Chapter 11: Not Stimulated Deep Enough

In the following days, Uchiha Kei steadily advanced according to his latest plan. They managed to solve some of the Iwa-nin defenses while rescuing several Konoha prisoners who were relatively easier to save.

It must be said that the Byakugan proved incredibly useful at this time. Relying on Hyuga Aya's Byakugan, they repeatedly avoided larger groups of Iwa-nin defenders and frequently attacked smaller, isolated squads.

Within a few days, Uchiha Kei's team grew to nearly twenty people. However, Uchiha Kei was dissatisfied that among these people, there were only two Jōnin, with the rest being mostly Chūnin.

In this era, there were basically two types of Genin—those worth training and the cannon fodder.

The ones worth training were typically protected and wouldn't be sent to the most dangerous missions.

And the cannon fodder? Could they even be considered people?

They provided no useful information, had negligible strength, and usually died in unclear areas of effect. They were merely used to bolster numbers, hoping they might get lucky and pick off a straggler or finish off a wounded enemy.

Uchiha Kei's group was technically a bunch of cannon fodder too. While they were slightly better off compared to the tragic Genin, they were still just larger cannon fodder.

There was no point in mocking fifty steps against a hundred steps. Uchiha Kei was well aware of his situation.

As for why there were so few Jōnin, it was simply because Jōnin had strong capabilities and adaptability. Unless they were unlucky enough to be besieged by several enemies, they were hard to kill.

On the battlefield, ambushes were about catching the enemy off guard and exploiting reaction time gaps. However, on the front lines, there was ample reaction time—though surprises still occurred, they were often mitigated by having people around who might block an attack.

Moreover, Jōnin were highly focused, significantly reducing their chances of being captured or killed. Hence, Jōnin were typically either killed or escaped, with the unlucky ones getting captured, resulting in the scarcity of Jōnin among Uchiha Kei's rescued.

The mainstay of their gains was Chūnin, who suffered the most.

Thankfully, although these people had their concerns—thinking this mission didn't concern them and wanting to return to Konoha's rear lines—Yamanaka Masato played a key role. He suppressed these dissenters with his status, combined with the influence of the Yamanaka clan and Uchiha Kei's name, making them reluctantly join the mission.

"But my experiments are lagging," Uchiha Kei thought during a rare break at night. He contemplated his experimental issues and conducted some inconspicuous tests.

Uchiha Kei knew the evolution path of the Sharingan but couldn't break through the barrier. Mental stimulation seemed insufficient to make him cross this stage.

Despite his strong mental power, Uchiha Kei felt like he was facing an impenetrable 'wall.' No matter how he tried to break or penetrate it, the wall remained unmoved.

While this realization was encouraging, it was also frustrating. He had found a 'node,' but couldn't surpass it.

"Maybe the stimulation isn't deep enough?" Uchiha Kei pondered. "But what would truly stimulate me? While it's unpleasant, I can face the loss of life with relative indifference, and I have no emotional anchors."

The idea of 'personally killing the closest person' was about destroying a mental anchor, causing extreme mental collapse or distortion to induce unbelievable mental impact. It didn't necessarily require action. For instance, Sasuke didn't awaken his eyes after killing Itachi but did so after being twisted by Obito's words, feeling intense guilt and hatred.

"Indeed, the Uchiha clan is full of lunatics," Uchiha Kei joked internally before realizing, "except me, of course."

With no significant progress and the environment unsuitable for detailed records, Uchiha Kei temporarily halted his attempts after several trials.

Their mission continued, and as they ventured deeper, the pressure increased. The area was heavily patrolled by Iwa-nin, and a single mistake could cost them their lives.

At dawn, Uchiha Kei and his team set out again.

They still followed the standard squad distribution, beneficial for managing enemy encounters and escape strategies. Smaller teams were more effective behind enemy lines.

Quietly perched in the trees, Uchiha Kei observed a camp ahead and gestured to his team.

It was another prisoner camp. They had been attacking such camps for days.

However, luck wasn't on their side today. Through Hyuga Aya's Byakugan, they discovered a large number of ninjas in this camp, indicating that Iwa-nin had noticed their recent activities and intensified control and interrogation of Konoha ninjas.

"The fourth body," Hyuga Aya reported coldly, "There were seven in total; only three remain. Yamanaka Jōnin suggests rescuing them if possible. If not, distract and scatter the Iwa-nin."

"A true Konoha Jōnin, obeying the Hokage's orders," Uchiha Kei mockingly whispered. "Alright, we'll try. Their lives depend on their luck. Wait for the others to act first, for an easier retreat."

"No need to remind me," Hyuga Aya had already prepared, while Imai Kenta obediently nodded, appearing like a compliant ninja.

Just as Uchiha Kei's team was about to act, a messenger hawk suddenly arrived.

End of Chapter