READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 21: Growth In Strength
"A Mission from the Kingdom of Wind?!"
After the sparring match with Kakashi, Uchiha Yuma felt a sense of accomplishment and relief, only for his mood to lift further upon hearing the news.
A mission outside the village meant one thing—money. And Yuma was currently short of it.
The Flying Thunder God Technique was immensely powerful, but it had a glaring flaw: it cost money.
Special kunai for the technique were expensive, and his rigorous practice over the past weeks had drained all his previous rewards. The opportunity to earn again with this mission was exactly what he needed.
Yuma clenched his fist, excitement building. Missions with Namikaze Minato promised not only a considerable salary but also a chance to grow even stronger.
"That's right!" Obito interrupted, seemingly eager to steal the spotlight. "We're taking this mission together with Minato-sensei! And now, let Uncle Obito explain everything to you!"
Obito's energy brought a lighthearted atmosphere to the team, with even Rin and Kakashi smirking. For all his antics, Obito had a knack for brightening the mood.
Through Obito's brief explanation, Yuma learned the details of their mission.
The ninja world wasn't peaceful. The Second Ninja War had left unresolved economic and political tensions across nations. At the heart of these tensions was one universal truth: all conflicts boiled down to resources and power.
For the Land of Wind, economic hardship was acute. While the country was vast, 99% of it was desert, rendering its lands barren and its resources scarce. Without financial stability, the Hidden Sand Village (Sunagakure) faced increasing strain.
Desperate times called for desperate measures. The Daimyo of the Land of Wind, alongside the Kazekage, had resolved to invade a neighboring country—the Land of Rivers.
Unlike the arid Land of Wind, the Land of Rivers was blessed with abundant rainfall and fertile lands. Positioned near the Land of Fire, it also thrived on trade, making it an attractive target. Despite its smaller size, its economic power rivaled larger nations.
Under the Third Kazekage's command, Sunagakure launched an invasion. To cement their power, they had even kidnapped the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers and his son.
When the distress call reached Konoha, the Third Hokage acted swiftly. The rescue operation was entrusted to Namikaze Minato, supported by an elite team including Inuzuka, Aburame, and others. After consulting the Hokage, Minato decided to bring his students—Kakashi, Yuma, Obito, and Rin—into the mission.
"You understand now, right?" Obito asked, beaming after his explanation.
Yuma nodded. "We leave this afternoon?"
"That's right. The sooner we act, the better."
Yuma took a deep breath, his eyes drifting to his newly forged ninja blade—a gift from Fugaku. Made from chakra-conductive metal, it was sharper and more responsive than anything he'd wielded before.
The blade carried a unique feature: its ability to repair itself by absorbing blood from any carbon-based organism. This bizarre but useful trait made it an invaluable tool, and Yuma couldn't wait to test it further in battle.
As he thought about the challenges ahead, Yuma couldn't help but glance at his personal stats.
Host: Uchiha Yuma
Gender: Male
Age: 12
Strength: Elite Jōnin
Abilities:
[Eye of God Realm (Red)] [Son of Time and Space (Gold)] [Genius (Gold)] [Fate of Illusion (Gold)] [Uchiha (Purple)] [Lava Style (Purple)] [Steel Training (Purple)] [Sharingan (Blue)] [Fire Style (Blue)] [Wind Release (Blue)] [Yin Style (Blue)] [Uchiha-ryu (Blue)] [Natural Energy Affinity (Blue)] [Flying Thunder God Technique (Blue)]
With his mastery of Flying Thunder God and the unique traits of his blade, Yuma's strength was at the peak of Elite Jōnin. Though his panel hinted at areas for improvement, he knew that his abilities gave him a decisive edge over most opponents.
His immediate goal was clear: seamlessly integrate Flying Thunder God with Uchiha-ryu. But for the future, he aimed to balance his physical, genjutsu, and ninjutsu prowess, ensuring no weaknesses in his arsenal.
"Yuma? Are you listening?" Minato's voice broke through his thoughts.
Yuma blinked, refocusing on his sensei. "Sorry, I was just thinking about the mission. The Third Kazekage himself is involved. Do we have any more detailed intel on his forces?"
Minato nodded. "Good question. Alongside the Third Kazekage, the mission intel identifies a powerful ally: Sasori, the Scorpion of the Red Sand. He leads Sunagakure's renowned puppet army. His presence makes this mission especially dangerous, so stay alert."
Hearing this, Yuma felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. This mission would be his greatest challenge yet.
Gripping his blade, Yuma whispered to himself, "Let's see how strong I really am."
With their plan set, Team Minato prepared to leave. What lay ahead was unknown, but Yuma was ready to face it head-on.