NoviceAuthor

[NSSSG] [ARC-07] Chapter : 255 - Konoha reactions

“Danzo won’t make it that easy for us to find evidence,” Tsunade muttered darkly.

Kitazawa folded his arms, thoughtful. “I suspect the ninja who leaked the intel has already been... silenced.”

Tsunade sighed, rubbing her temples. “Given Danzo’s nature, that’s entirely possible. But we can’t sit idly by. We have to investigate.”

“Who will you send?” Kitazawa asked.

“Anbu,” she replied after a pause. “Itachi should handle it.”

Kitazawa nodded slightly. It wasn’t a bad choice. The missions Tsunade had given Itachi so far had all been executed flawlessly—he’d left quite the impression.

He handed the portrait back to her. “Is there anything I can help with?”

Tsunade shook her head. “Let’s wait for the investigation results. If we do find proof, I swear—I won’t let Danzo walk away from this.”

Her tone was ice-cold. Danzo leaking Konoha intelligence to Yagura was nothing short of treason—an unforgivable act in any hidden village.

Even his high status wouldn’t protect him.

“Hokage-sama might hesitate,” Kitazawa warned. “Old loyalties run deep.”

Tsunade’s expression hardened. “He is him. I am me.”

Kitazawa chuckled. “As expected of Lady Tsunade—decisive as ever.”

“Don’t flatter me,” she said, swatting the back of his hand lightly. “This isn’t the time for jokes. We also need to be cautious of whatever desperate moves Danzo might make.”

Kitazawa’s gaze turned serious. “Agreed. We can’t underestimate him.”

Tsunade leaned back, confidence returning to her voice. “Let him try whatever tricks he has. I’m not the woman I used to be.”

Kitazawa smiled faintly. “Still, don’t forget the Fourth Mizukage’s case. Mind control is no joke. It might be wise to have a Hyuga guard you when we return to the village.”

“He doesn’t have—” Tsunade started, then paused mid-sentence. “...You’re right.”

If there was anyone in Konoha who’d hoard stolen eyes, it was Danzo. The thought of him possessing a Sharingan wasn’t far-fetched at all.

Kitazawa exhaled in relief. “A Hyuga by your side could serve as an extra precaution. If anything seems off, their Byakugan can check your chakra flow immediately.”

He made a mental note to speak with Hiashi later—perhaps send a Jonin from the clan for the task.

“I’m starting to think you’d make a fine Hokage advisor,” Tsunade said suddenly, hopping up to sit on the table. Her legs swung lazily, her voice teasing but thoughtful.

He cleared his throat. “Whose advisor would I be, exactly?”

“I don’t want to answer that,” she muttered, biting her thumb in irritation.

“Still avoiding the truth, Lady Tsunade?” Kitazawa said with a knowing smile.

“Why do you talk so much?” she snapped, lightly nudging him with her foot under the table.

Kitazawa coughed to cover a grin. “Regardless, you should start preparing for what’s coming.”

“I know…” Tsunade sighed, shoulders slumping.

Kitazawa smiled faintly. “Everyone else fights tooth and nail for the Hokage seat. Only you treat it like a curse.”

“Then why don’t you become Hokage?” she shot back, rolling her eyes.

“Me?” Kitazawa laughed. “That’s impossible. Even if I wanted to, neither the current Hokage nor the council would agree.”

He had made his mark in the Mist conflict, sure—but it wasn’t the kind of contribution that turned wars. Even without him, Konoha would have won. Minato, on the other hand… his presence had changed everything.

“How troublesome,” Tsunade muttered, scowling.

“Careful,” Kitazawa teased lightly. “Frowning makes you age faster.”

Tsunade arched an eyebrow. “You’re dangerously close to needing medical attention.”

He laughed. “Then how about a drink to lighten the mood?”

At that, Tsunade’s golden eyes lit up almost instantly. Her tongue brushed her lips unconsciously—she hadn’t touched alcohol in over two months, and it showed.

But after a brief pause, she exhaled and shook her head. “No. Not now. When we’re back in Konoha, we’ll drink properly.”

“Understood,” Kitazawa said, smiling.

Tsunade crossed her arms, already shifting back to business. “Go pack up. We leave at two this afternoon. If all goes well, we’ll reach Konoha by morning.”

Kitazawa nodded and turned to leave.

Tsunade watched his back disappear through the tent flaps, her expression softening ever so slightly.

“Where did you go?”

Kurenai turned toward the sound of footsteps, pausing her practice with the Wind Release: Rasengan.

“I went to see Lady Tsunade,” Kitazawa said as he sat cross-legged beside her.

“I made lunch for you.”

Kurenai handed him a bento box, a faint smile curving her lips.

“Thanks,” Kitazawa replied, now realizing what she’d gotten up early for.

Kurenai scooted closer until her shoulder brushed his arm. Without looking at him, she resumed channeling Wind Release chakra into her Rasengan.

“Want to share?” Kitazawa asked, opening the bento.

“I’ve already eaten,” she said with a teasing lilt, “but if you’re feeding me, I might reconsider.”

Kitazawa grinned. “Then allow me.”

He picked up a fried shrimp with his chopsticks and looked at her. Their eyes met, and after a heartbeat of hesitation, Kurenai understood. She gave him a half-hearted glare but leaned in anyway, lips brushing the shrimp.

“The shrimp tastes better today—soft and perfectly fried,” Kitazawa said, clearly teasing.

“Eat properly and stop distracting me,” she replied, her cheeks faintly pink as she licked a bit of sauce from the corner of her mouth.

“Oh, right. I almost forgot,” Kitazawa said suddenly. “We’re leaving at two this afternoon. Time to return to Konoha.”

“Finally!” Kurenai stretched her arms, smiling brightly. “I’ve had enough of camp life.”

Kitazawa chuckled. “Yeah… I miss my students too.”

After lunch, they began to pack up—though there wasn’t much left to do besides dismantling their tent.

By two o’clock, the entire Konoha force was assembled in neat rows across the now-empty main camp.

Moments later, Tsunade appeared. With a single commanding wave, she led the procession back toward the village.

Kitazawa walked alongside Kurenai and Kabuto. Their pace was steady, slowed by the wounded they escorted.

By evening, they had only covered half the distance. Kitazawa estimated they wouldn’t reach Konoha by morning—noon was more realistic.

After resting overnight, they resumed their journey at dawn.

10:00 AM—Konoha Village

The streets were overflowing with people. Villagers and shinobi lined both sides of the main road, waiting eagerly.

On the left side, Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, and Ino squeezed together in the crowd.

Today should’ve been a class day, but Kakashi and Kosuke had given them leave for the homecoming.

“So many people!” Naruto exclaimed, eyes darting left and right.

“Well, Kitazawa-sensei’s a big deal now,” Shikamaru said lazily. “And Lady Tsunade’s name carries even more weight.”

“I’ve never seen anything like this!” Ino gasped. “Even Hokage-sama and the advisors are waiting at the village gate!”

“Same here,” Sakura said, craning her neck.

“I hope one day, the whole village welcomes me like this too!” Naruto declared, eyes gleaming.

“It’ll be me first,” Sasuke said flatly.

Naruto’s head snapped toward him. “Oh yeah? Want to make a youthful bet?”

“Now’s not the time for that,” Kiba said, draping an arm over Naruto’s shoulder. “When Kitazawa-sensei arrives, we’ll hold our own youthful welcome ceremony!”

“Absolutely not!” Ino groaned. “The Hokage and half the village are here! Don’t embarrass us!”

“Agreed,” Neji added coolly. The image of Rock Lee doing his ‘youthful pose’ in front of the entire village was… unbearable.

“Please, no chaos,” Tenten said quickly, clutching her head. “I’d rather not end my ninja career today.”

“I see Kitazawa-sensei!” Hinata suddenly said, her eyes brightening.

“Where?! I don’t see him!” Naruto jumped up, scanning the distance.

“Of course you can’t,” Ino said knowingly. “Hinata’s using her Byakugan.”

“Then they’re close,” Shikamaru said, stretching lazily. “Probably just a few more minutes.”

Hinata flushed slightly and lowered her gaze.

“They’re here!” Kiba shouted.

All at once, a roar of cheers filled the air. Tsunade led the column into the village, her presence commanding immediate attention.

“Lady Tsunade!”

The crowd erupted, the sound rolling like thunder through the streets. Naruto and the others could barely hear themselves over the noise.

“Kitazawa-sensei!” Naruto shouted, waving frantically.

Kitazawa, walking beside Tsunade, caught sight of his students and waved back, smiling.

Sasuke remained quiet, though his gaze lingered behind Tsunade—on the masked figure walking in the Anbu ranks. Even with the mask, he knew.

Big brother.

His heart clenched, torn between pride and longing. He wanted to rush forward—but this wasn’t the time.

Hinata’s eyes found her father, Hiashi, among the Hyuga, yet her gaze still drifted back to Kitazawa.

Ino, Lee, and Kiba joined Naruto in waving like maniacs, while Shikamaru, Neji, and Shino stood more reserved, quietly watching.

Kitazawa’s faint smile deepened. He wanted to go over to them—but that would have to wait. The Hokage came first.

Beside him, Tsunade sighed. “Again with these over-the-top ceremonies…”

She already knew what this was about. Hiruzen was deliberately building momentum for her—elevating her public prestige.

And judging by the roaring crowd, it was working. Her name now carried more weight than even the Third Hokage’s.

“Hokage-sama means well,” Kitazawa murmured.

Tsunade rolled her eyes at him. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

Kitazawa cleared his throat. “Hokage-sama is coming. With so many eyes on us, please consider his dignity.”

He wasn’t joking. Knowing Tsunade’s temperament, he half-feared she might turn on her heel and leave if provoked.

Her gaze sharpened. “Who’s the teacher here—you or me? Why do you insist on meddling always?”

Kitazawa met her fierce brown eyes without flinching. “It’s a student’s duty to remind his teacher when she forgets herself.”

Before she could retort, a warm chuckle interrupted them.

“What are you two whispering about?” Hiruzen approached, his smile hiding sharp perception.

Behind him followed Homura and a number of Jonin.

“Nothing,” Tsunade said quickly. “Let’s head to the Hokage Building.”

The cheers around them were deafening—far from the right setting for serious talk. Besides, walking to the Hokage Building served a purpose: it reassured the crowd, a silent promise that their return wasn’t in vain.

As she moved forward, Tsunade began smiling and waving at villagers along the road.

Seeing this, Hiruzen nodded with quiet satisfaction. Her demeanor told him everything—Tsunade’s heart had shifted.

If she truly rejected the title of Hokage, she would’ve left already after a perfunctory greeting. Instead, she chose to stay and face the people.

Kitazawa followed behind her, each step feeling heavier than the last.

He wasn’t just walking through Konoha’s main street.
He was walking the path toward the Hokage’s seat.

A quiet sense of accomplishment filled him. After so much effort, he had finally secured a stable foothold in the village.

If Tsunade ascended as Hokage, his own standing would rise naturally alongside hers. With his strength continuing to grow, his future seemed brighter than ever.

Yet he couldn’t allow himself to relax.

Danzo remained a threat in the present—while Nagato and Obito loomed in the shadows of the future.

'For now,' Kitazawa thought, 'this is what success looks like.'

Lost in thought, he reached the Hokage Building. The villagers and shinobi began to disperse, the cheers fading.

The students of the Genius Class were also ushered away by Kosuke and Kakashi, though none of them wanted to leave.

Meanwhile, in a distant corner, a cane struck the ground sharply.

Danzo’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the handle.

He hadn’t expected Hiruzen to pull such a move.

After today’s grand ceremony, Tsunade’s appointment was practically sealed.

Hiruzen’s intentions were crystal clear—he was determined to hand over the Hokage’s mantle to her.

“Hiruzen… you’ll regret this,” Danzo muttered through clenched teeth.

He suddenly understood the true problem.

Even if he used Kotoamatsukami to manipulate Tsunade into supporting him, Hiruzen would never agree to let him take the seat.

Unless he controlled Hiruzen himself.

But even he didn’t have that kind of confidence.

Worse, he now knew why the Hidden Mist’s surrender had come so swiftly.

Yagura had been under a genjutsu when he declared war on Konoha. The moment it was broken, the fighting stopped.

That knowledge had spread—and the Byakugan’s reputation as a genjutsu-detector made things worse.

Kotoamatsukami was, after all, a type of genjutsu.

If Tsunade or Hiruzen fell under it… could the Byakugan detect that manipulation?

If so, his plan would be useless.

But could he really give up now?

If he did, there would be no next chance. He would never outlive Tsunade—never live long enough to see her retire.

His expression darkened.

“If it comes to it,” he whispered, “I’ll just have to kill her.”

The thought twisted his features with venomous intent.

Tsunade was strong, and with the Yin Seal, killing her outright was near impossible. But if he first controlled her…

Yes. Control her—and then end her life.

No Tsunade meant no Fifth Hokage.

The real problem was doing it without alerting Hiruzen or anyone else.

Suspicion was inevitable. But suspicion without proof was something he could survive.

Danzo stood in the shadows, lost in calculation.

In front of the Hokage Building

“Everyone has worked hard!” Hiruzen’s voice carried across the square. “Without your courage and sacrifice, there would be no victory for Konoha!”

Excitement rippled through the crowd.

“Every shinobi has contributed,” Hiruzen continued. “And every contribution will be rewarded.”

“Thank you, Hokage-sama!” voices chorused back.

“Because of the scale of this victory,” Hiruzen added with a genial smile, “we can’t distribute rewards immediately. Return home for now—your merits will be acknowledged soon.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama!”

The unified response echoed powerfully.

Then his tone shifted, more commanding. “Jonin, report to the conference room for a debrief.”

As the Chunin and Genin dispersed, the plaza quickly emptied. Of the four thousand shinobi who had marched to war, only the jonin remained.

Kitazawa followed Tsunade and Hiruzen into the Hokage Building.

The meeting began immediately.

Shikaku stepped forward to report the war’s casualties in detail.

“Every shinobi who gave their life for Konoha must receive due compensation,” Hiruzen ordered. “Shikaku, handle this personally.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama,” Shikaku replied crisply.

“Next,” Hiruzen continued, “we must reward merit appropriately.”

His eyes shifted to Tsunade. “Tsunade, I’ll entrust that responsibility to you.”

Tsunade frowned. “That’s the Hokage’s duty.”

“You were the frontline commander,” Hiruzen replied with an easy smile. “You know better than anyone what each shinobi deserves. And there’s no written rule saying the Hokage must do it.”

Several Jonin exchanged quiet, knowing looks.

It was unmistakable—Hiruzen wasn’t just asking for help.

He was preparing to pass the torch.

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 254 - Post War reactions

A cave somewhere in the Land of Fire

Uchiha Obito had remained there since his injury.

There was no need to return to the Hidden Mist Village—and he dared not face Nagato until he was fully recovered.

After all, Nagato possessed the Rinnegan—a power even Obito feared.

More troublesome still was Konan. She had never liked him, and if she saw him wounded and weakened, she might decide to finish him off herself.

Obito sat silently at the mouth of the cave, one leg drawn close, staring into the dim forest beyond. Then, sensing movement, he turned his head.

The ground nearby trembled, and a pale figure emerged from the soil—White Zetsu.

“Have you learned anything?” Obito asked, voice low and even.

White Zetsu grinned. “Yagura has fallen. He was defeated by Tsunade and Kitazawa.”

He paused for effect. “The Hidden Mist has now surrendered. The war is over.”

“Heh. Truly useless.”

Obito let out a cold snort. He had expected Yagura’s failure eventually, but the fact that the Mizukage hadn’t lasted even three months still grated at him.

White Zetsu tilted his head. “If he were strong enough to defeat Tsunade, he wouldn’t have been controlled by you in the first place.”

“Do you still plan to go to the Mist?” he added, smirking.

“A place that’s lost its value doesn’t deserve my time.”

Obito’s voice was icy. “As for Konoha… their turn will come. There’s no need to rush.”

Once the Moon Eye Plan was set into motion, Nagato would inevitably strike at Konoha himself. With the Rinnegan, he would do far more damage than a mere Yagura ever could.

Konoha’s destruction was only a matter of time.

“Destruction… is the beginning of rebirth.”

Obito’s single visible eye lifted toward the crescent moon, its pale light glinting off his mask.

“Oh, one more thing,” White Zetsu added suddenly. “Kisame Hoshigaki—your favorite shark—died in last night’s battle.”

“…Kisame?”

Obito paused, his tone briefly softening. “What a waste.”

Among all the Mist shinobi, Kisame had been the one he valued most—loyal, efficient, and ruthless. Perhaps only Fuguki could compare.

“Who killed him?”

“Someone you’re very familiar with,” White Zetsu replied, eyes glinting mischievously. “Kitazawa.”

“…That man again.”

Obito’s fists clenched, his voice lowering to a growl. “The next time I see him, I’ll tear him apart.”

“Then what about Kakashi?”

White Zetsu’s grin widened.

“Shut up!” Obito barked, his voice echoing through the cave. “Get out!”

White Zetsu chuckled, unbothered, and sank back into the earth, leaving Obito alone with his rage.

Konoha Village—Morning

Hiruzen had barely risen when a sharp knock echoed through his home.

He frowned. At this hour, no one visited unless something urgent had happened.

Adjusting his robe, the old Hokage walked to the door and opened it.

An ANBU stood outside—one he recognized immediately.

“Haru? Why are you back in the village?” Hiruzen asked, brows knitting. “Didn’t I instruct you to remain with Tsunade?”

“Hokage-sama,” Haru said, taking a deep breath, “the war is over. We’ve won.”

“…What?”

Hiruzen froze, astonishment flickering across his face.

Just two days ago, the reports had described fierce, deadlocked fighting between Konoha and the Hidden Mist. How could the war end so abruptly?

“It’s thanks to Lady Tsunade and Lord Kitazawa,” Haru said quickly, summarizing the events of the previous night.

By the time he finished, Hiruzen was silent—eyes wide with disbelief.

Even after all his years, few things could shock him anymore. But this… this was extraordinary.

First—Kitazawa.

The man’s strength had far exceeded expectations. He had mastered seven distinct jutsu disciplines: Water, Lightning, Wind, Fire, Earth Release… as well as Genjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu.

Every one of them is proficient. Balanced. Deadly.

It was like staring into a younger version of himself.

Hiruzen couldn’t help a wistful smile. 'If I were twenty years younger, I’d take him as a student myself.'

A grand-disciple wasn’t bad, though. Not bad at all.

Second—Tsunade.

She had unleashed her full might, overwhelming Yagura in direct combat. That could only mean one thing: her hemophobia was completely cured.

Thanks to Yakumo and Kitazawa, the burden that had haunted her for years was finally gone.

That alone was a victory greater than the war itself.

After all, a Hokage could not afford such a fatal weakness.

Third—and most troubling—the revelation that the Fourth Mizukage had been under Genjutsu control.

A Kage-level shinobi manipulated from the shadows… it sent a chill down Hiruzen’s spine. If such information leaked, few would even believe it.

But the Byakugan could perceive Genjutsu—that much was certain.

It seemed the Hyuga Clan’s importance would only grow from here on.

'Perhaps I should suggest to Tsunade that a Hyuga serve as her personal guard,' he thought. 'Someone discreet—able to verify her chakra state in case anything ever seems off.'

Pulling himself from his thoughts, Hiruzen finally laughed aloud—a deep, heartfelt sound that filled the quiet morning.

“Spread the good news throughout the village!” he declared. “Let everyone know—Konoha has won!”

“Yes, Hokage-sama!” Haru bowed sharply.

The Third Hokage stood at his doorway, gazing out at the sunlight spilling across the rooftops of Konoha.

After so much loss, so much blood—for once, the village could breathe again.

“When will Tsunade and the others return?”

Hiruzen suddenly remembered something and asked again.

“Lady Tsunade didn’t mention it,” Haru replied with a shake of his head.

“Then contact the Anbu on the front lines and find out when they’re coming back.”

Hiruzen smiled faintly. “A victory like this deserves a proper welcome. The whole village should greet our heroes.”

Of course, the welcome itself was only part of it. What truly mattered was momentum.

War was cruel—but it also forged heroes faster than anything else.

The main reason Minato had become Hokage was the reputation he’d earned during the Third Shinobi World War. Though this conflict between Konoha and the Hidden Mist wasn’t as large in scale, the victory was decisive—and worth celebrating across the village.

Especially since this triumph belonged to Tsunade and Kitazawa.

Kitazawa, being Tsunade’s student, made their success all the more symbolic—a master and disciple leading Konoha to victory together.

Once the people saw them return side by side, their fame would soar.

And when Hiruzen announced Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage, no one would dare to object.

“Yes, Hokage-sama.”

Haru bowed and quickly left.

Within hours, the news of Hidden Mist Village’s surrender and Konoha’s overwhelming victory spread through the village like wildfire. Laughter and celebration filled the streets.

Shimura Clan Compound

While Konoha rejoiced, Danzo sat alone, staring blankly at the reflection in his courtyard pond.

“So, the Mist has fallen after all…” he muttered bitterly.

He had personally leaked intelligence to Yagura in advance. Yet instead of laying an ambush, Tsunade and Kitazawa had crushed them outright.

Not only defeated—but forced them to surrender.

Danzo clenched his jaw. “Utter incompetence.”

Now that the war was over, he had lost his leverage. He had planned to send more intel to the Mist over time, but now even that opportunity was gone.

Only one option remained—Kotoamatsukami.

Ninja Academy

The new semester had begun. Students of the Genius Class were in the middle of training, guided by Kosuke and Kakashi—each focusing on their own disciples.

Kosuke had taken a particular interest in Sakura, teaching her Water Release with meticulous care. Despite her limited chakra reserves, her progress was remarkable.

Kakashi, meanwhile, focused on Sasuke, who was currently learning Chidori.

Suddenly, the training ground’s peaceful rhythm was broken.

“Good news! Great news!”

Iruka came running in, his voice breathless but brimming with excitement.

Everyone turned toward him instinctively.

“Hidden Mist Village has surrendered—we won!” he announced.

Kosuke and Kakashi exchanged glances, both surprised.

A war usually dragged on for months—sometimes years. Yet this one had ended in barely two and a half months.

“That’s awesome!” Naruto shouted, his grin as bright as ever. “As expected, Konoha never loses!”

“Konoha’s too strong!” Kiba barked proudly, slapping Naruto’s shoulder. “A shame we didn’t get to fight!”

Shikamaru sighed. “Yeah, that’s probably for the best. You’d have turned it into a year-long war.”

Ino crossed her arms. “Honestly, I’m fine not fighting. The battlefield’s terrifying.”

Hinata’s soft voice chimed in, almost a whisper. “Then… when will Kitazawa-sensei return?”

“Oh right!” Naruto perked up immediately. “Iruka-sensei, do you know when Kitazawa-sensei’s coming back?”

At once, Hinata, Ino, Sasuke, and the others turned expectantly toward Iruka.

“I’m not sure,” Iruka said after a brief pause. “But accounting for travel time and post-war cleanup, he should be back within the week.”

“Yay!” Ino cheered, practically bouncing with excitement.

Hinata smiled faintly, her heart fluttering.

“I can’t wait for Kitazawa-sensei to see how much stronger I’ve gotten!” Naruto said proudly.

Iruka chuckled. “You might want to prepare yourself—during this war, your Kitazawa-sensei and Lady Tsunade defeated the Fourth Mizukage.”

“WHAT?!”

The entire class froze in disbelief.

Even Sasuke’s eyes widened.

They all knew what a Mizukage was—a Kage-level powerhouse, equal in status to the Hokage. Even if Yagura wasn’t quite at Hiruzen’s level, he was still one of the strongest shinobi alive.

“Kitazawa-sensei is incredible!” Naruto shouted, his voice echoing across the field.

“This… this is the flame of youth!” Rock Lee yelled, giving a fiery thumbs-up.

“Hahaha! That’s our sensei!” Kiba barked in laughter. “Everyone’s gonna be jealous when they hear we’re Kitazawa-sensei’s students!”

“I need to train harder!” Ino clenched her fists with determination.

Hinata lowered her gaze slightly, a shy smile tugging at her lips.

Sasuke quietly tightened his grip on his ninjatō. 'The Fourth Mizukage, huh… could big brother also defeat him…'

One day, he vowed, he’d stand at that level too.

Kakashi, watching from the sidelines, couldn’t help but feel a flicker of surprise. “So… Kitazawa’s strength has already reached Kage-level?”

Kosuke nodded in admiration. “The next generation truly is extraordinary.”

By noon, Kitazawa stirred awake, the fatigue from battle gone completely.

He stretched and glanced around—the tent beside him empty. Kurenai was already gone.

Stepping outside, he was greeted by the sight of bustling activity.

All around him, shinobi were packing supplies, dismantling tents, and preparing for the long-awaited journey home.

The war was finally over.

And after two and a half months on the front lines, everyone—Kitazawa included—was ready to return to Konoha.

【Current Mission: Assist the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, in breaking free from control.】
【Mission Reward: +30% Senju Bloodline, +20% Byakugan Purity.】
【Mission Complete. Rewards Issued.】

It’s here!

Kitazawa’s eyes lit up as the three lines of glowing text appeared before him.

The next moment, a wave of power surged through his body.

The change was immediate and overwhelming—his chakra reserves expanded dramatically, his control tightening and deepening all at once.

By instinct, he gauged the growth. About ten percent more chakra than Lady Tsunade—a milestone few shinobi could ever hope to reach.

【Senju Bloodline reached 100%. Additional Chakra capacity unlocked: +100%.】

Kitazawa blinked in surprise. The change was even more overwhelming!!

In total, this perfect Senju bloodline had boosted his chakra to a level near to Shukaku's level!!

Then, another message flickered across his vision.

【Special Senju Ability Unlocked: Impromptu Healing.】
【Effect: Automatically regenerates from injuries without hand seals. Healing speed scales with Chakra reserves.】

Kitazawa’s eyebrows rose.

'Impromptu Healing... that’s Hashirama’s trick.'

It was one of the reasons Hashirama’s cells retained vitality even after death.

He hadn’t expected to gain something so extraordinary—but the description made it clear: his version wasn’t as strong as Hashirama’s.

The recovery rate depended entirely on one’s chakra.

Still, that meant the more chakra he gained, the stronger the regeneration would become. Like his Senju Chakra Mode, this could evolve over time.

And as someone blessed with a “system,” his chakra growth would only continue. One day, perhaps even Hashirama’s legendary vitality and chakra wouldn’t be out of reach. Hashirama was said to have chakra near to half the nine-tails itself!!

Thinking that, Kitazawa returned to his tent and picked up a kunai.

Without hesitation, he drew it across his forearm.

A shallow line of blood appeared—then vanished within seconds.

He grinned.

Judging by the speed, this regeneration rivaled B-rank medical ninjutsu.

Essentially, he now carried an invisible medic-nin within him, constantly healing his body.

Ordinary wounds were meaningless now. Against stronger foes, he could even afford to trade blows head-on, using regeneration as a weapon.

Then, another notification appeared.

【Byakugan Purity: 50%. Special Ability Unlocked — “Byakugan: Puppet Control.”】
【Effect: Grants control over inanimate puppets and, to an extent, living beings. Success rate depends on target’s strength and mental resistance.】

Kitazawa’s expression flickered.

'Another one?'

He’d thought the rewards had ended, but apparently not.

And this ability... it immediately reminded him of Ōtsutsuki Toneri on the moon.

In The Last, Toneri had used the Tenseigan to control countless puppets—and even manipulate Hinata herself.

This “Byakugan: Puppet Control” was undoubtedly derived from the same origin—perhaps a weaker form of that power.

Still, it was terrifyingly useful.

Controlling puppets was one thing, but the ability to influence living beings? That was no ordinary technique. Against strong opponents, it might fail—but against weaker ones, it was a god-tier skill.

As for puppets… Kitazawa rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Among shinobi, there was an entire profession centered on them—Puppet Masters.

Sunagakure even had a dedicated Puppet Corps.

And the two greatest puppet masters in history both hailed from there—Chiyo and her grandson Sasori.

Konoha had no such specialists.

But with this Byakugan ability, perhaps it was time that changed.

He could have a puppet made—something personal, unique. Maybe even battle-grade.

The only question was… who could make it?

Chiyo was still in Suna. Sasori, by now, should already have joined the Akatsuki.

Kitazawa’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The Akatsuki are mercenaries right now… If I pay well enough, commissioning Sasori isn’t impossible.

His train of thought was interrupted by a voice from outside the tent.

“Kitazawa-sama, Lady Tsunade requests your presence in the main tent.”

Kitazawa blinked, then stood up.

Outside, an Anbu awaited him. Kitazawa nodded in thanks and made his way toward the command tent.

As soon as he stepped inside, he noticed the tense atmosphere.

Tsunade sat at the central table, her expression dark.

“Lady Tsunade,” Kitazawa greeted, frowning slightly. “What’s wrong?”

Now that the Mist had surrendered, what could possibly irritate her like this?

“The Fourth Mizukage was here,” Tsunade said, handing him a scroll. “He gave me this.”

Kitazawa unrolled it—and found a sketch of a masked shinobi staring back at him.

“The Mizukage claims this man leaked information—allowing him to ambush us earlier,” Tsunade said quietly. “From his description, this person must be from Konoha.”

Kitazawa’s eyes sharpened.

“I see,” he said calmly. “Then start by investigating the Root operatives who were folded into the Anbu.”

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. “That was my thought as well.”

Kitazawa smiled faintly.

Both of them knew exactly whose shadow loomed behind this.

Danzo Shimura!

[NNSS] Chapter : 64 - First move on the Chess Board

“This is the personnel data of the Military Police Force.”

When Roshi opened the file before Itachi, the young man’s eyes twitched slightly—he could see everything inside without obstruction.

“Has Father already come to an agreement with you, Captain?”

Itachi’s gaze lowered. “Personnel data… so it’s a purge. How did you convince him to agree? No—if it’s you, then you must’ve offered a plan he couldn’t refuse.”

Dealing with the police force inevitably meant a purge. The most obstinate members would never relinquish their authority, even if the clan’s survival depended on it.

“Will the Village take action? Or the Senju…?”

Regardless, with the captain involved, the Uchiha Clan wouldn’t end up cornered.

“Captain.”

“Hmm?”

“If cooperation is needed, I’m willing to take part.”

“It will be,” Roshi nodded, “but not yet. I still need to study the specifics.”

Compared to Fugaku—who often meandered and never reached the point—Itachi was direct, efficient, and had already worked alongside Roshi on two missions.

Receiving his answer, Itachi quietly closed his eyes. This was necessary.

To preserve the Uchiha Clan, something had to be sacrificed.

“Captain, during our first mission… you told me this: if those villagers had purged themselves the moment they noticed the signs, would the losses not have been fewer?”

Giving up the police force to secure the clan’s future—it was a trade worth making, far better than facing complete annihilation.

Roshi examined the personnel data, dividing it neatly into three categories.

Radicals: Roughly thirty percent of the total. Zealous believers in the creed “Everything for Uchiha.” They saw the Village and other clans as enemies and would stop at nothing to advance their ideals.

Conservatives: About twenty percent. They, too, cherished the Uchiha’s honor but leaned toward rational negotiation—believing in improving their position through diplomacy and controlled displays of strength. These were the ones worth persuading.

They could be approached one by one—showing the advantages, framing outsiders’ inclusion as “forging allies” and “paving the Uchiha’s future.” Promise them influence in the new order.

Ordinary members: The remaining half. They relied on the clan’s stability, followed the prevailing current, and had no firm political stance.

These were the easiest to manage. As long as their livelihoods weren’t too disturbed, they wouldn’t resist fiercely.

The real threat lay with the radicals—unyielding, prideful, and unwilling to surrender any piece of their authority, especially the Police Force.

Many had long set the tone for rebellion. Roshi already had countermeasures prepared.

Still, this list represented Fugaku’s personal assessment—and given his bias, there were bound to be errors. Perhaps those “conservatives” were more extreme than he believed. Perhaps the “ordinary majority” was smaller than fifty percent.

After gathering his thoughts, Roshi closed the file and returned it to Itachi.

“I already have a general direction—but it can’t be executed based solely on paper intelligence.”

His words didn’t discourage Itachi. He simply accepted the data and waited.

“Itachi,” Roshi said evenly, “I suspect your father won’t fully accept my plan.”

“I understand, Captain. Please tell me what you need me to do.”

“I want you to use this data to confirm two groups: first, those who are completely uncompromising—true extremists within the Police Force. Second, those who are relatively open to negotiation.”

Itachi nodded. “If there’s an opportunity, should we… eliminate some of them?”

Roshi glanced at the boy’s calm, expressionless face—and understood.

“No, Itachi. In this plan, you don’t need to kill your clansmen. They haven’t crossed that line yet.”

He paused. “Also, you’ll need to bring a summary of this plan back to your father. Tell him I require time to convince the Third Hokage to approve the transfer of elite Uchiha shinobi into the Anbu. Once that happens, some vacancies in the Police Force will naturally open up.”

“As for how to persuade the others,” Roshi said with a faint smile, “tell Fugaku this—”

‘Everything is for the glory of the Uchiha. The clan’s finest must stand among the Anbu, hidden in the shadows of Konoha. To achieve this, outsiders must temporarily enter the Police Force. Endure for now—for the sake of the Uchiha’s rebirth.’

As Roshi spoke, Itachi’s eyes sharpened with understanding.

'So that’s it… to deal with those people, this is all it takes.'

'As expected of the Captain.'

“But remember,” Roshi continued, “I need time—and so do you. This verification mission will be a long one.”

The so-called plan for the Police Force was, in truth, still a rough framework—something presented merely to appease Fugaku for now. Since the man had shown goodwill, Roshi had to respond with something that at least looked concrete.

But actual implementation would demand far more. Itachi needed to verify every detail, and they would undoubtedly encounter complications.

What if the radicals weren’t fools? What if the Village’s own hardliners interfered?

And above all—Roshi’s current power was still lacking. Acting as a bridge between the Uchiha and Konoha’s leadership was risky enough to get him killed.

Fortunately, this wasn’t yet Year 56. There was still time.

He needed that time—to consolidate his influence and sharpen his strength.

The plan’s real activation would require a perfect moment: when the Uchiha’s tension with the Village had ripened but not yet exploded—when their arrogance had isolated them just enough.

Only then would the Hokage be more receptive.

If Sarutobi proved obstinate, there were other paths. But first, Roshi had to become powerful enough to walk them.

The Uchiha’s grand chessboard had just begun to move.

Fugaku’s swift response—sending over this list—had been unexpected.

It seemed Roshi’s Senju heritage still carried weight.

Without it, the proud Uchiha would never have even considered working with a fourteen-year-old Special Jonin—let alone reaching out first.

After all, in the original timeline, the clan had never once tried to ally with another clan. Their revolution had been a desperate gamble—a reckless coup born of pride, blind to the other clans’ strength and politics.

But now, things were different. The Uchiha issue finally had a promising start.

Roshi leaned back and smiled faintly. “Itachi, how about we grab a bite later?”

“I’m sorry, Captain,” Itachi replied with a polite bow. “I need to return this data first. Besides…” He glanced toward the door where Shisui was waiting. “…Shisui is still outside.”

[NNSS] Chapter : 63 - Flying Thunder God

After two days secluded in the Forbidden Jutsu Room, Roshi had finally grasped a basic understanding of the Flying Thunder God jutsu.

At its core lay the Flying Thunder God Formula. Only by mastering that intricate mark could one perform true spatial transfer, moving instantly to any location where the formula had been placed.

Learning the formula required proficiency with cursed seals—not the twisted kind developed by Orochimaru, but the traditional ones, like Danzo’s Tongue Restriction Seal. They allowed chakra to be embedded directly into a target through physical contact.

To proceed further, one also needed a solid grasp of basic sealing formulas.

The jutsu's activation depended on few things—sensing the formula, locking onto it, and then performing instantaneous teleportation through space.

But for Roshi, this part presented a unique difficulty. He couldn’t rely on the inherited memories of his previous body; that vessel had lived only fourteen years, and mastering as many elemental Ninjutsu as it had was already a miracle. The rest, Roshi would have to learn himself.

While Roshi buried himself in his studies, Itachi had regained his composure. His face was once again calm, devoid of the slightest ripple.

The Uchiha Clan’s prodigy, Fugaku’s eldest son, Sasuke’s brother—he wore his serenity like a mask once more.

But that afternoon, the Itachi who appeared by the Naka River was not a “genius” or “clan heir.” He was just a boy meeting a friend.

Uchiha Izumi, eight years old like him, sat by his side. Her long brown hair cascaded like silk, a small teardrop mole resting beneath her right eyelid. She was still a student at the Ninja Academy.

She quietly studied him.

“Itachi, you’re in a bad mood.”

“I’m sorry… right now, I suppose I am.”

He didn’t need to pretend in front of Izumi. As a friend, he could let down his guard. Even the way he ate his dango was absentminded.

“Did something happen?” she asked softly.

“Something… I can’t fix, no matter what I do.”

Izumi tilted her head, studying his expression.

“So even perfect geniuses get troubled like normal people.”

“I’m not a genius.” Itachi lowered his gaze, his fingers rolling the skewer between them. “I just know a few Ninjutsu.”

The more he experienced, the clearer it became: the jutsu and lessons of the past felt powerless against truly complex dilemmas.

He wasn’t talented—just efficient at fighting and killing.

“Well,” Izumi said, “I don’t know what geniuses do when they have problems, but ordinary people like me ask our moms or teachers.”

“It doesn’t help to just worry by yourself, Itachi.”

She didn’t understand the scale of his burdens—how could she? But her words, born of simple kindness, carried a warmth logic couldn’t provide.

Parents… teachers…

Itachi’s gaze drifted toward the shimmering water.

“Don’t you have a senpai you trust?” Izumi asked suddenly, her eyes brightening.

“Shisui?” Itachi gave a faint, bitter smile. “Even he’s struggling with the same storm.”

“I mean your captain! You talk about him a lot.”

“Senpai…” Itachi murmured. His voice grew softer, nearly lost to the breeze. “Senpai told me to think for myself.”

A sudden prick of pain drew his attention. He turned to see Izumi pouting, retracting the skewer she had used to poke his cheek.

“Listen, Itachi,” she said with mock sternness, “when a senpai tells you to ‘think for yourself,’ it means you do think—but if you still can’t figure it out, then you go ask! What else would you do?”

She bit into a dango with mock seriousness. “You make things way too hard for yourself.”

“But…”

“Go ask him again!” Izumi interrupted. “If he’s really someone you trust, he won’t mind!”

Itachi blinked. 'Can I really…?'

But her confidence was contagious. Slowly, he stood, his movements lighter than before.

“Thank you, Izumi.” He bowed slightly.

'No matter what, I’ll ask him. Even if it seems presumptuous—it’s better than being stuck.
If I bring a small gift, perhaps Senpai will forgive the intrusion.'

When Itachi stepped into the Uchiha compound, he didn’t expect to see his father at home.

Fugaku sat in the inner room, several documents spread neatly before him.

Itachi quickly composed himself, concealing the faint trace of warmth that lingered from his talk with Izumi. The heir to the clan could not show emotion so easily.

Fugaku looked up at the sound of his son’s footsteps. His gaze lingered for a moment before he calmly rolled up the papers, each motion deliberate.

He had deliberately ignored Itachi’s emotional outburst that night. It was natural for anyone’s mind to waver after awakening the Three Tomoe Sharingan—and besides, his son had recovered his composure afterward.

But now, Fugaku studied him quietly, as if weighing something in his mind.

“Itachi,” he said finally, “there’s something I need to ask you.”

“Yes, Father.”

Fugaku had been deliberating for a long time.

He couldn’t simply hand over the Police Force personnel list because someone asked—but that person had offered an idea far better than any plan Fugaku himself had conceived.

If the Uchiha could form alliances with other clans by conceding a few positions in the Military Police Force, then even if the village turned hostile, Konoha’s leadership would have to think twice before acting.

