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"Now, we need to be wary of the Cloud ninjas. Losing the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, the Cloud Village might act like madmen, possibly scouring our camp and then deploying Tailed Beasts."
Yōichi spoke after bringing Yugito back, prompting Sakumo to call all the Jōnin to discuss the situation.
"The Cloud ninjas have hidden their hand well. On my way back, I encountered their A and B team combo. It seems that Cloud Village has gathered many strong ninja in the Land of Hot Water. They will likely intensify their efforts to scout our Leaf camp."
Many had anticipated this situation. The Jinchūriki of a Tailed Beast is typically one of the most crucial individuals in a ninja village, especially in a village like Cloud that has a detailed method of controlling the power of the Tailed Beasts.
Losing such a figure would prompt a village like Leaf to relentlessly seek their return.
Sakumo asked, "Yōichi-kun, do you have any suggestions?"
"I don't have many ideas, just to increase patrols around our camp to prevent Cloud ninja squads from getting close, and to prepare for a potential decisive battle."
Yōichi said, acknowledging that their enemy seemed stronger, not only in numbers but also in the caliber of their Jōnin and other powerful ninja.
Leaf, in this war, did not have the initiative and could only defensively respond.
A Jōnin suddenly spoke up, "What if we use the Two-Tails Jinchūriki as leverage to force Cloud to withdraw? As long as they abandon the war, we will return the Two-Tails Jinchūriki to them."
"How did you become a Jōnin? Who was the examiner? What mission did you undertake?"
Yōichi cut him off, his tone quite harsh, which suddenly chilled the atmosphere in the tent.
If I recall correctly, he's a Jōnin from the Sarutobi clan, named Sarutobi something...
"Uchiha, if you have objections to my proposal, you could state them directly instead of questioning my ninja rank!"
Sarutobi Ichirō's face reddened with anger. Even if it's the famous Leaf's Raijin, what gives him the right to question him in such a manner? Did he imply that his Jōnin rank was unearned? Absolutely outrageous!
"I have already shown you respect. If this time we send back the Two-Tails Jinchūriki in exchange for Cloud's withdrawal, what next? Send the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki or myself? If Cloud demands to take me in exchange for peace, would you send me too?"
"I've said this before and I'll say it again, if you're afraid of dying, you can go back to the village. I'll take care of that portion of the enemy for you, instead of disrupting our resolve here!"
Yōichi's words were unapologetic, practically pointing out that Ichirō was a coward who should go back to the village.
"Also, don't make decisions using my captive. If you want to use a Tailed Beast Jinchūriki to make Cloud withdraw, the Land of Hot Water still has the Eight-Tails."
"Yōichi-kun!"
Sakumo interjected with a helpless expression, trying to calm Yōichi down as the discussion heated up again.
Although Yōichi's comments were somewhat extreme, his reasoning was sound. Cloud had already brought the fight to their doorstep with two Tailed Beasts deployed, and sending the Two-Tails back could invite further attacks from the thieving-style village.
However, these points could have been conveyed to Ichirō more tactfully, without the need for such extremity.
"Ichirō-kun, Yōichi-kun's words were a bit harsh, but currently, we cannot possibly return the Two-Tails Jinchūriki. If Cloud keeps being erratic, we'll have to face two Tailed Beasts."
"Yōichi-kun, try not to do this in the future."
Sakumo addressed both men, but Ichirō remained angry after hearing these words.
To him, Sakumo's words sounded like a reprimand for him but a mere glossing over for Yōichi. In Ichirō's view, Sakumo was clearly siding with Uchiha, stepping on him in the process.
"Let's focus on the essential matter. War is inevitable. We should have been prepared for this when we arrived here. Next, I will assign more people to carry out clearing missions, and they will operate in teams of two squads each."
Sakumo told the group, anticipating crazy retaliation from Cloud, who would undoubtedly deploy many elite squads; previously, a four-man squad might not handle an elite Cloud team, but an eight-man would be more suitable.
