Hizashi leaned by the window, his Byakugan seeming to penetrate the glass, gazing towards some distant place.
He crossed his arms over his chest, and upon hearing Shisui's murmur, his expression was equally complex. A trace of recollection and wistfulness flickered across his serious face.
Hizashi slowly spoke: "Minato-sama's meaning is that this Joint Chunin Exams brings together the younger generation of the Great Ninja Villages. It is a stage to observe the future, demonstrate strength, and also for covert competition. Although our Land of Stars was founded not long ago, our younger generation also needs this kind of experience and perspective. So, it's not just about participating, but also exchange and a certain posture."
He paused, looking at Shisui: "Neji... might also be on the accompanying personnel list."
In Konoha, Neji was a genius of the Hyuga branch family, yet he also bore the shackles and the Caged Bird Cursed Seal.
After the shackles were erased by Shura, Neji's talent was truly released, his growth astonishing. At only thirteen, he is already a Special Jonin.
Having Neji accompany the team back to Konoha, back to that place that once bound him, in a brand new free posture...
Hizashi's mood was certainly no calmer than Shisui's.
Shisui keenly captured that trace of unusual gravity in Hizashi's tone. He frowned slightly: "Such an elaborate affair, I'm afraid it's not just for visiting and gaining experience, is it? Do Minato-sama and Shura-sama have other considerations?"
He deliberately paused, because neither Minato nor the reclusive Shura had issued any clear directives regarding combat preparations.
If it were just an ordinary diplomatic visit or observation, there would be no need for him to be involved.
This was not logical.
Unless, some kind of 'major event' was about to occur in Konoha, and the Land of Stars' role was to be an observer standing aloof?
Or a fisherman waiting for an opportunity?
"Minato-sama didn't say explicitly, but..." Hizashi shook his head, not continuing the guess. "You'll know when you get there."
Shisui nodded, suppressing the chaotic thoughts in his heart.
No matter what lay ahead, he was no longer the naive Uchiha Shisui who had tried to stop the civil war with Kotoamatsukami and ended up in a miserable state.
He was the Land of Stars' Uchiha Shisui, a Star Ninja who had experienced betrayal, despair, rebirth, and found a new path and conviction.
"Understood. I'll go right away." Shisui nodded to Hizashi and turned to walk quickly towards the Administrative Building.
Although his body, having just undergone surgery, was still somewhat fatigued, his gait was steady and powerful, a newborn sense of strength surging within him.
Before long, Shisui arrived at the top floor of the Administrative Building, outside Minato's office.
He straightened the uniform of the Police Force he had changed into and knocked lightly.
"Come in." A gentle and familiar voice came from inside.
Shisui pushed the door open and entered.
The office was spacious and bright, the furnishings simple and efficient.
Beyond the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was the vibrant scene of the Star City.
Behind the desk, Minato, who, in his Edo Tensei body, was managing the nation's administrative affairs for the Land of Stars, put down his pen and looked up at him.
Minato's face was still handsome and young, but the fine, crack-like lines on his face, like cracked porcelain, and his gray, lifeless eyes, all heralded that he was no longer alive.
However, his warm smile and clear gaze miraculously dispelled that sense of inhumanity, leaving only the wisdom and calmness belonging to the [Yellow Flash].
"Shisui, you're here." Minato stood up, walked around the desk, a concerned smile on his face: "The seventh surgery, how do you feel? Hiruko said it went smoothly, but I want to hear your personal experience."
His tone was natural and kind, like an elder concerned about a junior, not a superior looking down from above.
Shisui felt a warmth in his heart, bowed slightly, and said: "Thank you for your concern, Minato-sama. The surgery was very successful. My Ocular Power and physical condition have both improved significantly."
"That's good." Minato nodded, walked back behind his desk, pulled out a scroll marked [Top Secret] from under a pile of documents, and handed it to Shisui. The smile on his face withdrew a bit, becoming serious.
"Take a look at this. This is the preliminary list of the teams to go to Konoha to participate in the Joint Chunin Exams."
Shisui took the scroll with both hands. It felt like cool, special silk.
He untied the cord and slowly unfolded it.
The handwriting on the scroll was neat and clear, listing names and corresponding positions and teams:
General Leader: Uchiha Shisui (Jonin, Police Force Minister, Special Envoy)
Participating Genin Teams (Two):
Yukimi's Team:
Jonin Instructor: Yukimi (Wood Release, Smoke Transformation)
Members: Gaara (One-Tail Shukaku Jinchuriki, Kankuro (Puppeteer), Temari.
