"So in the end, there are more people willing to go to war?"
The jonin gradually left. Soon, only Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado remained inside the Hokage's office.
"Hiruzen, this time let Danzo take command on the front lines. Right now, you two are the only ones left in the village qualified to lead a battlefield," Homura Mitokado suggested.
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a slight nod.
Danzo Shimura remained expressionless outwardly but felt secretly pleased within.
To him, this was a great opportunity to earn merits and showcase his abilities.
After leaving the Hokage building, Hiashi Hyuga returned to his clan and opened up his list of family members.
Since war had been decided, clans like the Hyuga naturally needed to contribute.
Compared to civilian ninja whose fates were directly determined by the Hokage, prestigious clans held certain freedoms—they could decide for themselves which clan members would be sent to the battlefield.
Of course, if the Hokage insisted on intervening, they would have no choice but to comply.
As Hiroki Hyuga returned to the clan, he ran into Hiashi.
"Would you like to go to the battlefield?" Hiashi asked directly.
He hesitated slightly at the question. Before he could reply, Hiashi cut in, "Since you've been reading through the family scrolls often, it seems school can no longer satisfy you. The battlefield is a place that sharpens one's abilities."
Though it sounded like consultation, he didn't actually give Hiroki any alternative choices.
When words had reached this point, Hiroki couldn't easily refuse anymore. "I'm willing."
Hiashi gave a slight nod. "I'll help you apply for an early graduation."
"Ordinary newly graduated genin will likely only be assigned logistical duties if they enter the battlefield. Don't worry, it's not very dangerous."
It was meant to sound reassuring.
In reality, that was exactly how Hiashi felt too.
The scale of this war paled in comparison to previous Great Ninja World Wars. In a one-on-one match, Konoha had a considerable chance of winning.
If Hiroki were a famous genius, perhaps someone might specifically target him. But being largely unknown, and with the Caged Bird Seal suppressing him as a Branch House member, no one would bother going out of their way to target him.
The battlefield could quickly transition a rookie from novice status, offering fast-track promotions as well.
A few days later, Hiroki participated in the genin graduation exam arranged by the academy.
The exam required candidates to survive five minutes or achieve victory against another genin opponent.
His opponent was merely a civilian ninja—nothing special besides knowing the Three Transformation Techniques, making the match relatively easy. Hiroki quickly earned his genin forehead protector from the exam instructor.
Ever since Kaguya had removed his Caged Bird Seal, the mark on his head had become increasingly faint. However, to maintain his disguise, he kept covering it with a cloth band.
Now holding the ninja forehead protector, he removed the cloth band from his head and tied the protector onto his forehead like most ninja do. He left a simple photo at the ninja registration office.
"Finally feels like I'm really involved now," Hiroki muttered to himself while standing in front of the mirror.
...
Inside Konoha Village, cartload after cartload of grain was transported into the village. Meanwhile, Danzo Shimura led the first group of ninja toward the Country of Hot Springs for deployment.
Hiroki Hyuga arrived at the designated location to wait for his teammates.
Not long after, several howls echoed in the distance. Hiroki looked closer and spotted Hana Inuzuka approaching with three identical gray puppies by her side.
Hiroki couldn't help but smile. "Hana, weren't you strongly against going into battle before?"
Hana sighed. "I never wanted to either, but my parents insisted I go out for some training."
"With them around, your safety won't be a problem." Hiroki raised an eyebrow and joked as he glanced at the small dogs circling her.
The Gray Trio barked proudly as if they understood every word.
The Inuzuka Clan deeply loved their dogs, treating them as true partners. Hearing this, Hana proudly introduced the Gray Trio one by one, describing all their heroic deeds.
Though Hiroki couldn't tell the difference between the three identical pups, he politely nodded along.
A steady pair of footsteps approached. A neatly dressed boy wearing the Uchiha clan's fan insignia appeared, delicate features highlighted by faint tear troughs. He stopped quietly about two meters away from the two.
Saying nothing, he simply gazed toward the bustling street with eyes that were cold yet filled with melancholy.
Hiroki and Hana exchanged glances, both flashing surprise.
Was he another teammate?
Hana spoke first. "Itachi, are you joining our team? But didn't you already graduate?"
Itachi Uchiha turned his head slightly and calmly explained, "Two weeks ago, my teammates died."
Neither Hiroki nor Hana knew how to respond.
Hiroki pondered thoughtfully.
He remembered that Itachi activated the Sharingan only after losing his teammates.
At the same time, this also meant that Obito Uchiha would now set his sights on him.
Hiroki let out a heavy sigh.
Being teamed up with such a genius… there goes any chance of staying low-key.
He could have joined the Police Department, yet here he was, paired up with two complete rookies. Who thought this was a good idea?
Itachi had just lost his teammates and hadn't adjusted yet. A chill clung to him, keeping others at a distance. He had no intention of trying to build relationships with Hiroki and Hana.
Hiroki wasn't in the mood to make small talk either.
Hana tried to break the tension but came up blank, unsure what to say next.
The silence stretched uncomfortably, thick with unspoken tension.
Just then, a man wearing a Jonin vest suddenly appeared before the trio using the Body Flicker Technique, finally breaking the weird quiet.
"Yo, looks like you're all familiar with each other now," said the man, grinning.
Hiroki remained unimpressed.
What part of this looks like we're already close?
Seeing no response, the Jonin coughed awkwardly and straightened himself. "Then let's start with introductions."
"Why don't you introduce yourself first, teacher?"
"I'm Hidekazu Ueno. As you can see, I'm a Jonin," the man shrugged.
"Uchiha Itachi..."
"Inuzuka Hana..."
"Hyuga Hiroki..."
"Great. Get your luggage ready within an hour and come back here. We'll leave as soon as possible."
"Going straight to the front lines?"
"No, we're going to do a mission."
"Eh?" Hana looked surprised. "Ueno-sensei, won't you test our strength first?"
"That would be a waste of time. I've already accepted a mission perfectly suited for you. Anyone who doesn't measure up will be sent packing." Hidekazu Ueno's face showed a cruel smile.
Two hours later, a group of shinobi set out from Konoha Village, packs slung over their shoulders.
Hidekazu looked at the few puppies following Hana. "Hana, these little—"
"Don't worry, sensei," Hana cut in. "They're well-behaved and won't interfere with us."
Behind them, Hiroki Hyuga gazed quietly at Itachi Uchiha's back.
Without him dead, the evolution of Indra's lineage and the unlocking of the Rinnegan wouldn't be possible. That would make Kaguya's resurrection far easier.
But without him, who would weaken the Uchiha clan?
As if sensing something, Itachi Uchiha glanced back at him briefly, without a word.
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