Born in Sunagakure, dedicated to antagonizing Konoha for decades

"Hehe, you're so clever, I knew you'd find a way. If it really doesn't work, then forget it..."

Chiyo's eyes reddened, and she sniffled, her voice trembling with tears. Although the child wasn't hers, she had raised him single-handedly; he was no different from her own. She was heartbroken to send him on this dangerous journey, but when it came to the village's interests, no one had special privileges, not even her own son. If the war became too intense, even her seven-year-old son would have to go...

"Oh dear! I was just making a sarcastic remark. You're the flower of the ninja world; you won't be pretty if you cry. It's just a simple tailed beast sealing technique; it's no big deal. Just wait for my triumphant return!"

Seeing that Chiyo was about to cry, Masato immediately comforted her. This scene of "motherly love and filial piety" moved the three people around them, including Shamon, to tears. Shamon even took out a pink handkerchief with a pair of mandarin ducks embroidered on it, which someone had given him, and his eyes were wet with snot.

He wanted to slap himself, feeling utterly wicked. Why on earth would he have thought of sending Shinto to Konoha to gather intelligence...?

"But... speaking of which, Uncle Shamen, wouldn't you say my mission is SSS-rank?"

After comforting Chiyo, Shinto finally remembered the mission's rank. This was related to Hashirama Senju's wife, the top-tier server-wide champion, Mito Uzumaki. A mere S-rank wasn't enough for her; it would need at least three S-ranks.

"...Let's just say it's an SSS-level mission..."

Shamon was still sniffling as he spoke, completely moved by the previous scene of "motherly love and filial piety." He had completely forgotten that the highest rank in the ninja world was only S-rank. Killing Tobirama Senju was S-rank, and killing Hashirama Senju was also S-rank, only the merit and the amount of money differed. Where the hell did this SSS-rank come from...?

"Hmm...it's settled then! You guys wait for my good news!"

Having received Shamon's nod, Shinto winked at Kaizo next door: Remember to write this down later! SSS-rank mission...

Hai Zang Wang Tian: Can anyone tell me how the hell this SSS-level mission is calculated...?

.......

Because he was leaving the next day, after finishing his conversation at the Wind Shadow Pavilion, Shindou immediately went home to prepare his gear. Although he had never carried out a mission, he had seen plenty of them. When he said he was preparing his gear, he was actually just preparing a great sword made of 24k pure gold by a master swordsmith from the Land of Iron. It wasn't that he didn't want to keep a low profile, but the Land of Wind was so poor that all it had left was gold. Iron ore was more expensive than gold, so what else could it be?

Although gold is softer than iron, under the cover of his Armament Haki, its hardness is still quite considerable.

There's also an explosive tag that can at least kill someone.

As for those thousand sticks, shuriken, kunai, and the like, they're just scrap metal that have never killed anyone, so I couldn't be bothered to bring them. The only sealing scroll I have can't hold that many things anyway, and in the history of the ninja world, I've never seen anyone killed by these broken iron bars.

There weren't nearly as many sealing scrolls back then as there are in the original story decades later. A genin could easily have several sealing scrolls on him. Sealing scrolls are still a rare commodity now, and even Konoha doesn't have the resources to equip every genin with one.

Those genin who possess sealing scrolls are all children from wealthy families...

"Big brother, where are you going? Holy crap!! You...you...you've become a ninja?"

At the door of Masato's room, a girl following behind Sasori's father appeared out of nowhere. She looked at Masato as he packed his bags and asked him curiously. When Masato turned around, revealing the ninja headband he was wearing around his neck as a scarf, she said in surprise.

There aren't any Chunin vests or Jonin sets yet, so Sasori's father didn't know that Shinto started as a Chunin, perfectly avoiding those miserable D-rank missions.

His older brother didn't go to the school for the assessment, so when did he start working?

"Ah, yeah, Uncle Shamon, I don't know what got into him, sent me to the Kazekage Tower and without a word, he just tossed me a ninja headband. You wouldn't believe how enthusiastic he was! He kept saying I was some kind of genius, a prodigy, that the first SSS-rank mission in our village's history had to be mine. Sigh... I couldn't refuse his kindness..."

Ignoring the murderous glare from handsome Scorpion's father, let's get to the real battle at Verdun...

22. Konoha is just ahead.

"SSS rank? What the heck is that? Isn't Yusaori's highest rank just S rank? (⊙_⊙)?"

Even Scorpion's dad was dumbfounded, staring at the girl beside him. He was a true academic star, always getting full marks on tests and quizzes, but this was the first time he'd ever heard of a mission level above S-rank being SSS-rank...

...(⊙_⊙)?

The girl next to him shook her head blankly, indicating that she had never heard of it either.

"Sigh... You puppeteers read so many books all day, how come your brains can't keep up? SSS-rank means this mission has exceeded the scope of S-rank, you know? While you're still young, read less extracurricular books and do more physical exercise, let your brains breathe more fresh air..."

Masato looked at the couple, who were constantly showing off their affection, with a disappointed expression and lectured them.

"Damn it....(—"—Angry)"

Handsome Scorpion's mother didn't understand, but his father did. He angrily grabbed his mistress and turned to leave.

