"That damn brat!"
After listening to the Anbu's report, Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his hand on the table.
Having ruled for so many years, very few had ever dared to defy him so openly.
How could he dare to publicly refuse his orders, even saying that if he disagreed, he should go find him personally...
That brat Mirai Uchiha was being way too arrogant!
Did he still have any regard for the position of Hokage?
"Lord Hokage, shall I go and arrest Mirai Uchiha?" the Anbu said solemnly after seeing Hiruzen's anger.
Hiruzen hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth. "Never mind. Let him be."
Hearing Hiruzen's response, the Anbu felt shockwaves in his heart.
He had imagined every possible reaction, but never expected the Third Hokage to back down.
Even though he was clearly so angry, he ultimately decided to let the open defiance of the Hokage's order slide.
Has Mirai Uchiha really become this powerful?
"You may leave now. Remember not to mention this to anyone."
"Yes!"
After the Anbu left, Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe. His eyes no longer carried their usual gentle warmth.
Instead, his face became dark and venomous.
Mirai Uchiha, keep acting arrogant for now.
When your eyesight finally goes blind, I'll show you the consequences of defying me!
———
Inside the apartment building.
Mirai Uchiha looked confused as Minato Namikaze handed him a scroll. "Minato, what is this?"
Minato smiled. "This scroll records some Sealing Techniques. Perhaps it might be helpful to you."
"Sealing Techniques?"
"Why would you give me something like this?"
Hearing Mirai's question, Kushina Uzumaki walked out from the kitchen. "You've helped us so much, there's little we can do to repay you, so we could only offer these things instead."
As a genius from the Uchiha Clan, Mirai certainly wouldn't lack ninjutsu resources within his clan. Therefore, she and Minato thought for a long time before deciding to give him some sealing techniques instead.
The Uzumaki Clan had already lost these secret arts. They assumed Mirai probably had no access to such knowledge.
Minato patted Mirai's shoulder. "Don't be modest, Mirai."
"Without you, our war with Sunagakure wouldn't have ended so quickly. Who knows how many more village ninja would've died."
"And besides... You've helped Kakashi and the others so much. Consider these our token of gratitude."
Mirai Uchiha managed a bitter smile.
Was he really going to speak...? Had he already looted most of these scrolls via the System?
At a moment like this, he didn't want to say much. He silently put the scrolls away and nodded at Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. "Then I'll take them."
Kushina Uzumaki smiled. "Mirai Uchiha, let's eat first."
At the dinner table, Kushina spoke up on her own. "Mirai Uchiha, I've heard all about your story. Never thought this little kid would actually grow this strong."
After saying that, Kushina sighed with emotion. "I really envy you and Minato for getting to be real field ninja out there."
Upon hearing Kushina's words, Mirai Uchiha gave a light chuckle. "What's so great about being out there fighting and killing people? I just got back and haven't even rested before needing to head off to reinforce the Kiri battlefield."
When Mirai Uchiha said that, Kushina's eyes lit up. "Is that so?"
"Mirai Uchiha, could I ask a favor of you?"
Mirai asked curiously, "What kind of favor?"
Kushina smiled as she spoke. "Last night, Obito Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and Rin Nohara received a mission to transport a batch of supplies to the Kiri battlefield."
"When you run into them, would you mind keeping an eye on those three for me?"
"Especially Obito Uchiha. Just thinking about that boy's personality gives me the chills."
As she said this, Kushina helplessly rubbed her forehead. "Honestly, even though you're both Uchiha, that boy and you couldn't be more different."
After hearing Kushina's request, Mirai Uchiha thought for a moment before finally nodding. "Don't worry. If our paths cross, I'll do my best to ensure their safety."
———
Land of Fire.
Obito Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, Rin Nohara, and two other ninja teams were transporting a cart of supplies toward the eastern frontline.
Under the blazing sun, Obito Uchiha couldn't help but complain. "This lousy weather is unbearable!"
Rin Nohara reminded him, "Obito Uchiha, stay focused. Watch your surroundings carefully in case of ambushes."
Even though they were still within Land of Fire territory, they'd already traveled quite far from the village.
The battlefield had long been dominated by Kiri, so it wouldn't be surprising at all to see Mist ninja show up here.
Hearing Rin's reminder, Obito leaned over and smiled. "Don't worry, Rin."
"If any Mist ninja appear, just leave your protection to me."
Kakashi Hatake scoffed coldly. "Idiot."
"What did you just say, you bastard?" Obito, who had been watching Kakashi closely, immediately retorted angrily.
"Don't talk unnecessarily. Stay focused and maintain discipline."
"Who do you think you are, trying to act cool in front of me?"
"Obito! Be quiet for a moment."
Seeing Rin Nohara getting angry, Obito Uchiha finally closed his mouth, though he remained unconcerned inside.
He was going to become the Hokage. How could he protect the village and his comrades if he feared fighting ninja from other villages?
"Strange, why is it suddenly foggy?"
Rin Nohara looked around at the thickening mist and murmured puzzledly.
It was clear just a moment ago. Why did the weather change so suddenly?
Kakashi Hatake had already drawn his tanto and adopted a defensive stance: "Be careful, it's ninja from the Mist Village!"
Before coming here, he'd done extensive research and understood quite a bit about Mist ninja.
The scene before them was exactly like what he'd read about—the Mist ninja's signature technique, the Silent Killing Technique.
Upon hearing his words, the other two squads of ninja immediately became alert.
Obito Uchiha, on the other hand, felt excited: "These weak Mist ninja? I'll show them who's boss!"
The mist gradually thickened until all sounds around them disappeared completely.
Soon, everyone discovered they'd lost contact with their comrades, even those only separated by a few meters.
Suddenly, a mocking voice echoed from all directions within the dense fog.
[The throat, spine, lungs, liver, carotid artery, kidneys, heart...]
[Which spot should I choose first?]
The ninja hidden in the thick fog seemed troubled, his tone full of feigned frustration.
After a short pause, the ninja appeared to make a decision: [Ah well, let's try all eight death methods then.]
Before his voice finished, screams rang out one after another.
Kakashi, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara were all covered in cold sweat.
In the thick fog, it felt as if a hungry beast was lurking, ready to strike at any moment and devour them whole!
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