Chapter 249: Sending a Letter

Under the bright sunshine.

Having finished his seated meditation practice, Dong Shilang left South Celebration River and headed toward the family's station.

Even after attaining Sage Mode, he did not interrupt his seated meditation practice.

With this practice, it can greatly help him sense the aura of nature, which aids him in entering Sage Mode more quickly.

After returning to Leaf Village, South Celebration River, which is rarely visited and relatively close to the village, became his primary choice for a training ground.

Speaking of which, about half a year ago, he had spotted a little brat from afar jumping off a cliff nearby. Unfortunately, at the last moment, the brat was awakened by a crow's call and managed to save himself.

Otherwise, there would be far fewer things in the future.

Now, nearly half a year has passed since the Godless Bridge mission ended.

Leaf Village also successfully signed a ceasefire agreement with the Rock Ninja, and the terms were quite generous.

This left many ninja who had lost comrades in the war feeling very dissatisfied.

In response, the Third Hokage also prepared to use his own abdication to calm the villagers' emotions.

As for the successor, he has already decided on a candidate.

However, seeing that the other party is still young and needs to be properly groomed before he can step back behind the scenes.

But these matters have nothing to do with Dong Shilang.

Yet, how could the incumbent Third Hokage possibly allow an Uchiha like him to leisurely while away his days in the village?

"I don't know, Third Hokage sir, did you summon me for a mission?"

After finishing breakfast, Dong Shilang went to the Hokage building located at the village center; early this morning, he had received a transmission from the Dark Section.

"Indeed, there is a mission that needs you to accomplish."

"It is my honor!"

Although he said that with his mouth, inside Dong Shilang's heart he had already started cursing.

He had merely enjoyed half a year of leisurely clock‑in workdays, and now they were assigning him a mission—truly unwilling to let him stay idle.

"The situation is this: although the village has signed a peace agreement with the Rock Ninja, the war has not yet truly ended."

"Moreover, the northern border frequently sees Cloud Ninja probing; although we have already sent Zilaiye there, this cannot be a long‑term solution."

Saying this, the Third Hokage paused slightly, seemingly wanting to gauge Dong Shilang's reaction.

Unfortunately, regarding this news, he showed no reaction at all, his expression calm as he quietly waited for the Third Hokage to continue.

"Furthermore, the the Land of Water has recently become even more restless; therefore I hope you can complete this mission, so that peace may arrive sooner."

"You've brought up peace—how could I possibly refuse?"

Upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, Dong Shilang hadn't expected that, after only half a year, he would once again be sent to the front lines as cannon fodder, not knowing whether it would be the northern border or the the Land of Water under Orochimaru's command.

At this point, Orochimaru had been 'exiled' by the Third Hokage to the front lines where he fights the the Land of Water, to serve as a battlefield commander—presumably to sideline him and make way for someone else.

And his own destination was likely to be that very place.

But he was not panicked either; he was no longer the timid brat who would tremble before Orochimaru three years ago.

Especially after his battle with Huang Tu.

"The mission scroll is right here; I hope you will give it careful thought as to whether to accept this mission!"

Before Dong Shilang could think much further, the Third Hokage tossed a scroll at him, moreover emphasizing the two words 'carefully' with added force.

For Kakashi's Sharingan, he had to make some compromises, arranging Dong Shilang's destination accordingly, but because of his identity, it would not be that easy.

If he fails to complete this mission and unfortunately dies in the process, it would not be the Third Hokage's fault for breaking his promise.

The opportunity has already been given to them; it is the Uchiha who failed to seize it.

"I knew that old geezer summoning me couldn't mean anything good!"

His inner turmoil was immense, but Dong Shilang could now keep his emotions from showing on his face; he calmly unfolded the mission scroll in his hand.

He wanted to see what kind of mission Yuanfei Rizhan had prepared for him.

"Hiss!"

Just after a rough glance at the scroll's contents, Dong Shilang sucked in a cold breath; the composure he had forged over many years of battlefield experience was tossed to the clouds.

At the same time, his mind kept wondering whether this old man was trying to play a 'borrowed knife to kill' trick; otherwise, why would he assign such a deadly mission to him?

It was not that Dong Shilang of the Uchiha was judging a gentleman's heart with a petty mind; the Third Hokage assigning him this mission was really somewhat outrageous.

"Originally this mission was prepared for Bo Feng Shui Men to undertake; no one is more suited for this task than him!"

"But he is not presently in Leaf Village; after much deliberation, I believe you are the best person to carry out this mission!"

After saying that, the Third Hokage pressed down on the straw hat on his head and quietly observed Dong Shilang's reaction.

Actually, this mission is simple: just deliver a letter.

Only the address and recipient are somewhat troublesome, and a single mistake could cause trouble.

"I don't know what the Third Hokage intends to put in the letter he's preparing for the Fourth Wind Shadow."

He really did not want to undertake such a mission, and Dong Shilang very politely expressed his intention.

According to common sense, how could a letter from the Hokage to the Wind Shadow possibly be leaked to the ninja carrying out the mission?

But at this moment Dong Shilang happened to ask it out loud; the meaning behind it, I believe the Third Hokage can discern.

"Regarding this mission..."

Without answering Dong Shilang's question, the Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe, narrowed his eyes, and looked down at Uchiha Dong Shilang below.

He began to explain the importance of this mission, while also subtly pointing out its cause.

He was very dissatisfied with Dong Shilang's response.

One must know that a Leaf Village ninja has no right to refuse a mission issued by the Hokage; the other's attitude clearly shows he does not hold the Will of Fire in his heart.

However, taking into account the other's surname only strengthened his resolve to have him undertake this mission.

"If that's the case, then I understand."

After hearing the Third Hokage's explanation, Dong Shilang had a rough understanding of the origin of this mission. At the same time, the other party's attitude made him realize that relying on his Uchiha identity to refuse this mission was basically impossible.

Or rather, it is precisely because of his surname that this task fell to him.