Inside the Sandaime's command tent.
The Sandaime sat at the center, with Kyōichi and Danzō facing each other on either side.
"Kanda Kyōichi, taking a jinchūriki out into the field is playing with fire."
Danzō spoke coldly.
"I dared to bring him out because I have absolute confidence. And someone with your limited intellect could never comprehend my arrangements... Your vision is just that narrow."
Kyōichi didn't hold back.
In the past, he avoided confronting Danzō because he lacked the strength to oppose him.
But now?
What did he have to fear from Danzō?
Posturing here like he was some grand authority—how laughable.
Danzō's expression remained icy as he stared at Kyōichi for a long moment before saying, "I propose extracting the tailed beast and sealing it into one of our own shinobi. After the war, we can consider returning it to Iwagakure."
Tap tap tap!
The Sandaime drummed his fingers lightly on the table, narrowing his eyes at Danzō.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Kyōichi nearly laughed aloud.
Danzō, oh Danzō—you're truly stepping on landmines in a cesspit!
Seal it into one of their own and return it after the war?
How?
By forcibly extracting it again?
The Sandaime might have briefly considered keeping the tailed beast for Konoha's use, but he would never entertain the idea of extracting and returning it afterward—that would mean sacrificing a Konoha shinobi's life.
"Jinchūriki are a crucial force. With one on our side, our chances of victory increase significantly. And let's not forget—it wasn't Konoha who deployed a jinchūriki first, but Iwagakure who broke the rules..."
Danzō pressed on.
He believed himself in the right, stubbornly clinging to his "logic."
Kyōichi didn't bother responding.
Let him talk. Anyone who still couldn't read the situation was just a fool—not even worth rebutting.
"Danzō, your suggestion has merit. But who should become the Four-Tails' jinchūriki?"
"Root operatives are willing to sacrifice themselves."
"Then what about you?"
The Sandaime's question was frosty.
Danzō narrowed his eyes before shaking his head. "I serve a greater purpose on the battlefield."
"Danzō-sama, frankly, neither you nor Root are as indispensable as you think. Konoha once dominated the shinobi world without Root—or even ANBU. And now that I'm here, I assure you, I'll lead Root far better after your passing!"
Kyōichi couldn't resist interjecting with a smirk.
The Sandaime's retort was perfect. This old fool Danzō had never once considered sacrificing himself for Konoha's greater good—except when Sasuke backed him into a corner with no other choice.
"..."
Danzō shot him a venomous glare before turning back to the Sandaime.
The Sandaime closed his eyes, as if lost in memory.
After a long pause, he said, "Do you recall sensei's final question to us?"
"What are you implying?"
Danzō's gaze turned glacial.
That question.
He would never forget it!
Kyōichi observed the exchange, realizing his input wasn't needed.
There was no need to reopen old wounds between lifelong comrades.
Clearly, the Sandaime was furious!
"The Will of Fire's sacrifice was never about demanding others die for Konoha. It was about the older generation sacrificing themselves to preserve Konoha's future strength."
The Sandaime's voice was calm. "If you truly believe in your proposal, then become the Four-Tails' jinchūriki yourself. If the situation turns unfavorable after the war, willingly extract the beast and return it to Iwagakure."
His unspoken meaning was clear:
Put up or shut up!
Danzō's face darkened.
Kyōichi had to admit—when the Sandaime got serious, he was far more principled than Danzō. No wonder Danzō never dared openly challenge for Hokage while Hiruzen lived.
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"
"Whether the Hokage regrets it or not, I can't say. But if 'being too strong to sacrifice' were valid logic, then the Nidaime's actions become incomprehensible."
Kyōichi's tone was mild.
Danzō had no rebuttal.
Senju Tobirama's Water Release was unparalleled, his speed unmatched—master of both Hiding in Water and Flying Thunder God. Had he chosen to flee, it would've been effortless.
He died fighting Kumo's forces alone to buy Konoha's future.
Just as the Sandaime Raikage would later do.
And yet.
Was this the future Tobirama had envisioned?
What Kyōichi left unsaid was—
If Tobirama saw what Danzō had become, he'd probably Edo Tensei himself just to slap some sense into him.
Danzō left without another word, his parting threat hanging in the air.
Kyōichi didn't stop him.
With such divergent principles, even one more word would be exhausting.
"Hokage-sama, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave?"
"Wait. Regarding the Four-Tails jinchūriki—Ōnoki has made it clear he won't negotiate. He doesn't care about the jinchūriki's survival."
The Sandaime said.
Sacrificing one of their own for a temporary wartime weapon was unconscionable to him.
Yet.
Rōshi's presence posed a dilemma.
