Uchiha Yorito returned to Konoha in despair the day after receiving treatment.
After all, even his own clan members had refused to stand with him, and the strange, judgmental looks he received from those around him made it unbearable. Returning to Konoha seemed like the only option.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Jinno had also undergone treatment for the fractures in his wrist and leg.
Although the medical ninjas provided professional care, it would still take several days for him to recover fully.
Jinno assumed that Sora would wait for him to heal before summoning them for a mission. But much to his surprise, Sora called them together that very day.
Sora stood before the group, holding a scroll. "I've just accepted a mission for our team. We're tasked with hunting down a squad of Kumogakure shinobi.
According to the reconnaissance team's report, there are about ten Cloud shinobi in their group.
Most of them are not particularly strong—roughly half are at the Chūnin level, while the rest are Genin. There's no Jōnin among them, though there might be a special Jōnin at best.
This mission will also serve as a test to evaluate your skills, so I expect each of you to give it your all."
Uchiha Kyosuke and the others froze, their eyes widening in shock.
Ten shinobi? Half of them Chūnin?
The difficulty of this mission was far higher than any of them had expected, especially for their first assignment under Sora's command.
Uchiha Jinno glanced at his bandaged wrist and knee, hesitating. "Captain, my injuries…"
Sora shot him a sharp sideways glance. "That's not an excuse. You brought those injuries upon yourself, and in war, you fight whether you're injured or not.
Pain isn't a reason to run from your duty."
Jinno opened his mouth, but no words came out. He knew there was no point in arguing—Sora wouldn't change his mind.
Defeated, Jinno lowered his head. This was the reality of war, and he had no choice but to accept it.
Sora's tone was curt as he dismissed them. "Go prepare. Be back here in an hour for assembly. We leave immediately after."
Uchiha Kyosuke and the others trudged away; their shoulders slumped, burdened by the weight of the task ahead.
Sora leaned against a nearby tree, his eyes closed as he waited.
The sound of footsteps approached from a distance, growing louder until they stopped in front of him.
Without opening his eyes, Sora recognized the presence and let out a quiet sigh.
The owner of the footsteps was Uchiha Kazuo.
Kazuo's expression was grim as he warned, "Sora, I'm advising you—don't go too far. Remember, you're only here temporarily. Sooner or later, you'll have to return to Konoha."
At the sound of the thinly veiled threat, Sora opened his eyes. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as he responded mockingly, "Oh? Why don't you finish your thought? What happens when I return to Konoha?
Are you suggesting that the Uchiha clan will take revenge on me, as that other fool said?
Should I start trembling in fear now? Do you expect me to kneel and beg for mercy, pleading with you to stop the mighty Uchiha clan from coming after me?"
Kazuo's face flushed red with embarrassment, his composure faltering under Sora's biting sarcasm.
The smirk faded from Sora's face, replaced by a cold, indifferent expression. His voice dropped to a steely tone as he continued, "Do you really think I'm afraid of Uchiha's so-called revenge?
If I were afraid, would I have beaten the five useless shinobi you brought to me so badly?"
Kazuo's mouth tightened as he stood in silence, unable to respond to Sora's pointed words.
Among the Uchiha clan, it seemed that aside from Uchiha Fugaku, no one possessed even a semblance of intelligence.
No wonder the clan had been steadily declining. They were oblivious to the critical moment of life and death they were facing, still clinging to their past arrogance and what they believed was glory.
But was there even any real glory to speak of? It was nothing more than the lingering shadow of Uchiha Madara's power.
And Madara himself? He was just a defeated man. Though he co-founded Konoha with the First Hokage, he was ultimately beaten by him and left Konoha in disgrace.
And you, the Uchiha clan? You betrayed Madara. You stayed behind in Konoha while he walked away.
"You always call me a second-rate kid," Sora said, his tone sharp and biting. "You say I'll betray Konoha sooner or later, but aren't you the true betrayers? A clan of betrayers gathered together."
"You!"
Uchiha Kazuo was trembling with anger. His fist clenched as he prepared to lash out verbally.
But Sora interrupted him, smirking. "Oh, come on. I don't have the energy to waste arguing with you. The more you threaten me here, the more I'll take it out on those four under my command.
Or, perhaps you'd like to fight me right here? That's an idea worth considering. If you manage to knock me down, maybe those four can return to your command.
Frankly, I'm curious. I'd love to see what level a Uchiha Jōnin is at. Are you as pathetic as the rest of your clan?
So, what's it going to be? Are you going to fight me, Uchiha's waste of a Jōnin?"
Sora's mocking tone cut deep, his expression dripping with contempt.
Kazuo's fists tightened further, his rage barely restrained. If looks could kill, Sora would have been torn apart on the spot.
Kazuo knew full well that Sora was provoking him, trying to manipulate him into acting recklessly.
Even so, the sting of the insult made it hard to hold back.
Seeing Kazuo's hesitation, Sora sneered. "What's the matter? Don't tell me you're afraid. If you're too scared to fight, why waste your breath on empty threats?
Is this what the Uchiha clan has come to? All talk and no action? It's laughable that your clan once held the title of Konoha's number one ninja clan.
Honestly, you should leave before you embarrass yourself further."
Kazuo could no longer restrain himself. His face twisted with fury as he roared, "You insolent brat! The Uchiha clan is not something you, an outcast, can insult!"
But Sora's voice remained calm, his words sharp and venomous. "Oh, is that so? Funny, coming from someone who stood by and watched as I humiliated the four 'proud' members of your clan.
Where were you while they were being beaten? Watching, doing nothing, and letting them be ridiculed by the others.
Honestly, looking at them and at you, it's no surprise the Uchiha clan is filled with cowards. In the end, they bowed their heads and obeyed my orders. So tell me, Uchiha Jōnin, are you any better?"
Kazuo's fury boiled over. His Sharingan flared to life, revealing three tomoe spinning in his crimson eyes. He lunged at Sora, aiming a powerful uppercut.
But Sora was ready. Using the Body Flicker Technique, he disappeared in a blur, evading the strike entirely.
Kazuo's fist smashed into the tree behind him, leaving a deep indent in the trunk.
Sora reappeared a short distance away, casually brushing imaginary dust off his clothes. "Not bad. I'll admit you're not entirely spineless. But that doesn't mean you're not a waste."
With that, Sora activated his own Sharingan, its Two Tomoe spinning ominously in his eyes.
Kazuo wasted no time, quickly forming hand seals. Sora watched carefully, identifying the technique Kazuo was preparing. Without hesitation, he began mirroring the seals.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique!"
Both Sora and Kazuo launched the jutsu simultaneously. Small but intense flames, like scattering seeds, erupted from their mouths, shooting out in all directions.
Using the enhanced perception of their Sharingan, the two skillfully dodged the incoming flames, weaving through the scattered embers.
Kazuo pulled out a kunai while Sora drew his ninja sword from its sheath.
Without hesitation, the two charged at each other, their weapons colliding mid-air with a sharp clang, sending sparks flying in all directions.
The intense clash between the kunai and the blade marked the start of a fierce duel.
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