— — — — —
Hokage's Office
"Good work!"
The Third Hokage took the mission scroll from Tsunade and briefly reviewed it before speaking:
"The mission is complete, and the agreed two-month time frame is up."
"The frontlines have officially engaged in battle with the Hidden Rain."
"Although large-scale combat hasn't erupted yet, small skirmishes are happening non-stop."
"And it's not just with the Hidden Rain. There have been minor clashes with the Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone as well. Hidden Rain and Hidden Sand have also started skirmishing among themselves."
"The situation is complicated, especially with the Sand and Rain ninja—many of whom are skilled in poison techniques. We've already had several people incapacitated by their toxins."
"If it weren't for the antidotes produced by the Uchiha clan, our standard antidotes and our medical-nin wouldn't have been able to counter these poisons effectively."
"That's why we need you on the frontlines, Tsunade!"
"There's no time to rest. I hope you can depart for the Rain Country's battlefield early tomorrow morning. Any objections?"
Orochimaru had already left for the frontlines two days ago.
Jiraiya had gone even earlier, accompanying the vanguard unit.
Even Hatake Sakumo had been deployed.
"Got it. No problem here!" Tsunade immediately nodded in agreement.
Though she had her grievances about the Third Hokage and his family's schemes, she didn't want unnecessary casualties among the Konoha shinobi.
Besides, establishing herself on the frontlines would allow her to help the Senju, Uzumaki, and Uchiha clans in the future.
It was also an opportunity to support people like Kaito and the others when they inevitably joined the fight.
On top of that, Tsunade had another goal: she wanted to personally face Hanzo the Salamander, humbling him and carving out her own legacy.
She refused to accept a title like "Legendary Sannin" granted by someone who had defeated her. To Tsunade, it felt more like an insult than an honor.
"Good!"
The Third Hokage looked relieved, glad that Tsunade hadn't been difficult.
Then he turned to Kaito and the others:
"As for you all, it's time for you to start handling missions independently."
"I'm sure you've been expecting this."
"Given how well you've performed recently—even completing B-rank missions—I've decided to promote you, Kaito, to Chunin."
"You'll now lead your own squad, previously known as Tsunade's team. Any questions?"
"No, thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Kaito and the others shook their heads, though they couldn't help silently grumbling about the Third Hokage's stinginess.
Based on their performance so far, it wasn't unreasonable for the entire team to be promoted to Chunin. But clearly, the Third Hokage thought otherwise.
Still, they didn't let it bother them too much. There would be opportunities in the future.
"If, by the end of the war, they hadn't received the promotions they deserved," Kaito thought, "I'll just overthrow the old man myself, become Hokage, and promote everyone to Jonin."
"Excellent."
The Third Hokage nodded in satisfaction. Then, his expression turned serious as he addressed Kaito:
"Kaito, you must've heard what I discussed with Tsunade earlier."
"The frontlines desperately need the antidotes your Uchiha clan produces."
"This concerns the lives of countless shinobi..."
"Old man!!!"
Before the Third Hokage could finish, Tsunade interrupted him with a furious shout.
Her face twisted in anger as she glared at him.
"Why are you bringing this up with a ten-year-old kid?!"
"Is this something he should or even can handle?"
"Have you no shame, scheming against a child?!"
She could clearly see where this was going.
The old man was trying to strong-arm Kaito into handing over the Uchiha clan's antidote formula.
If she allowed it, Tsunade knew it wouldn't stop there. Next, he'd target the formulas for nutritional pills and who knows what else.
This old geezer just doesn't know when to quit.
"Do you want Kaito to flip out, trash this office, and kill you on the spot?" she thought to herself. "If he does, how many lives do you think you have left?"
"Tsunade, you..."
The Third Hokage's face turned purple with frustration, but seeing Tsunade's fury and the icy glint in Kaito's eyes, he swallowed his retort.
He was beginning to realize he had underestimated Kaito.
This kid wasn't as harmless or simple as he seemed.
Otherwise, why would a ten-year-old glare at him like that over a mere conversation?
But there was little he could do.
If he pushed too hard, the consequences would be disastrous.
What a humiliating situation...
"What about me?!"
Tsunade's face darkened further as she scolded him:
"If you have the guts, why don't you go talk to Lady Uchiha Naori about this? Let's see if she doesn't deal with you!"
"Kaito is my student. If you think you can bully him, think again!"
"If the village needs antidotes, they can purchase them from the Uchiha clan. Stop trying to take their secrets for free!"
"If everyone acted like you, who'd want to contribute to the village in the future?"
"Instead, the entire village would be full of discontent and distrust."
"You... I..."
The Third Hokage's face turned an even darker shade of red. But after taking a few deep breaths, he managed to force out a strained smile and raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Fine, fine. I won't bring it up again. Let's just discuss purchasing the antidotes."
"The village's current stockpile of Uchiha antidotes is running low—nowhere near enough for the frontlines."
"We need to buy more. Can the Uchiha clan supply them?"
He turned his gaze toward Kaito.
Kaito smiled faintly.
"I think it's possible. There should be some stock available in the clan."
He intentionally kept his response vague.
The Third Hokage didn't know the antidotes were all his own creation, and being too confident in his answer might reveal too much.
"Could the price be reduced a bit? You know, with the village at war, funds are tight."
The Third Hokage shamelessly pressed further.
"That's not up to me."
Kaito shrugged, feigning helplessness.
"These matters are decided by my mother and the clan elders. What say does a ten-year-old like me have?"
"You'd better discuss it with my mother directly, Lord Hokage. Don't make things difficult for me."
He inwardly sneered at the old man's tactics.
First, the Hokage wanted the formula for free. Now, he was trying to negotiate a discount?
Not a chance.
