Konoha Security Department.

Under the family crest resembling a red and white table tennis paddle, a group of Uchiha stands in the hall of the Security Department, selecting missions. A handsome young boy squeezes through the crowd, looking up at the bulletin board filled with mission lists. Normally, missions are posted at the mission release office in the Hokage Building. However, Uchiha Zhi is not a registered ninja of Konoha; he is like the cannon fodder of the hastily assembled ninja coalition from the five great nations during the Fourth Great Ninja War. He is a family ninja belonging to the Uchiha clan. Although he wears a Konoha dog tag on his head, it is still somewhat different. For example, missions are mostly assigned directly to clans by the village and then posted internally. The emphasis is on participation and acting within one’s capacity. However, this clearly does not meet Uchiha Zhi's expectations.

“Damn it, there isn’t even a mission related to the border?” Uchiha Zhi was dumbfounded. At this time, the most dangerous places belong to the mixed territories between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, especially areas like the Land of Rain and the Land of Valleys. Yet at this moment, the mission board had not a single mission concerning border patrols, cross-country escorting of supplies, or stalking and assassinating enemy officials. All the missions could be completed within the country. There were even numerous D-rank tasks like finding cats, delivering letters, and farming to fill the gaps. Among the C-rank missions available to him, the most dangerous one was actually to drive a huge wild boar that had run out of the Death Forest back to the village...

“Damn, I thought I could finally leave the village and die,” Uchiha Zhi lamented. “But how is this different from the past?” With a face ashen, Uchiha Zhi helplessly shook his head and decided to take on the most dangerous C-rank task of driving the wild boar back. Let’s see if I can treat the pig to a meal... Just then, a somewhat immature hand quickly grabbed the task scroll before him. “Sorry, this task—please let me have it.” A handsome boy dressed in a black high-neck short-sleeve shirt and long pants, with a tanto on his back, smiled at Uchiha Zhi. The signature round dumpling nose instantly made Uchiha Zhi recognize him; this was Uchiha Shisui, a genius of the Uchiha clan whose fame had yet to spread.

Uchiha Zhi: “......” Damn it, why is a registered Konoha ninja snatching a family mission from me? “Sorry, Uchiha Zhi, this task can help me refine my swordsmanship. I can give you the task reward, but please let me have this opportunity!” Uchiha Shisui said with a serious smile, his feelings sincere. With such a bright smile, Uchiha Zhi had no reason to refuse. After all, it was just a C-rank task; there was a high probability he wouldn’t die, and with the impending ninja world war, there would be plenty of opportunities to die later. Uchiha Zhi didn’t care about this one. He was surprised and asked, “You know me?” Uchiha Shisui, of course, knew him. However, the fact that the other party recognized him still surprised Uchiha Zhi. “Um, we did a D-rank task together; you forgot?” Uchiha Shisui smiled, casually telling a lie. “Maybe...” Uchiha Zhi mumbled; he had done too many tasks to remember clearly. He had no interest in befriending characters from the original work, and if it changed the future and prevented the prince from saving the world, that would be a huge sin! Right now, he just wanted to die and go home early.

Then, losing interest in the other party, Uchiha Zhi continued to look at the mission bulletin board. In fact, Uchiha Shisui had just found Uchiha Zhi’s name in the mission book. Moreover, he was shocked by Uchiha Zhi’s record. Uchiha Zhi: Genin, ninja experience 1 year, number of completed tasks: D-rank 855 times, C-rank 0 times... This unknown peer was actually a task fanatic, completing an average of 2-3 D-rank tasks a day and had not taken a single day off in a year. It was simply terrifying! Uchiha Zhi had no idea that this record would shock Uchiha Shisui; he was just trying to see if he could work himself to death... But if he had known that this was the reason he would gain Shisui's recognition, he would surely have twisted his body and shouted, “What a sin!” This also made Uchiha Shisui more convinced that this peer was not an ordinary Uchiha. For a Genin to achieve this level! He was truly burning himself for the village!

