"Ahem, your house was a bit old and in need of repair, so I fixed it up. No need to thank me!"
"..."
Kyōichi's face remained expressionless.
Do you really expect me to believe that?
Tsunade awkwardly cleared her throat.
It truly seemed hard to convince anyone, yet no matter how she inspected her work, she couldn't find any obvious flaws in her story.
Kyōichi sighed.
"This pond's shape... feels a bit too conveniently designed."
"Good point."
Tsunade took a closer look and then nodded in agreement. "I'll pay more attention next time."
"Next time?"
Kyōichi was stunned.
Tsunade really had no shame, not even bothering to hide her intentions.
But.
He couldn't be bothered to argue.
Although Kyōichi had inherited the memories of his predecessor, he didn't have much attachment to the house. If it was changed, so be it. he was just shocked by Tsunade's wall-demolishing prowess.
Entering the house, he saw the interior remained unchanged.
"So, Shizune, what really happened?"
"Tsunade-sama and Kushina-sama…"
"Ahem, nothing major. Just a small accident while teaching a jutsu, and the courtyard ended up collapsing."
Tsunade explained softly.
Kyōichi turned around, once again falling silent.
His house was fine, but from this angle, he could see that the neighboring house had been completely rebuilt. How...
Tragic.
Tsunade must be drowning in debt again.
However.
Kushina?
Kyōichi had almost forgotten about this descendant of the Uzumaki clan. It seemed that after Tsunade returned, she had taught her some of the Yin Seal techniques.
But teaching her the Strong Fist Technique?
Aren't you sabotaging Minato?
Kyōichi lit a mental candle for Minato before dismissing the housing issue.
Compensation was Tsunade's problem anyway—none of his business.
Tsunade glanced at Shizune.
Shizune tactfully withdrew. As Kyōichi skimmed Tsunade's recent research notes, he asked, "Tsunade-nee, did you succeed with the forbidden technique?"
"Almost. The reason I called you back this time is twofold. First, to teach you the forbidden technique, and second, I have an idea I'd like your help with. I've already discussed it with the old man, and he agreed."
Tsunade sat down, her expression turning serious.
This was serious.
Kyōichi nodded, signaling her to continue.
"I reviewed your Eastern Front strategies. Setting aside your combat performance, I want to know: Can these tactics be standardized for Anbu? To diversify their methods."
Tsunade said.
Kyōichi pondered for a moment.
This wasn't a problem, but upon further thought, it felt a bit terrifying.
ANBU...
If this were ordinary protocol, would she need him? This sounded like... she wanted him to take over the Anbu.
"Your meaning is...?"
"I want you to train a specialized anbu unit. If effective, you'll take command of anbu operations and strategic planning."
Tsunade was straightforward.
Kyōichi froze.
Exactly as suspected.
ANBU.
Every village's Anbu wielded immense power. In Konoha, while subordinate to the Hokage, they handled critical external affairs. Danzō once controlled them before establishing Root.
But.
if Kyōichi became ANBU Commander, he would control personnel flow to ROOT. More importantly—
This could be a goldmine...
Anbu recruited elite talents like Kakashi and Itachi. who had both served in the Anbu.
However.
He then remembered that he still had a team to lead.
This was a dilemma.
"Don't overthink it. This is just a trial. We'll expand gradually if successful."
Tsunade knew his concern—
Asuma and the others.
The three of them were stronger than many chūnin, but they still fell short of the Anbu's requirements.
So.
At this point, Kyōichi couldn't fully commit to ANBU.
"What's the Sandaime's stance?"
Kyōichi thought for a moment and then asked.
Tsunade was silent for a while before saying, "He plans to step down and go to the front lines to help Jiraiya."
Step down?
At this time?
Kyōichi was stunned for a few seconds, then rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Isn't the old man worried about instability at the front if he steps down now?"
"This is the best time. You just forced the Eastern Front's surrender, and I haven't been idle either."
Tsunade said, full of vigor. "Your sister has returned to the operating table! Not only that, but I've also drafted a plan for your psychological medicine."
"Oh."
"???"
Tsunade blinked at his flat response.
Oh?
Not even a hint of excitement? I overcame massive hurdles, you know?
She pouted.
"Did you properly overcome it?"
"Sort of. I've resolved a lot of my issues, but there are still some minor discomforts. These little discomforts don't affect my surgeries."
Tsunade explained.
Tsunade's psychological wounds had healed with resolved trauma. She offered no details; Kyōichi asked none. Still, he was glad she'd moved forward.
"Teach me this technique."
Tsunade handed over the scroll.
Then, she looked at her necklace and said, "I once thought about giving this necklace to you, but recently I've come to terms with things. I'll keep this necklace for myself. I want to carry their expectations and be a good Hokage!"
"They'll see it. Maybe one day, you'll have a chance to meet them again?"
Kyōichi nodded.