As for the claim that the village lacked funds? Kaito didn't believe it for a second.
The Daimyo of the Fire Nation allocated substantial funding to Konoha every year. The village also had its mission fees, among other sources of income.
Moreover, Kaito's mother had mentioned that over a month ago, the Daimyo had approved an additional ten billion ryo in war funds for Konoha.
No money? Sure, and pigs fly.
At most, they'd sell a bit more of the antidote stockpile to the village.
But bulk-selling other things, like nutritional pills? Not a chance.
— — —
As soon as Kaito and his squad left the Hokage's office, they headed straight to his family's home.
Coincidentally, Uchiha Naori was at home at the time. Mikoto and Kushina couldn't hold back and started talking over each other, explaining everything that had happened and detailing the Third Hokage's scheming.
"Bang!"
Uchiha Naori slammed her hand on the table, leaving a deep handprint. Her eyebrows arched sharply as she roared, "Sarutobi Hiruzen, you dare to scheme against my son? You must have a death wish!"
She turned to Kaito with a fiery glare. "Kaito, how about Mom goes and kills that dog right now? What do you think?"
Kaito waved his hands helplessly, looking exasperated. "Forget it, Mom! We've endured for so many years already; a little longer won't hurt!"
"Once the war is over, we'll deal with him properly!"
"Killing him outright would be too easy. I want him utterly disgraced, his name cursed for generations!"
"If we act now, it'll throw the village into chaos and weaken us, giving the other shinobi villages an opening to exploit."
"We need to wait a little longer!"
"I'm pretty sure he'll try to send me and our squad to the battlefield soon," Kaito continued. "When that happens, I'll coordinate with our allies on the frontlines. We'll first take out the elites of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, then finish off Danzo. That'll be the first part of our revenge!"
"Mom, while I'm away, you and the others in the village need to keep an eye on the Hokage. Don't let him go crazy!"
"Also, if you can, push him to send even more of their clan's ninjas to the frontlines. That'll work out just fine for us."
Killing the Third Hokage wouldn't be enough.
Kaito wanted him to lose everything—his reputation, his allies, his power—before finally meeting his end. If the Third dared to scheme against him, he would face the consequences.
"Fine, we'll do it your way," Naori agreed after some thought. "But when you're out on the frontlines, be careful. And protect Mikoto and Kushina too."
"As for the village and the clan, don't worry about those. Mom and this old woman Mito are here. We'll keep everything under control."
Naori smiled reassuringly as she spoke, but there was a flicker of eagerness in her eyes. Deep down, she wouldn't mind if the Third Hokage made a move in the village—then she'd have every reason to kill him outright.
"As for getting him to send a second batch of Sarutobi and Shimura elites to the frontlines… we'll see. If the opportunity arises, we'll definitely go for it."
"Though for that to work, Danzo can't die during the first wave. If he does, the Third, no matter how clever, won't send more of their elite forces to their deaths."
"How we handle this, I'll leave to you. If you get the chance to kill Danzo, go ahead!"
"Even if we can't take out the second batch of their elites on the battlefield, there'll still be chances to deal with them after the war. No rush."
After the war, Naori was determined to wipe out the Sarutobi and Shimura clans.
As for the Mitokado and Utatane clans?
That was still up in the air. Recently, Naori had noticed something interesting.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu seemed to be subtly distancing themselves from Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo, as though cutting ties.
It wasn't obvious yet, but the trend was there.
There were even hints of goodwill toward the Uchiha and Senju clans.
That was worth considering.
Naori began to wonder if it would be possible to recruit them—to have them gather evidence of Hiruzen's and Danzo's crimes and publicly condemn them after the war.
Having Homura and Koharu spearhead the accusations against them would be both poetic and devastating.
Would they agree?
Worst-case scenario, when the time came to settle accounts, she could spare their lives.
But they'd have to cough up everything they'd taken over the years. Any participation in harming the Senju or Uchiha clans would have to be accounted for.
And their power? That was non-negotiable—they'd lose it.
"Sounds good," Kaito nodded after listening. "We'll see how things play out."
"If the chance comes up, I'll take out Danzo and their elites on the frontlines. Otherwise, we'll deal with them after the war."
"Danzo's shameless tactics are what worry me most. The man has no bottom line—he'll do anything to stir up trouble."
"Do what you think is best," Naori said calmly, her confidence stemming from her overwhelming strength.
"Oh, and one more thing!" Naori's expression turned serious. She looked at Kaito, Mikoto, and the others.
"When you're on the frontlines, be on guard against Black Zetsu and Uchiha Madara."
"I'm worried they'll stir up trouble and look for a successor."
"Mikoto and Kaito, both of you could be potential targets for them."
"And with how close Minato and Kushina are to you two, they might use them as pawns to force you into awakening your Mangekyō Sharingan."
Naori didn't trust Madara's morals at all.
Even though Kaito, Mikoto, and the current Uchiha clan didn't need such extreme methods to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan anymore—thanks to techniques like Sharingan Meditation, Chakra Refinement, and Life Force technique-focused training—Madara and Black Zetsu didn't know that.
And they couldn't let them find out, at least not yet.
In the future, when Kaito unified the shinobi world and subdued Madara, maybe then they could share those techniques.
After all, Madara as an ally would be incredibly useful.
"Got it. We'll be careful!" Kaito and the others nodded in agreement.
"If Black Zetsu or Madara shows up, there's no way they'll escape our Observation Haki," Kaito added with a smirk. "And if things get dicey, I'll call you and Lady Mito over to gang up on Madara. That'd be a fun sight!"
Both Naori and Lady Mito were already super-Kage level and getting stronger.
Even in a one-on-one fight against the aging Madara, their victory wasn't guaranteed, but Together? The Old Madara wouldn't stand a chance.
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.
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