Naruto: This Uchiha is too innocent.

after an hour,

Uchiha Ku and the others met at the border of the Land of Grass.

Seeing everyone's condition, he raised an eyebrow. Eagle's leg was injured, and Monkey's arm seemed to be injured as well. As for Shinnosuke, well, the captain looked terrible.

He thought to himself, it seems everyone has encountered some difficulties, but his situation is actually the best.

Shinnosuke stepped forward and asked, "How's the intelligence gathering going?"

"To the west, there's one elite Jonin, three Jonin, and twenty-two Chunin," Uchiha Sora said.

"To the east, there are three Jonin and thirty Chunin," the monkey said.

"To the north, there is one elite Jonin, two Jonin, and twenty-one Chunin," Eagle said in a deep voice.

Shinnosuke nodded slightly. "South, Onoki, along with one elite Jonin, two Jonin, and thirty-three Chunin."

Uchiha Sora felt a tremor in his heart. It seemed that the Iwa ninja army had not only deployed Onoki, but also at least three elite Jonin and ten Jonin.

This number represents most of Iwagakure's fighting force. Is their determination that great? Is Onoki getting old and losing his mind?

Keep in mind that Konoha only has about forty Jonin in total, including the Anbu, and Iwagakure's number is even less.

Seeing Shinnosuke's injuries, Uchiha Sora asked curiously, "Captain, your injuries...were you beaten up by Onoki?"

Shinnosuke glanced at him indifferently and nodded slightly. "Hmm, I didn't expect Onoki to be so vigilant, taking a hit from Dust Release: Particle Style."

It's important to understand that during missions, they don't use chakra unless they're discovered, minimizing their presence. This is especially true for someone like Shinnosuke, who can intentionally become virtually invisible. Yet, even with this, Onoki still managed to detect them.

It can only be said that none of those who can become Kage are ordinary people, even though Onoki is getting old.

Upon hearing Shinnosuke's words, Uchiha Sora raised an eyebrow. It seemed that Shinnosuke had taken a direct hit from the Dust Release: Particle Style Technique and hadn't died.

This cheap captain actually has some skills.

"We've gathered enough intelligence. Let's head back. As for the rest, we'll leave it to the Hokage to decide." Shinnosuke gave the order, and the group returned to their battle base in Konoha.

……

After completing his mission, Uchiha Sora removed his mask and strolled around the base. Interestingly, this was the first time he had appeared on the front lines without being an Anbu member.

The air was thick with tension. The Konoha ninjas were more or less afraid of the impending war. These past few days had only been minor skirmishes; the real brutality would come after both sides had gathered intelligence.

As Uchiha Sora walked through the base, the ninjas who had only recently joined the army saw the clan crest on his back and silently kept their distance. Most of them were unaware of the Uchiha clan's reliability on the battlefield.

On the contrary, the veterans would give Uchiha Sora a smile.

Uchiha Sora remarked, "Only by experiencing the harsh realities of society can one truly understand the excellence of the Uchiha clan."

"Huh? Isn't this empty?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out not far away. Uchiha Sora looked in that direction and the first thing he saw was that striking blond hair.

Minato looked at him and waved.

Uchiha Sora was taken aback, not expecting to encounter Minato here.

Suddenly, a heavy blow landed on my head. "Hey, isn't this Kong? Haven't seen you in a while, you've grown quite sturdy."

Uchiha Sora smirked and helplessly brushed the hand off his head. "Nai-nee, you're really strong."

Looking up, what comes into view is that dazzling red hair, followed by that beautiful face that remains delicate even after the war – Kushina Uzumaki.

Kushina was displeased when her hand was pushed away, and she frantically ruffled Uchiha Sora's hair, quickly turning it into a messy bird's nest.

"Don't be so formal with me, huh?"

Uchiha Sora wore a pained expression, helpless against Kushina's fiery enthusiasm. This girl was always like this, never showing him any politeness.

As for the reason, we have to go back to the time when Minato was his teacher for three days.

He won Kushina's favor the first time he met her, with just one sentence.

Wow, sister, your hair is so beautiful.

At this point, Kushina was completely smitten and treated him like a younger brother.

Knowing that this would happen, he said he definitely wouldn't have deliberately tried to win Kushina's favor.

Shaking his head, Uchiha Sora looked at Kushina and asked curiously, "Kushina-neechan, it's so late, why aren't you resting yet?"

Upon hearing this, Kushina pouted and said indignantly, "It's all because of that Third Hokage, who insisted on having Minato come out to comfort the wounded."

Uchiha Sora understood that Hiruzen Sarutobi was building up Minato's reputation by comforting the wounded, which would greatly increase the ninjas' trust in Minato.

"It's all your fault. I told you to rest a long time ago, but you insisted on coming out with me," Minato added at this moment.

"Say that again?" Kushina bared her teeth, looking like she was about to punch you if you spoke again.

Minato raised his hands in surrender and gestured with his eyes, as if to say: Look at her like this.

Uchiha Sora couldn't help but chuckle at Minato's henpecked behavior, as he was also familiar with Kushina's fiery temper.

"What are you laughing at?" Kushina suddenly turned her head, raising her fist and revealing a devilish smile.

Uchiha Sora is laughing.

The three of them went to the wounded area.

During the journey, they encountered many ninjas.

"Look, it's Jonin Minato. He's come to comfort the wounded again."

"Yes, Jonin Minato is not only strong, but also a good person."

"Konoha is truly fortunate to have Minato."

Almost every ninja greets Minato, and the latter responds with a smile. This is Minato's popularity. It can be said that he is second only to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and even more popular than Hiruzen Sarutobi in the hearts of young ninjas.

However, when their gazes fell upon Uchiha Sora, a strange atmosphere permeated the air...

"That kid next to Jonin Minato... doesn't he look like an Uchiha?"

"Hmph, this Uchiha brat has the nerve to shamelessly try to get attention from Jonin Minato."

"Only Minato has a good temper; if it were anyone else..."

Uchiha Sora listened to the group's ridicule without changing his expression.

Kushina, however, glanced at him with some concern and said gently, "Sora, don't worry about these guys. In my heart, you are my younger brother. Those fools are not worth paying attention to. Minato, you mean it?"

What could Minato say? He had to agree to Kushina's wishes, and besides, he had no prejudice against the Uchiha.

"Nai-nee, don't worry about me, I'm used to it." Uchiha Sora smiled, not caring at all.

"That's good," Kushina said, then quickened her pace. "Let's walk faster, I get annoyed by what those people are saying."

Minato and Uchiha Sora exchanged a glance and both showed helpless smiles.