Naruto:The System's Shadow

"Everything in the world has a purpose. On the surface, the goal of these bandits seems clear: to seize the Fujiwara Mountain Mine. But in reality, they have neither the means to smelt the ore nor the means to transport it out. It's just useless waste rock. They would still be risking their lives to offend the Uchiha clan. Tell me... are there really such stupid bandits in the world?" Kaito said, resting his chin on his hand, a profound smile on his face.

Uchiha Tadashi was speechless. He realized that the child in front of him was not only a monstrous talent but also possessed intelligence far beyond that of ordinary people.

At least, he hadn't seen the problem with these bandits for so long. Now that Kaito pointed it out, he thought about it seriously, and it seemed that they really weren't very interested in the ore. They were simply ambushing transport caravans and blocking trade routes, but they didn't seem to care much about the ore itself.

"Then what is the purpose of these bandits?"

At this time, Uchiha Tadashi truly placed himself in a very humble position. If he had only been respectful because of the strength and three-tomoe Sharingan that Kaito had shown, now he was completely awed by his display, whether it was strength or intellect.

"When things go against common sense, there must be a reason. No one will actively seek death, especially a group of desperadoes. They value their lives more than ordinary people and are smarter than most people think..."

Kaito narrowed his eyes. Whenever he thought about things to the most critical point, he would unconsciously make this gesture.

"Someone is fishing," Kaito said softly.

"What?"

"A classic example of luring the snake out of its hole. Heh, I suddenly want to meet the mastermind behind these bandits." Kaito looked at the map, feeling a faint excitement and developing a greater interest in this mission.

"Sir, are you saying that there is someone behind these bandits?" Uchiha Tadashi exclaimed in disbelief. This place wasn't far from the Uchiha clan's territory. Who would dare to plot here? It was practically pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth.

Kaito chuckled and stopped responding to him, instead saying, "The sky is darkening, which is a good time for murder and arson. You all go out and investigate. I estimate that after receiving news of my arrival, those bandits will come out to play. Don't come back to report to me immediately when you find them. Go!"

He commanded very naturally, without a condescending tone, as if he were instructing his subordinates.

Uchiha Tadashi and the other four genin exchanged glances. They didn't feel anything inappropriate. This was the way of the world: the strong command the weak, which was natural and just.

"By the way, remember to move that idiot who fainted outside. Looking at him is annoying." Seeing that they were getting up to leave, Kaito added.

After everyone left, the entire room returned to silence. Kaito opened the inner room, lay down on the bed, and closed his eyes to ponder.

After a while, he walked out of the room, rolled up the Uchiha clan's unique robe, revealing his arms. He had two scrolls tightly wrapped around his arms. These were ninja tool sealing scrolls, which could be used to store kunai, shuriken, and other things through a special sealing technique, making them very convenient to use.

They were the same type as the scrolls carried by Hashirama Senju in the future and the scrolls used by Tenten decades later, except that his were specially made miniature versions, which could only store small ninja tools such as kunai and shuriken. Larger weapons wouldn't work.

He suddenly flicked his right hand, and countless kunai engraved with formulas appeared out of thin air, scattered around. Some fell into the grass, some were nailed into the tree trunks. After arranging everything properly, he returned to the room, thought for a moment, and placed another kunai in the room before quietly waiting for the others to return.

He always believed that it was better to be prepared than sorry. By preparing everything he could in advance, he would have a better chance of surviving in this world.

He didn't have to wait long before Uchiha Tadashi and the others returned, saying directly, "They appeared in the Raw Stone Cave, about thirty people..."

Kaito stood up and said, "Show me the location of the Raw Stone Cave on the map!"

Uchiha Tadashi pointed directly at a spot on the map. Kaito memorized it silently and said, "You wait here for me to return!"

Before he finished speaking, he turned into a shadow and rushed out, disappearing into the night with a leap through the trees.

Relying on his memory, Kaito flew quickly towards the Raw Stone Cave. At his speed, he arrived at his destination in no time. Using the trees for cover, he surveyed the situation in the cave. The night was too dark, and the visible range was limited, so he directly activated his Sharingan.

A faint smell of blood drifted out of the mine. Amidst the noise, two carts of rough ore were being pulled out of the mine by thirty-two bandits, hitched to horses, and transported into the distance.

Kaito watched silently, without stopping them, and thought to himself, "As expected, they're targeting me. The bandits who never attacked the mine before put on such a show just as I arrived. They're acting a little too eager. Also, those ores haven't been sorted at all. A third of them are actually just rocks. If they were after the ore, they'd be too unprofessional. But that's fine. Let me see who's plotting against me."

Knowing that there was a problem, Kaito still followed the bandits from afar. He had already placed the Flying Thunder God formula in the distance. In any situation, as long as the range was within ten miles, he was confident that he could escape.

The carts traveled on the bumpy mountain paths. After about an hour, they arrived outside a stockade. Seeing that the wood on the outer perimeter of the stockade still retained moisture, one could tell that it had just been built recently.

The bandits entered the stockade, casually threw the ore on the ground, and no one cared.

"Ding! Mission issued: Clear the bandits, lure out the mastermind. Successful reward: 1000 points. Failure: deduction of corresponding points! Elimination if points are insufficient!"

Suddenly, the system's voice rang in his ears. Kaito scoffed and cursed inwardly, "Meddlesome system." He had originally wanted to observe a little longer. He didn't have any extra points to deduct, so he had no choice but to act now.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

With one strike, he used the most classic signature ninjutsu of the Uchiha clan. A giant fireball rushed towards the thirty-plus bandits.

With a bang!

Except for the two leaders who jumped away at the last moment, all the other bandits were spared.

"Enemy attack, enemy attack! Someone come quick... Ah..."

Kaito pulled out the kunai inserted in his back and said faintly, "Instead of having time to call for help, you might as well think about how to save your lives."

With a rustle, many people rushed out. Kaito initially estimated that there were about a hundred or so people, and they rushed out with rusty steel knives in their hands. Most of their clothes were also tattered.

Kaito couldn't help but be slightly stunned. "Are they real bandits?"