buy my own private mountain and build a castle on it.
Infinite money, Ren realized, his eyes gleaming with a sudden, greedy light.
A dark, internal laughter echoed in his mind.
Haa haa haa haaa! Forget the war hero stuff! The war economy is going to make me rich! I'm going to be the Jeff Bezos of the Ninja World!
"Ren?" Mikoto asked, looking at him. "You have a weird smile on your face."
Ren wiped the capitalist expression off his face instantly.
"Just thinking about strategy," Ren lied smoothly. "Very serious strategy."