Setting out (7)

Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch.

The sound of my feet echoed through the quiet streets of the Uchiha compound as I walked along the stone-paved path, the early morning sun casting long shadows behind me. Today was the day—our first real mission as ninja.

At just seven years old, Shisui and I had graduated from the academy early, and now we were about to step into the ninja world for the first time. There was a part of me that felt ready, excited even. But another part—the part that hadn't yet seen how dark the world outside our village could be—lingered in nervous anticipation.

As I approached Shisui's house, the familiar scent of fresh breakfast lingered in the air, making my stomach grumble despite my earlier meal. I strolled up to the door, grinning as I prepared to announce my arrival.

"Ohhhh Shisuiiii. I know you're in there," I called out in a sing-songy voice, rapping my knuckles against the wooden door with a playful rhythm.

The door creaked open, revealing Shisui's mother, Nanako. She greeted me with her usual warm smile, her kind eyes crinkling at the corners. Nanako had always been good to me, treating me like one of her own.

She had raised Shisui on her own for as long as I could remember. Though no one spoke much about Shisui's father, I always assumed he had been killed in action, another casualty of the endless conflicts that surrounded us. I never asked, not wanting to stir up painful memories.

"Good morning, Shiro," she greeted, her voice soft and inviting. "Shisui's just finishing up his breakfast. Would you like to come in and grab something for the road?"

My mouth watered at the thought of Nanako's cooking—her food had grown legendary among our clan. But I quickly reminded myself of the mission ahead, giving her a polite smile.

"No, thank you, ma'am. I already ate, and we're heading to the Hokage's office soon for our mission. I don't want to be too full before the action starts."

"Ah, that makes sense," she said, nodding. "But make sure you watch over each other out there. Kami knows Shisui can be a little clumsy at times." She nudged me playfully.

I heard a groan from inside the house, followed by Shisui's voice. "Mom, you're gonna jinx me before I even start the mission!" Shisui appeared at the door, his face flushed with mild embarrassment. We exchanged our half-fireball jutsu handshake, a ritual we'd been doing since we were kids.

"Honestly, I haven't tripped all morning, and I plan to keep it that way," Shisui added, stepping over to knock on the wooden beam next to the door for luck.

Nanako chuckled softly but her tone turned serious as she looked at both of us. "I'm only teasing, sweetheart. But in all seriousness, take care of each other out there. Come back safe. Understood?"

Shisui and I shared a glance before nodding, our smiles fading slightly at the weight of her words. "Yes, ma'am," we said in unison, bowing our heads respectfully.

As we turned to leave, Nanako waved us off with a gentle smile. Shisui and I disappeared around the corner, our hearts light but our minds already focused on what lay ahead. Today would be the first of many missions, and though we didn't fully grasp what awaited us in the world beyond, we knew we'd face it together.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Arriving at the imposing structure of the Hokage's tower, Shisui and I sat down on a bench near the entrance, eyes scanning the busy streets for any sign of our sensei, Reika. The morning buzz of the village seemed even more charged today, knowing that this was the day of our very first mission.

"You know," I said, glancing over at Shisui and touching the forehead protector around my neck, "I think wearing the forehead protector around the neck might be more practical. It feels more protective."

Shisui tilted his head, considering my suggestion. "Maybe, but I prefer it on my forehead. It's like a reminder of where we come from, you know? The symbol right there—it's important."

I nodded, acknowledging his point. "Yeah, that makes sense. But what if it slips during a fight and obstructs your view? Or if someone slashes at it and it—"

Before I could finish, a voice interrupted us from above.

"Are you two seriously debating forehead protectors when you're about to go on your first real mission?" Reika's voice rang out as she effortlessly dropped down from the adjacent wall, landing gracefully in front of us. Her jonin vest and long blonde hair contrasted sharply with the stone of the Hokage's tower. 

'Was she there the whole time?' I thought, startled by her sudden appearance.

I quickly composed myself and replied with a grin, "Isn't this considered preparation? We need to be ready for all situations." I asked but all I got in return was Reika's unamused stone face.

"No. Now let's get going. Lord Third has a mission for us, and you're wasting time here," she said flatly, turning to head into the Hokage's tower.

Shisui and I exchanged glances, silently shrugging, before following her inside. 

The interior of the Hokage's tower bustled with activity—shinobi of every rank moving swiftly through the corridors, each one focused on their tasks, whether they were discussing strategies or preparing for missions.

As we climbed the stairs, I couldn't help but feel the weight of history all around us. The portraits of the two past Hokages lined the walls, their stern faces silently watching our ascent.

Arriving at the Third Hokage's office, Reika knocked gently, and a familiar warm voice responded from behind the door.

"Come in."

The door creaked open, revealing the large, sunlit room. The office was bigger than I had imagined, with huge windows behind the Hokage's desk that provided a breathtaking view of the village below. Shelves of scrolls and books lined the walls, and a large map of the surrounding areas was prominently displayed.

Behind the desk sat the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Despite his age, his presence was imposing, though his eyes were kind and warm. He looked up from the papers on his desk, a gentle smile spreading across his face.

"Well, well, if it isn't the two newest Uchiha prodigies that have had the academy teachers buzzing. Shiro and Shisui, I presume?" Hiruzen asked, his voice full of warmth, though his gaze held a depth of wisdom and experience that made it clear just how much he had seen.

Standing a little taller, both Shisui and I responded together, "Yes, sir."

"And last but not least," Hiruzen continued, turning his gaze to Reika, "the most talented special jonin in the village, Reika Yamanaka. How are you?"

"I've been doing well, Lord Third," Reika replied, her voice steady but tinged with a hint of weariness. "Just hoping the fighting dies down soon." She glanced out the window, her expression briefly reflecting the burden of being a ninja in these troubled times.

Hiruzen sighed, a heavy sound that spoke of years of battle and loss. "I hope for the same, Reika. War brings nothing but suffering." He paused for a moment, his gaze distant, before snapping back to the task at hand. "Now, I understand you've only just met these boys, but what's your impression so far? Are you ready for this mission?"

Reika glanced back at us with a small smile. "They're sharp. I've definitely met Uchiha with worse attitudes. These two have promise."

Hiruzen chuckled softly before his expression grew more serious. He pulled out a scroll from a nearby drawer, placing it on the desk in front of him. "Your first mission as a team will be an escort mission. You'll be accompanying a diplomat from the Land of Hot Springs who has been visiting our village undercover."

Reika's brow furrowed slightly, but she remained silent as the Hokage continued.

"This is a C-rank mission, which means you shouldn't encounter any major threats, especially from other villages. Our relations with Kumogakure, the nearest village to the Land of Hot Springs, are stable for now, and there's no indication of hostile activity. Still, be cautious. It's your first mission, but every mission comes with its own risks."

Reika's posture relaxed slightly at the Hokage's reassurance, though she remained focused. Hiruzen handed her the mission scroll, his eyes resting on Shisui and me for a moment longer.

"You're young, but don't underestimate yourselves. Missions like this will help you gain valuable experience, and I'm confident in your abilities. Any questions before you go?"

Reika bowed slightly as she took the scroll. "No questions, Lord Third. We'll take care of everything."

Hiruzen smiled, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening as he looked at us with that grandfatherly warmth. "Good. I'm counting on all of you. Remember, the Will of Fire burns brightly in each of you. Let it guide your way."

As he spoke those words, something stirred inside me. 'The Will of Fire.' Every time I heard it, it felt like a spark inside me ignited, filling me with a renewed sense of purpose. 'It's like a genjutsu or something,' I thought, shaking my head slightly as we turned to leave the office.