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Toshiro completed his meditation practice by the Naka River and headed towards his clan's residence. Even after attaining sage mode, he continued his meditation, feeling the breath of nature, which helped him enter sage mode more quickly.
Upon returning to Konoha, the Naka River, being secluded and close to the village, became his preferred training spot. About half a year ago, he saw a young boy jump from a nearby cliff, but fortunately, the boy was saved by a crow's caw at the last moment. Otherwise, the future would have been quite different. 'If you did not get it, that boy is Itachi'.
It had been nearly six months since the Kannabi Bridge mission concluded. Konoha successfully signed an armistice agreement with the Iwagakure, though many ninjas who lost loved ones in the war were dissatisfied with the terms. To calm the villagers, the Third Hokage was preparing to abdicate in favor of a chosen successor, who was still young and needed time to be ready.
None of this directly concerned Toshiro. However, the Third Hokage, still in power, would not allow an Uchiha to live leisurely in the village.
"What mission do you have for me, Sandaime-sama?" Toshiro asked after receiving a summons from the ANBU early in the morning and arriving at the Hokage Building.
"There is indeed a task that needs your attention."
"It's my pleasure to serve the village," Toshiro replied, though inwardly he cursed. After half a year of peaceful days, he was now being assigned a task, clearly to keep him from being idle.
"Though the village has signed a peace agreement with the Iwa, the war is not entirely over. Cloud ninjas are probing our northern border. Jiraiya is there, but it's not a long-term solution."
The Third Hokage paused to gauge Toshiro's reaction, but Toshiro remained calm, waiting for him to continue.
"The Water Country has also become more restless. We need you to complete this mission to achieve peace as soon as possible."
'I can't refuse the call for peace,' Toshiro thought. He did not expect to be sent to the front lines again so soon, possibly to the northern border or the Water Country, where Orochimaru's forces were stationed. Orochimaru had been 'exiled' to serve as a battlefield commander, likely to make way for Minato to gain more popularity.
Yet Toshiro was no longer the scared child he had been three years ago, especially after his battle with Kitsuchi.
"The mission scroll is here." The Third Hokage said.
Though he kept his expression calm as he unrolled the scroll, what he read made him gasp, his battlefield composure slipping away. It seemed like the Hokage was trying to eliminate him indirectly. 'I knew this old man was up to no good,' Toshiro thought.
The Hokage had made several concessions for Kakashi to keep the Sharingan as a favor to Minato and Jiraya. There were no mandatory near suicidal missions given to the Uchiha clan in the past year. But it seems that the grace period is over now.
"Originally, this mission was for Namikaze Minato. No one is more suitable than him. But since he's not in the village, I believe you're the best person for the job."
The Third Hokage adjusted his hat, watching Toshiro closely. The mission was to deliver a letter, but the destination and recipient made it dangerous.
"What is in the letter to the Fourth Kazekage?" Toshiro asked, showing his reluctance to take the mission.
The Third Hokage didn't answer directly, instead explaining the mission's importance and subtly indicating the reasons behind it. He was dissatisfied with Toshiro's reluctance. Konoha ninjas couldn't refuse a Hokage's mission, and Toshiro's attitude showed disregard for the 'Will of Fire.'
However, considering Toshiro's Uchiha heritage, the Hokage was even more determined to have him complete the mission.
"Understood," Toshiro finally said, realizing he couldn't refuse the mission because of his last name.
The Border Between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers
Since the war between the Sand Ninja and Konoha ended two years ago, the Sand Ninja have retreated to their homeland, reducing their activity. However, some early warning posts on the border remained operational to prepare for potential enemy attacks.
Today, something unusual occurred at one of these posts.
"You're saying... You didn't come here to start another war between Konoha and the Sand Ninja, but to deliver a message?" A sand ninja with a bruised nose and swollen face glanced at his nearly unconscious comrade and then at the Konoha ninja in the green vest sitting calmly in his seat, a half-smile on his face. He couldn't help but grimace.
He and the other guy had been on guard at the outpost and immediately fired a signal flare upon seeing the Konoha ninja. However, the flare was intercepted before it could take off. They then fought desperately but were swiftly overpowered.
"Yes," Toshiro replied calmly from the sand ninja's makeshift camp. The sand ninjas had been highly agitated upon seeing him, and he had to ask them to calm down, which they obviously refused to, leading to the current situation.
"Let me confirm again. You have a letter from the Third Hokage for the Kazekage, and you're not here to start a war with us?" The sand ninja repeated, still incredulous.
"Yes, I'm here to deliver the Hokage's letter to your Kazekage," Toshiro reiterated. Seeing the sand ninja's disbelief, he added, "Besides, if this were a war, would you still be standing here talking to me in one piece?"
'What does he mean by in one piece? Can't he see the damage he's caused?' thought the sand ninja captain, cursing inwardly. He and his companions were hardly unscathed.
"Captain, don't trust this guy! This must be a Konoha conspiracy!" A ninja roared, glaring at Toshiro with hatred. If not for being tied up, he would have attacked.
Toshiro realized the peril of his mission as the ninja opposite him showed no intention of surrendering and struggled violently despite being restrained. This animosity was a lingering effect of the fierce battles and lives lost between their sides.