Besides joint team clearing missions, their Jōnin would also lead elite ninja in similar tasks.
"If a decisive battle is initiated, we'll also need a plan to handle their Eight-Tails Jinchūriki."
"Leave it to me."
Yōichi spoke up, "I'll handle the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki and the Third Raikage's son. Also, I have Orochimaru's summoned snake from Ryūchi Cave; it's stronger than an average Jōnin and can also aid in battle."
"Alright, if there are no objections, that's it for now."
Sakumo gave a resigned smile, acknowledging that Yōichi-kun really doesn't take any losses. Even though he asked him not to make such harsh remarks, he turned around and used his summon to mock Ichirō.
After the heated argument, who could replace a Jōnin if not the summoned creature?
Eventually, Ichirō was the last to leave the tent, his face very grim. Shikaku came over and patted Ichirō's shoulder, saying nothing, just accompanying him back to the tent.
The Sarutobi and the Ino-Shika-Chō clans have generations of close ties, and Shikaku was particularly unimpressed by Yōichi's remark about his "captive." He felt that Yōichi was too self-interested, treating the Two-Tails Jinchūriki as his own property.
Such an important hostage should be managed by the village.
——————————————
Upon entering his own tent, Yōichi saw a blonde-haired young girl with a face full of hatred staring at him.
However, Yōichi was unconcerned about such expressions of anger, hatred, and fear; he had seen them all too often.
"Have you guys decided what it will take to send me back?"
"I've said before, if you want to die, no one will stop you, but going back is not an option!"
Yōichi lay down on his bed, ready to rest a bit, though lying down, he suddenly asked, "What about your parents in Cloud Village?"
"My parents died in the war."
"Then you better get used to life in Leaf soon."
Yugito paused, then realizing what was implied, her face twisted in anger as she clenched her fists and shouted, "I will not stay in Leaf, I must return to Cloud Village. The Third Raikage will definitely save me."
"Give up. I won't let you go back, and when your Third Raikage realizes that he can't get you back through war or politics, he'll try to have you killed."
Yōichi said, resting with his eyes closed on the bed, knowing even without looking that Yugito didn't believe him.
"Don't overestimate your importance. Cloud Village values the Two-Tails, not you. Without the Two-Tails, you're just another ninja, at most a Jōnin."
"But without you and with the Two-Tails, Cloud has a continuous supply of Jinchūriki. If they really can't get you back, the Third Raikage will do everything to have you killed and then capture the Two-Tails once it reincarnates."
After hearing this, Yugito's heart trembled, and her eyes reddened, but she still fiercely glared at Yōichi lying on the bed, "It's all because of you, otherwise I'd still be in Cloud Village."
"Kids will be kids, even on the battlefield."
After that, Yōichi no longer paid any attention to Yugito.
Without chakra and weapons, she was just an ordinary young girl. Once back in Leaf, he would have Mina apply another seal on Yugito.
If she could change her mindset and become his subordinate, he would gradually unlock the seal. If not, she could just be a battery for Yōichi.
Seeing Yōichi no longer speaking, Yugito still wore a face full of anger. However, now she couldn't even refine chakra; every time she tried, the two seals on her disrupted the gathering process.
The Four Symbols Seal and the Five Elements Seal were both sealing techniques from the Uzumaki clan, but the Iron Armor Seal and the Five Elements Seal were entirely incompatible, locking her chakra tightly, making it impossible to mobilize.
This was Yugito's first battlefield experience since graduating from the ninja academy, and now she had been captured by the enemy and might never return to Cloud Village.
Such a massive change made the young girl gradually fear, especially after Yōichi's words—that if she couldn't return, the village people would try to kill her to let the Two-Tails reincarnate.
This nearly broke Yugito's psychological defense. Then she too lay down on the bed, curling up, and soon tears silently began to flow.
A bed had been prepared in the tent for her; this place was temporarily where Yugito was detained. The Two-Tails Jinchūriki was very important, and Yōichi did not trust her anywhere else.
