Arrival of the Uchiha

"It's a pity that if we had more people, we could have directly taken down the new stronghold," lamented Hayama early in the morning. They had located the enemy base but couldn't engage, managing only to cause minor damage before retreating. The outcome was somewhat underwhelming.

However, Kyōichi couldn't help but smile, shaking his head, "If we had more people... No, just one more Minato, why would I bother attacking here? I'd definitely target their previous stronghold."

"The previous stronghold?" Gekko was momentarily confused before he understood. Their presence would draw a significant portion of the enemy forces to follow them. If Minato was with them, using his Flying Thunder God technique to swiftly relocate to the enemy's former base, the enemy wouldn't have time to rearrange their troops.

Unfortunately...

"The situation is also dire in the north," sighed Inoichi. "Before I left, I learned that Kumo Ninja have already gathered at the border of the Land of Lightning. I don't know their current status."

Konoha is not weak.

But their enemies were numerous, and they have just experienced a war...

If the enemy were only from one village, it wouldn't be as challenging as it is now.

"No matter, we've already gained this time that it will take for them to relocate," Kyōichi reassured, using a sealing technique to repair the gap in the Yin Seal. He had to use the Yin Seal in this operation, but the results were good: four squads were annihilated, two ships destroyed, and the new location of the Kirigakure was uncovered.

Yagura must be fuming.

"Unfortunately, the enemy will surely intensify their surveillance..." he mused.

"Then we'll take out their patrol teams," interjected Hyūga Hoheto.

He had followed Kyōichi this time and was gradually understanding the essence of Kyōichi's tactics—maneuvering enemy teams and then striking their vulnerabilities. It's similar to the principle of the Crescent Moon Dance.

Kyōichi smiled and turned to Inoichi, asking, "What do you think, Inoichi senpai?"

"If we're just aiming to eliminate the enemy's patrol teams, we don't need to assemble elite squads like this time. A team of Jōnin and elite Chūnin would suffice to handle their scouting teams," Inoichi pondered. He realized that Kyōichi's tactics, while simple in theory, were complex in execution. The flexibility shown in the three battles was far from the simple find-and-kill strategy; it required a perfect grasp of the enemy's psychology and one's own strength.

Kyōichi...

Incredible!

Inoichi had already held Kyōichi in high esteem, and this operation only elevated his opinion.

"Right, we won't need full team deployments subsequently. We'll slowly diminish their ninja forces with more guerrilla tactics. And there's no need to rush; we can deploy in parts each time."

"What if the enemy launches a full-scale attack?" Hayama Shirakumo voiced his concern. Knowing their situation, their eastern border had the least number of ninjas. If the enemy becomes desperate, it could be tricky. This was also a concern for the Third Hokage.

"No worries, if they attack, we target their leaders, prioritizing speed in naval combat," said Kyōichi.

The Kirigakure ninjas are formidable near water, especially the Hozuki clan.

And yet...

He had a trump card.

Might Duy!

Of course.

Kyōichi didn't plan to use Might Duy's Eight Gates as a mere exchange; there was no need. Against the mere Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, Might Duy opening the Seventh Gate, combined with him, Hayama Shirakumo, and others, they could easily kill a few.

And if their reinforcement arrives earlier, annihilating them all wasn't impossible.

...

At Nagano Mountain...

"We've succeeded, everyone can relax now, take a break," Kyōichi's shadow clone emerged from the tent.

He had considered the possibility of the enemy sneaking into their camp, but it was an unnecessary worry. The Seven Swordsmen of the Mist had no plans for an infiltration attack.

It seems...

He had indeed altered the course.

However...

Kyōichi wasn't overly concerned.

With Konoha's strength surpassing the Kirigakure, the Seven Swordsmen were not worth exchanging for a powerhouse capable of opening the Eight Gates.

Not worth it!

After speaking, he returned to the tent to rest.

Everyone cheered.

"Looks like the teacher succeeded," Kurenai breathed a sigh of relief.

"I told you the teacher would be fine. He's so powerful, the enemy can't handle him," Asuma was even more confident.

Kurenai glanced at him, chuckled without saying anything, then hummed happily.

"Let's continue patrolling!"

"Yes~"

The others smiled and didn't speak.

Just as Kyōichi had said, they didn't venture far, just roaming around Nagano Mountain. Most of the area had been cleared, so what enemies could there be?

After patrolling for a while, Kurenai suddenly paused, her face lighting up with joy.

"Shisui, it seems your clan has arrived."

"So soon?" Shisui was momentarily startled and quickly utilized his sensory abilities. His sensing range was not as vast as Kurenai's, but soon he detected one or two people, then more and more.

"It's the reinforecement!"

From their chakra signature, it was unmistakably the Uchiha.

A smile spread across Shisui's face.

The reinforcement had arrived.

If they could play a role in the eastern front, it would greatly improve the Uchiha's relationship with Kyōichi, the Hokage and Tsunade.

Judging by their chakra...

The clan leader had sent no weaklings.

He wondered who else was there...

Before long...

Several figures appeared ahead, led by Uchiha Inabi, followed by Uchiha Shisui—a fifteen-year-old member of the guard team.

Seeing Shisui, Inabi smiled.