And perhaps… the Uchiha’s long-cherished dream could finally take shape. If one of their own became Hokage, it would vindicate their power, restoring the clan’s dignity.

Rebellion was always the final resort. Roshi’s words had made Fugaku confront a harsh truth—the village's suspicion of the Uchiha ran deep. Even with his Mangekyō hidden, overthrowing the Third Hokage and his allies in a single strike was near impossible.

And if the Village had already prepared countermeasures—if Jiraiya was still lurking, and Tsunade might return—then a premature uprising would only lead to annihilation.

Given all that, perhaps yielding a few positions was acceptable… as long as Uchiha leadership remained intact.

But that raised new questions: what to do with the clan members displaced from the police force? Offer stipends? From which funds? The Uchiha had many mouths to feed, and not all could serve. Supporting idle members indefinitely would be unsustainable.

Yet if he gave stipends only to those removed, resentment would fester among the rest.

And if he offered nothing at all… the discontent would boil over.

'Should I use the Mangekyō…?'

Fugaku frowned, unable to settle his thoughts. Roshi’s calm yet distrustful gaze echoed in his memory.

He wasn’t afraid of a fourteen-year-old Special Jōnin—but the forces behind that boy carried the weight of the long-dormant Senju will.

Refusal would mean war.

Under these conditions…

It was just a personnel list—names, ranks, records. No secret techniques, no classified missions.

It might be worth seeing what the man intended to do with it.

Still, a direct decision was dangerous. If Roshi proved untrustworthy, the clan could suffer.

So, Fugaku placed the decision in the hands of his son.

“Itachi,” he said slowly, “do you trust your captain?”

With his perception, Itachi wouldn’t misjudge someone he’d observed this long.

“Captain Roshi is an exceptional leader,” Itachi replied. “He always forces his enemies to fight on ground of his choosing.”

That was the Uchiha way to express trust—through acknowledgment of strength and ability.

Fugaku nodded. It was high praise, especially from his eldest son.

He had always believed in Itachi’s potential—his brilliance in battle, his calm judgment, his awakened Three Tomoe Sharingan. This was a child who would one day surpass him.

“Tomorrow,” Fugaku said finally, “you will deliver a document to your captain. This matter requires absolute secrecy. I will have Shisui accompany you in the shadows.”

“Yes, Father.”

[NNSS] Chapter : 62 - Roshi's Ultimatum

“I’ve been secretly investigating the Fourth Hokage’s death,” Fugaku said at last, his tone unreadable. “But so far, there have been no results.”

His expression flickered—conflict, doubt, restraint—before settling back into that familiar Uchiha calm. When he finally spoke again, his voice was smoother and calmer.

Roshi simply nodded. Whether Fugaku truly had no leads or was concealing something didn’t matter. He already understood the situation—and knew that neither of them could afford to speak the full truth aloud.

The only issue they could touch upon was the Konoha Military Police Force.

“Relinquishing control of the police force is something the clan members will never accept.”

That wasn’t arrogance—it was the web of interests too deeply entangled. The Military Police Force wasn’t some hollow title or troublesome burden; its authority was woven into the very fabric of Konoha’s governance.

Village laws and regulations—especially those concerning commerce and daily life—were set by the higher-ups in principle. But in practice, a single directive from the police force could stop any merchant, inside or outside the village, dead in their tracks.

Maintaining public order was only the surface; their power ran deeper. The “arrest of people with criminal tendencies” was often subjective—if the police force believed you were suspicious, then you were. Appeals had to go through the Hokage, an Advisor, or a Police captain.

Aside from the Anbu and Root, every other department operated under their shadow.

“Even as clan head,” Fugaku admitted, “I can’t force the Uchiha to withdraw from the Police Force.”

He paused, then added quietly, “Doing so would only make them… rebel sooner.”

“By ‘cannot,’” Roshi asked evenly, “you mean you can’t make them completely relinquish control?”

“Precisely.”

As expected of the Uchiha—unyielding, absolute in every thought and deed.

“Then what about letting others join?" Roshi suggested, watching closely.

For a moment, Fugaku’s rigid posture eased, and the edge in his expression softened. “If the Village is willing to provide funding for new personnel,” he replied, “we could consider adding a squad.”

He wouldn’t take even the smallest loss.

Roshi almost laughed aloud in disbelief. The Uchiha needed to bleed to survive—to yield, to breathe, to recover. This wasn’t about the Village spending more to strengthen their grasp over power.

And even if he had the authority as a Special Jōnin to propose such a plan, Roshi would never be foolish enough to do so.

More funding, more personnel? He could already see the outcome. The newcomers would be ostracized, cornered, and pushed out under “reasonable” pretenses—only to be replaced by Uchiha again. Even if Fugaku resisted that internal pressure, the result would backfire entirely, deepening hostility instead of easing it.

“If you bring those terms to negotiation,” Roshi said coldly, “it’ll be meaningless.”

He met Fugaku’s gaze directly. “Since we’ve come this far, I’ll ask plainly—Clan Head Fugaku, can you make room within the existing Police Force roster?”

Fugaku fell silent.

Dismiss a few unqualified clan members? Possible. But their seats would simply be filled by new Uchiha. With the clan’s growing population, there were already too few positions to satisfy everyone. Internal rotation was a long-standing practice.

But dismissing Uchiha to bring in outsiders? That would ignite chaos.

Yet… the path this young man proposed—was it perhaps worth trying?

“I can try,” Fugaku said after a pause. “But it will take time…”

“Can you guarantee it will actually work?”

If not, this move could become a fuse—igniting years of suppressed resentment, driving the radicals to cast him aside as a weak leader, and plunge the clan into open rebellion. Then there would be no turning back.

That was why Fugaku, even while aware of the danger, had chosen to remain balanced on the edge—neither with nor against the radicals.

He couldn’t abandon his people. And so, he could never afford to appear opposed to them.

Roshi closed his eyes, taking a slow breath to calm the storm in his chest.

“If you proceed like this, Clan Head Fugaku,” he said softly, “you won’t succeed. Forcing it will only make things worse.”

A flicker of anger crossed Fugaku’s eyes.

“Compile detailed information on every member of the Military Police Force—their backgrounds, abilities, positions—and have Itachi deliver it to me.”

Fugaku froze. That request was tantamount to betrayal.

“If you can’t even do that much,” Roshi continued, his voice quiet but cutting, “then from this moment on, consider me an enemy.”

He didn’t acknowledge the fury rising in Fugaku’s eyes.

A faint, weary thought crossed his mind—he missed Wasabi Jirocho. The man’s strength was mediocre, but his competence and decisiveness had never been in question. Compared to that, Fugaku might be a skilled ninja, but as the head of the Uchiha—he was a small talent burdened with a great responsibility.

Roshi didn’t wait for a reply. He turned and walked away, his figure vanishing into the forest’s shadows, leaving Fugaku alone beneath the moonlight.

It was still early. He could still visit the Forbidden Jutsu Archive.

The paperwork had already been approved. The archive’s caretaker—a stern-faced middle-aged ninja—checked his identification and the Third Hokage’s authorization before silently handing him the catalog.

Roshi didn’t hesitate. He already knew what he was looking for.

After spending some time dealing with the Uchiha’s problems, his mind inevitably drifted to Uchiha Obito—and his Kamui. In terms of pure ability, Kamui was nearly untouchable, but if the intelligence was clear, there might be a way to trap him.

To counter him, Roshi needed something that could match Space-Time Ninjutsu—even if imperfectly.

And there was one such technique: the Flying Thunder God.

It was brilliant, but brutally demanding. Roshi knew it wasn’t his style.

Not because he lacked spatial aptitude—anyone capable of summoning could manage that much—but because it demanded sensory ability far beyond the ordinary. One had to feel the chakra mark left behind as naturally as one’s own heartbeat. Tobirama Senju, who created it, and Minato Namikaze, who perfected it, were both monsters in that regard.

It also required reflexes and vision that bordered on the superhuman.

In the end, the Flying Thunder God simply didn’t suit his combat approach.

But he didn’t need mastery—just the core function: to leave a mark, sense it, and move instantly.

Forbidden Jutsu scrolls couldn’t be removed from the archive. They could only be studied within the sealed chambers.

He pushed open the door of a study room—a long table, a single chair, and sealing barriers shimmering faintly along the walls.

Roshi sat down, unrolled the scroll, and began to read.

For the sake of a stable future—today’s hardwork would begin.

[NNSS] Chapter : 61 - Fugaku's humiliation

Speaking with the Sharingan was an Uchiha custom—only those with equal tomoe had the right to speak as equals.

Fugaku had seen it. He had witnessed the scene of Roshi and Itachi conversing.

He closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were just a pair of ordinary, weary black eyes.

“I understand.”

“I’ll handle the rest.”

Then he rose to his feet, preparing to leave.

“Clan Head…” Shisui began, as if to speak, but Fugaku only gave him a glance.

“This isn’t something you can decide. I’ll think it over—and discuss it later.”

Itachi remained silent. He already understood what that meant. What else could his father say?

—

Kaji Onju was a mild-looking middle-aged man with glasses and a scholarly air—the vice-captain of the Sealing Squad. Hayami Shigeru, in contrast, was always smiling, holding a modest position as a section chief in the administrative department.

Neither held great power, but both had respectable influence in their own circles.

The meeting wasn’t about anything critical—just polite conversation, a few compliments from the elder, and a few nods and smiles in return.

Though they weren’t particularly close, they had met before at the old residence, so there was no awkwardness.

Momoka merely brewed tea quietly for the three men, listening without speaking. After the guests left, she began arranging the next meeting.

“Most of those who think about these things are people with stable positions in the Village’s departments,” Momoka said as she wiped the last teacup dry and set it down softly. “They rarely go to the front lines anymore, so they have time to organize matters like this.”

“Listen to them. If they truly wish to act, you can make use of their enthusiasm. But if trouble arises, don’t take it to heart.”

“The Clan, after all, no longer exists.” Her voice grew faint. “Everyone has their own family now—and that’s what they’ll protect first.”

She feared Roshi might treat these people too earnestly, expecting loyalty that no longer existed. That path would only lead to disappointment.

But Roshi had already anticipated as much. In his previous life, families and clans were much the same—connected only when convenient, self-serving when not. True desperation bound no one anymore.

All he needed was for them to speak at crucial moments. Those who had long changed their names, who no longer cared about the title “Senju,” might, when the time came, subconsciously lean toward the direction he represented.

Add to that the ordinary villagers and shinobi without strong allegiances, and their combined voices could form a current — a power of public opinion that could not be ignored.

After the guests left, Roshi gathered his thoughts. The Village had granted him access to the Forbidden Jutsu Library—a chance to select one jutsu. He planned to visit today.

But as he stepped out of the old courtyard gate, his steps halted.

“Clan Head Fugaku.”

The man standing under a cherry blossom tree slowly turned and approached.

He had clearly been waiting—long enough to see Kaji Onju and Hayami Shigeru both enter and leave.

Fugaku, dressed in Jōnin attire, likely came straight from the Police HQ. Roshi opened his mouth to offer a polite invitation inside, but the clan head didn’t look toward the residence. Instead, he turned wordlessly and walked toward the small grove behind it.

Roshi sighed inwardly. 'I get it—you want to talk in private. But couldn’t you just say, “Can we talk?” Is normal conversation that difficult?'

“Roshi-kun,” Fugaku finally spoke, his tone calm but heavy. “Does the Senju intend to re-establish?”

He had likely been thinking about this all night.

Perhaps this was what he believed Roshi had suggested to Itachi—a plan to gather the scattered Senju once more, using the Uchiha’s strength to revive the clan. And through that, the Uchiha would also gain.

It made sense in theory. As one of the founding clans of the Village, the Senju could reclaim an independent administrative branch—balancing the Uchiha’s monopoly over the Police Force.

And with the current leadership, all disciples of the Second Hokage, the Senju’s demands would be impossible to refuse outright and difficult to oppose directly.

It was, on paper, a perfect opportunity for the Uchiha and Senju to unite again.

But Roshi only smiled faintly. 'You actually thought that far… it’s logical, I’ll give you that. But reality doesn’t work that cleanly.'

First of all, the remaining Senju didn’t need rebuilding. Their interests were already secure through individual ties in the upper echelons of the village. Reformation would only mean new restrictions, obligations, and conflict.

Second, what resources could they even offer now? The clan lands had long been divided, its wealth scattered. Why would anyone rejoin a clan that offered neither protection nor profit?

Even if it were forced, the outcome would only be a hollow, half-hearted clan that would soon collapse—a mockery of the Senju name.

No—it was better to stay as they were.

If they truly wished to strengthen connections, forming an association under the Senju name would be faster, more practical, and face far less resistance.

But the fact that Fugaku brought this up... did he still not see reality clearly?

“No,” Roshi said plainly. “The Senju will not re-establish.”

Fugaku’s brows furrowed instantly, a flicker of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

“Roshi-kun, there’s no need to be cautious with me. The Uchiha—”

“Clan Head Fugaku,” Roshi interrupted quietly, “I’m not being cautious. I’m simply being honest.”

The older man fell silent, unable to find the right words. Roshi sighed inwardly again.

“If there’s nothing else, please excuse me. I have other matters to attend to.”

He turned to leave—but Fugaku’s voice stopped him.

“I don’t want things to end in disaster. Only through cooperation between the Uchiha and Senju can we move toward a better future.”

“You must think so too, Roshi-kun. Otherwise, why say those things to Itachi?”

“If the Uchiha and the Village continue like this,” Fugaku said firmly, “it will only lead to heavy losses for both sides.”

Roshi paused. Then, softly—almost amusedly—he exhaled a laugh through his nose.

“Heh…”

“Uchiha Fugaku—forgive my rudeness,” he said, turning back. The calmness on his face finally broke, revealing a look of disbelief tinged with pity.

“Where do you find the confidence to say ‘both sides’ would suffer?”

“If the Village were truly unprepared, maybe. But…”

Konoha’s leadership had always been vigilant. The Uchiha’s power, though formidable, revolved around the Police Force—one Mangekyō user at best, maybe two. (Roshi referred to Shisui’s Mangekyō, and Fugaku’s rumored one.)

And even then—would Shisui use his eyes for the clan, or against it?

In such a case, which other clans would side with the Uchiha?

And lurking in the shadows, there was still Uchiha Obito—the one who truly wished for the Uchiha’s destruction.

If a rebellion broke out, it wouldn’t be a “mutual loss.” It would be annihilation. The Village would lose a powerful clan—and the Uchiha would cease to exist.

“If calling you by your full name offends you, bear with it for now.”

“Because tell me, Uchiha Fugaku—where does your clan find the confidence to demand change without giving anything in return?”

“By sending a few people to negotiate and expecting the Hokage’s decree to erase all suspicion? To make the villagers suddenly forget their resentment?”

“The truth is simple—” Roshi’s voice sharpened. “In this village, only the Uchiha monopolize an entire core department. The others have none.”

“The Nine-Tails attack left deep scars, and the Sharingan that controlled it—where did it come from? To this day, there’s still no answer.”

“Neither of those wounds has healed. In this situation…”

His tone dropped, each word landing heavily.

“…how can the Uchiha Clan’s situation possibly improve?”

Fugaku stood there in silence, his expression ashen, chest rising and falling faintly. In his eyes swirled a mix of anger, humiliation, and—buried deep beneath it—confusion.

Even he hadn’t realized how much he’d been grasping at illusions.

[NNSS] Chapter : 60

Of course, claiming he had no opinion would’ve been a lie.
If he truly didn’t care, he wouldn’t have spent nights studying the Uchiha’s predicament.

But Roshi lived by one rule—anything gained too easily was rarely worth much.

He wanted to help, yes.
But that didn’t mean he would go out of his way to curry favor.
It would only hold meaning if the Uchiha sought him out of their own will.

He walked home under the quiet wash of evening.

Grandma Momoka had also returned. But tonight, she wasn’t sitting on the porch sipping tea, nor tending to her flowers. She simply stood under the old tree in the yard, motionless, as though lost in thought.

“Grandma.”

“Roshi.” She didn’t turn around. “You’re back.”

“Yes.”

“Today,” Momoka’s voice was soft and faint, “I went to visit Kaji, Hayami, and the others. Torii from the Mission Center mentioned that your Team 5 completed an S-rank mission—and performed brilliantly.”

Roshi blinked, puzzled for a moment, then the meaning settled in.

“You still can’t let go?”

Tsunade had asked him the same question once. He hadn’t answered her then either.

“There’s nothing to let go of, Grandma,” Roshi said quietly, stepping up beside her. “It’s just… not the time to stand still.”

He wasn’t the original Roshi—the one who valued the Senju name and wanted to restore its glory. He was simply reacting to circumstance.
If he’d been reborn in Boruto’s era, he probably would’ve taken it easy — sleep, snack, and wait for the next generation of demigods to fix everything.

Ōtsutsuki? Gods? That was above his pay grade.
At most, maybe he’d try to become Naruto’s brother-in-law. A sister-in-law like Hinata sounded like a pleasant bonus.

But now… there was still something left to do. A chance, however small, to matter.

Momoka lowered her head, her wrinkled fingers brushing the coarse bark of the tree. When she’d received the mission reports about Roshi, she had understood.

The quiet flame in the boy’s eyes—it hadn’t gone out.
Despite everything she had wished for him, he had chosen not to stay out of the storm.

Wouldn’t it be better to just live peacefully? To find a simple job in the village, stay close to her—the only family she had left?

The courtyard sank into silence. Only the chirping of autumn insects filled the night.

After a long pause, Momoka finally said, “Tomorrow, Kaji and Hayami will return. You should go see them. They were the ones who wrote your recommendation letter last time.”

With that, she turned slowly and made her way toward the softly lit room. Her back, framed by the shadows of the porch, looked smaller than ever.

Roshi remained still, his throat tightening. He couldn’t even manage a simple, “Please rest early.”

—

At the edge of the Uchiha compound.

“Itachi, what’s wrong? You look… shaken.”

Itachi didn’t answer. He stood just beyond the entrance, gazing up at the familiar rooftops outlined by lantern light—so close, yet impossibly distant.

This was his home.
And his prison.

Another presence appeared beside him. Shisui didn’t speak. He simply joined Itachi, both of them staring into the silent compound.

The sounds of life drifted faintly from within—children's laughter, muffled voices—only making the stillness outside more unbearable.

Time stretched. Just when Shisui thought Itachi wouldn’t speak again, a low, hoarse whisper broke through the night breeze.

“Shisui… I can’t see any hope.”

Shisui’s chest tightened. He turned sharply to look at his friend—and froze.

In Itachi’s eyes, three tomoe gleamed.

'Three-tomoe Sharingan…!'

But hadn’t his mission gone smoothly? The whole village had been celebrating the “eight-year-old Uchiha who completed an S-rank mission.”

Had someone died?

“Did something happen?” Shisui’s voice was taut.

“Father wanted me to learn Roshi-senpai’s views as soon as possible,” Itachi murmured. “I asked him for his opinion just now.”

The result, clearly, hadn’t been what Fugaku hoped for.

Shisui sighed quietly. The Uchiha’s search for understanding—for recognition—was a long and painful road.

“It’s alright, Itachi.” Shisui gripped his shoulder firmly. “Roshi-kun is open-minded. Give it time. Things will change.”

“It’s not like that, Shisui.”

Itachi’s interruption was soft but heavy.

“Senpai wasn’t malicious. He only… revealed the truth.”

He closed his eyes. “He wants me to find a path. But I can’t see one, Shisui.”

He realized now that Roshi had already warned him—back at the BBQ restaurant. He just hadn’t understood then.

Maybe it was too late. Maybe understanding didn’t matter anymore.

He hadn’t told his father what he’d learned tonight. What would be the point?

Fugaku couldn’t change anything.
At every clan meeting, Itachi had seen it—his father’s helpless silence before the furious voices of his kin.

He had long since realized that his father wasn’t omnipotent. Fugaku was a strong, capable ninja—calm and disciplined—but not the kind of leader who could overturn fate.

Shisui knew it too. That was why he kept his distance, preferring to act alone rather than get tangled in the clan’s internal politics.

But now, seeing the despair hollowing Itachi’s eyes, Shisui made a decision.

This couldn’t go on.

He grabbed Itachi’s cold wrist and turned toward the compound. “Let’s go. You need to rest—and I need to talk to your father.”

Itachi didn’t resist. He let himself be led through the familiar alleys, avoiding the few Uchiha still awake. Shisui moved fast.

They reached the clan head’s mansion.

“Brother—!”

A small figure darted from the doorway—Sasuke. His face lit up, but he froze the instant he saw Itachi’s expression.

Before he could reach him, Mikoto appeared and caught him gently by the shoulders.

“Mom, Brother’s back—”

“Sasuke, be good.” Her voice was calm, but her eyes never left Itachi. “Your brother’s very tired. Go to your room, alright?”

“But—”

Mikoto’s hand was firm but gentle as she led Sasuke away.

Then only Fugaku remained.

He glanced at Shisui, then at Itachi. Without a word, he turned and walked into the inner room, settling cross-legged on the tatami.

Shisui led Itachi in and quietly shut the paper door behind them.

He didn’t ask what had happened. He could feel it in the air—the weight of something irreversible.

Silence thickened until Itachi finally looked up.

In his crimson eyes, three tomoe swirled slowly, like a storm restrained by will.

“I have understood Roshi-senpai’s stance, as Father wished,” he said quietly.

Then he met Fugaku’s gaze—Sharingan to Sharingan.

“And this… is his answer.”

[NNSS] Chapter : 59 - Roshi's opinion

Roshi didn’t respond right away.
Instead, he wandered until he found a quiet park, sat down on a swing, and began to sway gently, his toes brushing the ground.

Itachi followed in silence, taking a seat on a nearby bench.

For a long while, neither spoke. Roshi’s thoughts drifted—not to the present, but to his origins.
An old clan. Old blood. Once proud, now diminished.
He’d seen the same story unfold countless times in his previous life—families and corporations clinging to fading glory, hollow inside but still unwilling to let go.

The Senju’s situation, however, was even more tangled. The clan head had once voluntarily split—dividing both movable and immovable property, with one condition: those who left had to change their surname. The ones who stayed kept the ancestral home and whatever assets remained.

Had the two Senju brothers lived longer, the clan would have completely scattered. But after their deaths, those who had changed their names—no longer shielded by the authority of a Hokage—grew uneasy. Inevitably, they drifted back toward the only remnant of the old Senju estate, rallying around the last surviving elder.

Roshi had only begun to understand the full picture after receiving that recommendation letter, and from Fugaku’s probing words during his meeting in the Uchiha district.

Then came Tsunade—her attitude, her words, and the Shikkotsu Forest summoning contract she’d given him. Together, they confirmed one thing beyond doubt: in the eyes of others, he might—no, probably did—represent the current Senju.

But could he really bear that title?

He’d never even met the others. Grandma Momoka’s stance had been clear: stay out of clan affairs.

Yet… could he truly remain uninvolved?

Perhaps not.

Ever since Senju Hashirama, nothing symbolized the clan’s power more than Wood Release. Yamato’s abilities came from an outside experiment, but Roshi was a genuine Senju. If he displayed his strength—and revealed Wood Release—he could become the clan’s new representative.

Should he, though?

That question had already been answered at Deai Port. Circumstances left him no room for idleness.

The swing’s slow creak filled the air before Roshi finally broke the silence.
“Itachi,” he said, voice cutting through the stillness, “what do you think the Uchiha’s biggest problem is right now?”

“Arrogance,” Itachi answered instantly.

Roshi chuckled—a quiet, almost out-of-place sound in the empty park.
“Arrogance has never been the problem.”

He stopped swinging and planted his feet firmly on the ground. “Let’s look at it from another angle, Itachi. How many departments does Konoha actually have?”

Itachi frowned slightly but answered without hesitation. “The Administration Department, the Anbu, the Medical Department, the Education Department, the Interrogation Department, and the Military Police Force. Below those, the Analysis Squad and the Sealing Squad report directly to the Hokage’s Office.”

“And your ninja registration number?” Roshi asked.

“012110.”

“Then, up to your generation, Konoha has registered 12,110 ninja.” Roshi’s tone was almost conversational. “Six departments, Itachi. Out of more than twelve thousand ninja across all clans and decades of history, only six institutions hold direct political power in the village.”

His gaze turned sharp. “And the Uchiha control one of them—the Military Police Force.”

“The Military Police Force is no small thing, Itachi. It’s one-sixth of Konoha’s core authority.”

The realization struck Itachi like silent thunder.
He had never seen it that way.

Until now, he’d always blamed the Uchiha’s arrogance for their isolation—the reason they had no allies in the village, the reason they’d been pushed to the outskirts after the Nine-Tails’ attack. He’d despised their blindness, their pride in the face of crisis.

“But… that was all because of the Second Hokage…” he murmured, his voice rough.

“The Military Police Force was both reward and punishment,” Roshi said softly. “A gift of glory for the clan that helped found the village but could never claim the Hokage’s seat. It immortalized their pride—and their cage.”

He leaned back, eyes narrowing. “Since the Second Great Ninja War, tell me—who have been Konoha’s shining heroes?”

Itachi didn’t even need to think. “The Third Hokage, the Sannin, White Fang, and the Yellow Flash.”

“Exactly.” Roshi’s tone was mild, but his words cut deep. “And among the Uchiha? Aside from Shisui of the Body Flicker and Obito, who died at Kannabi Bridge before his name spread… there’s been no one.”

He paused. “When Fugaku finally led the Military Police to the front lines against Iwagakure, the war was already ending—thanks to Minato Namikaze.”

Itachi’s eyes dimmed as understanding set in.

“The Uchiha’s glory has long faded,” Roshi continued. “Dimmed by generations of new heroes—and sealed further by the incident three years ago.”

Seeing the flicker of pain cross Itachi’s face, Roshi offered a small, almost gentle smile.
“It’s natural, really. The Military Police’s duty is to maintain order within the village. They’re not meant for the battlefield. The Second Hokage didn’t just restrict them—he built them a cage of gold and called it honor.”

He exhaled softly. “And the Uchiha accepted it. They took pride in it.”

He glanced toward the night sky. “During the Second Hokage’s reign, Uchiha Setsuna attempted rebellion and was subdued by the Anbu. But instead of punishment, Tobirama strengthened their autonomy—expanded the Police Force, gave them jurisdiction, power… and walls.”

Bound by those walls, the Uchiha became both enforcers and outcasts—tasked with policing other ninja, inevitably earning resentment. And with their naturally proud temperament, such hostility only hardened their arrogance and isolation further.

It was a perfect trap—a cycle impossible to break.

So when the Uchiha fell, few clans mourned.

Itachi’s voice trembled faintly. “Then… is there really no way left?”

Roshi turned toward him, eyes steady.
“Of course there is.”

“Tobirama didn’t design a prison without an exit. The Police Force itself is a form of political capital—a ready-made platform. The key lies in whether the Uchiha have the will to reclaim it.”

A small spark lit in Itachi’s gaze.

Roshi placed a hand lightly on his shoulder. “The Uchiha’s path isn’t a dead end, Itachi. Their opportunity has always been in their own hands. No outsider can dictate it.”

He withdrew his hand, voice lowering. “How the Uchiha survive—or transform—that’s for the Uchiha themselves to decide.”

He smiled faintly. “So to answer your question, Itachi… I have no opinion about your clan. Because the only opinions that matter must come from within it.”

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 253 - Genjutsu???

Yagura was forced out of his full Tailed Beast transformation after being pummeled by Tsunade and Kitazawa.

Though he hadn’t lost consciousness, his strength was gone. The battle was over.

The moment the Three-Tails’ chakra vanished, panic rippled through the Hidden Mist camp.

“Save the Mizukage!”

Ao’s pupils shrank in shock as he barked the order.

The sight of Tsunade and Kitazawa standing unharmed at the center of the battlefield told him everything—Yagura had been defeated, and utterly so.

Even so, this wasn’t the time for disbelief. Yagura had to be saved.

Unfortunately, Ao was still locked in combat with Hiashi. The two were evenly matched—or rather, Ao was slightly on the losing end.

Mei was the first to move. Despite fending off three opponents—Kabuto, Kurenai, and Izumi—none of them were pushing her seriously. The moment she heard Ao’s voice, she broke away and rushed toward the fallen Mizukage, several Hidden Mist shinobi following in her wake.

Kitazawa glanced at Kurenai and the others. Once he confirmed they were unharmed, he let out a faint sigh of relief—then smiled slightly.

Zabuza tried to move to Yagura’s side, but Itachi appeared before him in a blur, knocking him unconscious with a single strike.

“I discovered something,” Kitazawa murmured quietly to Tsunade. “The Fourth Mizukage was being controlled by someone.”

“What?”

Tsunade’s face froze. For once, she was completely shaken.

A Kage—someone who stood at the very peak of the shinobi world—being controlled? It sounded absurd.

“You’re not joking, are you?”

“As you know, I specialize in Genjutsu,” Kitazawa said, keeping his tone steady. “I tried to place the Fourth Mizukage under Genjutsu earlier in the fight. It didn’t work—not because his will was strong, but because his mind was already bound by someone else.”

Tsunade frowned. “He’s a perfect Jinchuriki. Genjutsu shouldn’t affect him at all—you must have misjudged. The Tailed Beast inside dispels such illusions instantly.”

Kitazawa paused, then countered softly, “What if the Genjutsu is powerful enough to control both the Jinchuriki and the Tailed Beast?”

“That’s impossible,” Tsunade said sharply, shaking her head. “No such Genjutsu exists.”

“Actually…” Kitazawa hesitated for a moment before reminding her, “The Nine-Tails Rampage.”

He couldn’t mention the Mangekyo Sharingan outright—not without revealing too much—but that single reference was enough.

“The Nine-Tails Rampage…” Tsunade muttered, eyes narrowing. “You mean—the same mysterious enemy who controlled the Nine-Tails back then?”

“Possibly,” Kitazawa said simply. “I’m only suggesting the possibility.”

“If what you’re saying is true,” Tsunade murmured, her expression turning grim, “then the Fourth Mizukage’s sudden declaration of war makes sense. This mysterious enemy’s goal… must be to weaken Konoha.”

Kitazawa blinked, caught off guard by how close she was to the truth. Though not entirely correct, it was accurate enough.

Controlling Yagura and unleashing the Nine-Tails—both were the work of Uchiha Obito.

“Mm,” he said with a nod.

Informing Tsunade now wasn’t a bad idea. When she became Hokage, Konoha could be better prepared.

Later, he could “discover” the Akatsuki’s movements and leak the information to her under the guise of intelligence gathering. In war, information was everything—and with enough of it, even the Akatsuki weren’t invincible.

The real challenge would be Nagato and his Rinnegan—a nightmare of stats and abilities combined. Still, Konoha had its own trump card: Uzumaki Naruto, the Nine-Tails’ Jinchuriki.

But that was for the future.

“It’s disgraceful,” Tsunade finally said, her voice sharp with anger. “Konoha and the Hidden Mist were made to fight each other because of some unseen manipulator!”

She took a deep breath, then shouted, “Everyone, stop fighting!”

Kitazawa couldn’t help a faint smile. As expected.

The moment Tsunade realized the war was being orchestrated, she ended it without hesitation. Continuing to fight would only serve the enemy’s purpose.

Though Konoha held the upper hand, victory would still come with heavy casualties—ones they no longer needed to bear.

Hearing Tsunade’s order, the Konoha shinobi immediately disengaged, retreating to form a defensive line.

The Mist forces, desperate to tend to their fallen Mizukage, made no move to continue the battle.

“Consider yourself lucky,” Hiashi said coolly to Ao before walking toward Tsunade.

Within moments, both armies stood apart once again—glaring across the sea, tense but unmoving.

Only Kitazawa seemed calm amidst the confusion.

“Kitazawa,” Tsunade said, her tone low but clear. “Explain it to them.”

He stepped forward. “Didn’t any of you notice something strange about your Mizukage?”

Ao’s heart clenched. Of course they had noticed Yagura’s erratic behavior. They just hadn’t known why.

“The Fourth Mizukage was under Genjutsu,” Kitazawa said bluntly. “Everything he’s done wasn’t his own will.”

“Impossible!” Ao shouted reflexively.

Mei and the others looked equally stunned.

If what Kitazawa said was true, it meant they had been taking orders from an imposter this whole time—throwing away lives for a false cause. The thought made their stomachs twist.

“You have the Byakugan,” Kitazawa said evenly. “See for yourself. Look at the chakra flow in his brain.”

Genjutsu, after all, worked by manipulating the target’s senses and chakra pathways—especially the neural ones.

If Yagura truly was under Genjutsu, there would be traces—foreign chakra clustered in his head.

Ao activated his Byakugan and focused on Yagura’s chakra network.

A moment later, his expression froze. His body trembled slightly.

'It’s true.'

He could see it—a distinct mass of foreign chakra embedded deep in the Mizukage’s brain.

“W-What did you find?” Mei asked cautiously, her voice unsteady.

Ao’s lips parted slowly. “It’s… true.”

Mei took an involuntary step back. Around her, the Mist shinobi began murmuring in disbelief.

Their loyalty, their sacrifices—their war—it had all been a lie.

Ao approached the fallen Yagura and swiftly formed hand seals, dispelling the Genjutsu.

The Mizukage didn’t resist.

When the illusion broke, his body stilled—and memories came flooding back.

Every action, every order he’d given under control—every death it caused—played before his eyes.

His expression twisted.

He was the Mizukage. He was supposed to protect the Hidden Mist.

Instead, under someone’s control, he had driven it into ruin—turning the “Village of the Bloody Mist” into something even worse.

Countless shinobi had perished. Especially those of Kekkei Genkai clans.

Because of him, the Hidden Mist had lost nearly a third of its strength.

"Mizukage-sama…" Ao let out a quiet sigh.

“I’m not fit to be Mizukage,” Yagura said after a moment of silence. “Once this war is over, a new Mizukage should be chosen immediately.”

Ao hesitated.

In truth, Yagura hadn’t done anything wrong. His only crime was being too weak to resist the control of another. But who in the entire Hidden Mist could have done better? Even as the village’s strongest shinobi, he had been turned into a puppet.

And yet, because of that control, the Mist had suffered devastating losses. Continuing to lead would indeed be inappropriate.

Drawing a steady breath, Yagura straightened his posture. He was still the Fourth Mizukage—for now—and it was his duty to clean up the wreckage left behind.

Especially this war. It had to end.

“Tsunade,” Yagura said, lifting his gaze. “The Hidden Mist Village is willing to surrender.”

Tsunade’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“In a short while, the Hidden Mist will send a delegation to Konoha to discuss peace terms,” Yagura continued. “It’s impossible to treat what happened as a mere misunderstanding. We’ll accept responsibility—admit defeat, negotiate, and pay reparations if necessary.”

It was the only path left.

If they dragged the war on any longer, Konoha would simply crush them until they begged for mercy.

Tsunade finally nodded. “Very well. Then this war ends here.”

Her tone was calm, but there was a hint of satisfaction beneath it.

She respected Yagura’s honesty, though sympathy had little place between enemy villages. Konoha had suffered heavy losses too, and those lives demanded recompense.

War consumed resources. It devoured money, time, and lives — and all of that had to be balanced in the peace talks to come.

Konoha had won. The victor always claimed the spoils.

“Please treat our captured shinobi well,” Yagura said after a pause. “We’ll arrange for their exchange soon.”

“Of course,” Tsunade replied with a nod.

Yagura gave a faint bow. “And… thank you, Tsunade, for realizing the truth in time.”

Though Konoha had dealt them terrible losses, without Tsunade’s intervention he would still be trapped under another’s control—and far worse might have followed.

“This person who manipulated us both,” Tsunade said, folding her arms, “is a common enemy to Konoha and the Hidden Mist alike.”

Yagura nodded. “Then let’s share information between our villages. We may uncover the truth faster that way.”

“No objection,” Tsunade agreed immediately. Two great villages working together would expose the enemy far sooner.

“Then we’ll take our leave.”

Yagura turned toward Ao and Mei Terumī. His voice softened. “I’ve caused you both enough trouble.”

“Mizukage-sama,” Mei said, shaking her head, “we’re all shinobi of the Hidden Mist. There’s no need for apologies. What matters now is ending this war—and finding the one who controlled you.”

“…Let’s go home,” Yagura said quietly, steeling himself.

They gathered the bodies of their fallen comrades and began the long march back to the Mist camp.

The captured shinobi, like Zabuza, would have to endure a while longer.

“Lady Tsunade.”

Shizune hurried up to her. “How are you all holding up?”

“I feel better than ever,” Tsunade replied with a faint, confident smile.

Shizune blinked in surprise. She could tell immediately—Tsunade's hemophobia was gone. Completely. Otherwise, she never could’ve fought Yagura so fiercely.

And with Kitazawa safe beside her, it felt like two miracles at once.

“Kitazawa!”

Kurenai rushed forward and grabbed his hand.

“I’m fine,” he reassured her with a soft smile.

“This isn’t the place to talk,” Tsunade interjected. “Let’s return to the main camp first.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade,” Hiashi and Itachi replied together.

They set off.

Before they even reached the Konoha main camp, Shikaku and his team arrived to meet them.

“Shikaku,” Tsunade ordered, “call all Jōnin to the main tent for a meeting—and cancel all active war missions.”

Shikaku froze for a heartbeat, then a knowing grin crossed his face.

If missions were being called off, that could only mean one thing: the war was over.

“Yes, Lady Tsunade,” he said quickly, moving to relay her orders.

Tsunade pushed open the flap of the main tent. “We’ll wait inside.”

Within minutes, the tent was filled with Jōnin.

Tsunade stood before them, her expression steady. “I have an announcement. The Hidden Mist Village has voluntarily surrendered.”

A ripple of confusion spread through the tent.

“Surrender? You mean… the war’s over?”
“That suddenly?”
“So… we won?”

The reactions were mixed—shock, disbelief, then dawning relief.

“Shizune,” Tsunade said, “fill everyone in.”

Shizune stepped forward and explained everything—from Kitazawa’s ambush to his battle with Yagura, to the revelation that the Mizukage had been under a Genjutsu’s control.

By the time she finished, the room was silent.

It sounded like fiction—a story too wild to believe. But everyone there knew better than to doubt Tsunade.

“Everyone fought admirably,” Tsunade said after a pause. “Once we return to the village, the Hokage will ensure that all deserving shinobi are rewarded accordingly.”

Her gaze shifted toward Kitazawa. “Especially him. None of this would’ve ended so quickly without his actions.”

Hiashi, Shikaku, and even Yashiro nodded in agreement.

Kitazawa’s contributions were undeniable.
He had defeated powerful Mist shinobi like Ameyuri Ringo, Suikazan Fuguki, and Kisame Hoshigaki.
He had led his team through more high-risk missions than any other squad.
And tonight, he had stood against the Fourth Mizukage himself and uncovered the Genjutsu behind it all.

“Shikaku, spread the word,” Tsunade said. “And have a message sent to the Hokage immediately.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.”

“Everyone, get some rest,” she added with a faint smile. “You’ve earned it.”

The meeting dispersed. Soon, only Kitazawa remained.

“Kitazawa,” Tsunade said softly, studying him. “Thank you.”

He blinked. “Why are you thanking me? If you hadn’t arrived when you did, I’d have been fish food by now.”

“I meant… for curing my hemophobia.”

Her eyes wavered for a moment, and she looked away.

“That was mostly Yakumo’s doing,” Kitazawa said.

“I know whose doing it was..." Tsunade smirked faintly. “Now go get some rest.”

“Mhm.”

Kitazawa turned toward the exit.

“Kitazawa!”

Kurenai was waiting at the tent’s entrance, along with Kabuto, Torune, and Izumi.

“It’s over,” he said with a smile. “Go get some proper sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Yes, sensei!” Kabuto and the others replied in unison. Relief washed over their faces.

“You scared me half to death tonight,” Kurenai huffed, elbowing him lightly.

“Sorry,” Kitazawa chuckled. “I’ll make it up to you tomorrow.”

