6:00 AM.
Before the alarm had a chance to ring, Uchiha Hero had already smashed it with a slap—sick of the noise that had annoyed him for the past year.
By that moment, he was already fully geared.
Forehead protector, kneepads, shuriken holster straps on his legs, gloves, foot bindings, a scroll pouch tied to his side, and a ninja tool bag strapped to his lower back.
Throwing on a high-collared black robe bearing the Uchiha clan crest, Hero stood before the mirror, lifted his bangs, and tugged down his lower eyelid, giving himself a wicked grin.
"Now I can see your death coming."
After a brief moment of self-indulgence, Hero leapt out the window at exactly six o'clock—only to spot Obito next door performing the same motion.
"Hero, are you heading out on a mission too?"
Hero nodded coolly and reminded him, "Try not to be late again."
"Are you kidding? I, Uchiha Obito, will be Hokage, believe it—ehh!"
Mid-sentence, Obito pounded his chest proudly but misstepped, tumbling headfirst from the second-floor window.
Hero shook his head with a sigh.
Classic Obito—late as always.
With a twisted ankle and a banged-up head, anyone would think the guy just returned from a warzone in the Land of Rain.
He'd probably spend the morning at Konoha Hospital before making it to Minato's team—at least an hour late.
But Hero had grown used to scenes like this. Without checking on Obito, he simply grinned and said:
"See you next at the Memorial Stone, Tobi. Don't forget to burn some incense for your bro."
Then, using the rooftop as a springboard, he pushed off and darted toward the meeting point, a spring in his step.
Obito: "…"
***
In the Uchiha clan compound, inside a tall estate—
"That's the situation, Fugaku-senpai," Uchiha Shisui said respectfully as he bowed to the young man before him.
"Uchiha Hero, huh?" Fugaku's expression remained unreadable as he nodded slightly, committing the name to memory.
"I believe he can become a bridge between our clan and the village. Fugaku-senpai, once you reach the Land of Hot Water, please keep an eye on my friend!"
"I would be most grateful!"
Fugaku folded his arms and replied calmly:
"Go now, Shisui. Satsuna-sama and I will head to the Land of Hot Water later today. I'll keep an eye on your friend."
"But once you arrive in the Land of Rain, contact our clan's encampment immediately."
"Also, be alert regarding a new organization emerging there."
Shisui blinked, tilting his head in confusion.
"A new organization?"
Fugaku frowned slightly.
"They're called Akatsuki. Their ideology may sound naïve, but you should try to make contact."
"After all, the three leaders are disciples of one of the Sannin—Jiraiya. Naturally, their allegiance leans toward Konoha."
Shisui nodded in thought, murmuring:
"Akatsuki, huh...?"
***
8:00 AM.
At the main gate of Konoha.
Two Uchiha-only teams had assembled.
Elder Uchiha Satsuna glanced at the sky and then over the gathered shinobi. He spoke calmly:
"Since everyone is present, the mission will now begin."
"Upon reaching the designated location, each team leader will open the mission scroll and assign duties accordingly."
"That is all. Move out!"
With that, Elder Satsuna took the lead, gesturing lightly to Hero and Seijuro before stepping onto the road out of the village.
There was no time for greetings—the six shinobi across both squads had more pressing matters.
Shisui gave Hero a light smile, thumped his chest with a fist, and followed.
Hero watched in mild confusion.
He shook his head, not dwelling on it.
Though Shisui may have misunderstood him, their missions had nothing to do with each other.
One was headed northwest toward the Land of Rain.
The other east, across long hills, to the Land of Hot Water.
There was no way Shisui could interfere—not even to stop Hero from dying if he tried.
This time, Hero had eliminated his biggest obstacle.
His goal was within reach.
Hero's team departed Konoha at a steady yet swift pace toward the Land of Hot Water.
Shinobi traveled fast—like a mud-truck barreling through hills. It would take just a day to reach their destination.
None of the three were talkative, and after leaving Konoha's civilized borders, the scenery shifted.
Refugees from the Land of Hot Water flooded in from the south. The landscape faded from vibrant spring greens to dull gray.
Withered branches, stripped trunks, and desolate eyes leaning against trees became the dominant sights.
And they were only halfway there.
Signs of ninja activity were already abundant—discarded camp gear, traps, and wary eyes glinting from the shadows kept the squad on alert.
On the eve of the Third Shinobi World War, small nations caught between the great powers became chaotic war zones.
The Hidden Hot Water Village couldn't protect its country. Many of its shinobi became rogues, blending in with refugees headed toward the Land of Fire.
They ended up as bandits—targets of bounty missions.
As daylight waned and dusk approached, Elder Satsuna halted the squad.
He unfurled a mission scroll on a nearby stone and said coolly:
"Come. It's time to explain the mission."
Hero stiffened. This was it.
Whether he could achieve the long-sought "Leave Village and Die" achievement—depended on this.
"The mission is to reach Hell Valley in the Land of Hot Water and reinforce stationed Uchiha forces."
"Where do you think the greatest danger lies?"
Satsuna fell silent for a moment, then posed the question.
Seijuro scoffed.
"Besides everything listed in the Ninja Survival Code, the biggest threat is the Chinoike clan's retaliation, right?"
"Those lunatics—each more dangerous than the last."
Hero stayed silent but nodded. He agreed.
In fact, he knew more—
Above the lunatics stood monsters.
Atop the Chinoike stronghold was none other than Chinoike Homura—also known as Homura of the Blood Fortress.
This tragic predecessor to Itachi had, single-handedly and without backup, exterminated his entire clan, sparing only his daughter.
No one knew how far his Ketsuryugan had evolved.
Even Chinoike Chino, who appeared in Sasuke's "Sunlight Arc," paled in comparison.
Now that was a true final boss.
Yet—
Satsuna shook his head, sighed, and closed his eyes heavily.
"You're wrong."
"The real threat… isn't the Chinoike."
"It lies above the Chinoike."
"What?" Hero froze.
"You're telling me… there's someone even stronger?!"