Devil Fruit Seal in Naruto

Uchiha Raizen accepted this mission not only because the reward was generous but also because he wanted to leave the village for a while.

He was still a little worried about his sister and decided to go to the Land of Water to meet her.

Luckily, the mission's destination, the Land of Hot Springs, was separated from the Land of Water by only a stretch of ocean.

After leaving Konoha, Uchiha Raizen carefully used his Sharingan to check behind him but found no followers.

It seemed this mission was indeed approved by the Konoha high command. 

Of course, it probably helped that the team leader was the son of the Third Hokage.

On the way to the small town, Sarutobi Asuma hesitated for a long time, then nervously said to Uchiha Raizen:

"Um, Raizen, if you meet danger, remember to stay behind me."

"?"

Uchiha Raizen looked confused.

Kurenai, walking on the right side, glanced at Asuma with surprise.

Inori's eyes immediately showed a strange, even hostile look, and she quickened her pace to move closer to Uchiha Raizen.

Asuma realized his words could be misunderstood and quickly waved his hand, his face turning red:

"I didn't mean anything else. What I meant was… Raizen is the only Genin among us. As the team leader, I have the responsibility to protect him."

Inori said unhappily, "Is Captain Asuma saying Raizen is a burden?"

"Ah, no, I didn't mean that!"

Asuma became even more flustered, sweat starting to appear on his forehead.

Kurenai shook her head helplessly and helped by saying, "Asuma, you're concerned about your comrades' safety as a team leader, right?"

"Yes, yes, yes, that's exactly what I mean!" Asuma nodded quickly like a pecking chicken.

It was only then that Inori lowered her cautious gaze. She had thought the burly, scruffy Asuma might be hiding some strange trait.

"Thanks for your concern, Asuma-san, but I can protect myself," Uchiha Raizen said calmly.

Asuma opened his mouth but seemed hesitant to speak.

Kurenai couldn't stand it anymore and said, "Asuma, just say what you want. You weren't this slow before."

Being scolded by the woman he liked, Asuma felt embarrassed. He put out his cigarette and admitted, "Alright, I'll be honest. Besides protecting the client, the Hokage also told me to get along well with Raizen during this mission."

The Hokage's instruction? 

Kurenai and Inori exchanged a glance, both puzzled.

Uchiha Raizen's eyes flickered, "It's for the Uchiha clan, right?"

Asuma was surprised at how quick Raizen's mind was and nodded, "That's right."

Kurenai and Inori were no fools. 

Considering Asuma's position and the tense relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village, the two quickly understood the Third Hokage's intention.

The son of the Hokage took the initiative to approach a member of the Uchiha clan to show goodwill and release kindness toward the Uchiha.

This clan member didn't have to be Raizen; it could be anyone.

If it weren't for Inori calling Raizen, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have assigned another Uchiha clan member.

From this point alone, it was clear that Hiruzen, as Hokage, had made some effort to ease the relationship with the Uchiha clan.

But unfortunately, after the Nine-Tails Incident, the situation was already beyond repair. Showing goodwill at this point was too late.

At least that's how Uchiha Raizen saw it.

Many conspiracy theories about Sarutobi, such as the disappearance of the Senju clan or the suicide of Sakumo Hatake, might be just rumors.

But as the longest-serving Hokage, it was undeniable that under his leadership, Konoha went from prosperous to declining.

His indecisiveness, hesitation, and hypocrisy were among the main reasons why the Uchiha clan was destroyed.

If Raizen were to compare Hiruzen to a historical figure from a previous life, he would say Sarutobi was like Yuan Shao: born noble, with some heroic spirit, but ultimately lacking ability.

In short, Raizen didn't hate the Third Hokage as much as he hated Danzo, but he didn't have much favor for him either.

Lacking leadership talent was itself the greatest fault.

"I'm just a Genin. I have no say in clan matters. Sorry, Asuma-san," Uchiha Raizen replied coolly.

