"Listen, boy," his great-uncle had oold him, sake cup in hand. "A Kage's not meant to be your friend. The moment they put on that hat, their will bees the vilge's will. Look at Hashirama and Madara. Best of friends, till o that title."

  In a sehe leader of a vilge was hardly qualified to be a good person.

  A Kage could not simply speak about emotions with a ninja ; otherwise, the might have felt they were being fooled, or even suspected ulterior motives. Minato had pyed it smart, keeping things professional and fog on the bes to both the vilge and the

  So, the iioween him and the Uchiha went smoothly, and the feelings were just right—after all, he came with money. Masashi couldn't help but smirk at the thought. Moalks, even in the noble world of shinobi.

  Afterward, Minato also visited the Hyūga .

  Both major ninja s agreed to a rotating system, ensuring that at any given time, at least fifty jonin could be mobilized in the vilge. With the Uchiha's unique abilities, the actual bat strength of these fifty jonin would be eveer. Not to mention, both s could also provide more in.

  As for special jonin, that rank was something created by the Hokage's office; the ninja s didn't bother with such cssifications.

  Minato's as did not face opposition from the former Hokage's cil. The old men and women were practically falling over themselves in agreement, like parched travelers stumbling upong an oasis.

  Ihird Shinobi World War, Konoha lost more people than in the first two wars bined, but the bes gained were unpreted.

  After all, it was the third time, and winning three times in a row made Konoha renowned among the nations. The biggest wave of issions in Konoha's history followed. From the ret situation, it redicted that the total scale of this wave would be terrifying. Suna was only the biggest tributor—it had no choice si was the first to surrender.

  Even Danzō had said that if necessary, Root could spare some manpower. It wasn't just about seizing the ake money, but also about avoiding being caught in the crossfire.

  The core of Konoha's ninja army wasn't the ANBU, and it was certainly not Root. The ninjas from these twanizations were just a small fra pared to the vast number ur ninjas who relied on missions for their livelihood.

  The Third Shinobi World War differed from the sed one in that it wasirely driven by national is. Some flicts were caused by grievances between ninja vilges, and the cost of these flicts had to be borne by the vilges themselves. Ninjas on missions had no iher than reimbursement for their expenses.

  Expeg the daimyō to fund this part of the war was out of the question—"Why should we pay for you ninja vilges to fight among yourselves for fame and missions?"

  After fighting for years, not only were the individual ninjas desperate for ine, but even the vilge itself was starving. No joke, anyone dragging their feet at this point would be quickly sidelined.

  Danzō knew very well that if it came to that, he would be the first oo go. Thus, Konoha united as one and started fog on missions.

  Their only two real petitors were their old friends in the north—Iwa and Kumo.

  Let's not eveion the highnd barbarians, who would sooner crack a skull than look at a book. For them, every problem looked like a nail, and they were all too eager to py the hammer.

  And Iwa ninjas were still holding a grudge; they were deeply unsatisfied with their loss.

  In respoo the Hokage's call, the Uchiha , aside from leaving behind the most basic defense forces, mobilized every ninja they could. This wasn't just about giving face to the Fourth Hokage—the Uchiha also wao make money.

  The Hyūga had more people, so the Uchiha couldn't pete in numbers, but they could excel in quality.

  Even Masashi attehe meeting this time, as it was about deg who could leave the vilge.

  "Did you hear? We're getting more high-ranking missions!"

  "About time. We've been cooped up in the vilge for too long."

  "Think they'll let me joiation?"

  Masashi kept his faeutral. More missions mean more opportunities. But also more risks. Hm... but more money for food.

  The quickly uheir thoughts and came up with the exaggerated slogan: One Uchiha equal ten Hyūga.

  Fugaku stood at the front, his stern face even more serious than usual. "The Hokage has requested our assistan handling more high-ranking missions outside the vilge. This is an opportunity to showcase the Uchiha's strength and bring more prestige to our ."

  "However, we must be strategi how we allocate our forces. We ot leave the vilge undefended."

  The discussion that followed was heated. members argued over who should be sent out and who should stay behind. Masashi watched it all with amusement. Politid p, as always. At least it's a bit eaining today.

  His eyes sed the room, all the present members.

  In one er, he saw two particurly animated members, their faces flushed with anger as they jabbed fingers at each other's chests. Takeshi and Kenji, if he remembered correctly. Both jonin, both eager for the spotlight.

  "I've been training for months for this opportunity!" Takeshi snarled, his Sharingan unsciously activating in his agitation.

  Kenji scoffed, leaning in even closer. "Training? I've pleted twice as many high-rank missions as you this year alone!"

  They were practically o nose now, there was hardly any space between them. Any closer and they might start making ht here in front of everyone. Now that would liven up this meeting.

  He imagihe sdalized looks on the elders' faces if Takeshi and Kenji suddenly locked lips instead of trading insults. Thinking about it was so absurd that he had to stifle a chuckle.

