Kyōichi, Konoha’s Life Mentor

"I heard you wanted to see me? Well? Have the things I taught you been... beneficial?"

"..."

Upon meeting Kyōichi, Yagura was immediately left speechless.

Damn it.

"Taught"?

He truly couldn't refute it.

"Pathetic. If you can't even respond to that, how do you expect to become Mizukage?"

"I merely didn't anticipate... you being so young."

Yagura quickly regained his composure.

This was also the truth.

Kyōichi was too young. He looked to be at most sixteen or seventeen years old. The key was, Kyōichi had always worn a mask before, making him seem like the successor to the White Fang. But now, upon closer inspection…

Wasn't this the Nidaime Hokage?

So, he was indeed from the Senju clan.

His mood improved drastically—losing to a descendant of the Senju wasn't shameful. After all, the ancestors of the Four Great Nations had been humbled by the Senju brothers countless times. One more victim changed nothing.

"You've failed to anticipate many things. The Seven Swordsmen incident, for one. And don't think the scraps you've learned are sufficient. My strategies aren't so simplistic."

"While I don't fully grasp your meaning, I... appreciate your guidance."

Yagura's expression remained calm, refusing to admit that he had been secretly studying Kyōichi's tactics.

Yet inwardly, he was shocked.

Kirigakure had indeed been studying Kyōichi's strategies, seeking ways to integrate them with their assassination corps' specialties—and they'd already made progress.

But it seemed...

Kyōichi had foreseen this all along?

"Also, your village's use of the Hidden Mist Technique and the Silent Killing Technique is subpar. Countless details are neglected. You need to keep studying when you go back. Don't get complacent."

As they walked, Kyōichi chatted with him, not giving Yagura a chance to ask any questions.

Yagura seethed internally.

This bastard.

Can't his mouth utter a single kind word?!

Why did he have to be so prickly!

Yagura inhaled deeply. "Would you... honor me with your guidance?"

Impressive.

A man fit for grand ambitions.

Kyōichi glanced at him and said, "Increase your chakra reserves! Without sufficient chakra, how can you control the mist?"

Useless drivel.

Yagura hadn't expected real advice, so he remained unperturbed.

But then—

"However, when it comes to dealing with Kumogakure, I can actually give you some advice."

"Please enlighten me!"

"Deploy sensory ninja to strike their vulnerable rear. It'll be under-defended. The key is to avoid engaging reinforcements—seize supplies and retreat without entanglement. You'll never lose this way."

Kyōichi declared.

Kirigakure's prowess in rear assaults was unmatched!

"This... seems feasible!"

Yagura's eyes lit up after hearing this. Although the method was cowardly, it guaranteed gains.

But then, he asked skeptically, "Aren't you afraid I'll use this method against Konoha?"

Kyōichi smiled without answering.

His expression practically said—

Go ahead and try.

"Ahem. I've no such intentions, of course. I'm just curious."

After a pause, Yagura probed, "Might I ask about Konoha's strategy toward Kumogakure?"

"Fight! Konoha never compromises with its enemies."

Kyōichi said firmly.

Yagura didn't know how to respond, so he just took it at face value.

His purpose in meeting Kyōichi was simple.

To formally meet this once-in-a-generation genius. As for trying to extract information, it was just a shot in the dark since Kyōichi was young. If it didn't work, no big deal.

It was just an attempt.

The next moment.

Kyōichi spoke earnestly again, "Your village's issues are severe. Until you resolve clan factionalism and the Elder Council, you'll never become truly strong."

"You're right. The various clans in our village are indeed a headache. Kirigakure looks up to Konoha in this regard. Could you share some experience on how to handle this?"

"Simple. Have you seen the Uchiha in our village? We gave them the responsibility of the Military Police Force, which made it impossible for them to form good relationships with the rest of the village."

"Isolate them step by step until they're fully ostracized. Then... eliminate them."

Kyōichi made a chopping motion with his hand, exuding killing intent.

Yagura was stunned for a long time.

To be honest, the plan sounded plausible.

So.

The Uchiha's Military Police Force wasn't an honor, but a carefully planned conspiracy by Konoha?

Frankly, he didn't believe it.

The Uchiha's might was legendary. No village would cripple itself so recklessly.

Yet...

A sliver of doubt remained.

Because, from his intel, the Uchiha did seem to be isolated within Konoha.

"As for the elders, both of our village's advisors have been removed. One is now researching medical ninjutsu, and the other is teaching chūnin."

"Truly?"

"You can guess, or have your Anbu investigate."

Kyōichi smiled and left, leaving Yagura in a state of confusion.

Guess?

Guess my ass!

…

"What did you tell him?"

Orochimaru was curious.

Yagura had left, but his expression was one of deep frustration. Anyone with eyes could see how agitated he was.

"Nothing much. I just told him that a village shouldn't have so many voices. Like how our advisors stepped down... and our plans to exterminate the Uchiha."

"Huh? Hahaha, as expected of Kyōichi-kun!"

Orochimaru was stunned for a moment, then chuckled softly.

This was…

Konoha had two attitudes toward the Uchiha.