Thank goodness you didn't give it to me!
This necklace is too heavy; I can't carry it.
Tsunade fell silent for a moment, then shook her head. "Forget it. I don't know how I'd feel meeting them again. And that technique—you must never dabble in it!"
"Relax. I've zero interest in that technique."
Kyōichi stretched lazily.
Edo Tensei had uses, but mostly brought trouble. Even Orochimaru abandoned it—why risk researching a "wish-granting" technique where summons break free?
His mind was more occupied with the Anbu.
Konoha's Anbu already employed similar tactics—but through instinct, not systematized doctrine. They lacked unified strategic principles.
Recalling this era's Anbu...
Seemed to have quite a few talents.
"I'd like to see the list first."
Kyōichi set the technique scroll aside.
The Creation Rebirth technique was definitely something he needed to learn, but it wasn't urgent. The Anbu training, however, needed to be prioritized—
The war was raging, and there was no time to waste!
"I've prepared it in advance."
Tsunade handed over the list.
This was something only the Hokage was supposed to see, but the Sandaime had already given her everything. In essence, aside from not having the title of Hokage, Tsunade was already handling all the duties.
Including the documents from the Hokage's office that were now in her home.
Kyōichi took it.
The Konoha Anbu had a total of seventy members, divided into four squads. Root was one of those squads.
Tsunade had received a list of fifty-three members from the Sandaime.
First on the list…
Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
Current ANBU Commander. His wife led an operational squad.
"The Sandaime is really harsh on his own children."
Kyōichi sighed softly.
Both formidable—yet died post-war in canon.
He had some theories about this.
The most likely one was that Sarutobi Shinnosuke, an elite jōnin skilled in Earth Release, was at a disadvantage against Lightning Release users during the year Kumogakure tried to kidnap Hinata.
"That's why I need your help. It's not that I don't trust them, but the Anbu missions are too dangerous. They've been at it for so many years; it's time for them to live normal lives."
Tsunade said.
This made Kyōichi speechless.
So you're passing the danger to me?
What a way to treat your little brother!
He flipped through the pages, and when he saw one name, his gaze paused for a moment.
Kohinata Mukai.
This person…
"The Kohinata family is a distant branch of the Hyūga clan. He just joined recently. Although he hasn't awakened the Byakugan, his performance in Anbu training has been excellent. He's a promising talent."
Tsunade explained.
"Hmm. He's in a combat squad that was recently reorganized. Let's use his squad as the special training squad."
"Alright."
Relieved that Kyōichi had agreed, Tsunade thought for a moment and added, "If you don't want to be the Anbu Commander, that's fine too. We can promote someone else later."
"If there's a suitable candidate, it's better to let someone else take the position."
Kyōichi smiled. "My appearance is too distinctive. Anbu ninjas should have the most ordinary features."
A young, silver-haired shinobi from Konoha.
Such characteristics were rare.
Not exactly inconspicuous.
"Good point!"
Tsunade conceded after deliberation.
Distinct features rendered masks pointless.
"Enroll Asuma and the others too. Teaching one squad or three makes no difference."
"No problem."
…
The next day.
Forest of Death.
Three squads gathered.
Asuma's team and Might Guy's team, and the most special squad was Kohinata Mukai's team. They wore masks shaped like an owl, cat, dog, and eagle.
"For now, I'll call you four A, B, C, and D. The squad leader is A, and the rest can figure out their own roles."
Kyōichi said.
Asuma and the others had graduated several months ago, so they weren't clueless. These masks clearly indicated that they were Anbu ninjas.
Why did sensei bring the Anbu to train with us?
This is too intense!
While they were pondering this, Kohinata Mukai was also observing Kyōichi—he had been assigned as D because he was the youngest in the squad.
Kanda Kyōichi.
They had naturally heard of him, the legend who crushed two Hidden Mist bases.
"Kyōichi-sensei, what are we training?"
"First, let me ask, how much do you know about my tactics?"
Kyōichi wasn't exactly an expert on these tactics. In his previous life, he was just an elementary school intern teacher and hadn't delved deeply into these matters.
But.
frontline experience sufficed for teaching.
"Swift and decisive battles."
Kohinata Mukai was the first to speak—the Anbu had privately studied and learned, so their understanding wasn't any less than Shisui and the others.
"Good. Swift and decisive battles are important, but how do you compare to the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"
"…"
Mukai shook his head.
"Swift and decisive battles are important, but the most important thing isn't strength."
The "Owl" next to him spoke up.
Kyōichi glanced at him.
Of course, he knew who this guy was.
An old student, Gekkō Hayate.
He'd attended one of my classes and now he's showing off here?
"Then you demonstrate."
Gekkō Hayate was the squad leader, but the squad had suffered heavy losses recently. The team had just been reorganized, and Kohinata Mukai was a new addition.
"This… ahem, Kyōichi-sama, you're joking. I'm not up to it!"