Naruto:The System's Shadow

What was the most important resource for a clan during the Warring States period? Not land, not food, not even ninjutsu, but children.

Only with children could a clan have a future. Otherwise, it was all just talk. That was why, despite the pressures of the era, they tried to limit the age at which they sent children to the battlefield to ten or older, with few exceptions.

Kaito's expression turned extremely grim. If the Hyuga's plan succeeded, the next generation of the Uchiha would be decimated. In a decade or two, there would be a gap in their ranks, shaking the foundations of the clan.

"How many are coming?" Kaito asked.

"I don't know. The Uchiha clan lost some forces in the right flank battle, but they still retain half their strength. Sending too many people would arouse suspicion. And the clan doesn't have too many high-level ninja to spare. I estimate one Jonin, two Special Jonin, and about ten Chunin. An elite squad like that."

Kaito rubbed his chin, calculating. He agreed with the assessment. "One last question. How did you hide your Byakugan? I thought the Byakugan couldn't change into normal eyes like the Sharingan?"

The ninja said, "It's a secret medicine developed by our clan. It can hide all traces of the Byakugan. It only works on the Byakugan and wouldn't be useful to you."

"Oh," Kaito said, disappointed. He thought it might be a special technique.

"Fine. Since you've been so honest, I'll give you a quick death."

"Wait…"

The ninja looked terrified. He hadn't expected Kaito to be so decisive. Just as he was about to say something, a kunai flashed across his neck. Everything went black, and he couldn't speak anymore.

Ding!

"Killed a Hyuga clan Chunin. Reward: 1000 points."

"Huh?"

The sudden system notification startled Kaito. He had almost forgotten about the system in the last two years.

"So, killing ninjas from other clans also earns points! Then what was I doing, training hard in the clan like an idiot for the last two years?!"

Kaito smiled wryly and cursed the system in his mind. He turned and ran towards the compound. Now wasn't the time to dwell on the system. Knowing that killing enemy ninjas earned points, he would have plenty of opportunities in the future. He just hoped the Third Elder hadn't left yet.

On the way back, he opened the system and quickly looked at the ninjutsu available for exchange.

In the Mastermind Behind the Shadows System, the exchange prices for ninjutsu varied depending on their rank.

S-rank ninjutsu cost 10,000 points.A-rank cost 5,000 points.B-rank cost 1,000 points.C-rank cost 500 points.D-rank cost 100 points.

Kaito looked at his 1000 points and thought carefully. He could exchange for one B-rank ninjutsu or two C-rank ninjutsu. The choice required careful consideration. If the Third Elder had already left, tonight would be extremely dangerous.

"The B-rank ninjutsu I know are Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet and Fire Style: Flame Slash. Both are attack-type ninjutsu. With my age, my chakra reserves are limited. Learning another B-rank ninjutsu wouldn't increase my strength that much. It would be better to learn two life-saving C-rank ninjutsu."

Thinking of this, Kaito suddenly thought of a ninjutsu and quickly scrolled to the C-rank area to check. Unfortunately, there were too many C-rank ninjutsu, and he couldn't find the one he wanted. He asked inwardly, "Hey, system, can I exchange for the Crow Clone Technique?"

"Crow Clone Technique, Rank C. Exchange cost: 500 points. Exchange?" the system's calm voice sounded in Kaito's mind.

Kaito was overjoyed. He said inwardly, "Exchange. Exchange immediately."

The Crow Clone Technique was a self-created ninjutsu by Uchiha Itachi in the original story, a combination of illusion and Clone Technique. It was stylish, cool, elegant, and life-saving. Kaito had always coveted it when he watched Naruto.

He had been worried that since this was the Warring States period and Uchiha Itachi hadn't been born yet, the ninjutsu couldn't be exchanged. Now it seemed that the system was truly powerful. It could even exchange for ninjutsu that hadn't been created yet.

A surge of warmth flowed into Kaito's body. In a moment, he had mastered the ninjutsu. His points decreased by 500.

With the remaining 500 points, he exchanged for an illusion called the "Fox Mind Technique."

Returning to the compound, Kaito went straight to the meeting hall, but the Third Elder wasn't there. His heart sank.

He clung to a glimmer of hope and rushed into Madara's room. Seeing Madara, he immediately asked, "Where's the Third Elder?"

Uchiha Madara looked at him strangely. "The Third Elder left to support the battlefield with the defense ninjas. You were there when the Third Elder made the decision, weren't you?"

Kaito's heart began to sink. He asked weakly, "How long ago did the Third Elder leave?" It had taken him two hours to catch up to the Hyuga clan Chunin, another hour to subdue and interrogate him, and two hours to return, a total of five hours. He could only hope that the Third Elder hadn't gone too far.

"He left three hours ago. What's wrong?" As expected of the future legend, Madara sensed that something was wrong from Kaito's tone.

Kaito sighed helplessly. Three hours. At a ninja's speed, it would be difficult to catch up. He sat down in disappointment and told Madara the information he had obtained.