The Sandaime believed in following the Nidaime's approach of dividing and assimilating them.

Danzo, on the other hand, believed in continuing the suppression, even to the point of exterminating the Uchiha.

Based on appearances, both were possible.

As for the two advisors.

Koharu and Homura's reassignments were known. Even if Kirigakure sent spies at the risk of their lives, they would only find the same result.

Truth and lies intertwined inextricably.

The most crucial part was.

Whether Yagura believed it or not, Kyōichi's words had some truth to them. It wasn't just empty advice—

Otherwise, Danzō wouldn't have garnered so many supporters.

Moreover.

What Orochimaru didn't know was that, in the anime, Kirigakure had indeed done something similar.

Kyōichi could imagine.

Right now, Yagura must be losing sleep.

The eastern front was at peace.

However, the troops couldn't be withdrawn yet because Kirigakure's reparations hadn't been delivered.

As no explicit demand for attacking Kumogakure was made, Orochimaru demanded hefty compensation. Now, Akebino Jinin and the other two had been released, but the three swords were still in Kyōichi's possession.

Kirigakure wouldn't get the final payment until they paid up.

Kirigakure acted swiftly.

Within two days, their ships docked at the Land of Fire's coast.

A mountain of explosive tags!

Explosive tags were difficult to make, and their production had always been low.

In peacetime, it wasn't a big deal.

But Konoha had just gone through a war with Sunagakure, and after only a year of rest, they were back at war. Konoha's reserves were depleted.

Next were ninja tools, medicinal herbs, and so on.

Although there were no jutsu scrolls, these items were still of considerable value, enough to alleviate Konoha's urgent needs.

After the supplies were delivered, Orochimaru took a group of people and some of the supplies north.

The Military Police Force remained on the eastern front.

Kyōichi was ordered to take the remaining supplies back to Konoha.

On the way back, Asuma asked quietly, "Sensei, why aren't we going directly to the north to support Minato-sensei and the others?"

"Since when do children question orders?"

Kyōichi snapped irritably.

Truthfully, he didn't know—orders were orders.

He asked Tsunade privately.

Tsunade's reason baffled him—

"Don't you want to return?"

It was a loaded question.

Women's minds weren't worth deciphering.

Asuma sulked momentarily.

But at this age, Asuma had one advantage—his thoughts were quite scattered, so he quickly forgot about it and started thinking about weapons.

During this battle, he realized that simple kunai were no longer sufficient for combat.

He needed a weapon that could complement chakra.

However.

Asuma didn't want to ask the Sandaime for help, so he was stuck in a dilemma.

Kyōichi knew exactly what he was thinking.

At this point, he understood Asuma's needs better than Asuma himself.

As for chakra metal.

The Sandaime had some, and Kyōichi would provide the rest—

The Kubikiribōchō's material and regenerative properties were too precious to waste.

Shisui deserved a blade too.

After all, it was free material.

When they reached the outskirts of Konoha, Kyōichi looked back.

Inoichi and the others were still running behind, but with a bunch of supplies to transport, they couldn't move quickly. Duy and Guy had already challenged themselves to sprint back to Konoha.

By now, they were either home or in the hospital.

If they stayed with the group, when would they ever get home?

After consulting Inoichi, Kyōichi broke away.

The route was secure, guarded by the Hyūga. No spy could penetrate.

Then…

After a quick run, it only took half an hour for Kyōichi to bring Asuma and the others back to Konoha.

"Everyone, go home and let your families know you're safe. We don't know what the next mission will be yet, but don't stop training. Understood?"

When Kyōichi said this, he specifically looked at Shisui.

Shisui understood.

He had awakened his Sharingan, but he wasn't yet proficient in using it.

This was the perfect time to study the clan's books and practice in secret, so that when the time came, he wouldn't be overwhelmed by the Sharingan's power.

After dismissing the trio, Kyōichi headed home.

Tsunade...

What was the deal with calling him back?

Kyōichi was puzzled.

Could it be.

That he had made great contributions, and now his reputation had spread overseas, so Tsunade was afraid he might die on the battlefield?

That couldn't be it.

had she mastered the Sealless Healing Technique?

Kyōichi thought of a possibility.

That might actually be it!

From Orochimaru's attitude, it seemed he had lost interest in Hashirama's cells, so the old data was no longer important. Tsunade might have gotten a copy.

With the data on Hashirama's cells, Tsunade's research on Healing Without Hand Seals would be much easier.

He didn't think too much more about it and raced home via Body Flicker.

A minute later, he went from the village entrance to his home.

However.

When he saw where his house was supposed to be, Kyōichi was stunned for a long time.

Where's my house?

He was dumbfounded for a few seconds, then saw Shizune open the gate and peek out.

"Kyōichi-sama, welcome home."

"Shizune, what happened to my house while I was away?"

Kyōichi was speechless.

It wasn't just renovated—it was completely different. The entire outer wall had clearly been torn down and rebuilt.

When he walked in, the courtyard had also been redone, with a small pond added in the middle.

It was quite elegant, but the shape of the pond…

Looked like it was made from a fist crater.