Three days had passed since his return to Konoha. It also marked three days since the Sand Shinobi had announced the war with Konoha.
However, aside from deploying a significant number of troops to the border, the Sand Shinobi hadn't made any major moves. Though some minor tensions had arisen due to their presence, their true intentions were clear to all, and Tobirama had no doubt about their purpose.
Tobirama had dispatched an equal number of ninja to guard the border. In terms of quality and equipment, Sand's ninjas were relatively modest, making them appear as a less formidable neighbour.
The ninja world had mostly seen inter-clan skirmishes, and facing a "national war" for the first time left Tobirama uncertain about the strategy to adopt.
Leading the dispatched team were members of the Senju clan, supported by the Hyuga clan, along with representatives from other ninja clans and a new generation of ninja trained within Konoha, totaling about 2,000 people.
To be honest, if the Sand Shinobi didn't initiate an attack, Tobirama had no intention of being the aggressor either. Not because the Land of Sand was challenging to conquer, but because there seemed to be nothing of substantial value to capture.
It appeared as though a prolonged stalemate might ensue.
Within Konoha, the Uchiha clan members were eager to prove themselves in the war, hoping to showcase their strength to the Sand Shinobi and reinforce their reputation. However, they remained relatively stable under Tobirama's watchful eye.
Despite their previous shortcomings, the Uchiha clan remained unchanged for now. They were still an important force in the upcoming war and would also contribute to Konoha's defense.
The ninja world war wasn't limited to two nations. Konoha, as a dominant power, had taken control of the central territories. With the Sand Shinobi leading the charge, Tobirama was concerned that other nations might get involved. It was time for the Uchiha clan to make their "contribution" to the village during the next war.
"Black Snake, this way."
Takeshi and his team arrived at the training ground, where a tall figure emerged from the ground. Although Takeshi had sensed his presence, the others were taken by surprise.
"Who... who are you?"
"Cough, I will now be your direct superior. From this day on, no more leisurely training here. You'll be engaged in missions."
Through his perception, Takeshi recognized this person as Senju Tsushima . He had once fought Takeshi during the Chunin exams and had secretly protected Tsunade during missions. Tsushima was Tobirama's confidant.
At the time, Tsushima possessed quasi-Kage Level abilities, and now, Takeshi might not stand a chance against him in a direct confrontation with his own body and hiding his abilities.
Tsushima patted Takeshi on the shoulder, indicating their camaraderie. Tobirama had personally evaluated Takeshi's strength and identified him as a secret weapon for the future.
After some exchanges, Tsushima disappeared into the ground once more, demonstrating that he had used a clone.
"Ah~ ah, I didn't expect us to be tasked with covert surveillance in Konoha. Isn't that the Uchihas' job?"
Tiger spoke with a somber expression. As a strong-willed individual, he desired frontline action, engaging in assassination missions to gain recognition. Hyuga Kazuki and Nightingale also felt frustrated, while Falcon remained indifferent.
"Alright, alright. Anbu has always been Konoha's last line of defense. Infiltration and espionage are responsibilities for more experienced members. It's not our turn yet."
Takeshi reassured them. He also intended to utilize this mission to scatter his summoning snakes and collect specific blood samples. Yet, it appeared that the First Ninja World War was not their stage.
Staying in Konoha did have its advantages. Takeshi's acquired bloodline was somewhat mixed, requiring time to integrate despite the fusion and optimization process.
Takeshi had recently unlocked a version of the Byakugan, though it didn't match the prowess of regular Byakugan abilities. With his spiritual perception and proficiency in medical ninjutsu, he aimed to create a defensive ninjutsu similar to the Eight Trigrams technique, using the human meridian scroll from the Hyuga clan.
There were also Troy's cells that required thorough examination, especially the Gelel Stone. Delving into its function as an energy source consumed a considerable amount of time. Moreover, Takeshi aimed to utilize the original Senjutsu Chakra remnants within the tree to cultivate the Wood Release cells, and even experiment with awakening the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai.
These projects were of utmost importance. The chaotic war environment provided the ideal opportunity for his plans. The war would yield numerous casualties, filling Konoha Hospital and providing ample materials for his experiments.
Amid the tight schedule, Takeshi's time was precious. He realized that since his arrival in this world, he had been continuously busy improving himself and conducting research.
Perhaps it was time to consider splitting his soul again. Takeshi's strength was sufficient, and a second soul split wouldn't have as drastic an impact as the first time. He could maintain at least Elite Jōnin-level strength.
However, there was a three-year cooldown for soul splitting, similar to reincarnation. Yet, Takeshi lacked a suitable candidate for the split, and creating a new clone wouldn't yield a personality as exceptional as Orochimaru's.
"Captain, I need to talk to you." Hyuga Kazuki seemed troubled and spoke up suddenly.
"I might leave Anbu soon."
"What?" Takeshi was surprised and then understood.
Hyuga Kazuki belonged to the Hyuga clan, which consisted of numerous branches controlled by a main dominant family. Leaving the village was almost impossible due to their protective role.
Hyuga Kazuki and Hyuga Shiro had joined Anbu to gain combat experience and enhance their resumes. However, their tenure was short-lived, much like when Hyuga Shiro didn't the 'previous mission.'
It was likely that their departure aligned with the family's overall strategy, just as it had the last time. The underlying motives remained unclear, whether driven by Danzo's manipulations, Tobirama's counsel, or other factors.
Instructor Yaksha's involvement had caused quite a stir in the Hyuga clan, pressuring Konoha's higher-ups. Hyuga Kazuki's resignation was probably part of a more intricate plan.
Takeshi reassured Hyuga Kazuki, feeling a sense of regret. The insights gained from Hyuga Kazuki had provided valuable information about the Hyuga clan and their internal dynamics.
Now that Hyuga Kazuki was leaving the team, the numbers remained steady due to Tiger's presence, and no additional members were expected.
"We're in for a long haul, and I'm not even ten years old yet. How far have I come?"
Takeshi contemplated his situation, then his gaze shifted as he noticed someone interesting.
A teenager, donning the blue-trimmed Uchiha clan uniform, walked aimlessly down the street. The boy emitted an air of powerful chakra and a forbidding coldness, discouraging anyone from approaching. His aura seemed restless, causing those around him to keep their distance.
"Hey, isn't that Uchiha Ken?"
Takeshi surreptitiously scanned the surroundings, ensuring no Anbu or Konoha Police Force members were present.
Since the third elder's fall and the controversy surrounding Uchiha Ken's opening of the three-tomoe Sharingan, his life had been challenging.
With his primary supporter gone and his parents deceased, Ken faced derision and rumours due to the actions of Uchiha Sagijima (third elder).
Nearly two years had passed, and Ken's strength hadn't improved significantly. His progress had been hampered by the aftermath of Takeshi's intervention, which hindered his Sharingan's development. As a result, his potential remained capped at the level of a Special Jōnin.
Takeshi manipulated his surroundings, ensuring no prying eyes were watching, before discreetly approaching Uchiha Ken.
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