Seriously? I’ve reached Jōnin level, and the system’s only shows up?

Tsunade's expression faltered the moment she saw Nawaki.

A long-lost loved one, suddenly reappearing before her—so vivid, so real.

As if he'd merely been away on a long journey.

And all those years of grief... just a cruel nightmare in the dead of night.

"Big sis!"

With a joyful shout, Nawaki launched himself from the tower, arms wide, sprinting toward Tsunade with a grin plastered on his face.

So full of life, just like he used to be...

Before he died.

BAM!

Tsunade's face darkened. Without a word, she slammed a fist straight into Nawaki's forehead, knocking him flat onto the ground.

Nawaki had expected a warm, tearful reunion—a hug, at the very least. Instead, his vision spun as pain exploded through his body.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Clutching her chest where it still ached with grief, Tsunade raised her foot and began a furious barrage of kicks.

"You little brat!"

"I sent you to the battlefield with Orochimaru so you could gain experience! And what did you do?! You charged harder than he did!"

"Did you think you were invincible?!"

"You're a member of the proud Senju clan, and you let yourself get blown up by an explosive tag trap?!"

"Have you no shame?!"

"Do you have any idea how many years I've been mourning you?!"

"Die again, you disobedient little idiot!"

"Big sis! Ow! That hurts—OW! AAAH—MY BONES! Grandpa, save me! She's gonna kill me—HELP!!"

Nawaki rolled across the floor, curled up and clutching his head as he howled in agony, begging Hashirama for help.

Hashirama had been about to say something soothing, but the look Tsunade shot him was pure murder.

He slowly reached out and shut the window.

"Welp. Getting old. Ears don't work so well anymore... yep, nothing to hear here."

"You do know pain and death, huh? I told you not to rush! And what did you do? You RUSHED!"

Under Tsunade's masterful chakra control, Nawaki's entire body began to swell with bruises—painful but not life-threatening.

Soft tissue damage, no broken bones. Maximum pain, minimum harm.

Within two minutes, Nawaki was completely numb.

"Alright, alright, that's enough. He's just a kid. One mistake and he's learned his lesson," Yamanaka Shinno finally spoke up, watching as Tsunade's anger started to subside and Nawaki looked like he was questioning every choice that brought him here.

"Hmph! One time's not nearly enough! Give him that genjutsu you used on me! The seven-year version! Let him learn exactly what to do when he's in danger!"

Still fuming, Tsunade stomped on Nawaki's chest one last time.

This little brat had the nerve to die so easily!

She'd grieved for years. Grandma Mito had grieved for years!

From now on, he was getting a daily lesson. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to sleep at night!

"...Fine."

Shinno cast a sympathetic glance at Nawaki.

He formed a single-hand seal, and with a flick of chakra, released the enhanced version of Demonic Illusion: Samsara Paradise.

And the illusion's contents?

He just recycled the same brutal story arc he'd used for Tsunade. It worked great—no reason to reinvent the wheel.

"Phew—"

Tsunade let out a long, weary breath.

She called for her ANBU. They carried off the comatose Nawaki, still trapped in the genjutsu, and dumped him in the strategy department's sleeping quarters.

With war on the horizon, the last thing Tsunade needed was Nawaki charging off and dying again.

Let him sleep for seven days.

Seven days...

By then, this would all be over.

...

In the passage leading to the command center, Kushina jogged over to Shinno's side, catching up just as Tsunade's temper finally cooled.

Above them, the airborne fortress—an expedition-class warship—finished its ascent. A pale-blue barrier shimmered into place, shielding it from the sharp, high-altitude winds.

The ship gradually accelerated, passing over Turtle Island as it headed straight for Kirigakure.

"You're right on time," Shinno said, pointing at the amber purification jar on the floor.

Kushina, already aware of the plan, immediately entered her full Perfect Jinchūriki form and began funneling Nine-Tails chakra into the open jar.

Meanwhile, the tower doors swung open, and the others stepped out.