"Hmph! You're really stubborn," Toshiro muttered. He wasn't one to remain polite when insulted, and he cast a mild genjutsu on the sand ninja to silence him. He didn't go too far, though.
"What did you do to Haoji?" the captain asked nervously, ready to act. Toshiro, demonstrating his sincerity, had not restricted the captain's movements.
"Nothing much; I just gave him a very pleasant dream," Toshiro replied. After nearly half a year of honing his skills, particularly in genjutsu, he used the Sharingan to put Haoji into a blissful illusion. The sand ninja was visibly enjoying it, making erotic sounds and smiling in his sleep.
The captain, seeing his subordinate's euphoric expression, knew Toshiro was telling the truth. Cold sweat dripped down his back. The genjutsu was so effective that Haoji would likely be mortified upon waking.
"Well, enough small talk," Toshiro said. "I need you to activate the highest level of early warning here and send a message directly to your Kazekage."
The captain was taken aback. "That level of warning is only for large-scale invasions! Is this really necessary?"
Toshiro simply pointed at Haoji, who was still under the illusion. Understanding the implication, the captain knew Toshiro could extract information and manipulate them effortlessly.
"Damn it!" the captain thought, frustration mounting. He punched Haoji, knocking him out to prevent further embarrassment.
"I understand. I will follow your instructions," the captain said in defeat. Under Toshiro's supervision, he activated the highest alert and sent the message to the Kazekage.
Three Days Later, at the Same Stronghold
Three days after sending the message, Toshiro reappeared outside the stronghold. During his absence, the Sand Ninjas had evidently prepared for his return.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!"
A nearly two-meter-wide, colorless orb filled with violent wind chakra targeted Toshiro. Simultaneously, a close-range ninja brandished a sword, aiming a powerful slash at his waist, its razor-sharp chakra indicating its lethality. Moreover, a puppet master lurked in the shadows, ready to strike if Toshiro showed any weakness.
Toshiro had waited three days before returning to this stronghold, anticipating that the overly excited Sand Ninjas might attempt to assassinate him—precisely as they were doing now, despite orders to take him to the Kazekage.
As the Vacuum Sphere and sword attack hit Toshiro, his figure shattered into fragments of earth-colored rocks—a substitution jutsu. The two Sand Ninja attackers, unsurprised, prepared for a second assault, expecting a trap.
"Shagui, Mato! Are you two going to ignore the Kazekage's orders? Stop immediately!" A clear female voice interrupted their attack.
"Jonin Pakura, unlike you, who were ordered by Rasa to escort this Konoha ninja, our orders are to kill him!" Shagui, the leader of the attackers, grinned at Pakura, who had intervened.
Despite his smile, the coldness in his eyes was unmistakable. "My my comrades from Sand Ninja Village are truly terrifying!" Toshiro said, emerging from his hiding spot and greeting them with a wry smile.
Shagui snorted coldly and signaled his companion to prepare another attack. "You'd better confirm whether the person in front of you is the real Toshiro before taking any action," Toshiro suggested, feeling helpless.
He had expected hostility from the Sand Ninjas due to their prolonged conflict, but he hadn't anticipated them disregarding Rasa's direct orders. This indicated internal unrest within the Sand Ninja Village.
"That's enough! Shagui, Mato, I don't care whose orders you've received, but if you want to kill him in front of me…" Pakura's voice grew stern as four orange-red fireballs began to orbit her, radiating intense heat. Shagui and Mato stepped back.
"Rasa must really favor this Konoha kid to send you on this mission," Shagui remarked, his face contorted with frustration.
"In that case, you should understand that you can't kill him without my consent!" Pakura maintained control over her Scorching Fireballs, surrounding Shagui and Mato to prevent further attacks.
"Pakura, do you really want to fight your comrades over a Konoha ninja?" Shagui tried to persuade her, hoping to sway her to their side.
"Shagui, think carefully. Do you really want to disobey the Fourth Kazekage's orders? If so, I won't hesitate to kill you both and the one hiding in the shadows!" Another voice interrupted, harsh and direct.
"Yashamaru! I didn't expect Rasa to send you!" Shagui exclaimed, surprised.
Yashamaru, the Fourth Kazekage's brother-in-law and Gaara's uncle, stepped out of the checkpoint. His light yellow hair and gentle demeanor contrasted sharply with the tense situation.
"Let's go," Shagui said reluctantly, signaling his comrades to leave. Yashamaru's presence indicated the Kazekage's serious concern, and the matter was now beyond what they could handle alone.
"Apologies for the trouble," Yashamaru said to Toshiro with a smile after Shagui's group departed.
"No need to apologize. Every village has passionate and idiotic individuals like them," Toshiro replied with a smile. Indeed, there were warring factions everywhere, driven by radical ideologies or unyielding hatred.
As they spoke, Toshiro observed Yashamaru, noting his delicate, almost feminine features. Rasa had clearly taken Toshiro's arrival seriously, sending both the formidable Pakura for protection and his own brother-in-law to ensure Toshiro's safety from anyone who might harbor ill intentions.
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