"Hey! You're still young. Playing is fine, but please don't cause any serious injury. Aunt Chiyo doesn't want to have a grandson so soon..."

Masato yelled at their retreating figures.

You little bastard, how dare you flaunt your love in front of me! (▼へ▼メ)

"Masato-nii is so annoying, I'm only seven years old..."

As Handsome Scorpion's father made his international gesture, Handsome Scorpion's mother's voice came from ahead...

......

"Huh...hey? Good morning, Sunakawa-san. What are you doing here? Getting ready to go out of the village to meet up with some...I mean, go on a date? (⊙_⊙)?"

The next day, as the sun rose in the direction of lunchtime, Masato yawned as he arrived at the village entrance. To his surprise, he saw the future Third Generation there as well, and it seemed they had been waiting there for quite some time. Masato asked curiously.

"...I've been waiting for you. Lord Kazekage asked me to accompany you and meet you up...What? Didn't you sleep well last night? (▼へ▼メ)"

The future third generation ignored his teasing, and seeing him constantly yawning and looking like he hadn't woken up yet, he suppressed the urge to kill him, constantly reassuring himself that this was probably the kid's first time in his career, and such a big "SSS-level" mission at that. It was understandable that he was nervous and couldn't sleep; he hadn't been able to sleep during his first mission either...

"Sigh... don't even mention it. Oh, so you were also involved in this task. I thought I was the only one doing it. After all, you're a top celebrity now, so you get a lot of attention..."

Masato waved his hand helplessly and sighed. Last night, that bastard Kaizo came knocking on his door in the middle of the night, explaining to him like an old lady what to pay attention to when leaving the village. He kept nagging and bothering him until the early hours of the morning, making him more nervous than he was. If he hadn't forced him to leave, that bastard probably would have kept nagging him all day.

Although he was touched by Haizang's concern, it was also really annoying...

"I'm just responsible for providing support; the main task still depends on you."

The three generations of the future generation, fearing he wouldn't understand, explained that the kid was practically illiterate and had never even left the village. Shamon and Chiyo were even worried he wouldn't be able to read a map and would get lost...

"Sigh! I thought you were going on a date with some girl from outside the village. I heard the daimyo got married again last month, and the bride is a songstress. Sigh... being born into the right family is a skill. Why wasn't I born into the daimyo family..."

"By the way, I heard from the villagers that you often go to Daimyofu to listen to music, and it seems that Brother Sunakawa is quite a man of character..."

Throughout the journey, Masato kept babbling on and on in Sunagawa's ear, spouting gossip about everything from the Daimyo of the Land of Wind to the leader of Sunagawa's ANBU, things he had never heard before. This made the future Third Hokage dizzy and he really wanted to find a secluded place to unleash a powerful attack and bury the kid alive.

But when he heard gossip about him, he immediately became alert. How could he, the leader of the secret service, not know when gossip about him started circulating in the village?

Hmm... looks like I'll have to really reorganize the Anbu when I get back...

........

"Ah! The Land of Fire, what a damn good place!"

After two months of traveling, Masato and the Future Third Hokage, transformed by the Transformation Technique, stood in a town in the Land of Fire. Here, instead of sandstorms, the town was lush with greenery and elegant. People came and went on the streets, with merchants and travelers coming and going in an endless stream. It was just a town near the border of the Land of Fire, yet its prosperity rivaled that of the capital of the Land of Wind, the Daimyo. No wonder the four great nations had always coveted this land.

"Yes... The Land of Fire is located at the center of this world, and its land resources are more abundant than you can imagine... Alright, just in case, I can only meet you here. If we get any closer, it won't be good if the people of Konoha see through us. Be careful, and if things get really bad, just abandon the mission. Your own safety is the most important thing."

Looking at the city's prosperity, the future third generation was moved and then once again gave Masato a serious reminder.

This kid isn't just the First Hokage's nephew; he's a true super genius of Sunagakure. If something really happens to him, Sunagakure doesn't know when they'll be able to produce another one...

"Don't worry, the fortune teller read my fortune. He said I'm destined for greatness and fortune, and that 'one general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand.' You... ugh! Anyway, you won't die that easily. I'm off..."

After Shinto nodded and finished speaking, he waved to him and turned to head towards Konoha.

........

"This must be Konoha up ahead, right? It really is the birthplace of all the transmigrated men... There's no comparison!"

Konoha is located in the very center of the Land of Fire, near the Daimyo's residence. Although it is called a village, after more than a decade of development, it has become the most important military force in the Land of Fire and has abundant natural resources. It is no exaggeration to say that Konoha is now ten years ahead of the other four great ninja villages.

After a week's journey, Masato finally arrived at the entrance to Konoha Village. Looking at the village ahead, he sighed inwardly. Along the way, he occasionally encountered Konoha ninjas, but just as Shamon and the others had expected, even in this sensitive time, no one would suspect a child like him. In fact, when he got lost, kind Konoha ninja uncles even gave him directions. ヾ(^д^*)/

:”.

