Three days after the B-rank mission was posted.
Northeast border of the Land of Fire, Kumogakure temporary stronghold.
The night was the best cover, but for Hyūga ninjas possessing the Byakugan, there was no difference between night and day.
Hyūga Getsumu stood on a treetop, his pure white eyes reflecting the faint lights in the distant valley.
Behind him were twelve Hyūga Branch House ninjas...
No, there was no Branch House anymore; they were all members of the Hyūga clan's Guard Department.
"Target confirmed."
"One KumogakureJōnin, six Chūnin, currently resting."
"Lightning Release sensory barrier deployed around, but... there are blind spots."
"There, the barrier energy is weakest. Break in within three seconds, prioritize killing the Jōnin."
Getsumu's voice was light but clearly reached everyone's ears.
"Yes!"
Twelve people nodded simultaneously, something long suppressed burning in their eyes.
That was... excitement.
Once upon a time, the Hyūga clan was locked in the rules of the Main House, locked in the curse of the Caged Bird.
Border patrols, reconnaissance of foreign enemies were always the tasks of them, the Branch House, yet they never received due respect.
But now, Lord Hokage abolished the Main and Branch Houses and lifted the Caged Bird.
More importantly, Lord Hokage gave them an order—kill.
Invaders, kill.
"Action."
As Getsumu's voice fell, thirteen figures shot toward the valley like ghosts.
Three seconds later, screams pierced the night sky.
...
At the same time, southeast coast.
A Kirigakure reconnaissance squad hid in a rock cave, using mist created by Water Release to cover their aura.
Leading the team was KirigakureJōnin Ao, his transplanted Byakugan vigilantly scanning the surroundings.
"No abnormalities."
"Konoha's defense seems very lax, we..."
Ao's low voice was interrupted by a flash of blade light before he finished.
"Puchi!"
Ao's head flew up, that Byakugan wide open, not understanding how the enemy appeared behind him until death.
From the shadows, Uchiha Nagasawa slowly walked out, blood dripping from the short sword in his hand.
Behind him, six Uchiha ninjas seemed to grow out of the darkness, kunai in their hands gleaming coldly.
"Kirigakure's reconnaissance techniques are nothing more than this."
"Clean up, leave no one."
Nagasawa shook the blood off his blade, walked to that head, and took out the Byakugan originally belonging to Konoha.
"Yes!"
Slaughter proceeded in silence.
No exchange of ninjutsu, no fierce confrontation, only the purest assassination.
Uchiha's Sharingan could see through all genjutsu and disguises, and their Body Flicker Technique was so fast that Kirigakure ninjas didn't even have time to scream.
Three minutes later, silence returned to the rock cave.
Only seven corpses and blood all over the ground remained.
"Retreat."
"There are still three targets, solve them before dawn."
Nagasawa turned around, and his figure disappeared into the darkness.
...
At the cliff, Uchiha Kaze stood with his hands behind his back, scarlet Mangekyō overlooking the entire battlefield.
The Hyūga clan's raid had ended.
Because of Hyūga Hizashi's matter, Hyūga Hiashi showed no mercy when taking action.
This Kumogakure stronghold was completely wiped out.
"Lord Hokage, Nagasawa's squad has cleared two Kirigakure action squads and is continuing to pursue the remaining enemies."
Just then, Yamanaka Akizuki from the Intelligence Department came behind Kaze to report the situation.
"Lord Hokage, the Aburame clan's team is encircling another squad member of Kumogakure; the battle is ending soon."
Intelligence Department ChūninSansan Ai appeared subsequently.
Ninjas from the Intelligence Department appeared behind Kaze one by one with reports of victory.
Tacit understanding.
Efficiency.
Listening to this intelligence, Uchiha Kaze thought of the situation in the original work.
Under Sarutobi Hiruzen's rule, Konoha endured everywhere and retreated step by step.
Clearly possessing the strongest Kekkei Genkai clans, clearly possessing the most excellent ninja heritage, yet always passively beaten.
Why?
Because the higher-ups were weak.
Because the so-called Will of Fire became an excuse for cowardice.
Because those old men had long forgotten... ninjas are a profession born for slaughter.
Peace?
That is fought for, not talked for.
Even less... knelt for!
Kaze withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the ninja world map in the hands of the Anbu beside him.
Kumogakure, Kirigakure, Iwagakure, Sunagakure...
And Akatsuki, and Obito, and those Black Zetsu hiding in the dark.
"The ninja world has been peaceful for too long."
"Long enough that they forgot how sharp Konoha's fangs are."
"Then... let them remember again."
He was an Uchiha, not a Senju.
After mastering absolute power, what he wanted to do... was not to find people to kneel to!
But, to beat the opponent until they knelt!
...
Three days later.
Konoha, Mission Department Hall.
Akimichi Chōza stood in front of the mission board, looking at the newly posted mission reports on it, the corner of his mouth twitching.
[B-rank Mission: Eliminate Invaders]
[Executor: Hyūga Getsumu Squad]
[Target: 1 KumogakureJōnin, 6 Chūnin]
[Result: Total annihilation. Zero casualties on our side.]
[Mission Rating: S (Over-fulfilled)]
...
[B-rank Mission: Eliminate Invaders]
[Executor: Uchiha Nagasawa Squad]
[Target: 1 KirigakureJōnin, 6 Chūnin]
[Result: Total annihilation. Zero casualties on our side.]
[Mission Rating: S (Over-fulfilled)]
...
A total of seventeen reports.
All completed.
All over-fulfilled.
A total of thirty-eight Kumogakure ninjas and twenty-four Kirigakure ninjas killed.
On Konoha's side, only three lightly injured, no deaths.
"This...?"
Akimichi Chōza swallowed.
Although Chōza knew Konoha's strength wasn't weak actually, he didn't expect such performance this time!
"Not bad, barely passing."
While Akimichi Chōza was astonished, a hearty voice came from behind.
"Lord Hokage."
Akimichi Chōza stood up immediately and stepped aside.
"Cancel the original assessment promotion system, link promotion assessment directly to missions."
"From Genin to Chūnin, need to complete 20 D-rank missions, five C-rank missions, one B-rank mission."
"From Chūnin to Jōnin, need to complete ten B-rank missions, one A-rank mission."
"For those completed in teams, divide according to the number of people."
"Konoha ninjas don't need those guys who muddle along."
"By the way... everyone completed the mission well this time, double the remuneration. Team leaders are rewarded with a set of refined ninja tools."
Kaze issued instructions directly.
Akimichi Chōza recorded quickly, and then immediately gave this decision to Nara Shikaku.
After receiving the news, Nara Shikaku didn't delay either and immediately notified the whole village!
"Double remuneration?"
"For this mission, I got a full 3 million ryō, and the team leader got a set of refined ninja tools, so envious!"
"Big loss, when this mission was posted, I was still outside."
"It's okay, it's okay, just wait, the village will have actions soon."
...
At this time, a group of people appeared on the Konoha streets.
Listening to these ninjas' discussions, the speed of the person leading the group increased a bit more.