CHAPTER 9

Further to the Front

This is the advantage of being born into a prestigious ninja clan. Even if you are not a direct descendant of a legendary figure like the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, you still have access to exclusive channels for acquiring ninjutsu.

Intermediate and basic-level ninjutsu are provided by the clan as long as a member's strength meets the required standard. However, obtaining high-level techniques requires making contributions to the clan, such as completing dangerous missions or demonstrating exceptional talent.

For civilian ninjas, the situation is vastly different. Acquiring ninjutsu is significantly harder, and there are generally three main ways to do so.

The first is through guidance from a jōnin instructor assigned during their genin years. However, not all ninja academy graduates qualify for this. Only the most outstanding students are assigned to three-man teams led by elite jōnin, such as how Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara were placed under Minato Namikaze's tutelage.

Other graduates, especially those who lack potential, are often placed under chūnin superiors for mission support. If lucky, they may be trained by a tokubetsu jōnin like Ebisu. However, even under a mentor, learning ninjutsu depends on compatibility and the instructor's willingness to teach. Some mentors, like Danzō Shimura, hoard powerful techniques and only pass them down to loyal subordinates.

The second way to learn advanced ninjutsu is by making significant contributions to Konoha. Simple D-rank and C-rank missions do not suffice—one must accomplish feats akin to destroying the Kannabi Bridge, as Obito Uchiha did, or creating invaluable techniques like Minato's Flying Thunder God. However, the criteria for "great achievements" remain vague, ultimately decided by Konoha's higher-ups, such as the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The third method is to align with powerful individuals or influential clans, essentially becoming their loyal follower. Ebisu followed this path, serving as an advisor to Konohamaru Sarutobi, grandson of the Third Hokage, which eventually elevated his status to tokubetsu jōnin.

None of these paths are easy—certainly much harder than for clan ninjas. Among the original characters in Naruto, Yūgao Uzuki is one of the strongest civilian-born kunoichi, yet she is primarily a kenjutsu (swordsmanship) specialist with limited ninjutsu knowledge.

This is why most civilian ninjas do not waste money on chakra affinity paper, as without access to techniques, knowing their elemental affinity is pointless.

Despite the Uchiha clan's tragic fate, being born into it has undeniable advantages, particularly in learning ninjutsu. Since he didn't know when he might receive his transfer orders, Uchiha Gen focused primarily on mastering Fire Release (Katon), the signature element of the Uchiha bloodline.

The Uchiha clan's natural affinity for Fire Release, along with the symbolic presence of the Great Fire Spirit (Zhurong), made mastering Fire Release techniques significantly easier for him. There was no better reference for understanding Fire Chakra Nature than Zhurong itself—a living embodiment of flames.

This is also why the first high-level Homitz created by Gen was fire-attributed. Stacking these advantages, his progress far surpassed that of ordinary ninjas.

As expected, while his ninjutsu mastery did not come as instantly as his illusion-based genjutsu, his growth in Fire Release was astonishing compared to typical chūnin.

---

Deployment to the Frontlines

Half a month passed, and Uchiha Gen's strength had advanced drastically. Even without Zhurong and other Homitz, he had already reached the threshold of jōnin.

However, his physical prowess and battlefield experience were still lacking. Physical conditioning and combat instincts could only be refined over time.

Though he wanted to continue training, his circumstances dictated otherwise. He was assigned to frontline combat rather than the Konoha Military Police Force. Refusing a direct deployment order from the Third Hokage was not an option. Even if he had been in the Police Force, a Hokage-issued transfer order would still be mandatory.

Upon receiving the order, Gen felt both relief and disappointment.

Relief—because the devastating Kannabi Bridge battle, which had left only four Konoha survivors, was over. He wouldn't be caught in that meat grinder. No matter how strong one was, the battlefield was an unpredictable nightmare.

Disappointment—because Obito Uchiha had already become a "hero" of Konoha, and Gen had missed his chance to take action against him.

Since the beginning of the war, Gen had never crossed paths with Obito. Even if he wanted to confront him, he had no opportunity. Leaving the village without official permission was a grave offense, punishable by being labeled a rogue ninja (missing-nin) and hunted down.

Even if he did risk leaving, tracking Obito down was nearly impossible. Who knew which battlefield he was stationed at, especially under a fast-moving commander like Minato Namikaze?

Even if Gen managed to locate Obito, how could he attack him in the presence of Kakashi Hatake and Rin Nohara?

Killing Obito in front of them would trigger unimaginable consequences—not just from Konoha and the Uchiha clan, but from Uchiha Madara and his hidden forces.

Sacrificing himself to "save the ninja world?"

Sorry, he wasn't that noble. He was no Naruto Uzumaki.

Gen had initially planned to wait until Obito returned to Konoha and strike in secret. However, Obito never returned, leaving his residence in the Uchiha district empty.

Had Gen managed to kill Obito, it would have thrown Uchiha Madara's plans into disarray. Madara had invested heavily in Obito as his successor. Even if Madara had backup candidates, none would be as naturally talented as Obito, who possessed both Uchiha and Senju-level potential.

Unfortunately, fate had already set Obito on his destined path. Perhaps he was protected by the "protagonist's plot armor."

Still, Gen wasn't worried. He and Obito were from the same clan, meaning they understood each other well. Plus, he had the advantage of foresight.

---

Departure to the Battlefield

Sighing, Uchiha Gen put away his orders, gathered supplies, and went to bed early. The next morning, he had a quick breakfast and reported to Konoha's village gates.

The gatekeepers that day were not Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane, but two unfamiliar chūnin.

A hundred Konoha ninjas had gathered. Once roll call was completed, the unit set off for the Land of Grass.

Gen's mission was to support the frontline and hunt down Iwagakure ninjas who had been stranded due to the destruction of Kannabi Bridge.

While this sounded like a one-sided battle, the risks remained high.

Iwagakure was known for its unity—surrender was rare. Most of their stranded forces would either flee or fight to the death.

Konoha had encircled the enemy, sweeping through them systematically. Iwagakure's only hope was to blend into Konoha's towns, disguise themselves, and wait for a chance to escape.

But given that most of the reinforcement unit consisted of battle-hardened combat specialists, it was clear that Konoha expected a full-scale confrontation. If Iwagakure intended to go into hiding, Konoha would have sent more sensory-type and tracking ninjas instead.

After a full day's march, the unit arrived at the frontline base in the Land of Fire.

The camp was strategically located at the base of a forested mountain, surrounded by countless traps set by Konoha's forces.

Unlike Konoha itself, the camp lacked a barrier seal—there simply weren't enough barrier ninjas to encase the entire mountain.

Surveying the encircled Iwagakure forces, Gen was impressed.

Who had orchestrated such an effective containment?

Just as he pondered, a familiar figure emerged—a blond man in a Konoha vest, radiating charisma.

Minato Namikaze.

Behind him stood Kakashi and Rin.

As expected, Minato's achievements had made him a living legend. Many Konoha ninjas, especially civilians, practically worshipped him.

Gen was just a chūnin, so he couldn't enter Minato's command tent. Instead, he followed Kakashi and Rin to settle in.

"Never hold onto a book too tightly… it makes you an easy target."