23. My name is Silvers Rayleigh.

The current Konoha is certainly not comparable to the Konoha of decades later in the original story, but it can already vaguely show the shadow of a super village decades later. Looking at the scene before him, Shinto realized that Chiyo and the others were right. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the prosperity here is twenty years ahead of their Sunagakure. If their Sunagakure really takes the lead... Konoha's first shot would be enough to make them bleed.

War is all about money and resources. The Sand Village has gold everywhere, but when it comes to resources, the Leaf Village is the absolute boss.

"Halt! Young man, where are you from? The village is now sealed off; outsiders are not allowed in."

Just as Masato grabbed a handful of dirt and smeared it on his face, tore several holes in his clothes, and arrived at the village entrance looking like a refugee, he was stopped by two "gatekeepers" before he even got two meters closer to the village gate.

"Waaaaah...! My name is Silvers Rayleigh! Our village was robbed by a group of bandits, and now I'm the only one left. I never thought... I crossed mountains and seas, and waded through crowds of people to come to Konoha because I heard that Konoha was a place full of love, that it would protect us poor homeless people. How could this happen... Oh God! I don't want to live anymore! I might as well just die!!!"

Stopped by the two "gatekeepers," Masato immediately put himself into the role of a tragic young man who had survived a village that had been robbed. He looked sadly at the sky, looking heartbroken. He looked around and then aimed at a big tree on the side, as if he was about to throw himself into it to end his remaining life.

"Hey, hey, hey! This guy...Silbas...young man, calm down, don't do anything rash! Kimura...what do we do now?"

The two gatekeepers were startled by Zhen Dou's posture and rushed over, one grabbing his waist and the other his leg to stop him. This was the village entrance, and they were on duty. If someone were to die, the village's reputation would be damaged, and they would suffer as well. The Second Generation Lord was known for his ruthless and impartial nature.

Especially now that the First Hokage has just passed away, and the ninja world is already stirring with unrest, they dare not invite trouble...

The doorman, who was holding onto the old man's waist, hurriedly asked his companion, "Anything is fine, just don't let this kid die here."

And another thing! What the heck is this name? It's not a tongue twister...

"This... the child looks rather pitiful, and a child doesn't look like a spy. I'll keep an eye on him, you go and report to the Hokage..."

Seeing that Masato had stopped struggling, the doorman named Kimura released his leg, stood up, and carefully examined Masato for a few moments. He was disheveled, with tears still on his face; he didn't look like a spy from another village at all, and he looked only about ten years old. If a ten-year-old had this kind of acting skill, he wouldn't be a ninja; he'd be a millionaire in the entertainment industry by now...

After careful analysis, Nakamura concluded that this was a homeless and unfortunate child. As a place that spreads love in the world, how could Konoha turn away such a child? This was completely contrary to the core principles taught by the Hokage!

So Kimura decided to give this poor child a chance; he could stay here and his companions could report to the Hokage!

He's not stupid! Just last month, the Hokage ordered a strict ban on outsiders entering and leaving the village. If he were to report this to the Hokage, he'd be asking for trouble...

"Well... alright then, you keep an eye on him, I'll go report to him..."

The doorman who had been holding Masato's back hesitated for a moment, but seeing Masato's snotty nose, tears, and suicidal behavior, he softened. After all, his cousin Koharu was the Hokage's student; reporting it shouldn't cause any trouble...

"Thank you! Thank you! You two ninja brothers are truly kind people. I wish you great success in your future endeavors..."

Hearing the conversation between the two "doorman's men," Masato, with snot and tears streaming down his face, showered them with "friend cards."

"Haha, not at all, young man, wait here for a moment, I'll go report your situation to the Hokage right away... You're quite cultured, young man!"

The "gatekeeper," who had been tricked by Kimura into reporting to Tobirama Senju, heard Masato's novel idiom. Although he didn't know what it meant, it sounded incredibly comforting, and his frustration vanished instantly.

"Ah, you've had some schooling..."

.......

In the very heart of Konoha, beneath the Hokage Building, a landmark rock currently only carved with the two heads of the Hokage.

Tobirama Senju, a renowned politician, scientist, educator, and the most handsome man in the ninja world—a list of titles that could fill a lifetime—sat in the Hokage's office, listening intently to a report from two young men, one tall and one short, one handsome and one ugly, standing before him.

"Teacher, Iwagakure has begun mobilizing a large amount of war supplies and has entered the final state of preparation for war. Moreover, judging from the Second Tsuchikage Mu's posture, he should be launching a war against us soon."

The Hidden Cloud Village is also preparing for war, but they're moving at a leisurely pace, and it's hard to say when they'll attack us. The Hidden Mist Village hasn't received any news, but the Hidden Sand Village is acting strangely; they haven't entered a state of preparation yet, as if nothing has happened.

A short, bearded young man, who would have been considered a middle-aged man by outsiders if not for his voice, respectfully reported to Tobirama Senju, whose face was composed and handsome.

"Hmph...! That little girl Chiyo is really something else. They just want Iwagakure to start the war first to test the strength of our Konoha before making their plans. It's just that that little girl Chiyo is better at hiding her abilities than the Second Raine."