Chapter 23: Escort Mission – Heading to the Front Lines

When Mirai heard that the Third Kazekage had gone missing, he felt a thrill of excitement. In the original storyline, it was Sasori who turned the Kazekage into a human puppet and then defected from the village. Sunagakure was left entirely in the dark about this.

After thwarting a surprise attack from Kumogakure, Sunagakure used the Kazekage's disappearance as an excuse to declare war on Konoha. Thus, the Third Shinobi World War began.

In the past, Mirai would have avoided the war at all costs. After all, the battlefield was a place of constant danger. One misstep, and you'd be dead.

But now, his perspective was entirely different.

With his plunder system, the Third Shinobi World War was just the sort of environment he needed—a place teeming with enemies, ripe for him to grow stronger with each kill. Once his power reached a certain level, he could finally settle things with the Hokage's faction.

The Uchiha clan would rise, becoming the new elite of the shinobi world—under his hand.

...

Sunagakure Village – Kazekage's Office

An elderly woman with short silver hair stood with her hands behind her back, gazing out the window, her expression hardening.

"Sister, are you really going to declare war on Konoha?" asked the old man behind her, his white eyebrows drooping with worry.

"I've held this grudge for far too long, Ebizō," Chiyo replied, her eyes glinting with vengeance. "This might be my only chance to avenge my son and daughter-in-law. Konoha isn't nearly as powerful as it once was. If we could even beat Kumogakure, what's there to fear?"

Ebizō's lips tightened. "But…White Fang is already dead."

"Hmph! Dead or not, Konoha will still pay," Chiyo sneered coldly.

After her son and daughter-in-law's deaths, Sasori had grown distant, odd. Now, he'd even killed the village guards and escaped, becoming a rogue ninja.

All of it…thanks to Konoha.

One way or another, she'd make them pay.

"But…"

"Save it," she cut him off with a dismissive wave. "This is what the Daimyō wants as well."

After repelling Kumogakure, the Wind Daimyō's gaze had shifted to the fertile lands of the Fire Country. Should they defeat Konoha, the rewards for the Land of Wind would be immense.

So, with the Daimyō's support—and a generous advance of funds—Chiyo felt no need for further hesitation.

Seeing that she'd invoked the Daimyō's name, Ebizō gave up, silently leaving the room. When he was gone, Chiyo took a deep breath.

This time, she would ensure that Konoha suffered the same pain she had.

...

Konoha Village – Hokage's Office

Following the ANBU, Uchiha Mirai entered the Hokage's office. The moment he stepped inside, he saw several familiar faces: Namikaze Minato, Uchiha Obito, Nohara Rin, Hatake Kakashi, Yūhi Shinku, Sarutobi Asuma, and Yūhi Kurenai.

"Alright, now that everyone's here," Hiruzen said, taking a drag on his pipe, "we've had increasing skirmishes at the borders. The Sand shinobi have been especially active. We need to transport supplies to the front lines and reinforce our troops."

"Mako, Minato, I'm assigning this task to the two of you."

"Yes!" Minato and Mako replied in unison.

Hiruzen handed them mission scrolls, then turned his gaze to Mirai.

"Mirai, this mission will be dangerous. Given that you're from the Uchiha clan, if you'd rather not go, I can assign you to the Police Force instead."

Mirai let out a cold scoff in his mind.

Old man. So, you still don't trust me, do you?

"Lord Third, I have no intention of retreating. The battlefield doesn't scare me," he replied firmly.

What a joke. He was counting on the front lines to quickly build up his power. If he stayed back in the Police Force, his growth would be stunted.

"Good. Then I'll leave it to all of you." Hiruzen gave them a warm smile and waved. "Prepare yourselves. You set out tomorrow."

"Yes!"

Once everyone left, an ANBU member emerged from the shadows.

"Well?" Hiruzen asked.

"Lord Hokage, based on my sensory readings, Uchiha Mirai's chakra and mental state showed no fluctuations. He meant every word."

"Good to hear." Hiruzen nodded, satisfied. It seemed his instincts were correct—Uchiha Mirai was a loyal pawn.

...

The Next Morning – Village Gate

"Ohayo~!" Mirai strolled up to the gate, greeting the others with a lazy wave.

"Hey, you! Why are you so late? We've all been waiting for you!" Obito snapped.

"Huh?" Mirai tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Am I late?"

Obito stammered. "W-well, no, but…we've all been here a while."

"It's not even past the meeting time, you know."

"Still, you—"

"Say one more word, and I'll kill you."

Obito instantly felt a shiver down his spine, a suffocating pressure that made his whole body tense.

"Mirai, let me apologize for Obito," Minato intervened, offering Mirai a calming smile.

"You…you actually meant to kill me!" Obito muttered, finally catching his breath.

Mirai shrugged. "Just a joke. Who knew you'd scare so easily?"

"Damn it…" Obito clenched his fists, red with embarrassment. To get rattled by Mirai like this, especially in front of Rin, was humiliating. They were both shinobi—how could Mirai's aura be so intense?

Kakashi, too, looked impressed. Mirai's presence just now hadn't seemed like that of a fresh academy graduate.

Meanwhile, Kurenai and Asuma exchanged knowing glances. Asuma, in particular, felt a pang of sympathy. There was a time when he'd been just as outmatched by Mirai.

If they weren't heading to the front lines, he would've gladly shared a few survival tips with Obito.

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