In the afternoon, the tent flap suddenly opened, and a head peeked in.
Seeing Yōichi, Kurenai walked in smiling and said, "Yōichi-sensei, we're back. Who is this?"
"She's an important captive from Cloud, currently detained here by me."
Yōichi sat up, saying after resting for a while he felt much better, though soldier pills couldn't restore all his chakra; he still needed food and rest.
Kurenai looked at Yugito skeptically a few times, believing she was a Cloud captive by the deep-seated hatred in her eyes; but why the tear-streaked face, what had Yōichi-sensei done to her?
She then closely observed Yugito, a girl not much older than herself from a rival village.
"What are you looking at, how's the recent mission going? Never mind, let's go to your tent and talk."
Yōichi asked, then led the three to another tent where they began reporting on their recent missions.
Aside from reconnaissance, they had performed various tasks, including joining another squad to eliminate a Cloud ninja squad that had come to gather intelligence.
With Yōichi's admonishment, the Uchiha clan members took relatively good care of Kurenai and her group; other Genin without such backgrounds didn't receive such favorable treatment. Genin in the village without connections often had to face growth alongside the death of their comrades.
Kurenai and her team essentially grew from the experience of their seniors. Although it was dangerous, such risks were minimized.
"Well done, but what you've experienced is just the initial stage of the war. What comes next will be ten times more dangerous, so you must also be ten times more cautious."
Yōichi cautioned the three, "In recent days, I've killed dozens of Cloud ninja by my hand, many of whom died because they were careless, including some who were far stronger than you."
The upcoming war would only be more fierce, and any negligence could mean Yōichi visiting their memorial stones instead.
"Yes, Yōichi-sensei."
The three were soberly admonished by Yōichi, and any slight pride they might have felt was thoroughly suppressed.
As expected, Cloud was just as Leaf had predicted, clearly intent on waging war, desperately wanting to retrieve Yugito.
Even the Third Raikage's plans were extreme—if they couldn't retrieve her, then they'd kill her in the war!
Killing Yugito immediately would allow the Two-Tails to reincarnate. If Leaf managed to move the Two-Tails, it would be too late; Leaf's sealing techniques were far superior to Cloud's, and they had even stolen their method of training with the Tailed Beast's power.
So, after hearing this news, the Third Raikage almost sent out two hundred squads to engage in a desperate purge and counter-purge with Leaf.
Yōichi also continually went to the battlefield, his strength terrifying; each encounter with Cloud ninja ended in their instant death, only Jōnin could withstand a few moves against him, but ultimately they too couldn't escape death.
His teammates were all sensory-type ninja, helping Yōichi search for enemies and then stand by to prevent being surrounded.
In just ten days, sixty Cloud ninja died at the hands of Yōichi; in total, Cloud lost a hundred ninja in ten days, with sixty percent dying by Yōichi's blade.
Leaf's Raijin, this title became like the Grim Reaper reaping lives among the Cloud ninja. In missions, even Jōnin struggled to survive encounters with Leaf's Raijin.
Even the Third Raikage considered whether to initiate a decisive battle, as Yōichi was like a ghost on the battlefield, elusive and continuously harvesting the lives of Cloud ninja.
Moreover, what infuriated the Third Raikage most was Yōichi no longer destroying the bodies, leaving clear, fatal blade marks representative of him, then dropping the bodies at the border of the Land of Hot Water.
Cloud ninja tasked with collecting the bodies grew increasingly fearful; comrades who had greeted each other in the morning turned into cold corpses by the next day, and within ten days, they collected sixty bodies with similar deaths, including their own village's Jōnin.
Once this news spread, such psychological pressure shackled every Cloud ninja squad sent out for purging and reconnaissance; none of them wanted to encounter Leaf's Raijin.
Yōichi's reputation grew even louder, the name Leaf's Raijin becoming a deterrent for Cloud ninja unwilling to confront him.
And the news of Yōichi's reputation, along with the Two-Tails Jinchūriki and the possibility of Cloud initiating a decisive battle, quickly spread throughout Leaf.