Her cheeks flushed instantly. She understood what he meant—and glared to hide it. “Stop teasing and get some sleep!”

She turned away quickly, burrowing under her blanket.

That night, while the camp slowly quieted, many couldn’t bring themselves to sleep.

After two and a half grueling months of war, they had finally won.

Excitement buzzed through every tent.

Soon, rewards would be handed out. Families reunited. Peace restored.

And as the Konoha camp exhaled in collective relief, a team of Anbu silently departed under the moonlight—heading back to the Hidden Leaf with news that would shake the entire shinobi world.

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 252 - Yagura vs Kitazawa (2) | Tsunade's Fury!!!

Kitazawa’s expression was grave as he faced Yagura.

It might have looked like he held the upper hand—but he knew better.

Yagura was a perfect Jinchūriki. Until now, he hadn’t even revealed his true strength. The real battle was only beginning.

Yagura’s eyes locked on Kitazawa, blazing with fury. His restraint snapped, and the crimson cloak of the Tailed Beast flared violently, expanding in an instant.

A monstrous surge of chakra erupted outward, turning the sea itself against them—waves towering like mountains as Yagura stood at their center.

Even Kurenai and the others, locked in distant combat, were forced to halt and retreat.

“What’s going on?” Kurenai gasped, instinctively stepping back.

“What is that chakra…” Hizashi’s face went pale, the pulse of energy almost tangible against his skin. His Byakugan flared, but it was useless—the sheer density of chakra blurred his vision.

“Hahaha! You’re all finished!” a Hidden Mist jōnin laughed wildly from the opposing side. “That’s the full Tailed Beast transformation!”

Hizashi’s pupils constricted. “That’s impossible! The Fourth Mizukage… he’s a perfect Jinchūriki?”

Kurenai blinked in confusion. “Perfect Jinchūriki? How is that different from a normal one?”

Hizashi’s voice dropped, edged with despair. “A perfect Jinchūriki can fully control their Tailed Beast’s power… which means—we’re facing a real Bijū now.”

The color drained from Kurenai’s face. “What?”

The sea roared.

The red chakra cloak thickened, solidifying into flesh and shell. From within it, the colossal form of the Three-Tails Isobu burst forth, rising above the waves like a living fortress. Its shell was jagged and bristling with spikes, its eye glimmering like cold lantern beneath the moonlight.

“Water Release: Water Bullet!”

Isobu opened its maw, chakra condensing into a water sphere so massive it blotted out the horizon.

Kitazawa didn’t hesitate—his figure flickered and vanished.

The next instant, the water bullet detonated.

The ocean erupted, splitting into whirling maelstroms and tidal waves that devoured everything in sight.

“Retreat!” a Mist jōnin shouted. They abandoned Kurenai’s group without hesitation. Kitazawa was their true target—his capture would corner Tsunade.

“Go!” Kurenai ordered. They fell back, scrambling across the shaking coastline.

From afar, the Three-Tails’ shadow loomed, vast and unshakable—a mountain of terror pressing down on their hearts.

“What now?” Hizashi muttered, sweat trickling down his temples. He’d faced countless battles, but this—this was despair.

“We can only trust Kitazawa,” Kurenai said firmly, forcing her voice to steady. “If we interfere, we’ll only get in his way.”

Torune adjusted his collar, silent for a moment. “Would my insects work on it?”

Hizashi shook his head. “Tailed Beasts are pure chakra. Poison won’t affect them… and even your bugs might not pierce that shell.”

Their conversation was cut short by Isobu’s earth-shattering roar.

Furious that its last attack failed, Yagura gathered more chakra.

“Water Release: Isobu Great Waterfall!”

He slammed his massive paw into the sea. The ocean exploded upward, birthing a roaring column of water that crashed down toward Kitazawa like a falling sky.

“Water Release: Water Formation Wall!”

Kitazawa’s hands flew through seals, summoning a massive wall of water. But it shattered instantly beneath the weight of Isobu’s torrent—yet it had bought him just enough time.

“Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!”

A wide slab of earth burst from below, tilted at an angle. Kitazawa leapt onto it, riding it up the surging wave like a boarder on the crest of chaos.

Isobu’s eyes flared.

Another torrent—dense and precise—fired like a white laser.

“Compound Ninjutsu: Lightning Water Dragon Bullet!”

Kitazawa steadied himself atop the wall, his chakra flaring. A dragon of electrified water surged forth, colliding with Isobu’s blast midair.

The impact lit the sky. Rain exploded outward in sheets, turning night into storm.

But the torrent broke through—unstoppable.

Kitazawa was already gone.

“Water Release: Instant Water!”

He plunged into the depths, flowing with the current as Isobu’s beam vaporized the ocean behind him.

“Annoying little rat!” Yagura snarled, eyes narrowing.

Anyone else would’ve been obliterated long ago. But the sea was both Isobu’s strength—and its weakness.

Kitazawa’s mastery of Water Release was renowned, rivaling even the strongest of the Mist. Here, in this domain, he could adapt, counter, and survive.

Still, Water Release had its limits. Its power came from overwhelming force, not concentrated destruction. Against most shinobi, that was enough. Against a fortress like Isobu—it wasn’t.

Unless Kitazawa unleashed Senju Chakra Mode, he couldn’t break through that armor.

But that wasn’t his goal. He just needed time.

Meanwhile, at the Hidden Mist base—

“Lord Mizukage hasn’t reported back in far too long,” Ao said, expression grim. “Something’s gone wrong.”

They had known about Yagura’s ambush. None had expected this.

“We must go,” Mei Terumī said sharply. “If anything happens to him, the village will descend into chaos.”

“Move!” Ao barked, and the team—Kisame, Zabuza, and the others—launched into motion.

“Is that—the Three-Tails?” Ao’s Byakugan flared mid-journey. The massive silhouette of the Three-Tails filled his vision.

“He’s resorted to a full transformation?” Mei whispered, disbelief flickering across her face. Even Kisame and Zabuza exchanged uneasy looks.

That level of desperation could only mean one thing—Yagura was struggling.

“Full speed ahead!” Ao commanded.

Back at the battlefield—

The sea raged endlessly. Kitazawa flickered between the waves, dodging blow after blow, his form like a shadow dancing between life and death.

But patience had its limits.

Yagura’s killing intent spiked.

“Then drown in your arrogance!” he roared.

Isobu opened its jaws wide—chakra gathering into a dense, pulsing sphere of black and red.

The very air trembled.

Kitazawa’s pupils shrank. 'A Fucking Tailed Beast Ball…!'

He immediately weaved signs. “Hydrification!”

His body liquefied, vanishing into the sea.

Then—

BOOM!

Light consumed everything.

The ocean vanished—vaporized in an instant. The world turned white and deafening.

Waves surged for miles, swallowing entire reefs.

“Kitazawa!” Kurenai’s scream tore through the chaos.

“We have to fall back!” Hizashi shouted.

“Kitazawa-sensei will be fine!” Izumi pulled Kurenai by the arm, dragging her to safety.

Even after fleeing several kilometers, the tremors still rocked the earth beneath them.

“Thank goodness we were already far enough…” Hizashi exhaled shakily.

Kurenai looked back at the blinding inferno consuming the sea. “No wonder they say Tailed Beasts are beyond human reach…”

Another Konoha jōnin exhaled shakily. “Only when you see it yourself do you truly grasp the terror of a Tailed Beast.”

“If the Three-Tails alone is this powerful…” Hizashi murmured, “then the Nine-Tails in Konoha must be on an entirely different level.”

Kurenai didn’t respond. She wasn’t listening. Her eyes were fixed on the raging sea ahead, her heart pounding with one thought only—
Kitazawa.

Izumi and Torune shared her silence, their faces tight with worry.

“Kitazawa!”

The sudden cry made everyone look up. A familiar chakra signature raced across the waves.

“Lady Tsunade?” Kurenai gasped.

“It’s reinforcements!” Hizashi said, relief flooding his voice. He activated his Byakugan—behind Tsunade were Shizune, Hiashi, and a squad of jōnin.

“I’m going to find Kitazawa!”

Without hesitation, Kurenai leapt forward, sprinting after Tsunade.

“Wait!” Hizashi shouted, his expression changing. “It’s still too dangerous!”

But she was already gone.

Moments later, Shizune and Hiashi landed before them.

“Hizashi! What’s the situation?” Hiashi asked, still catching his breath. The sheer magnitude of the explosion had shaken even the distant coastline.

“Lord Kitazawa is fighting Yagura—the Three-Tails’ perfect Jinchūriki,” Hizashi said quickly. “After the Tailed Beast Ball hit… we’ve lost contact.”

“What?”

Shizune went pale. The thought of anyone surviving such an attack was unthinkable.

“Then let’s move! We’re saving him!” she said, her voice trembling as she shot forward, faster than ever before.

“We’re going too,” Hiashi said, his brows furrowing. If Kitazawa died, it wouldn’t just devastate Hinata—it would shatter the fragile trust between the Hyūga Clan, Tsunade, and Kitazawa himself.

Tsunade was the first to reach the center of the battlefield.

The Tailed Beast Ball had carved out a massive crater in the ocean. Seawater rushed in from every direction—but couldn’t fill the void fast enough.

The Three-Tails, panting heavily, loomed in the distance. Even for a perfect jinchuriki, firing such an attack took its toll—except for the Nine-Tails, whose chakra reserves were endless.

“Kitazawa?” Yagura’s cold eyes narrowed as he spotted Tsunade. “He’s already dead. No one survives a Tailed Beast Ball.”

“He’s not dead!” Tsunade snapped, her voice shaking.

Yagura’s expression didn’t change. “Tsunade, why lie to yourself? But it doesn’t matter—I’ll send you to him.”

Her face hardened. The air around her rippled with killing intent.

The diamond mark on her forehead glowed faintly—then the chakra seal burst open, spreading across her body.

Ninja Art: Creation Rebirth—Strength of a Hundred Seal.

Tsunade vanished.

A thunderous crack split the air—her heel crashed down upon Isobu’s shell.

Heavenly Foot of Pain!

The impact shattered the sharp barbs on its carapace to dust, the shockwave driving through the shell and forcing the massive beast down into the sea.

The ocean exploded outward in roaring waves.

Before Isobu could recover, Tsunade was upon it again, her fist slamming down.

Sensing danger, Isobu turned and unleashed another Water Bullet—massive enough to drown a village.

Tsunade twisted her wrist and punched forward—
The sphere shattered.

She blurred with a flicker, reappearing at Isobu’s head and smashing another punch straight into its face.

The Three-Tails roared, its armored skin cracking and bleeding.

For a heartbeat, Tsunade froze.
Blood splattered across her vision—
and the ghosts of her past threatened to surface.

But then, that faint memory—of Kitazawa’s voice, calm and steady as he’d treated her phobia—flashed before her.

The hesitation vanished. Rage surged in its place.

“Die!”

Her next blow rattled the heavens.

“Unbelievable…” Hiashi whispered. Even he couldn’t hide his awe. “Lady Tsunade is… overpowering the Three-Tails?”

Shizune didn’t share his amazement—only dread.

'Lady Tsunade used Creation Rebirth immediately… she must think Kitazawa’s dead.'

“Kitazawa!”

Kurenai’s voice trembled as she scanned the area.

“Hiashi!” Shizune barked. “Find him!”

“Hyūga Clan—Byakugan, full scan!” Hiashi ordered.

Dozens of pale eyes activated in unison.

Moments later, Hiashi’s expression darkened. “Mist reinforcements inbound—Ao, Kisame Hoshigaki, Mei Terumī and Zabuza Momochi.”

“This is bad,” Shizune muttered. “With them and Yagura together, we might not stand a chance.”

She glanced at Tsunade—still fighting fiercely, her hemophobia seemingly gone—and felt her heart twist.
The cure had worked… but at what cost?

“Prepare for battle!” she commanded.

Not far away, the Mist reinforcements halted in shock.

“Tsunade’s still alive?” Mei Terumī’s eyes narrowed. “The Tailed Beast Ball didn’t finish her?”

“Impossible,” murmured Ao. “That attack was aimed directly at her.”

“Lord Ao!” a Mist jōnin shouted, rushing up.

“Report!” Ao barked.

“It’s Kitazawa! He fought the Mizukage to a standstill before the tailed beast ball!”

Zabuza’s jaw tightened. “That’s absurd. No one can match Yagura in his Bijū form.”

“It’s his Water Release,” Kisame said quietly, his tone uncharacteristically serious. “It’s… above our level.”

Mei’s eyes sharpened. “Then he’s dead now. No one survives a Tailed Beast Ball. We rescue the Mizukage first.”

Ao nodded. “Zabuza, Mei—you handle Konoha’s forces. Kisame, with me!”

But as he spoke, Ao froze. His Byakugan widened.

“What is it?” Mei asked.

Then—

Splash!

A column of seawater erupted skyward.

From it, a figure shot out—dripping, but alive.

“Kitazawa?” Mei whispered, stunned.

Zabuza’s eyes widened. “That’s impossible… he’s fine?”

Even from afar, the Konoha shinobi saw him.

“Kitazawa!” Kurenai gasped, her knees nearly giving way. Relief bloomed on her face like sunlight after a storm.

Tsunade turned, eyes locking onto him. For a moment, all the tension drained from her body.

He smiled faintly. “Looks like I made you worry.”

Tsunade exhaled softly—then relaxed her fists.

Kitazawa surveyed the battlefield and pieced things together instantly. 'I probably stayed underwater too long. No wonder they thought I was gone.'

He couldn’t blame them. Against a Tailed Beast Ball, even Hydrification barely ensured survival.

But before they could speak—the Three-tails struck again.

Seawater rained down like a collapsing sky, engulfing Tsunade’s position. She flickered away, reappearing beside Kitazawa.

At the same time, Mei and Zabuza clashed with Kurenai, Shizune, and Izumi, while Ao was intercepted by Hiashi.

Only Kisame made it through, his grin faltering slightly at the sight of Tsunade and Kitazawa standing side by side.

The pressure was immense.

Still, with Yagura present, he wasn’t alone.

Zabuza glanced toward Shizune, noticing the respect the Konoha shinobi showed her. “Heh. Guess she’s someone important.”

A shadow stepped in front of her.

“Who are you?” Zabuza sneered. “I don’t kill nameless men.”

“Uchiha Itachi,” came the calm reply.

Zabuza’s grin widened. “Perfect. I’ve been wanting to test that name.”

Around them, the ocean itself seemed to tremble as the new battles erupted.

“Lady Tsunade,” Kitazawa said, glancing at her with a small smile. “Care to fight together?”

He could’ve told Ao the truth—that Yagura was being controlled by Uchiha Obito. But honestly? He was still holding a grudge.

After being chased and blasted around by Isobu, he wanted payback.

And now, with Tsunade here—and his newly completed system mission—he was more than ready.

【Mission Completed: Cure Tsunade’s Hemophobia】
【Reward: Yamato version of Wood Release】

The notification echoed in his mind.

Kitazawa didn’t yet understand why it triggered—but he wasn’t complaining.

Tsunade’s hemophobia was gone. One of Konoha’s Legendary Sannin had returned to her full strength.

And even a Jinchūriki would feel her wrath.

The only pity was the Wood Release reward—just the bloodline limit, not the jutsu themselves.

He’d have to learn them on his own.

Still—Kitazawa smiled faintly.

There would be plenty of time for that later.

Right now… it was time to show the Mist what he could do.

But on second thought, that wasn’t ideal either.

Kitazawa couldn’t possibly explain the origins of his Wood Release to Tsunade and the others. If anyone misunderstood it as the result of Hashirama cell transplantation, it would spark a storm he couldn’t control.

After all, Hiruzen was still hunting for the mysterious masked man who wielded both Wood Release and the Sharingan—and Kitazawa matched that description a little too well.

“Next time you make me worry like this, you’ll…”

Tsunade glared at him, voice sharp with irritation that didn’t hide the tremor underneath. She had truly been frightened—something she hadn’t felt in nearly twenty years. But the rest of her threat died on her lips.

She had wanted to say “you’ll die miserably”, yet the words felt wrong now, so she bit them back.

“Don’t worry,” Kitazawa replied, clearing his throat lightly. “There won’t be a next time.”

He had seen Tsunade’s fury firsthand—and it was terrifying. Yet, knowing that it had come from worry for him, he couldn’t help but feel moved.

“I'll deal with Kisame. You handle the Three-Tails Jinchuriki.”

Tsunade flexed her fists with a confident smirk. “Perfect. I haven’t had a proper fight in ages.”

Ever since her hemophobia developed, she’d been fighting with shackles—holding back, avoiding blood, controlling her monstrous strength. It had been frustrating and unnatural.

But now, free from that curse, she could finally unleash her full power. And her opponent was Yagura Karatachi—the perfect test of strength.

“Be careful of the Tailed Beast Ball,” Kitazawa warned.

“Don’t underestimate my Yin Seal,” Tsunade replied, pausing mid-stride. “After this war, I’ll teach it to you.”

Then, with a flicker, she vanished—reappearing before the Three-Tails.

Kisame didn’t move to intercept her. He knew Kitazawa wouldn’t allow him the chance.

“We didn’t get to introduce ourselves properly last time,” Kisame said calmly. “I’m Hoshigaki Kisame.”

He didn’t expect to win—but fear had never been his style. All he needed was to stall.

Kitazawa was about to respond when the familiar system interface flashed before his eyes:

【Current Mission: Defeat Hoshigaki Kisame.】
【Mission Reward: +50% Chakra capacity.】
【Accept?】

Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. The last time they clashed with Water Release, no mission had triggered. But now—finally—it had. And it offered his favorite prize: Chakra.

A 50% increase of Chakra was fitting for the man known as a “Tailed Beast without a tail.”

Glancing toward Tsunade, Kitazawa saw her pushing the Three-Tails back with pure force. Still, Isobu’s defense was monstrous—it wouldn’t end quickly.

Using Creation Rebirth for too long would take a toll on Tsunade. And the Mist forces heavily outnumbered Konoha’s. Prolonging this battle was dangerous.

“You killed Lord Fuguki,” Kisame said, his voice low and steady. “Let’s settle both old and new debts.”

He inhaled deeply and began forming hand seals. The surrounding ocean roared to life, twisting into a colossal water dragon.

Senju Chakra Mode!

Kitazawa leaned forward, his Chakra erupting like the sun, flooding the air with heat. Three blazing fire dragons surged out, devouring the water dragon in their path.

Steam exploded around them. Kisame’s eyes narrowed in disbelief.

How could Kitazawa’s Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu overpower his Water Dragon Bullet—a direct elemental counter?

He had thought Kitazawa excelled only in Water and Lightning Release. Clearly, he’d been wrong.

Water Release: Water Formation Wall!

The water rose to defend him, but the fire dragons evaporated it midair. Kisame vaulted up through the steam, countering with:

Water Release: Water Formation Pillar!

A massive orb of water erupted from his mouth, bursting midair into countless streams that sealed off every angle of escape.

Uchiha Style: Gale Sword!

Kitazawa vanished with a flicker, reappearing behind Kisame. His blade blazed with fire.

Startled, Kisame spun—only to meet Kitazawa’s gaze.

Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!

An invisible ripple pulsed through the air. Kisame froze, blank-eyed for an instant—then broke the Genjutsu almost immediately, raising another water wall.

Too late.

The burning blade sliced through the wall, grazing his shoulder. Kisame hissed in pain and leapt back, blood dripping into the sea.

Fast and minimal hand seals. Mastery of multiple elements. Genjutsu skill. Immense Chakra.

Flawless, he thought grimly.

Snapping through seals again, he called out:

Water Release: A Thousand Feeding Sharks!

Dozens of sharks surged from the sea.

Compound Ninjutsu: Blazing Wind Riot!

Kitazawa responded with a storm of wind and fire, turning the sea itself into an inferno. The flaming vortex incinerated the sharks one by one.

Kisame countered again, summoning a torrential downpour with Water Formation Pillar, dousing the flames—only to realize, too late, that Kitazawa had vanished.

A pair of hands shot up from beneath Kisame, dragging him under, but he immediately countered.

Water Release: Water Prison!

Water wrapped around Kitazawa, trapping him—only for his form to crumble into mud.

“An Earth Clone?!” Kisame snarled, kicking toward the surface.

Then—pain. Sharp and sudden.

Four water needles pierced through the sea, two embedding deep in his leg. Blood spiraled upward through the water.

“What kind of jutsu—!”

He spotted movement and retaliated instantly:

Water Release: Great Shark Bullet!

A colossal shark of water lunged.

But a flash of light answered it.

Chidori!

Kitazawa burst from the water, lightning screeching in his hand.

Kisame hastily erected another Water Prison, enclosing himself within.

Lightning Release: Lightning Blade!

Kitazawa twisted, lightning flaring violently. His blade pierced through the water shield as if it were paper, slamming into Kisame’s guard.

Blood sprayed across the sea. Both of Kisame’s arms went limp, barely attached.

Reeling from the pain, he lashed out with a desperate kick—

Leaf Great Whirlwind!

Kitazawa countered, his kick sending Kisame flying like a cannonball. The sea turned red where he landed.

Without hesitation, Kitazawa flickered forward, lightning crackling once more.

“Rain Four Sharks!” Kisame bellowed weakly, slamming his hands into the water.

Four spectral sharks leapt toward Kitazawa.

Uchiha Style: Sword Leap Flame!

Flames burst from Kitazawa’s blade, cutting the sharks apart in a single sweeping arc.

Kisame tried to retreat, but his vision blurred.

Leaf Style: Willow!

A Genjutsu technique—swift and soundless. Kisame froze as countless phantom blades surrounded him.

When his senses returned, Kitazawa’s flaming sword was already buried in his heart.

Kisame opened his mouth, but no words came out. His body fell back into the sea, lifeless.

【Mission Complete: Defeat Hoshigaki Kisame.】
【Reward: +50% Chakra limit.】

The familiar system message chimed. His Senju Chakra Mode duration extended by thirty seconds.

Another notification followed:

【Mission Complete: Hold out until Tsunade’s arrival.】
【Reward: Mangekyo Sharingan Resistance.】

Information flooded Kitazawa’s mind.

As expected, the new resistance granted him complete immunity to Mangekyo-level Genjutsu. Amaterasu or Kamui would still affect him—but mental domination, like Kotoamatsukami, would fail entirely.

Perfect timing. Danzo was next on his list.

Even if Danzo attempted Kotoamatsukami, Kitazawa could counter it—and watch for Tsunade, just in case.

Satisfied, he closed the prompts and flickered to Tsunade’s side.

“You took down Kisame already?” she asked, panting slightly, surprise flickering across her face.

Barely two minutes had passed. No wonder he had managed to fight Yagura evenly before—his strength was nearly on par with hers.

“Yeah,” Kitazawa replied simply.

Tsunade exhaled, then nodded sharply. “Yagura’s full transformation is collapsing. He’s reaching his limit.”

“Good,” Kitazawa said, tightening his fists. “Let’s end this together.”

“Gladly.”

A grin tugged at Tsunade’s lips—a rare, fierce smile.

Combination Monstrous Punch!

Their fists crashed down together. The Three-Tails Isobu howled in agony, its massive head dented under their combined strike.

It tried to bite back—only for Tsunade to appear at Kitazawa’s side and kick it square in the jaw.

Wind Release: Rasengan!

Kitazawa thrust the spiraling orb straight into its open mouth. The Wind-infused Rasengan shredded the inner flesh, spraying blood.

“Kitazawa!” Tsunade called out.

Their chakras flared in unison.

“Let’s finish it!”

Their fists struck as one.

The sea trembled.

Three-Tails’s head exploded into a bloody mist—and its form collapsed, revealing the unconscious Yagura Karatachi within.

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 251 - Kitazawa vs Yagura Karatachi (1)

Under the moonlight, Kitazawa finally saw him—the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi of the Hidden Mist.

Just like in the original records, he looked deceptively young—almost boyish, with a calm, childlike face. Yet in reality, the man before him was old enough to have a grandson—Kagura Karatachi—already born.

Kitazawa’s first thought was simple and chilling: There’s a traitor in Konoha.

This raid on the Hidden Mist’s stronghold was a top-secret operation. Only Tsunade, Shikaku, and a handful of Jonin who attended the war council knew about it.
Those Jonin were the very pillars of Konoha—betrayal was unthinkable.

That left only the three infiltration teams—the Hyuga operatives and Anbu assigned behind enemy lines.

The Hyuga branch members carried the Caged Bird Seal. Manipulating them was impossible.

But Anbu… there was always a chance.

Kitazawa’s expression hardened. A name surfaced immediately—Danzo Shimura.

After Root’s disbandment, many of Danzo’s subordinates had joined the Anbu. Loyal only in name, they still followed his orders from the shadows.

Danzo wanted the Hokage’s seat. He would never allow Tsunade to shine too brightly in this war.
If Kitazawa’s assault failed, it would be a major blow to Konoha’s campaign—and a direct hit to Tsunade’s credibility.

And Kitazawa… was her student.

“You’re Kitazawa, aren’t you?”

Yagura’s calm voice cut through the night as his cold gaze fixed on him.

Kitazawa met it evenly. “So, the rumors reached the Mizukage himself. I must be quite the celebrity.”

Though the Byakugan was unmatched in reconnaissance, even it had blind spots. Somehow, Yagura and his team had hidden deep beneath the sea—undetected until now.

“You’re just a bonus,” Yagura said flatly. “Our real goal is to use you to ambush Tsunade.”

Kitazawa’s eyes narrowed. “How did you find our location?”

That one sentence was all the confirmation he needed.
The Mist wasn’t just acting on opportunity—they were waiting for him and Tsunade.

Which meant his suspicion was right:
Danzo’s network was leaking information.

【You will face the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi—an opponent stronger than you. Risk brings opportunity. Survive.】
【Mission Objective: Hold out until Tsunade arrives.】
【Reward: Mangekyō Sharingan Resistance.】
【Accept Mission?】

Four glowing lines of text appeared before Kitazawa’s eyes.

A mission—now of all times?
Still, it made sense. Facing a Kage-level opponent was more than enough to trigger one.

But the reward… Mangekyō Sharingan Resistance?

Resistance—to Mangekyō control?

His gaze flicked briefly toward Yagura, realization dawning.
Of course. The Mizukage before him was under the control of Obito’s Mangekyō Sharingan.

If this mission was connected to that, then the reward was more valuable than it first appeared.
After all, there were few Mangekyō users in the world—
but three of the most dangerous men alive possessed them: Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Obito, and Danzo Shimura.

Still… the better the prize, the higher the risk.

If Yagura were merely a skilled Water Release user, Kitazawa wouldn’t be too worried.
But as a Three-Tails Jinchūriki? That changed everything.

“You’ve asked enough,” Yagura said coolly.

He raised a hand and fired a signal flare into the sky.

From the nearby island, Hidden Mist ninja surged toward them like shadows converging on blood.

“Kabuto! We’ll cover your escape!” Kitazawa ordered immediately.

With the Fourth Mizukage present—and a swarm of elite Mist jōnin surrounding them—escaping together was impossible. Someone had to break through and warn the main camp.

And there was only one choice.

Kabuto was sharp, fast, and a Wind Release user. His medical ninjutsu gave him the best chance of surviving the chaos ahead.

“Wishful thinking!” a middle-aged Mist ninja barked. “With Lord Mizukage here, none of you are leaving alive!”

Kabuto didn’t even look at him—he simply turned and ran.

“Stop right there!”

The Mist ninja flickered forward in pursuit—only for the sea itself to erupt.

Boom!

The surface exploded into a wall of surging water—
a titanic wave ten meters high came crashing down like nature’s wrath itself.

The Mist ninja froze mid-step, faces twisting in shock.

They’d heard reports about Kitazawa’s mastery over Water Release—but seeing it firsthand was something else entirely.

“So Konoha has a Water Release user of this caliber…” Yagura murmured. He began weaving hand signs. “Water Release: Clear Mirror Water!”

A massive water mirror shimmered into existence, intercepting the flood.
The wave struck it head-on—trembling, folding—and then, impossibly, reversed direction.

But the wave was simply too vast. Only a fraction of it reflected back.

“Superman Punch!”

Kitazawa’s fist slammed forward, splitting the rebounding wave clean down the middle. Water cascaded around them like falling glass.

Hizashi and the others exhaled in relief, but the brief exchange made one thing clear—
no one reached the rank of Kage by accident.

The good news? Kabuto was gone—already a distant blur in the night.

“Four of you—go after him!” the middle-aged Mist ninja barked, signaling one special jōnin and three chūnin.

“Bring them down before Tsunade gets here,” Yagura ordered coldly.

His intent was clear: capture Kitazawa, use him as bait, and lure Tsunade into a fatal trap.

“Secret Technique: Poison Dust!”

Torune clapped his hands together, releasing a thick cloud of glittering dust. Within seconds, it swarmed into countless nano-sized insects.

“Be careful!” a Mist jōnin shouted. “That’s not smoke—it’s poison!”

In an instant, every Mist shinobi except Yagura himself darted aside—knowing full well the lethality of Aburame toxins.

Coral Staff: Four Consecutive Strikes!

Yagura blurred out of sight with the Body Flicker, narrowly evading the swarm of venomous insects. In the next instant, he reappeared right in front of Kitazawa, coral staff in hand, already swinging.

Clang!

Lightning sparked as Kitazawa met the first blow head-on.

Lightning Release: Lightning Blade!

Blue lightning danced wildly in his grip, the blade vibrating with such intensity that it sent Yagura’s coral staff recoiling to the side. Without missing a beat, Kitazawa raised his right hand—fire ignited along his fingertips before condensing into a searing blade of flame that shot forward like a spear.

Water Release: Water Gun!

Yagura leaned back slightly, inhaling deeply before unleashing a massive torrent of water. The roaring sphere of liquid smashed into the flame blade, dousing it completely—and still surged forward.

Kitazawa barely had a moment to react before Yagura lunged again, his coral staff splitting the air with four lightning-fast swings.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Each strike cut through the mist like a whip—just imagining the pain of being hit by one made the air sting.

Chidori!

Sparks shrieked like a thousand birds as lightning swirled violently in Kitazawa’s left hand. He thrust it forward, cutting clean through the water sphere. Twisting his body mid-motion, his right arm intercepted the coral staff once more, deflecting it in a flash of blue light. Then—his left hand shot forward, lightning aimed straight for Yagura’s heart.

Water Release: Water Mirror Technique!

Yagura instantly dropped his weapon and leapt back. A gleaming mirror of water formed before him, rippling like liquid glass. From its depths stepped another Kitazawa—eyes cold, lightning flickering in his hand.

Both Kitsazawa charged at each other, Chidori blazing.

Twin shrieks of thunder filled the air.

Leaf Great Whirlwind!

The real Kitazawa spun with perfect form, kicking his doppelgänger square in the chest. The fake Kitazawa convulsed mid-air before collapsing into a puddle, water splashing over the surface.

Yagura’s Water Mirror Technique, Kitazawa realized grimly.

“Your strength is impressive,” Yagura said evenly, standing tall in the rising mist. “No wonder you managed to kill Fuguki.”

The coral staff he had discarded had already sunk beneath the waves—but he made no move to retrieve it.

Kitazawa glanced toward his allies. Hizashi, Kurenai, and the others were struggling. Their situation looked dire.

They had launched this raid on the Hidden Mist’s stronghold with five jōnin in total—Kitazawa and Kabuto among them. But with Kabuto gone, that left only four… against six Mist jōnin.

Thankfully, Kurenai and Torune fought like seasoned veterans, both nearly Special Jōnin in strength. Even so, they were barely holding the line.

“Your squad’s not bad either,” Yagura chuckled, noticing Kitazawa’s wandering eyes.

Kitazawa frowned. 'Why is he suddenly talking?'

“But my time is short,” Yagura continued, his tone darkening. “I can’t waste it on you.”

Boom!

An overwhelming surge of chakra exploded from him. The sea trembled violently, as if something monstrous was about to awaken beneath the waves.

Scarlet chakra spiraled upward, forming a hurricane that split the ocean’s surface.

“What—!?” Hizashi Hyuga’s face paled. “The Fourth Mizukage… is a Jinchūriki?!”

Even from a hundred meters away, Kurenai could barely breathe under the crushing pressure. Fear flickered across her face—but she couldn’t move to help. They were already pinned down by the enemy’s jōnin.

“If you surrender now,” Yagura’s voice thundered through the storm, “and wait for me to kill Tsunade… I’ll let you join Kirigakure.”

He stood cloaked in red chakra, three massive tails whipping violently behind him—Partial Tailed Beast Transformation.

Kitazawa’s instincts screamed to activate Senju Chakra Mode, but he held back. It wouldn’t last long enough for reinforcements to arrive.

He wasn’t worried about his own survival—his Water Release: Hydrification made him untouchable in the ocean.
But Kurenai and the others… they couldn’t escape.

He exhaled slowly, calming his pulse. This would be his hardest fight yet—but fear had no place here.

After all, he wasn’t just any shinobi. He had a cheat.
This was the perfect chance to test his limits—and claim whatever rewards came with it.

Yagura scowled. “You don’t know what’s good for you!”

He attacked instantly.

The offer he’d made wasn’t a bluff—he truly admired Kitazawa’s Water Release, and recruiting Tsunade’s disciple would humiliate Konoha itself.
But if Kitazawa refused… he’d crush him.

Water Release: Water Gun!

Yagura opened his mouth again, releasing a colossal sphere of water—ten times larger than before. It glimmered under the stormlight like a miniature moon.

Compound Ninjutsu: Bazing Wind Riot!

Kitazawa’s hands blurred through a rapid sequence of seals. Fire burst from his mouth, roaring skyward into a blazing inferno. Then wind chakra detonated inside the flames, fanning them into a howling tempest.

Steam exploded off the ocean as the sea of fire raged across the waves.

The massive water sphere collided with it—BOOM!—and the shockwave tore through the battlefield, sending walls of water surging outward.

Yagura narrowed his eyes. “Impressive… that jutsu’s power is far greater than expected.”

His gaze hardened.

“If I let you live, you’ll become a threat to Kirigakure!”

He stomped his foot, chakra bursting outward.

Water Release: Isobu Great Waterfall!

The ocean itself responded—towering waves rose in every direction, swallowing the sea of flames in seconds. Steam filled the sky.

When the waters finally settled, Yagura frowned.
Kitazawa was gone.

Then—hands shot up from beneath the surface, grabbing his ankles and dragging him down.

There you are.

Without hesitation, Yagura swung both fists downward.

Kitazawa released his grip, opening his mouth to spit out four razor-sharp Water Needles that glimmered in the deep.

They struck the same point on Yagura’s arm—piercing through his Tailed Beast Cloak before drawing blood.

“—Tch!”

Pain flashed across his face as he jumped back, landing hard on the surface.

But the attack stopped there.

Kitazawa surfaced slowly, lightning dancing around him once more, his expression sharp and calm.

The real fight… had just begun.

Yagura shook off the water needles embedded in his arm. Beads of blood welled up and slid down his skin. His expression hardened instantly.

Though Kitazawa’s reputation had spread far and wide, in Yagura’s mind he was still just a promising junior—a talented upstart.
Yet even after activating his Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, he’d been injured.

Unacceptable.

With a sharp exhale, Yagura dove into the sea.
His chakra flared beneath the waves, and his three massive tails coiled around him like serpents before he shot forward—a living projectile crashing through the depths like a giant armored turtle.

Everywhere he passed, the ocean exploded.

Water Release: Instant Water!

Kitazawa’s form blurred as he accelerated through the current, dodging the monstrous charge. Bursting out of the water, he launched into the air, hands flying through seals.

The surface of the sea erupted behind him.

Yagura, wreathed in red chakra, burst out with his Three-Tails spiraling around him, rocketing toward Kitazawa like a tailed cannonball.

Water Release: Great Waterfall Jutsu!

Kitazawa formed another seal sequence, tilting his head back before spitting out a massive sphere of water.

Yagura didn’t even try to evade. His chakra surged, thickening his tailed beast cloak until it rippled like molten armor.

Boom!

The water sphere detonated midair, scattering into countless droplets that rained down around him.

Yagura’s gaze locked onto Kitazawa through the mist. He raised his hand.

Coral Palm!

He thrust his palm forward—the pressure alone howled through the air, strong winds coiling around his arm.

Still suspended in midair, Kitazawa gritted his teeth and raised his blade—Raiden.

Lightning crackled above. In an instant, countless bolts split the clouds and rained down.

Yagura’s expression flickered.

The air was heavy with moisture—the remnants of Kitazawa’s own Great Waterfall Jutsu.

The moment lightning struck the drifting water, it spread like wildfire—leaping from droplet to droplet—and swallowed Yagura whole.

BOOOOM!

The sky screamed with thunder.

Even through his tailed beast cloak, Yagura felt the searing bite of electricity pierce his defenses. His body convulsed—smoke rising from his skin—and he dropped, crashing toward the sea.

Chidori!

Kitazawa saw the opening and moved instantly.
Lightning gathered in his right hand as he descended, the cry of a thousand birds echoing across the battlefield.

He thrust forward—straight for Yagura’s heart.

The Mizukage’s three tails lashed violently in response.

At that instant, Kitazawa’s mastery of one-handed seals revealed its worth.

Water Release: Water Formation Wall!

A ring of water surged around him as he drove his strike home.
His Chidori met Yagura’s chest at the same moment the tails slammed into the barriers on either side.

Crash!

The water walls shattered like glass.
A violent gust swept through the air—and in the next heartbeat, Kitazawa’s body scattered into a swirl of leaves.

Leaf Body Flicker!

He vanished just before impact.

“Damn it! I’ll kill you!”

Yagura roared, his voice echoing across the waves. Blood splattered from his chest, staining his robes crimson.

He’d underestimated Kitazawa—and now he was paying for it.

But the wound wasn’t as bad as it looked. His tailed beast cloak had absorbed most of the damage, and Isobu’s chakra was already knitting his flesh back together.

Still… the fact that he’d been hurt at all made the surrounding Mist-nin tremble.

“The Mizukage… injured?”
“How’s that possible?”
“Can that Konoha jōnin really be that strong?”

Their disbelief rippled through the battlefield.

On the other side, Hizashi and Kurenai felt their spirits ignite.

If Kitazawa could stall Yagura—even for a few minutes—there was hope.

If reinforcements arrived, victory was possible.

Konoha Main Camp

Night had long fallen, but Tsunade hadn’t slept.

One part of her mind guarded against a Mist counterattack; the other waited for news—for her students’ safe return.
She couldn’t rest until she saw them again.

“Lady Tsunade,” said Shikaku, bowing slightly. “We can hold this position. You should get some rest.”

“No need,” Tsunade replied calmly.

With the Yin Seal as backup, fatigue was irrelevant—so long as her chakra didn’t run dry.

“Lady Tsunade!”

Hiashi burst into the tent, his expression grim. “Kabuto has returned—alone!”

“What?” Tsunade’s eyes widened.

“I don’t know the full situation,” Hiashi said. “But he’s almost at camp.”

“Come with me.”

Tsunade was already moving before the words finished leaving her mouth.

Outside, the night air was cold and thick with tension.

“Lady Tsunade!”

Kabuto’s voice rang out before he reached her. “We walked right into a trap! The Fourth Mizukage was at the stronghold himself!”

“What—?”

Tsunade froze mid-step, her pulse spiking. Cold sweat slid down her neck.

“After we arrived, Yagura appeared with three jōnin. Together with the four already stationed there—eight in total!”

Kabuto’s tone was tight and urgent.

Tsunade’s chest clenched painfully. The image of Kitazawa bloodied and cornered burned in her mind.

'Even with his talent… he can’t fight that alone.'

Without another word, she leapt into the air, vanishing from sight in a blur.

“Lady Tsunade?!”

Shizune’s face went pale with panic. Only she knew the truth—Tsunade's hemophobia would cripple her in battle.

“Shikaku-san, I’ll leave the camp to you,” Shizune said quickly before turning to the troops. “All Anbu, with me! Move out!”

Nara Shikaku frowned but nodded. “Hiashi, lead a squad too. If the Fourth Mizukage himself is involved… we need to prepare for the worst.”

