Training Under the Shadow Monarch
Asuma and Midori finally managed to make a toothpick float gracefully over their fingers.
They sighed in exhaustion. This training is so hard…
Beside them, ShiKaji nodded in approval. "Good. You've improved."
Asuma grinned. "Big brother, I heard some Uchiha prodigies can already hold ten leaves on their foreheads during chakra control training!"
Kaji smirked. "Oh? Then why don't you try it, little Asuma? See how many you can hold."
Fearless, Asuma placed a single leaf on his forehead—it stuck like glue. Then two… three… seven… thirty. His eyes widened in shock.
"Big brother, this…!"
Kaji chuckled. "It's because of the toothpick training," he murmured.
Not to be outdone, Midori immediately followed suit, matching Asuma's feat. "Hah! Beat that!" she teased.
Kaji crossed his arms. "Impressive. But control alone won't save you in war. Next lesson— The Scattered Shield. From today, you'll push chakra through your entire body until it forms a barrier around you. Hold it for ten seconds, release, then repeat. This technique must become as natural as breathing— for life. "
He stepped back, his dark chakra flickering like living shadows around him. "Watch closely."
The energy pulsed, swirling around Kaji's form like a second skin. "Now… try to hit me with kunai."
Asuma and Midori exchanged glances before hurling their knives—only for the blades to clatter harmlessly against Kaji's body, as if striking steel.
"Whoa!" they gasped in unison.
Kaji's voice was firm. "Do you understand the technique?"
"Hai!" they shouted, eyes alight with determination.
"Good. One more rule— everything I teach you stays secret. You may only pass on techniques you develop yourselves. Understood?"
"Hai, big brother!" they chimed.
Midori tilted her head. "But… why can't we share it?"
Kaji's gaze darkened. "Because in this war, knowledge is power—and power attracts enemies. What you learn from me could get you killed if the wrong people find out."
Asuma clenched his fists. "We won't tell anyone!"
"Then prove it." Kaji gestured to the field. "Train until noon. I want your shields strong enough to deflect pebbles without thought. After that, you're dismissed—I have… business to attend to."
For hours, the two five-year-olds pushed themselves, their small bodies straining as chakra flickered around them like faint auras. Kaji observed silently, correcting their posture with a tap or a wordless nod.
Finally, as the sun reached its peak, he spoke. "Enough."
Midori collapsed onto the grass, panting. "Ugh… my chakra feels like pudding…"
Asuma, equally drained, grinned. "But… did you see? I blocked a rock!"
Kaji's lips quirked. He turned, his cloak flaring. "Rest. Tomorrow, we train reflexes."
And with that, the Shadow Monarch vanished into the darkness—leaving only a whisper of wind behind.
Hiruzen was speaking with Danzo about war operations.
When Kaji knocked on the door.
"Come in," Hiruzen said.
"Ah, Kaji-kun, perfect timing. Kumo has formally established a permanent peace alliance with Konoha. In exchange, we've become sister villages, and they've shared their tailed beast training methods."
"Moreover, this was a premeditated move by the Daimyos."
"However, the Land of Lightning is now fighting on two fronts—against Kiri and Iwa."
"They need help, and we must intervene."
Kaji nodded. "What do you think, Third Hokage?"
"Our situation with Suna remains unresolved," he sighed.
Kaji said, "Recall Sakumo. Let Tsunade take command of the Suna front."
"Send Orochimaru and Jiraiya to the Kiri front."
"I'll handle Iwa."
"What about the fronts? Will Kumo let us pass through the Land of Lightning?"
Hiruzen nodded. "The enemy numbers are high. I intend to send 2,000 shinobi to each front, which will combine with Kumo's forces."
"As for field command, it will be shared—one of ours and one of theirs."
Kaji said, "We should keep an eye on our borders when we leave, Father."
"Kiri could come by sea, just as Iwa could either cross the ocean or march through the entire Land of Rain."
Hiruzen agreed, leaving Danzo with that responsibility.
"Go prepare. The shinobi will be ready tomorrow morning."
Kaji returned home and saw Himari in her loose robe. He decided he should take good care of her tonight.
Loud sighs echoed as Himari and Kaji reached the heavens.
After hours of blissful chaos, they fell asleep in each other's arms.
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Shikaji stood before the army that would accompany them.
They gave a speech about maintaining peace between villages and how the future would be brighter with this new alliance with the Land of Lightning.
Far away, the Raikage frowned as he observed the vast hordes of Iwa's army advancing.
Looking at his dwindling numbers, he closed his eyes and sighed.
He gave the order: "A, pull the troops back to the village and prepare a new defensive line."
"I'll hold off Iwa for as long as I can."
Cries and sobs rang out. A sighed, watching his father's unwavering back as he turned and left.
And so, the Third Raikage had already been fighting for an entire day. He didn't know how many had fallen by his hand.
Onoki, upon receiving the intel, rushed to the battlefield.
Kaji and Konoha's army of 2,000 moved swiftly toward the Third Raikage, accompanied by Kumo's Anbu.
Soon, he encountered A and the retreating Kumo forces.
Kaji asked, "What's happening?"
A answered with restrained anger, "Iwa invaded the coast with 10,000 shinobi—all chunin or higher."
Kaji glanced around, tallying the numbers. They barely had 8,000, but...
His expression turned serious. "We'll turn back. Did your Raikage stay behind?"
"Give me command of the troops. This is our chance to completely cripple Iwa's forces."
A furrowed his brow, remembering his father's earlier words.
He sighed and said, "We respect your command, Shadow Monarch Shinobi."
Then, like a chorus, everyone shouted:
"Shadow Monarch!" x8000
"The attack will be a surprise. The moment we assess the Raikage's situation, we move. I'll envelop all forces under my shadows, then advance in a triangular formation toward the enemy army. For this, I need three commanders—one for the east, one for the west, and one for the north. The southern front will be mine, alongside the Raikage."
A tense silence followed before elite jōnin from both Konoha and Kumo stepped forward.
From Konoha, Shikaku Nara (West Flank) raised his hand, his tactical brilliance unmatched. "The shadows obey your will, Shadow Monarch. My squad will secure the western ridge."
From Kumo, Darui (East Flank) clenched his fist, lightning flickering at his fingertips. "Leave the eastern push to us. We'll cut off their retreat."
For the northern front, A (North Flank) cracked his knuckles, his summoning scroll already unfurled. "Heh. Let's box 'em in with toads and steel."
Kaji's eyes gleamed. "The Shadow Chimera you'll see at the battlefield's center is our ally. Do not engage it—focus on driving the enemy toward it." He paused, scanning the ranks. "Speed is key. If Iwa regroups, this plan fails. Now— move!"