"Inabi brother."

"Shisui, not bad, you're looking more and more like a ninja!"

He patted Shisui on the shoulder, then gave a look and turned to Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi, hesitating for a moment before forcing a smile.

"Are you Asuma, Kurenai? I'm Uchiha Inabi. Shisui has mentioned you. Thank you all for taking care of Shisui."

Inabi bowed slightly.

Asuma's eyes widened slightly in disbelief.

"This is Uchiha?" he thought, amazed. At the same time, Shisui was equally surprised. When he had left, Inabi hadn't fully transformed, and he didn't expect such a significant change upon their reunion.

Kurenai reacted quickly, modestly saying, "Not at all, Shisui-kun might be young, but he's actually the core of our squad. We all follow his orders."

"Hahaha, this brat is not quite there yet, still a bit immature at times," Inabi chuckled. "By the way, where's your teacher? I heard he's the commander for the operations in the eastern territories."

Shisui noticed that Uchiha Yadamaru and other senior clan members had already started arriving.

"He's at the base; I'll take you there," Shisui nodded.

"Alright," Inabi agreed and bid farewell to Asuma and Kurenai with a smile before leaving.

However, the demeanor of the subsequent Uchihas wasn't as friendly.

Despite this, Asuma and Kurenai were still quite astonished, and Genma Shiranui was even more shocked, staring in disbelief for a long time.

After everyone had left, he asked in a low voice, "Was that the Uchiha?"

"Yes," Kurenai nodded, somewhat puzzled.

"Was that Shisui's senpai?"

"The Uchihas behind them were more normal. Maybe the one upfront has a good relationship with Shisui," suggested Ebisu.

"No, Shisui... doesn't have many friends within the clan," Asuma shook his head, remembering Shisui mentioning he didn't have any close senpai's and didn't share much in common with many in the clan.

That's why they were so surprised.

Was the sun rising from the west?

"Maybe... Anyway, these things aren't for us to worry about. Let's head back," Kurenai said, not fully understanding the situation but feeling it was somehow related to their teacher.

When they returned to the base, not only were Uchiha members present, but Kyōichi himself had also returned to Konoha and met with the Uchihas.

All elites!

But this was just the first group.

According to Uchiha Yadamaru, thirty Uchihas in total were supporting the eastern territories, with ten rushing to avoid missing any strategic opportunities and the remaining twenty still organizing and expected to arrive the next day or after.

It was late at night now, and Kyōichi instructed them to rest, postponing detailed discussions until tomorrow.

While arranging accommodations, Inabi took Shisui out for a walk.

"Shisui-kun, I've heard from my brother," Inabi began.

"Hm?" Shisui's heart skipped a beat.

What did Tekka say? He hoped Tekka hadn't spoken out of turn and given him away.

But that couldn't be it; otherwise, Inabi's demeanor wouldn't be so relaxed.

Shisui calmed down and asked in a low voice, "What about, brother Inabi?"

"The clan leader is right. We should unite and resolve external conflicts first before addressing our internal differences," Inabi whispered, looking around before leaning closer to Shisui, "I've spoken to Yadamaru-senpai about it."

"!!!"

Shisui was alarmed.

He knew something was going to happen. How could Inabi dare to influence Yadamaru, who was over thirty years old? Didn't Tekka explain clearly? If only he could have stayed in the village a few more days...

Regret and fear filled Shisui's heart. For a moment, he felt his breath stop and his heart race.

"But he read the book, listened to our words, and agreed with the clan leader's perspective."

"..."

Shisui was astonished, then cursed inwardly.

Why couldn't Inabi have said everything at once? He almost gave Shisui a heart attack.

"Hahaha, don't worry, Shisui—"

Inabi's laughter abruptly stopped as he stared at Shisui in amazement.

Shisui looked puzzled and glanced behind him.

Nothing was amiss.

"Shisui, your eyes!"

Inabi pointed at Shisui's eyes, his face a mix of disbelief and joy.

Sharingan!

Shisui had awakened his Sharingan!

At just over five years old, almost six...

Such incredible talent!

"My eyes?" Shisui paused, then looked into the distance, realizing he could see much more clearly in the moonlight.

He had awakened his Sharingan?

He felt surprised and confused.

Could it happen like this?

"That's great, now we can—"

"Brother Inabi, we shouldn't draw unnecessary attention. Otherwise, my plan to forfeit the Chūnin exam spot would be meaningless," Shisui quickly interjected.

Inabi thought for a moment and agreed, "You're right. The Uchiha are already attracting too much attention. We shouldn't be too conspicuous. By the way, can we get support from your teacher?"

"My teacher is Tsunade-sama otouto , so... you know!" Shisui hinted.

Understanding dawned on Inabi, his eyes lighting up with excitement. Just as he was about to ask more, Shisui looked around and stopped him, whispering, "We'll talk more when there's a chance."

"I was careless," Inabi nodded.

Indeed.

Even though they were a distance from the camp, with so many patrol teams and sensory ninjas around, it wouldn't be good if anyone overheard them.

They needed to be careful and not act rashly.

But thinking about Shisui awakening his Sharingan, Inabi couldn't help feeling excited.

"Don't mention my situation to anyone."

"Of course!"