Hiashi’s eyes narrowed. “Understood.”

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 250 - Trapped by the Mizukage

“Will the arrival of the Fourth Mizukage change the Hidden Mist’s tactics?”

Chōza broke the silence, his voice heavy with concern.

“I believe it will,” Hiashi said after a pause, his expression thoughtful. “A Kage’s strength and influence alone can shift the momentum of a war.”

“Even if he’s strong, so what?” Yashiro countered confidently. “Lady Tsunade isn’t any weaker. His arrival won’t change the outcome.”

Kitazawa listened quietly as the discussion unfolded, and a realization flickered in his mind.

None of them knew that Yagura was the Three-Tails Jinchūriki.

But that was only natural.

Most great villages went to great lengths to conceal their Jinchūriki’s identities—both to protect them during peacetime and to preserve the strategic surprise they could bring to war.

Of course, there were exceptions.

In the Hidden Cloud, for example, both of their Jinchūriki were public figures. The Fourth Raikage had no reason to hide them—he trusted in his village’s strength, and in theirs.

“I think there’s something else we should consider,” Kitazawa said suddenly, clearing his throat. “Since the Fourth Mizukage is coming… what about the Jinchūriki?”

He didn’t name Yagura outright—there was no way to explain how he knew.

“What Kitazawa says makes sense,” Shikaku replied, his brow furrowing. “If the Mizukage brings a Jinchūriki to the front, we’ll be in serious trouble.”

Among most ninja, there was an unspoken truth: only a Jinchūriki could truly fight another Jinchūriki.

And they weren’t wrong.

The power of a Tailed Beast in full release was monstrous. Across the entire shinobi world, only a handful of ninja could stand against it.

Kitazawa’s thoughts deepened.
A Jinchūriki… that was a major complication.

Especially since Tsunade still suffered from hemophobia.

At the moment, perhaps only Itachi’s Mangekyō could turn the tide if the Three-Tails appeared.

Then, Kitazawa froze mid-thought.

He had fallen into a trap of his own logic.

Defeating Yagura wasn’t his true objective—freeing him from Obito’s control was.

And for that, the battlefield might actually work in his favor.

If he exposed the truth during combat, the Mist ninja wouldn’t believe him immediately—but Ao would.

Ao possessed the Byakugan.

The only reason he hadn’t discovered the genjutsu control before was simple: he didn’t dare use his dōjutsu to spy on his Kage.

After all, no Hyūga would casually use the Byakugan to observe Hiruzen Sarutobi in Konoha either.

In fact, Konoha had a standing rule—Hyūga were forbidden from using the Byakugan within the village unless authorized. No one would tolerate a shinobi peering through walls at will.

Kitazawa couldn’t help thinking that such paranoia was probably one of the reasons the Hyūga incident with the Hidden Cloud happened in the first place.

Tsunade broke the silence after a brief pause for thought.
“To prepare for the possible appearance of a Jinchūriki, I’ll have the old man send us the Sealing Squad.”

It was the wisest move.

Konoha’s own Nine-Tails Jinchūriki—Uzumaki Naruto—was still far too young. There was no way they’d bring him to a battlefield like this.

“Everyone, be ready,” Tsunade continued firmly. “Once the Fourth Mizukage arrives, we’ll respond based on the Mist’s actions.”

The meeting ended, and the Jōnin began filing out of the tent.

Kitazawa, however, stayed behind.

“Kitazawa?” Tsunade looked at him curiously. “Something else on your mind?”

“I was going to ask Itachi about the Academy,” he said honestly.

Tsunade chuckled. “You’re quite the dedicated teacher.”

Turning to Shizune, she said, “Go find Itachi for me.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.” Shizune nodded and left.

While waiting, Kitazawa asked, “Lady Tsunade… are you confident about facing the Fourth Mizukage?”

Tsunade leaned casually against the table, her tone playful. “Not really. That’s why I’ll be relying on you.”

Kitazawa smiled. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you say something like that.”

She blinked, slightly caught off guard—he was right. Those words didn’t sound like her at all.

Recovering, Tsunade crossed her arms. “You’re my student. If I don’t rely on you, who else am I supposed to rely on?”

Her shamelessness was legendary—after all, this was the same woman who once crisscrossed the world to dodge debt collectors.

Kitazawa grinned. “And if we can’t beat him?”

“Then we run,” Tsunade said bluntly, flashing him a mischievous look. “Only idiots stay put and wait to die.”

He chuckled. “As expected of Lady Tsunade.”

Her smile faded as she rubbed her temples. “Jokes aside, if they really bring a Jinchūriki, escaping won’t be easy.”

As she sighed, her movement caused her low-cut top to shift slightly, drawing Kitazawa’s eyes almost instinctively.

“What are you staring at?”

Tsunade elbowed him sharply in the arm.

“Sorry,” he said quickly. “Human instinct.”

Tsunade blinked, caught between annoyance and amusement. “At least you’re honest.”

Then she exhaled, her tone turning thoughtful. “It’s a shame Rina hasn’t mastered the Adamantine Sealing Chains yet.”

Kitazawa nodded. “True. If she had, she’d be invaluable in restraining a Tailed Beast.”

In the original history, even Kushina, just after giving birth, could suppress the Nine-Tails with that technique.

“Rina simply hasn’t had the time,” Kitazawa continued. “She’s been recovering ever since we brought her back from Grass. Back there, she never even had the chance to study sealing arts.”

“Hm.”

Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. The Sealing Squad’s techniques are quite solid too.”

“Lady Tsunade,” came Shizune’s voice from outside the tent. “Itachi is here.”

“Good. Send him in.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Kitazawa turned to Tsunade. “Call me if anything happens.”

“Of course.”

With that, he stepped out of the main tent. Tsunade’s gaze lingered on his retreating back, her thoughts drifting. Something about the way she interacted with Kitazawa always felt… odd. Not quite like teacher and student.

“You two can talk,” Shizune said softly as she left with Tonton, giving them space.

“Itachi,” Kitazawa greeted, stepping closer. “I’d like to ask for Anbu’s help with something—the final exam rankings for the Genius Class.”

“That’s easy enough.”

Itachi nodded without hesitation. “I’ll return to Konoha tomorrow and bring them back myself.”

“You shouldn’t,” Kitazawa said, shaking his head. “Your presence here is more valuable right now.”

Itachi blinked, then nodded. “Then I’ll send someone else.”

He didn’t show it outwardly, but inwardly, he was surprised. Kitazawa trusted him that much? Even knowing the Fourth Mizukage was on the move?

Still, he couldn’t help but wonder—how much did Kitazawa really know about his strength? After all, he had never revealed his Mangekyō to anyone.

“Thank you,” Kitazawa said simply. After a short exchange, he returned to his tent.

Inside, Kurenai and Kabuto were still awake, chatting idly.

“The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, will likely arrive tomorrow,” Kitazawa said as he sat down beside Kurenai.

“What? Even the Mizukage himself is coming?” Kurenai’s eyes widened.

Kabuto and Izumi exchanged uneasy looks; the tension in the air rose instantly.

“Relax,” Kitazawa said evenly. “We’ll focus on our duties as usual.”

He paused, then turned to his students. “Kabuto, Izumi—how’s your Ninjutsu progress?”

“The Compound Ninjutsu is proving difficult,” Izumi admitted apologetically. “We estimate another half a month before we can execute it properly.”

That wasn’t surprising. Wind Release: Pressure Damage and Fire Release: Intelligent Hardwork were both B-rank techniques—complex enough on their own. But when combined into an A-rank joint attack, coordination became everything.

Kabuto smiled faintly. “Though with Izumi’s Sharingan, maybe it won’t take that long.”

“Sharingan really is unfair sometimes,” Kurenai sighed. “My Wind Release: Rasengan progress is nowhere near that.”

Kabuto chuckled. “Kurenai-senpai, you’re learning an A-rank technique. We’re just handling B-ranks. If we were learning your Rasengan, we’d probably be worse off.”

“You certainly know how to flatter people,” Kurenai laughed.

“Alright, that’s enough for tonight,” Kitazawa said, standing up. “Get some rest. I’ll inform you if any new missions come up.”

“Yes, Sensei.”

The three replied in unison before leaving the tent.

Once they were gone, Kitazawa and Kurenai sat together in the quiet.

“I wonder if I’ll finish the Wind Release: Rasengan before this war ends,” Kurenai murmured, stretching lazily. Her loose outfit shifted with the motion, catching Kitazawa’s eye for a brief moment.

Compared to Tsunade, she was… modest—but that wasn’t exactly her fault. In the entire ninja world, only Samui and Hinata could rival Tsunade in that department.

“Just keep doing your best,” Kitazawa said calmly, pulling out paper and pen. “Don’t push too hard.”

He sat cross-legged, beginning to write. In recent weeks, he hadn’t focused much on learning new Ninjutsu—aside from occasionally copying Mist techniques with his Sharingan. His main project was far more important: refining medical ninjutsu for limb regeneration.

Using the Body Regeneration Forbidden Technique as a base, his progress had been impressive. If all went well, he could complete it within a month.

Seeing him absorbed in his work, Kurenai quietly began practicing her Rasengan again.

Meanwhile, Konoha’s camp remained calm regarding the Fourth Mizukage’s arrival—
but far away, in the Hidden Mist main camp, few could sleep.

Inside Ao’s tent, tension filled the air.

Mei and several elite jōnin entered hurriedly, answering a summons.

“What did Elder Gensui say?” one young ninja asked anxiously.

All the jōnin present were from Gensui’s faction. Notably absent was Zabuza—too proud and independent to align with anyone. In fact, rumor had it he once attempted to assassinate Yagura himself.

“Elder Gensui doesn’t know the full reason either,” Ao replied, shaking his head.

“Then what do we do?” Mei frowned. “Once the Mizukage arrives, he’ll assume full command. We’ll have no choice but to obey his orders.”

“Mizukage-sama will likely lead us into a full-scale assault on Konoha,” another jōnin muttered grimly. “The casualties will be devastating.”

He wasn’t wrong. The power gap between the Mist and Konoha was obvious—and one man, even a Kage, couldn’t bridge it alone.

“In recent years, Mizukage-sama’s behavior has grown increasingly erratic,” another ninja said. “Declaring war on Konoha now is pure madness. Does Elder Gensui really plan to stand by and do nothing?”

“Of course not,” Ao said heavily. “But with the Mizukage freshly arrived and the war not yet begun, no one can confront him directly.”

Mei narrowed her eyes. “So we wait for him to lose before we act?”

Ao nodded reluctantly. “That’s the only path open to us.”

No matter what they thought of him, Yagura was powerful—and his influence ran deep.

If they wanted to challenge him, they’d need to wait until the moment he faltered.

By then, dawn was already breaking over the Mist camp.

Next Morning

Kitazawa didn’t take any missions that morning, choosing instead to remain in Konoha’s main encampment.
Kabuto, Kurenai, and the others were busy as ever, honing their ninjutsu under the midday sun.

The morning passed in quiet rhythm until, around noon, Kitazawa spotted Itachi approaching.

“This is the Genius Class’s final exam ranking,” Itachi said, handing over a sealed scroll.

“Thank you,” Kitazawa replied, taking it.

“There’s more,” Itachi added. “Half an hour ago, the Fourth Mizukage arrived at the Hidden Mist’s main camp.”

Kitazawa gave a silent nod, then unrolled the scroll. His brow lifted slightly in surprise.

It wasn’t just a list of rankings — detailed notes on each student’s training progress had been added as well.

Typical Itachi. Meticulous, efficient… thorough to the very end.

Kitazawa couldn’t help but be reminded that in the original timeline, even Sasuke’s entire fate had been carefully arranged by this man.

After reading through the scroll, Kitazawa rolled it back up. The results were almost identical to the previous monthly exam.

Naruto still topped the practical assessment.
With Wind Release: Gale Palm, Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, and his signature Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, he was practically unstoppable in close combat.

Sasuke, despite mastering Leaf Style: Willow—a blend of genjutsu and kenjutsu—still couldn’t gain the upper hand against Naruto. He would need lightning-style techniques to bridge that gap.

Ino had improved impressively, having learned Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique.
Though genjutsu was often underestimated, against ordinary shinobi, it could be devastating—especially for a academy-level opponent.

Shino, meanwhile, had begun experimenting with parasitic water insects. With Kosuke and Sakura assisting via water-release training, the insects had developed limited resistance to water-style attacks.

It was only the beginning—but progress nonetheless. The insects’ lifespan was still short, meaning the system mission tied to them remained incomplete.

After lunch, Kitazawa was summoned once again to Tsunade’s tent.

This time, there was only one topic on the table—
Hidden Mist Village had changed its strategy.

Their forces had begun abandoning the islands, establishing footholds and forward bases on land.

The battlefield had shifted overnight.
Where Konoha had once held the advantage, the tides now threatened to turn.
And with the arrival of the Fourth Mizukage, the intensity of battle soared.

Many Mist shinobi fought with reckless abandon—as if their lives no longer mattered.

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

By mid-May, the weather had warmed, though tension in the camp only thickened.

Inside the main tent, Shikaku stood before a map.
“This past week,” he reported, “the Mist’s casualties are more than double ours—but in exchange, they’ve secured several strongholds inland.”

Tsunade folded her arms. “As expected.”

“Lady Tsunade,” said Yashiro, his tone hard, “we can’t let the Mist become this bold. It’s time to counterattack.”

Tsunade nodded slightly. “That’s exactly why I’ve gathered you all here. Three days ago, I dispatched Anbu and Hyuga operatives in three separate infiltration teams. Their reports just came in.”

She spread a scroll across the table. Red markings dotted the map like wounds.

“These are the Mist’s fortified strongholds,” she explained. “The one furthest inland is their main camp. The other three—two supply points and one medical base—will be our targets.”

Kitazawa leaned in, eyes tracing the map.

“I plan to send three strike teams,” Tsunade continued. “Yashiro, Choza, and Kitazawa—you’ll each lead one.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.”

Kitazawa accepted the order without hesitation, though he hadn’t expected such a direct assignment.

After discussing tactics, it was decided that Kitazawa’s team would attack a supply base located on a small offshore island. His group would move in coordination with Hizashi’s squad—a total of eight shinobi, five of them jōnin.

A formidable lineup.

“Lord Kitazawa,” Hizashi greeted him warmly, “I didn’t expect we’d fight side by side again.”

“With you watching our backs, success is all but certain.”

“Gather your teams at the camp gate in five minutes,” Kitazawa instructed.

“Understood.”

Within minutes, the two teams assembled and departed under cover of dusk.

With Torune Aburame’s insects and Hizashi’s Byakugan, their approach went smoothly. Soon, the faint glow of lanterns revealed the Mist’s coastal supply base ahead.

“The intel checks out,” Hizashi murmured, activating his Byakugan. “I count four jōnin, sixteen chūnin and genin.”

“Then we proceed as planned,” Kitazawa said. “I’ll open with a water-release barrage to destroy their traps and sow confusion. Once the chaos starts—you strike.”

“With your water release, Lord Kitazawa,” Hizashi said with a grin, “it’ll be over before they know what hit them.”

He wasn’t exaggerating—he’d seen Kitazawa’s water-style before. It was like watching a tidal wave devour everything in its path.

Kitazawa began forming hand seals—

—but before he could finish, the sea erupted.

Splash!

Four figures burst from beneath the surface, landing in a tight formation that surrounded them.

“Mizukage?!” Hizashi’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Kitazawa froze, his gaze narrowing sharply.

They hadn’t come to strike first.

They’d walked straight into a trap.

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 249

Battlefield Camp – Early Morning

When Kitazawa opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Kurenai’s beautiful face hovering above his.

He blinked, momentarily disoriented. “Did I sleep for too long?”

“No,” she replied softly, lying across his chest. “It’s not even eight yet. I just happened to wake up a few minutes before you.”

“Is that so?” Kitazawa smiled, feeling the warmth of her body against his. “I thought I’d overslept.”

“You were exhausted yesterday. You deserve a little more rest.”

Kurenai poked his cheek with her finger, teasing. “You don’t have a mission today, right?”

“Mm.” Kitazawa caught her slender finger gently between his teeth, his eyes half-closed. “Today’s supposed to be a rest day… though that depends on the enemy.”

“That’s true.” Kurenai sighed and sat up, her hair cascading down her shoulders. “We should eat first—before the Mist decides to ruin breakfast.”

Kitazawa chuckled. “It’s not that serious.”

He lightly patted her thigh as he sat up.

It was true that the Mist might retaliate, but knowing Ao, he doubted they’d act recklessly. Maintaining the current stalemate seemed more in line with the man’s cautious nature.

Kitazawa wasn’t overly concerned about Ao anyway. What truly occupied his mind was Yagura.

Now that Fuguki was dead, the Mist had lost one of its major powerhouses. In terms of top-tier strength, they were far behind Konoha.

Would Yagura personally take the field next?

“It’s never wrong to stay cautious,” Kurenai said as she stood up.

“I’ll go call Kabuto and the others,” she said before stepping out of the tent.

Since he’d slept fully clothed, Kitazawa didn’t need to change. After washing up, he joined Kabuto and the rest for breakfast.

The meal was simple—just rice balls.

“There are no missions today,” Kitazawa said after finishing his food. “You can all use the time to practice your ninjutsu—but don’t push too hard. In wartime, emergency summons can come at any moment.”

Just as he finished speaking, his expression shifted. His gaze flicked toward the distance.

“Kitazawa-sama.”

An Anbu appeared silently. “Lady Tsunade requests your presence in the main tent.”

“So the Mist finally made their move,” Kitazawa said, rising to his feet. “Stay here and continue training. I’ll be back soon.”

He followed the Anbu toward the command tent.

Inside, several Jōnin had already gathered—Hiashi, Shikaku, and others.

When Kitazawa entered, many of them greeted him respectfully. His reputation within Konoha had grown rapidly. Strength, connections, and talent—he possessed them all. Befriending him was an investment in the future.

Moments later, Tsunade strode in with Shizune close behind.

“Lady Tsunade,” everyone greeted, falling silent.

“Starting last night,” Tsunade began without preamble, “the Hidden Mist forces have withdrawn toward the sea.”

“Withdrawn?” Hiashi frowned. “Are they retreating?”

“I dispatched Anbu to verify,” Tsunade replied. “They’re not retreating. They’ve fortified positions on the islands—they’re preparing for a defensive stand.”

“They’re scared of us!” Yashiro laughed, and several others nodded in agreement.

It was a natural conclusion—only those who lacked confidence in victory would adopt such a defensive stance.

“The sea is their home ground,” Shikaku said, his tone thoughtful. “Even if we have the upper hand, a decisive victory will take time.”

“What’s the Fourth Mizukage thinking?” Choza muttered. “He started this war, yet he’s been fighting conservatively ever since. It doesn’t make sense.”

“I can’t figure it out either,” Shikaku admitted, brow furrowed.

Kitazawa couldn’t help recalling a line from his past life: 'I thought for ten days and ten nights, yet still couldn’t understand it.'

Without knowledge of Obito’s involvement, the Mist’s recent moves were indeed baffling.

“No need to rush,” Tsunade said firmly. “Victory is already within our grasp. We’ll proceed carefully.”

She disliked drawn-out conflicts, but with the Mist holding the terrain advantage, a reckless offensive would only increase casualties.

“Hiashi,” she continued, “have your team survey every Mist outpost and stronghold nearby. Leave no blind spots.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.” Hiashi bowed his head slightly.

“Shikaku,” she added after a moment of thought, “compile a list of shinobi suitable for sea combat.”

“Understood,” Shikaku replied immediately.

The most suitable candidates would naturally be Water Release users—but not only them.

Lightning Release users could be equally devastating; water conducted electricity, making it a deadly battlefield tool.

Even Earth Release shinobi had their role—reshaping terrain to disrupt the Mist’s advantage.

The next phase of the war would not be decided by brute strength alone, but by strategy—where every element counted.

“If nothing unexpected happens, there shouldn’t be any battles in the coming days.”

Tsunade turned to Kitazawa. “Kitazawa, you and Shizune will handle the treatment of the wounded.”

“Understood.”

Kitazawa agreed without hesitation.

Hiashi and the others exchanged subtle looks.
If Tsunade hadn’t reminded them, they might’ve forgotten that Kitazawa wasn’t just a capable fighter—he was also an outstanding medical ninja.

“Yashiro,” Tsunade continued, “you’ll escort the severely wounded back to Konoha.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade!” Yashiro replied crisply.

“That’s all for now,” Tsunade said with a dismissive wave. “I’ll inform you if anything changes.”

The brief meeting ended, and Kitazawa stepped out of the command tent.

“How did it go?”

Kurenai approached him, her tone tinged with concern.

“The Mist has completely withdrawn to the sea,” Kitazawa replied after a pause. “They’re preparing for a defensive stand.”

He added, “You two should focus on training over the next couple of days. I’ll be assisting Shizune-senpai with the wounded.”

“Alright.” Kurenai nodded quietly.

“If there’s anything you don’t understand, come find me,” Kitazawa said, pointing toward a tent not far away. “I’ll be stationed there.”

“Yes, sensei,” Kabuto and the others answered in unison.

Once Kitazawa left, they returned to their training—especially Kabuto and Izumi.

Aside from mastering Wind Release: Pressure Damage and Fire Release: Intelligent Hardwork they were also experimenting with combining the two.

They had witnessed Kitazawa’s Compound Ninjutsu: Blazing Wind Riot during his fight with Fuguki—its overwhelming power left a deep impression on them, filling them with ambition..

Meanwhile, Kurenai continued training her monstrous strength.
Battle after battle had accelerated her progress. Although her control had become remarkably precise, the sheer power of her strikes still couldn’t compare to Kitazawa’s or Tsunade’s.

“Not bad,” came a sudden voice.

Kurenai turned instinctively—and froze.

“L-Lady Tsunade!”

“No need to be so nervous,” Tsunade said casually. She’d long known that Kurenai was training in Monstrous Strength; after all, Kitazawa’s team had been on countless missions lately—there was no way to keep it a secret.

“I’ve been too busy lately,” Tsunade said, flexing her wrist. “Since I’ve got a moment, how about we spar a bit?”

“Eh?” Kurenai blinked, caught off guard.

“You’re the second person to learn my monstrous strength." Tsunade said with a teasing smile. “Naturally, I have to see if you’re worthy of the technique. Wouldn’t want you tarnishing my reputation.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.” Kurenai steadied her breath and nodded.

As the two began sparring, Kitazawa made his way to the rear of the main camp.

The pungent smell of medicine filled the air, mixed with muffled groans of pain.

Due to the harsh field conditions, the wounded lay close together—those with lighter injuries on the outer edges, while the severely wounded occupied the center. Many were missing limbs; their faces reflected a quiet despair.

Those who’d lost hands were the most despondent—without them, they could no longer weave hand seals, effectively ending their lives as ninjas.

Kitazawa’s thoughts drifted to the limb regeneration technique he’d been researching.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t yet perfected—useless for now.

“Kitazawa, over here!”

Shizune waved him over.

Snapping from his thoughts, Kitazawa walked up to her with a faint smile. “It’s rare to see you all in white.”

“These uniforms make it easier for the wounded to recognize us,” Shizune explained, then added with a smile, “Though you don’t really need one. Everyone already knows who you are.”

“Is that so exaggerated?” Kitazawa chuckled.

“Ask them yourself,” Shizune said playfully.

“Of course we know Lord Kitazawa!” a nearby wounded shinobi said immediately. “He’s Lady Tsunade’s student—the one who killed two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!”

Another Chunin chimed in, “He even saved my life yesterday!”

Kitazawa glanced at the speaker, recognizing him faintly—someone he’d healed while hunting Fuguki’s team.

“See?” Shizune said with a grin. “Your reputation’s nearly as high as Lady Tsunade’s now.”

She gestured toward a section of patients. “Those over there are yours.”

“That many?” Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.

“I trust your ability,” Shizune replied with a knowing smile.

Kitazawa sighed lightly. “Alright, I’ll get started.”

He rolled up his sleeves and moved to his assigned area.

Time passed slowly.

Then—

[Current Mission: Assist Kurenai in mastering the Strength of a Hundred Technique and earning her devotion.]
[Mission Reward: Self-Cursing Seal.]
[Mission complete. Reward granted.]

The sudden text flashed before Kitazawa’s eyes, and he felt a surge of satisfaction as knowledge poured into his mind.

He didn’t rush to analyze it—there were still wounded waiting. But inwardly, he was pleased.

He had been observing Kurenai’s progress closely, so this didn’t surprise him. Still, the timing couldn’t have been better.

The Self-Cursing Seal was a powerful sealing technique, even capable of restraining someone like Sasuke after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan.

During wartime, such a seal could prove invaluable.

Kitazawa rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Now that Kurenai had mastered the Strength of a Hundred Technique, what should he teach her next?

Under normal circumstances, he’d move on to sealing techniques—but on the battlefield, offensive Ninjutsu held greater value.

The Self-Cursing Seal was tempting, but far too difficult—it might take her until the end of the war just to grasp the basics.

Then an idea sparked in his mind.

Wind Release: Rasengan.

She already knew the base Rasengan, so adding wind nature transformation would be the logical next step. Once mastered, it could combine with Water Release: Raging Waves to form the Compound Ninjutsu: Ripping Torrent.

It would take time, but it was a feasible goal.

He also considered the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique Jutsu—an A-rank skill, equally challenging.

After weighing the options, Kitazawa decided.

Kurenai would learn Wind Release: Rasengan first.
If she succeeded, it’d be like a two-for-one deal—she’d automatically unlock the compound technique as well.

Having made up his mind, Kitazawa didn’t immediately seek her out.
There were still many wounded waiting for his hands.

The sun sank beyond the horizon, and dusk quietly descended.

“Kitazawa.”

Shizune removed her white coat, her expression softening. “That’s enough for today.”

“Mm.”

Kitazawa exhaled slowly. After using medical ninjutsu nonstop since morning, even his stamina felt taxed.

The other medical ninja had far less chakra than him—they’d already rotated shifts several times.

Returning to his tent, Kitazawa found that Kurenai, Kabuto, and Izumi had also finished their day’s training.

Inside, Kurenai was lying on the carpet, her forehead beaded with dried sweat, her hair sticking together in strands—clear signs of intense exertion.

“Seems you trained hard today, Kurenai,” Kitazawa said as he sat down beside her.

Her eyes were closed, though she wasn’t asleep. Her uneven breathing made her chest rise and fall with each slow exhale.

“But it was worth it,” she murmured, opening her bright eyes. “Lady Tsunade even sparred with me for half a day.”

Kitazawa blinked in surprise.
No wonder the system had marked her mission as complete—it seemed Tsunade had helped speed things along.
Though, even without her, Kurenai would’ve mastered it within a few more days.

“You don’t need to train the Strength of a Hundred Technique anymore,” he said, gently resting her pale calf across his lap and massaging it. “Next, I plan to teach you Wind Release: Rasengan.”

“Wind Release?” Kurenai asked hesitantly. “Do you think I can learn it?”

“Why not?” Kitazawa replied, still rubbing her calf with an amused look. “To reach Jōnin level, you’ll need at least two elemental releases. It’s about time you tried.”

“That’s true,” she admitted, shifting slightly and placing her other leg on his lap.
The movement created a graceful curve along her posture.

“So,” Kitazawa asked, glancing at her with a faint smile, “do you want to shower first—or eat first?”

“Eat,” Kurenai answered, her tone teasing. “If I shower first, who knows if I’ll ever get to eat.”

Kitazawa chuckled. “You’re more self-aware than I thought.”

“I know you too well,” Kurenai said, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning close. “It’s always you who can’t control himself.”

Kitazawa smirked and gave her a playful smack on the rear. “Says the one who tempts me.”

Kurenai’s face flushed scarlet. Shooting him a glare, she stood up abruptly and stormed out of the tent.

After dinner, the two returned, showered, and finally lay down to rest.

But peace never lasted long in wartime.
The conflict between Konoha and the Hidden Mist soon reignited—only this time, the tides had turned.

Now it was Konoha on the offensive.

Unlike before, when the Mist launched raids from the shore, this time Konoha’s forces pushed them back across the sea.

Since the Mist had home advantage in naval warfare, Shikaku reorganized the Ninja units for coordinated assaults.

Even so, Kitazawa’s team remained unchanged. His Water Release jutsu, combined with Torune’s insects, were extremely effective in maritime battles—there was no reason to split them.

A month passed in a blur.

With no new system missions, Kitazawa wasn’t as tense as before. He took on missions every other day, giving Kurenai, Kabuto, and Izumi plenty of time to train.

One evening, as night settled in, the team gathered outside their tent for dinner.

“By the way,” Kurenai said between bites, “didn’t your class have their final exams recently?”

Kitazawa blinked. “Ah, that’s right—they finished a while ago. The students must be halfway through their break by now.”
He sighed softly. “I’ve been so caught up with missions this month, I completely forgot.”

“You can always ask the Anbu to bring you the results,” Kurenai suggested, chewing on grilled fish. “They travel between the frontlines and Konoha all the time.”

“That’s true. I’ll have Itachi fetch the rankings for me,” Kitazawa said with a nod.

Returning to the Academy for exams during wartime was impossible anyway. Still, he wanted to see how his students—the so-called “Genius Class”—were doing.

“In the blink of an eye, it’s been two months since we got back to Konoha,” Kurenai said wistfully.

Kitazawa gave a small smile. “At this rate, we’ll probably return soon. The Hidden Mist is running out of options.”

“I don’t know…” Kurenai frowned slightly. “I get the feeling they’re waiting for something.”

Before Kitazawa could reply, a masked Anbu appeared silently in front of them.

“Lord Kitazawa,” the Anbu said, bowing slightly. “Lady Tsunade requests your presence in the main tent.”

“Understood.”

After finishing dinner, Kitazawa made his way to the command tent.
Inside, Hiashi, Shikaku, and several other Jōnin were already gathered.

Another strategy meeting? he wondered.

Once everyone had assembled, Tsunade’s voice cut through the quiet air.

“I’ve just received new intelligence,” she said gravely. “The Fourth Mizukage—Yagura Karatachi—is personally leading his forces to the frontlines.”

“What?”

Shock rippled through the room.
Even in the turbulent history of the Ninja World, it was rare for a Kage to take the field themselves.
When they did—it usually signaled total war.

Kitazawa’s brow lifted slightly.

“So… he’s finally coming,” he murmured inwardly.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

It seemed his next system mission was about to begin.

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 248 - Rising Fame (2)

The news of Fuguki’s death spread through Konoha’s main camp like wildfire, igniting a storm of discussion among the shinobi.

It wasn’t just because of his notorious identity—Fuguki’s squad had been tormenting Konoha’s forces for over a week, their hit-and-run tactics turning every mission into a gamble with death.

Entire squads had been kept on edge, forced to stay constantly alert. The mere mention of Fuguki’s team meant one thing—someone wasn’t coming back alive.

Despite several organized attempts to eliminate them, Fuguki’s squad had always slipped away, leaving behind only bodies and fear.

Now, with Kitazawa leading a team that had finally brought down Fuguki’s squad, it was as if a looming shadow had lifted from over the camp.

At the very least, Konoha’s ninjas could finally move without fearing a sudden ambush that would end in blood.

And with that victory, Kitazawa’s name once again swept through the ranks—spoken not with casual familiarity, but with newfound respect.

Before, people thought of him simply as Tsunade’s student.
Now, when they heard “Kitazawa,” they thought of his strength.

That shift—from being known by his teacher’s name to being recognized for his own power—marked his rise.

It was reminiscent of Asuma’s youthful rebellion.
Back then, everyone who saw Asuma only saw the son of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Proud and ambitious, Asuma had left the village, determined to make a name for himself beyond his father’s shadow. Yet, talent alone could not eclipse the man known as “The Professor.” In time, Asuma accepted this truth and returned to Konoha, stronger in heart if not in title.

Meanwhile, on a distant island—

In stark contrast to Konoha’s cheers, the Hidden Mist’s main camp was shrouded in silence.

“Lord Fuguki… dead? That’s impossible!”

Kisame’s disbelief echoed through the tent. Still an Anbu at this time, and one of Fuguki’s most trusted subordinates, Kisame had placed unwavering faith in his commander.

“Did you see it yourself?” Mei asked sharply, her brow furrowed. Her voice betrayed her shock—Fuguki was a veteran of countless battles. He wasn’t someone who just died.

The Anbu messenger swallowed before answering. “I didn’t see it directly, but I inspected the battlefield myself. It was covered in blood. And… all contact with Lord Fuguki and his squad has been lost.”

Ao’s face darkened. “I’ve already sent agents to Konoha’s camp to confirm the details. We’ll know the truth soon enough.”

Still, in his heart, he knew the answer. Fuguki was dead.

If the man had survived—if he had killed Kitazawa—he would have returned in triumph, demanding greater authority. That was who Fuguki was.

From that perspective, Ao thought grimly, his death wasn’t entirely a loss.

But it also meant that the Mist’s already thin power was stretched even further. Against Konoha, they were weakening by the day.

The tent fell into heavy silence. Every Jonin present wore a tense expression. Even the usually arrogant Zabuza clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the news.

“Lord Ao!”

Another Anbu burst into the tent, voice trembling. “It’s confirmed! Lord Fuguki is dead!”

Ao took a step forward, eyes narrowing. “You’re certain?”

“Yes. The news has already spread throughout Konoha’s main camp,” the Anbu replied, panting.

“…I see. You may go.”

Ao dismissed them with a quiet wave. The messengers bowed and withdrew.

“But that was Lord Fuguki…” one of the Mist Jonin murmured in disbelief.

Ao exhaled slowly. “It seems we’ll need to re-evaluate Kitazawa’s strength. If he truly killed Fuguki, then we can no longer treat him as someone within our reach.”

In the Mist, Fuguki and his Samehada combo were considered near the top—matched only by the Fourth Mizukage.

Here, in this very camp, not even Ao, Zabuza, or Mei could confidently claim they could defeat him.

Now, that man was dead—and the one who killed him was Kitazawa.

“How will we know if we don’t try?”

Zabuza crossed his arms, his voice hard with defiance. “Fuguki might’ve been ambushed. That’s the only reason he could’ve been killed by that man.”

“There’s no such thing as an ambush on the battlefield.”

Mei's tone was cool but firm. “Kitazawa has already slain too many of our strongest shinobi. His record speaks for itself.”

Though she possessed two Kekkei Genkai—Lava Release and Boil Release—even she couldn’t say with confidence that she could defeat Kitazawa.

Ao gave a grave nod. “Indeed. It’s time we set aside arrogance and treat him as a true threat.”

Mei glanced toward Ao. “Then what’s our next move?”

Ao rubbed his temple, a frown deepening on his face. Their original strategy had been to pin down Konoha’s forces—buying time for Gengetsu’s investigation team to uncover the real reason behind the Mizukage’s decision to wage this war.

But half a month had passed, and there was still no progress. Which meant only one thing—he had to keep stalling.

Then an idea flickered in his mind.

Perhaps Fuguki’s death… was an opportunity.

“Konoha’s morale is soaring right now,” Ao said after a moment’s thought. “We should avoid clashing with them head-on. Hidden Mist will withdraw to the islands. No more land battles.”

“Lord Ao!” Zabuza snapped, unable to contain himself. “That’s the same as lowering our heads! It’ll make it look like we’re afraid!”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the gathered Mist Jonin. To retreat now was shameful—it reeked of weakness.

“I understand your frustration,” Ao replied calmly. “You want vengeance for Fuguki. But war isn’t about winning a single fight—it’s about surviving to win the next.”

He let his words hang for a moment, then continued, “By retreating to the island, we gain the sea. And that’s where our true power lies.”

Mei nodded thoughtfully. She could see through Ao’s reasoning. Buying time was essential. And truthfully, the odds of victory against Konoha were far too slim right now. It was wiser to retreat and conserve their strength—until they understood what was happening with the Mizukage.

“If Konoha tries to press their advantage,” Ao said, “we’ll strike back—using the sea to our favor. Avenge Fuguki not with anger, but with strategy.”

“The commander has a point,” one Jonin said quietly.

Soon, others followed. “Lord Ao’s right.” “It’s the best move for now.”

“Good.” Ao exhaled softly, relieved the tension was ebbing. “Send orders immediately. All Mist-nin on land are to withdraw tonight.”

—

That night faded into dawn.

Warm sunlight spilled over Konoha, touching tiled roofs and quiet streets.

Despite the ongoing war, the village felt almost peaceful. Craftsmen worked, merchants shouted, children played—only the occasional courier hawk reminded people that beyond this calm, shinobi were still fighting.

Compared to the chaos elsewhere, the Mist’s threat now seemed distant—almost faint.

Hiruzen arrived at the Hokage’s office earlier than usual, still without breakfast. On his desk awaited a sealed scroll—Tsunade’s overnight battle report.

He carefully broke the encryption seal. Every major dispatch from the front was encoded; the higher the importance, the tighter the cipher. Nothing less than absolute accuracy was acceptable.

The moment he finished reading, Hiruzen’s brows lifted, and a faint smile creased his face.

“Victory always brings joy,” he murmured, setting the scroll down.

Since the war began, Konoha had dominated the Mist on nearly every front. And now—with Suikazan Fuguki and Ringo Ameyuri both dead, and even Kurosuki Raiga gone—Hidden Mist had lost two elite Jonin and a rising prodigy.

The tide was turning decisively.

Hiruzen closed the report with quiet satisfaction. 'If nothing unexpected happens, Konoha will win this war.'

Still, he wasn’t careless. The Mist wouldn’t have started a war without something up their sleeve. Their true trump card hadn’t yet appeared.

And beyond them… there was always the risk of Kumogakure watching for weakness.

“Zou.”

The door opened silently, and an Anbu in a elephant mask entered—this one bearing the codename Zou. (The same Anbu who, years later, would stand outside the Four Violet Flames Formation during the Konoha Crush.)

“Deliver this report,” Hiruzen said, passing the scroll to him.

“Yes, Hokage-sama.”

The agent bowed and vanished as swiftly as he came.

Hiruzen leaned back slightly, exhaling through his pipe.

“This time, Kitazawa’s name will truly spread,” he thought. “Not just across Konoha—but across the entire Shinobi World.”

The greatest victories in this war—Fuguki’s death, Ringo’s defeat, Raiga’s downfall—all bore a single name: Kitazawa.

It reminded Hiruzen of Minato’s rise years ago—how one dazzling victory after another had catapulted him into legend.

And that, Hiruzen thought with quiet pride, was a good thing.

Kitazawa wasn’t just Tsunade’s student—he was part of the Hokage’s lineage. His glory reflected upon the village, and on Tsunade most of all.

After all, a student’s success was a teacher’s legacy.

Even though Kitazawa wasn’t known for medical ninjutsu, the world would still credit his brilliance to her. To others, it would seem simple—without Tsunade, there would be no Kitazawa.

But Hiruzen knew the truth.

Kitazawa’s strength wasn’t borrowed—it was earned. Countless missions completed, countless merits exchanged for the village’s jutsu.

Tsunade herself had faded from the spotlight in recent years, haunted by her hemophobia. But with Kitazawa’s sudden rise… her name once again echoed through the world.

The Hokage smiled faintly.

“She's back,” he whispered.

And when the war ended, he was certain of one thing—

Konoha would have no choice but to make Tsunade Hokage.

Because now… there was no one more deserving.

Shimura Clan Compound

By the edge of an artificial lake, Danzo sat quietly, fishing rod in hand, his gaze fixed on the rippling water.

Fishing had become his only pastime in retirement—a calm mask for a mind that never stopped scheming.

Without warning, an Anbu ninja appeared beside him, dropping to one knee.
“Lord Danzo.”

Ever since Root was disbanded, many of its operatives had been absorbed into the Anbu ranks.
This one was among them.

Though the Curse seal had been lifted, his loyalty to Danzo remained unshaken.

“What is it?” Danzo asked, not looking away from the lake.

“A report just arrived. Kitazawa has killed Suikazan Fuguki.”

