My Kekkei Genkai Is Kinda Weird?!

If only the Fourth Hokage hadn't died…

Rin gazed out at the crashing waves on the distant sea, but her thoughts drifted to Konoha's future.

If Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, had survived, perhaps the Uchiha clan's fate would have been different.

As Jiraiya's student, Minato was far more open-minded. His attitude toward the Uchiha was also more inclusive than the Third's. Konoha's "Little Sun" might not have been a skilled politician, but as a person, he was solid. If he were still around, perhaps she wouldn't have to walk on such thin ice.

The roar of waves pounding the rocky shore pulled her back.

Now wasn't the time for idle reflection—the mission ahead was what mattered most.

"Everyone, attention!" Hachidai's voice broke her thoughts.

"Beyond this stretch of sea lies the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools. Mist's defenses are likely set up there."

Shinji stepped beside Hachidai and spoke in a low voice,

"According to intel, Mist has set up a temporary base in Uzushiogakure. We need to infiltrate and scout it out."

Hachidai frowned.

"Find some fishermen at the border and borrow a few small boats. We'll infiltrate by sea."

As the waves rolled, several crude fishing boats crept silently across the water, hidden in the ocean mist. Rin crouched at the bow, fingers brushing the surface, sensing the environment through subtle shifts in the current.

"Urgh—!"

Dry heaving sounds came from behind. Rin turned and saw two Uchiha chunin clinging to the side of the boat, pale-faced and miserable. Their elegant black eyes had lost all vitality.

"Never thought… we'd get seasick…" one of them weakly joked.

Rin understood immediately—this too was likely part of the Third Hokage's plan. Water countered fire, and now they were forced to battle at sea. The Uchiha were going to pay a steep price in this Third Great Ninja War.

She fished two pills from her ninja pouch and handed them over.

"Hold these under your tongue. They'll help."

The chunin hesitated, but after trying them, their eyes widened in surprise.

"It works!"

Rin gave a faint smile, though she caught a glimpse of two unidentified genin watching her from the shadows. She acted like she didn't notice and turned back to remain on alert.

"Five hundred meters ahead—hidden sentries." Hyūga Kazunobu whispered. His Byakugan saw through everything around them clearly.

"Three-man teams. Patrol rotates every ten minutes."

Hachidai gestured, and the boats immediately spread out. The one Rin was on quietly landed, and the team stealthily moved into the rocky coastal area.

"Split up," Hachidai ordered quietly.

"Group A scouts. Group B provides backup."

Hachidai took Shisui, three other Uchiha ninja, and Kazunobu and infiltrated ahead. Shinji and another Uchiha jonin stayed hidden, ready to provide cover.

With a Hyūga on their side, they easily avoided the sentries and slipped in.

Rin, Shinji, and a few others took cover behind coastal rocks, the crashing waves muffling their breathing. The two suspicious genin used their "guard duty" as an excuse to edge closer to Rin.

"Hanabuchi-senpai," one of them said in a low voice,

"Your medical ninjutsu is amazing. That pill earlier—did you make it yourself?"

Rin, still using plant-based sensory to monitor their surroundings, replied without looking back:

"Just a basic anti-nausea pill with some mint."

The other, a girl, piped up in a syrupy, innocent tone:

"That jutsu you used in the last fight was incredible! Did Hokage-sama teach it to you?"

Rin physically flinched. Ugh… Is that how I sound when I pretend to be sweet and innocent? That's terrifying…

At the same time, her suspicion solidified—these two definitely had a problem.

No normal Konoha genin would start digging for intel like this in enemy territory.

"Just basic taijutsu," Rin replied "bashfully," all while thinking: I need to find an excuse to kill these two. She shot Shinji a glance.

His three-tomoe Sharingan shimmered faintly in the shadows. He immediately understood. Pretending to inspect his wound, he secretly locked onto the two genin, monitoring their every move.

"By the way," Rin suddenly turned around, her pitch-black eyes staring directly at the first genin.

"Which squad are you two from? I don't recall seeing you before."

The genin's gaze flickered.

"We were just transferred from the reserve team—used to be in logistics."

Rin nodded as if buying the story—but inwardly confirmed it: Spies.

Konoha's logistics wouldn't send kids to the front lines—let alone embed them in an elite Uchiha unit.

Suddenly, a bird's cry echoed from the distance—Hachidai's agreed-upon signal.

The scouting team was returning.

"Get ready for backup," Shinji ordered quietly, repositioning himself to isolate the two genin from the others.

Rin sensed Hachidai's group rapidly approaching—but they were being pursued.

At least twenty Mist ninja behind them.

"Incoming! Enemies approaching fast!"

Almost at the same moment, a fierce battle broke out on the other side of the rocks.

Hachidai burst into view, followed by Shisui and Kazunobu. Three Uchiha chunin covered the rear.

"Mist patrol! Prepare to break through!" Hachidai shouted, his Sharingan spinning madly.

The two suspicious genin sensed something off—and suddenly lunged! One drove a kunai straight at Rin's back.

But she had been ready. She dodged smoothly, and Shinji's fire jutsu forced one of them back.

"Knew it—spies!" Shinji sneered, Sharingan locking onto the fleeing genin.

Rin ignored the Mist attackers. She was determined to eliminate the infiltrators first.

"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!" A wall of water rose, blocking incoming shuriken. Rin then vanished with Gutsuei Shunpo and closed in on the fleeing genin.

"Schiiing—"

Her blade flashed—when it returned to its sheath, it was stained with blood. One of the infiltrators had fallen.

Nearby, Shinji finished off the other—another Root agent.

But Mist reinforcements had arrived, far more than expected.

"Fall back! Regroup at the designated point!" Hachidai shouted while coordinating their retreat.

"What were those two?!" he barked at Shinji.

"Root spies!" Shinji replied tersely, spinning a kunai and plunging it into a Mist chunin's throat.

Rin noticed Shisui's movements had become even sharper. His Sharingan had now evolved into two tomoe.

As he fought, he carefully observed Hachidai and Shinji's combat tactics—learning the Uchiha's unique style.

"Ambush from the northeast!" Kazunobu suddenly shouted. Veins bulged around his Byakugan.

"At least thirty more!"

Hachidai's expression darkened.

"Change route! Head south along the coast!"

The team swiftly adjusted, but Mist's encirclement was closing fast. Rin, through her plant-based sensing, picked up more enemies approaching from the sea. The situation was critical.

"We must break through a single point!" Hachidai growled.

"Everyone—prepare Fire Release!"

As the Uchiha formed hand seals, Rin suddenly sensed a familiar chakra signature racing toward them.

She snapped her head up—a golden flash streaked across the water.

"Rasengan!"

With a clear, confident shout, a Mist jonin was blasted away by a spiraling ball of chakra.

A golden figure landed firmly in front of the group, his bright blue eyes brimming with determination.

"Minato Namikaze, here to assist!"

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