Tobirama led the group, heading toward the purification jar.

Hashirama followed behind, muttering to himself.

"Tobirama, seriously... you have plenty of chakra. Did you really need to seal the Three-Tails into yourself?"

"Brother, we're the ones who caught the Tailed Beasts in the first place."

"Yeah, but we gave them away!"

"And now we've taken them back. Kirigakure is the enemy."

Tobirama's voice was cold, brushing aside Hashirama's complaints without hesitation.

Lately, he and Orochimaru had gone far beyond just researching the Rinne Rebirth technique. After uncovering the origin of the God Tree and the link between the Ten-Tails and the nine Tailed Beasts, they'd stumbled onto something fascinating.

The Tailed Beasts had a powerful affinity for natural energy.

Their tests showed that human cells influenced by Tailed Beast chakra underwent dramatic changes—becoming far more sensitive to, and capable of absorbing, natural energy.

That meant something extraordinary: the Tailed Beasts likely possessed the innate ability to refine Sage Chakra.

Whether they knew how to do it—or even wanted to—was another question entirely.

In other words, any Jinchūriki who could fully adapt to and harmonize with their beast's chakra...

Could potentially train in Sage Mode!

And if the beast inside them learned how to refine Sage Chakra too, then during battle, it could continuously produce Sage Chakra for its host—drastically increasing the duration and power of Sage Mode.

...

If Tobirama were still an Edo Tensei, this wouldn't even be possible.

But now that he had a second chance at life—and with Uchiha Izuna's eyes powering up thanks to Madara's help—how could he just sit still?

Ignoring his brother's grumbling, Tobirama pressed his hand to the Four Symbols Seal on his abdomen.

Inside, the thoroughly demoralized Three-Tails—Isobu—obediently gave up its chakra.

The Third Raikage, A, exchanged a glance with Ōnoki.

Both took a deep breath and fought back the urge to scream.

If they hadn't personally witnessed Hashirama's overwhelming power, there's no way they'd believe that this bumbling old man with no shred of a warrior's dignity...

Was the legendary "God of Shinobi" who once singlehandedly brought peace to the entire ninja world.

...

"That should be enough."

Shinno checked the chakra gathered in the jar. Since they had the entire Seven-Tails, the other Tailed Beasts didn't need to contribute nearly as much.

After all, they weren't trying to revive a rampaging Ten-Tails—they just needed to activate the God Tree.

Kushina and Tobirama stopped channeling chakra.

With the chakra from eight of the nine Tailed Beasts now secured, only one remained—the Six-Tails, Saiken, still inside Kirigakure.

Once the vanguard team and the main assault force launched their diversion, drawing out the Kirigakure shinobi and the White Zetsu...

They'd strike from the sky.

Seize Saiken in one swift blow.

Reactivate the God Tree.

And kill all 100,000 White Zetsu.

...

Inside the Mizukage Building in Kirigakure.

Uchiha Hikari stared at the man who'd seemingly appeared out of thin air—a tall figure in white robes, red sash at his waist, a long braid down his back, and a mohawk cresting his head.

That chakra...

It was unlike anything she'd ever felt before. Far beyond normal ninja standards.

He wore red earrings, a diamond-shaped 'Karma' mark on his chin, a strange pattern over his left eye, and his nails were painted black.

This had to be him.

The one Shinno had warned her about.

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.

And this appearance—this must be his vessel, Jigen.

But why show up now?

Shinno had described him as extremely cautious. He'd never reveal himself unless he had complete control... or unless the vessel was about to fail.

Jigen's face bore a refined, composed smile. He dipped his head slightly—a gesture of politeness—but there was a cold arrogance behind it.

"Who would've thought... the Mizukage is none other than Uchiha Hikari, the living weapon from centuries ago."

"Who are you? What do you want?"

"Just here to offer you a deal. Tell me—Mizukage... are you interested?"

----------------

Pls Drop some Power Stones

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