"Heart of Steel" is a powerful piece of equipment from a certain game.
Its effect is straightforward: face someone head-on, and you become stronger.
Neo was no stranger to this idea—after all, he was a veteran Sion player in chaotic arena battles, holding a level 7 badge of mastery.
He specialized in one thing: charging in recklessly.
You dare to hit me? Fine—this head is my gift to you!
The more he charged in, the stronger he became—the more he sacrificed, the tougher he grew!
Now, just when he was planning to die gloriously, this strange "talent" activated.
"Surely... surely this won't mess up my grand insurance fraud plan, right?"
Neo kept his face blank, but deep down, unease gnawed at him.
However, he knew nothing about this new power, and fate certainly hadn't handed him a handy user manual.
His top priority now was to take on the mission from the elder, Setsuna.
Before the mysterious power could interfere, he would rush to the battlefield and let Iwagakure or some enemy put him down.
Complete the fraud scheme—that's the real goal!
But Neo couldn't shake off a sense of foreboding.
When he turned, he realized why.
Standing beside him, smiling mischievously, was Shisui. His gentle expression tinged with mischief as he whispered:
"Neo, don't worry. I'll handle the elder's mission myself!"
"You should stay in the village and train."
A chill ran down Neo's spine as sweat trickled down his forehead.
Brother, why don't you go bother someone from Fugaku's family instead of staring me down? What do you want from me?!
Without hesitation, Neo leaped forward.
Before Shisui could react, Neo raised three fingers to the sky and declared passionately:
"Elder!"
"To restore the glory of the Uchiha clan is my duty!"
"I fear no danger—please let me fight on the battlefield!"
He took a bold step forward, his voice resonating like a haunting melody.
He raised his arm with determination.
"Neither the downpour in the Land of Rain nor the soothing hot springs of the Land of Hot Water will shake my resolve to give everything for the Uchiha clan!"
"If someone must make a sacrifice, then I hope that person—"
"—is me!"
As his words echoed, the crowd turned, some glancing at him with admiration.
"Whose subordinate is this? So courageous!"
"Neo! What are you doing?"
Shisui tried to stop him, but it was too late. His face was filled with sorrow.
Even though they hadn't known each other long, Shisui already saw Neo as a comrade—a brother-in-arms who shared the same will and someone he could trust to guard his back.
But...
How could he just throw himself away like this?!
"Is this what it feels like to lose a comrade?"
Shisui's face flushed red with frustration. He had the sudden urge to drag Neo home and beat some sense into him.
Unnoticed by anyone, the Sharingan in Shisui's eyes glowed deep red.
The single tomoe within spun rapidly, radiating an overwhelming sense of grief.
The awakening trigger for his Sharingan was "the loss of a comrade."
It was as if fate had activated it prematurely.
But then—
"Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic."
Setsuna furrowed his brow, glancing down at Neo with disdain.
Where did this fool come from?
A lowly genin who hadn't even awakened his Sharingan—he's no different from trash.
Neo's determined expression froze.
The awkward silence was deafening!
Can you hear it? Neo's heart is crying!
[Setsuna Uchiha looks at you with contempt.]
Suddenly, in Neo's vision, a large red dot appeared over Setsuna's face.
It was as if it eclipsed the sun, obscuring his face except for the scornful eyes filled with disdain that seemed etched into Neo's soul.
Rage surged within him.
Sure, I might be useless right now...
But tearing into my wounds like this—it's enough to make me furious!
"If you break my wings, I'll destroy your paradise!"
Neo took a step forward, his expression sharp.
"Elder!"
"This isn't about being useless or not!"
"I know my abilities are limited, and I haven't awakened my Sharingan!"
Neo raised his voice.
"But genin don't fight on the front lines!"
"They're usually deployed at the edges of the battlefield for support."
"Besides, other clans have already sent genin to the Land of Rain."
"If the Uchiha refuse, won't the other clans see us as weak?"
The crowd was stunned.
The logic was sound, but...
Did you forget who you're arguing with?
The man in front of you assassinated the Second Hokage!
The elder of the Uchiha clan wasn't just anybody—he was the leader of the hawks, someone whose influence could be described in four words:
Power. Authority. Boundless. Supreme.
Neo, did you really just argue back?!
Who gave you the courage?
Setsuna's face darkened.
Did I spoil this kid too much?
A genin who hasn't even awakened his Sharingan dares to argue with me?!
But then...
Setsuna reconsidered.
Isn't this exactly the kind of person we need?
Setsuna narrowed his eyes, thinking deeply.
As the leader of the hawk faction, his role was to recruit the right kind of people.
And that didn't just mean those with talent—personality was key.
Especially someone who was stubborn, hot-headed, and willing to spill blood for the clan without a second thought—a dedicated young man who would fight for Uchiha's future!
The more stubborn Neo acted, the more loyal he was to the clan!
When the coup began, wouldn't someone like him rush headlong into battle and take Hiruzen Sarutobi's head without hesitation?
When it came to political coups, Setsuna prided himself on being an expert.
And Neo was perfect "revolutionary material."
This kid couldn't be allowed to die on some mission for the Leaf Village!
Setsuna's face shifted from stern to amused, a sly smile curling his lips.
The crowd shivered at the sight of his grin.
Even Neo felt a bit nervous.
It wasn't fear—he was just wondering:
If this old man kills me in a fit of rage, does that count as an "insurance claim?"
[Yes.]
The answer from the heavens was clear in his mind.
Neo's eyes lit up.
Now, his heart was calm, and his breathing steady.
He straightened his back and stared right back at Setsuna.
Setsuna nearly laughed at Neo's bold gaze.
He resisted the urge to give the kid a beating.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to give him a way out.
With cold eyes, Setsuna barked:
"Naïve. Laughable!"
If war were as simple as Neo described, the Uchiha wouldn't mind sending genin to gain experience.
But reality was cruel.
Those who went to war like that weren't ninja—they were cannon fodder.
Setsuna's gaze sharpened.
"Boy, are you deaf?"
Neo grinned, baring his teeth as he patted his neck, daring Setsuna like a butcher taunting a customer:
"Well then, Elder—cut me down if you can!"
"If you can't kill me, send me to the battlefield!"
At that, the tension snapped.
A crisp sound rang out—
"Ding!"