Iida Yusuke's Team:
Instructor Jonin: Iida Yusuke (Ninja Sword Wielder, Kubikiribocho)
Members: Uzumaki Karin (Uzumaki Clan), Kurotsuchi (Third Tsuchikage's Granddaughter), Ranmaru (Red-Eyed Clan).
Accompanying Special Jonin (5):
Hyuga Neji (Byakugan), Kaguya Kimimaro (Shikotsumyaku, Byakugan), Yuki Haku (Ice Release), Otsutsuki Toneri (Byakugan), Oyashiro Chino (Ketsuryugan).
Accompanying Jonin (3):
Saionji Sato (Ninja Sword Wielder, Lightning Blades: Kiba), Suzuhara Ai (Medical Jonin), Morishita Shunji (Ninja Sword Wielder, Twin Swords: Hiramekarei).
Accompanying Chunin and Administrative Staff: 10
Total: 26 people.
Shisui's gaze slowly swept over these names, his heart filled with awe.
This lineup was more than luxury!
Two Genin teams: Gaara is the Jinchuriki housing the One-Tail, Shukaku... his strength must not be regarded as that of a Genin. Temari and Kankuro were the children of the Fourth Kazekage, sending a signal to the outside world that Sunagakure had completely integrated into the Land of Stars.
Karin is of the Uzumaki Clan, with outstanding perception abilities. Kurotsuchi is the granddaughter of the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, to some extent a 'hostage' and exchange student from Iwagakure. Ranmaru possessed the Akaigan Kekkei Genkai and had also undergone several genetic modification surgeries... he could not be regarded as an ordinary Genin either.
Among the five Special Jonin: Neji is an unparalleled genius of the Hyuga branch family, with extremely high mastery in Byakugan and Gentle Fist.
Kimimaro is an orphan of the Kaguya Clan, formidable in Taijutsu and Shikotsumyaku, and had even been transplanted with a pair of Byakugan, curing his Kekkei Genkai Disease. Among his peers, no one could match him in close combat.
Haku is an Ice Release Kekkei Genkai user, kind-hearted, but his strength was also not to be underestimated.
Toneri is a remnant of the Moon's Otsutsuki Clan, not only transplanted with Byakugan but also able to manipulate puppets, with superb talent and nearly atavistic bloodline.
Chino is the princess of the Chinoike Clan, skilled in Genjutsu, and the Ketsuryugan is a Dojutsu once ranked alongside the Sharingan.
Among the three Jonin: Ai is a Medical-Nin, needless to say. Sato and Shunji are both outstanding figures among the Land of Stars' younger generation, and are also members of the Land of Stars' Ninja Sword Wielders!
This list almost encompassed the top young forces and core combat strength with various characteristics that the Land of Stars had currently absorbed!
Uchiha, Hyuga, Uzumaki, Kaguya, Chinoike, Red-Eyed, Otsutsuki... and even Wood Release!
These Kekkei Genkai, which had once been prominent in the history of the Ninja World, were now gathered together.
Such a team, paraded out, let alone 'observing' the Chunin Exams, could even directly annihilate a medium-sized country with its own Ninja Village if they launched a surprise attack.
Shisui slowly rolled up the scroll and looked up at Minato.
Minato's gray eyes were calmly watching him, but Shisui could feel, beneath that calmness, a heavy pressure like a storm brewing.
He directly asked his doubt: "Minato-sama, such a lineup... I'm afraid it's not just to let the younger generation 'see the world', is it? Are there other missions for this trip?"
The office was quiet for a moment, broken only by the faint city hubbub from outside the window.
Minato sighed softly. The sigh was very light, but carried a sense of stagnation.
He walked to the window, turned his back to Shisui, looked down at the prosperous Star City below, and slowly spoke.
"The situation in Konoha right now is very special. On the surface, they are hosting the Chunin Exams, bringing various parties together, demonstrating national strength. But in reality, there are surging undercurrents and hidden dangers everywhere."
Minato turned around, his gray eyes looking directly at Shisui: "According to reliable intelligence we have obtained, Orochimaru will launch a full-scale attack on Konoha during the final round of the Joint Chunin Exams, when the public competition is underway. The operation's codename is… [Konoha Crush Plan]."
