"You're still young. There's no need for you to risk your life at this stage. Focus on improving yourself—that's the right path. Once we're in the village, I'll teach you some techniques to help you grow stronger."
"Yes!"
"By the way, Tsunade-nee, her sensory abilities seem exceptional too. Back in Kusagakure, she detected me underground before anyone else noticed. Just now, she sensed your approach first as well."
Kyōichi reminded her.
"Sensory skills? I'll keep that in mind. Anything else?"
Tsunade inquired.
"Her chakra control is excellent—mastered the Transformation Technique almost instantly. Quick learner, and her physical constitution is remarkable, somewhat similar to Kushina's."
Kyōichi listed them one by one.
Ori remained silent.
Kushina.
Of course she knew.
A clanswoman chosen as Konoha's jinchūriki—someone she once envied, yet never truly wanted to become.
Being a jinchūriki was a tragic fate.
She didn't want that.
"Kushina, huh?"
Tsunade's expression turned complicated, a long sigh escaping her.
She admired Kushina.
But...
The jinchūriki's burden had shackled her potential.
Tsunade looked at Ori, her gaze carrying a new layer of emotion.
She genuinely liked this girl.
From Kyōichi's description, Ori might just inherit her techniques—perhaps even become an extraordinary medic-nin.
Of course.
That depended on whether Ori could overcome her psychological barriers.
"Let's go. First, a bath at my place."
"Mm!"
"..."
"Your" place?
Fine. Since I'm not around, it is yours now.
Kyōichi internally grumbled.
Just as he prepared to dismiss the clone, Tsunade's glare stopped him.
With Tsunade escorting an "ANBU" into the village, no one dared question them. They slipped into her home effortlessly.
Little had changed inside.
Though the courtyard walls showed signs of repair, the damage was minimal compared to before.
Clearly, Tsunade and Kushina had been... "sparring" here frequently.
Kyōichi chose to feign ignorance.
Once Ori was in the bath, Tsunade finally spoke. "Don't worry about Ori. That old fool won't lay a finger on her. But what about the frontlines? Sneaking into Kusagakure—won't that cause complications?"
"Won't matter. We've withdrawn from the Land of Grass."
"Eh? What happened?"
Tsunade was stunned—this was news to her.
Frontline reports hadn't arrived yet, and Kyōichi's main body hadn't updated her via Katsuyu either.
Kyōichi's clone summarized the plan in a hushed tone.
Tsunade initially frowned, but after careful consideration, she nodded. "There's merit to this strategy. If we can flank Ōnoki through Takigakure, we might deal a crippling blow."
"The main body's assault on the Explosion Corps with Jiraiya was practically guaranteed success."
The clone stated confidently.
Unaware, of course, that Kyōichi hadn't just eliminated the Explosion Corps—he'd also captured the Four-Tails jinchūriki Rōshi and indirectly aggravated Ōnoki's chronic back pain.
Though the latter was mere speculation, given Ōnoki's failure to pursue.
Tsunade's brow furrowed deeper. She immediately summoned a Katsuyu clone to verify the frontline situation.
Minutes later, intel arrived.
The report was brief—penetrating the Land of Earth, eliminating multiple enemies, and capturing the Four-Tails jinchūriki.
But between the lines, Tsunade read sheer recklessness.
"You idiot!"
"Tsunade-nee, if you're going to hit someone, aim for the main body! I'm just a clone—don't make me take the punch for him!"
The clone shunshined away.
Tsunade snapped, "Stand still! Hitting you makes him feel it too—same difference!"
"Not the same! I didn't do anything wrong! Why should I suffer for him?"
The clone protested indignantly.
It was innocent!
"Stay put!"
Furious beyond reason, Tsunade lunged.
Challenging a jinchūriki head-on?
In the Land of Earth, no less?
Had he lost his mind?!
"Tsunade-nee, I'll visit again next time. My apologies—please bid Ori farewell for me."
With a final wave, the clone—
Poof!
—dispelled itself.
Tsunade's fist met empty air, her rage with no outlet.
Damn it.
Too fast.
Inside, Ori peeked through the bathroom window, watching as Kyōichi vanished. Pressing against the sill, her face showed both reluctance and resolve.
Konoha did have good people!
...
"Tch!"
Kyōichi—currently patrolling and training with Asuma's team—winced as his clone's memories flooded in.
Over a day's worth of sustained activity.
Were it not for his exceptional stamina, he might've collapsed outright.
"Sensei?"
"Nothing. Just a sudden headache. Let's head back."
Kyōichi massaged his temples.
Tobirama had classified the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique as kinjutsu for good reason.
Ordinary shinobi abusing it risked fatal chakra exhaustion—
Most would've passed out by now.
Then again, most couldn't maintain clones this long either.
Still.
The rewards justified the risks.
