He was the one Hayate Gekko once mentioned — the practitioner of the Konoha-style swordsmanship, whose techniques weren't just A-ranked but even included S-rank skills.
"There's something weighing on me. I never got to say goodbye to my sister before leaving — and now here we are, heading into another war. Who can predict life or death on the battlefield? Only when stepping forward did I realize that sometimes, fear of death isn't even for oneself."
As Shiki spoke, a deep sense of sentimentality filled him. Thinking about the heavy burdens he carried, he couldn't help but clench his fists.
Even as they spoke, neither showed any sign of slowing down.
Crack! Crack!
Tree after tree shuddered beneath the weight of the ninja's passage.
Kusei nodded slightly, "It's natural to feel this way during your first war. But some things are unavoidable. Life is always full of surprises. Facing them might lead to resolution, while running away could bring another unexpected encounter. It's better to focus all your strength on dealing with what's directly ahead."
Shiki Uzumaki hesitated briefly. Ever since he left, he had constantly been thinking about the responsibilities he bore.
But would avoiding the problem really bring a better outcome?
Just as the old man said, wouldn't it be better to face things with determination?
"Thank you. I've learned much from your words."
With that said, Shiki Uzumaki lightly landed on a thick branch and gave Kusei a deep, respectful bow.
Then, pushing off the branch with force, Shiki Uzumaki sped up to catch up.
Seeing this red-haired boy's behavior, Kusei was somewhat taken aback. He hadn't expected this kid to be so formal and polite.
Don't kids his age usually look up to heroic figures? How come he showed such respect toward an old man like himself who'd been stuck as a Genin for fifty years?
Suddenly recalling someone else, Kusei turned to the Uzumaki beside him and said, "Come to think of it, you're quite similar to Fourth Hokage. Both of you show such courtesy."
"Fourth Hokage?" Shiki Uzumaki responded slightly surprised.
Kusei nodded, "Yes, I used to be on a team with the Fourth Hokage back then. He was also a remarkably talented person. Just like you, he had great passion."
At this point, Kusei smiled faintly, "If that's the case, then let me, an old man, fight alongside you, Shiki Uzumaki."
He didn't explicitly say "protect," yet Shiki Uzumaki understood the meaning behind the words.
Still, Shiki shook his head, "If it's about fighting together, I'm all for it. But if it's just protection, then old man, you're seriously underestimating me. If you don't mind, then we shall be comrades-in-arms."
"Comrades..." Kusei suddenly recalled those companions whose deaths had been caused by his own recklessness.
Before he could respond, suddenly came a voice,
"We're nearing the border! Now, stay alert! Prepare for battle!"
Chapter 210: First Clash
They had already reached the border!
When he heard these words, Shiki Uzumaki still felt a slight sense of disbelief.
It surprised him how fast they'd moved, but after a moment's thought, Shiki Uzumaki understood. Perhaps it was because everyone in the team had been traveling at an extremely high speed. That's why they failed to notice the passage of time.
"It looks like the war is about to begin," Shiki Uzumaki mused. At the sky above, faint red lights had somehow appeared.
Though darkened by clouds, the faint light that filtered through allowed Shiki to take in the surroundings. They had already passed through the forest, and just ahead stretched a sea of swirling yellow sands.
It was precisely these forests that had held back the desert's spread.
There were hardly any villages at this border region between the two nations. At least for now, Shiki couldn't spot any buildings—only an endless stretch of barren wasteland lay before him.
Shiki wet his lips and asked curiously, "In such a place as this, do you really think there'll be enemy teams trying to intercept us?"
Kusei shook his head, yet his eyes carried a profound depth. "You must never have thoughts like that. This is war—if you relax even a bit, your life may be taken away the very next moment."
"All right, we're taking a short break here! In one hour, we cross the border and hit Sunagakure hard!"
The Jonin commander loudly announced to the group. As a matter of fact, Shiki didn't know who he was. He looked somewhere between forty and fifty years old, but perhaps due to being a ninja, his body still remained extremely fit, giving off vibes typical of a Taijutsu-type shinobi.
Moreover, what he carried on his back wasn't a standard Tachi—it was a massive blade, resembling Kubikiribocho, one of the Seven Ninja Sword Tools. A person like him certainly didn't look like a typical commander.
"Why does it feel like many powerful individuals from our village haven't joined this war effort?"
Shiki once again voiced his question while leaning back against a tree for support. Although his stamina came back quickly, he couldn't ignore the growing weariness in both body and mind. Rest would do him good.
This time, it wasn't Kusei who answered, but a young ninja nearby, casually flipping a kunai in his hand.
"This is only the very beginning of the war. If we send out all our elites too soon, Konoha might appear vulnerable and unguarded. Also, the other reason is that the village currently needs stability so as not to invite sneak attacks from other villages during this period."
"I see. Then, may I ask what your name is?" Nodding in understanding, Shiki turned towards the boy seated on his left side.
"Me?" The young Chunin pointed to his own nose upon being asked. "My name's Nara Shiomi. As for yours, no need to ask—I heard Shikamaru talk about you: Shiki Uzumaki, right?"
Nara Shiomi?
Shiki had absolutely no recollection of this name, yet he felt surprised to learn that the person standing before him was actually part of the Nara clan.
"Then I'll call you Senior Shiomi, then."
"Whatever. Even if you call me Senior, I won't help you on the battlefield," he replied, glancing sideways at the man called San Tian who stood beside him.
He turned his head too. Another man was leaning casually against a large tree, smoking a cigarette—bringing to mind Asuma Sarutobi. Hearing Shiomi's words, he sighed in resignation.
"Hey, Shiomi, why can't you just let me smoke in peace? Besides, since a war is coming soon, let me calm down a bit, okay?" San Tian complained, his long brown braid resting against his back.
Shiomi Nara shook his head with an amused smile. "You're still the same. Just a war—no big deal."
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