The Third Squad was not the only team mobilized. Several other units, primarily composed of direct descendants from major clans, were also dispatched.
Among them, Uchiha Kiyo caught sight of the renowned Ino-Shika-Chō trio. While he had encountered individual members of these clans before, this was his first time seeing them operate in their traditional formation.
Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Chōza, and Yamanaka Inoichi—names that would later become legendary in Konoha—stood together, displaying the camaraderie and coordination that made their clan techniques so formidable. These were the fathers of the next generation's Ino-Shika-Chō, the same men who would guide Konoha through future conflicts.
Uchiha Kiyo wasn't one to actively seek out friendships, especially with so many notable figures around. There were simply too many powerful ninjas in the village to keep track of, and he had no interest in exhausting himself maintaining unnecessary social ties. His priority remained his training. If interactions happened naturally, he wouldn't reject them, but he wouldn't force them either. His biggest advantage in this world was his knowledge of the timeline, and he intended to use it wisely.
Their deployment began with all squads departing from Konoha at roughly the same time, but they did not travel together. For security reasons, each squad took different routes to avoid being ambushed as a group.
The Third Squad retraced the path of a previous mission, giving them a tactical advantage. They had already familiarized themselves with the terrain, allowing them to move efficiently while remaining vigilant.
"Always be cautious. We can't afford carelessness during wartime," Uchiha Kiyo reminded his teammates, particularly Nawaki Senju.
Although his presence had introduced changes to the timeline, Uchiha Kiyo wasn't certain he could alter Nawaki's fate. His death had been a major turning point for both Tsunade and Orochimaru. The binding force of the original story still loomed over them, and Kiyo could only do his best to prevent tragedy.
"If nothing else, I can find a way to bring him back."
Looking at Nawaki's determined yet reckless demeanor, Uchiha Kiyo wasn't sure if his efforts would be enough, but he had to try.
Fortunately, their journey remained uneventful. No Rain Ninja ambushes occurred along the way. This was expected, as Amegakure was too focused on defending itself against Konoha's offensive—and preparing for the inevitable entry of the Wind and Earth nations into the war. They wouldn't risk small skirmishes when their survival depended on conserving forces.
By the time the Third Squad reached the frontline base, they were the first to arrive among the newly deployed teams.
After registering their information at the base's entrance, they were led to the personnel office to report for duty.
Konoha's war efforts were currently under the command of Nara Shikahiro, the Nara Clan's patriarch and one of Konoha's top strategists. Serving as his deputy was Senju Hikaru, an elite from the remnants of the Senju Clan. Their leadership dictated the strategy on the front lines, while the three Sannin had also been assigned important roles. Orochimaru, in particular, had been given command over personnel logistics, making him responsible for managing the ninja forces.
As they entered the personnel office, the first person they saw was their sensei.
"Orochimaru-sensei, we're here," Uchiha Kiyo announced.
Orochimaru acknowledged them with a simple nod.
"I'm finally here!" Nawaki declared, excitement evident in his voice. "I've been waiting for this! We weren't allowed to come to the front lines until now, but finally, I get to fight! I'll make a name for myself, earn merits, and become Hokage! Wahahaha!"
Uchiha Kiyo sighed. This guy was hopeless.
He smacked Nawaki lightly on the head. "You need to take this seriously. This isn't some training exercise. War is dangerous, and we're still in the early phases. The real battles haven't even begun."
Orochimaru observed the interaction with curiosity. His student was sharp—far too sharp for someone his age. It was as if he had prior knowledge of war, despite never having experienced one. How much of this was natural intuition, and how much was from study?
"War isn't a game," Uchiha Kiyo continued. "Right now, things are still in the probing stage. But once the war escalates, there won't be time to rest. The battlefield will be chaotic, and if you drop your guard for even a moment, you're dead."
Sarutobi Shō added gravely, "Even elite jōnin can die if they're careless. Or worse, they might not even be careless and still end up surrounded and overwhelmed. We are only chūnin. The danger for us is even greater."
Sarutobi Shō's gaze remained locked on Nawaki, clearly targeting him with his words.
Nawaki pouted. "I get it, I get it! You guys keep looking at me like I'm an idiot who doesn't listen."
Uchiha Kiyo wasn't entirely convinced, but at least Nawaki was acknowledging their warnings. That was a start.
"Well, at least he's aware," Kiyo muttered.
Shō smirked. "Barely."
Orochimaru, seemingly satisfied with their discussion, changed the subject. "As for the war itself, you're correct, Kiyo. This phase could last for months, or it could shift within days. Both sides are still assessing each other's strengths. However, we're also waiting to see what the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth will do. The moment they make a move, the war will escalate."
For Orochimaru to share this information so freely, it meant he had a great deal of trust in Uchiha Kiyo. It was an unusual display, considering his normally reserved nature.
Nawaki and Shō exchanged glances.
"Are we… being excluded from the important talks?" Shō asked dryly.
Nawaki scoffed. "It sure feels like it."
Sarutobi Shō shook his head. "No, you're just being implicated by association."
Uchiha Kiyo smirked but didn't respond. He had gained Orochimaru's trust, and that was invaluable.
Tomorrow, they would step onto the battlefield for the first time.
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