Chapter 2: Uchiha Shisui: Did You Ask Me Before Wanting to Die?

Chapter 2: Uchiha Shisui: Did You Ask Me Before Wanting to Die?

Konoha Police Department

Under the clan emblem that looked like a red and white ping-pong paddle, a group of Uchiha gathered in the police department's hall, selecting tasks.

A handsome young man squeezed through the crowd, gazing up at the bulletin board filled with mission slips.

Normally, missions were issued at the mission assignment desk in the Hokage building. However, Uchiha Ci was not a registered ninja of Konoha. He was like those disposable ninja troops that suddenly emerged during the Fourth Shinobi War—an Uchiha family ninja. Although he wore a Konoha dog tag, there was still a difference. For example, most missions were directly assigned to the clan by the village, and the clan would then post them internally in this manner. The emphasis was on participation and doing what one could manage.

But this clearly did not meet Uchiha Ci's expectations.

"What the heck? Not a single mission near the borders?"

Uchiha Ci was stunned.

At this time, the most dangerous areas were undoubtedly the regions between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, especially places like the Land of Rain and the Land of Valleys. But on the task board now, there wasn't a single mission related to border patrols, cross-country escorting of supplies, or spying and assassinating enemy leaders. All the missions available could be completed within the borders of the country. There were even a bunch of D-rank tasks like finding cats, delivering letters, and plowing fields, just to pad the numbers.

Among the C-rank tasks he could take, the most dangerous one was driving a giant wild boar that had wandered out of the Forest of Death back to its habitat just outside the village…

"Damn it, I thought that by leaving the village, I could finally die," Uchiha Ci felt like crying. "But how is this any different from before?"

With a face full of despair, Uchiha Ci reluctantly shook his head and decided to take the most dangerous C-rank mission to drive away the wild boar. He thought he might try to make himself the boar's dinner…

But just then, a slightly immature hand grabbed the mission scroll ahead of him.

"Sorry, this mission is mine."

A young man with a clean-cut appearance, wearing a black high-collared short-sleeved outfit and long pants, carrying a short blade on his back, smiled at Uchiha Ci. The distinctive dumpling-like nose made Uchiha Ci instantly recognize him as the Uchiha prodigy who had not yet gained fame at this time—Uchiha Shisui.

Uchiha Ci was speechless.

Damn it, you're a registered Konoha ninja, why are you competing with me for a family mission?

"Sorry, Uchiha Ci, this mission will help me hone my swordsmanship. I can give you the mission reward, but please let me have this opportunity!"

Uchiha Shisui smiled sincerely, his emotions genuine.

With such a bright smile, Uchiha Ci had no reason to refuse. After all, it was just a C-rank mission, and there was little chance of dying. Once the shinobi war broke out, there would be plenty of chances to die, so Uchiha Ci didn't really care about this one. He was, however, surprised: "You know me?"

He certainly knew Uchiha Shisui. But he was surprised that Shisui knew him, which left Uchiha Ci feeling a bit caught off guard.

"Yes, we've done D-rank missions together. You forgot?" Uchiha Shisui lied with a smile.

"Maybe…" Uchiha Ci mumbled. He had done so many missions that he couldn't remember them all.

He wasn't interested in making friends with these characters from the original story. If doing so altered the future and prevented the prince from saving the world, his guilt would be enormous! Right now, he just wanted to die and go home as soon as possible. He then ignored Shisui and continued looking at the mission board.

In truth, Uchiha Shisui had just found Uchiha Ci's name in the mission book and was shocked by his record.

Uchiha Ci: Genin, ninja record 1 year, number of completed missions: D-rank 855 times, C-rank 0 times…

This obscure peer was a mission maniac, completing 2-3 D-rank missions per day on average, without taking a single day off in a year. It was terrifying!

Uchiha Ci was unaware that his record had stunned Uchiha Shisui. He had completed so many missions simply to see if he could work himself to death…

But if he knew that this would earn Shisui's approval, he would have definitely twisted his body and shouted, "What a sin!"