  Maybe I should suggest they take their 'discussion' somewhere more private. For the sake of resolving their differences, of course.

  But no, as amusing as it would be to stir that pot, it wasn't worth the hassle. Better to stay out of it and enjoy the show from afar. Besides, there were more iing things to focus on – like who would actually make the cut for these missions.

  Masashi's attention shifted back to Fugaku, who was looking increasingly exasperated with the chaos unfolding before him. Time to this up, oh great leader. Before our meeting turns into a brawl... or an y. Both I don't want to be part of.

  At the end, they somehow finalized the roster.

  There were fewer than thirty with the three-tomoe Sharingan. Acc to Fugaku's suggestion, aside from the high-level officers of the police ford those needed for internal defense, fifteen could be statio mobile posts, with one reserved as a temporary position during manpower shes, and at least five jonin would be on missions outside the vilge at any given time.

  Masashi leased—he didn't even have to fight for it; he made the list.

  Seeing the so focused on making money was absolutely adorable. This is how it should be—this is the spirit a ninja should have.

  Training in isotion wasn't enough; you also had to go out and fight people. How else could you put your skills to use?

  Unfortunately, Masashi wasn't in the first batch.

  However, Shisui was, as expected.

  There was no choice; the first mission had to be a success, and 'Shisui the Teleporter' was a hat carried weight.

  The m, four members, including Shisui, left for the Hokage's office, fully armed and with high spirits, uhe eager gaze of the entire .

  They would receive their mission and head out immediately.

  After seeing them off, Masashi headed home instead of his usual training grounds. Since he could be called to leave at any time, he o ensure he was in the right dition.

  "Masashi, you're home early!" his mother called from the kit as he entered.

  His stomach respoo the cooking smells before he could even answer.

  "Did you paough food?" she asked, already moving to pack additional onigiri. "I know how you get when you're hungry on missions."

  Mom really knows what matters, Masashi smiled as she pressed a ed buo his hands.

  His father, who had been maintaining some equipment in the living room, looked up. "Ah, good timing! I just got my hands on some new polish for kunai—supposed to prevent rust even in Kiri's humidity. We should check year!"

  Father and his endless experiments with mainteeiques, Masashi thought. At least half of them actually work.

  Still, he dutifully followed tanize his gear. They spent the hour methodically cheg and maintaining his equipment, his father periodically breaking into detailed expnations about various polishihods that Masashi only half-listeo.

  After finishing their preparations, he went to his room to rest while waiting.

  As dusk approached, a knock finally came at the door.

  "Masashi! Time to gather!"

  Masashi quickly got up, put on his shoes, opehe window, and jumped out.

  In just a few moves, he leapt from the sed floor to the front door. Shouting "I'm leaving" back to his house, he headed for the 's entrao meet with the person who had e to notify him.

  At the gate, two other members were also fully equipped.

  Yaku was waiting nearby.

  "Yaku-sama."

  "Looking eic, Masashi."

  Ever sihat night at the bar, Yaku's attitude towards Masashi had noticeably ged.

  Before, he had been all businesslike. Now, it was more like, "Kid, I've got my eye on you." The friendship and camaraderie between men were simple and predictable.

  "I remember, you're skilled in Wind Release, right?" Yaku asked.

  "Yes."

  "Good, that's perfect. There's an A-rank mission from a noble in the Land of Hot Water, and only jonin take it. Go to the Hokage's offid accept it."

  The Land of Hot Water? It was said to be ri hot spring resources and was an ally of the Land of Fire.

  Of course, calling it an ally sounded nice, but its real fun was to serve as a battlegrouween the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning.

  It was also a battlegrouween Konoha and Kumo.

  To the north of the Land of Hot Water was the Land of Frost, a subordinate of the Land of Lightning.

  Both the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Frost had their own ninja vilges, which essentially served as vassals of Konoha and Kumo, respectively.

  Yaku gave a few more instrus before finally saying, "This is an esission, but from what I uand, there will definitely be shinobi attackers. The t cims they'll be from the Land of Hot Water, but if they show up, they'll definitely be from Kumo."

  "Don't hesitate—kill them immediately. And make sure to leave evidehe vilge will make the t pay extra."

  "Uood. If both show up, we'll just kill them all for an even bigger bonus," Masashi smiled.

  "Well, look at you, still joking around. I guess you're fident. But you know how ninja battles are—the roles of hunter and prey switch at any time. And remember, your mission is to protect, which is different from a battlefield. The most important thing is to keep yourself safe."

  Masashi nodded, aowledging the advice. Keep myself safe, huh? Don't worry, self-preservation is high on my list of priorities.

  He was mentally prepared. Or as prepared as one could be for the uable world of ninja missions. I just hope the t won't be too difficult to deal with. Then again, whehey ever easy?

  Konoha's service reputation was impeccable, which was why, despite being expehey always had the most issions.

  After bidding farewell to Yaku and the two other members, Masashi set off for the Hokage's office.