Chapter 22 — The Arrogant Uchiha
"A promotion mission issued by the Hokage Tower?"
"Because of wartime conditions, the Chūnin Exams have been suspended and replaced with field evaluations. My promotion assessment is to form a team with Nawaki and head to the Rain Country, to the battlefield where Orochimaru is stationed?"
After sleeping straight through to the following morning, Namikaze Yami received a mission that genuinely surprised him.
On second thought, however, it made sense. The Second Shinobi World War was already nearing its end. Konoha held overwhelming superiority on the main fronts, and the risks of deploying to the battlefield had dropped significantly. The war might be over very soon.
Sending Nawaki to the front lines was likely a long-standing plan—a form of tempering. After all, towering trees aren't grown in greenhouses.
As for himself, it was probably because he had revealed part of his strength in front of Tsunade the day before and was conveniently stuffed into the team as an "insurance policy."
Of course, it was also possible that Hiruzen Sarutobi had finally remembered the existence of this idle "genin" loafing around the village.
Either way, orders were orders. Departure was set for tomorrow, which left him today to make preparations.
Originally, Yami had been considering whether he could form a summoning contract. Now that he was heading to the front lines, he might actually have better opportunities.
Whether it was Mount Myōboku's toad clan or Ryūchi Cave's snake sages, both were tempting prospects—not to mention the mouth-watering allure of Sage Mode.
Before heading out, he took a moment to sense his body. The aftereffects from opening the Eight Gates had completely vanished after just one night. If anything, his physical strength had increased noticeably.
In terms of raw physique alone, he might still fall short of the Senju's Sage Body—but when it came to vitality and recovery, the Uzumaki bloodline was leagues ahead.
After all, recovery ability was built upon sheer life force.
Just consider this: even Hashirama Senju, the so-called God of Shinobi, had died early due to excessive combat.
Meanwhile, his wife Uzumaki Mito, despite sealing the Nine-Tails inside her—a massive debuff—was still alive and well. Not because of "mutual understanding," but because she had suppressed it outright with Adamantine Sealing Chains.
Once out on Konoha's streets, the familiar bustle greeted him. Yami kept moving, heading straight for the well-known "Ninja Tool Fullmark Shop."
The moment he stepped inside, the shopkeeper warmly greeted him. Even seeing only a child, the man showed not the slightest hint of disdain.
"Welcome, ninja-sama. What can I help you with?"
Yami glanced around the shop. He rarely came to places like this—money had always been tight, and standard-issue ninja tools were usually sufficient. The only time he'd come deliberately was to replenish explosive tags after they'd been completely used up on the battlefield in the Land of Whirlpools.
Now that he was heading to war again, and with his funds finally in decent shape, it made sense to stock up properly.
"Boss, do you have any good ninja blades?"
"We do," the shopkeeper replied enthusiastically, lifting a sword from the rack. "How about this one? It contains a good amount of chakra metal—very durable and reliable."
Yami took it and tested the balance. It couldn't compare to the legendary long blade Nuibari, but it felt solid in hand. He decided immediately.
"How much for this blade?"
"Fifty-five thousand ryō," the shopkeeper quoted casually.
"How about fifty thousand?"
"Deal," the man replied with a grin.
Yami immediately felt like he might have overbid—otherwise the boss wouldn't have agreed so quickly.
But the words were already out. He added a supply of kunai and explosive tags, bringing the total to seventy-one thousand ryō. The shopkeeper generously rounded it down to seventy thousand flat.
Konoha's largest ninja tool shop lived up to its reputation—money vanished in the blink of an eye, and yet the service left you wanting to come back again.
Just as Yami stepped out of the shop, a loud, heated argument drifted into his ears.
As he drew closer, Yami saw what the commotion was about.
A man with an honest, rustic face—looking every bit like a simple farmer—was locked in a standoff with two members of the Uchiha Police Force, shouting his grievances at the top of his lungs.
"You people from the Police Force are framing an innocent man! I didn't do anything at all!"
"You are a prime suspect in this case. Come with us," one of the Uchiha officers said coldly, ignoring his protests as he reached out to seize him.
The surrounding villagers didn't dare intervene, but their eyes were filled with hostility. It was clear they were deeply dissatisfied with the Uchiha's heavy-handed approach.
Even as the man shouted all the way—"Abuse of authority!" "The Uchiha bully honest folk!"—the two officers remained expressionless. To the proud Uchiha, explaining themselves to outsiders was simply unnecessary.
Just as the "honest farmer" was about to be dragged away, someone finally couldn't stand it anymore and stepped forward to block the officers.
"Akita isn't that kind of person! If you're taking him away, at least show some evidence!"
The leading Uchiha officer merely glanced at the speaker. In the next instant, his eyes turned crimson—two tomoe spinning slowly within his Sharingan. He didn't use any technique, but the ominous gaze alone was enough to force the man to retreat instinctively.
"My name is Uchiha Yashiro," he said calmly, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority. "If you have objections, come to the Police Headquarters and find me."
The crowd subconsciously parted to make way. Yashiro walked forward without sparing anyone another look, while the second Uchiha followed behind, impassively escorting the so-called "Akita."
Watching from the side, Yami felt a sense of clarity wash over him. Now he finally understood why the Uchiha Police Force had such a terrible reputation.
Everyone present was a Konoha civilian. Whether it was Uchiha arrogance or the excuse of case confidentiality, this cold, coercive style—no matter how justified—was bound to breed resentment.
Especially since the Second Hokage's era, when the village leadership had repeatedly suppressed the Uchiha, pushing them into increasing isolation. Their public image had deteriorated year by year, until—by the time the main storyline began—they would be practically at war with the village itself.
The villagers might have been ignorant and easily swayed, but Yami noticed something off at a glance.
Uchiha Yashiro hadn't wronged the man.
If he truly were a lifelong farmer, his hands should have been covered in thick calluses from years of handling farm tools. Instead, his hands were smooth—almost too clean—and unnaturally nimble.
A ninja masquerading as a peasant. The implication was obvious.
Most likely an outsider spy—or someone with an agenda far more dangerous.
After witnessing the Uchiha's iron-fisted way of handling matters, then recalling Nawaki's "landlord's idiot son" demeanor as the Senju heir, Yami couldn't help but shake his head.
No wonder the Uchiha never won people's hearts.
With his new ninja blade purchased, Yami decided to head to the training grounds to test its feel. Although he had already "redeemed" swordsmanship skills from Kuriarare Kushimaru, he still believed nothing beat personal practice.
Just as he reached the edge of the training field, two familiar figures entered his vision.
"Oh shit," Yami cursed inwardly, instantly turning around to slip away while they hadn't noticed him yet.
Too late.
He felt his collar tighten abruptly.
Tsunade had appeared behind him like a ghost. Her voice was calm—dangerously so.
"Namikaze brat. You picked a perfect time to show up."