This further convinced Uchiha Shisui that this peer was no ordinary Uchiha. For a genin to go to such lengths! He was truly burning himself out for the village!

Because of this, Uchiha Shisui didn't mind being ignored by Uchiha Ci. Instead, he moved closer, their shoulders almost touching.

"What are you doing~!" Uchiha Ci shrieked in horror. He hadn't realized it—did this thick-browed, big-eyed Uchiha Shisui, at such a young age, already have such tendencies?

Uchiha Shisui merely assumed that his companion was a bit socially awkward. He smiled knowingly and leaned in to whisper in his ear, "Ci-kun, I know what you're thinking."

Uchiha Ci's eyes widened.

How did you know I was trying to scam insurance?

"Later, the Great Elder will hold a mobilization meeting with two extremely dangerous missions," Uchiha Shisui said gravely. "But don't worry, I won't let you take them!"

Like a demon whispering in his ear, Uchiha Ci shivered. He looked at Uchiha Shisui in horror, thinking that this guy might have some kind of cheat ability to read minds. Was he trying to exploit him?

However, the mention of those two missions piqued Uchiha Ci's interest.

"What kind of missions?" Uchiha Ci lowered his voice, not wanting others to hear, making it look like they were engaged in some shady underground deal.

"As expected, you're that kind of person!" Uchiha Shisui was taken aback but then looked at Uchiha Ci with admiration. Once again, he affirmed his recognition of Uchiha Ci! He then secretly resolved not to let Uchiha Ci die in dangerous missions. A talent like this should become a bridge between the village and the Uchiha!

At that moment, an elder with spiky white hair, a cold half-mask, dressed in a high-collared black robe of the Uchiha clan, and not wearing a Konoha headband, stepped onto a high platform in the police department hall. His eagle-like gaze was so sharp that no one dared to look him in the eye.

Uchiha Ci was startled.

Because this man was none other than the last remaining Great Elder of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Setsuna! As someone who had once plotted to assassinate the Second Hokage and survived, this man was naturally the hawkish leader of the Uchiha clan.

All the Uchiha present turned their eyes toward the elder. Their gazes were a mixture of respect, hatred, and indifference, varying from person to person.

"Why I've summoned you here, I'm sure most of you have already guessed."

Uchiha Setsuna spoke calmly, his voice echoing through the police department hall.

"Indeed! War is about to begin!"

"Since the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, the entire ninja world has been gradually spiraling into chaos. The friction along the borders of the Land of Fire is intensifying. The latest news indicates that small-scale battles have already started in the Land of Rain. And further afield, tensions between Iwagakure and Kirigakure, who have long held grudges, are on the verge of erupting into war. Even those barbarians from Kumogakure haven't given up their schemes, probing our defenses in the Land of Fields multiple times."

"The entire ninja world is on the brink of a conflagration that will soon engulf everything!"

"However—"

Uchiha Setsuna paused, his tone turning icy, "The Uchiha, who have endured a thousand years of warfare, consider such petty matters insignificant!"

"Now, the battlefield in the Land of Rain and the Hell Valley outpost in the Land of Hot Water need teams of upper, middle, and lower-ranking ninja, each consisting of two members, to be dispatched for support. Genin are not required to participate; jōnin and chūnin may choose to volunteer. If the numbers are insufficient by the deadline, I will personally appoint participants."

As his words fell, the hall fell silent.

Upon hearing the two locations Uchiha Setsuna mentioned, many people's faces turned pale with fear.

Standing among the crowd, Uchiha Ci initially wanted to raise his hand and shout, "Rebuilding the Uchiha's glory is our duty!" But suddenly, he felt a wave of dizziness, and his body involuntarily trembled.

An emotionless voice suddenly echoed in his mind:

Talent has been delivered.

Heartsteel (SSS): Please, let me be strong one more time! — "Steel, Door"

With a sharp, deafening sound, Uchiha Ci instantly snapped back to reality.

However, hearing the name of this talent made Uchiha Ci's heart skip a beat.