From Naruto onwards, I've become a dreamer.

Chapter 241 Crimson Angel

In the blink of an eye, three years have passed.

However, the Third Shinobi World War remains a wound that can never be healed in the hearts of many.

The death of the Fourth Hokage, Danzo's betrayal, and Orochimaru's public declaration of treason during his inauguration ceremony as the Fifth Hokage—all these heinous acts caused Konoha's reputation to plummet to rock bottom, to the point where no one dared to entrust it with any mission.

After all, no noble family from any major power would dare to hire a ninja village that even the Hokage would betray.

As if things weren't bad enough, Orochimaru openly announced his betrayal of the village during his inauguration ceremony, causing the Fire Country Daimyo to lose face. In a fit of anger, the Daimyo ordered a reduction in the amount of funding allocated to him.

Ninjas are not superheroes. Although they possess extraordinary power, they are still human beings after all, and they need to eat and spend money.

Without the largest source of revenue and with the number of missions plummeting, the entire economy of Konoha Village came to a complete standstill. The consequence of this economic downturn was soaring prices; even Ichiraku Ramen's price tripled from 60 ryo to 180 ryo.

Prices soared to three times their original value, and the lack of available jobs left the entire Hidden Leaf Village teetering on the brink of collapse.

Over the course of those three years, Hiruzen Sarutobi was exhausted, struggling to keep the village afloat. His hair turned completely white, and he looked as old as if he were a teenager.

The once bustling streets of Konoha are now desolate and empty.

The faces of passersby were all expressionless and indifferent, as if each person was isolated in their own world.

On the top floor of the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed out the window at the desolate scene that gradually overlapped with the bustling streets in his memory. In just three short years, this once-great ninja had exhausted all his strength, leaving him only with bitterness and regret.

Unfortunately, there's no going back in life, and it's impossible to turn back time and go back to the past.

Just then, the door behind him was pushed open, interrupting Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts. He slowly turned around and saw an ANBU member wearing an animal mask walk in. He had short, black hair like a hedgehog, and his bright eyes were full of youthful vigor.

"Lord Sarutobi, you were looking for me?"

The young ANBU member, his eyes bright, looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and asked in a cheerful voice.

As if infected by the youthful energy emanating from the young ANBU, Hiruzen Sarutobi's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, revealing a kind smile: "You've come at the right time. I have a task for you."

"Uh, but Lord Sarutobi, I only just got back."

The young ANBU member scratched his head, seemingly a little embarrassed, and said, "Master has been talking about it for a long time. Why don't we let Kakashi go? Isn't he free lately?"

"Hehe, what, you don't want to?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the pipe on the table, put it in his mouth, lit it, took a deep drag, and exhaled the smoke: "Kakashi will go with you on this mission. I know you just finished a mission and need to rest, but this mission was personally requested by the Daimyo."

"This is actually a famous name?"

The young operative was taken aback upon hearing this.

It should be noted that the last ninja personally named by a daimyo was the Yellow Flash, who was renowned throughout the ninja world!

This is both an honor and a form of recognition.

"Indeed, your reputation has already become known to the great."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe, walked slowly to the young ANBU, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "This mission is simple on the surface: escort the princess of the Fire Country's daimyo to the Water Country for a marriage alliance. However, since it involves two major countries, there's no guarantee that there won't be ninjas coveting it, so it's tentatively designated as Rank A."

"I understand, Lord Sarutobi."

The young ANBU member nodded and took the mission request scroll from Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"This mission absolutely cannot fail."

Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his voice and said solemnly, "This is the first mission personally entrusted to me by the Daimyo in three years. It concerns whether Konoha Village can regain its honor, so I'm entrusting it to you, Shisui!"

Only now is the true identity of the young ANBU revealed: he is Uchiha Shisui!

Since Muneki's death, he has risen to prominence at an extremely rapid pace, earning the title of "Shisui of the Body Flicker" in the ninja world in just three years.

He is extremely skilled in illusion and body-flicker techniques. The combination of the two makes him move like a ghost and his style is sharp. Often, his enemies have no time to notice before their throats are cut, which is quite terrifying. He even shows signs of surpassing the two heroes of Konoha, Munechika and Minato.

