[Ding! Congratulations, master. You have successfully acquired a reward: Spiritual Power +1!]
Hearing the system's notification in his mind, Mirai Uchiha withdrew the blade she had pressed against Kakashi Hatake's neck.
A cry of pain came from nearby.
"So it still didn't work out?"
"Kakashi, you idiot! You're already a jonin!"
Obito Uchiha originally thought that after Kakashi became a jonin, he might actually stand a chance against Mirai. But he never expected Kakashi to be utterly dominated by her with just one hand.
This left Obito feeling extremely frustrated.
It was one thing for himself to lose—but how could even Kakashi fall so far behind?
"Obito, Mirai is someone who can defeat a Raikage. There's nothing strange about Kakashi losing."
Rin Nohara smiled slightly as she looked at Obito Uchiha.
"Tch!"
"So what if she beat a Raikage? Once I become Hokage, I'll definitely defeat all the other Kages too."
Obito retorted defiantly.
However, the moment he finished speaking, loud laughter erupted around him.
"Obito, not trying to discourage you, but how can a dead last like you say something like that?"
"Right, right. Someone who needed two tries just to pass the Chunin Exams shouldn't be daydreaming here."
"Alright, let's just go inside and grab something to eat. We're all starving."
Hearing everyone's mockery, Obito nearly exploded with anger—if Rin hadn't been holding him back, he might have really lost his temper right then.
They entered the barbecue joint and grabbed a quiet booth in the corner.
Today's gathering was to celebrate Kakashi Hatake becoming a jonin and Obito Uchiha becoming a chunin.
Genma Shiranami, Ebisu, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, Rin Nohara, and others had all come.
Minato Namikaze was absent because he was still fighting ninja from Sunagakure at the front lines.
As soon as everyone sat down, platters of grilled meat were quickly brought over. Just then, Kushina Uzumaki walked in through the door.
"Did I come late?"
Smiling, Kushina greeted everyone warmly. Then she saw the sulky look on Obito's face and immediately puffed out her cheeks.
"Did you guys bully Obito again?"
Everyone quickly shook their heads.
They all knew Kushina's temper—no one dared provoke her except Mirai Uchiha.
"Mentor's wife, they just don't believe I can become Hokage someday."
"I will definitely prove them wrong. Becoming Hokage isn't just some random talk from me."
Upon hearing Obito's declaration, Kushina smiled brightly and gently patted his head.
"Obito, I believe in you."
"You'll surely realize your dream someday!"
"But before that, don't you think you should take your feet off the table, Mirai?"
Thump!
A thump landed on his head, making Obito Uchiha yelp in pain, but he felt no anger at all inside.
After all, besides Rin, only Kushina had ever sincerely encouraged and believed in him.
"By the way," she continued, "you kids should be extra careful when carrying out missions."
"Lately, the ninja world has been growing unstable again. Rumors say Mist ninjas have been spotted around the eastern coastal region of the Land of Fire."
"Of course, I'm not talking about you, Mirai."
Kushina Uzumaki turned her gaze toward Mirai Uchiha with a smile. "Mirai, haven't you been slacking off a bit too much lately?"
"I've never met another ninja who seems so completely relaxed all the time."
Mirai Uchiha ignored Kushina's teasing and shifted his focus to Ebisu and Genma Shiranami.
"Guy, how come he's not here yet?"
They had agreed on this meeting time long ago, and it wasn't like Guy to be late.
A vague sense of unease crept into Mirai's heart.
"Oh... He left the village with Duy to carry out a mission."
"What?!"
One of Mirai's hands slammed onto the table with a bang, startling everyone present. They had known Mirai for quite some time, but this was the first time they'd seen him so worked up.
"Mirai, what's going on?"
Genma Shiranami removed the senbon from his mouth and asked with obvious confusion.
Without answering immediately, Mirai asked instead, "You're on the same team—why didn't you go on the mission together?"
"It was an urgent assignment Duy received last night that required a Genin assistant. So Guy just left us a note before heading out with him. They're transporting supplies to the eastern front line."
"We only found out about it this morning."
Genma explained.
"So that's how it is..."
"Mirai, what's wrong?"
Everyone, including Kushina Uzumaki, looked at Mirai with puzzled expressions.
Mirai's expression returned to its usual calmness. "Nothing serious. It's just that the weapon Guy asked me to help commission not long ago is finally ready. I was planning to give it to him tonight."
"Heh, you can just hand it over once Guy comes back."
"That's what I originally planned, but after hearing what you said, Kushina, I've started feeling uneasy too."
"They've only been gone for a day and a night. Since they're escorting supplies, their traveling speed mustn't be fast. If we leave right away, we might still catch up."
Mirai Uchiha mumbled indistinctly, then flashed everyone an apologetic smile. "Sorry about this time. I'll treat you all next time."
Seeing Mirai was about to leave, Kushina Uzumaki became anxious. "Mirai, it's already so late. Without the Third Hokage's permission, no ninja is allowed to leave the village secretly."
"Don't worry. The guards won't be able to stop me."
After saying this, Mirai activated [Shifting Body Technique] and instantly disappeared.
Kushina slapped her forehead helplessly.
Was that what she should be worried about? Sneaking out of the village might get him branded as a Rogue Ninja!
Even Kushina wouldn't dare to break the rules like that. That guy Mirai was truly being too careless.
"Whatever. Let him be."
"And none of you better go spreading rumors around, got it?"
"Yeah, we know."
Kakashi Hatake, Ebisu, Asuma Sarutobi, and others exchanged glances.
He was really sneaking out of the village just to deliver a Flying Thunder God Kunai to Guy... How thoughtful could this guy be?
Even Obito Uchiha, who always clashed with Mirai, had slightly changed his opinion of him.
Only Kushina sighed.
Honestly, he always left her with troubles.
However... considering Mirai's past contributions combined with her pleading on his behalf before the old man Third, the consequences probably wouldn't be too severe.
Once that brat returned, she'd definitely make him cook for her several meals as punishment!
What Kushina didn't realize was that Mirai himself didn't care the slightest about the potential trouble at all.
...
Mirai Uchiha directly activated [Flying Thunder God Technique], appearing at a marked location outside the village, then rushed nonstop toward the eastern direction.
The eastern front line: the eastern border of the Land of Fire.
Across the sea from here lay the Land of Water, with its long coastline.
At this sensitive time, Might Duy had taken Might Guy there to carry out a mission. Instantly, Mirai recalled a particular plotline from the original story.
While escorting supplies, Guy's squad had been ambushed by the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist from Kirigakure.
Eventually, Might Duy had sacrificed his life to open the eighth gate—Death Gate—of the Eight Gates, rescuing Might Guy and the others from the brink of death.
That was why, after returning to the village, he had specifically warned Might Guy that if he ever needed to leave the village, he must inform him beforehand.
Earlier that day, after their gathering concluded, he had even planned to give Guy a specially crafted Flying Thunder God Kunai.
But unexpectedly, Guy hadn't said a word and had gone on the mission together with Might Duy!
Now they'd already been gone for more than a day and night. If they ran into the Seven Swords on the way, just like in the original events, there would be serious trouble.
"I was careless this time."
"Looks like from now on, I can't just go by experience anymore."
Mirai Uchiha reflected silently.
Although he didn't know whether the mission Might Guy was currently undertaking was exactly the same as the one in the original plot, because of his arrival, the ninja world had already changed greatly.
The events from the original storyline could absolutely no longer be assumed to be things that would definitely happen.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>