"I… I'll go too."

Seeing Kiyoshi volunteer first, Tekka thought to himself that he couldn't let the Uchiha clan's name be disgraced, so he immediately raised his hand.

With the first and second opening the curtain, soon came the third, the fourth…

All the Uchiha extended their hands.

Even some of the anti-war Uchiha knew the principle of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold'.

A Dōjutsu clan must have a consensus: to protect their respective "eyes".

Once the Byakugan leaks outside the village and circulates in the Ninja World, the Uchiha's Sharingan will also become a target.

Kakashi is a Konoha Ninja, the White Fang's Son. This was different from leaking it outside the Village.

The Byakugan obtained by Kirigakure would become a means for Konoha to retaliate.

"Kiyoshi, you don't actually have to do this."

After the headcount was completed, everyone sat down again.

Mikoto turned her head and spoke to Kiyoshi, revealing her gentle profile.

"It's fine, Mikoto-nee, I want to make a name for myself in the clan. I'm not a child anymore." Kiyoshi said with a bright smile.

Mikoto looked at him and just felt that Kiyoshi was a bit naive.

However, it was not easy to maintain one's true colors in the great dyeing vat that was the Ninja World.

Thinking of this, Mikoto couldn't help but feel a surge of maternal affection and a touch of heartache.

The scene of Kiyoshi propping up a chair to prepare tea for her and Nono was still vivid in her mind.

This child must put in so much effort to gain others' recognition.

"Alright, everyone go home and rest early tonight. Those on the list will gather at the settlement gate at 5 AM."

Fugaku quickly wrote down a list based on each person's personality and strength.

Besides the Uchiha who would go to support the Hyuga Clan, there would also be Ninja from other Ninja clans or civilians.

The Uchiha also had to leave a certain number of personnel in the Konoha Military Police Force to maintain the village's daily security. This was their responsibility.

Because the prison also belonged to the Konoha Military Police Force, during wartime, the prisoners inside were likely to harbor improper thoughts, so caution was necessary.

Only the most heinous prisoners would be sent to the international prison established in the Land of Grass.

Of course, at that time, the Ninja's abilities would be abolished to prevent the village's Ninjutsu and secrets from leaking out.

It could be said that once imprisoned in Hozuki Castle, it was impossible to ever come out. They could only serve their sentences there forever, which was a very harsh punishment.

Under the moonlight, the clan members filed out.

Kiyoshi blended in, following them out.

Unlike other clan members who wore worried expressions, unsure if they would return alive, Kiyoshi's expression was much calmer, with even a hint of anticipation deep in his eyes.

Having gained the power of Sage Mode, where else could he better familiarize himself with this power than on the battlefield?

...

The eternal scorching sun in the sky baked the rolling mountains on the ground, making the air a few degrees hotter.

After several days of travel in the high temperatures, the Uchiha unit, personally led by Fugaku, finally arrived at the southern front.

The temperature here was a few degrees more humid than in the heart of the Land of Fire, but it still felt a bit muggy.

Many clan members, for safety, continued to wear their shoulder armor, their undershirts soaked with sweat.

Mikoto's Ninja vest was drenched in sweat, and a few strands of her smooth black hair clung to her forehead.

"How come Kiyoshi isn't even sweating?" Mikoto gently wiped away the perspiration.

Fugaku in front was negotiating with the Hyuga Clan members at this outpost, and all the Uchiha Ninja were stationed in place.

She happened to glance over and saw Kiyoshi still teasing the small snake he was raising.

Mikoto took a few steps closer, inexplicably feeling much cooler near Kiyoshi.

It was as if the airflow around Kiyoshi was constantly moving. But it wasn't wind, it was something indescribable.

Mikoto didn't know how to describe such a thing.

"Set up all the tents. We'll depart for the mission in half an hour."

After finishing his negotiation, Fugaku came to inform the Uchiha unit to set up camp on the spot.

This half an hour was, of course, for both setting up and resting.

The front lines were always a race against time like this.

While Kiyoshi was helping his clan members set up the tents, he could still see bodies covered with white cloths.

Most of them were missing arms or legs. It was rare to see a complete human form.

Kiyoshi was accustomed to it. The damage from Ninjutsu far exceeded a Ninja's defensive capabilities.

Taking a single Ninjutsu hit was no less than an ordinary person being struck by gunfire.

And Ninjutsu could also be combined. The power of Ninjutsu released by multiple people together would multiply, and the resulting damage would naturally be even more terrifying.

"Kiyoshi!"

After Kiyoshi had finished setting up the tent, a red silhouette was looking around.

Upon seeing him, she quickly ran over. Behind her, a burly man with a full beard followed.

"Long time no see, Kurenai, Asuma." Kiyoshi said.

Kiyoshi hadn't seen Kurenai since the Kannabi Bridge mission.

Kurenai had grown even more beautiful now.

Her green Ninja vest vaguely showed a black chainmail collar, and her lower body revealed smooth, delicate long legs.

However, above her thighs, she was tightly wrapped in bandages, only revealing her fair calves below the knees, with the rest completely covered.

"It's… Ah, long time no see."

Kiyoshi's gaze made Kurenai a little embarrassed, her pretty face flushed.

As her physical body gradually matured, so did her mind.

Her heart also developed the hazy feelings for the opposite sex that young people have.

"Yo, Kiyoshi."

Asuma's voice was much deeper than before.

Kiyoshi nodded.

Not only Kurenai, Asuma had also changed a lot.

In the original story, Asuma was still a delinquent in his teens and twenties, wearing a jacket and smoking.

Perhaps because of his presence, he directly skipped to his future uncle-like appearance.

Looking at Asuma's muscles, Kiyoshi guessed that he had undergone special training, and after his muscle mass increased, he became like this.

While the few of them were catching up, Ginka, who was in the Hyuga Clan's camp, was filled with worry.

"Hiashi-sama, when you rescue Nobuhiko, can you please keep him alive?" Ginka's words were mournful.

That was her fiancé. They hadn't married yet, but they were only one formal wedding away.

If anything happened to Nobuhiko, she estimated she would have to live as a widow for the rest of her life.

Clan members educated under feudal, rigid teachings would never look favorably upon someone like her. She would be considered a jinx and unlucky.

Especially since Nobuhiko was captured due to his own carelessness, which also led to the Byakugan leaking out.

This would brand him with shame. Forget about being a hero, it was unknown if he could even be enshrined in the memorial stone.

Because even if Konoha registered him as per custom, the enraged elders of the Main House would not agree.

"Hmph, as a member of the Main House, yet captured by a Jonin." Hiashi's face was grim.

This was a huge blow to the Hyuga Clan's reputation.