"Yes, Lord Sarutobi."

Shisui realized the importance of the task and immediately said seriously, "I guarantee I will complete the mission beautifully and restore Konoha's reputation!" "Alright, go ahead, I'll give you half a day to rest."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand with a smile, feigning disgust, and said, "Otherwise, you brat, you'll be talking behind my back about how I'm exploiting you."

"I'm innocent, Lord Sarutobi!" Shisui chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "I never said that. It was Kakashi who said it!"

"Get out of here, don't disturb my peace and quiet."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was amused by this and pointed at him, cursing, "You still have the nerve to call yourself Kakashi? If you don't leave, I'm going to teach you a lesson!"

"Ah, I have something to attend to, so I'll be going now, Sarutobi-sama!"

Fearing a scolding, Shisui dashed away in a flash.

Watching Shisui's departing figure, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile gradually faded, and a hint of reminiscence and bitterness appeared in his eyes. He couldn't help but sigh softly.

They look so alike. They really do look so alike.
Whenever he sees Shisui, he can't help but think of that humble and gentle boy from the past.

Both being Uchiha, both skilled in genjutsu, and both geniuses, he would unconsciously overlap their images in his mind, imagining a different outcome.

If Uchiha Muneki hadn't died, but instead had become the Fourth Hokage, perhaps he would have led Konoha to another prosperous end.

Uchiha clan.

After the war three years ago, the Uchiha clan suffered heavy losses among its young and middle-aged men, and its reputation plummeted.

As a result, Fugaku Uchiha, who was primarily responsible, was stripped of his position as clan leader and never recovered. He became an alcoholic and eventually went insane.

Currently, the person in charge of the Uchiha clan is Fugaku's former wife, Uchiha Mikoto.

In the main hall, Zhishui remained seated upright, his gaze fixed straight ahead. His playful expression vanished, and he said solemnly, "Master, I'm back."

The woman lay on her side on the bed, her figure obscured by a thin gauze curtain.

"Well, just come back."

After a long while, a languid response came. The woman raised her fair arm and gently lifted the gauze curtain, revealing her delicate face, high and straight nose, and red lips. Her dark eyes were like a clear, cold lake, as if they could reflect the thoughts in people's hearts.

But what's even more striking is the woman's long, blood-red hair, which looks as if it's been soaked in blood—bright red and eerie!
"mother mother"

Just then, a short figure stumbled in.

Upon hearing that voice, Shisui broke out in a cold sweat and unconsciously activated his Sharingan. The three tomoe spun rapidly in his pupils, as if he had sensed a great threat!
"Calm down, Shi Shui."

At this moment, the beauty on the bed gracefully rose, and as her skirt swayed slightly, her fair skin and shapely, long legs were revealed.

In the blink of an eye, Shisui was startled to find that the stunningly beautiful figure had appeared behind him.

Looking back, she saw the beauty holding a three-year-old child in her arms, and said calmly, "Don't be so nervous, Itachi is very well-behaved and won't hurt you."

If others were to hear that Shisui, the master of instantaneous movement who strikes fear into the hearts of enemies, was actually afraid of a mere three-year-old child, they would probably think it was a joke.

However, Uchiha Shisui knew very well that it was no joke!

Beads of cold sweat trickled down his forehead. He was on high alert, his muscles tense, his gaze fixed on the seemingly innocent child in the beauty's arms. He said nervously, "Master, you shouldn't have released Itachi. He's far too dangerous!"

"Are you teaching me what to do?"

The beauty's eyes turned slightly cold, and she parted her red lips slightly, saying, "Or do you think you've grown wings and can now criticize me?"

"No, I wouldn't dare!"

Shisui was immediately horrified, his head hitting the tatami with a thud, his heart filled with fear: "Master... no, Lady Mikoto, I never thought of that!"

At this moment, he finally remembered the title of the woman in front of him: Blood Angel, Uchiha Mikoto!

(End of this chapter)