Despite having a premonition, hearing the plan's name and the mastermind behind it still made Shisui's pupils contract slightly.
Orochimaru, a former Konoha's Sannin, had defected and, though outwardly pledged allegiance to Shura-, maintained relative independence, even having his own Ninja Village influence.
'He is going to destroy Konoha?'
"Your mission is, when the [Konoha Crush Plan] is launched and Konoha's internal affairs fall into chaos and their attention is drawn by Orochimaru, to launch a surprise attack operation. Your target is not to directly engage Konoha's Ninja in combat, but to take advantage of the chaos and conduct selective, rapid destruction and infiltration of Konoha's key military and research facilities."
He walked back to the desk and lightly tapped the surface with his finger. "After you arrive in Konoha, the head of the Anbu Intelligence Section, Yakushi Kabuto, will contact you. He will provide you with detailed maps, defensive weaknesses, secret passages, and shift change times for key facilities such as Konoha's Anbu base, the Root organization base, the Konoha's Medical Department Building, the confidential archives, and the repository of the Sealing Techniques."
Minato looked at Shisui: "Your mission is, in the chaos, to at the fastest speed, seize various confidential documents, forbidden technique research data, Kekkei Genkai experimental data, historical unique copies and classics, and all records related to ancient clans like Uchiha, Senju, Uzumaki, Hyuga, and records about Tailed Beasts and ancient secrets preserved in Konoha."
"Especially the base of Root and the Anbu's top-secret archives… these are the top priorities."
"Remember, after obtaining the items, immediately evacuate according to the predetermined route. Do not get entangled in combat. Avoid direct confrontation with Konoha's main forces."
Shisui listened quietly. The waves in his heart gradually calmed, replaced by a clarity.
Taking advantage of the fire to loot, seizing the core secrets Konoha had accumulated for decades...
If this operation succeeded, the heavy blow to Konoha would be even more severe than all previous attacks combined!
It would be like adding fuel to the already tense situation of the Ninja World!
Shisui clearly recognized that the Fourth Great Ninja War... is truly not far off.
However, unlike the Uchiha Shisui of six years ago, who had agonized between his clan and the village and ultimately chosen to leap from a cliff, at this moment, he had no more confusion or hesitation.
During these years in the Land of Stars, he had seen with his own eyes the new world that Shura had depicted and was striving to build.
Breaking down clan barriers, breaking bloodline monopolies, using powerful strength as a cornerstone, establishing order, protecting civilians, so that Ninja are no longer mere tools of killing, and children do not have to grow up in hatred.
The prosperity and tranquility of the Star City, the genuine smiles on ordinary people's faces, Ninja of various clans, even former enemies, being able to coexist relatively peacefully and work towards a common goal...
All of this was far closer to his deep understanding of the [Will of Fire] than the darkness hidden beneath Konoha's superficial peace, clan infighting, and high-level machinations.
Protecting comrades, creating a peaceful world where children do not have to fight each other…
However, the means to achieve this goal would by no means be gentle.
Unification inevitably accompanies growing pains, and breaking the old order inevitably triggers resistance.
And seizing Konoha's secrets and weakening its power was both about strengthening themselves and clearing obstacles for future unification.
"I understand, Minato-sama." Shisui straightened his back, a glint of determination shining in his eyes. "Mission objective: When the Konoha Crush Plan is launched, with the assistance of liaison personnel, infiltrate Konoha's core facilities, seize and destroy designated confidential documents and items, then safely evacuate."
"Are there any additional instructions?"
Minato looked at the calm, firm Shisui before him. The idealistic immaturity was gone, replaced by the tenacity and awareness forged through tempering.
He nodded with relief, but his gray eyes still carried a trace of heaviness.
No matter how sufficient the reasons, this was, after all, a military operation against the village he had once loved deeply and sacrificed himself for.
"For specific operation details, Kabuto will coordinate with you. Remember, adapt to circumstances. Safety first. The Land of Stars' future needs you." Minato finally instructed, his tone becoming gentle again.
"Go prepare."
"Yes!" Shisui bowed again and left the office.
The door closed softly behind him, cutting off the slightly heavy air inside.
Walking back to the Police Department, Shisui's mood could not calm down for a long time. He even felt a faint stirring of hot blood within him.
'Konoha, this time, I will return with a brand new identity.'
'I wonder what those old fellows will look like when they see me?'
'And, I will take back my lost eye!'
'Danzo!'