Chapter 367

I spent the next few days drilling the basics of the Flying Thunder God into the three prodigies. They wouldn’t master the entire thing overnight, but their progress was nothing short of staggering. They didn’t say it outright, but I could clearly sense their growing restlessness. They missed their regular training regimens, frustrated by the total lack of missions, a hiatus intentionally mandated by the Hokage to give them time to focus on this crucial jutsu. It is true what they say, people conditioned to a high-intensity, dangerous lifestyle grow incredibly anxious the moment they are handed free time.

My temporary stint as an academic instructor was eventually interrupted during a rare, quiet afternoon at home. I was sitting at the table, enjoying the simple, domestic warmth of a hot lunch with Genta and Naruto, when a sharp, authoritative knock echoed through the room. An ANBU operative stood at the door, requesting my immediate presence in the Hokage’s office.

A few minutes later, I was bowing respectfully to Fugaku Uchiha. To my surprise, he was actually smiling.

“Itachi tells me that you are doing a great job teaching them,” the Hokage remarked, his tone unexpectedly light. “I did not expect you to be such a capable instructor.”

I scratched the back of my head, feeling a bit out of my element. “You flatter me, Lord Hokage. I think it is mostly their incredible minds doing the heavy lifting. They are true geniuses.”

A proud, fatherly warmth softened Fugaku’s usually stern features. “Itachi is indeed something else. Since he was a child, he has shown incredible talent. Shisui and Kakashi are amazing as well. Konoha is truly blessed with talent.” He delivered that last statement while offering me a subtle, knowing look.

I was confused. Since when was Fugaku this relaxed?

Glancing around, I realized I couldn’t find any trace of the chaotic, high-stress war planning room that had occupied this office just days prior. His two primary advisors were notably absent as well.

Fugaku noticed my distraction and smoothly addressed it. “Shikaku is busy arranging some ANBU matters, and Hirotaka is currently in the Land of Fire capital, if you were curious.”

I chuckled nervously, caught off guard. “It’s nothing like that. I am just not used to things being so quiet in here.”

Fugaku smiled gently, turning his gaze toward the window overlooking the village. “It is quiet because we have already prepared. In leadership, most of the real work is usually done long before anything actually happens.”

He sighed, the brief moment of levity fading as he turned back to me, the mantle of the Hokage settling firmly over his shoulders. “Now, to the matter at hand. I have a mission for you. I need you to escort Lady Tsunade to the borders of the Land of Rivers, where she will have access to the Land of Fire while remaining close enough to the Land of Grass to act against any major threat and secure our trade routes.”

Tsunade? The name hit me with the weight of a physical blow. A legendary Sannin taking a frontline command role meant the geopolitical situation was escalating far beyond simple border skirmishes.

“She will assume command of the forward command center we established there,” Fugaku continued seamlessly, “to accelerate our response to Iwa’s aggressive and unpredictable movements. I want you to stay with her for a few days until she is settled and fully familiar with the situation. You are to listen to her and follow her orders unconditionally. Once I am certain things are on the right track, I will recall you to the village to resume your lessons with Itachi, Kakashi, and Shisui.”

A thoughtful look appeared on Fugaku’s face before he continued. “You might also have to coordinate with a specialized Uchiha force currently located in the Land of Waterfalls. Most of our skirmishes with Iwa are happening in that sector right now. You might even get to meet your friend Karen’s father. I deployed him there to command the vanguard.”

I narrowed my eyes, genuinely surprised by the assignment. On the surface, placing Kaen’s father in such a vital role seemed like a terrible idea. By putting him in charge of a major frontline, the Uchiha elder stood to gain immense popularity through his military feats. A successful campaign would grant him undeniable battle prestige, political leverage, and owed favors from other shinobi.

Why was Fugaku deliberately giving a known political detractor the chance to achieve such glory? Was the Hokage simply trying to raise the Uchiha clan’s overall standing in the village, or was he trying to satiate the elders who hated his current policies? Perhaps giving a rival enough rope to hang himself was the true strategy.

Multiple questions raced through my mind as Fugaku spoke again. “ANBU is heavily active in that region, so they will serve as your primary connection. Itachi will be your main point of contact, as he is acting as the liaison between the village and those frontline commanders.”

Now I was truly stunned. Fugaku was deliberately placing his own son in direct contact with the very elders who opposed him. It was a massive risk. Was he using Itachi to keep the elders in check, or was this a brutal test for his heir?

I was officially lost, entirely unable to solve the complex political equation unfolding in front of me. However, it was not like I could just casually ask the Hokage to explain his secret intentions. Keeping my questions to myself, I accepted my orders with a deep, respectful bow. A moment later, I was politely ushered out of the office, as Fugaku had an urgent, unscheduled meeting to attend with a few of the village clan leaders.

I flickered to the Senju compound, making my way toward Genta’s house. I found most of the estate’s elderly residents gathered outside, talking and greeting Lady Tsunade. She was surprisingly gentle as she dealt with them. Several of the older clan members were walking away with an unexpected spring in their step. I focused my senses and noticed the faint, lingering signature of Tsunade’s chakra resting over them. She had clearly been treating their chronic aches and pains with her legendary medical jutsu.

I hung back and waited respectfully until she finished. I finally approached her as she gently escaped the crowd, offering them an apologetic tone as she explained that she had pressing village business to attend to.

Once she was clear of the group, I stepped into her path and bowed. “Lady Tsunade, the Hokage has assigned me to escort you on your upcoming mission.”

Tsunade looked me up and down and rumbled her acknowledgment. “So, it is time. Fine. Go get your gear and get ready.”

I offered a small, confident wave of my hand. “I keep my gear sealed and on me. I am always ready to leave at a moment’s notice.”

“Very well,” she replied curtly. “Let me go inform Shizune so she can prepare things on my end.”

I narrowed my eyes slightly, trying to place the name. I vaguely recalled a young woman who was always walking around with Tsunade, so I assumed it was her.

I nodded. “Do you want me to escort you as you prepare, Lady Tsunade, or should we meet at a specific time?”

Tsunade waved her hand in annoyance, clearly eager to get her own preparations underway. “Just meet me outside the main village gates at sunset. We will move out then.”

“As you wish.”

Leaving her to her business, I flickered back to my own home. I walked through the door only to find Naruto sitting on the floor, a massive grimace on his face as he cradled his head in pain.

“What happened to you?” I asked, completely failing to hide the amusement in my voice.

He shook his head, wincing as his fingers brushed a fresh lump on his skull. “I tried to prank the elders, but that monster woman hit me in the head!”

I smiled. “Well, I am actually going on a mission with her. Make sure you take care of yourself and keep an eye on Genta while I am gone, okay?”

Naruto nodded, looking up at me with dead seriousness. “Be careful not to die, Noa. She hits really, really hard.” A single, dramatic tear pricked the corner of his eye as he delivered the warning.

I laughed and reached down to ruffle his spiky blonde hair. Honestly, I was incredibly excited. It had been far too long since I had been on a real mission outside the village walls, and I was eager to see action again. Moreover, the mission pay was going to be an absolute lifesaver.

I clenched my fist, declaring my intentions with unyielding resolve. “I am going to try and learn something from the legendary Sannin.”

Naruto’s eyes lit up with excitement, his pain momentarily forgotten. “Do your best, Noa! And then teach me what you learn!”

“I will,” I promised. “Besides, this mission needs to succeed so I can pay my first installment. Otherwise…” I gulped nervously, a cold sweat breaking out on my neck. “…Ayaka will actually kill me.”

Do you crave future knowledge? Are you bold enough to gaze upon the very tapestry of fate? That is simply too much power for mortal minds to handle.