Chapter 15: The Evaluation of Uchiha Keiyuki

Chapter 15: The Evaluation of Uchiha Keiyuki

As Ling said, the first mission assigned by the clan wouldn't be too difficult. In just five or six days, under the leadership of his clan uncle, Uchiha Keiyuki, Madara successfully completed his first ninja mission.

This was only because Uchiha Keiyuki had taken so long to explain the mission process in detail to the young clan - members. If he did it by himself, the mission, including the round - trip time, wouldn't take more than a day.

Madara also learned from Uchiha Keiyuki that the subsequent mission mode would be an approach where an experienced ninja leads two newbies, with at least three people forming a group to carry out missions, and only when one's strength was continuously recognized by the team leader could the group disband and the ninja start performing solo missions.

Naturally, Madara couldn't help but ask about Ling.

"Ling... That kid is a real genius," Uchiha Keiyuki stroked his chin with a smile on his face. "Not many people can get the qualification for solo missions within ten missions, and that kid is one of them. As far as I remember, among his peers, apart from him, only Hiro got the qualification for solo missions after seven group missions."

"How many missions did the big brother need?"

Uchiha Keiyuki held up three fingers. "Excluding the first newbie mission - three. I'm not just boasting. This achievement is rare among our clan members throughout the ages. Although Ling was just a newbie back then, his extremely cautious attitude towards missions was rare even among our generation. So, he easily passed the clan's assessment.

However, unlike Hiro, who is a bit of a loner, Ling still chose to lead teams for missions even after getting the qualification. Heh... That kid managed to win over quite a few people in the clan. Madara, you're also vying for the position of young clan leader now. It won't do you any harm to learn from Ling more."

"Sure enough, the big brother is the strongest!"

Madara clenched his fists and smiled. "Yeah, thanks for the advice. Then I'll head home first. Thank you for taking care of me this time, Uncle Keiyuki!"

"Alright, go home. Give my regards to Father."

"Yes!"

It was only when Madara bought a gift with the reward from his first mission and returned home that he found Izuna practicing throwing Shuriken in the small courtyard at home.

Madara didn't interrupt Izuna's practice. He just quietly stood aside and watched. Only after Izuna had thrown all the Shuriken did he speak up, "Izuna!"

"Brother Madara!" Izuna immediately dropped his practice and ran over, hugging Madara tightly. "Welcome home~"

"Yeah, I'm back!" Madara also smiled and ruffled his younger brother's hair. "Has our Izuna been a good boy?"

"Yes! I've been very good!" Izuna raised his head, his eyes shining brightly. "Even when I was at home alone, I've been diligently doing my training!"

Hearing this, Madara couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. "Leaving aside Father... Isn't the big brother at home either?"

"Yeah, on the day you went on the mission, big brother also went to the back mountain for training..." Izuna's mood visibly dropped. "Hey, Brother Madara?"

Madara was thinking about going to the back mountain later. Hearing this, he couldn't help but look down at his younger brother. "Huh? What's up? Oh, right. I promised to teach you the throwing technique. Since you're practicing throwing anyway, how about we start now?"

"

 "Well, Madara..." Izuna grabbed the corner of Madara's clothes, his cheeks puffing out slightly. "Can we go see our big brother Ling first...

 Well, I know you're really tired from your mission, Madara. But there's been no news from our big brother since he went for training. Father and Aniki Akihiko are also very busy... So, well..."

 Seeing Izuna lowering his head and stammering, Madara couldn't help but laugh. "Izuna is right. After all, I've completed the mission. I should report my safety to my family first. It's not good to disturb Father, but since our big brother is like a father to us, I should go and talk to him on my own initiative."

 "Yeah!" Izuna nodded vigorously, his eyes shining. "I can lead the way for you, Madara!"

 "Sure, then I'll have to trouble you, Izuna."

 "Let's go then!" Izuna pulled Madara's hand. "Oh, by the way, how was Madara's first mission? Was it difficult? Where did you go? Can you tell me?"

 "This mission of mine..."

 The two brothers took their time and strolled along the path towards the back mountain. During the walk, Madara also detailed the process of his mission to Izuna. Izuna's eyes sparkled as he listened, wishing he could grow up right away and go on missions too.

 "Training should be done step by step," Madara said with a helpless smile. "Izuna is still young."

 Izuna immediately puffed up his cheeks. "I'll grow up soon too."

 "Yes, I know," Madara ruffled his younger brother's hair. "When the time comes, I'll take you on missions with our big brother Ling."

 "Yeah!" Izuna became happy again and pulled Madara to walk a few steps faster. "Our big brother Ling's training spot is just ahead. I wonder how he is now!"

 "Well... Our big brother Ling should be fine, right?"

 But Madara was too naive. When he followed Izuna to the training area full of joy and expectation, he saw Ling with the bottom of his clothes in tatters and looking rather disheveled. He was so shocked that his eyes widened like a startled cat. "Big brother Ling?! Big brother Ling?!"

 Ling, who was sitting by the fire drying his outer clothes, also turned around. After a brief perception, he laughed. "It's Madara and Izuna. Haha, it's still a bit chaotic here as I'm just getting used to it. You can just sit anywhere."

 Izuna didn't care about that much and directly pounced on Ling and started talking about what he had practiced these days. On the other hand, Madara was extremely worried when he saw Ling's disheveled appearance.

 This worry reached its peak when he saw that Ling was stepping on the ground bare - foot and there were many suspicious charred objects near the fire. "Big brother Ling, why don't you go home with me first to tidy up? At least change into a new pair of shoes..."

 "There's no need for that," Ling said with a smile as he picked up Izuna. "I took off my shoes because they were getting in the way of my training... Do I look too disheveled now?"

 "How could that be!"

Big brother never looks flustered, no matter the situation. I just..." Madara lowered his head and his voice also dropped, "I'm just a little worried..."

Even just by listening, Ling could feel Madara's concern. After a brief pause, the corner of his mouth curled up in a smile. "Well, since Madara is so worried, how about having a long - missed sparring match with your big brother?"

Continue to develop the character: Ling during [training] [Authors who can't draw backgrounds are useless]