Useless as an asset, he only drained their attention and resources.
Thus, he needed Kyōichi's input on handling the situation.
"I never expected Ōnoki to truly value a jinchūriki."
Kyōichi stated.
If Ōnoki cared, he wouldn't have let Rōshi and Han defect for years without lifting a finger to retrieve them—despite having the means.
The Sandaime frowned. "Then your plan is...? Convince him not to return to Iwagakure?"
"That's the easy part. The ideal outcome? He returns, clashes with Ōnoki, and becomes a thorn in Iwagakure's side."
Kyōichi nodded.
The "leverage" angle was just pretext.
But he was confident—even if Rōshi couldn't disrupt Iwagakure, he'd at least never return. Progress so far looked promising.
The Sandaime, privy to Yamanaka intelligence, knew of Iwagakure's internal discrimination against jinchūriki.
Of course.
Konoha had similar issues.
While Kushina Uzumaki wasn't barred from missions, her opportunities outside the village were far fewer than most. And her ambition to become Hokage...
The Sandaime sighed heavily.
When he looked up to continue the discussion, Kyōichi had already vanished.
Jiraiya had departed for the eastern front.
Now even finding someone to talk to was difficult.
Kyōichi's exit was deliberate.
He shared little common ground with the Sandaime.
Whether in governance or war, the Sandaime's mantra was "caution." Fortunately, he'd learned one truth—the future belonged to the young. His role at the frontlines was oversight.
The details?
Leave them to the next generation!
This time.
Though skeptical of Kyōichi's "rehabilitation" approach with Rōshi, he hadn't objected.
And Rōshi was indeed reflecting.
For a stubborn old fool, even beginning to question himself was progress. Though Kyōichi didn't realize Rōshi's reflections diverged slightly from his intentions.
For now, he'd avoid visiting Rōshi.
Let the ideas marinate!
...
Outside Konoha.
Kyōichi's shadow clone arrived with the disguised Ori, stopping upon sensing the barrier. A quick summoning brought Katsuyu to notify Tsunade.
"Kyōichi-nii, is that Konoha ahead?"
Ori had long understood her rescuer wasn't Uzumaki, yet she trusted him implicitly—whereas the Kusa ninja had valued only her abilities, Kyōichi was different.
Still.
Kyōichi and Konoha weren't synonymous in her mind.
Konoha might not be trustworthy.
Thus, her expression betrayed nervous hesitation.
"Relax. Once in Konoha, you can choose how to live. I won't force you—and neither will the woman we're meeting. Ah, one thing—always call her 'nee-san,' understood?"
"Mm."
Ori nodded.
She'd already sensed someone approaching rapidly—powerful chakra signatures.
Was this Konoha's leader?
Her anxiety spiked.
Soon.
A green-cloaked woman emerged from the trees.
"Tsunade-nee."
"Why the disguise?"
Tsunade frowned.
Kyōichi looked like a wandering rōnin.
"Less conspicuous this way."
He shrugged before gesturing to Ori. "The girl I mentioned."
"You're not ready to join Konoha yet?"
Tsunade asked directly.
"Uh... I, it's not that..."
Ori hesitated before confessing: "I don't want to be known."
Tsunade pondered briefly.
Understanding the girl's trauma, she nodded. "Fine. In Konoha, you'll join my guard. Only Kyōichi and I will know your true identity."
"Nee-san, thank you."
Ori bowed deeply.
Tsunade beamed.
Nee-san.
Such manners!
Already preferable to Shizune.
Her fondness grew as she added, "Don't worry. Your ability is remarkable, but Konoha isn't so desperate. If you ever wish for an ordinary life, just say the word."
Of course.
Should Root discover her, exploitation would be inevitable.
Tsunade knew this well—which was precisely why she'd ensure Danzō never learned Ori's secrets.
Ori remained tense.
Yet.
Tsunade's gentle tone gradually eased her resistance.
Then came the offering—an ANBU uniform.
"What must I do?"
Ori looked up.
Tsunade paused.
Duties?
She hadn't considered any.
The Uzumaki had always been Konoha's allies—their emblem adorned Konoha flak jackets. And Uzumaki Mito was her grandmother.
By any measure, demanding compensation never crossed her mind.
But Ori was earnest.
At fourteen—combat age even in Konoha—her journey from fallen Uzushiogakure to Kusagakure had taught her nothing came free.
"I'm to become Yondaime Hokage. As my guard, your duty is my protection. Nothing more."
"Yes! I'll defend you with my life!"
Ori donned the ANBU gear—a perfect fit. With cloak and mask, none would glimpse her crimson hair.
Yet.
She maintained her Transformation Technique.
Abundant chakra had its perks.