"Perhaps it's possible, and perhaps not."
Uchiha Gen looked at Sarutobi Enjun and spoke.
"The Lord of this town is a fool; the actual affairs of the territory are decided by the Steward. If offered enough incentive, he probably wouldn't refuse. I can't produce such funds, and since Ruri comes from a small clan, it's even more impossible for her. So, if you want to try, it's on you.
But remember, when we take to the battlefield in the future, our enemies will be shinobi who use Ninjutsu just like us. There won't be any room for mercy then. Sometimes, simply letting an innocent child go can lead to leaked intel and a crushing defeat.
Every seemingly insignificant rule in the Shinobi Code was summarized by countless predecessors who paid for that knowledge with their lives. If you choose kindness, you must be prepared for the entire team to be buried with you."
"I understand everything you're saying," Sarutobi Enjun scratched his head in distress.
"But at least this time, we have the ability to do it without serious consequences. If we just grease that Steward's palms with enough money, there shouldn't be a problem, right? Leave this to me; I have more pocket money than I know what to do with anyway. This way, we pass the mission assessment without having it on our consciences."
"How much money do you actually have on you?" Uchiha Gen asked.
The latter scratched his head and said, "I don't know exactly. I've been saving since I entered the Ninja Academy and haven't really counted it. However, I did bring over a million Ryo in banknotes with me this time."
Damn it.
A second-generation tycoon; the pocket money he carries is enough to fund an S-rank mission reward. I'll have to find a way to fleece this kid for a few meals in the future.
"Then we'll do as you say. But Enjun, I hope you remember that for things like this, you must obtain the consent of all teammates first—especially on the battlefield. Kindness and mercy are not essential qualities for a shinobi; instead, they can lead to unnecessary disasters."
Uchiha Gen waved his hand.
According to his analysis of Orochimaru's personality, the man was quite indifferent to ethics and morality. If they simply found the bandits and killed them all, it would likely fit Orochimaru's requirements perfectly.
However, Uchiha Gen understood his own role better. What he needed to play was an Uchiha who could be influenced by the "Will of Fire."
Being too calm and rational suggested to the high-level officials of the Hokage Faction that your autonomy was too strong, making you difficult to control. The current Orochimaru, as the prized disciple of the Third Hokage, was on a similar path. Since Gen had been assigned to this team, he would inevitably be under comprehensive investigation as an Uchiha.
Therefore, while he had to demonstrate that his aptitude was worthy of cultivation, he also had to make his personality appear worth molding. Saratobi Enjun's personality served as an excellent lubricant; Gen could use the boy as a reason to show a side of himself that could be swayed by the village's ideology. He believed the Third Hokage would be pleased to see such a script and would be more likely to believe it.
Moreover, although Uchiha Gen never considered himself a saint, he was still a normal person who had experienced a decade of modern education in his previous life. It was just that from the day he arrived in the Shinobi World, he knew how dangerous it was, so he worked hard to adapt for survival.
Who wouldn't want to live in a world without killing or war? Unfortunately, this was not that world. In truth, given a choice, Gen wouldn't mind showing kindness. The premise, however, was having a choice.
He could see that Uzuki Ruri was like him, striving to increase her probability of survival. Shinobi from small clans always possessed a very strong sense of crisis.
On the contrary, Sarutobi Enjun had great talent and an extraordinary background. From the moment he was born, his father was already the Hokage. Within Konoha, almost no one fit the definition of a "privileged elite" more than him.
Having always been protected by his elders, he never suppressed his hot-bloodedness or sense of justice, nor had he learned the necessity of caution. Without a guide to temper his character, his end would be no different from the deceased Nawaki. Even if he grew into a powerful shinobi, he would eventually trip up on the battlefield, where survival would be a matter of pure luck.
In this team, the 'Prince of Konoha' might be the most unstable factor, Uchiha Gen thought silently.
It was precisely because of this that he had to take command, ensuring the team wasn't led into a disaster. This mission was the perfect opportunity.
"Next, the team will act according to my command. Any objections?"
Uchiha Gen scanned his two teammates. Uzuki Ruri had no intention of fighting for command; whether in terms of strength or family backing, the gap between her and her teammates was obvious.
Saratobi Enjun, whose strength was comparable and who carried the halo of the Hokage's son, was the one who could potentially drag them down if he became impulsive. If the son of the Hokage encountered danger, you had to save him. Saving him meant risking your own life; not saving him meant the Hokage—or those seeking his favor—would make your life a living hell.
Fortunately, a team with the Hokage's son was unlikely to be assigned suicide missions. Hiruzen wouldn't send his son to his death as cannon fodder. By keeping Enjun in check, Gen secured a high safety guarantee during this crisis-ridden Second Ninja World War.
Luckily, perhaps because Gen had bested him during the graduation assessment or because he had taken the recent warning to heart, Enjun showed no defiance.
"No objections," Sarutobi Enjun spoke firmly.
"I don't have any either," Uzuki Ruri followed suit.
"Very well, follow my lead. Ruri, I want you to..."
Just as Uchiha Gen was making arrangements, a small white snake with intelligent eyes lay in the nearby bushes, concealing its presence and waiting quietly.
A bonus episode will be released at 100+ Power Stones, and another after two new 5-star reviews.