[Uzumaki Ori views you as her life mentor]
[Reward: Vitality Enhancement]
Vitality Enhancement!
Kyōichi hadn't anticipated such a boon for rescuing Ori.
He decided to claim it back at camp.
There, the upgrade took effect—his vitality surged, with a minor boost to physical resilience as a side benefit.
Modest, but the focus was vitality itself.
One could never have too much vitality—just look at Hashirama.
"Next target: Nagato."
Kyōichi mused.
Thus far, interactions had been with Yahiko, with Konan as an afterthought. Nagato remained an enigma—something to rectify post-war.
Back in the village...
More opportunities would arise.
But first—Ōnoki and Iwagakure.
Currently, the Iwa ninja clustered defensively along the Land of Grass-Fire border, their earth-style fortifications making ambushes impossible.
As for the Kusa ninja?
The Iwa ninja showed them no mercy.
Forced labor, hazardous duties—Kusagakure bore the brunt.
Refusal?
Violence.
The Kusa ninja now understood the stark contrast between Konoha's and Iwagakure's definitions of "alliance." Regret festered—many cursed their leader's earlier refusal to aid Konoha.
The leader had no rebuttal.
Konoha's forces watched with vindictive glee.
Slacked off earlier? Reap what you sowed.
While aiding the enemy was questionable, Kusagakure's two-faced nature made them better off as foes than allies.
Only a minority dissented—
Danzō, primarily.
Yet.
He dared not linger here—the Sandaime's earlier humiliation had left him seething, secretly willing the old man to fail just to prove himself right.
However.
He remained unaware of the full strategy.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya—now in the east—consulted with Orochimaru and Minato.
"Since your arrival, sensei, has the Hokage-sama issued further directives?"
"Some. Though they originate from Kyōichi, not the old man."
"Oh?"
Orochimaru's interest visibly piqued.
The Sandaime's orders were predictable. Kyōichi's? Potentially intriguing.
Jiraiya produced a scroll outlining the broad strategy.
Orochimaru scanned it, tongue flicking excitedly. "The essence of war is local superiority. Kyōichi-kun's approach is... agreeable."
"Mobility warfare. Flanking. Encirclement..."
Minato absorbed the details.
This mirrored the tactics that had crushed Kiri, albeit on a grander scale.
After consideration, he noted, "Success hinges on the team's assault capability and speed. Selection criteria must prioritize both."
"Correct. Kyōichi emphasized that—the unit must be agile, uniformly swift. Otherwise, encirclement becomes being encircled."
Jiraiya agreed.
Every point Minato raised, Kyōichi had preemptively addressed.
"Then Minato must lead personally. Handpick your team—just one rule: complete the mission."
Orochimaru decided instantly.
He'd briefly considered leading the Land of Earth incursion himself, but two factors gave pause—
Speed he could manage.
But breaching Iwagakure's defenses? Less his forte.
"I'm the eastern commander."
Jiraiya objected.
"Then you lead."
"Ahem... Minato, assemble your team. This mission is yours. Also—Kyōichi's words—if objectives prove unattainable, disengage. No pointless sacrifices. Fall back and we'll pivot to Kumo instead."
Jiraiya relayed.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
Clever.
A contingency he'd overlooked.
Pivoting to Kumo—
Now that was true mobility warfare. Adaptability over rigid plans.
He reconsidered, then patted Minato's shoulder. "Don't fixate on singular goals. The tactics demand fluidity—just disrupt their formations, create local advantages."
"Yes!"
Minato's initial grasp of the concept solidified—
Even without direct kills, his team could divert enemy forces, easing Konoha's main front.
Or—
If pursuers were few, counter-ambush them.
But one problem surfaced during recruitment—
What of Team Minato?
War was brutal.
Obito had matured somewhat, yet remained far from "elite" standards. Rin fared no better. Only Kakashi—with his Lightning and Earth Releases—barely qualified.
Lightning countered earth-style; earth techniques aided survival.
Obito and Rin lagged too far behind.
Torn, Minato recalled Kyōichi's decisiveness.
He'd make the hard choice without hesitation.
Approaching his students, Minato braced himself.
"Obito, Rin—you'll be under my sensei's command temporarily."
"Eh? Sensei, is there a mission?"
"New operations. Classified. Even Kakashi barely meets requirements, so... it can't be helped."
Minato ruffled Obito's hair. "Obito, protect Rin in my absence."
Obito glanced at Rin, then nodded firmly. "Yes, sensei!"
As expected—invoke Rin, and Obito's complaints vanished.
Guilt gnawed at Minato, but—
Sorry, Obito.
With silent apology, he departed with Kakashi.
"Sensei's mission must be dangerous."
"Next time, we'll prove ourselves worthy too."
Obito vowed.
He nearly added "After the war, let's ask Kyōichi-sensei for training," but something felt off about the idea, so he swallowed the words.
Unaware, Rin nodded earnestly.