Danzo’s hand froze mid-reel.
Kitazawa again?

As Tsunade’s student, every one of Kitazawa’s victories pushed her closer to the Hokage’s seat.

Danzo waved a dismissive hand.
The Anbu vanished in an instant.

Danzo touched his right eye—his greatest hidden weapon, Kotoamatsukami.
But even that genjutsu couldn’t change the tide of public sentiment.

If Konoha kept winning too easily, Tsunade’s prestige would skyrocket.
And even if he used Kotoamatsukami to make her support him, Hiruzen and the others would never agree.
He couldn’t control everyone.

A glorious victory would crown Tsunade a hero.
A tragic victory—one with heavy losses—would stain her with blame, and that was far more useful.

Failure, however, was unacceptable. A total defeat would invite the Hidden Cloud and other villages to strike, plunging Konoha into chaos.

Danzo’s brow furrowed.
He needed Konoha to win just barely—bloodied but standing.

Leaking select intelligence to the Hidden Mist could tip the balance perfectly.
But it had to be done cleanly. One trace of evidence, and his dream of becoming Hokage would be over forever.

Fortunately, though Root was gone, its loyal seeds still lived.

Konoha Ninja Academy

Half an hour remained before class, yet the Genius Class students were already gathered at the training ground.

“Sasuke-kun!”
Sakura waved brightly, as always.

Sasuke, ignoring her, continued practicing his Leaf Style: Willow, the blade slicing the air.

“Sakura, good morning.”
Ino’s cheerful voice drifted over as she walked in with Hinata beside her.

Sakura eyed them suspiciously. “Let me guess… you two had breakfast in Kitazawa-sensei’s office again?”

“Mm.” Ino sighed. “It’s hard to get used to him not teaching our class anymore.”

Hinata nodded shyly in agreement.

“You’re all here!”
Kiba rushed over, panting, a grin on his face. “Guess what I just heard?”

“Let me guess,” drawled Shikamaru, lying on the grass. “Something about Kitazawa-sensei.”

“Don’t act smart when no one asked you!” Kiba shot back.

“Kitazawa-sensei?”
Naruto's eyes lit up. “Kiba, spill it!”

Even Sasuke slowed his movements slightly, his eyes flicking toward them.

“Strange,” Ino murmured. “We didn’t hear anything from our parents yet.”
As heirs to major clans, they usually caught wind of news before anyone else.

“That’s because you came too early,” Kiba boasted. “I overslept—and heard it the moment I woke up!”

“Stop bragging and tell us already!” Ino threatened, raising a fist.

“Alright, alright! You know Suikazan Fuguki, right?”

“One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist,” Tenten answered immediately. “He used to be teammates with Kurosuki Raiga, whom Kitazawa-sensei killed earlier.”

“Exactly!” Kiba nodded. “Well, Kitazawa-sensei just killed Fuguki too—on the battlefield!”

“As expected of Kitazawa-sensei!” Ino pumped her fists, eyes sparkling.

“Fuguki wasn’t just a swordsman,” Kiba added proudly. “He was the deputy commander of the Hidden Mist!”

Everyone fell silent for a moment, realizing the weight of those words. As future clan heirs, they understood better than anyone what such a victory meant.

“I can’t wait to fight alongside him someday,” Naruto said, eyes burning with admiration.

“That depends,” Neji said coolly. “Only if he becomes your squad leader after graduation.”

“He definitely will!” Naruto grinned, flashing a thumbs-up. “Kitazawa-sensei and I share the bond of youth!”

Hinata clasped her hands nervously, silently wishing the same.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Shikamaru muttered. “Each squad leader can only take three students. Odds aren’t in your favor.”

“Shikamaru’s right!” Ino declared, hands on her hips. “Besides, I’ve already learned some of Kitazawa-sensei’s original jutsu. My chances are way better!”

Shikamaru sighed. Everyone had a chance—except the Ino–Shika–Cho trio. Their team had always been assigned to the Sarutobi line. A tradition not easily broken.

“You’re not the only one who learned his jutsu!” Kiba retorted.

“Doesn’t matter,” Sakura huffed. “Kitazawa-sensei is Tsunade-sama’s disciple. I’ve been studying medical ninjutsu—I've got the edge!”

“Kitazawa-sensei sure is popular,” Yakumo said softly.

“Don’t you want him as your squad leader too?” Karin asked.

“Of course I do.” Yakumo smiled. “If I could choose, I’d pick him without hesitation.”

“Doesn’t he already have three students?” Sasuke suddenly spoke up, his tone calm but probing.

“?” Hinata blinked, looking at him.

“You mean Kabuto-senpai and the others?” Naruto asked. “So… do we still have a chance?”

“We’re still young,” Shikamaru reasoned. “By the time we graduate, he’ll probably take new students.”

“It’s too early to worry about that,” Neji said coolly. “It’s almost nine. Get ready for training.”

Sasuke sheathed his blade. “Kakashi-sensei’s here. Time to practice Lightning Release.”

His Leaf Style: Willow had only reached the beginner level.
It was time to move on to Chidori.

[NNSS] Chapter : 58 - Itachi's doubts

Living in Konoha, crossing paths with Danzo was almost a rite of passage—an unavoidable scar one earned simply by existing too long in the village. Roshi had expected this day to come. From the moment he woke to find Hashirama’s cells coursing through his body, he had quietly prepared himself. A clash with that man was inevitable.

He just hadn’t expected their first confrontation to arise not from the secret within his body, but over a mission reward.

Still, Roshi knew that attacking Root would never earn punishment from the Third Hokage. His actions had, in fact, protected the Village’s interests—which, by extension, meant protecting the Hokage’s.

Hiruzen’s so-called “non-interference” with Root was nothing new. Even if he himself were targeted for assassination, he would likely bear it in silence, all in the name of maintaining balance after the Nine-Tails incident. Compared to that, a failed attempt by Root to seize a few ledgers and getting beaten for it was hardly worth mentioning.

However, the Third Hokage’s words—"I'll reprimand him and order him to control his subordinates”—carried real weight. It was a promise: Danzo’s side would not act against him again, and if they did, the Hokage would step in.

As for what kind of intervention that might be… Roshi had no illusions.

Hiruzen’s support was always conditional, measured by the individual’s own strength. As Hokage, he could ensure that the Village’s conventional forces wouldn’t become an obstacle. But beyond that, one’s survival depended entirely on one’s own power.

Uchiha Shisui was the clearest example. The Third Hokage had given him “full authority” to handle the clan crisis—and yet, when Shisui gambled against Danzo, he never anticipated his opponent’s hidden trump card, Izanagi. He lost his eye… and then his life.

Unable to use Kotoamatsukami to stop the Uchiha coup, Shisui chose suicide, entrusting everything to Itachi in a desperate final act of loyalty.

And what did the Third Hokage do? Nothing.

Had Shisui won that gamble and contained the Uchiha rebellion his own way, Hiruzen would have praised him, suppressed Root, and silenced all dissent.

But he failed—and so his death became the “necessary price” for Danzo’s continued authority.

If someone like Shisui, who wielded the Mangekyō Sharingan, could be discarded so easily, then Roshi had no reason to think he’d be treated differently. He didn’t know how much spirit the Hiruzen had once possessed—but he could see clearly that the aging Hiruzen had only one belief left: stability.

Endure. Wait. Let the Jinchūriki grow. Let the next generation rise.

After returning to the village, Roshi slept half the day at his old home. When he awoke, Grandma Momoka was out—a rare occurrence.

She’d left food behind, so Roshi ate a simple meal to chase away the lingering fatigue. Then he left a note saying he’d be eating out that evening and changed into casual clothes.

He had promised to treat his team to a meal after their return—and to take care of their damaged protective gear. The mission reward hadn’t yet been distributed, so for now, the captain would pay upfront. That, after all, was part of the job.

Still, he realized with a sigh that, thanks to the Danzo debacle, he’d forgotten to ask if the cost of replacement gear could be reimbursed.

The upgraded S-rank mission meant a reward starting at a million ryō, plus the B-rank portion. Not bad at all—but whether or not reimbursement applied was another matter entirely. Roshi decided to visit the administration office later to clarify.

The team dinner was set at Anko’s small apartment. The Senju residence was too far, and the Uchiha compound wasn’t exactly nearby either, so the neutral ninja apartments made the most sense.

By the time Roshi arrived around three in the afternoon, Itachi was already inside—polite as ever, and, of course, bearing a gift. Roshi didn’t need to look; the sweet smell told him it was dango.

This time, however, Roshi came empty-handed.

Anko, opening the door, immediately circled around him with exaggerated suspicion.

“Captain, where’s your gift?”

“Didn’t bring one.”

“How rude, Roshi! Last time you remembered—now you’ve joined the team and think you can slack off? Should I rejoin Team 5 again, huh?”

Her voice was teasing, the bitterness from before completely gone since their mission at Deai Port.

“I’m paying for dinner tonight. That should count,” Roshi replied dryly.

“Hmm… in that case, I’ll allow it.”

At the table sat three neatly divided portions of dango. The two had clearly waited for him—and for dango lovers, that was the greatest sign of respect.

Anko plopped down beside him. “Itachi, the captain didn’t bring a gift, so he’s buying dinner. Compensation.”

Itachi blinked, unsure why this needed to be said again. Anko sighed inwardly. 'Kids. They just don’t get fourteen-year-old adult humor.'

“Hokage-sama—what did he say about the Root situation?” Anko asked, her teasing tone fading into concern. Though Roshi had explained briefly on the way back, the thought of Danzo’s involvement still made her uneasy.

“Nothing much. He said he’d reprimand them.” Roshi kept it simple.

Anko relaxed a little.

So that was it—a reminder that sometimes, direct and decisive action truly could resolve things faster.

Itachi, however, fell silent, lost in thought.

After returning home, his father, Fugaku, had questioned him in detail about the mission. Itachi hadn’t mentioned his injuries—nor the golden-haired woman he’d encountered. But he knew who she was. That chakra, that medical ninjutsu… it could only have been Tsunade Senju herself.

Still, a promise was a promise.

But Fugaku’s parting words echoed in his mind.

He had asked Itachi to gauge Roshi’s attitude toward the Uchiha Clan. The fact that Roshi had accepted Itachi into Team 5 at all was, in Fugaku’s eyes, a sign of goodwill—perhaps even an opportunity. If that bridge failed, they would have to find another way.

These thoughts weighed on him even as he followed his teammates through the village—first to the Aoki Ninja Tool Shop, where Roshi covered the bill this time.

Anko exchanged her damaged purple trench coat for a cream-colored one. It suited her surprisingly well. Roshi gave Itachi a few calm suggestions on adjusting his armor’s thickness based on combat habits.

Dinner came next. Then, disbandment.

“Itachi, you’ve got something to ask me,” Roshi said quietly.

Even Anko noticed, giving them both a knowing grin before waving goodbye and vanishing down the street.

The streetlamps flickered to life, stretching their shadows long across the cobblestones. The evening breeze carried the faint scent of rain.

“Senpai,” Itachi finally asked, his voice steady but low, “about the Uchiha Clan… how do you see them?”

[NNSS] Chapter : 57

A conflict with the Village’s Anbu was no small matter, and Roshi was quietly relieved that his two teammates stood firmly by his side without a moment’s hesitation.

Of course, he wouldn’t let them carry unnecessary worry either.

As they traveled beneath the faint silver light of dawn, Roshi began to explain.

“The Anbu currently operates with four standard squads—seventeen members each, including a squad leader.”

“This structure dates back to the Second Hokage’s era. During the Third Hokage’s tenure, another unit was added—the Root Division.”

Anko knew that name all too well. Orochimaru had once worked closely with Danzo, the head of Root.

Itachi also knew of them; he’d once encountered Root members during a joint exercise with Shisui.

“Root follows the same structure as a regular Anbu squad,” Roshi continued, his tone level. “Seventeen members, directly commanded by Advisor Shimura Danzo. As for that Advisor…” He paused briefly before offering a measured assessment. “He acts without restraint—guided only by what he believes serves the Village’s interests.”

“Then why did they attack us?” Anko blurted, then immediately grimaced. From the looks of things, it was the Anbu who had been on the receiving end.

“The Wasabi Family’s commission reward carries considerable importance,” Roshi explained calmly. “Advisor Shimura likely wanted to secure it before anyone else. He may have intended to hand it to the Third Hokage eventually—but not all of it.”

Having already understood the significance of the ledgers, Roshi could easily deduce Danzo’s motives.

He wanted to alter the figures, conduct covert trades with the merchant families of Deai Port, and skim a portion of the profits. After all, Root’s official roster listed only seventeen members. There was no way Danzo’s true operations could run on that number alone.

Extra manpower required extra funding.

'So the money had to come from somewhere.'

Anko rubbed her temples, her head starting to ache. “Here we go again… all this political stuff.” She decided to stop thinking too hard. As long as they could get back to the village safely, that was all that mattered.

“Couldn’t you have just refused them?” she asked instead. “You actually hit them, Roshi! Won’t that cause problems later?”

“To be precise,” Roshi said, a faint curve playing at his lips, “hitting them was to prevent the situation from escalating. Their style is aggressive. If you take one down at the start, it drastically reduces their combat morale. And by using only my fists, I could control the force.”

In other words—violence was a preemptive measure. If he’d let them think they held the advantage, they would’ve pressed harder, and the outcome might’ve been far worse.

When facing people like that, only a stronger show of dominance could keep things within a manageable boundary.

“Advisor Shimura’s methods have always involved applying pressure for his own benefit,” Roshi went on. “Root is no exception. Strictly speaking, their actions don’t align with the Village’s regulations.”

“So,” he concluded, his tone light but his gaze sharp, “as long as no one’s dead, it’s not a big deal. But if they insist on pushing further…”

His voice dropped to a quiet chill. “If they die, they die. Root operates in the shadows, often without punishment. But that also means—Konoha’s rules don’t truly protect them either. Understand?”

His eyes swept across both of them, calm yet cutting.

Anko forced a nervous laugh. “Haha… I totally understand! Wouldn’t dream of crossing you.”

Itachi, however, fell silent—deep in thought.

Once the explanation ended, Roshi didn’t speak further. The three of them focused on their pace, their figures gliding through the forest like flickering shadows. As the horizon lightened, the familiar silhouette of Konoha’s gates finally came into view.

When Team 5 arrived at the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage didn’t keep them waiting.

Roshi first handed over a detailed written report, then concisely summarized the mission, emphasizing the Black Snake Group’s strength and their destruction.

Hiruzen refilled his pipe with fresh tobacco, lit it with unhurried hands, and took a slow puff before unrolling the report. His eyes, half-hidden by smoke, scanned each line carefully.

“Hmm… confirmed complete. You’ve done well.”

His voice, mellow through the drifting haze, carried a faint warmth. “From your report, the enemy’s strength was considerable. This mission will be upgraded to S-class. I’ll have the Mission Center recalculate the remuneration accordingly—the exact amount will depend on the Intelligence Division’s analysis.”

He exhaled slowly, his expression softening. “You’ve all worked hard—Roshi, Anko, Itachi.”

“As for the B-class reconnaissance mission, its certification will proceed once the Intelligence Division completes its review.”

After finishing those official matters, the Third Hokage picked up the thick ledgers that Roshi had brought back. His thumb brushed over the worn cover, but he didn’t open them immediately.

“The Wasabi Family’s request…”

“This mission was originally meant for the Anbu, but you managed to complete it along the way.” A smile tugged faintly at the corners of his lips. “Simply granting you an S-class credit seems… insufficient.”

After a moment’s thought, he nodded slightly. “Roshi, you’re granted special permission to enter the Village’s Forbidden Jutsu Archive and select one jutsu to study. As for Anko and Itachi—each of you may choose one A-class and one B-class Ninjutsu, or exchange them for equivalent payment.”

All formalities were settled neatly.

“Anko, Itachi—you’ve traveled through the night. Go home and rest,” the Hokage said kindly. Then his tone shifted, gentle but firm. “Roshi, stay a moment.”

The two glanced at each other, instantly understanding. It had to be about Root. Since their ranks weren’t high enough to be involved, they bowed and quietly exited.

The door closed behind them with a soft click.

Hiruzen set down his pipe, rose slowly, and stretched his stiff shoulders. “You don’t mind keeping an old man company for a short walk, do you?” he asked with a faint smile.

“It would be my honor,” Roshi replied.

The two walked side by side out of the Hokage Building. Morning light washed over the awakening streets. Early risers paused to greet their Hokage respectfully, and the old man responded to each one with the same easy warmth that had defined his rule.

This was the man who had carried Konoha for decades—no grandeur, no distance, only the steady calm of experience.

“When you get old as a ninja, sleep doesn’t come as easily,” he said lightly, his tone half-amused, half-weary. “Since Biwako passed, I rarely go home. I rest here, in the Hokage Building. Each morning, I take a walk to see the village wake up.”

His gaze drifted across the streets, the shops opening one by one, the quiet bustle returning.

“Back then, Konoha barely had ten thousand people. After so many wars and hardships… the fact that our population still grows—it’s something worth celebrating.”

Roshi matched his pace, silent and attentive.

“New, capable young shinobi are emerging one after another,” Hiruzen went on. “I once thought… even if I can’t compare to my two senseis, at least I’ve done my part to move things forward.”

“Especially the Fourth Hokage…”

His voice grew heavier. A faint mist clouded his eyes.

“When he appeared, I thought—‘Ah, this is it. This is what my teachers dreamed of.’”

“He was perfect. A true ninja, and an outstanding Hokage.”

“So young, so full of energy and conviction… I believed he’d finally solve the problems that had lingered for decades under my mediocre hands.”

He stopped for a moment, his sigh lost in the morning breeze.

“But in the end… it still fell back to this old body to hold things together.”

His smile was tinged with self-deprecation. “I’m a useless man, really. I can only rely on my comrades—and at times, I have to let Danzo handle the dirty work.”

“He has ambition, far more than I ever did.” The Hokage’s eyes softened with the ghost of old friendship. “I can barely run anymore… but that old warhawk refuses to stop.”

He turned, studying the young man beside him. Roshi’s expression was steady, his eyes clear yet deep.

“The Village still needs him,” the Hokage said finally. “And from how you handled the Deai Port situation, I can tell—you understand that necessity as well.”

His voice lowered, carrying quiet weight.

“As for what happened last night… I’ll see to it personally. Danzo will receive his reprimand—and he will keep his subordinates in check.”

[NNSS] Chapter : 56 - Fighting ANBU?

“Speaking of which, Itachi,” Anko said casually, hammering in the last tent peg with a practiced hand, “you and Roshi went on a mission together before I joined, right?”

Itachi, who was leveling the ground nearby, gave a quiet hum. “Mm.”

“This guy’s really changed,” Anko muttered, keeping her back to him. “Even though we’re the same age, he feels… older. Before, he was just excellent. Now he’s like—an old man trapped in a young body.”

“It’s just that Roshi-senpai knows a lot.” Itachi’s tone was calm, though inwardly, he wondered—what was Senpai like before?

“It’s fine,” Anko said with a pout, then suddenly turned with mock seriousness. “But hey, don’t rat me out, Itachi.”

“If Roshi-senpai doesn’t ask,” Itachi replied smoothly.

“Hey, hey! We’re supposed to be good tactical partners!” Anko protested. But before she could finish, her head snapped toward the dark forest beside them.

Itachi froze mid-movement. The two exchanged a glance—then bolted toward Roshi’s direction.

“Proof.”

Roshi’s calm gaze swept across the four masked figures before him, completely ignoring the Wolf Mask’s outstretched hand.
The night wind brushed his bangs aside; moonlight carved sharp lines across his face.

“I haven’t received any orders to hand anything over.”

Behind the Wolf Mask ANBU, a woman wearing a White Cat Mask with a tight ponytail barked, “We’re on an official mission! We don’t need to show proof! Hand over the item immediately!”

Almost before her words faded, the Snake Mask and Tiger Mask spread out to either side, their bodies lowering into combat stances.

“Oh?” Roshi’s tone rose slightly. “Since when could the Anbu command a Special Jonin of the Village—without the Hokage’s authorization?”

Everyone knew the Anbu operated directly under the Hokage. Their authority was high, but within Konoha’s chain of command, no one—no one—could order a Jonin around without a direct mandate from the Hokage, his advisors, or a Jonin captain. Not even a Special Jonin… nor the Anbu themselves.

The tension was suffocating. The Wolf Mask took an involuntary step back.

Then—he was gone.

A faint afterimage shimmered where Roshi had stood. The next moment, Roshi was in front of the Wolf Mask.
His right fist drew back, Chakra compressing the air until it seemed ready to rupture.

—Too fast!

The Wolf Mask ANBU barely managed to cross his arms in front of his chest, his metal gauntlets locking in place.

Bang!

A thunderous impact ripped through the forest. The Wolf Mask’s body shot backward like a rag doll, crashing through two tree trunks before slamming into the ground. The crunch of cracking bone echoed under the rising dust. After twitching twice, he went still—unconscious.

Roshi slowly lowered his fist. “Proof. Evidence that you’re really Konoha Anbu.”

His tone was flat, but the pressure behind it was unmistakable.
“If you can’t show proof and still raise your weapons, dying by my hand would be a meaningless death.”

The White Cat Mask trembled, both furious and shaken. “You dare attack the Anbu!?”

Her voice wavered slightly. Their rules were strict—without their leader’s command, none of them could engage a Special Jonin, especially one from the same village. And their captain was currently lying unconscious in the mud.

Suppressing her turmoil, the White Cat ANBU adopted a defensive stance. Snake and Tiger tightened their grips on their swords, their eyes cold and wary.

“I’m not going to repeat myself,” Roshi said evenly.

His hand rose, forming a seal. “If I defeat all of you and report to the Hokage, the fault will be yours—for failing to prove your identity and making reckless demands.”

At that instant—
A dark-purple figure appeared atop a tall tree.

Anko crouched on a branch, eyes wide as she took in the scene—the masked figures, the fallen Wolf Anbu, and Roshi standing motionless amid the wreckage.

Anbu? Why are the Anbu here? And why is Roshi fighting them?!

A chill swept over her as memories surfaced—of being interrogated in a cold, silent room months ago. But this was Roshi. His judgment was never wrong.
Even if—no, especially if—it didn’t make sense.

Without hesitation, Anko began forming hand seals, ready to provide cover.

The three masked figures realized too late—they were surrounded.
Roshi stood before them, unflinching.
Anko loomed above, ready to strike.
And one more—Itachi—was nowhere in sight.

Losing their captain, surrounded, and tactically trapped, their only option was retreat.

White Cat clenched her teeth hard enough to draw blood. Then, in one sharp motion, she raised her hands.

Her gestures were crisp, precise:
Right hand—four fingers raised, thumb folded in: Leaf.
Left hand—sweeping across the wrist: Sever Shadow.
Both hands—interlocked before the chest: Anbu.

The emergency hand-sign code of Konoha’s Anbu.

“This… is proof enough, isn’t it?”

Roshi’s expression didn’t waver. “Hokage’s writ. And seal.”

The air grew heavier.
White Cat stiffened. She had identification—but not from the Hokage. Showing it would expose everything.

Why was Roshi—just newly promoted by the Third Hokage—acting this way? Why was he so sure?

When she hesitated too long, Roshi simply lowered his hand and signaled toward Anko’s position—Retreat. Clear the path.

“You’ve proven only that you’re Anbu,” he said flatly.
“Go. I’ll explain everything to the Third Hokage myself.”

The forest fell silent, save for the whisper of wind and the faint groans of the fallen Wolf ANBU.

Underneath their masks, the remaining three looked grim but didn’t argue. White Cat gave a sharp wave. Her teammates lifted the unconscious man, and in a few silent leaps, they vanished into the dark.

When the forest grew still again, Anko dropped lightly to the ground, her eyes full of disbelief.

“Roshi! What just happened? Were those really Anbu? Why did you—?”

“They were Anbu,” Roshi said quietly. “But there’s a unit within them that doesn’t answer directly to the Third Hokage.”

Anko froze, the implication hitting her like a thrown kunai.

Anbu… but not his Anbu.
So that was it.

A heavy sigh escaped her lips. “You’re kidding me, Roshi. I’m really not ready to run from Konoha again…”

“Itachi.”

“I’m here, Senpai.”

Itachi emerged silently from the darkness, his Sharingan faintly glinting under the moonlight.

“Pack up,” Roshi ordered, his gaze calm once more. “We’re leaving. Tonight, we head back to the Village.”

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 247 - Naruto's new Pet?

Samehada flew through the air, its chain hissing like a serpent.

“Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!”

Kitazawa flicked a kunai forward, his fingers weaving through seals in a blur. Chakra surged—and in an instant, the single kunai split into hundreds, multiplying across the sky like a storm of steel.

The air shimmered with the reflection of countless blades. They swallowed Samehada whole and followed its chain back toward Fuguki, forming a lethal cloud that darkened the battlefield.

Fuguki squinted, surrounded by a storm of steel. Only now, facing Kitazawa head-on, did he realize—Raiga and Ameyuri hadn’t died in vain.

But among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, strength was not equal.

And Fuguki was the strongest of them all.

With a sharp yank of his arm, he reeled in the chain. Samehada spun in front of him like a living shield, deflecting every incoming kunai with a screech of metal on scale.

A quiet “Hmph” escaped him—then his eyes widened slightly.

Kitazawa had vanished.

Reacting instantly, Fuguki flicked his wrist again. Samehada shot forward like a missile—this time, not at Kitazawa, but at Kurenai.

A crack of lightning split the air. Kitazawa appeared mid-flash, twin blades—Zangetsu and Raiden—crossed before him, stopping Samehada dead in its tracks.

“I knew you’d take the bait,” Fuguki sneered. “For a shinobi, emotions are nothing but weakness.”

He blurred forward, water chakra surging in his palm and shaping into a razor-thin blade. He swung.

The blow connected—but Kitazawa burst into smoke.

“Shadow Clone?” Fuguki’s eyes widened.

Feeling a flicker of heat behind him. He turned just in time to see Kitazawa closing in, Zangetsu burning with crimson fire.

“Tch—!” Fuguki’s instincts screamed. He spun, raising his water blade to parry—

“Lightning Release: Lightning Blade!”

Zangetsu shuddered violently, wrapped in vibrating lightning. The water blade shattered on contact.

Steel bit into flesh.

Blood sprayed into the air.

Fuguki staggered back, clutching his left arm. A deep gash ran from shoulder to wrist.

“Damn you!” he roared, his voice guttural. “I’ll kill you where you stand!”

Kitazawa’s expression remained calm. “You’re welcome to try.”

That cold composure only enraged him further. “When I was making my name on the battlefield, you were still learning how to hold a kunai!”

With that, Fuguki suddenly swung Samehada—at himself.

The expected sound of slicing flesh never came. Instead, the greatsword fused into his body. His skin rippled, transforming—his head elongating into a fish-like shape, fins sprouting along his arms.

“Samehada Fusion…” Kitazawa murmured, narrowing his eyes.

So Fuguki could merge with it too. He’d thought only Kisame possessed that ability. But then again, it made sense—Samehada’s fusion was a function of the blade itself, not the wielder.

“Die!” Fuguki’s distorted voice bellowed.

“Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu!”

The air vibrated as water chakra exploded outward, coalescing into a massive dragon that roared toward Kitazawa.

Kitazawa’s grip tightened. 'Even his ninjutsu is amplified in this form…'

He swung Zangetsu—the flaming arc collided with the water dragon, only to be swallowed whole.

Without hesitation, Kitazawa sheathed the blade and formed new seals.

“Wind Release: Great Vacuum Sphere!”

A swirling blast of compressed air shot forward, meeting the oncoming water head-on. The collision created a violent storm of mist and shockwaves.

Before the haze cleared, Fuguki lunged through it—his fused arms gleaming like blades.

“Samehada: Erasing Slash!”

Twin arcs slashed horizontally.

“Rasengan!”

Two spheres of spinning chakra materialized in Kitazawa’s hands. He met both strikes head-on. The impact sent ripples through the air, tearing up the ground around them.

Even with Samehada’s protection, the flesh on Fuguki’s arms twisted grotesquely under the force. He gritted his teeth, suppressing the pain, and leapt back.

“Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!”

Blades of water spiraled toward Kitazawa, slicing through the mist.

Kitazawa’s right leg glowed with dense chakra. He kicked forward—the sheer wind pressure struck first, smashing into Fuguki before the water blades could connect.

The Mist Jonin was hurled backward, crashing through the trees.

“Chidori!”

Electricity burst from Kitazawa’s hand, crackling with lethal intensity. The air filled with the screech of a thousand birds.

He darted forward, piercing through the dust—aiming straight for Fuguki’s heart.

Fuguki’s instincts screamed. Every nerve in his body lit up in alarm. He crossed his forearms in front of him just in time.

The Chidori tore through his skin, drawing arcs of blood.

But in his fused form, his body was far tougher than before. Snarling, he activated Samehada’s ability.

The Chidori’s crackling light dimmed, its energy rapidly drained away until nothing remained.

Kitazawa skidded back, eyes sharp.

Fuguki looked down at his bleeding arms—skin scorched and torn—but still functional. His breath came heavy, a mix of fury and disbelief twisting his face.

“Don’t get cocky, brat,” he growled, voice low and seething. “Samehada’s not done feeding yet.”

The sound of rushing wind tore through the battlefield.

A figure flashed in from the distance—it was Uchiha Itachi.

His sharp gaze swept across the scene, and even he couldn’t hide his surprise.

That Kurenai Yūhi and Yakushi Kabuto were being overwhelmed was within his expectations.
But Suikazan Fuguki, of all people, being pushed this far?

The hulking man’s arms were covered in blood, his expression grim and strange.

“Konoha Anbu?” Fuguki muttered, briefly startled. Then he sneered.

Even if another jōnin had shown up, it wouldn’t change the tide.

Still, Itachi’s sudden appearance made him uneasy. If this dragged on, more Leaf shinobi would arrive.

“You three, finish them off! Now!” he barked, his voice low and rough.

Then his eyes locked onto Kitazawa.

He had believed that his Samehada Fusion Form would easily overwhelm the young man—but reality was proving otherwise.

It seemed he had no choice but to unveil his true trump card.

His Hidden Mist Jutsu and Silent Killing hadn't been used in a long time.

Not because he couldn’t. But because he hadn’t needed to. Those arts were reserved for opponents who stood on equal ground.

And Kitazawa clearly was.

“Kid, this is where it ends!” Fuguki roared. His hands clapped together, and thick mist began to spill out, swallowing the battlefield in a gray shroud.

“It is indeed time for it to end,” Kitazawa replied calmly.

Now that Itachi had arrived, there was no reason to hold back.

Senju Chakra Mode—activate!

Mist rolled.

From behind, Fuguki lunged silently.

Super Strength!

As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Kitazawa twisted and met the attack with a devastating punch.

Fuguki’s eyes widened in shock before he was sent flying, crashing hard into the ground. His entire body screamed in pain, as if his bones had been shaken apart.

If not for the protective chakra of the Samehada Fusion, that punch would’ve knocked him out cold.

But what truly unsettled him was how fast Kitazawa had reacted.

'He can see me through the mist? Impossible!'

Gritting his teeth, Fuguki rolled to the side, narrowly dodging a roaring Water Dragon that tore through the haze.

Then, silence.

He melted into the mist, creeping closer, every movement soundless.

Kitazawa stood still, arms crossed, sunglasses unmoving, as if unaware.

Now!

Fuguki burst forward with Body Flicker, his hand sharpened like a blade aimed straight for Kitazawa’s heart. A feral grin stretched across his face.

Killing Tsunade’s disciple—one of Konoha’s rising stars—would be a glorious trophy.

But in the next instant, his grin froze.

Kitazawa’s hands shot out, gripping his arms in an iron hold.

“Wha—!”

Fuguki tried to pull back, but Kitazawa’s fingers pressed against his forearms—precisely striking chakra points.

“How do you know the Gentle Fist?!” Fuguki shouted, panic flashing in his eyes as his chakra flow faltered.

“I have two Hyūga students,” Kitazawa said evenly. “I picked up a few things.”

Another precise strike landed.

“Get lost.”

Fuguki’s instincts screamed danger. He lashed out with a kick, forcing Kitazawa to retreat several steps.

He exhaled in relief—too soon.

A strange tremor ran through his body, and in the next second, the Samehada Fusion unraveled.

Realizing what had happened, Fuguki snatched up the greatsword and vanished back into the mist.

'He… disrupted the chakra flow of my fusion form… with just two strikes?'

For the first time, Fuguki felt real dread.

Even his Hidden Mist Jutsu couldn’t suppress Kitazawa’s reactions.

He gripped Samehada tightly, an idea sparking in his mind.

If close-range attacks failed, then—he’d strike from afar.

He twisted the greatsword in his hand and hurled it like a spear, then immediately weaved signs.

Hair Senbon!

His hair stiffened into dozens of sharp needles, firing toward Kitazawa.

Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!

A wall of earth surged upward, shielding him.

Kitazawa’s Byakugan—the key to his speed—flared. Enhanced by thirty percent chakra purity, it far outclassed even the Hyūga’s natural sight.

But even he could only see clearly within three meters inside this dense mist.

Still—three meters was all he needed.

The hair senbon clattered against the earth wall—

Then Samehada came crashing through it.

Spikes of hardened hair followed, skewering Kitazawa like a porcupine.

“It worked?!” Fuguki’s eyes lit with triumph.

But then—

Bang!

Kitazawa’s body dissolved into mud.

“Damn it!”

An alarm screamed in Fuguki’s mind as he yanked Samehada back in panic—

Compound Ninjutsu: Blazing Wind Riot!

Kitazawa’s gaze snapped toward the retreating Samehada. Without hesitation, his hands blurred through a series of seals.

He leaned back and exhaled—a roaring ball of flame erupted from his mouth, crashing to the ground ahead.

The instant it landed, it expanded violently, transforming the battlefield into a blazing sea of fire.

Then came the second phase—high-pressure wind orbs burst outward, fanning the flames in a storm of fiery waves that roared like a wildfire unleashed.

“No—!”

Fuguki barely had time to grab Samehada before the inferno swallowed him whole.

Screams tore through the burning mist. He tried to flee, but the flames, fed by the raging wind, spread too fast.

The mist evaporated—replaced by pillars of fire that painted the sky red.

Through the shimmering heat, Kitazawa’s Byakugan activated, piercing the haze. He spotted Fuguki’s chakra flickering within the inferno.

Drawing Zangetsu, he swung once.

A blade of fire surged from the sword, slicing through the sea of flames—and found its mark.

The screams stopped abruptly. Fuguki collapsed.

“Wind Release: Vacuum Blade!”

Kitazawa swung again, infusing the sword with Wind Release chakra—a jutsu usually used on kunai but infinitely deadlier when channeled through a blade.

The gust split the fire apart, clearing a path. Kitazawa darted forward, grabbed the charred, unrecognizable body of Fuguki, and dragged him clear.

Even so, the man was burned beyond recognition—skin blackened, armor half-melted.

Before Kitazawa could catch his breath, movement caught his eye—Samehada was slithering away across the ground, like a dark, living serpent.

Kitazawa stepped forward and brought his heel down on the hilt, pinning it in place.

His hands formed seals.

Sealing Art: Weighted Limbs Seal!

Black seals of chakra bloomed from his palms, snaking across the blade until it went still—sealed.

Kitazawa stroked his chin, observing it thoughtfully.

“Samehada really is something else,” he murmured.

Among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen’s blades, it was arguably the most versatile—its chakra absorption ability alone made it terrifying.

In the original story, it had even devoured the chakra of Tailed Beasts.

Still, Kitazawa wasn’t fond of wielding a living weapon. Samehada was willful—fickle, even.

Even if it recognized him, it could easily abandon him if it sensed a richer chakra source—like that of a Jinchūriki.

Then, a thought flashed across his mind.

“...Jinchūriki? Wait—Naruto!”

Kitazawa’s eyes widened. “Good heavens…”

It actually made sense.

If any chakra could satisfy Samehada, it would be Uzumaki Naruto’s. Short of Hashirama Senju himself, no other shinobi in the world possessed chakra that potent—barring the Sage of Six Paths or Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, of course.

Samehada would adore Naruto’s chakra.

And, knowing Naruto, he’d probably treat the sword like a new friend.

Kitazawa chuckled. “A sentient sword as a pet, huh? He’d love that.”

He bound Samehada tightly in bandages. Being alive, it couldn’t be stored in a summoning scroll — he’d have to carry it himself for now.

“Kitazawa!”

A familiar voice cut through the crackling aftermath.

A fragrant breeze followed as Kurenai hurried up to him.

Kitazawa turned. The other three Hidden Mist jōnin lay scattered on the ground—all incapacitated.

“Are you alright?” she asked, worry flickering in her eyes.

“I’m fine,” Kitazawa replied, shaking his head. “What about the others?”

“Izumi and Torune are injured, but Kabuto’s treating them,” Kurenai said, exhaling in relief.

“My apologies,” came a calm voice. Itachi stepped forward, his expression faintly remorseful. “I arrived too late.”

“It’s fine,” Kitazawa said with a grin. “Actually, perfect timing. And I have to say—taking down three jōnin in one go? That’s impressive, Itachi.”

“I had help from Yuhi-senpai and the others,” Itachi replied modestly, glancing at Fuguki’s burned form. “Compared to you, I’m still lacking.”

“Alright, enough compliments,” Kurenai interjected, her tone practical. “We should move—if we linger, more Mist reinforcements will arrive.”

“Mm.” Kitazawa nodded. His Senju Chakra Mode had drained him heavily; another battle now would be risky. But with Itachi here, they could manage.

He unrolled a Summoning Storage Scroll, sealing the remains of Fuguki and the three Mist jōnin inside.

Then, the team began making their way back to the Leaf’s main camp.

Moments after they left, a lone figure materialized amidst the lingering smoke—the Hidden Mist Anbu who had earlier reported to Fuguki.

“It’s over…” he whispered, trembling. “Something big has happened…”

Suikazan Fuguki—deputy commander of the Mist forces and one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—was dead.

This would shake the entire Mist Village.

The Anbu’s eyes hardened. He vanished in a flicker—racing to report to Ao.

【Current Mission: Stop or eliminate Suikazan Fuguki.】
【Mission Reward: 40% Chakra Capacity Increase.】
【Mission Complete—Reward Issued.】

Kitazawa, sprinting alongside his squad, felt the text flicker before his eyes.

A surge of chakra flooded through his body, restoring much of what he had spent in battle.

His total chakra now exceeded all the Jonin in Konoha. It was getting close to Tsunade's level.

By the time they reached the Leaf Village Main Camp, dusk had settled in. The last rays of sunlight bled across the horizon.

Inside the command tent, Tsunade, Nara Shikaku, and Hyūga Hiashi awaited them.

“Report,” Tsunade said immediately.

Kitazawa smiled faintly. “Mission accomplished.”

Tsunade’s lips curved upward. “Well done.”

He unsealed a scroll. “These are the remains of Fuguki’s team,” he warned. “They’re… a bit bloody.”

Tsunade took the scroll without looking, passing it to Shikaku.

“You killed all four of them?” Shikaku asked, eyes widening.

The revelation rippled through the tent.

Fuguki’s status was no small matter—his death would send shockwaves through the Mist Village.

“As expected of Lady Tsunade’s student!” one of the jōnin exclaimed.

They had thought Kitazawa’s team merely repelled Fuguki’s squad—not annihilated it. The difference was night and day.

“Haru,” Tsunade ordered, turning to the nearby Anbu. “Send this report to the Hokage immediately.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.”

“Shikaku,” she continued, “prepare defensive measures. The Mist will retaliate.”

“Understood.” Shikaku bowed and swiftly exited the tent.

As the others moved into action, Tsunade’s gaze lingered on Kitazawa—a proud, knowing smile playing on her lips.

[NNSS] Chapter : 55

Training Sage Mode was hardly suitable for Deai Port. After gaining the necessary insights from Katsuyu, Roshi decided to shelve the matter for the time being.

