Discharge

"You killed my family!"

A heartbroken voice echoed, ringing throughout my ears.

"I-I will make you pay!"

The rattling of chains shook like a crazed prisoner forcing his way out of a cage. Droplets of water rhythmically fell, splashing into a puddle. The darkness only made my ears more sensitive.

There were no answers to the questions in my head. I activated my Sharingan, yet still, to no avail, could I see anything.

This happened as I was in the middle of my daily meditation. From sitting in my tent, I ended up here; such a phenomenon couldn't be explained in words.

I knew this place had something to do with me; I caused this, but I don't know how. Maybe it was meditation or a particular variable when I entered this world.

What got me here… Has it got something to do with that?

I had this in the back of my mind but didn't overthink it, as this could only be uncovered when I gained power. For now, I was not required to know such things.

So I sat down in the darkness and began meditating the same way I always did. Surprisingly, voices surrounded me instantly, causing me to know where I was.

Before, there was a sense of peace in that area despite the silence. Yet, I could recognise this atmosphere anywhere. The voices, sounds and especially smell… The camp.

Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes and stood up from my previous position.

"Yokuma!" A shout came from outside my tent. "It's news on discharge."

Another voice came and started conversing with the man as I began walking out.

Widening my tent flaps, I walked out to see my teammates and Kushina standing in a circle. Immediately, I noticed the relieved expressions on Hisa and Kibira. During this time, they also gained a lot of improvement, especially the Hyuga.

The sharingan allowed me to ingrain his style in my head. Its strange form of only attacking the tenkutsu points intrigued me, so I tried implementing it. Only to realise how hard it is without a byakugan.

"Ahem." The man cleared his throat. "Kushina Uzumaki's group 3. You have cleared six team mission and individually you guys have totalled between you over twenty missions."

He glanced at each of us before looking back at his scroll. "Therefore, meeting the requirements of discharge, except fulfilling time spent on the battlefield."

Suddenly, Kibira interrupted him. "So how long do we have to stay till we –"

"Only a month left before you guys can go on leave."

Everyone, including me, had a slight burden lifted from our chest. We now know our deadline; only a month left till I can get back to doing what I want.

Don't get me wrong; this experience was the best thing that could have happened to me. The only thing was the risk factor, but now that I had nearly finished, it was worth it. Still, I had to be on guard for this last month and not get comfortable. Otherwise, I could die.

"Only a month left guys, hang on." Kushina encouraged us after the messenger had gone. "All of you have made me proud and exceeded my expectations."

These words gave Hisa and Kibira pride, but to me, they were nothing. Although I still kept a brightened expression, yet felt nothing inside.

This was because I was at a level where I could not be considered an ant. I could be stepped on at any moment, regardless of whether it could happen.

"What about our new mission," Hisa asked.

Kushina had a thoughtful face for a second before replying, "We've got a few assigned already but it'll be a few days before we get anything ready."

"So I suggest you do a mission in that time."

Hmm, usually, they would have had one ready straight away. This is the first time something like this has happened, but I didn't think of it anymore as it has no use.

So just like the others had separated, I, too, began going to the camp commissioner. This was a place of gathering or taking missions based on your skill.

Not long after, I arrived. Jonin, Chunin and genin all were there, standing around in their battle-hardened stature. There were boards full of bounties which were out of my reach at the moment and sections full of missions for young and aspiring shinobis.

Merits were given based on mission difficulty. Just like with regular missions, they were ordered from E- S. E was mostly cleaning and chores around camp. Then there was D, which was scouting and tracking to give information to the shinobi to advance. It ran like a cycle; the bottom got fed the low missions, helping the strong whilst they helped contribute to the war. Everyone had some role in this, whether they were weak and cannon folder or strong.

That's why many genin were doing chores, unlike me. If I had never had these eyes, I might have been like them.

"Oh, Yoku," I knew this voice immediately. "You're here too."

It was none other than Sakumo. "Oh Sakumo, what are you doing here?"

It was strange seeing him around here; maybe something had happened.

"Nothing, I just came here on orders," He vaguely answered my question. "So, hows your squad. I heard about your discharge."

"Yeah, we're good and all. What about Kakashi."

We conversed and made some small talk. Apparently, Kakashi was making good feats, pushing the mist back at his post. In contrast, I was on the stone villages' side.

"So, you've come here to get a mission," He asked, full well knowing the answer to that question.

Honestly, I was bored of him as he dragged on the conversation. So, I just decided to carry on and cut it short after a few minutes.

"Sorry, I got a bit carried away there," He grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. " Well, I'll leave you to it."

Finally, he was gone. It was now time to choose a mission.

Throughout the boards of missions, bounties and people, there was a small tent-based area where a man wearing a flak jacket sat.

I began walking up to him; he was jonin, who I knew very well. The camp commissioner is what you would call him. A person who dishes out missions specifically for you, so there was a bit of a queue, although worth waiting for.

Half an hour passed before it was my turn. "Next," His voice stated, staring directly at me.

I walked up to him, knowing from his face that he recognised me. "So it's you, Uchiha."

He pulled up a bunch of sheets and skimmed through them before looking back at me.

"There's a C rank mission here for you," He paused, looking through the contents. "All you have to do is protect a messenger going from your post to Kiri's end."

I raised a brow at this, which he noticed.

"Don't worry, you're not on your own as you will be assisted by fellow experienced genin like yourself."

The thing is, I've never done a C-rank mission before. Compared to regular C-rank assignments, war types were more problematic. This is why the gap between D rank and C was so large.

If fresh genin could barely so D rank, imagine C. Luckily, I was not your average genin as I could defeat Chunin, if not an experienced one. This, of course, depended on the opponent.

"I'll take it," I replied.

It wasn't just on impulse; this was going to be my last mission. I should at least do an individual C rank mission before I go; maybe it will show me something new.

"Your mission starts in two days. The messenger will be waiting for you early in the morning, 9am sharp."

He said, "If you miss or somehow forget, then it will go on your record as well as a quick replacement."

I nodded at this.

"Done," He said, stamping a sheet of paper. "Next!"

I got out of the qué and began walking back to my tent.

So, there were two days; I couldn't do much except getting my weapons ready, train, and go to the battlefield to earn some merits.