Compared to Ōnoki's side, the Konohagakure camp appeared orderly and methodical.
All injured shinobi received on site treatment first, with only lightly wounded being transported to the camp. With Kyōichi's shadow clones assisting, the medical workload was manageable.
However.
Kyōichi could already imagine the backlash when those clones dispersed.
He'd probably sleep for an entire day.
Entering the camp, he spotted Asuma, Obito, and other young genin standing by the gate, their expressions gloomy and despondent.
With no time to chat, Kyōichi ignored them for now and headed toward the Sandaime Hokage.
Upon arrival, he understood their melancholy.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was conducting a roll call of the fallen.
Though Kyōichi's tactics had secured a swift victory against Iwagakure, reducing casualties significantly, war inevitably claimed lives. Not just genin and chūnin, but jōnin too.
The Akimichi clan alone had lost two jōnin to concentrated enemy fire.
Such was war.
Kyōichi observed a moment of silent respect, bowing to the deceased before approaching the Sandaime.
"Ōnoki's terms?"
"He wants to eliminate the Sandaime Raikage and requests our cooperation."
Kyōichi answered succinctly.
The Sandaime pondered for a moment, then asked, "How determined do you judge him to be?"
"Quite."
After consideration, Kyōichi added,
"The Sandaime Raikage is overwhelmingly powerful. Iwagakure stands no chance against him normally. And… I suspect he fears Kirin."
"We've exploited Ōnoki's initial ignorance of countermeasures. Now that he understands, Kirin alone shouldn't terrify him…"
The Sandaime paused mid-sentence, then nodded. "Though with Kumogakure's abundance of lightning style users plus the Raikage's might, caution is warranted."
"Yes."
Kyōichi agreed.
His thoughts exactly.
Even with countermeasures, facing waves of Kumogakure's lightning users employing Kirin coordinated tactics would cripple Iwagakure's frontline.
Thus, to Ōnoki, the Sandaime Raikage must die.
After lengthy deliberation, the Sandaime turned decisively.
"He dies. Without this, Kumogakure will recover within years."
A shinobi of sufficient caliber could single-handedly sustain a village.
Hanzo. The Sandaime Raikage.
Individuals like them.
"Understood. You'll need to inform Ōnoki by tonight then. I require immediate rest."
"Go. I'll handle matters here."
The Sandaime recognized Kyōichi's exhaustion.
The current strain was manageable, but once the shadow clones dispersed, the accumulated fatigue would overwhelm even Senju like physiology.
"Take this blade back… I prefer my staff."
"Yes."
Accepting Lightning Cutter, Kyōichi turned toward the gate, intending to check on Asuma's group before resting, when a glint caught his eye.
Silver hair. Masked face.
The authentic White Fang's heir.
Yet still radiating that awkward aura.
As Kyōichi ignored him, Kakashi suddenly used the Body Flicker Technique and appeared before him.
"May I ask a question?"
"Speak."
Though surprised, Kyōichi remained composed.
After a brief hesitation, Kakashi inquired,
"How does one perfect sword-ninjutsu fusion?"
"Methods vary by chakra nature. I excel in wind style swordsmanship and illusion blending, followed by water style. Earth style… remains problematic. Perhaps weight manipulation could work."
Kyōichi answered generously.
Regarding sword-ninjutsu fusion, his expertise was Konoha's pinnacle. That Kakashi pursued this path stemmed from his earlier advice—he'd oblige.
Besides, rewards awaited.
For earth style kenjutsu, weight altering techniques like Light/Heavy Rock Technique would be ideal.
Unfortunately, Konoha lacked such specialized earth style jutsu. Developing them from scratch rivaled inventing entirely new techniques.
Kakashi understood the impracticality.
"My lightning style can paralyze through the blade, but the effect feels imperfect. It mostly relies on lightning enhanced speed with taijutsu integration…"
Drawing his blade, Kakashi demonstrated.
Zzzzt!
Lightning chakra coated the steel, but quickly dispersed. While stronger, the effect remained mediocre.
"Insufficient focus."
Kyōichi diagnosed instantly.
Lightning chakra naturally disperses. Though Kakashi concentrated it, his control remained inadequate.
Before Kakashi could question him further, Kyōichi unsheathed Lightning Cutter.
One moment—no chakra.
The next—blade gleaming with hyper-condensed water chakra.
"Observe—water-style kenjutsu in action."
A single slash.
A pressurized water blade extended like a monomolecular edge, carving a slender trench into the earth.
