[Note: Part 1: Naruto: Starting with EMS (Audiobook) is available: https://youtu.be/M7kLM0da72U?si=v6FaQSuWbeRueZbp]
Chapter 87: Carrying the Will of the Fallen
"Cheers!"
Inside a yakiniku restaurant in Konoha, Uchiha Kei and his group, including Kakashi, raised their glasses together. The only pity was that they were still too young to drink alcohol.
But clearly, none of them minded. The purpose of the gathering was to have fun, and judging by the atmosphere, they were definitely enjoying themselves.
Sitting among his peers, Kei watched the lively scene filled with laughter. The vibrant energy made him feel a bit nostalgic, as if he had returned to his days as a new student at the Ninja Academy.
Still, Kei remained somewhat silent—he wasn't sure what to say. Kakashi seemed equally quiet. Perhaps it was because of the hardships Kakashi had endured, or maybe because battlefield memories weren't something he liked to talk about.
As for Kei, his situation was even trickier. His experiences were hardly ones he could openly share. What was he supposed to say—that he somehow survived from age seven and became a "Konoha Hero"?
While his friends were clearly curious, Kei only selectively shared a few stories and glossed over the rest.
Fortunately, everyone here had lived through the war and understood that battlefield memories weren't always pleasant. If this had been Naruto or Sasuke's generation, they'd probably have pestered him with endless questions.
"Kei, it's hard to believe," Kurenai said from across the table, "back then you seemed so unremarkable, and unlike most Uchihas, you weren't arrogant. But now, you've left us all behind."
It wasn't just Kurenai who felt this way—the others nodded as well. Guy, in particular, looked like he was about to explode with excitement.
Hearing Kei talk about rescuing prisoners, saving Kakashi, and breaking through enemy lines against Iwagakure forces made everyone's blood boil with enthusiasm.
Although Kei didn't share everything—like what happened after Kakashi was evacuated—they still knew bits and pieces from other ninja.
For instance, that Kei had taken down the entire Iwa demolition corps alone, and eliminated the troublesome Ishimizu Hiiragi unit.
"I guess you could say I was just lucky," Kei rubbed his nose modestly. "Of course, there were plenty of life-and-death moments—and not to mention, Captain Minato's rescue."
"But even so," Kakashi sighed from the side, "you're probably the strongest of our entire class now... though, not many of us are left. Hopefully, the next few classes will have better luck..."
The moment those words fell, the lively atmosphere turned heavy with sadness.
It was true. Very few from their graduating class had survived. War was a brutal grinder that crushed humanity, emotions, and lives—young and old alike.
The horror of war was something no one from their generation could ever truly escape. It was also the root of their growth—the origin of their deep yearning for peace.
"Enough depressing talk," Kei tapped the table and raised his glass. "At least we're still alive. So let's carry the will of our fallen comrades forward. Let's live well, fulfill their dreams, and one day when we join them, we can proudly say—'Your sacrifices helped build the world we dreamed of.'"
"Cheers!"
Kei's words reignited the spirit around the table. Everyone eagerly raised their glasses, clinking them together in high spirits.
Kei smiled faintly at the sight. A few inspiring words were all it took to stir the hearts of these young shinobi.
And perhaps... the respect they felt for him had finally evolved into true friendship?
---
Meanwhile, as Kei and the others enjoyed their meal, another "Kei" silently slipped through the crowd.
It was a shadow clone.
When Kei entered the restaurant with the others, he had used the excuse of going to the bathroom to secretly create a clone.
This clone, disguised with a Transformation Jutsu, had quietly left the restaurant and was now following Uchiha Yuu's patrol route.
Uchiha Yuu was notoriously proud and preferred to patrol alone—giving Kei a perfect opportunity.
However, Yuu's patrol route was problematic: it wasn't in some remote corner of the village. Instead, it circled around Konoha's core areas. That complicated Kei's plans.
If Kei made a move and got caught, all of his careful planning would be ruined. He couldn't afford that risk.
Keeping his head down, Kei's clone slowly walked along the route, carefully observing the surroundings. As he got closer to the Police Department headquarters, he grew increasingly irritated.
Damn it. Yuu's patrol route was not only short but also covered areas heavily monitored by the police.
There was hardly any deserted spot to set an ambush!
If Kei fought here, it would surely draw the attention of the Konoha Police Department immediately. That would spell disaster.
"Am I really going to have to use the Mangekyō Sharingan?" Kei thought darkly.
He wasn't keen on using that irreplaceable power—especially since he hadn't completed his research yet—but if push came to shove, he wouldn't hesitate.
After all, what good was saving power if he ended up dead?
Resolving himself, Kei kept moving, hoping it wouldn't come to that.
But soon, something caught his attention. He stopped walking.
Nearby, the forest looked different.
Turning toward it, Kei began to carefully inspect the area.
Shadow clone was a fascinating jutsu—extremely versatile. During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Naruto had used clones to maintain Sage Mode and even access Kurama's chakra.
But for Uchiha, clones were a bit of a pain.
For some reason—probably because the Sharingan was a special Kekkei Genkai—a shadow clone couldn't activate the Sharingan at all.
Even though someone like Uchiha Madara could use wood clones and summon his Susanoo without eyes, that technique likely didn't actually require the Sharingan as a medium—it was more a combination of Yin Release and chakra.
Anyway, Kei's clone, unable to use Sharingan, relied entirely on battlefield experience to scan the forest.
Fortunately, that experience paid off.
Before long, Kei discovered plenty of traces—not exactly signs of battle, but more like signs of training.