Chapter 227: Konoha Year 65, The Remnants

"These are the people."

Shisui Uchiha handed the list to his subordinate.

"Let the Hokage see this." He paused for a moment before adding softly, "Sae-kun, your application has been approved. You'll join the team on this mission."

The boy wearing a fox-faced mask bowed deeply. "Commander, I will prove with my life that your decision was correct."

After leaving Shisui's office, Sae ascended the stairs and knocked on a door. With permission granted, he entered.

Inside the Hokage's office, Orochimaru sat behind the desk, his pale skin and stern face unmistakable. His golden, snake-like eyes gleamed with sharp intensity.

Even though Orochimaru had become the Fifth Hokage, there was still a dangerous aura about him that made others shudder.

"Hokage-sama." Sae Hyuga presented the scroll with both hands. "This is the list of reinforcements."

Orochimaru took it, and with just a glance, noticed Sae's name.

He raised an eyebrow, staring at the boy before him. However, Sae, wearing the fox mask, stood silently with his head lowered, revealing no emotion.

"Not bad at all. It's no wonder you managed to persuade your Commander." Orochimaru gave a lukewarm compliment before waving his hand. "Go say your goodbyes to your family. While the overall situation is set, this is your first time on the battlefield. It's very different from ANBU operations."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Sae let out a sigh of relief as he left the Hokage building. Walking down the street, he realized his clothes were soaked with sweat.

Glancing at the Hokage Rock, he thought the craftsmen's skills were mediocre—they hadn't captured even a tenth of the Fifth Hokage's imposing presence.

Sae navigated through the marketplace with practiced ease, buying dorayaki on Iron East Street, small windmills in Nanbou, and kunai and shuriken on the right side of the Uchiha compound. By the time his wallet was empty, he returned home with a full backpack.

"Sae-nii!"

"Sae-nii is back!"

"Sae-kun, you've worked hard."

"Sae-kun, why did you buy so many things again? Your stipend isn't much..."

In the spacious courtyard, women and children looked at Sae with trust and respect.

"It's nothing. I'm heading out on a mission, so I bought some things for everyone before I leave... Where's Neji?"

"Neji-nii is still practicing on the outskirts of the village." A little girl, who only reached Sae's shoulder, stuffed a dorayaki into her mouth, her eyes narrowing in delight.

"Alright, I'll give him this bandage when he returns. It's a good one I got from the Land of Lightning... And Maemi, slow down while eating."

Sae patted the girl's head, then sat down on the tatami, smiling as he watched everyone.

Everyone in the house, like him, had pure white eyes.

This was the home of the Hyuga clan's remnants.

Since the clan's compound was burned down, the pregnant women and children had been relocated by Hiruzen to live here. Six years had passed, and the conditions provided by the village weren't bad.

"Sae, come here for a moment." An elderly woman in the corner was gently caressing a piece of fine fabric. She gave the boy a meaningful look.

The two of them knowingly went to a small side room and knelt down facing each other.

"Sae, are you going to the battlefield?"

"Yeah." The boy scratched his head. "The village agreed to my request. Tomorrow, I'll be heading out with the minister..."

"How can they do this!" Maya Hyuga's eyes turned red as she gritted her teeth. "You're only nine years old!"

"Is that really a problem? During the era of the First Hokage, even five-year-olds could learn ninjutsu and go to battle."

"Sae, can't you stay? I can beg Hokage-sama... No, maybe the Third Hokage would be easier to persuade..."

"No need to persuade me, Maya-san." Sae smiled, his tone firm and clear. "The Land of Water is about to fall. In this battle to destroy Kirigakure, the Byakugan needs to be there. Besides, everyone in the village is fighting on the front lines. The Uchiha clan holds funerals every three days. If we don't send anyone, people will talk."

"But... but..." The woman murmured, trying to hold back her tears. "I'm sorry. If only I were stronger, if I were a Jonin..."

Before she could finish her sentence, the tough boy hugged her.

"Maya-san, don't underestimate yourself. After the compound was burned down, you stood at the front and raised us little brats into healthy, strong children."

Sae looked up, showing a bright smile that his ANBU comrades would never see.

"In my eyes, you're way more amazing than Hokage-sama!"

...

Late at night, Sae finished his evening training and returned to his room.

Having your own room was a luxury. In the impoverished Hyuga residence, space was limited, and most people had to share sleeping quarters. Having a small room of your own was an extraordinary privilege!

At only nine years old, Sae Hyuga was already the top fighter among the now-diminished Hyuga clan. He became a Chunin last year and was granted permission to join the ANBU, with a bright future ahead. Among those of his age, the only one who could surpass him was Itachi Uchiha, who was seventeen months older.

Back in his room, Sae rubbed his shoulders, washed up, and went straight to bed.

For a shinobi, becoming famous at a young age wasn't easy. This was especially true for the remnants of the Hyuga clan, who had lost most of their secret techniques and had no one to guide them. The level of effort Sae put in was intense, with his training bordering on self-torture.

When the first ray of light hit Sae's face, he jumped up with a start, showing no signs of wanting to sleep in. He swiftly got dressed, washed his face, grabbed his ninja tool backpack that he had packed the night before, and left the Hyuga residence.

It was said that in the days before the clan's downfall, newly deployed clan members would be summoned to the head's residence for advice and sometimes even taught a few life-saving tricks. But for the current Hyuga clan, "pre-battle counseling" had become an impossible luxury. The clan had only a few members left, with not a single experienced shinobi among them.

However, Sae wasn't one to dwell on past glories. He quickly navigated through the morning streets and soon exited the village.

At the gate, many Konoha shinobi had already gathered, arranged in a radial formation. At the center was, of course, the ANBU leader, Shisui Uchiha.

As one of Shisui's close subordinates, Sae enjoyed several invisible privileges. He squeezed through the crowd, came to Shisui's side, and greeted him respectfully before standing in place.

After another half hour, the reinforcement team was fully assembled. Shisui opened his half-closed eyes and drew the short sword from his back.

"In the name of the Will of Fire, let's move out." He flicked his finger, causing the blade to hum. "In three days, the Mist Village will be history."

(End of Chapter)