Chapter 29: "Do Not Drive to Extinction"

Konoha Village. Morning.

Asuma awoke early, layering himself in thick clothing. The air outside his room was cold, though the bright blue sky indicated good weather for the day.

"Old man…"

A soft, childlike voice came from the living room. Turning around, Asuma saw his three-year-old nephew, Konohamaru, sitting on the floor, holding a wooden shuriken with no sharp edges.

Asuma walked over and ruffled Konohamaru's hair.

"It's uncle," he corrected.

Leaving home, Asuma made his way to his usual breakfast spot. Although there was a housekeeper who prepared breakfast at home, Asuma didn't quite enjoy the meals. He preferred the cooking of his late mother, Biwako.

Unfortunately, he could no longer have that.

"Hey, good morning, Asuma."

The shop owner recognized his regular customer. Without asking for Asuma's order, he handed him the usual breakfast prepared ahead of time.

Asuma greeted the owner with a "Good morning" in return and pulled out his wallet to pay.

Standing next to him was a familiar figure—Ren.

Why is he here…?

Unable to resist, Asuma found himself glancing over at Ren from time to time, stealing quick looks.

Ren quietly ate his grilled bread. Without warning, he turned his head toward Asuma, catching his gaze. Feeling awkward under the direct eye contact, Asuma forced a smile.

"H-Hello."

"Hello," Ren responded calmly.

"You like this place too?" Asuma ventured, trying to make small talk.

"It's close."

"The miso soup here is pretty good."

"Too salty."

"Salty, huh?" the shop owner chimed in.

"I think it's perfect," Asuma remarked.

"That's because you like stronger flavors, Asuma," the owner laughed. Ren only gave a faint, indifferent response.

Seeing Ren's distant attitude, Asuma began to regret trying to strike up a conversation. He started to understand why Anko had clashed with him.

"You're called Ren, right?" Asuma asked.

"Mm."

"I'm Sarutobi Asuma."

"Mm."

"I've heard you're pretty skilled."

"In what way?"

"In terms of strength."

"Mm."

"…"

Asuma was at a loss for words, while Ren didn't even look at him.

Does it hurt to say a few more words? Are all these so-called geniuses this cold?

Ren finished his soup and stood up to leave.

"Thanks for the meal."

Asuma watched him leave and sighed deeply.

"Ha ha ha," the shop owner chuckled, clearly amused.

Asuma rolled his eyes.

"Everyone ends up awkward around Ren," the owner said, laughing. "We neighbors are all used to it."

"You all don't dislike him?" Asuma asked, surprised.

"Ren's lived alone since he was a child. We've all come to understand him," the shop owner replied with a sigh.

Asuma paused for a moment, thoughtfully, before shaking his head and smiling. "No reason in particular, just curious."

"If you come by earlier, you might run into him more often. He's been coming here for breakfast almost every day lately," the owner added. "Except on weekends when he comes a bit later."

Asuma didn't say much else and put down his finished soup cup.

"Thanks for the meal."

He hadn't had any particular motive, but something about Ren's quiet and isolated nature had piqued his interest, so he had tried to engage. Despite the minor incident between his friend and Ren, Asuma felt they could move past it.

However, Ren seemed uninterested, so Asuma figured there was no point in continuing to push the matter.

In the eastern border of the Land of Fire.

An intense chase was unfolding through the forest as a group of elite Mist ninja fled, pursued by Konoha shinobi. Ninja tools darted through the trees, and various jutsu clashed violently, creating a tense atmosphere where every member was on high alert.

The Mist ninja combined their efforts to launch a large Water Release attack, unleashing a torrent of water that surged through the forest, threatening to submerge it entirely. The Konoha formation was immediately scattered, with the ninjas struggling to stay balanced in the rising water.

Seeing this, the Mist ninja rejoiced and prepared to use the water advantage to continue their assault, hoping to crush the Konoha forces.

But in their brief pause, they suddenly froze in terror. Their faces twisted with fear, screams tearing through the night.

The few who managed to avoid the initial effect were left in confusion.

"Is this genjutsu?!"

"What's going on?!"

As they looked around frantically, they finally noticed a figure standing on a tree branch behind them.

One of them squinted in recognition.

"It's Shisui of the Body Flicker! He's ambushing us!"

"No! No! No!"

But soon enough, those who had been spared initially also fell victim to the genjutsu, trapped in an illusory nightmare.

Konoha's forces quickly moved in, finishing off the incapacitated enemies.

Shisui rejoined his squad after the battle.

"As expected from you, captain," one of his teammates remarked with admiration.

"The Mist Village thugs were scared stiff the moment they heard the captain's name."

"To hit them with genjutsu even from that position—Captain, you're incredible," his comrades praised, admiration evident in their gazes as they looked at Shisui.

"It was just a good ambush point, plus my Sharingan has some special qualities," Shisui responded with a modest smile.

It was well-known throughout the ninja world that a regular Sharingan could cast genjutsu by meeting an opponent's gaze, leading to the common advice to never make eye contact with a Sharingan user. The common saying went, "One-on-one, run away; two-on-one, aim for the back."

However, Shisui's unique ocular ability allowed him to cast genjutsu on anyone within his field of vision, without needing direct eye contact.

As the water from the earlier battle receded, only the bodies of the defeated Mist ninja remained.

"How many squads has this been now?" Shisui muttered to himself.

"Those Mist ninjas sure are persistent. I wonder what their Mizukage is trying to achieve," one of his teammates remarked.

After thoroughly checking the bodies for anything useful, they disposed of them on the spot, leaving no trace behind.

Upon returning to their base, Shisui was greeted warmly by several others. His reputation preceded him, and ever since arriving on this mission, his consistent victories had earned him the respect of all.

"Captain Shisui, a letter for you," someone approached and handed Shisui an envelope.

"A letter? For me?" Shisui was surprised.

"It's from the village," the messenger replied.

The envelope bore no sender's name, only the recipient's: Uchiha Shisui.

Curious, Shisui opened the letter. Inside was a blank sheet of paper, with only a drawing of a Sharingan eye.

A Transcription Seal... Who sent this?

After a moment's contemplation, Shisui activated his Sharingan. With his enhanced vision, the contents of the letter shifted before his eyes:

"The Mist ninjas are useful. Do not kill them all—Ren."