As Lady Tsunade had predicted, Itachi’s recovery was going smoothly. He had already resumed light taijutsu training, chakra control, and even short bouts of ninjutsu practice. In truth, he looked healthier than before his injury.

Itachi himself seemed rather calm about the whole ordeal.

“At least this time,” he said quietly, “I didn’t lose a comrade.”

His voice was steady, but the faint shadow in his eyes betrayed a memory he didn’t want to revisit.

“I was careless. If you hadn’t arrived when you did, Shizune—”

“Your combat plan wasn’t flawed,” Roshi interrupted, cutting short the self-blame. “Given your power, you made the right calls in that environment. The responsibility falls on me—as your captain.”

Itachi shook his head slightly, but Roshi added before he could protest, “If you want to shoulder that kind of burden, at least make Chūnin first.”

Anko, who had been leaning against a nearby pillar, straightened up dramatically and cleared her throat.

“Ahem! Well then, Special Jōnin Roshi,” she said with a mock salute, “your diligent and humble subordinate Anko would like to point out that she worked very hard this time.”

Her serious act didn’t last long; her grin was too wide. “Speaking of which, Roshi—you remember what you promised—”

“Yes, yes, I remember,” Roshi sighed, hands raised in surrender. “We’ll head back to the village first. The feast I promised you is still on, I just need a rain check.”

“Hehe! You said it yourself, Captain!” Anko laughed triumphantly, patting his shoulder as if she’d already won.

Across the room, the youngest member of the squad sat quietly. His small feet swung idly above the floor, and the soft dawn light reflected in his dark eyes. Watching his teammates bicker so easily, a faint, genuine smile appeared on his face.

After packing up, Roshi went to bid farewell to Lady Tsunade, leaving Anko and Itachi to rest.

Without Tsunade and Shizune, their A-rank mission against the Black Snake Group would have been impossible to complete.

For once, Tsunade wasn’t drinking. She was carefully examining Shizune’s bandaged right arm.

Among everyone involved, Shizune had taken the worst of it—both physically and from overexertion. Despite her own injuries, she had insisted on tending to the wounded of the Wasabi family after the battle.

“How’s her arm?” Roshi asked.

“The bones are healing a little slower than expected, but she’ll be fine soon.”

Shizune smiled, tugging her sleeve back down. “I’ll go check on the Wasabi family again, Roshi. See you later.”

She hurried off, leaving the Senju Princess alone with her least favorite visitor.

Tsunade’s expression soured instantly.

She regretted ever opening her mouth when he came to her with those ledgers. Ever since, he had been pestering her nonstop—asking about policies, village finances, even topics that most high-level officials barely discussed aloud.

“Lady Tsunade, what exactly do the instigators of the last war demand?”
“Lady Tsunade, what percentage of the village’s budget comes from the Daimyō’s allocation?”

One question after another.

She wasn’t the Hokage—how was she supposed to know everything?

The more he asked, the more he got under her skin. And aside from that polite “Lady” he always tacked on, he showed her no deference whatsoever.

If he weren’t the only one in the clan who had successfully fused Hashirama’s cells… if she weren’t forced to pass down that responsibility to him…

Tsunade exhaled sharply. “What is it now?”

“I came to bid farewell, Lady Tsunade.”

“Then go already.” She waved a hand dismissively.

“Basic courtesies and procedures should still be observed.”

A vein twitched on her temple.

You little brat. Since when did you start lecturing me about manners?

“Out of concern,” Roshi added evenly, “you should cut down on alcohol. You’re almost pickled by now.”

Crack!

A spiderweb fissure appeared on the stone table beneath her palm as Tsunade fought to keep her temper in check.

“It’s not your place to lecture me!” she snapped.

“I’m merely stating facts, Lady Tsunade.”

Her fingers clenched around the edge of the table. “Say one more word, and I’ll throw this at you.”

Roshi wisely took a step back. “Then, farewell, Lady Tsunade.”

His calm, almost emotionless demeanor only made her irritation flare further. She inhaled deeply, trying—and failing—to steady herself.

“Hey,” she called out.

He stopped and turned slightly, waiting.

“You understand, don’t you?” she asked quietly.

“What?”

Tsunade hesitated, then took a deep breath, her voice low and weary.

“What I said before—about my grandfather’s dream. Everything he fought for, everything we sacrificed for… it was a beautiful fantasy, but a fantasy nonetheless.”

“You, who have already died once… still can’t let it go?”

Roshi’s gaze met hers—clear, calm, unwavering. The quiet conviction behind his eyes made her uneasy, as if something in her chest were burning under that stillness. She almost looked away.

“You’ve traveled the world,” he said. “In the Land of Fire, do ninja still slaughter each other freely?”

Her breath caught.

Of course there were still conflicts—grudges, skirmishes, politics. But to say they were wantonly killing each other, as in the days of the Warring Clans, with corpses littering every road…

“No,” she admitted softly.

“Then, at the very least,” Roshi said, “the First Hokage’s ideal has succeeded in one respect.”

The afternoon sun lengthened his shadow across the corridor. Without another word, Roshi turned and disappeared around the corner.

Tsunade stood alone, her fingers brushing the cold gem at her throat.

Outside, Roshi met Shizune once more.

“Roshi…” she began hesitantly.

“Yes, Shizune-san?”

“Lady Tsunade can be… harsh. Please don’t take her words to heart.”

“I understand,” he said simply.

At the estate gates, Jirocho was already waiting. He walked with them for a while before stopping, watching silently as Team 5 disappeared into the distance.

No civilians joined them on the return trip, so at a ninja’s pace, they could easily reach Konoha before dawn.

Though the matter of the Deai Port ledger was pressing, it wasn’t urgent enough to forgo rest. At dusk, Roshi chose a suitable clearing for camp. Anko and Itachi pitched the tents while he set up perimeter traps.

Just as he was finishing, he sensed movement.

From the forest shadows, four masked ninja emerged—each wearing sleeveless combat gear and short white shirts over dark armor, swords strapped to their backs.

“Team 5,” the leader spoke, his voice muffled behind a wolf mask. “Special Jōnin Roshi.”

He stepped forward, extending a gloved hand.

“We’ve been ordered to retrieve the Deai Port ledger from you. Please hand it over.”

[NNSS] Chapter : 54

Roshi couldn’t make heads or tails of the thick ledgers stacked before him. After a moment’s struggle, he decided not to pretend otherwise and went straight to someone who might actually understand.

“Oh?” Lady Tsunade’s brow arched, a flicker of surprise lighting her amber eyes as she studied him. “There are things even you don’t understand? Hmph—now you actually sound like a fourteen-year-old.”

Her finger tapped the ledger lying open on the table.

“This one’s the Deai Port account book.”

Her tone shifted, growing just a shade sharper. “Ever wonder why the old man pays such attention to this place? Without it, how do you think we allocate D-rank mission quotas to the merchants and guilds at the port?”

She reached for the half-empty bottle beside her, gave it a small shake, then set it down with a soft clink. “Those endless low-level missions in the village don’t just fall out of the sky, you know.”

“There’s never a shortage of high-ranking commissions—but weeding, finding cats, babysitting? Those don’t exactly scream ‘ninja work,’ do they?”

She leaned back, voice taking on the lazy rhythm of someone in a talking mood. “When my granduncle was Hokage, he negotiated with families across the Land of Fire—including the Daimyō’s palace itself.”

“Every month, they’d provide Konoha with a set number of D-rank requests. And if they ran out of ideas, they’d just pay for the village to invent some.”

Her gaze drifted toward the window. “With so many Genin from civilian families, without those small missions constantly cycling through, how would they train their bodies? Practice ninjutsu? Survive?”

She snorted softly. “That little Genin allowance barely buys three bowls of ramen.”

Roshi stood quietly, absorbing the explanation—details about Konoha’s inner workings he’d never bothered to consider before. He gave a small nod of acknowledgment, then turned to leave.

Tsunade remained seated on the veranda, eyes following his retreating figure as he disappeared around the corner. For a fleeting moment, she felt an odd flicker of satisfaction at her own “mentorship.”

Then irritation crept in.

This kid... among the younger generation of the clans, he was the only one who didn’t show her any real reverence. Respect, yes—but it was the polite kind, nothing more.

And she’d even given him the Shikkotsu Forest summoning contract!

Tsunade let out a huff and ran her fingers through her golden hair, tousling it in mild frustration before pouring herself another drink.

Meanwhile, Roshi had already sought out Jirocho for a quiet place to meditate.

Once alone, he formed a hand seal. With a soft puff of smoke, a palm-sized Katsuyu appeared on the tatami before him.

“Lady Katsuyu,” Roshi said respectfully, straightening his posture. “I apologize for summoning you without notice.”

“Please, there’s no need for such formality, Roshi.” The tiny slug’s gentle voice echoed faintly, her tendrils swaying toward him. “What is it you require of me this time?”

“This may sound presumptuous,” he began carefully, “but I’d like to ask about Sage Mode—if you have any knowledge of it.”

The small eyes on Katsuyu’s posterior tentacles regarded him quietly.

“Of course I know of Sage Mode,” she said softly. “However, I must remind you—my main body does indeed possess the innate ability to absorb and refine natural energy into Sage Chakra. In human terms, it holds the power of a Sage.”

Her tiny body lifted slightly off the floor. “But unlike Mount Myōboku or Ryūchi Cave, the Sage Arts of Shikkotsu Forest are almost unknown—and with good reason.”

“There is only one Katsuyu.”

Her voice carried the weight of ages. “Over the centuries, many have come to Shikkotsu Forest seeking guidance, hoping to learn the ways of the Sage.”

“But for us, such things are… natural. We never needed a cultivation system. Absorbing natural energy is as simple as breathing.”

“Still, because their resolve was strong, my main body offered aid—by splitting off a small portion of itself to attach to the practitioner, helping them perceive and draw in natural energy.”

From her tone alone, Roshi could tell the results hadn’t been ideal.

“All of the first practitioners failed,” Katsuyu said quietly. “Our power is innate—we can guide, but we cannot dispel the excess natural energy once control is lost.”

“Later generations refined the process. With a fragment of my body attached, it became possible to slowly absorb runaway natural energy from within the practitioner. But the condition remains the same.”

“The practitioner must first survive the initial onslaught—endure the violent Snake of natural energy entering the body without turning to stone or dying instantly.”

Roshi, recalling the fierce turbulence he’d experienced through his Wood Clone experiments, immediately grasped the danger.

At Mount Myōboku, the toad oil assisted with perception, and the elder sages stood ready to intervene.

At Ryūchi Cave, the White Snake Sage injected her own chakra, allowing partial control.

But Shikkotsu Forest’s method… was far slower. Success relied entirely on one’s own chakra and luck—essentially leaving the outcome to fate.

And the very step he was struggling with was this: balancing the absorption of natural energy and fusing it with his own chakra into true Sage Chakra.

“Lady Katsuyu,” Roshi admitted, “I can already sense natural energy. But every attempt to blend it into Sage Chakra has failed.”

“Failed?” Katsuyu’s tiny form froze for a heartbeat.

She could sense it—he was still flesh and blood. Alive. That meant he’d survived failure. Impossible… unless someone was aiding him. But no—if he had a toad’s help, he wouldn’t be asking her.

“When attempting fusion, I use a Wood Clone,” Roshi explained. “My main body observes from the side, ready to dispel it if something goes wrong.”

“The Senju Clan has produced another Wood Release user…” Katsuyu murmured, a faint note of admiration in her voice. “Lady Tsunade would surely be proud.”

Then her tone sharpened. “It’s clever—using a Wood Clone to bear the risk instead of your real body. But by dividing your focus to monitor it, you’ve already broken the first rule of Sage training: complete concentration.”

Her eyes glowed faintly. “Your chakra is extraordinary, Roshi. And though caution is wise when pursuing Sagehood, in your case—it’s that very caution that’s holding you back.”

Her words struck home.

For natural energy to petrify a human, it must vastly exceed their chakra. That was why only those with great chakra reserves could even attempt Sage Mode.

If one’s chakra was too weak, they’d be erased instantly.
But those with strong chakra could resist the transformation—buying just enough time to suppress or dispel the excess energy.

Roshi looked up. “Then, in your estimation—if I allowed my true body to endure the flow of natural energy directly, how long could I maintain control before losing it completely?”

Katsuyu seemed to ponder for a moment. “Based on the chakra quality you displayed when you replenished Lady Tsunade’s reserves… I’d say you could last over two minutes.”

She inclined slightly. “And if I, as your contracted summon, absorb the excess natural energy during that time… your chances of succeeding in Sage Mode training would be very high.”

[NNSS] Chapter : 53

After explaining the situation, Tsunade pushed open the door and stepped out.

Roshi followed a moment later, leaving the quiet room behind.

The hallway was dimly lit, shadows stretching long across the wooden floor. He quickened his pace to walk beside her.

“Will Itachi’s condition relapse?” he asked.

Tsunade glanced at him briefly, her stride steady. “I have no reason to lie to you. It was completely removed—no aftereffects.”

Roshi exhaled softly, shoulders easing.

As the one who had devised the operation, every outcome—every casualty—fell under his responsibility. Since the mission’s end, he had replayed every step countless times. He could not escape his share of blame.

The greatest mistake, he knew, had been optimism.

He had overestimated the Wasabi House’s defenses. Even suspecting an attack and knowing their intelligence was incomplete, he’d still believed his squad could hold the line.

The safer choice would have been to order Jirocho and Itachi into immediate hiding. Instead, he’d left them visible—bait for the enemy.

Worse still, the mission’s purpose had shifted midcourse. What began as an intelligence operation for the Black Snake Group had devolved into a direct, decisive battle.

The victory came—but at a dangerous price. That feeling of losing control gnawed at him, forcing him to reexamine every flaw in his strategy.

Tsunade’s voice cut through his thoughts. “That Uchiha kid… he’s Fugaku’s son, isn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Hmph.” She gave a vague, knowing grunt. “So what are you planning now?”

Her tone was casual, but her eyes were sharp. Roshi’s tactics during the Black Snake Group incident had left a strong impression—outwardly harmless, but with the subtlety of an old fox underneath.

He gave a helpless smile. “Itachi joining my squad was the village’s decision, not mine. As for plans… I only have some thoughts about the Uchiha situation.”

“You should already know things in the Uchiha Clan have worsened—especially after the Fourth Hokage’s death.”

“Back in my granduncle’s time, the Uchiha tried rebellion too. Nothing new,” Tsunade said, almost dismissively. “The real issue is that old man’s hesitation.”

If such matters weren’t dealt with swiftly and decisively, would they just wait for the Uchiha to reach consensus? To her, Hiruzen’s current approach wasn’t resolution—it was avoidance.

They’d just come through years of war. Now that peace was settling in, shouldn’t there be a plan?

“It’s different this time, Lady Tsunade,” Roshi replied quietly. “The village’s losses are too great.”

Decades ago, Madara’s actions had been stopped by Hashirama before real damage was done.

But now—Konoha had lost the Fourth Hokage, been ravaged by the Nine-Tails’ attack, and bled for three years in the war that followed.

The new names carved into the memorial stone told their own story—countless shattered families, unending grief. The village’s tolerance toward the Uchiha had reached its limit.

And the Uchiha, unable to explain the Sharingan’s appearance during the Nine-Tails’ attack, found themselves branded by suspicion.

Without full knowledge—without truth—how could anyone remain impartial?

Had he not known better, Roshi himself might have felt the same resentment. His predecessor had fought on the front lines; his comrades had died there.

Tsunade stopped suddenly and turned, her gaze sharp as a blade. “What’s the point of telling me all this? I’m retired.”

“Just explaining the situation to you,” Roshi replied softly.

Tsunade snorted. “Tell that to yourself. You’re young, but every word you say carries a dozen hidden meanings. Stop being so roundabout.”

She sighed and absently clutched the cold pendant at her neck. “In the end, Grandpa’s dream failed.”

The dream of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama—to create Konoha and end the age of endless war.

Her mind flickered through painful memories: Tobirama, ambushed by the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers; her brother Nawaki, barely grown, blown apart by an explosive tag; her lover, Dan, dying with his organs destroyed by enemy jutsu.

Roshi said nothing. The hallway filled only with their quiet breathing.

After a long silence, he spoke. “You’ve traveled far, met countless people, seen much of the world. I’m sure you’ve already drawn your own conclusions about it all.”

He bowed slightly. “I still have matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave, Lady Tsunade.”

Tsunade watched him go, his figure fading at the corridor’s end. Her lips pressed together unconsciously.

Why… even after all these failures, did she still find herself unable to look away?

He truly did have business to handle. After visiting Itachi, Jirocho was waiting.

With the Black Snake Group wiped out, the Chayama Gang and the Hejies Family had crumbled as well.

Still, proper procedures had to be followed. The Wasabi messenger had already been sent again—this time, carrying word of the Black Snake Group’s downfall.

By now, news should have returned.

When Roshi entered the reception room, a servant ushered him toward two men seated across a low table.

One wore a black hat and crimson robe—the Daimyō’s envoy. He was already speaking to Jirocho.

“Hejies Yuuma proved blind in judgment, deceived by mere bandits,” the envoy said coldly. “He has shamed the Daimyō’s trust. I have already ordered him to take his own life. Leadership of the Hejies family will pass to Hejies Rokurō.”

The man turned to Roshi. “You must be the Konoha shinobi. The Daimyō expresses his gratitude for your efforts. The Black Snake Group’s schemes were vile—and remnants of their recruits still remain on Naqi Island.

The Daimyō wishes to commission Konoha to eradicate them. Please, lend your aid.”

Roshi inclined his head. “Once the formal request reaches the village, Konoha will assign a team. As for us, my squad’s mission is complete. We’ll soon return.”

“Then I’ll not delay, given the urgency,” the envoy said, rising swiftly and leaving the room.

“Please, sit, Roshi-san.” Jirocho stood to greet him. “That was the Daimyō’s retainer.”

“The man behind the Hejies family?” Roshi asked.

“Indeed. With Yuuma’s death, that matter is settled.” Jirocho’s tone softened. “Thanks to you, Deai Port has finally been restored.”

He rose, bowed deeply, and touched his forehead to the floor.

“The Wasabi family’s survival is owed entirely to you and your team.”

Then he produced several thick ledgers and set them on the table.

“These are the agreed-upon rewards for your village. It’s of great importance—so I must trouble you and your squad to deliver them safely.”

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 246 - Hit and Run tactics

Kitazawa and his squad moved swiftly toward the coastline.

Although Itachi and the Anbu unit were accompanying them, they remained unseen—moving like shadows through the trees. Torune’s insects scouted ahead, spreading out in every direction in search of Fuguki’s team.

After traveling some distance, Kitazawa vaulted up onto a tall tree branch.
Once he was far enough from Kurenai, his pupils shifted—the Byakugan activated. To conceal its chakra signature, he simultaneously simulated a regular sensory technique, masking the true source of his power.

After a quick scan of the surroundings, he deactivated his Byakugan and dropped back down to continue forward.

Soon, the scent of saltwater filled the air as the sea came into view.

The coast was a perilous place—most battles between Konoha and the Hidden Mist raged here. The Mist shinobi held the terrain advantage; they attacked relentlessly, retreating to the islands when things turned against them. Konoha forces rarely pursued across the water—Water Release users held overwhelming dominance there.

That advantage was what allowed the Hidden Mist to drag this conflict into a long, grueling war.

Even so, elite Konoha teams had been striking back—capturing islands to serve as forward outposts and staging grounds.

“Itachi,” Kitazawa called as the Uchiha appeared silently before them, “any news?”

“We just received intelligence,” Itachi replied. “Ten minutes ago, Fuguki’s squad attacked the northern outpost.”

“Then we move—now!” Kitazawa said, immediately accelerating toward the north.

Their speed was tremendous; within five minutes they reached the outpost.

But they were too late.

Every Konoha shinobi stationed there had been slain. Fuguki’s squad hadn’t even occupied the site—they struck fast, killed everyone, and vanished.

“No trace of them nearby,” Torune reported as his bugs returned.

“What a pity,” Itachi murmured, frowning. “They’re long gone.”

Kitazawa crossed his arms thoughtfully. “We’re reacting too slowly. Staying passive like this will get us nowhere.”

Kurenai tilted her head. “Then what’s your plan?”

“We fight fire with fire,” Kitazawa said calmly. “If they can harass us, we can do the same to them.”

Itachi nodded slightly. “With our combined strength, we can deal far heavier blows to the Mist.”

“Agreed,” Kurenai added. “If we disrupt them enough, Fuguki’s squad will eventually come to us.”

Kitazawa unfolded a map and pointed to the coastline. “We’ll split up. Itachi, your team takes the left sector; we’ll handle the right. Eliminate any Mist shinobi you encounter as quickly as possible.”

“These are Anbu signal flares,” Itachi said, handing over two canisters. “Fire them if you need support. We’ll come immediately.”

“Understood,” Kitazawa replied with a nod. “Everyone, stay sharp.”

With that, Itachi vanished in an instant.

“Torune,” Kitazawa ordered, “start a wide-area search.”

Torune raised his hands, releasing two thick plumes of smoke that quickly dispersed into a dark cloud—the manifestation of countless insects. The cloud split apart, spreading out across the horizon.

Kitazawa climbed another tree, scanning the sea through his sunglasses. The Byakugan flared again.

“Torune,” he called, pointing forward, “there’s an island in that direction.”

Torune’s insects swarmed toward it. Moments later, he reported, “Hidden Mist outpost detected—one Special Jōnin, three Chūnin.”

“Good. We’re going in,” Kitazawa said, stepping lightly onto the water’s surface. The others followed close behind.

“They’ve spotted us,” Torune warned.

Kitazawa looked up to see four Mist shinobi standing alert at the island’s edge. Estimating the range, he quickly formed a string of seals.

The ocean began to churn violently. Under the surge of his chakra, seawater rose high, coiling into a massive dragon of water—ten meters long and roaring like thunder.

“D-defense!” one Mist ninja shouted in panic.

They scrambled to counterattack—two water walls and an earth wall sprang up, followed by a desperate Fire Release.

But Kitazawa’s Water Dragon smashed through everything, tearing apart their defenses. The four were thrown off their feet.

“Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!”
“Wind Release: Great Vacuum Sphere!”

Izumi and Kabuto’s jutsu combined—wind feeding fire—turning the sky into a blazing inferno that consumed the fallen enemies.

“Next target,” Kitazawa said flatly. He didn’t even step onto the island before turning to leave.

“Kitazawa-sensei’s Water Release really is invincible on the sea,” Kabuto said in awe.

Izumi nodded. Their combined attacks had merely been finishing blows—Kitazawa’s Water Dragon had already ended the fight before it began.

“These four were strong,” Izumi remarked, “and he still handled them easily.”

Kitazawa smirked slightly. “Best not use words like ‘invincible,’ Kabuto. The world has a way of correcting arrogance.”

Kabuto blinked, confused. “What kind of setting is that…?”

Before he could ask further, Torune’s voice came again. “Two o’clock direction—Konoha outpost under siege by Mist forces!”

“Move!” Kitazawa said sharply, and their team surged forward across the waves.

Moments later, the battlefield came into view—chaos swirling around a battered Konoha outpost.

The Hidden Mist squad clearly had the advantage. Their leader, a Jōnin, was overwhelming the defenders, whose strongest fighter was only a Special Jōnin. Even with the outpost’s fortifications, Konoha’s line was collapsing.

“Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!”

Kitazawa’s hands blurred through a rapid sequence of seals. A massive dragon of water erupted from the sea and roared toward the Mist Jōnin.

Both sides froze, startled by the sudden arrival of reinforcements.

“Kitazawa-sama!” the Konoha Special Jōnin exclaimed, eyes wide with relief. “We’re saved!”

“Kitazawa?” the Mist Jōnin spat, eyes narrowing. Then his voice sharpened. “Retreat!”

Even as he barked the order, he clapped his hands together, conjuring a thick Water Wall to cover their escape.

His three Chūnin subordinates didn’t hesitate—they broke away from the fight instantly and sprinted toward the forest.

By now, Kitazawa’s name carried weight across the entire front. Every Mist shinobi had heard of the man whose Water Release rivaled their own village’s specialists.

And for this Jōnin, retreat was the only sensible move.

Kitazawa’s lips curved into a faint smirk. “Running, huh? That makes things easier.”

He inhaled deeply. “Water Release: Water Formation Pillar!”

A dense sphere of water formed before his lips, and with a violent exhale, it shot forward like a cannonball. At the same moment, his water dragon shattered the Mist Jōnin’s wall, clearing the way.

The projectile struck the enemy’s counter-dragon head-on. The resulting explosion burst the water sphere apart, sending a torrential deluge crashing down on the Mist Jōnin.

“Water Formation Pillar…?” he muttered, startled. That was a Hidden Mist technique—how could a Leaf ninja know it?

Before he could react further, the flood engulfed him, washing him several meters away.

He recovered quickly—his mastery of Water Release prevented serious injury—but that brief delay cost him everything.

A scream tore through the battlefield.

He turned just in time to see his three subordinates lying motionless, struck down by Kurenai’s genjutsu and Kabuto’s precise follow-up strikes.

The Jōnin’s eyes widened—then darkness swallowed his vision completely.

“Wh—what is this?!” he shouted into the void, stumbling forward.

A whisper of movement brushed behind him—too fast.

“Water Release: Water Wall!”

He spun, raising another wall of churning water just as a kunai clanged against it and fell harmlessly away.

But then—

“Uchiha Style: Gale Sword!”

Kitazawa appeared behind him, blade wreathed in searing flame. His strike cleaved through the Jōnin’s defenses in a single blazing arc. The enemy didn’t even have time to scream before the fire consumed him.

The darkness lifted—Kurenai’s genjutsu faded from the field.

Kitazawa silently produced a sealing scroll and stored the Jōnin’s body.

“Kitazawa-sama! Thank you!” The Konoha Special Jōnin bowed deeply, relief washing over his soot-streaked face. “If not for you, we’d all be dead!”

Kitazawa waved it off. “Clean up the field. We’re moving on.”

He turned away, walking alongside Kurenai and Kabuto.

Hours slipped by.

With Torune’s insects and Kitazawa’s Byakugan, their pace was relentless.

By noon, they had already annihilated seven Mist squads. Between their efforts and Itachi’s Anbu team, Hidden Mist forces had suffered devastating losses in a single morning.

On a distant island, Fuguki’s team was taking a break, roasting fish over a small campfire.

The sudden sound of rushing wind made Fuguki’s brow crease in suspicion—until he saw the approaching figures in Mist Anbu gear.

“Lord Fuguki,” one of the masked shinobi said respectfully, holding out a scroll. “Message from Lord Ao.”

“Tch… what does that guy want now?” Fuguki muttered irritably as he tore the scroll open.

He had no love for Ao.

First, because Ao’s endless skirmishes with Konoha had dragged on far too long.
Second, because Ao had taken his position as frontline commander while Fuguki was away from the village.

Both held similar rank and reputation, but with Gensui and the elders backing Ao, the decision had been sealed.

“Tch… that brat.” Fuguki’s lips curled into a cold grin. “He dares to mock me?”

“Who?” asked the middle-aged Earth Release specialist at his side.

“Read it yourself,” Fuguki said, tossing the scroll.

“Kitazawa…?” the man’s face darkened. “So that’s his game. He’s openly provoking us!”

Indeed, Kitazawa’s strategy was working perfectly—his high-profile strikes were meant to draw Fuguki out, to force him into revealing his position.

Ao, aware of this, had simply redirected the trap—assigning Fuguki to eliminate Kitazawa’s team instead.

Fuguki rose to his feet, slinging the massive blade Samehada across his back.

“Since he’s come this far, it’d be rude not to entertain him,” he said coldly. “We’ll eat after we’ve crushed Kitazawa’s squad.”

“Yes, sir!” his team chorused.

Without another word, the four Mist Jōnin departed, racing northwest across the sea.

One of them—a young sensory-type ninja—formed seals mid-run.

After half an hour, his eyes snapped open. “Two thousand meters ahead!”

“Prepare for contact,” Fuguki ordered grimly. “There’s an Aburame among them—our approach won’t go unnoticed.”

At that exact moment, Torune’s insects stirred. His head shot up. “Four Mist Jōnin are moving straight toward us!”

Kitazawa’s expression hardened. “So they took the bait.”

He raised a signal flare and fired it into the sky—the crimson light blooming overhead.

“I’ll take on Fuguki,” Kitazawa said calmly. “The rest of you focus on defense and hold out until Itachi arrives.”

Kurenai and Kabuto nodded silently.

They knew full well that against four Mist Jōnin, survival—not victory—was the goal.

The battle was coming.

“They’re here!”

The moment Kabuto spotted Suikazan Fuguki and his squad, his hands flashed through a string of seals. A translucent sphere of compressed wind shot forward like a cannonball.

Fuguki’s eyes narrowed. His grip tightened around Samehada as the bandages wrapping the greatsword disintegrated into the air, revealing its grotesque, living form—a dark-blue blade covered in jagged barbs, pulsing faintly as if alive.

He swung it down. Samehada’s maw split open, devouring the wind sphere in an instant.

“So that’s Samehada… the blade that can absorb ninjutsu,” Kabuto muttered, his expression tightening.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—and their legendary weapons—were infamous throughout the ninja world. Konoha had detailed intel on each one. Among them, Samehada was the most terrifying—a sentient sword that feasted on chakra itself.

“Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears!”

The middle-aged Mist Jonin slammed his palms to the ground. In the next instant, jagged stone spears erupted beneath Kitazawa’s team, lunging upward like fangs from the earth.

“Heavenly Foot of Pain!”

Kitazawa didn’t move. He simply stomped down, and the impact shattered the entire field. Cracks webbed through the ground as the stone spears splintered into rubble.

“Tsunade’s monstrous strength?” Fuguki’s brow furrowed before he blurred forward like lightning, closing the gap in a heartbeat.

He soared into the air, gripping Samehada in both hands. “Die!”

He brought it down like a mountain falling from the sky, the sheer force tearing the air apart with a shriek.

“Uchiha Style: Sword Leap Flame!”

Kitazawa drew Zangetsu, intercepting the strike. The clash sent shockwaves through the ground—earth crumbling, wind howling. Kitazawa’s stance held firm.

“Impressive,” Fuguki admitted, surprise flashing across his eyes. Most shinobi would have been crushed by that blow. But this one… Tsunade’s pupil… was built differently.

“Samehada!” he barked.

The sword twisted, its mouth snapping forward to bite into Zangetsu. The flames coating Kitazawa’s blade dimmed instantly, their chakra devoured.

“Lightning Release: Lightning Blade!”

Without a change in expression, Kitazawa flooded Zangetsu with crackling lightning. The sword hummed violently.

Samehada’s mouth snapped shut, trembling—the electric chakra was too much. If it held on, its teeth would splinter.

It released the blade with a hiss.

“What?” Fuguki’s pupils contracted. He had never seen Samehada recoil like that.

Kitazawa’s left fist shot forward, wreathed in raw power. Fuguki barely managed to block with Samehada, the impact numbing his arms.

“Uchiha Style: Gale Sword!”

In a flash, Kitazawa vanished and reappeared behind him, his blade sweeping out. A blazing arc of fire surged forward.

Fuguki spun midair, and Samehada’s jaws opened wide.

“Wind Release: Shuriken!”

Kitazawa flicked a shuriken with pinpoint precision—straight into Samehada’s open mouth.

Samehada snapped it shut immediately. No living thing wanted its insides damaged. Even a sentient sword.

Fuguki’s expression darkened. The invincible Samehada—outplayed twice in mere moments.

“Water Release: Water Wall!”

He reacted instantly, raising a wall of water. The roaring flames and wind shuriken collided with it, exploding in steam and spray. Using the cover, Fuguki leaped back to regain distance.

Kitazawa’s eyes flicked to Kabuto and Kurenai. They were struggling against the three Mist Jonin—barely holding their ground.

Fortunately, the enemy was cautious of Torune’s insects, keeping their distance. But that caution wouldn’t last long.

As Kitazawa’s squad rose in fame, the Mist had gathered intel on all five members—including Torune’s deadly insects. Now that the secret was out, few would fall for the same trick again.

Still, even knowledge couldn’t eliminate the threat.

Kitazawa exhaled softly. They could hold out for a minute or two—just long enough. The ANBU reinforcements might not make it in time, but Itachi would.

“Worry about yourself first, brat!” Fuguki roared. Samehada swept sideways, cutting through the air with a shrill whistle.

“Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!”

A wall of packed soil rose before Kitazawa—only to be shattered instantly by Samehada’s sheer force.

Then, thunder boomed overhead. A bolt of lightning crashed down between them.

Fuguki leapt back, eyes narrowing as he spotted the second blade in Kitazawa’s hand—Raiden—gleaming with electricity. It radiated the same chakra as the twin Lightning Blades of Kiba.

So… he reforged them, did he?

Fuguki gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He twisted Samehada’s hilt, and a chain uncoiled from its base.

“Samehada: Flying Chain Slash!”

The massive blade shot toward Kitazawa, whirling with terrifying speed.

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 245 - Fuguki Suikazan

After April began, the weather turned warmer, though the evening breeze still carried a trace of spring’s coolness.

Kitazawa, Kurenai, Kabuto, and the others sat outside their tent, enjoying a simple dinner after completing another A-rank mission.

“Hard to believe it’s already been two weeks of nonstop fighting,” Kitazawa sighed, checking the new jutsu granted by the system—Fire Release: Intelligent Hardwork and Wind Release: Pressure Damage.

“This is my first time doing ten high-level missions back-to-back in half a month,” Kurenai groaned, taking a bite of fried shrimp. “I feel like I’ve been fighting in my sleep lately.”

Kitazawa chuckled. “You’ve all made remarkable progress. Combat experience, ninjutsu control—everything’s improved faster than I expected.”

Kurenai clenched her fist, a spark of pride lighting her eyes. “Now I can take out a Hidden Mist Chūnin with a single punch.”

She wasn’t exaggerating. Since learning the Strength of a Hundred Seal and the Rasengan, her strength had grown to a level rivaling most Jōnin candidates.

Kitazawa smiled approvingly. “You’ve all done well. And since you’ve just about mastered your current ninjutsu…”—his gaze shifted to Kabuto and Izumi—“…I’ll teach you something new.”

Kabuto’s tired eyes immediately lit up. “What kind of ninjutsu, Sensei?”

“Wind Release: Pressure Damage,” Kitazawa said. “It’s classified as B-rank, but its power is closer to A-rank.”

Kurenai blinked. “Never heard of that one. Is it from Konoha?”

“No,” Kitazawa replied easily. “I picked it up from an enemy on a mission once.”

The others didn’t question it—he often made up such stories. With his position and reputation, no one would doubt him even if he used forbidden-level jutsu.

Kurenai laughed softly. “That’s not stealing, that’s collecting spoils of war.”

Kitazawa smirked. “Exactly.”

Kabuto nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Sensei.”

Then Kitazawa turned to Izumi. “You’ll learn Fire Release: Intelligent Hardwork. Both jutsus complement each other perfectly.”

“Together, they form a compound jutsu—Blazing Wind Riot,” he continued. “It’s an A-rank combination attack strong enough to threaten even elite Jōnin.”

Kabuto’s eyes widened. “That’s… incredible.”

Izumi smiled quietly, the fire of determination returning to her gaze.

As they discussed, Torune looked on enviously but said nothing—he knew he still needed time to catch up.

Kitazawa nodded in approval. “You’ve all earned a day’s rest tomorrow. We’ll start training on these new jutsus afterward.”

That night, when the camp finally quieted down and both entered their tent.

Kurenai stretched and let out a deep sigh. “I swear, I haven’t relaxed properly in days.”

Kitazawa gave her a teasing look. “We’re off duty tomorrow. That’s as close as you’ll get.”

She shot him a half-smile. “Then don’t you dare disturb me while I’m trying to relax.”

Kitazawa chuckled, leaning back. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Kitazawa took out a summoning scroll.

Bathing during wartime was very inconvenient.

After all, enemies might appear while one was bathing, which would be life-threatening.

Kitazawa had considered this situation and made preparations in advance.

He opened the summoning scroll and took out a bathtub.

After placing the bathtub, he formed hand signs.

His Chakra nature transformed into water, quickly filling the bathtub two-thirds of the way.

Kitazawa reached out and put his hand into the water.

His Chakra changed from Water Release to Fire Release, and a scorching aura emanated, quickly warming the cold water.

“Thank you." Kurenai stepped into the bathtub.

The moment Kitazawa looked up, his gaze landed on Kurenai—completely unguarded before him.

“You really are a bad guy,” she muttered, dipping her legs into the warm water.

“You’re acting a little different today,” Kitazawa said, raising an eyebrow.

“Seeing how hard you’ve worked these past two weeks,” Kurenai replied calmly, “I figured I’d give you a reward.”

Kitazawa chuckled softly. “My Kurenai really is the best.”

“Of course,” she replied with a confident smirk, flexing her legs under the water.

“When we get back to the village, I’ll make sure you get rewarded every day,” Kitazawa teased.

“That won’t be necessary,” she quickly crossed her arms, her tone turning serious. “We’re ninja. We should stay focused on training.”

Kitazawa laughed at her sudden shift. “What happened to the fearless Kurenai I know?”

“I’m not scared!” she turned her head away, her cheeks slightly red. “I just think… I should train harder so I don’t fall too far behind you.”

“Come on in,” Kitazawa beckoned with a grin. “It’s cold out there.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Kurenai finally stepped into the tub. The warm water rippled as she sank in beside him.

“It’s nice to steal a moment of peace like this,” Kitazawa sighed.

Kurenai gave a quiet hum in agreement, biting her lip slightly as steam curled around them.

Kitazawa couldn’t help but smile at her expression and gently pulled her closer.

“Slow down,” Kurenai murmured, though her voice lacked conviction.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper bath,” he replied with an easy grin. “Might as well make it last.”

Time passed quietly. The tension between battle-worn shinobi gave way to rare calm. By the time they finished and lay down to rest, the world outside their tent had gone completely still.

It was another rare, peaceful night.

Though war raged between the Hidden Mist and Konoha, neither main camp had moved against the other in recent days.

When dawn arrived, Kitazawa awoke on time as always. Kurenai was still asleep beside him—she had clearly been exhausted the night before.

He didn’t wake her. After breakfast, he began training Kabuto and Izumi, while Torune practiced the Aburame clan’s secret jutsus on his own.

For once, the camp was quiet. No missions. No alarms. Just training and the steady rhythm of village life at the front lines.

By the next day, Kitazawa and Kurenai had settled back into their usual discipline. They both knew better than to exhaust themselves before a new mission.

But before Kitazawa could even approach Tsunade to request their next task, an Anbu appeared.

“Kitazawa-sama,” the masked shinobi said respectfully. “Lady Tsunade requests your entire team’s presence.”

Kitazawa’s brow arched slightly. Usually, Tsunade summoned him alone. This time, it seemed serious.

“It must be an important mission,” Kurenai said, already reading the situation.

“Most likely.” Kitazawa stood, fastening his gear. “Let’s find out.”

The five of them made their way to the main tent.

Inside stood a familiar figure in Anbu attire.

“Itachi?” Izumi’s eyes brightened in surprise.

“It’s been a while, Izumi,” Itachi greeted calmly without turning.

“You recognized him just from his back?” Kurenai teased. “You two must be close.”

Izumi flushed, while Itachi remained impassive.

“Lady Tsunade,” Kitazawa greeted respectfully, shifting his attention to the commander.

Tsunade rubbed her temples, clearly troubled. “A certain problem has been giving us headaches. Suikazan Fuguki’s unit has been conducting repeated hit-and-run raids nearby.”

Kitazawa frowned. “You haven’t sent a counter-squad?”

“I have,” Tsunade sighed, “but none succeeded. His team retreats the moment they sense danger. We can’t pin them down.”

“What about the Hyuga clan?” Kitazawa asked.

“They’ve tried. But each time, the enemy uses Hidden Mist jutsu to vanish. Even the Byakugan struggles to see through that much chakra-infused mist.”