(End of Chapter)
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"The situation on the eastern front is a bit grim. If the Cloud ninja decide to initiate a decisive battle, we might be at a disadvantage. Fortunately, Yōichi has severely intimidated the Cloud ninja recently, and it's still unclear whether they have the guts to start a war."
Hiruzen spoke with his hands crossed in front of his chin, addressing all the Jōnin present in the room.
This Jōnin meeting had fewer ninjutsu demonstrations than usual, as many Jōnin had been dispatched to Kikyō Castle and the eastern front, leaving only those ready to head to the battlefield at any moment.
The situation at Kikyō Castle had stabilized. Even the use of the One-Tails Jinchūriki had not been enough to conquer the castle, which meant that the Sand ninja were losing their grip on the initiative in the battle.
Though Yōichi's summoned bear could not be controlled to join the battlefield directly, it at least ensured the safety of Kikyō Castle. Leaf was now poised to go on the offensive, with Danzō having brought back news from the Rain ninja and hurried discussions with Leaf.
"Next, as long as we defeat the Cloud ninja on the eastern front, Leaf can maintain its status as a victor in the Second Shinobi World War, attracting a slew of commission tasks in the days to come and facilitating rapid village development."
"Hiruzen, should we send the Two-Tails Jinchūriki back to the village?" Koharu asked, concerned about the risks of keeping the Two-Tails at the frontline, especially if it were to be recaptured by the Cloud ninja.
After a moment's hesitation, Hiruzen replied, "Yōichi plans to personally oversee the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, and he has assured us that he will handle the A and B teams. Sakumo has also said there's no problem, so..."
Everyone understood the implication of his words: they wouldn't be getting it back.
Yōichi had previously snatched the artifacts from Cloud ninja, which were clearly strategic transportation ninjutsu tools that could store much more than a scroll and should ideally be in the village's possession.
But Yōichi had shown no intention of handing them over, not even considering a trade.
Homura frowned and said, "He's unwilling? We're talking about the Two-Tails here, there's never been a precedent for allowing personal oversight. What is he planning?"
"Let's wait and see," Hiruzen interrupted Homura, knowing the discussion was veering into dangerous territory, potentially maligning a Leaf hero if word got out to the frontlines.
"There might be sudden changes at the front, and then the Two-Tails Jinchūriki could prove crucial."
His words served as a defense for Yōichi, but even then, Hiruzen felt a twinge of frustration having to cover for Yōichi's monopolization of such a strategic asset.
"Let's focus on the Stone ninja instead. They hold a grudge against the Cloud, and both villages have been actively expanding their armories in recent years. I think we might be able to..."
Hiruzen considered using an alliance with the Rain ninja as a strategy to deal with the Cloud by potentially redirecting the Stone ninja's animosity towards them.
The alliance was a long shot since the Stone was one of the Great Five Ninja Villages and would not ally with another village unless it was clearly losing the war.
It was worth trying to shift the Stone's animosity, though.
After extensive discussion in the Jōnin meeting, it was decided to pull back the Leaf ninja from the borders of the Grass and Fire countries and then go into hiding.
Creating the illusion of withdrawing forces to concentrate on dealing with the Cloud, when in fact, the ninja were still there, just pulled back slightly. If the Stone received this news, they might react in one of three ways: do nothing, attack Leaf alongside Cloud, or take advantage of a fierce battle between Leaf and Cloud to strike back at Cloud and claim their share.
Most Jōnin believed the Stone would choose the third option, and even if Stone initiated war against them, they could respond and support quickly.
After the decision, Hiruzen sent people to carry out the plan.
As the meeting ended, Danzō finally spoke up to Hiruzen, "Hiruzen, you should have been firmer. By giving in, we can't even get the Two-Tails back now. Tobirama-sensei was wrong to appoint you as Hokage!"
Slap!
Hiruzen slammed his hand on the table, his face cold as he retorted, "Danzō, I am the Hokage. You just need to fulfill your duties in the Root. The rest isn't your concern!"
