Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Chapter 96: The Purple-Haired Girl and the Orange-Haired Boy Outside the Window

"Eight-Blade Style, huh!"

Looking at the hundreds of sword techniques recorded in the ninjutsu scroll, especially the Eight-Blade Style, Uchiha Yosuke couldn't help but furrow his brows.

In the original story, White Fang’s swordsmanship was never showcased, and even the samurai didn’t get much focus. Instead, the Eight-Blade Style stood out, and even nearly took down Sasuke.

"In the original story, Sasuke's swordsmanship wasn't weak, but compared to this, the Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails and the Raikage are both experts in taijutsu."

"Moreover, the Eight-Blade Style is known for being unpredictable and strange. Most people are unaccustomed to it when they face it for the first time. It's not that other sword techniques are weak, but it all depends on the user."

While he pursued a sword style focused on ultimate speed, he still didn’t neglect learning other sword techniques. After all, ninjas relied on intelligence.

"All techniques in the world, only speed is unbreakable. No matter how complex or tricky the technique, if your speed is fast enough, you can find the weakness. After all, most ninjas are high attack, low defense."

Just then, the sound of an alarm clock rang, interrupting his thoughts. Uchiha Yosuke looked up and sighed.

"Seems like it's time."

On the ceiling, two shadow clones were suspended, practicing Lightning Release chakra nature transformation. As soon as the alarm went off, the clones dissipated into white smoke, ending their technique.

The next moment, the experience from the clones, along with a wave of mental exhaustion, washed over Uchiha Yosuke. He rubbed his forehead to alleviate the fatigue.

"The Sage Mode is really useful, but the balance is tricky. If you’re not careful, using shadow clones for training could backfire."

The recovery ability provided by Sage Mode allowed him to train like a Jinchuriki using shadow clones. However, compared to Uzumaki Kushina, who often trained with dozens of shadow clones, the gap was evident.

"Even though some of the Nine-Tails’ chakra is sealed, Kushina still manages it. The chakra from the tailed beasts boosts the host’s recovery. And tailed beasts come from the God Tree..."

The ninja world was filled with too many secrets and unresolved mysteries, all of which required time to uncover.

"Yosuke!"

Just then, the door was pushed open. Uchiha Mikoto walked in with Uzumaki Kushina, both holding a scroll.

"The battlefield in the Land of Rain is getting more intense. Many Rain and Sand ninjas have infiltrated the war zones to create chaos. With the turmoil of war, many rogue and missing-ninja forces with ambitions have also begun to infiltrate the Land of Rain..."

As she spoke, Uchiha Mikoto’s expression turned serious as she handed over a scroll marked with the word ‘Top Secret’.

"Yosuke, this is the mission issued by the village."

After opening the scroll and reading the confidential mission, Uchiha Yosuke was momentarily stunned but then smiled knowingly.

"Same old tactics from the Root... but this is war!"

The mission was simple: create chaos in the Land of Rain. This included collaborating with rogue ninjas and missing-nin forces or cultivating wandering children into ninja operatives.

Though these might seem trivial, they would leave the Land of Rain in a mess, filled with ambitious individuals and small factions. Even if the war ended, the country would remain stuck in turmoil, while the larger nations could rest and recover, widening the gap.

After all, in the original story, after the Second Great Ninja War, Hanzo of the Salamander never fully quelled the internal factions in the Land of Rain, like the Akatsuki.

"That's how war is," Yosuke muttered as he shook his head. He realized that this wasn’t just the tactics of Konoha—every major nation used similar methods. Even during the Third Great Ninja War, the Land of Rain remained in internal conflict, with the Akatsuki still operating.

The major nations couldn’t allow the rise of a sixth great ninja village; that was the tragedy of small nations.

"I understand. Compared to working with rogue and missing-nin forces with ambitions, the secret of the mines can’t be leaked. The best course of action is to train some ninjas and leave behind some thorns for the Land of Rain."

Uzumaki Kushina was uncomfortable with the mission, but as she was becoming more mature, she also understood that this was the reality of the ninja world. She remained silent.

Uchiha Mikoto nodded in agreement. "These rogue ninjas and missing-nin are too unstable, too risky. However, I think we should speed up the mining task. After all, the war could change at any moment."

"Then let’s recruit some more people for the mining. There aren't many young people left locally, but there are many nearby refugees. And in times of war, a little food is enough to..."

Their calm tone contrasted with the cruel reality of war. In the ninja world, fourteen-year-old ninjas had long since grown accustomed to this harsh reality.

"Alright, I’ll arrange for people to select suitable individuals from the refugees and train them as spies..."

As Uchiha Mikoto spoke solemnly, Uchiha Yosuke’s gaze inadvertently swept across the window. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed.

"No! We’re not training spies!"

His tone changed abruptly as he turned toward Uchiha Mikoto, his face serious.

"War has brought so much misfortune to this ninja world. Our abilities are limited, but within those limits, we can give these war orphans a chance at survival."

His voice was firm and resolute, and the words echoed through the room. This caused Uchiha Mikoto to freeze, and even Uzumaki Kushina was taken aback.

Uchiha Yosuke lowered his head, looking out the window at the devastation caused by war. His voice became hoarse.

"War brings endless pain. You, me, and Kushina—we are all victims of war. Right now, we don't have the power to change this ninja world, but there are still things we can do within our reach. After all, the Land of Rain already has too many ambitious people. These war orphans deserve a glimmer of hope."

Through the window, Uchiha Mikoto and Uzumaki Kushina saw the situation outside, and their expressions grew more complex.

In the desolate town, the people of the Land of Rain were numbly trading survival goods, while several orphaned children carefully hid in the corners. Some were searching through garbage cans for food, while others, caught stealing, were being beaten in the muddy streets. The tears of the orphans fell onto the land.

"Yosuke! I understand now!"

Upon seeing this, Uchiha Mikoto’s gentle expression became resolute, while Uzumaki Kushina glanced at the determined Uchiha Yosuke, feeling a strange emotion stir inside her.

"Turns out Uchiha Yosuke is a warm-hearted person after all."

But only Uchiha Yosuke knew what he had truly seen.

Outside the window, there was a young girl with light blue-purple hair. She was shivering as she cautiously climbed over a garbage bin, her face bearing scars from fighting other children for food.

Nearby, an orange-haired boy, caught stealing food, was curled up, being beaten while tears filled his eyes. Around them, there were many more war orphans.

At that moment, Yosuke realized that there was something more valuable at play.

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**End of Chapter**