Kitazawa nodded slowly. “A clever tactic. Fight when you can win, run when you can’t… classic Mist style.”

“Other teams have failed,” Tsunade said, her gaze steadying on him. “But what about you? Do you have confidence?”

She wasn’t exaggerating—among the Konoha shinobi present, few could match Kitazawa’s consistency in results.

“I’ll try,” Kitazawa replied after a brief pause.

His Byakugan purity was at thirty percent—stronger than even the Hyuga clan’s. Even through chakra mist, he could still perceive movement clearly enough to track an enemy.

【Current Mission: Stop or eliminate Suikazan Fuguki.】
【Mission Reward: +40% Chakra capacity increase.】
【Accept?】

Kitazawa’s eyes gleamed. Of course he would accept.

Suikazan Fuguki—one of the original Seven Ninja Swordsmen—was a formidable opponent. A reward double that of defeating Ameyuri Ringo was nothing to scoff at.

“Fuguki’s team is slippery,” Tsunade continued. “I’m assigning Itachi and an Anbu squad to assist you.”

Kitazawa nodded. 'No wonder Itachi was here.'

With Itachi’s power—especially that Mangekyō Sharingan Tsunade didn’t yet know about—victory was almost guaranteed.

“Proceed carefully,” Tsunade warned. “Your safety comes first.”

“I understand.”

“This is an S-rank mission,” she concluded. “Itachi will brief you on the details.”

Once dismissed, they stepped outside the tent.

“I didn’t expect to work with you again,” Izumi said, smiling faintly.

“Neither did I,” Itachi replied softly. “I just returned from Konoha.”

Kitazawa asked, “How’s the Academy?”

“Business as usual,” Itachi replied. “Sasuke’s been asking when you’ll return to teach.”

Izumi blinked. “Sasuke actually asked about someone? That’s… rare.”

Itachi’s lips curved slightly, though his tone remained calm.

“Tell us about Fuguki’s team,” Kitazawa prompted.

Itachi nodded. “They’re four in total—all Jōnin-level.”

Kitazawa’s expression sharpened. “Is Kisame among them?”

“No.” Itachi shook his head. “Just Fuguki and three others. One specializes in Earth Release—he locates suitable terrain for ambushes. Another uses Water Release and covers their retreats with Hidden Mist. The last is both a medic and a sensory-type shinobi.”

“No wonder they’re hard to catch,” Kitazawa mused, rubbing his chin.

Itachi then spread out a map. “These are the areas where they’ve been sighted.”

Kitazawa studied the marked locations. Their pattern was clear—every movement stayed close to the coastline, circling the left flank of Konoha’s forward base.

A dangerous but predictable hunting ground.

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 244 - Rising Fame

Kitazawa didn’t destroy all the bodies—he deliberately left two behind.

There was a reason for that.

His squad had a mission system tied to their fame and reputation, and Ameyuri Ringo was a name that carried weight in the Hidden Mist Village. She held a position similar to Uchiha Itachi’s status among Konoha’s younger generation—a prodigy, a symbol of promise.

Her death would make waves.

If the Mist didn’t find any remains, they wouldn’t know who had killed her or her team—and the mission’s fame reward would go to waste.

That night, Kitazawa and his team finally returned to the Leaf’s main camp, exhausted but triumphant.

The entire operation had taken nearly a full day, most of it spent evading Mist patrols deep behind enemy lines.

“You all go get some rest,” Kitazawa said, waving them off. “I’ll report to Lady Tsunade.”

“Yes, Sensei.”

Kabuto and the others replied in unison.

“I’ll wait for you back at the tent,” said Kurenai, smiling faintly before heading off.

Kitazawa made his way to the main tent at the center of the camp. When he entered, he paused—besides Tsunade and Shizune, Shikaku and the ANBU captain Haru were also present.

“How did the mission go?” Tsunade asked casually, though her tone carried quiet authority.

“The mission was a success,” Kitazawa reported. “Both of the Mist’s supply ships were completely destroyed.”

“Well done,” Tsunade said, satisfaction in her eyes. “You’ve worked hard. Collect your mission reward, then rest.”

She was proud—Kitazawa was her student, and his achievements reflected directly on her command.

“Understood,” Kitazawa nodded.

Like in peacetime, wartime missions still came with monetary rewards. Ninjas were, after all, professional soldiers—and money, just like ideology, fueled their will to fight.

The Will of Fire burned brightest when one’s stomach wasn’t empty.

“This time we encountered three Jonin,” Kitazawa continued, pulling out a summoning scroll. “One of them was Ameyuri Ringo.”

Shikaku’s eyes widened slightly. “The Hidden Mist’s Lightning Release prodigy?”

“That’s her,” Kitazawa confirmed.

Shikaku let out a low whistle. “The Mist took another serious hit, then.”

Tsunade raised a brow but didn’t look shocked. Kitazawa had already defeated Kurosuki Raiga—so killing Ringo wasn’t beyond expectation. Still, it was a shame. A genius extinguished before reaching her prime.

“Haru,” Tsunade ordered, “spread the word through the ANBU. Make sure the enemy knows Ameyuri Ringo is dead.”

Her tone was calm but firm.

Not only would it shatter the Mist’s morale, it would also bolster Konoha’s—and raise Kitazawa’s reputation even higher.

“Your merits will be recorded,” Tsunade added, accepting the scroll. “Once the war ends, see the Third for your official commendation.”

“Understood. I’ll take my leave.”

Kitazawa exited the tent and stopped by the mission office to claim his reward.
For an S-rank mission, the payout was generous—1.2 million ryō.

He divided the earnings among Kabuto, Kurenai, Izumi, and Torune before heading back to his tent.

“Combat really makes you grow faster,” Kurenai said with a grin, tightening her fist. “I feel like I’m getting closer to mastering the Strength of a Hundred Seal.”

“The danger matches the reward,” Kitazawa replied, lying back on the carpet. “If that wasn’t true, Root wouldn’t train its agents the way it does.”

“Root’s training is too cruel,” Kurenai murmured, nestling against his arm. “It strips people of their humanity.”

As they spoke softly, the atmosphere in the Hidden Mist’s main camp grew tense.

“Kitazawa again?”

Ao frowned deeply.

“So he’s not only skilled in Water Release… but also Lightning Release?” Kisame muttered, intrigued.

Mei's expression darkened. “From what I’ve analyzed, his Lightning Release surpasses even Ameyuri’s.”

Zabuza snorted. “So what? Are we supposed to be afraid of him?”

The arrogance in his voice matched the confidence of a true Mist prodigy. In his mind, he could’ve killed both Raiga and Ringo himself.

“It’s not about fear,” Mei said coolly. “It’s about awareness. Underestimating him would be foolish.”

Ao nodded. “You might not need to fear him, Zabuza—but most Mist shinobi wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Kitazawa killing Ameyuri will hurt morale,” said Fuguki, voice heavy. “We must strike back.”

Ao frowned. He preferred drawn-out, strategic warfare to buy time for the Mist, as the elders had ordered.
Fuguki, on the other hand, followed Fourth Mizukage Yagura’s aggressive doctrine—constant offense, unrelenting raids.

“I agree with Fuguki,” Zabuza said, a confident grin on his face. “Let me lead a squad into the Land of Fire. I’ll bring back Kitazawa’s head myself.”

Ao hesitated. Fuguki’s reasoning was sound this time, and rejecting him outright might cause friction. But letting Zabuza go was risky—his ambition was too volatile.

Fuguki, though reckless, was still a vice-commander. Letting him take a small strike force into enemy territory would keep him busy—and limit the damage he could do elsewhere.

“Fuguki,” Ao finally said, “you’ll lead this mission. It’s dangerous, but your experience suits it.”

“What? My experience isn’t bad either!” Zabuza barked.

“I’m the commander,” Ao replied calmly. “My decision stands.”

“Fine,” Fuguki said with a grin. “If I meet this Kitazawa, his corpse will be the one boosting our morale.”

“Don’t get dragged into a prolonged fight,” Ao warned. “Your goal is to inflict as many Konoha casualties as possible—then retreat.”

“I know,” Fuguki said, his tone indifferent.

The next morning dawned quietly.

After breakfast, Kitazawa entered Tsunade’s tent once more.

“Good morning,” she mumbled around a rice ball.

“Good morning, Lady Tsunade.”

Seeing she was alone, Kitazawa strolled in without formality, glancing at the stack of mission scrolls on her table.

“This one,” Tsunade said, tossing a scroll his way.

Kitazawa caught it, unrolled it—and understood immediately.

An urgent mission.

Barely half an hour ago, one of Konoha’s coastal outposts had been overrun by a Mist squad.

“Then I’ll depart at once,” he said, rolling the scroll up.

Tsunade nodded, already reaching for her second rice ball. As the front-line commander overseeing more than eight thousand shinobi, she barely had time to breathe, much less eat properly.

Kitazawa turned to leave—then paused.

“Lady Tsunade.”

She blinked. “Hm? What is it?”

He stepped closer.

“There’s a grain of rice,” he said softly, brushing a stray bit from the corner of her lips.

Tsunade froze for a second. “Ah… thank you.”

“See you next time, Lady Tsunade,” Kitazawa said with a faint, teasing smile before heading out.

Tsunade exhaled, watching him go.
“This guy…” she muttered, touching her lips, “…always so bold.”

Outside, Kitazawa found Kurenai and Kabuto waiting.

“What’s the mission today?” Kurenai asked.

“A-rank,” Kitazawa replied. “We’re taking back a lost outpost. Two Special Jonin and two Chunin are stationed there.”

Kurenai grinned. “Then it’s easy. We’ve got this.”

“Good,” Kitazawa said. “Kabuto, you take command this time. If things go south, I’ll step in.”

A good leader, he believed, should let his students grow through real combat—not just hover over them.

“We’ll handle it,” said Izumi confidently.

Torune said nothing, but nodded once—his silence saying everything.

The group soon reached the forest by the sea.

“There are explosive tag traps three hundred meters ahead,” Torune suddenly warned, his tone calm as ever.

Kabuto adjusted his glasses and thought for a moment. “Yuhi-senpai, Izumi—circle around and approach from the rear. Once I disable the traps, you two will strike.”

“Understood.”

Kurenai and Izumi exchanged a glance, then vanished into the trees.

“They’re in position,” Torune murmured moments later.

“Wind Release: Shuriken!”

Kabuto drew a shuriken, infusing it with Wind Chakra before hurling it. It hit dead center—detonating the explosive tags in a roaring blast.

The explosion echoed across the shoreline. Four Mist ninja instantly appeared atop the outpost, scanning for intruders.

“There! Two Konoha shinobi straight ahead!” the captain barked, forming hand signs in a blur.

Water Chakra surged to his throat—then burst out as a roaring Water Dragon Bullet.

“Wind Release: Vacuum Bullet!”

Kabuto took a deep breath, unleashing compressed blasts of air that shredded through the water dragon, scattering its body into mist.

“There are two more Konoha ninja behind us!” another Mist jonin shouted.

“Leave them to us!” two Chunin roared, rushing toward Kurenai and Izumi.

One formed hand signs—thick fog instantly billowed across the battlefield.

“Careful! That’s the Hidden Mist Technique!” Kurenai warned.

Izumi’s Sharingan flared to life, the red tomoe spinning sharply. Although the mist obscured vision, her eyes tracked every subtle movement and killing intent.

“Sharingan…” The young female Mist ninja narrowed her eyes. She knew then—her two Chunin allies were outmatched.

She leapt into the haze, aiming straight for Izumi.

“Super Strength!”

Acting on instinct, Kurenai clenched her fist and struck. The force of her punch whipped the air into a gale, scattering a huge portion of the mist.

In that fleeting moment, three silhouettes became visible.

“Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Claw Crimson!”

Izumi’s hands blurred through seals. A storm of flaming shuriken tore through the air, lighting up the clearing.

The Mist kunoichi cursed and hastily raised a Water Wall, blocking the flames. Her two allies reacted instantly, jumping high to toss their own shuriken over the defense.

Kurenai’s hands rose—petals burst into the air, swirling like a crimson storm. Each petal carried Chakra, deflecting the shuriken with soft, ringing impacts.

“Where did she go?” one of the Mist Chunin gasped—only to find Kurenai had vanished.

“It’s genjutsu!” the Mist kunoichi realized too late.

She moved to break the illusion—but a rush of wind sliced through the mist.

Kurenai appeared at her flank, eyes cold, fist raised.

The kunoichi hastily gathered Chakra into her arms, meeting the attack head-on.

Bang!

The collision sent her skidding backward, shock etched across her face. Even braced, she couldn’t withstand Kurenai’s raw power.

Meanwhile, Izumi was already in motion—appearing in front of the two disoriented Chunin.

“Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!”

A torrent of flames roared from her mouth, engulfing them both. Their screams were brief—then silence. Two shuriken followed, ending them cleanly.

“Damn it!” the Mist kunoichi shouted in fury.

She gathered all her Chakra, forming rapid seals before spewing a massive water sphere like a falling meteor—Water Release: Water Formation Wall!

Kitazawa’s eyes narrowed as he watched from afar. 'So that’s the technique Mei Terumī used against Uchiha Madara…'

His Sharingan spun to life, memorizing every detail.

“Fire Release: Great Fireball!” Izumi countered, sending a blazing orb hurtling forward.

Kurenai retreated swiftly—but both underestimated the sheer force of the Mist kunoichi’s Water Release.

The water sphere exploded upon impact, scattering into a tidal wave that crashed over them.

“Rasengan!”

Kurenai’s hands formed a spiraling sphere of Chakra, slamming it into the surging water. The wave split apart violently, spraying in every direction.

The Mist kunoichi froze in disbelief—then darkness swallowed her vision.

“Bringer of Darkness!”

Kurenai’s eyes met hers, trapping her in pitch-black nothingness.

“What—?!” The kunoichi flailed, unable to see, panic rising.

In that instant, Kurenai flickered, appearing before her.

“Super Strength!”

Her fist connected cleanly—sending the kunoichi flying like a broken doll.

Izumi stared, wide-eyed. “What kind of ninjutsu was that? Even the Sharingan couldn’t see through it…”

The thought sent a chill through her. Only an Uchiha could truly understand how terrifying it was to be blinded.

Kurenai calmly released the genjutsu, walked over to the unconscious kunoichi, and struck once more—ending it.

By then, Kabuto’s battle was nearly over.

His Wind Release clashed violently with the Mist captain’s Water Release, producing gusts that tore across the outpost.

But Kabuto wasn’t fighting alone.

Torune’s bugs forced the captain to move defensively, creating an opening.

Kabuto vanished in a flicker, reappearing atop the outpost. His kunai gleamed with Wind Chakra.

The Mist jonin formed a Water Wall in desperation—only for Kabuto’s blade to slice through it like paper.

From below, Torune’s insects surged up, binding the man’s legs.

Kabuto’s strike was clean and merciless. One cut—then silence.

“Clear the battlefield,” Kitazawa ordered. He formed a quick seal—puff—a Shadow Clone appeared beside him.

“You, return to the main camp. Tell them to send a relief squad.”

Their mission was to reclaim the outpost, not guard it.

Once the site was secured, the relief team arrived, led by a Special Jonin who saluted Kitazawa respectfully.

After giving his final instructions, Kitazawa led Kurenai, Kabuto, and the others back to camp.

Another A-rank mission—complete.

Days passed.

Kitazawa’s squad maintained a near-perfect record: one mission every day. Their efficiency and ferocity soon became legendary on the battlefield.

Both Konoha and the Hidden Mist knew the name Kitazawa Squad.

And when word spread that Kitazawa was Tsunade’s disciple—their fame soared even higher.

【Current Mission: Lead your squad to complete ten A-rank or S-rank missions.】
【Mission Reward: Compound Ninjutsu – Blazing Wind Riot.】
【Mission complete. Reward granted.】

Kitazawa felt the surge of new knowledge fill his mind—a pair of jutsu, and one devastating fusion between them.

Compound Ninjutsu: Blazing Wind Riot—a combination of Fire Release: Intelligent Hardwork and Wind Release: Pressure Damage.

He hadn’t known either jutsu before—but as usual, the system provided both.

A buy-one-get-two deal.

A true windfall.

[NNSS] Chapter : 52

The curfew’s remnants still clung to the streets—overturned crates, torn banners, and the faint scent of smoke—but the suffocating chaos had already faded into uneasy calm.

At a quiet corner near Haifi Pavilion, Roshi was taking care of the final loose end.

Genshoku’s body would never return to the Village; it was to be erased here.
The fire crackled quietly, its orange tongues devouring what remained. Roshi stood motionless before it, his expression unreadable as the flames consumed flesh and fabric alike. There was no heavy smoke, only the faint hiss and pop of burning matter and a bitter, metallic tang in the air.

Before long, all that was left was a small heap of gray-white ash. The wind caught it, scattering it into the night until not even a trace remained.

Jubei—the true core of the Black Snake Group—existed now only as a lump of flesh. Since he seemed to hold information about Orochimaru, Roshi decided he would be brought back to the Village for interrogation.

Gaiku and Hebizu had already been sealed within scrolls, to be delivered to the higher-ups. They’d likely be exchanged for resources… or funding.

After this battle, both Anko’s and Itachi’s gear were in need of repair—or replacement entirely.
Tanzai’s commission payment was far from enough. Once they returned, they’d have to negotiate with the village about expense reimbursement.

Under these circumstances, perhaps the annihilation mission and the intelligence-gathering objective could be counted as completed together.

Deai Port, meanwhile, was slowly recovering from the chaos.

After the Black Snake Group’s ambush failed, the Chayama Gang lost its leadership and quickly unraveled. Without Jubei’s iron grip, they were nothing more than ordinary thugs—easily crushed by the port’s local forces.

The Hejies family had kept their gates sealed since the curfew began and showed no sign of lowering their guard. The local merchants had no intention of crossing the Daimyo, and Wasabi House was still busy tending to their wounded. No one dared stir further trouble.

Through Wasabi Family’s connections, Roshi managed to secure several key members of the Chayama Gang from the Fishery Association’s chairman—including the scarred former captain of the city gate guard. Perhaps, with a bit of pressure, he could pry something useful from them.

Inside a guest room of the Haifi Pavilion Inn, Roshi sat bent over a desk, organizing the compiled intelligence. His pen scratched steadily across paper.

The door creaked open. Anko stepped in and dropped a stack of hastily scribbled confession notes on top of his report.

“A bunch of spineless cowards,” she scoffed, dragging a chair over and collapsing into it with a heavy sigh. Her boots landed on the edge of the table.

“They pissed themselves before the snake even showed its fangs. None of them knew a damn thing. They were terrified of Jubei—said he ruled through sheer force and brutality, crushing anyone who resisted.

“The money they stole? Jubei took most of it himself. Whatever scraps were left, they spent on booze and food. As for where the rest went—or who it went to—they have no clue. They didn’t even know the name ‘Black Snake Group.’ They thought Jubei was just some wandering samurai with too much power and no conscience.”

Her words came quickly, but her gaze never quite met Roshi’s.

The room fell into silence again, the only sound the quiet, rhythmic scratching of Roshi’s pen.

Anko’s toes twitched against the table leg. Her lips parted and closed several times, hesitant, until finally she spoke—her tone low and dry:

“Hey, Roshi…”

“That guy—before he died—he didn’t say anything else about Orochimaru.”

The pen stopped mid-stroke. Roshi looked up, meeting her eyes calmly.

“Once we’re back, the Village will have its hands on new intel,” he said simply.

“Yeah… I know.” Anko’s shoulders slumped slightly. She turned her head toward the window.

The sea breeze drifted in, stirring the stray strands of her violet hair.

“It’s just…” Her voice softened—half confession, half whisper lost to the wind. “Every time I hear his name—something in me just… loses control.”

She ran a hand through her hair with visible frustration. “I know it’s pointless to rush things, but I can’t help it. I want answers. Anything. Even a scrap.”

Roshi said nothing. His pen resumed its quiet rhythm, the sound steady and deliberate—the only response she needed.

Anko’s gaze drifted, unfocused. “Part of my memory… he sealed it himself. And he left a cursed seal on me.”

Her voice was flat, but the tremor beneath it betrayed something fragile.

“But he didn’t kill me.”

She paused, as if chasing a thought that had just surfaced. “Roshi, I think… I’m starting to remember.”

“It wasn’t that Orochimaru abandoned me.” Her lips trembled slightly. “It was me. I chose to stay in the Village.”

Her head lowered, shadows gathering across her face.

“Konoha is my home. The place where my parents lived… where my comrades are.”

“But when I came back, the Anbu locked me up.”

Her tone faltered—quiet, hollow, like something long buried clawing its way out.

“That room had no windows. I stopped keeping track of time. Every so often, they’d come in… the interrogations, again and again.”

Her breath hitched. “Hokage-sama came once. He said it was necessary—for the safety of the Village… and to give the families of those killed by Orochimaru some kind of answer.”

Her shoulders trembled. “So many people died because of him—Genin, Chunin, Anbu… even Jōnin.”

“I understand all of it.”

She stopped.

The rest caught in her throat—a surge of grief that swelled until it broke free.

Her vision blurred. Tears welled up, unbidden, spilling down her cheeks in silent drops that struck the dark tabletop. Plop. Plop. Each drop spread into a faint circle on the thin layer of dust.

Anko pressed her forehead to the cold surface, her voice stifled, trembling. She didn’t want anyone to see her like this.

The scratching of Roshi’s pen stopped.

Only her muffled sobs remained, soft and uneven in the stillness of the room.

Then—a hand, calloused but warm, gently came to rest on her head.

He said nothing. Words were useless here.

The warmth from his palm slowly seeped through her tangled dark-purple hair, into the space between silence and sorrow.

Anko’s body stiffened. Her sobs hitched—then returned, even more raw, more human.

She didn’t lift her head. She simply buried it deeper into her arms, trembling like a wounded girl that had finally found a place safe enough to break.

Roshi’s hand remained there—steady, wordless—feeling the quiet, fragile shaking beneath his palm.

The Next Morning

Dawn broke through thin clouds, spilling soft light over the Wasabi House estate. The courtyard, once drenched in blood, had been cleaned overnight. The heavy copper scent of battle was fading, replaced by the rhythm of hammers, the creak of wood, and the murmur of workers rebuilding what had been destroyed.

Shizune moved briskly among the wounded. Her right hand was tightly bandaged, but her touch remained deft as she treated a guard’s mangled arm, her brow furrowed in focus.

When Roshi and Anko stepped into the courtyard, she only gave them a brief nod before returning to her work—there was no time for words.

Itachi had been moved to a quiet room deep within the estate.

Sunlight filtered through the paper door, drawing golden lines across the tatami floor. The young Uchiha sat by the window, leaning against a cushion. His complexion was pale, but his eyes were clear—steady. His breathing had returned to normal. The worst had passed.

Tsunade sat beside him, calm as ever.

“It was just residual foreign chakra—laced with natural energy. Nasty mix,” she said, setting down her teacup. “But it’s been completely purged now.”

Itachi inclined his head slightly. “Thank you, Lady Tsunade.”

His voice was quiet, controlled—but beneath it, there was the faint echo of the rage that had driven him to the brink of death the night before.

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 243 - Ameyuri Ringo

While Kurenai and the others fought outside, Kitazawa activated his Byakugan.

His vision expanded in every direction—but there was no sign of the Hidden Mist supply ships yet.

'Good. There’s still time.'

“You all did well.”

Deactivating his Byakugan, Kitazawa stepped into the outpost.

Three of the four Mist-nin lay dead. The only survivor—a Special Jōnin—was barely clinging to life, his chest crushed by a Rasengan.

“Transform”

Kitazawa extended his hand. Chakra flowed over the man’s fading body, wrapping it in a shimmering layer. A torrent of memories and sensations surged into Kitazawa’s mind. His features shifted—skin tone, build, expression—until he looked identical to the middle-aged Mist-nin.

“You… you…”

The man’s eyes widened as he realized what was happening, but before he could speak again, Kitazawa wordlessly drove a kunai through his heart.

Pulling it free, he wiped the blade clean and crouched. His palms pressed to the ground.

The soil cracked open, collapsing into a deep pit.

“You three—transform into the other corpses,” Kitazawa ordered calmly, tossing the bodies of the four Mist-nin into the pit.

“Torune, no need to disguise yourself,” he added, glancing over his shoulder. “Hide in the shadows and prepare to provide support with your insects.”

Torune nodded. “Understood.”

His role was clear—unseen but lethal.

Kabuto, Izumi, and Kurenai performed the Transformation jutsu one after another, each adopting the form of a Mist-nin.

Kitazawa dusted off his hands. “Good. Now, we wait for our guests. Have some tea while we can.”

Kurenai gave him a disbelieving look as she sat across from him. “You’re the first man I’ve met who can relax this much during an infiltration mission.”

Kabuto smirked. “That’s Kitazawa-sensei for you. Even behind enemy lines, he’s calm enough to host a tea ceremony.”

“See?” Kurenai folded her arms, chin resting lightly on her wrist. “You teach your students to flatter you now?”

Kitazawa blinked innocently. “Of course not.”

Before she could retort, Torune’s voice came from the shadows. “Two ships approaching from the east.”

Kitazawa rose, retrieving a handful of explosive tags and planting them in several inconspicuous corners of the outpost. “Number of enemies?”

“Three Jōnin, nine Chūnin, four Genin,” Torune reported.

Kurenai frowned. “That many Jōnin?”

Kitazawa nodded thoughtfully. “Kabuto, you’re with me on the Jōnin. Kurenai, Torune, Izumi—handle the rest.”

“Yes, captain.”

“Torune, take position and stay hidden,” Kitazawa said, activating the final tag. “We’ll greet our guests.”

Just then—

【You have encountered Ameyuri Ringo, who has come for you.】
【Mission: Protect the Lightning Blades – Kiba.】
【Reward: +20% Chakra Capacity.】
【Accept mission?】

Kitazawa blinked. “…Oh?”

A grin tugged at his lips.

So, that’s why she’s coming.

Ameyuri Ringo—the prodigy of the Mist, one of the Second Generation Seven Ninja Swordsmen, inheritor of Kurosuki Raiga’s twin Lightning Blades: Kiba.

If the system’s prompt was right, she wasn’t just here for battle. She was here to reclaim Kiba—which meant he was her target.

Kitazawa’s eyes narrowed in amusement. “A dangerous woman chasing her swords… and I’m the prize?”

His fingers brushed the hilt at his side. “Well then… even Jesus couldn’t save her now.”

The team left the outpost, moving toward the mist-shrouded shore.

Moments later, two large ships loomed from the fog.

“Did you inform them ahead of time?”

A young woman stood at the bow, reddish-brown hair tied into long braids, sharp teeth glinting as she spoke—the unmistakable Ameyuri Ringo.

“No, Lady Ringo,” said the middle-aged Jōnin beside her. “They must’ve spotted us first and came to greet us.”

Another woman smirked. “Relax. This is our main base in the rear. There’s no way Konoha-nin would dare sneak in.”

Ringo nodded slightly. “Fine. Dock and rest for two hours.”

The ships came to a halt, anchors splashing into the waves. Ringo and her team leapt down onto the sand.

“Lady Ringo.”

Kitazawa stepped forward, bowing slightly as he greeted her and the other two Jōnin. His voice was calm, his disguise flawless.

“We’ve already prepared lunch at the outpost,” he said smoothly, gesturing ahead. “Please, this way.”

Ringo nodded, relaxed. “Everyone else, eat here,” she ordered before following Kitazawa and the other two Jōnin toward the outpost.

When they reached the entrance, Kitazawa stopped and bowed again. “After you, Lady Ringo.”

Unaware of the chakra traps hidden within the walls, Ameyuri stepped forward—straight into the calm smile of the man who had already decided her fate.

“Why do I smell something strange?”

The middle-aged jonin’s brows furrowed suddenly.

“Scent?”

Ameyuri took a deep breath—her expression shifted in an instant. “It’s explosive tags!”

The words had barely left her mouth when—

BOOM!!!

The entire outpost detonated like a volcano erupting from beneath the earth. Fire burst outward in waves, swallowing the walls, the roof, and everything inside.

“Move—now!”

Ameyuri vanished with a flicker of motion, leaving only a ghostly blur behind.

The middle-aged jonin reacted quickly as well, forming hand signs. “Water Release: Pressure Jet!” He spat a surge of high-pressure water, dousing the spreading flames.

But the young woman standing nearest the tags wasn’t so lucky.

The explosion caught her full on. She was hurled through the air, screaming, the left half of her body blackened and smoking.

“AAAAHHH!”

Her agonized cries echoed as she writhed on the ground, clutching her shoulder.

The sound of the explosion had already drawn the other Hidden Mist shinobi. Abandoning their meal preparations, they raced toward the outpost.

“Attack!”

Kabuto’s sharp voice cut through the chaos.

“Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!”

Izumi inhaled deeply, her Sharingan gleaming. A torrent of crimson flame roared from her mouth, forming a blazing wall that devoured everything in its path.

The charging Mist-nin froze mid-step, faces lit by the reflection of fire.

“Super Strength!”

Kurenai blurred forward. Her fist collided with the nearest Mist-nin’s guard—

CRACK!

His shinbone shattered audibly. The man’s scream trailed behind him as he was sent flying.

“Secret Technique: Poison Dust!”

From the shadows, Torune clapped his hands together. Swarms of his insects scattered unseen through the smoke, weaving through the sea of flames like invisible death.

The ambush erupted into full-scale battle.

“I want an explanation!”

Ameyuri’s face darkened, lightning flickering faintly along her blade.

She and the other jonin closed in, one on each side of Kitazawa.

Kabuto stepped forward defensively, kunai raised.

“Explanation?” Kitazawa’s voice was calm, even amused. Chakra shimmered around him as the disguise dissolved, revealing his true face.

“Because,” he said lightly, “we’re from Konoha.”

Ameyuri’s eyes narrowed. Recognition flashed.

“…You’re Kitazawa.”

“Oh?” He tilted his head. “You know me?”

She sneered. “Your face has been circulating all over the Mist these past two days.”

After Kitazawa’s devastating raid on the Mist outpost, surviving shinobi had drawn his likeness. Under Ao’s direction, his profile was posted across every division.

It was standard practice among the Great Nations—just as Konoha had done with Kisame.

“Hand over the Lightning Blades, and I’ll make your death quick.”

Ameyuri’s sharp teeth flashed in the firelight.

“Don’t underestimate him,” warned the older ninja. “He’s the one who killed Raiga.”

“Hmph.” Ringo scoffed, twirling her sword. “If I’d been a few years older, Kiba would’ve been mine already.”

Kitazawa’s lips curved faintly. “Arrogance… a trademark flaw of geniuses.”

He drew his weapon. The Kiba hummed in his hand, arcs of blue-white electricity sparking across the steel.

“This,” he said coldly, “is the reforged Kiba. If you want it—come take it.”

Ringo’s grin widened. “Gladly!”

In a blink, she vanished, lightning trailing in her wake.

Her blade flashed toward his throat—

But Kitazawa was already gone.

“Uchiha Style: Gale Sword!”

He reappeared behind her, slashing down. The Kiba’s edge vibrated violently, releasing a burst of fiery chakra that ripped through the air like a storm of molten blades.

“—!”

Ringo’s instincts screamed. Lightning flared along her sword as she spun, countering with a lightning-fast slash.

BOOM!

Flame and thunder clashed midair, the shockwave tearing through the clearing.

Kitazawa pressed forward, his strength forcing her back. Each step she took left deep craters in the ground.

She gritted her teeth. 'He didn’t kill Raiga by luck… he’s the real deal.'

Her grip tightened. “Fine. Let’s see how you handle this!”

Lightning crackled wildly along her sword, extending into three jagged spears that shot forward like lightning bolts.

“Heavenly foot of Pain!”

Kitazawa stomped the ground—

The earth split open beneath him, a violent tremor shattering the ground and sending debris flying.

Ringo’s heart clenched as she leapt back, narrowly avoiding being buried alive.

Kitazawa’s body dispersed into leaves, reappearing above her midair.

“Lightning Release: Lightning Strike!”

Thunder roared. A blinding bolt descended from the heavens straight toward her.

“You bastard!” Ringo snarled, lightning flaring around her body. “You dare use my own blade’s element against me?!”

“Lightning Release: Burst Lightning!”

She slammed her palms together and leapt upward. Lightning coated her body and blade until she became a living thunderbolt, thrusting straight at him.

“Chidori!”

Kitazawa’s left hand burst into a shrieking blue current, the cry of a thousand birds echoing through the smoke.

The two collided midair.

CRASH!!!

The explosion of lightning lit up the coastline.

Ringo’s sword trembled violently in her hands. Her right arm went numb from the shock. The next instant, the sheer force of Kitazawa’s Chidori sent her crashing back to the ground, carving a crater beneath her feet.

Panting, she looked up, eyes wide.

“Was that… Chidori?”

Her disbelief twisted into a scowl.

The Mist’s intelligence had been wrong. Completely wrong.

They said Kitazawa specialized in Water Release—but his Lightning Release… was just as powerful as hers.

Maybe stronger.

And worse—he had mastered the jutsu of Konoha’s “Copy Ninja,” Kakashi Hatake.

Ameyuri drew in a deep breath.

Her pride would not allow her to retreat now.
And judging from their earlier exchange, victory was still within her grasp.

“Lightning sword: Falling Lightning!”

She plunged her twin blades into the earth, channeling a surge of Lightning Release chakra downward.
In an instant, crackling arcs of electricity erupted from the ground, spreading outward like a storm centered around her—swallowing Kitazawa whole.

“Uchiha Style: Sword Leap Flame!”

Before the lightning pillars reached him, Kitazawa flickered forward, his form blurring as he rushed straight toward Ringo. The blade in his hand glowed red-hot, wrapped in a thin, dancing layer of flame.

“Kiba: Flash!”

Ameyuri Ringo sprang into the air, narrowly evading the flaming arc. Her twin blades gleamed with blinding speed as she lunged forward in a flash of light.

Kitazawa tried to counter, but she was faster.

For a split second, Ringo thought her strike had landed—until Zangetsu flew into Kitazawa’s left hand.
Steel met steel.
Her blade was blocked.

Ringo’s eyes narrowed, and she instantly leapt back, hands flying through seals.

“Lightning Release: Burst Lightning!”

Crackling energy exploded from her body, forming a jagged armor of pure electricity.

Kitazawa merely exhaled and flicked his wrist.
The Lightning Blade in his right hand roared to life, bursting with arcs of energy.

The two clashed.

Clang!

Lightning shrieked as their blades met, the blinding flashes searing the air. Kitazawa’s overwhelming strength drove her back, boots digging trenches into the ground.

Then—

Zangetsu began to hum violently, vibrating at an incredible frequency as he swung downward.

With a sharp crack, Ringo’s Ninja Blade split clean in two.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“Wh–what—”

Before the words left her lips, Zangetsu’s edge traced a crimson line across her neck.
Her head fell silently to the ground.

The lightning chakra infusion had amplified Zangetsu’s cutting and piercing power to a terrifying degree. Forged from chakra metal, it was nearly indestructible.
Ringo’s blade—merely a replica of the Kiba swords—was no match.

She had never imagined her own weapon would betray her.

“Ameyuri?!”

The Mist Jonin froze at the sight, horror etched across his face.

“Wind Release: Great Vacuum Sphere!”

Kabuto didn’t hesitate. He spat out a spinning mass of compressed air that howled through the clearing.

The Jonin barely managed to flicker aside, his robes and hair whipping in the gale.

Kabuto was already there to meet him.

“Get lost!” the man roared, panic in his voice.
Ameyuri was dead. The young kunoichi lay maimed. Only he remained—and he knew Kitazawa would not let him escape alive.

“Water Release: Water Fang Blade!”

A spiraling torrent of water shot from his hand, aimed straight at Kabuto’s chest.

But Kabuto didn’t move.

The attack struck him dead-on—blood splattering across the dirt.

For an instant, the Mist Jonin froze in confusion. Something was wrong. His blade had hit flesh… but it didn’t cut deeper.

Before he could react, Kabuto’s right arm flashed—
A thin green chakra scalpel slit the man’s throat cleanly.

The Mist Jonin staggered, eyes wide.
“Y–you madman…”

He collapsed without another word.

Kitazawa appeared beside Kabuto in a blur.
“Why didn’t you wait for me?” he muttered, placing both hands over Kabuto’s wound.
“Mystical Palm”

“I used Yin Healing Wound Destruction. I’ll live,” Kabuto replied weakly, face pale but composed.
“And taking down a Mist Jonin… that’s a worthy trade.”

Kitazawa’s mouth twitched.
'No wonder you became the final boss… only people this ruthless to themselves rise that high.'

He continued healing while glancing at Kurenai and Izumi. They had fought well, but by all logic, they shouldn’t have won outnumbered.

Then again, Torune had joined the fray—and more than half of the Mist forces had fallen to his insects.

【Current Mission: Preserve the Lightning Blade: Kiba】
【Mission Reward: +20% Chakra Capacity】

Kitazawa felt his chakra surge, swelling like a rising tide.
The duration of his Senju Chakra Mode could now last even longer.

“Alright,” he said, withdrawing his hands. “That’s enough for now. I’ll finish treating you back at base.”

They couldn’t linger here—Hidden Mist territory was crawling with patrols.
It was also why Kitazawa hadn’t used his full power; once Senju Chakra Mode ended, he’d be left weakened.

And frankly, Ameyuri wasn’t worth that.
In the original records, she rivaled Kurosuki Raiga only with the true Kiba blades.
Without them, her strength dropped sharply—and she was still young.

Kitazawa walked over to the maimed kunoichi still gasping weakly on the ground and finished her with one clean stroke.
Then he pulled out a sealing scroll and stored all three Jonin corpses.

“Jonin are valuable,” he murmured. “We’ll take them back.”

“Izumi, burn the boats. We move now.”

“Yes!”

Izumi weaved seals, spitting two massive fireballs that engulfed the nearby Mist ships in flames.

The group vanished into the night.

Moments later, another squad arrived—led by Mei Terumī herself.

She surveyed the charred battlefield, her expression shifting from disbelief to grim fury.

Three Jonin dead.
One of them—Ameyuri Ringo, a prodigy—gone.

This was no small loss for the Hidden Mist.

“Judging from the scorch marks… Ameyuri fought someone with powerful Lightning Release.”

Mei’s brows furrowed.
A Konoha ninja, yet a Lightning user?

“Kakashi Hatake?” she murmured. “But why would he be here…”

She straightened, her voice cold.
“Recover all the bodies. Have the analysis squad extract whatever memories they can.”

Even if they weren’t Yamanaka-level, they would find something.
And when they did—she would know who dared to kill one of the Mist’s finest.

[NNSS] Chapter : 51

Roshi pushed open the familiar courtyard gate, his gaze sweeping across the quiet garden. The dry landscape remained unchanged; the stone steps were cool beneath the shade—yet the woman with golden hair and a sake cup in hand was nowhere to be seen.

The veranda lay empty.

His eyes drifted toward the closed paper door. Silence lingered beyond it—not even the faint clink of glass or the rustle of movement.

He walked to the edge of the veranda, hesitated, and instead of opening the door, sat down on the polished wooden floor, his back resting against it.

“Do you need Chakra replenishment?”

No answer.

He continued calmly, “Katsuyu can transfer your Chakra to others. So I assume… the transfer isn’t one-way.”

Still, silence filled the space.

Inside, Tsunade leaned against the wall, half-hidden by shadows. Her amber eyes were half-lidded, her expression unreadable.

In theory, it was possible. But she was Senju Hashirama’s granddaughter and Uzumaki Mito’s descendant—both powerhouses of Chakra. Combined with her Yin Seal, Tsunade had always been the one to heal others, not the one to receive aid. For her, letting someone replenish her energy was almost unthinkable.

Yet the boy outside… his Chakra was powerful.

“Itachi’s condition isn’t good,” Roshi said after a pause. “Shizune-senpai believes that to completely remove the insects from his body, it’ll take your personal intervention.”

“Itachi’s injury isn’t external.”

