"That's it. I can't leave the village for missions now because I might be called to the battlefield anytime. You will all be coming with me then!"
Uchiha Yoichi said to the three of Yuhi Kurenai. They were his students and subordinates now, so they would definitely follow him to the battlefield.
Yuhi Kurenai clenched her fist in excitement and said, "Don't worry, Teacher Yoichi. We won't embarrass you...."
Before she could finish, Uchiha Yoichi pressed her forehead with his palm and warned Kurenai, "If you keep getting so excited, I'll assign you a hundred D-Class tasks, ensuring you won't leave the village for a year. That way, you won't die on the battlefield immediately, sparing me from being blamed by Jonin Shinku!"
Nawaki, Tsunade's brother, received a gift, got too excited the next day, and fell into a trap. Orochimaru's rescue wasn't quick enough.
The way Yuhi Kurenai was now, she was practically a step away from death on the battlefield.
"I understand, Teacher Yoichi."
After being warned, Kurenai quickly reined in her excitement. She knew Uchiha Yoichi never lied. If he said something, it would surely come to pass.
And she definitely didn't want to spend a year doing D-Class tasks.
"Starting today, continue your training. I'll have a Shadow Clone join you for practice every morning. In the afternoons, train on your own. You can also spar with each other or gather intelligence on other Ninja Squads...."
Uchiha Yoichi outlined the future arrangements. Even after the war started, Konoha would still hold the Chunin Exam, though no ninjas from other villages would participate.
At that time, Kurenai's opponents would be local ninjas, so gathering intelligence in advance wouldn't be a problem.
Before dispelling the Shadow Clone, Uchiha Yoichi handed some money to Chishima Ichihiko as sponsorship for buying ninja tools and explosive tags. It wasn't much, only 100,000 ryos, but enough to fill Ichihiko's ninja tool bag.
After receiving the money, Ichihiko was so moved that he nearly cried. He was a civilian ninja, but he had a knack for throwing ninja tools, and his family struggled to afford large quantities of them.
When his shuriken and kunai lost their sharpness from practice, Ichihiko would sharpen them himself and reuse them until they were no longer usable before buying new ninja tools.
Uchiha Yoichi's aid deeply touched him. Those 100,000 ryos could buy a lot of ninja tools, giving him a better chance of survival on the battlefield.
Afterwards, the Shadow Clone accompanied the three of them, including Kurenai, for training all morning and then vanished automatically.
Meanwhile, his real body went home. The first batch of Jonin heading to Kikyo Castle should have received their mission. There was no notification for him, meaning Uchiha Yoichi wasn't part of that first support group.
The first batch included Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato. If it wasn't to let Minato earn some glory, it was because they could summon enormous Summoned Beasts.
If the Hidden Sand Village really released a Tailed Beast, those two giant toads could at least buy some time.
To face a Tailed Beast, ordinary ninjas would simply be marching to their deaths. They have massive chakra amounts, and even their casual attacks hold the power of full-strength Chunin and Jonin attacks, something regular ninjas can't compete with.
Not long after returning home, Uzumaki Minami also came back.
Curious, Uchiha Yoichi asked, "Minami, why are you back at noon?"
"Lord Yoichi, I might have to go to the battlefield."
Seeing Uchiha Yoichi, Uzumaki Minami said with a tearful expression, "The medical unit is selecting a batch skilled in detoxification, and because of my previous good performance, I was picked."
Uchiha Yoichi thought for a moment before saying, "I could ask for you to stay back and join me on the same battlefield next time?"
"...Let's forget it. If I go this time, I'll be the team leader. If I make a contribution, I'll be able to support you, Lord Yoichi, in the future."
Though tempted by his suggestion, Minami remembered Yoichi's earlier hopes for her to become the director of the Konoha Hospital and resolutely declined.
"Going to Kikyo Castle this time could earn me significant achievements. With a higher position, I can better assist you, Lord Yoichi."
Uchiha Yoichi said, "The battlefield at Kikyo Castle could be intense. I'll have Gates accompany you for full protection."
While speaking, he transmitted this via mind communication to Gates, who, lying in the courtyard, let out a roar in response, marking his agreement.
However, even on the battlefield, Gates would need to be well-fed daily, and they'd have to pay extra freight to merchants delivering fresh meat and sweets directly to Kikyo Castle.
"Thank you, Lord Yoichi..."
Minami bowed her head in gratitude, her heart filled with joy; it was clear Lord Yoichi valued her highly by sending his Summoned Beast to protect her.
"I might leave this afternoon, but before I go... I'm missing something, could you help me, Lord Yoichi..."
Recalling past experiences, however embarrassing, left Minami feeling nostalgic, often replaying the memory in her mind these past days.
As feelings intensified, Minami very much wished to experience it once more before setting off.
"Help you with what? Are you missing something?"
"...Can I hug you? Just like last time in the basement...."
As Minami uttered these words, she nearly buried her head in her chest, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Uchiha Yoichi wondered if he heard her correctly, so he asked, "Minami, what did you just say?"
"...I want to hug you before setting out, Lord Yoichi."
This time, Minami's voice was slightly louder, and she even sneaked a couple of glances at Uchiha Yoichi.