Then, the captain of the Konoha Military Police Force, Uchiha Fugaku, informed Uchiha Haru of the general situation.
Another team member originally assigned to complete the mission alongside Uzuki Yugao and Yuhi Kurenai had sustained injuries and could no longer participate. As a result, a replacement was needed to complete the three-man squad.
That replacement was Haru.
As for why so many had recommended Haru specifically, he neither knew nor cared.
It didn't matter to him. This was just another ordinary mission.
The mission was ranked C-level in difficulty.
For a seasoned jonin, it was considered a trivial task.
Of course, the actual circumstances during the mission could change at any time.
No one could guarantee that there wouldn't be complications.
But such accidents were rare.
Fugaku then reiterated the details of the mission.
The objective was to deliver a sealed brocade box—its contents unknown—to the daimyo of the Land of Rivers.
Because this was an official request from Konohagakure and involved cooperation between the Uchiha Clan and the village, Fugaku emphasized repeatedly that despite the mission's apparent simplicity, there could be no room for error.
In this makeshift team, Yuhi Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao were both chunin, while Haru was the only jonin.
If anything went wrong, the burden of responsibility would fall squarely on Haru.
Given the current climate of veiled hostility and overt tension between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan, even the smallest slip could be seized upon by those seeking to undermine or attack the clan.
Haru outwardly agreed, but inwardly sneered.
To him, Fugaku was far too timid—a weak leader. Despite having awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and possessing strength on par with a Kage, he continued to yield and retreat.
The Uchiha were already powerful. Why did they keep backing down in the face of Konoha?
With a clan head like that, it was no surprise that the Uchiha were hurtling toward their inevitable downfall.
After receiving the mission and making brief preparations, Haru set out with Uzuki Yugao and Yuhi Kurenai.
However, not long after their departure, a figure emerged silently from the shadows, watching the trio's retreating backs.
He wore a black cloak, a katana strapped to his waist. His face was hidden behind an orange spiral-patterned mask, leaving only one eye visible.
That eye gleamed faintly with an eerie red light.
Within the glow, three tomoe spun together, forming a curved blade-like shape.
Mangekyō Sharingan.
...
The Land of Rivers bordered the Land of Fire.
They weren't far apart.
At the speed the trio traveled, it would typically take just over a day to complete a round trip.
It wouldn't interfere with Haru's nighttime simulation of the Uchiha Massacre.
Still, for added security, Haru pushed their pace.
Despite being flanked by two renowned beauties—Yuhi Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao—he paid them no attention.
He treated them as if they were no different from the trees they passed.
This attitude surprised both women.
Haru was unlike any shinobi they had met before.
Serious, composed, mature, and distant.
And, undeniably, devastatingly handsome.
Short black hair. Eyes like ink. Striking features so finely sculpted they seemed artificial.
He stood taller than most, with an almost regal bearing and an aura of profound mystery. Just looking at him could make someone's heart race.
It was just too bad he was so cold.
He rarely interacted with others and kept everyone at a deliberate distance.
Though they had known of him since their days at the Ninja Academy, there had never been any real connection.
Yuhi Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao had always thought of Haru as a flawless but aloof enigma. A man impossible to approach.
So during the journey, the three barely exchanged words.
Haru led from the front. Yugao in the middle. Kurenai brought up the rear.
Their pace never slowed.
They kept moving. And moving. And moving.
Hours passed.
Then, Haru noticed that Yugao and Kurenai were lagging behind. The gap between them was steadily increasing.
He glanced back.
Sure enough, both women were panting lightly, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.
They were clearly exhausted, though still pressing on through sheer willpower.
Haru suddenly understood.
He was a jonin. And after his simulated life-and-death battle the previous night—along with the Otsutsuki bloodline he'd absorbed—his strength had surged beyond standard jonin level.
He hadn't yet reached Kage-level, but he was unquestionably above elite jonin.
In contrast, Kurenai and Yugao were standard chunin. A long-distance run like this might be effortless for him, but not for them.
They must've been tired long ago but refused to admit it out of pride.
Haru looked at the road ahead.
There was still a long way to go.
At least half a day more.
Kurenai and Yugao wouldn't be able to last that long.
Women. A hassle.
Haru curled his lip.
Still, he eventually came to a stop.
They were teammates, after all. And though distant, he had always held some respect for these two exceptional kunoichi of the younger generation.
Kurenai and Yugao soon caught up.
"Rest for half an hour before we continue," Haru said flatly, before stepping aside to train alone.
The night of the Uchiha massacre drew near.
He wouldn't waste a single chance to grow stronger.
Even though his Otsutsuki-enhanced physique rendered this level of fatigue meaningless, he believed that every minor expenditure of effort contributed to his experience.
Especially now, having just gained that powerful body—there was still so much he needed to explore, adapt to, and master.
Kurenai and Yugao each found a spot and sat down to rest.
They had been dying to stop and catch their breath.
Glancing at Haru as he silently trained, both women gave subtle nods.
Uzuki Yugao spoke up, her tone thoughtful. "Among our generation of shinobi, Hatake Kakashi is undoubtedly the most gifted."
"He became a jonin at twelve and made a name for himself in the Third Great Ninja War. Just mentioning his name commands respect."
"Even though he's only a few years older than us, we can't even come close to his level."
"After him, Might Guy and Asuma are also very talented and promising."
"But Uchiha Haru... he's different. His current strength isn't inferior to any of them. In fact, I think he's surpassed what we can even comprehend."
Kurenai nodded slowly, eyes still on Haru's figure as he trained in silence.
There was something about him—something deep and impenetrable. He seemed to exist on an entirely different plane.
And she couldn't help but wonder...
Just how far would Uchiha Haru go?