A soft, almost mocking snort escaped from within. Of course she knew—Katsuyu was her eyes, and what Katsuyu saw, she knew.

After a long silence, the paper door slid open just a fraction—enough for a single hand to slip through.

A large summoning scroll was pushed out, landing beside Roshi with a muted thud.

“To channel Chakra through Katsuyu, you’ll need to sign a contract,” Tsunade’s voice said, cool and steady.

Roshi hesitated for a moment.

“If I gave you the wrong impression—I don’t seek Katsuyu’s power for myself. But… if you’re willing, there are some things I’d like to ask.”

“Don’t flatter yourself!” Tsunade’s voice rose sharply, tinged with irritation. “I just don’t want that old hag Momoka bothering me again, ordering me to save someone’s life!”

She exhaled softly, closing her eyes. Whether in strength, judgment, or resolve, this boy could probably bear more than her worn self could now. If that was true… then she’d count this as the price for her retreat. A passing of power.

“This is a one-time opportunity,” the Senju Princess said flatly. “Consider it payment for saving Shizune.”

Roshi nodded. Since she’d said that much, there was no need for false modesty. He unrolled the scroll, bit his finger, and signed his name and seal in blood.

Then—he summoned Katsuyu.

Ordinarily, it wouldn’t be this easy.

Normally, one needed to form a bond with the summoned creature first—trust before contract. But the Three Great Summoning Sanctuaries were special. Their summoning populations were hereditary; a signed scroll was enough to establish a connection.

Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave followed that path.

Only Shikkotsu Forest was different.

The being there—Katsuyu—was singular. Every other slug was merely a split body of the Shikkotsu Forest’s Slug Sage. The scale of the summon depended solely on the summoner’s Chakra.

And Katsuyu… was kind. Its voice was soft, its temperament gentle—polite even to strangers. Unlike other summons, it required no test of strength to acknowledge its partner.

“Summoning Jutsu!”

A wisp of white smoke drifted away, revealing a small, palm-sized slug—pure white, soft, and faintly luminous. It lifted its antennae, black eyes gleaming like ink droplets as it regarded Roshi.

Its voice was serene and melodic, carrying a strangely soothing warmth.

“Greetings, Roshi-kun. Thank you for summoning me.”

Clearly, this Katsuyu already knew of him—its shared memories linking it to the other split bodies that had served Tsunade.

“Hello, Lady Katsuyu.” Roshi gave a respectful nod, his tone steady yet respectful. “This summoning isn’t for battle. I’ve come to ask a favor.”

The small Katsuyu tilted its soft body slightly, its voice as gentle as ever. “Please speak, Roshi-kun.”

“I wish to use you as a medium to transfer my Chakra to Lady Tsunade,” Roshi said plainly. “She needs to recover her strength to heal my teammate.”

For a moment, the little slug seemed to freeze, its tiny antennae twitching with surprise. “…To replenish Lady Tsunade’s Chakra?”

It quietly attuned itself to the flow of Chakra pulsing from Roshi’s body. After a brief pause, its warm voice returned. “Understood. With your level of Chakra, this is indeed possible, Roshi-kun. As long as you trust me and are willing to open your chakra network, I will ensure a safe and stable transfer to Lady Tsunade.”

Katsuyu added softly, “Also… since Lady Tsunade has permitted you to sign the contract, you may summon me anytime. No matter my size, I will always do my best to assist you.”

“I’m deeply grateful,” Roshi replied with a sincere bow.

The little Katsuyu climbed slowly onto his shoulder, its tiny voice calm and reassuring. “You may begin, Roshi-kun.”

Inside the room, Tsunade’s body trembled faintly.

An immense, warm current of Chakra surged through her, flowing into her exhausted body like spring water into parched earth. Her overdrawn energy refilled rapidly; her fatigued spirit, dulled from strain, began to shine anew.

Leaning against the doorframe, she closed her eyes, long lashes fluttering as she surrendered to the warmth that coursed through her veins—soothing, restoring, steadying.

Time slipped quietly through the still courtyard. Only that unseen stream of energy connected the two through the paper-thin door.

After a while, the faint glow surrounding Katsuyu dimmed. The small slug moved its antennae slightly. “Roshi-kun, Lady Tsunade’s condition has mostly stabilized.”

Hearing this, Roshi slowly drew back his Chakra.

A sharp whoosh broke the silence as the paper door slid open completely.

Tsunade stood there, golden hair gleaming once more. Though her expression carried its familiar languidness, the fatigue between her brows had vanished. In the depths of her amber eyes, a brilliant, molten light flickered back to life—the fire of the Legendary Sannin reignited.

She glanced briefly at the small Katsuyu on the floor, then fixed her gaze on Roshi. Her eyes lingered, searching his calm expression for something unspoken.

At last, she gave a short snort, bent down to pick up a fallen sake cup, and saw a thin pool of clear liquid at the bottom. Tilting her head back, she drank it in one smooth motion, then tossed the empty cup carelessly onto the veranda.

“I’m going to check on that Uchiha brat,” she said, her tone cool but no longer weary. “As for you—you've got your own tasks, don’t you?”

Without waiting for a reply, Tsunade turned on her heel and strode down the corridor toward Itachi’s room.

Roshi watched her retreating figure disappear around the corner, then looked down at the small Katsuyu at his feet. “Lady Katsuyu, you may return for now. Thank you for your help today. I’ll have more questions for you later.”

“I am always happy to serve you, Roshi-kun,” the small slug replied warmly. With a soft thud, it vanished alongside the Shikkotsu Forest summoning scroll.

Roshi straightened, exhaling quietly. Summoning Katsuyu—that had been an unexpected gain. And with Tsunade’s strength restored, Itachi’s situation should finally be under control.

Still… there were other loose ends to tie up.

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 242 - Mission deep in the Mist

It was noon.

After traveling all morning, Tsunade and Kitazawa’s group finally reached the southeastern border of the Land of Fire.

“Lady Tsunade.”

Hiashi stepped forward with several Jonin in tow.

Under normal circumstances, the Hyuga Clan’s main family never left the compound, guarding the Byakugan above all else. Missions were out of the question. But war was different—war demanded everyone’s hand. Even the main family couldn’t stay sheltered.

After all, Ao’s Byakugan in the Mist had come from a Hyuga main family member during the Third Shinobi World War.

“Mm.” Tsunade gave a short nod. “How’s the situation?”

“Other than a large-scale ambush when we first arrived, it’s been mostly small skirmishes between squads,” Hiashi replied.

“So the Mist has slowed their pace?” Tsunade’s tone sharpened. “Who’s commanding them?”

“The vanguard was under Kisame Hoshigaki, but now that the main force has arrived, Ao has taken command.”

Hiashi’s expression remained composed, but inside, his blood simmered. Ao’s rise to fame had been built on the theft of the Byakugan. If given the chance, Hiashi would not hesitate to reclaim it.

“No wonder,” Tsunade muttered as they walked. “Ao’s cautious style explains their sudden restraint. For us, that’s troublesome. I’d rather settle this in one decisive battle than get dragged into a drawn-out war.”

Konoha’s strength far outmatched the Mist. To Tsunade, the cleanest solution was a single crushing victory. But the Mist had chosen a battlefield that made that impossible.

They entered the main command tent, where a large map dominated the wall.

“This is their camp,” Hiashi said, pointing to an island marked on the map.

Tsunade frowned. “Surrounded by sea. Easy to defend, hard to breach. Their plan is clear—they want to grind us down.”

Hiashi inclined his head. “Given their inferior numbers, attrition is the logical choice. Kisame’s reckless ambushes risked everything. One mistake and the vanguard would’ve been destroyed. Effective if successful, yes—but disastrous otherwise. Luckily, your counterattack turned the tide.”

Kitazawa rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

In the original timeline, Gensui, Ao, and Mei Terumī all opposed the tyranny of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura. Unlike Zabuza and others who defected, they stayed within the system. With Ao’s Byakugan, they eventually uncovered the truth and ended Yagura’s reign.

Kitazawa had expected Fuguki to lead this front. Instead, Ao held the reins—clear proof of internal struggle within the Mist. It seemed Gensui’s faction had gained ground, despite Yagura’s position as Mizukage.

So Ao’s attrition strategy made sense. He was buying time.

Kitazawa’s thoughts turned cold. Should he approach Ao or Mei now? No—he couldn’t reveal how much he knew about Yagura’s situation. They’d never believe a Konoha ninja.

For now, the only path was to fight. Once Konoha established an overwhelming advantage, he could then expose Obito’s genjutsu, complete his system mission, and force the Mist into peace negotiations—with a hefty indemnity and the Byakugan’s return on top.

Total annihilation of the Mist would be dangerous. The Cloud and Stone would intervene, sparking a Fourth Shinobi World War. Kitazawa wasn’t ready for that—not with the Akatsuki still lurking in the shadows.

“Lady Tsunade, this is the full report.”

Hiashi handed her a scroll.

“Kitazawa, you and your team rest,” Tsunade said, scanning the document. “I’ll assign missions once the situation’s clear.”

They had raided the Mist’s stronghold overnight and barely slept since. Now, Tsunade needed to reposition her forces. Ninja warfare wasn’t like conventional armies—missions, not mass clashes, defined the battlefield.

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.” Kitazawa and the others bowed and withdrew.

Hiashi’s eyes followed Kitazawa. He’d already read the Anbu’s report of the surprise attack—and he was shaken once again.

In only a year, Kitazawa had gone from an unremarkable academy teacher to Tsunade’s pupil, and now a Jonin with strength that rivaled the elites.

Hiashi had once frowned at Hinata’s closeness to him. Now, he thought differently. If Hinata became Kitazawa’s disciple in truth, it might be the best path for her.

“This is my first time seeing the sea.”

Izumi stepped out of the tent, eyes widening at the endless horizon.

“The sea is beautiful,” Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses, “but on the far side lies our enemy.”

“Once the Mist is defeated, you’ll have plenty of time to admire it,” Kurenai added with a smile.

Izumi nodded.

Kitazawa stretched and yawned. “Get some rest. If I’m right, we’ll have a mission tomorrow. For now, sleep.”

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei.”

Kabuto and the others responded in unison.

Since they were part of the same squad, their tents were placed side by side. Normally, one squad shared a single tent. Whether on missions or during war, sleeping arrangements were always kept simple—sleeping bags on the ground, clothes kept on, and no separation of gender.

But Kitazawa’s current status was anything but ordinary. His squad had been granted two tents. The arrangement was natural: Kabuto and the others shared one, while Kitazawa and Kurenai occupied the other.

That night, Kitazawa held Kurenai close, breathing in her faint fragrance as sleep overtook him.

They woke in the afternoon. After a quick meal, they didn’t idle away the time, but threw themselves into training.

Kitazawa used the opportunity to practice the jutsu he’d copied with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan during the previous night’s battle—two Water Release and two Earth Release jutsu:

• Water Release: Water Fang Bullet

• Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu

• Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet

• Earth Release: Subterranean Voyage

Copying a jutsu only allowed him to perform it—it was far from mastery. Fortunately, his proficiency with both Water and Earth nature transformations made progress relatively quick.

Of them, the Hidden Mist Jutsu stood out as especially useful. Against opponents outside the Mist, it could turn battles in his favor. Against actual Mist shinobi, though, it was another matter—they were born and bred in the fog, masters of Silent Killing.

Unless he learned Silent Killing himself, using the mist against them was risky. But that art was assassination, not ninjutsu—and in the original timeline, Kakashi had copied Zabuza’s water jutsu, but not his killing style.

The next morning, Kitazawa awoke on time. He sat up and stretched.

“Good morning,” Kurenai murmured, opening her eyes.

As they were on the battlefield, they remained restrained. She hadn’t overexerted herself, so she’d slept soundly; Kitazawa’s movement stirred her awake.

“It still feels better sleeping at home,” he sighed. “Not going to class also feels… strange.”

“Your students are probably feeling it even more,” Kurenai chuckled softly. She knew just how much his students adored him.

Kitazawa’s thoughts drifted briefly to Naruto and Hinata. If only they were older… but sending them here would be unthinkable. He wasn’t Fugaku—he couldn’t bring himself to hurl children into war. Even if their skills rivaled a Chunin’s, the battlefield carved scars into the mind. One Itachi was more than enough for a lifetime.

After washing up, he and Kurenai joined Kabuto and the others for breakfast.

“Lord Kitazawa.”

An Anbu appeared in front of them. “Lady Tsunade requests your presence.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Kitazawa rose and headed for the main tent. Ninja bustled on both sides, receiving assignments. Only the most critical missions came directly from Tsunade.

“Lady Tsunade,” Kitazawa greeted respectfully, waiting at the entrance until permitted to enter.

Inside were only Tsunade and Shizune.

“Choose one.” Tsunade gestured at the scrolls laid across the table. “They’re all A-rank and S-rank.”

“You're definitely throwing me to the wolves,” Kitazawa said with a crooked smile.

“With two Jonin in your squad, it would be wasteful not to,” she replied. Originally, she had intended to keep Kitazawa close, but after the raid on the Mist stronghold, she changed her mind. Such power couldn’t sit idle—and this was a perfect chance to sharpen his reputation.

Tsunade was already paving the way for him. To become Hokage, the first requirement was renown.

“And Kurenai?” Kitazawa reminded her.

A squad typically consisted of four members. With Kurenai added, theirs was oversized. Still, if Tsunade, the commander herself, approved, no one would dare raise objections.

“I’ve already accounted for her,” Tsunade said with a small snort.

“As expected of Lady Tsunade—always one step ahead!” Kitazawa praised instantly.

“Enough flattery. Pick a mission.” Tsunade rolled her eyes.

Kitazawa sifted through the scrolls. There were four main categories:

1. Defense – protecting Konoha’s outposts and strongholds.

2. Reconnaissance – locating the Mist’s own bases and supply points.

3. Combat – seizing enemy strongholds or eliminating their roaming squads.

4. Infiltration – striking the Mist’s island stronghold to disrupt medical and supply lines.

Finally, Kitazawa handed a scroll to Tsunade.

“You really aren’t afraid of death, are you?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“This makes the best use of our strengths,” Kitazawa answered with a grin. “And I’m confident in my infiltration skills.”

“...Be careful,” Tsunade said after a pause.

“I understand.” Kitazawa accepted the mission scroll and left the tent.

【Once on the battlefield, it’s time to prove your worth.】

【Mission Objective: Lead your squad to complete ten A-rank or S-rank missions.】

【Reward: Compound Ninjutsu – Blazing Wind Riot.】

【Accept?】

As Kitazawa stepped out of the command tent, four glowing lines of text appeared before his eyes.

The sudden mission wasn’t unexpected, but the reward caught him off guard.

Blazing Wind Riot… a deadly combination of Fire Release: Searing Migraine and Wind Release: Pressure Damage. A technique once belonging to Kakuzu.

Kitazawa smirked faintly. The power of such a compound ninjutsu was nothing to scoff at. In his view, Kakuzu had always been the gatekeeper of the top-tier—any shinobi who surpassed him was among the true elite of the ninja world.

“Did you receive a mission?”

Kurenai noticed Kitazawa’s return and spoke up first.

“An S-rank,” Kitazawa answered calmly. “We’re to disrupt the Mist’s supply transport team.”

“The very first mission is S-rank?” Kurenai’s brows knit together.

Supply convoys were never lightly guarded—jōnin usually accompanied them. Worse, the transport route ran straight from the Land of Water into the Mist’s main encampment. Enemy territory from start to finish.

“A difficult task, yes…” Kitazawa conceded, then turned to Torune with a slight smile. “Which is why this mission rests on your shoulders, Torune.”

“Y–Yes.” Torune blinked in surprise, then quickly regained composure.

“Good. Let’s move,” Kitazawa said, striding out. “Think of a way to make this mission cleaner—and faster.”

Leaving the Leaf’s main camp, the squad reached the shoreline.

“Our destination lies on an island within the Land of Water,” Kitazawa explained, unrolling a map. “The convoy will stop there to rest before continuing.”

“How many shinobi are stationed there?” Kabuto asked, adjusting his glasses.

“Only a single squad,” Kitazawa replied. “One Special Jōnin and three Chūnin.”

Kabuto’s eyes gleamed. “Sensei, I have an idea… If we eliminate them, we can take their place and strike the convoy by surprise.”

“That’s clever,” Kurenai admitted, nodding in approval.

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Kitazawa agreed, tucking away the map. “Torune, scout the perimeter. The rest, follow me.”

He slipped on a pair of sunglasses, leapt onto the ocean’s surface, and sprinted forward.

Traveling by boat would’ve saved chakra, but it was far too slow—and an obvious target. Instead, Kitazawa led them across a route dotted with islands. Whenever they needed rest, they could pause without fear of discovery.

With Byakugan checks and Torune’s kikaichū scouting, they avoided several Mist patrols entirely. Any other squad might have been dragged into skirmishes by now.

“There are indeed four shinobi inside the outpost,” Torune reported once they reached the island.

“Good. You three handle them,” Kitazawa ordered, waving a hand dismissively. “I’ll keep watch for the transport ship.”

Kabuto glanced at Kurenai.

“You’re the jōnin—you command,” Kurenai said calmly, stepping back. She had no intention of being incharge here. After traveling with them for so long, she knew well enough—Kabuto’s tactical mind and medical skills far outstripped her own, and he was a Jonin while she was still a Chunin.

“Torune, strike first with a surprise attack,” Kabuto directed swiftly. “Kurenai-san, Izumi—prepare genjutsu.”

The four moved.

The outpost was small, lazily guarded. Its occupants—one Special Jōnin and three young Chūnin—patrolled halfheartedly, faces betraying boredom.

Torune’s kikaichū slipped unseen across the ground, climbing onto their boots. A moment later, they sank their fangs in.

The Special Jōnin’s instincts flared. He vanished with Body Flicker, but his students weren’t so fortunate. Screams tore through the camp as their skin turned blue-purple, bodies collapsing in poisoned spasms.

“What?!” the Special Jōnin roared, landing atop the outpost roof. His eyes widened in shock as he saw his students convulsing, dead within seconds.

Just then, a flurry of crimson flower petals swirled around him.

Genjutsu? His heart lurched. He spotted Kurenai approaching and cursed. Konoha shinobi? Here?

He snapped his hands into seals. “Genjutsu: Release!”

But in that brief instant of hesitation, the petals dissolved—revealing a pair of spinning Sharingan.

“Sharingan…?!” His eyes widened further.

Izumi stood before him, her gaze locking his.

Too late.

From above, Kurenai descended, chakra swirling in her palm.

“Rasengan!”

The Special Jōnin barely had time to raise his arms before the sphere of chakra slammed into him, blasting him across the outpost in a spray of shattered wood.

[NSSSG] [ARC-06] Chapter : 241 - Kisame Hoshigaki

“So weak?”

Kitazawa’s lips twitched in mild disappointment.

He had planned to learn two more Earth Release jutsu today, but at this rate, he would have to postpone. Still, it wasn’t a loss—this war would drag on, and he would have countless chances to observe, copy, and master new jutsu. No need to rush.

His gaze sharpened.

Not far away, a Mist chūnin finished weaving hand seals, exhaling a thick fog—Water Release: Hidden Mist jutsu.

In an instant, Kitazawa flickered before him, thrusting a Rasengan into the man’s chest. The chūnin crumpled, unconscious.

Wind Release: Gale Palm!

A clap of Kitazawa’s hands sent a powerful gust tearing through the battlefield, shredding the mist and restoring visibility.

“Captain Kitazawa, brilliant!” Yashiro shouted across the field.

Kitazawa felt a strange twinge. Hearing an Uchiha offering praise still didn’t sit right with him. Then again, with Fugaku’s orders—and Kitazawa’s growing reputation—it was only natural.

Wind Release: Shuriken!

He spun and hurled a kunai, wind chakra humming along its edge. The blade pierced straight through the chest of a Mist ninja lurking in ambush. The man collapsed, blood staining the ground.

Scanning the battlefield, Kitazawa spotted a Konoha jōnin besieged on all sides.

Shuriken Shadow Clone jutsu!

A kunai split into a rain of steel overhead.

“Dodge!” a Mist ninja screamed, but too late.

The storm fell. Over a dozen Mist chūnin were shredded where they stood, leaving the Konoha jōnin staring, shaken, amid the carnage.

“Captain Kitazawa… as expected of Lady Tsunade’s disciple,” he muttered in awe.

Fear rippled through the Mist ranks, eyes wide as they saw him.

“Everyone, on me!” a Mist jōnin bellowed. “Hold out two more minutes—Lord Kisame and the reinforcements will be here!”

Kisame Hoshigaki?

Kitazawa’s brows rose.

In the original timeline, Kisame had been Itachi’s partner, wielder of Samehada, infamous as the “Tailless Tailed Beast.” His monstrous chakra reserves and Water Release mastery rivaled even Tobirama’s—nicknamed “Ocean Release” in jest. But here, he had neither Samehada nor Akatsuki ties.

Wind Release: Great Vacuum Sphere!

A high-pressure orb of wind roared forward.

The Mist jōnin hastily raised a Water Wall, but the wind shattered it like glass.

Water Release: Water Fang Blade!

Water curved into a glistening blade in the man’s grip as he charged.

Kitazawa mirrored him, a water blade flashing into existence.

“You—! How can you use the Water Fang Blade?” The jōnin gasped. That was Mist’s own secret jutsu!

Their blades clashed. Kitazawa stood firm, while the Mist jōnin staggered back, eyes wide at the force behind the strike.

Desperate, he spewed forth a torrent—Water Release: Great Waterfall jutsu!

Kitazawa’s form dissolved—Leaf Body Flicker—and the water crashed harmlessly into his own comrades.

“Damn you!”

The jōnin wove seals again. Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!

A dragon of surging water spiraled skyward.

Kitazawa clapped his hands. Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!

Another dragon crashed downward, colliding midair with a thunderous explosion of spray. Water burst like fireworks, raining over the battlefield.

The Mist jōnin’s eyes went wide. “Your hand seals… that speed—impossible!”

“Want to know why?” Kitazawa landed lightly, eyes hidden by his sunglasses.

The man froze. A wave of invisible pressure swept through him. His mind went blank, his body slack.

Kitazawa was already there, a kunai flashing across his throat.

“Sha—”

Clutching at his neck, the Mist jōnin crumpled, lifeless. Only then did realization flicker in his dulling eyes—the Sharingan. But why would an Uchiha hide it behind glasses? It didn’t fit their pride.

With his fall, all seven Mist jōnin stationed at the stronghold lay dead.

“Retreat!” Kitazawa barked.

The stronghold was broken. Most of the Mist forces lay scattered corpses; only a few clung to futile resistance.

Two minutes. The assault had taken almost exactly two minutes.

“Captain Kitazawa!” Hizashi’s voice rang out. “Eight Mist jōnin—closing fast, from two thousand meters, front left!”

Kitazawa’s eyes narrowed. Reinforcements.

“They’re from the other two strongholds,” he said sharply. “Move, now. If they pin us down, the main Mist forces will arrive any moment.”

Tsunade’s calculation had been clear—three minutes for reinforcements. But that estimate had meant the main army. Jōnin were faster. Which was why they were already here.

“Yes!”

At Kitazawa’s command, everyone quickly disengaged and sprinted outward.

Boom!

A low, thunderous roar echoed across the sea. Instinctively, they turned back—only to see colossal waves rising several meters high, surging toward them with unstoppable force.

“What kind of Water Release is that?” Hizashi's eyes widened. “It’s only a little weaker than Captain Kitazawa’s Water Release?”

“Are there other Hidden Mist ninja on the island? Isn’t he afraid of killing them too?” Chōza frowned.

“Hidden Mist shinobi often kill their own.” Kitazawa’s tone was flat as he shook his head. “Keep running.”

This was the Bloody Mist—comradeship meant nothing here. After all, Zabuza had slaughtered his entire graduating class.

Kitazawa already knew who the caster was: Kisame Hoshigaki.

But the strength behind this Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave was far below the level Kisame would one day reach in the Akatsuki.

At his order, the group dashed onto the water’s surface, retreating the way they’d come. They trusted him—he had already shown his mastery of Water Release.

Halfway across, they glanced back and froze in awe.

Water Release: Great Waterfall jutsu!

Kitazawa went all out, knowing his opponent. Senju Chakra Mode roared to life, flooding his body.

Chakra currents surged violently around him, boiling the sea itself. The ocean bucked as if a giant beast was breaking free, then erupted into a towering tsunami.

“What?!”

Kisame’s eyes narrowed, shock flashing across his face. Never in his life had he seen a Konoha ninja whose Water Release could rival his own.

“This… this can’t be real…”

The Hidden Mist Jōnin behind him stood dumbstruck. Masters of Water Release themselves, they knew just how terrifying this Great Waterfall jutsu was.

“Don’t just stand there! Help me!” Kisame barked, forcing out more chakra.

The others hurried to join, and together they conjured waves over ten meters high.

Under everyone’s stunned gazes, two tsunamis collided like crashing continents.

The impact was apocalyptic. Water exploded skyward, pouring down in colossal pillars. The nearest island split in two with a deafening crack.

The surviving Mist shinobi looked on in despair. They had survived Konoha’s surprise attack, only to face this world-shattering clash.

“Stop him! If we let such a monster escape, he’ll become a nightmare for us!” Kisame snarled, charging toward Kitazawa.

The others followed close behind.

“Who are you? With that strength, why hide your name?” Kisame shouted over the crashing waves.

“Konoha’s Kitazawa!”

The reply rang out clear and sharp.

“Found you!” Kisame blurred forward with Body Flicker—yet the spot was empty.

“Tch. Some kind of escape ninjutsu…” Kisame’s lips curled in frustration. After searching fruitlessly, he clicked his tongue and gave up.

Beneath the waves, Kitazawa had dissolved into water using the Hydrification jutsu. He only reemerged after catching up with Yashiro and the others, leaping from the sea in one fluid motion.

“Move!” Kitazawa barked, not giving them time to speak.

His chakra reserves were nearly depleted. If Kisame caught up now, they would be finished.

They ran for half an hour before Kitazawa finally stopped, panting, Senju Chakra Mode dispersed.

Yashiro and Shibi studied him in silence, shaken. Whatever they had thought before—that Kitazawa leaned on Tsunade’s name—was now gone. No one, not even Tsunade herself, had ever unleashed Water Release like this.

“How’s it look?” Kitazawa asked Shibi.

“No pursuit.” Shibi smirked lightly. “They’re too busy saving survivors. The island… it’s been split in half.”

Hizashi gave a startled exhale. “Who was that Mist shinobi? To withstand Captain Kitazawa’s Water Release…”

“That was Kisame Hoshigaki,” Kitazawa replied evenly. “A rising genius of the Mist.”

At this time, Kisame still served under Fuguki. He wasn’t yet one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, nor had the Great Ninja War given him fame. That was why his name meant little to them.

“Kisame Hoshigaki? I’ve seen his file… but I never imagined his Water Release would be that terrifying,” Shibi said grimly. “When we return, we must warn Lady Tsunade and the others.”

“Agreed.” Kitazawa nodded.

Mei Terumī, too, was still obscure. Zabuza, however, had already earned his bloody reputation.

“Rest for ten minutes,” Kitazawa ordered. “Shibi, set up surveillance.”

“Understood.”

Shibi spread his kikaichū in every direction. The others simply collapsed to the ground, drawing in slow breaths and recovering chakra.

Though the clash had lasted only two minutes, the scale of destruction had drained them heavily.

Meanwhile, Kitazawa dismissed the summoning and sent Katsuyu back.

【Current Mission: Secure the first victory for Konoha.】
【Reward: Lightning Release – Lightning Blade.】
【Mission Complete. Reward Issued.】

As soon as Kitazawa sat down, the system’s reward surged into him.

A flood of knowledge poured into his mind.

How should he describe it?

Far more practical than he’d expected. No wonder Killer Bee had managed to outclass Sasuke in swordsmanship—this was the foundation.

After a short rest, the squad resumed their journey back.

By dawn, they reached Konoha’s temporary encampment.

“Are you alright?”

Kurenai appeared suddenly in front of Kitazawa.

Last night, pressed for time, he hadn’t even said goodbye to her or Kabuto before leaving for the raid.

“Not a scratch,” Kitazawa replied with a faint smile.

“That’s good.”

Her sharp gaze swept over him from head to toe before she finally exhaled in relief. She’d worried all night, barely managing any sleep. A raid against a Mist stronghold was as dangerous as missions came.

“How are things?”

Tsunade strode up, her eyes briefly flicking to Kurenai before locking onto Kitazawa.

“Mission accomplished. The stronghold is gone. All seven Jōnin and most of the Chūnin were eliminated.”

“Well done.” Tsunade allowed herself a small smile. “That will tilt the casualty count heavily in our favor.”

“All thanks to Captain Kitazawa,” Yashiro quickly added.

“Indeed.” Shibi, Chōza, and Hizashi all nodded in agreement.

“Oh?”

Tsunade’s brows rose in surprise. In her eyes, Kitazawa was strong, yes—but outshining a squad of Konoha’s elite Jōnin? That was unexpected. With Yashiro, Shibi, and Chōza present, she’d assumed the credit would be more evenly shared.

“It’s a long story,” Kitazawa said, clearing his throat. “Let’s talk inside the tent.”

“The rest of you, get some rest,” Tsunade ordered. “We reconvene again in two hours.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.”

The Jōnin dispersed, leaving Kitazawa and Kurenai to follow Tsunade inside.

“Here, have some water,” Shizune offered.

“Thank you, senpai.” Kitazawa accepted it with a nod before launching into the full account of the raid. He left out only one detail: his three-tomoe Sharingan.

Better to reveal power strategically—the more strength they saw, the higher his value would climb.

“Your Water Release… has reached that level?”

Tsunade’s eyes widened as Kitazawa described waves over ten meters high. She had only ever seen such raw power in two men: Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

Shizune and Kurenai were equally stunned. They had seen Kitazawa wield Water Release before, but not on such a terrifying scale.

“Kisame Hoshigaki,” Tsunade mused. “From what you’ve said, his strength may even surpass Fuguki and the Seven Swordsmen.”

“He put more pressure on me than Kurosuki Raiga ever did,” Kitazawa admitted. “On our side, very few could stand against him.”

Though Kisame lacked Samehada at this stage, his immense chakra and the sea at his back gave his jutsu monstrous force. In the future, Kitazawa knew, Kisame would even slay his own master, Fuguki.

With Senju Chakra Mode, Kitazawa could have overpowered him, but his time limit was too short—and Kisame hadn’t been alone.

“Shizune, spread word of today’s victory,” Tsunade ordered. “And make sure every commander is warned about Kisame Hoshigaki.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.” Shizune bowed and left.

“You could have told me sooner you had that kind of power.” Tsunade shot Kitazawa a look.

“You never asked,” he said with an innocent blink.

Tsunade huffed. “Forget it. We won—that’s what matters. Rest up.” She bit back the urge to cuff him, mindful that Kurenai was still standing nearby.

“Understood.” Kitazawa tugged Kurenai toward his tent.

Two hours later, with the sun fully risen, Konoha’s main force set out. By noon, they would reach the southeastern Fire Country border and link up with the vanguard.

The Mist’s main force, however, had already arrived. They had chosen not to land, instead holding position on a nearby island.

“Kitazawa?”

Ao’s expression tightened as he heard Kisame’s report. “So he really is Tsunade’s student… His strength explains it.”

“Tsunade has no talent for Water Release,” Fuguki scoffed. “That boy must be wielding the Second Hokage’s jutsus.”

At that name, a sharp glint lit the eyes of Mei and Zabuza.

They were the proud prodigies of this generation of the Mist. Yet it was Tobirama Senju, not their own Mizukage, who was remembered as the world’s greatest master of Water Release.

The man was long dead, unreachable. But Kitazawa, his apparent successor, was alive. Naturally, they burned to test themselves against him.

Only Kisame, who had crossed blades with Kitazawa himself, knew the truth. The boy was no pretender. He truly was worthy of being called Tobirama’s heir.

Fortunately, on the battlefield, the chance for a true one-on-one duel was rare.

[NNSS] Chapter : 50

Roshi subtly shifted his stance, his left hand brushing his waist. A second kunai slipped into his palm, its blade tip hidden in the shadow of his sleeve.

Focus. Refine.

Pale-blue chakra flared to life, burning like ghostly fire as it surged over his entire body.

Boom!

A violent gale burst outward from where he stood. Dust, rubble, and shattered weapons were flung away, crushed beneath the weight of raw chakra pressure.

Jubei faltered mid-swing, surprise flashing across his face as the sheer force of chakra alone interrupted his motion.

So this wasn’t even the boy’s peak strength.

For a teenager to wield chakra like this—it was monstrous. 'So this is the power of a Great Ninja Village…'

The thought flickered, but his face betrayed nothing.

“Bluffing!” Jubei snarled, forcing his massive frame to stabilize under the crushing pressure. His blade swept sideways in a molten arc, a curtain of fire aimed to cleave Roshi clean at the waist.

And in that instant, Roshi found his opening.

Whoosh!

From within his sleeve, his left hand lashed out, faster than sight. The concealed kunai shot forward in a perfect, ruthless line—driving straight for the old scar beneath Jubei’s right chest, just under the ribcage.

There.

“—?! Ugh!”

Jubei’s body lurched with desperate speed, his arm flying up to shield himself.

Too fast. Too close. Too late.

Time seemed to stretch thin, freezing the moment in glass.

The massive man stopped cold. His blade hovered mid-air, the eerie blue flames around him sputtering like dying embers, flickering wildly before beginning to gutter out.

In his crimson eyes, the frenzy drained like a retreating tide, leaving only bottomless weariness, and emptiness.

With agonizing slowness, he lowered his gaze.

There it was: the kunai buried to the hilt below his right rib, seeping a warm, viscous fluid that wasn’t quite blood. Droplets spattered against the cracked bluestone at his feet.

His colossal frame swayed. The flames winked out, revealing skin collapsing into decay before Roshi’s eyes.

“The result…” Jubei—no, Meishoku, leader of the Black Snake Group—lifted his head, staring past Roshi at the courtyard sky.

His eyes held no hatred. No regret. Only endless exhaustion, and sparks long extinguished.

“…It didn’t succeed.”

His words fell like stones. Then his body toppled, crashing to earth with a thunderous impact that sent dust spiraling into the air before settling in silence.

Roshi wrenched the kunai free, shaking off the viscous residue that clung to it—too strange to be called blood.

He hurried to Shizune’s side. Her palm, glowing with green light, pressed against the boy’s waist.

Itachi’s face was deathly pale, lips tinged with blue-purple.

“Shizune-san, how is he?” Roshi asked.

“It’s not poison,” Shizune replied quickly, her brow furrowed. “It’s… something else. An erosion of foreign energy. Itachi-kun can’t move for now, but with Katsuyu-sama’s help, I can keep it from getting worse.”

From the backyard, the rumble of explosions and shouts swelled, growing more urgent.

Roshi rose, resolve hardening. “I’ll leave him to you. I have to end this fight—only then will we have space to save him.”

He strode toward the inner residence.

At the corridor’s far end, the Hebizu master of the Water Erosion Insects, enraged by the ceaseless bombardment, aimed his gourd at the watchtower.

Black water spilled forth—and instantly writhed upward, pulled by an unseen will.

It twisted and gathered, reshaping into monstrous serpents, each formed from wriggling swarms of insects.

The black pythons reared, countless mouthparts forming hideous heads that shrieked with piercing cries before lunging toward Jirocho and his guards on the watchtower.

“Jirocho-sama!” a guard shouted, yanking him back just as a python struck.

Crunch!

A scream tore the air. One guard was skewered clean through, his body instantly engulfed in a flood of insects.

The sound of chittering mandibles and tearing flesh filled the courtyard. In mere seconds, the man’s body collapsed into a smoking skeleton, gnawed clean before horrified eyes.

“No—!” another guard screamed as a python’s strike grazed his arm. The flesh blackened instantly, rotting as countless tiny insects burrowed deep beneath his skin. He collapsed, writhing and shrieking in agony.

Jirocho, bloodied and fallen, eyes blazing red with rage, seized an arrow bundled with explosive tags. With the last of his strength, he hurled it at the nearest insect serpent.

BOOM!

Flame engulfed the swarm. The massive python convulsed, its outer shell of insects curling up, burning to ash in droves.

But the explosion’s shockwave was too close!

The blast hurled Jirocho and his two remaining guards from the tower, slamming them to the ground like ragdolls.

Debris rained down. Jirocho’s vision swam, his chest heaving, his ears ringing with white noise. Every breath seared with pain.

Yet still, he tried to rise.

“Ugh…” Jirocho struggled to push himself upright. A metallic sweetness filled his throat, and blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

The insect pythons coiled, ready to strike again—

“Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!”

Three brown serpents shot out toward Hebizu.

He didn’t even turn his head.

His wide, oilcloth cloak rippled though there was no wind. From the mouth of the gourd, viscous black water surged like a living shield, rising to intercept the snakes with uncanny precision.

The serpents struck the black water—and the swarm waiting within it.

Shhhk!

The sound was horrific. Their scales and flesh dissolved as if plunged into acid, shredded by countless gnawing mandibles. In a single breath, two snakes were reduced to nothing—no bones, no scraps, not even ash.

“Tch—!” Anko’s scalp prickled, her face paling.

Then, like a spark in the dark, a memory jolted her—Itachi’s diversion earlier, the watchtower guards’ constant barrage of explosive tag arrows, each blast forcing the insects to recoil.

Her eyes sharpened. She wove hand seals, drew in a deep breath, her chest rising high—

“Fire Release: Dragon Fire Jutsu!”

A crimson torrent of flame ripped through the damp, stagnant air, streaking straight for Hebizu and the writhing swarms before him.

The fire dragon struck true—slamming into the skull of a rearing insect python.

BOOM!!!

The collision erupted in a shower of fire and shrieks. Countless insects screeched as their bodies curled, charred, and burned to ash. The python’s entire head disintegrated, its body collapsing into chaos, scattering backward in retreat.

“It works!” Anko’s eyes lit up. Fire—they feared fire!

But Hebizu reacted even faster.

The remaining insect pythons whipped around, black serpents snapping through the air like giant lashes, hissing as they tore toward Anko. The swarm carried with it a foul, fishy wind that made her stomach churn.

“Watch out!!”

Jirocho’s hoarse roar rang from the watchtower.

On his knees, he fumbled with trembling hands, strapping the last explosive tag to an arrow. Blood ran down his fingers as he notched it to his bow.

Too late. The pythons were already upon her.

Anko’s pupils contracted. She twisted desperately to dodge, but her exhaustion and the slick ground betrayed her—her foot slipped.

Twang!

Jirocho loosed the arrow.

BOOOOM!!!

The explosion detonated at Hebizu’s feet, flames and shockwaves surging skyward.

His cloak caught fire instantly, torn apart by the blast as his body was hurled several feet, crashing into the dark corridor beyond.

From the remnants of his cloak, an ear-splitting shriek tore out—the death cries of countless insects incinerated at once.

The python lunging at Anko unraveled midair, collapsing into a black rain. Insects pattered against the ground, most twitching once before curling into ash.

Opportunity.

Anko’s eyes gleamed. Forcing her stance steady, she formed seals again, chakra surging.

Her target: the prone figure of Hebizu, sprawled in shadow, struggling to rise. His cloak was gone, revealing the grotesque grey-blue flesh beneath.

“Fire Release: Dragon Fire Jutsu!”

Another roaring stream of flame erupted, barreling down the corridor.

The inferno engulfed him.

Wooden beams splintered, flames devoured the walls, and the stench of burning insects mixed with the sharp tang of charred flesh. The air filled with a deafening chorus of sizzling, shrieking, and snapping wood before the flames drowned it all out.

The fire’s glow painted Anko’s face in shades of red, her sharp features fierce and resolute.

Jirocho slumped against the ground, his chest heaving, his pale face finally easing with relief.

He gazed at the churning inferno in the corridor’s depths, listening to the roar of fire devouring everything.

It’s over.