"Cutting power?"
Kakashi stared, astonished.
This rivaled wind style's severing properties.
From water style?
"You know of the Sandaime Raikage's Hell Stab? The 'Strongest Spear' achieves its power through extreme lightning compression. Kenjutsu follows identical principles."
"I… think I understand. Thank you for your guidance."
Kakashi bowed deeply.
This conceptual insight outweighed any single technique.
Hell Stab.
Swords.
Perhaps they shared foundations.
Compression. Concentration.
He departed contemplatively.
Kyōichi withheld teaching Chidori—unsuitable for Kakashi's current level. Once Kakashi mastered chakra focusing, he'd impart it.
Checking his system after the interaction, Kyōichi found modest rewards. Mostly Kakashi's embryonic Chidori insights.
Better than nothing.
Lacking lightning affinity, Raiton techniques could never be his focus. Current priorities remained wind style, water style, ice style, and genjutsu blending.
Next research phase: Earth-style's "weight" properties.
Though…
The research backlog stretched endlessly.
If only this war would end.
Kyōichi sighed.
War disrupted everything: research, education—nothing could progress.
The Sandaime Raikage really needs to die.
Approaching the gate, he found Asuma's group had shaken off their gloom. Now they were training vigorously in the woods.
Yet, this stemmed from having nothing else to do.
Not just them.
All genin who graduated within the past year had survived under Kyōichi's special oversight. Most casualties were veterans.
Inevitable wartime realities.
Assured of their safety, Kyōichi retreated to his tent. He first sent a missive to Tsunade, then braced for his shadow clones' "judgment."
As predicted.
The accumulated strain would have rendered him comatose without the Yin Seal and Strength of a Hundred Technique.
Naruto truly was monstrous.
Collapsing onto his cot, he fell asleep instantly. He awoke the next afternoon to blazing sunlight.
The rains had cleared.
Blinking against the glare, Kyōichi swallowed a soldier pill to quell his gnawing hunger.
"Kyōichi-sama, the Sandaime-sama requests your presence upon waking."
"Oh? Understood."
Mukai stood guard—now noticeably more restrained. Kyōichi sensed faint sealing traces about him.
So he's learning the Four Symbols Seal.
An S-rank fuinjutsu requiring immense dedication.
"Keep at it. I know some sealing—feel free to consult me."
Kyōichi whispered before departing.
Mukai brightened internally.
"Some knowledge"?
Modesty.
Capturing a Jinchūriki had cemented Kyōichi's sealing reputation.
Meeting the Sandaime revealed a slight complication. Ōnoki offered 5 million ryō each for Kyōichi and Minato's participation.
Equivalent to a high-paying S-rank mission.
"So… you sold us out?"
"Ahem. I agreed you and Minato would support Iwagakure's flank while our main forces conduct harassment tactics—inflicting casualties without full engagement."
The Sandaime looked sheepish.
Accepting missions on behalf of unconscious subordinates was… questionable.
But 5 million each totaled 10 million ryō.
Even if not village funds, their personal spending would benefit Konohagakure's economy.
Essentially Konoha's money.
"Will you go? If not, I'll have Shikaku inform Minato."
"Naturally… I'll go."
No hesitation.
Five million ryō.
With Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique, risks were negligible. A guaranteed profitable venture.
"Depart now?"
"Yes. Please watch over Asuma and the others."
"They've outlived their usefulness here. I'm recalling all shinobi under twelve to Konohagakure—them included."
Konoha's strength sufficed.
The twelve-year graduation policy had been a wartime necessity.
Fighting one village required no child soldiers.
"A sound decision."
Kyōichi added, "Consider having them lecture at the Academy upon return—host a seminar. Those lacking theoretical foundations could… revisit their studies."
Especially Obito.
The boy was a living testament to Konoha's educational gaps.
With major battles concluded, what better time for remedial learning?
The Sandaime's eyes lit up. After contemplation, he nodded vigorously.
"Brilliant. These children graduated early for war—returning to studies is logical. Though… might they resist?"
"Unlikely. After the seminar, have Koharu-sama teach them. Brand it 'Chūnin Accelerated Training: Qualities of an Ideal Chūnin.'"
Resistance?
Preposterous.
With all the methods from the previous life, how could these kids possibly find fault with it?
The Sandaime nodded repeatedly after hearing this.
Chūnin Sprint Class?
Just hearing the name made it hard to argue. Utatane's reputation was solid, and was certainly suitable for the task.
Brilliant.