For this reason, Uchiha Shisui didn’t mind being ignored by Uchiha Zhi. Instead, he stepped closer, nearly shoulder to shoulder. “What are you doing~!” Uchiha Zhi exclaimed in horror. Can’t you see, Uchiha Shisui, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, has this kind of hobby at such a young age? Uchiha Shisui thought this partner was just a little socially anxious, smiled knowingly, and leaned in close to whisper, “Zhi-kun, I know what you’re thinking.” Uchiha Zhi’s eyes widened. You, how do you know I want to defraud insurance? “Later, the Great Elder will hold a mobilization meeting, and there are two very dangerous tasks,” Uchiha Shisui said seriously. “But don’t worry, I won’t let you take them!”

Like a demon whispering in his ear, Uchiha Zhi shivered. He looked at Uchiha Shisui in fear, wondering if this guy had some kind of heart-reading ability or something. Was he trying to fleece him? However, the mention of the two tasks made Uchiha Zhi’s eyes light up. “What are the tasks?” Uchiha Zhi lowered his voice, not wanting others to hear, making them seem like they were engaged in some underground transaction, mysterious and secretive. “Sure enough, you are just this kind of person!” Uchiha Shisui was taken aback, then showed a look of amazement. He once again recognized Uchiha Zhi in his heart! Then he made a secret determination that he would not let Uchiha Zhi die in dangerous tasks. Such talent should become the bridge between the village and the Uchiha!

Just then, an elderly man with a gray spiky hairstyle, wearing a half-cold mask and a high-neck black robe of the Uchiha clan without a Konoha headband, stepped onto the high ground of the Security Department hall. His eagle-like gaze was sharp enough to make people afraid to look directly at him. Uchiha Zhi suddenly startled. The person before him was the last remaining elder of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Shana! As someone who had once planned the assassination of the Second Hokage and still lived to tell the tale, he was undoubtedly the hawkish leader of the Uchiha clan. The crowd of Uchihas also turned their gazes toward this elder, their expressions ranging from respect to hatred to indifference. “Why have I summoned you here? I’m sure you all have some guesses,” Uchiha Shana said flatly, his voice resounding through the hall of the Security Department.

“Correct! War is about to begin! After the Third Kazekage went missing, the entire ninja world’s structure is gradually descending into chaos. Here in the Land of Fire, border friction is becoming increasingly intense. The latest news reports that the Land of Rain has already begun small-scale battles. And in the farther regions, Iwagakure and Kirigakure, harboring grievances for a long time, are about to erupt into war. The barbarians of Kumogakure are also restless, having tested the waters several times to invade the Land of Rice.” “The entire ninja world is on the brink of an era engulfed in flames of war!” “However—” Uchiha Shana paused his speech, coldly stating: “The Uchiha clan, having endured a thousand years of war, finds such trifles beneath our notice!”

“Now, at the battlefield in the Land of Rain and the defense point at the Hell Valley of the Land of Soup, we need two ninjas from each rank to form two small teams to provide support.” “Genin are not forced, and Jonin and Chunin may choose for themselves. If the numbers are insufficient by the deadline, I will call names and enforce participation.” After his words fell, the hall fell silent. Upon hearing Uchiha Shana mention these two place names, many faces turned pale. Uchiha Zhi, standing among the crowd, wanted to immediately raise his hand to sign up, shouting: “Reforge the glory of the Uchiha; we have an obligation to do so.” His vision suddenly blurred, and his entire body trembled involuntarily. An emotionless voice suddenly rang in his mind:

[Talent has been received.]

[Steel of the Heart (SSS): Please, let me be steel once more! — "Steel, the Gate"]

With a loud, clear sound, Uchiha Zhi instantly woke up. However, upon hearing the name of this talent, Uchiha Zhi’s heart jumped.