Chapter 74: Bottom Line

The three of them, who had just left the Hokage building, answered in unison. 

Especially Uchiha Tetsu, whose excitement was evident. He clenched his fists and jumped three feet high, completely forgetting the scar on his face.

"This is also the main purpose of allowing you to graduate early this time!"

"After more than a month of carrying out missions together, you should have developed some degree of teamwork."

"It's time for special training!"

Seeing his three enthusiastic disciples, Uchiha Shige masa looked at them earnestly. His expression was the most serious since the formation of their team.

He couldn't afford not to be serious. 

According to the information collected by the clan, prices for war-related resources such as food, iron, and medicines had been rising recently. Foreign ninjas have been infiltrating borders of various countries; border conflicts are increasing. All these signs indicate that another Great Ninja War is about to break out.

Training these kids couldn't be done as casually as before.

"It's already late today. Meet at the clan's training ground at six o'clock tomorrow morning!"

"Be prepared, because this special training won't be as easy as passing ninja academy!"

After saying this, Uchiha Shigemasa disappeared in a flash, leaving the three disciples behind. Holding the mission reward they just received, the three of them quickly parted ways.

[It seems the situation is becoming more dire. Otherwise, Shigemasa-sensei wouldn't be in such a rush to conduct special training!]

Strolling aimlessly on Konoha's streets, Tōshirō couldn't help but ponder. He still harbored some confusion about the impending war.

As a former urban white-collar worker who lived in a peaceful era, war, death, and killing were things he felt very detached from.

Although he had some superficial understanding through literary works, movies, and the internet, these understandings were all very surface-level. The real pain and sorrow of personally experiencing it were unknown to him.

Also, since becoming a ninja, he doubted whether he could kill husbands, wives, sons, daughters, or parents with a clear conscience.

His soul was ultimately that of a modern urban white-collar worker, and these things went against his values. Until the last moment, he couldn't fully grasp his true nature.

Four years had been enough for him to fully understand the ninja profession.

From the start of their training at the ninja academy, ninjas are taught to effectively kill their kind with precision, whether they're ordinary people or fellow ninjas. 

Completing the village-assigned tasks is their top priority.

Abandon personal emotions, lurk in the shadows, endure loneliness and isolation. Like a cold weapon, they emotionlessly reap lives.

How could he accept such a dehumanizing profession with peace of mind?

[Ninja history is a history of killing and war!]

With these thoughts in mind, Tōshirō set his own behavioral guidelines.

If confronted with ruthless bandits or rogue ninjas who enjoy killing, he would not hesitate to raise his weapon and kill them.

In the battlefield, for his safety, he wouldn't hesitate to kill the enemy. When two armies clash, the outcome is left to fate. Although it's a comforting phrase, he believed it held some truth. The battlefield's chaos presents too many uncontrollable factors.

However, when facing children around his age, he would show mercy as long as his safety was assured.

No matter what, pointing his weapon at young children is something that goes against his core values.

[As a human with emotions, it's best to set some bottom lines for oneself!]

Like the ninja way of this world, there should be guidelines to adhere to when making decisions that clash with one's nature. This prevents the heart from becoming confused and turning numb and indifferent.

Don't underestimate this point.

Many ninjas trample over their own bottom lines time after time, acting against their nature.

Gradually becoming like cold machines.

They mechanically obey orders, kill their targets, complete missions, and eventually die silently during a mission.

"Do you realize if it weren't for the teacher's timely intervention just now, Reiko would have fallen to her death!"

As Tōshirō was lost in thought, three people approached from an intersection ahead, evidently a standard Konoha task squad. At this moment, a twelve-year-old boy in the team was sternly rebuking a white-haired kid for his apparent neglect.

Beside him, a girl of similar age with red eyes and a pale face, seemingly still in shock, stood silently.

In front of the group, a thirty-something ninja in a green vest walked expressionlessly, ignoring the quarrel behind him.

"A ninja's first rule is to complete their mission above all else."

Unfazed by his companion's reprimand, the white-haired kid, without lifting his head, responded flatly.

"Missions! Missions! That's all you know, isn't it? Reiko almost fell off a cliff, and you ignored her just to complete your mission!"

"Do you value missions more than your comrades? You cold-blooded monster!" The boy's dissatisfaction turned to anger, his face twisting into a more sinister expression.

The girl beside him, snapping out of her recent trauma, looked at the white-haired boy with a face full of grievance, hoping for an explanation.

"Ninjas prioritize mission completion. My actions were not wrong."

"Ninjas must always keep their emotions in check. You two are too emotional, which goes against the fifth rule of being a ninja."

"Failure to control this will easily create openings for enemies, leading to mission failure and likely death in the future!" Despite the accusations, the white-haired boy's tone remained calm, even pointing out how uncontrolled emotions could endanger their lives and missions in the future.

(The chapter ends here)