Under the Night Sky
In the Land of Rain, where it rains all year round, it is rare to see the moon at night.
As Shirou returned to his tent, exhausted, he encountered Uchiha Mikoto and Uzumaki Kushina.
"Shirou, you've worked hard," Mikoto said with a smile, stepping forward habitually to take the rain cloak Shirou had removed.
Witnessing this, Uzumaki Kushina couldn't help but smirk and tease:
"So, how does it feel being a captain for the first ti? Mikoto ca to chat with and asked you to build your loyal followers. How's the taste of wielding power?"
Kushina truly dared to say anything. Growing up in such an environnt, she had beco accustod to such matters.
Mikoto not taking the lead and instead chatting with her was essentially Mikoto telling Shirou, "I don't have ti, so you handle it yourself."
It was obvious that Mikoto was pushing all the opportunities to Shirou.
Kushina, being bright and competitive, wasn't foolish. How could she not see through this?
Entering the tent, Shirou first exchanged a glance with Mikoto, then turned to look at Kushina, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"How should I describe this feeling? Hmm… it's very different!"
After sitting down, Shirou took the hot tea Mikoto handed him, and sipped it lightly, and a smile of satisfaction appeared on his face as if sothing had co to mind.
"The taste of wielding power is… comforting and reassuring. Although the pressure is heavy, having power and so strength makes feel like I'm no longer just an unresisting tool."
Shirou did not bother to conceal his attraction to power. Instead, he smiled indulgently, even showing a hint of intoxication in front of Kushina.
Before piloting a Gundam (a taphorical reference), power itself was an essential part of strength—perhaps even a catalyst for rapid growth.
After all, resources for ninja training, such as advanced ninjutsu, often required more than just money; they demanded deep connections and foundations.
Kushina was montarily stunned by Shirou's open revelation of his feelings.
She had thought of many responses to the topic, but she never expected Shirou to be so straightforward!
"Can't you at least try to hide it?"
"Typical Uchiha behavior," Kushina finally muttered after a long pause, feeling at a loss for words.
He had spoken so plainly, so directly—what else could she even ask?
Most people would try to mask their ambitions with so noble excuse, but Shirou? He just openly admitted, "Power is great. I love it."
"Sister Mikoto," Kushina finally turned to Mikoto, who simply smiled and nodded in agreent.
"I believe in Shirou's words," Mikoto said.
A man who didn't hide his inner desires for power also had a unique allure. Watching Shirou, Mikoto's face lit up with a smile.
Ambition.
If Uchiha n had no ambition, could they even be called Uchiha?
Feeling like she'd just been force-fed a mouthful of dog food (a term for witnessing public displays of affection), Kushina sighed in exasperation, throwing her hands up in defeat.
"Fine, fine. Since your Shirou is back, Sister Mikoto, I'll head back and get so rest."
...
The Next Day
Under the drizzling rain, twenty-one shadowed figures in cloaks dashed out of the Konoha camp and disappeared into the rainy landscape.
Inside the command post, Tsunade gazed at the map before her, a faint smile curling her lips.
"He's not shy about his greed and enjoynt of power. What an unlikable Uchiha," she mused aloud.
Though her words suggested disapproval, Tsunade's face carried a playful smile. She already knew about Kushina's grumbling when she'd returned the night before.
The Uchihas were notoriously proud and difficult to approach, yet, ironically, they were also the easiest to deal with.
As long as your fists were strong enough, you could earn a Uchiha's respect—it was that simple.
Dealing with the Uchihas was far less taxing for Tsunade compared to dealing with the scheming elders of the village. At least with the Uchihas, there was no need for pretense or hidden agendas.
Uchihas would tell you what they wanted, and you'd simply need to tell them what price they had to pay in return.
...
The Land of Rain boasted rich mineral resources. Combined with the rise of Hanzo the Salamander, the country had once been a dominant force in the ninja world, nearly becoming the sixth great ninja village.
However, after the Land of Rain beca a battleground for the major nations, it fell into ruin.
The land was filled with displaced refugees, while rogue ninjas and rcenaries from across the ninja world flooded into the country. Ambitious individuals erged one after another.
Even with his imnse strength, Hanzo the Salamander could only watch helplessly as his country sank deeper into the mire.
Through the drizzling rain and muddy terrain, a squad of twenty-one Konoha ninjas advanced swiftly.
The sound of footsteps splashing through the mud echoed as they pressed forward with determination.
Crack!
A bolt of lightning illuminated the sky.
"Captain Shirou, the destination is just ahead. Our stationed forces are currently under attack by a group of rogue ninjas," soone reported.
In the distance, near a small town, a valley echoed with the sound of exploding tags and the clash of battle.
"Hiashi, Hizashi, guard the periter for traps. The rest of you, follow to repel the enemy forces," Shirou ordered with a serious expression.
"Yes!"
War showed no rcy to anyone. Shirou understood this and treated every battle with utmost caution.
Within the valley, the relentless explosions of exploding tags filled the air. The residents of the nearby town huddled fearfully in their hos, not daring to step outside.
In the valley itself, Konoha ninjas fought fiercely in the pouring rain, trying to fend off their attackers.
"Damned rogue ninjas! Reinforcents will arrive soon!"
"Fight! Protect the mine at all costs! Don't let anyone seize it!"
"Where are the reinforcents?! If they don't arrive soon, we won't last much longer!"
On a ridge overlooking the valley, a young man with short brown hair and a black ninja outfit watched the battle coldly.
"If not for the Land of Rain's miserable weather, we wouldn't have let you Konoha ninjas do as you please."
The valley was a chaotic ss of ninjutsu clashes, flying kunai, and shuriken. Blood splattered everywhere in the pitched battle of over a hundred ninjas.
Even elite Jonin had to tread carefully in such a large-scale conflict.
"Hey, you Sand brat! My n are fighting, but what about you? When Konoha's reinforcents arrive, can you handle them?" the one-eyed leader of the rogue ninjas growled in dissatisfaction at the Sand ninja standing beside him, who seed more interested in watching the chaos than participating.
The brown-haired ninja turned, revealing a Sunakagure forehead protector. Despite his young face, he radiated an air of steadiness and authority.
"Don't forget your place. Just because we Sand support you doesn't an you can bark orders at us," the Sand ninja scoffed, his tone cold.
A small mass of golden sand floated into view, silencing the rogue ninja leader, who lowered his gaze with a grimace.
"Got it, Jonin Rasa..."
This brown-haired Sand ninja, who wielded gold dust, was none other than Rasa, the future Fourth Kazekage. For now, he was rely a capable jonin.
Back in the valley, a Konoha ninja suddenly let out a desperate shout, pointing toward the sky.
"Reinforcents! Our reinforcents are here!"
Rasa and the rogue ninja leader both noticed the signal flare in the distance.
Seeing the approaching Konoha forces, Rasa's lips curled into a cruel smile.
"Konoha reinforcents? Perfect. We'll bury them all here."
The rogue ninja leader grinned savagely as well. "Good. We'll deal with the Konoha ninjas in this valley first."
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