Asuma was clearly a bit disappointed but said nothing more and nodded.

"Let's go. The mission is important."

After that, the journey was quiet and tense.

Even the dullest ninja could feel that the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village leaders was not very good right now.

A small, soft, and smooth white hand slipped into Uchiha Raizen's palm.

Raizen turned around, and in his eyes was a sweet and lovely face.

He smiled slightly, gently touched Inori's cute, pointed nose, and held her soft little hand tightly.

This scene was just seen by Kurenai Yūhi.

By the way, Kurenai's father, Shinku Yūhi, also died in the Nine-Tails attack.

She had heard rumors that the Nine-Tails could be controlled by the Uchiha's Sharingan, so she felt a little strange about the Uchiha clan.

But she didn't see the usual pride and arrogance that the Uchiha, the most prestigious clan in Konoha, often showed in Raizen.

On the contrary, Raizen was very gentle and caring toward Inori, which even made her a little jealous.

She glanced at Asuma running ahead. 

This man had clearly been chasing her for a long time but was still so careless and awkward, not like a thoughtful boyfriend at all.

Half an hour later.

They successfully arrived at the town and were met by a noble named Nobunaga.

This noble looked very rich, with a fat face and big ears, holding two glamorous geishas, surrounded by more than ten guards with swords.

"Nobunaga-sama, I am a ninja from Konoha, responsible for your protection," Asuma stepped forward to show his identification.

The bulky Nobunaga slowly took it and looked.

"Sarutobi Asuma, Jonin. Yamanaka Inori, Special Jonin. Kurenai Yūhi, Chunin. Uchiha Raizen, Genin."

"What's this? Protecting me, such an important task, why are there still Genin involved?"

"I have paid you six million ryo from Konoha!"

Asuma replied calmly, "Please don't worry, Lord Nobunaga. We swear on Konoha's honor to protect your safety."

Nobunaga grunted in dissatisfaction, "You better keep your promise. Otherwise, I will complain to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire."

He struggled to stand up from his chair. Two beautiful geishas quickly helped him and guided him into the palanquin.

Four guards lifted the heavy palanquin with all their strength.

"Let's go," Nobunaga ordered from inside.

His dozen or so guards surrounded the palanquin, while Asuma's team walked ahead to scout.

"If we are attacked on the way, Inori will sense the number and positions of enemies. I will lead the main attack. Kurenai will provide support. Raizen will…"

Asuma quickly made a battle plan but stopped suddenly when he mentioned Raizen.

Because he really didn't know much about Raizen.

Uchiha Raizen interrupted, "I will act according to the situation."

Asuma apologized, "Don't mind what I just said, and forgive my earlier disrespect."

"Hmph, it's that perverted noble who can't even walk properly that has no eyes for talent!" Inori said angrily. 

If it weren't for following ninja rules, she would have taught Nobunaga a lesson for looking down on Raizen.

"You really defend Raizen a lot," Kurenai smiled.

"You're teasing me again, Miss Kurenai!"

Uchiha Raizen didn't seem to mind at all.

What's wrong with being a Genin? Don't you know that Konoha's Jonin fights are just flashy moves with no real damage, but Genin fights are truly destructive?

The group walked forward along the main road.

Uchiha Raizen asked casually, "Asuma-san is experienced and powerful. He must have made many enemies among the ninja from other countries. They might even put a bounty on him in the black market."

Asuma lit another cigarette and said casually, "You're right about that. I have a bounty of twenty million ryō on the black market."

Twenty million ryō at this point in time!

Uchiha Raizen's eyes lit up, but then he sighed with regret.

He wasn't the kind of person to do anything for money.

Asuma had never offended him and had no prejudice or discrimination against the Uchiha.

If he killed Asuma for no reason and sold him to the black market, wouldn't he be no different from Danzo?

Uchiha Raizen had clear principles and his own bottom line.

**********

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