"Hiruzen, what do you mean by that? Not allowing Danzō to speak his mind? What are we here for, then?" Koharu huffed coldly and stood up, leaving the room.
Homura also stood, sarcastically adding, "You'd better argue in front of everyone next time, since you've already embarrassed yourself."
After he left, only Danzō and Hiruzen remained in the room. Danzō, not planning to stay any longer, remarked before leaving, "You're not Tobirama-sensei."
And with that, he left the Hokage's office.
Haunted by recurring nightmares of being hung and beaten by Hiruzen and waking up sore even when visiting the Rain village, Danzō had tried every barrier but to no avail.
After consulting with several ninjas skilled in genjutsu and mental techniques, he confirmed it was indeed just a dream, reflecting perhaps his subconscious thoughts.
Knowing it wasn't someone else's doing, Danzō grew increasingly resentful of Hiruzen's passive leadership, lacking the decisive action seen during the Second Shinobi World War.
And to think Hiruzen even came into his dreams to beat him.
Although he also dreamed of Homura and Koharu, it was Hiruzen who spent the most time hitting him in those dreams. Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu all felt the same—they were metaphorically beating each other up every day, hence the mutual disdain.
The earlier meeting was endured only because it was necessary. Once the Hokage's office was left with just the four of them, they couldn't contain their disdain any longer and started trading barbs.
Once everyone had left, Hiruzen picked up his smoking pipe, lit it, and took a slow puff, as if speaking to the air, "I am the Hokage."
————————————
When Fugaku returned home, he coincidentally arrived at the same time as Mikoto, and they greeted each other as they entered the house.
However, Fugaku suddenly felt a sense of estrangement. Isn't it odd for spouses to greet each other like strangers when they return home?
"Fugaku, did the meeting go on until now?"
"Yes, the Jōnin meeting discussed many things... Oh, Mikoto, you could have attended too. I've neglected this matter for quite some time."
Feeling a growing distance between them, Fugaku engaged Mikoto in more conversation than usual. Indeed, Mikoto had previously passed the Leaf Jōnin exam but had gradually stopped taking on ninja tasks due to domestic responsibilities.
"Today, we mainly discussed operational matters. The situation on the eastern front might not be good because Yōichi captured the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, so the Cloud might initiate a decisive battle sooner."
Mikoto trembled slightly at the mention of Yōichi's name, paying less attention to the rest of the conversation, only catching that there might be a major battle involving Yōichi.
"Will there be danger there?"
"Once the war starts, how could there not be danger? Nobody is exempt."
Fugaku didn't notice Mikoto's pale face as he sat down on the tatami to continue, "If the war goes poorly, I might also have to lead our clan into battle."
"Could Yōichi-kun also be in danger on the battlefield?"
"Are you talking about death? Mikoto, indeed, that's a possibility if he were to die..." Fugaku paused, then a thought crossed his mind—if Yōichi died on the frontline, wouldn't that mean Mikoto, who was currently in charge of certain clan matters, could take over completely? Although the Second Elder also had a chance, Mikoto was now the most suitable to oversee these businesses.
Under his leadership as the clan head, it could potentially lead to better development for the clan.
"Mikoto, going forward... Mikoto?"
Fugaku looked up to find that Mikoto, who had just been at the doorway, was no longer there.
Instead, the helper walked in, carrying a cup of tea for Fugaku, saying, "Clan leader, it seems Lady Mikoto just went back to her room. She looked a bit unwell.
And she didn't have an appetite earlier; she asked me to put away her portion of the meal."
"I see, she must be very tired. Let her rest well."
Fugaku nodded, acknowledging the hard work they had all been putting in recently, which was hardly less demanding than his duties in the police force, probably just exhaustion.
"Thank you. Recently, please don't let Itachi disturb Mikoto while she's resting."
She nodded, "I understand, Clan Leader. Itachi-kun is very well-behaved, much more so than my daughter. He's already thinking about becoming a ninja to share your burden."
"That's good to hear." After all, he's my son!
Fugaku didn't say the last part aloud to avoid sounding boastful, but that was indeed how he felt.
Although he hadn't had time to deal with Itachi recently, Fugaku believed his son would become a great ninja within the Uchiha clan.
"Clan leader, shall we have lunch? It's ready."
"Alright, let's have lunch then."
In another room, Mikoto felt uncomfortable. Hearing about the possible danger to Yōichi had left her feeling tight in the chest, a sensation that hadn't eased.
'That was just a dream, it has nothing to do with reality.'
Though she kept reassuring herself, Mikoto couldn't shake the unease in her heart. She suddenly felt that everything in the real world was so dull. If only she could stay in the dream world forever.
A considerate husband, caring about her son Sasuke.
After praying for the frontline in her heart, Mikoto, feeling tired, wanted to rest for a while, partly hoping to enter the dream world where she could let go of her irritation.
"Mother, would you like something to eat for lunch?"
The sudden sound of the sliding door and a child's inquiry startled Mikoto, who then stood up to look at the door: "Sasuke-."
However, seeing Itachi, Mikoto quickly recovered her composure and said, "Sorry, Itachi, I'd like to rest for a bit."
"I understand, Mother. Have a good rest."
After Itachi closed the door and left, he was left wondering, as he walked away, who was this 'Sasuke' his mother had called out?
————————————
The battlefield with the Cloud Village continued to demand high-intensity purging and reconnaissance missions, now almost three months ongoing.
On the last day the Master of Dreams ability was to disappear, Yōichi felt reluctant to let it go, but he stuck to his routine: training, allowing Mina to research, helping Kushina extract the Nine-Tails chakra, and spending a day and a bit more as a husband with Mikoto.
But on that final day, he let slip a piece of information, hinting that they might no longer meet in dreams, which made the usually assertive Mikoto panic, thinking Yōichi wanted a divorce.
However, after Yōichi shared some news about the dreams and comforted her in their marital bed, the only thing Mikoto felt afterwards was satisfied exhaustion.
When the dream ended and Mikoto awoke, she quietly went to wash up, her heart filled with contentment and a slight regret about the shortness of time.
But one phrase from the dream stayed clear in her memory, 'until the war ends.' Just thinking of these words made Mikoto feel warm all over.
Gulp, gulp.
After submerging herself in the bathtub, Mikoto thought, 'Did Yōichi-kun also have the same dream? Is that why he said that to me? After the war, is he going to come for me?'
Thinking of the intense marital life in the dream, which still hadn't satisfied her, Mikoto's body became even more sensitive.
After the ability ended, Yōichi drew a relatively ordinary power.
Enhanced smell and vision.
It was almost like turning him into Inuzuka Kiba and Hyūga Neji.
The sudden enhancement of smell without prior training was a nightmare for Yōichi; various scents rushed into his nostrils, even affecting his abilities.
Initially, Yōichi even wore two nasal strips to relieve the symptoms, but as he grew accustomed to the ability, it finally began to assist him.
The vision enhancement was also modestly helpful, allowing him to see the legs of ants on the ground clearly but without x-ray vision.
Helpful, but limited, and Yōichi still preferred relying on Daiki and Kira. The abilities he drew were just weaker versions of theirs.
After drawing these two abilities, the superpower roulette suddenly changed.
It wasn't a massive change, just a branch appeared. Now the superpower roulette offered two choices.
The first was unchanged, as before, randomly drawing one superpower a month.
The second added a feature allowing the accumulation of draw opportunities; three opportunities could be exchanged for fifteen days of a previously used power.
Uchiha Yōichi chose the second option without hesitation. He had drawn several very useful abilities before; although it meant only using them for fifteen days every three months, being able to select them directly was far more beneficial than random draws.
He remembered a year when he hadn't drawn a single useful ability; sometimes, when your luck is bad, it's truly terrible.
Only after choosing the roulette upgrade did Yōichi learn that this upgrade would take some time.
(End of Chapter)
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