The Task the Sarutobi Ninja Couldn’t Shake Off

"You’re already an adult, Princess Tsunade. I never thought I’d encounter something as childish as tattling."

Hyuga Mirai clicked his tongue as he took out several small dishes to go with the drinks and pushed them in front of Tsunade. It made her blush without making her angry. After figuring out Tsunade’s temperament and personality, Hyuga Mirai could now handle her however he pleased. He could push her to the brink of anger, then swiftly soothe her down.

Tsunade’s face reddened, though it was unclear whether it was from the alcohol or shame over her behavior. In any case, she immediately slapped the table and complained, "It’s all Orochimaru’s fault. He didn’t keep his promise to me."

"I asked around for you before coming here. Yakushi Kabuto is still a Konoha Genin and fairly young. You can promote him directly to Chunin, then recruit him as your assistant."

After showing Tsunade Yakushi Kabuto’s file, Hyuga Mirai said, "Yakushi Kabuto’s talent in Medical Ninjutsu isn’t bad. At his age, he already has the level of a Medical Jonin. That’s quite rare even in Konoha."

Tsunade smiled, her face flushed from the alcohol, and said to Hyuga Mirai, "Are you complimenting yourself indirectly?"

"In Medical Ninjutsu, he is indeed a little weaker than me," Hyuga Mirai said after comparing them.

As for the later human-body research, Hyuga Mirai had only reached his current level because he possessed Dr. Genus’s knowledge.

Hyuga Mirai continued, "Also, you forgot the Gene Optimization Serum I asked you to bring last time, Princess Tsunade. If Shizune weren’t by your side, I’d really worry about your ability to live independently."

"Quit nagging. I just forgot by accident," Tsunade immediately bared her teeth and said. In front of Hyuga Mirai, she always felt like he was the elder while she was the one being looked after!

"So that’s why this guy had been quiet for so long. He was investigating the Hyūga Clan." After reading Yakushi Kabuto’s file, Tsunade said angrily. She then turned to Hyuga Mirai and asked, "You don’t care? Orochimaru wants to study your Eye Technique."

"It doesn’t matter if he studies it. Any powerful technique needs Chakra as its foundation. Otherwise, it’s just flashy nonsense," Hyuga Mirai said indifferently. Even if a Jonin somehow received the Tenseigan, he still couldn’t unleash the world-destroying power Hyuga Mirai wielded.

After awakening the Tenseigan, Hyuga Mirai had also continuously trained in Sage Mode, using Sage Chakra to alter his constitution. Combined with absorbing the eye power within the Giant Tenseigan, he had awakened the Tenseigan to its current state.

After Tsunade finished a bottle of shochu, Hyuga Mirai promptly pushed the remaining shochu aside and said, "Stop drinking. Inject the Gene Optimization Serum first. Then I have something to discuss with you."

Hyuga Mirai took out a map of the Ninja World and placed it before Tsunade. Unlike the maps of the Five Great Nations, this one had been recorded after Android 18 used Satellites to explore the entire planet. The region Tsunade recognized as the Ninja World occupied only around one-eighth of this map.

Of the remaining regions, only Rōran had begun exploring outward, and it had already extracted mineral and petroleum resources.

"The Federation’s next targets are the Land of Wind, Rain Country, and the Land of Water. After annexing those three nations, we may pause to develop for a while. However, you’ll need to pay attention to the war in Rain Country. Once Konoha is defeated, you may need to make a move."

Upon hearing that, Tsunade clicked her tongue, her flushed face deepening in color. "You really know how to assign me tasks. First the Fifth Hokage, then the Rinnegan."

"Don’t worry, I’ll help you too." Hyuga Mirai smiled reassuringly. "After optimizing your genes, I’ll give your Curse Mark plenty of Sage Chakra. With your strength and Cursed Seal Sage Mode, you definitely won’t lose to Nagato."

"Besides, if you don’t go, Konoha might suffer devastating losses."

At that time, even without using Wood Release, Tsunade’s Creation Rebirth recovery and formidable Taijutsu would be enough to keep Nagato overwhelmed. If she used Wood Release, she could at least wield half of Hashirama Senju’s strength from when he was alive.

"Is it because there’s someone you care about on the front line, so you want me to— No, I won’t say it. Just leave the liquor behind." Before Tsunade could finish, she saw Hyuga Mirai preparing to take back the shochu he had brought, so she immediately gave in.

Ever since taking the position of Fifth Hokage, Tsunade had been bound to the Hokage’s desk. This delicious shochu was now her only comfort.

Hyuga Mirai said irritably, "This is the best time for you to establish your authority."

Tsunade thought for a while. Though she had agreed in her heart, she still muttered, "After saying all that, aren’t you just trying to dump things on someone else?"

"We’re the same in that regard," Hyuga Mirai immediately replied.

"Oh, right. The Daimyo seems to have some ideas. The old man probably had the Daimyo’s secret support when he started this war."

"Then let them join forces. If there’s an illness, it should be cured immediately, rather than dragged out for centuries and only slightly treated."

Afterward, Hyuga Mirai discussed some other matters with Tsunade before injecting her with the Gene Optimization Serum.

Before long, Tsunade fell asleep. It would take roughly twelve hours to fully take effect. When she woke up tomorrow, she would notice the changes in her body.

Hyuga Mirai carried Tsunade to the bed. Before leaving, he tidied up her dining table, unable to stand the mess, then left Konoha directly.

He had already arranged everything that needed arranging. Unless something unexpected happened, Hyuga Mirai would be traveling between the Federation and Rōran. His next research focus would be Indra and Asura’s Chakra, to see whether the Rinnegan could be mass-produced. If he had two or three more pairs, the help they could provide would multiply.

On the Kikyo Castle battlefield, the Federation Ninja led by Pakura held the overall advantage, yet they remained deadlocked near Kikyo Castle. Shikaku’s arrangements for the Saudi Federation were meticulous: defend Kikyo Castle to the death while using Konoha’s highly capable reconnaissance Ninja to harass them in squads.

So long as Pakura did not use the One-Tail Tailed Beast, the Saudi Federation’s Ninja truly found it difficult to make a move against Kikyo Castle.

The Ninja of every nation had distinct specialties. For example, Suna-nin were known for puppets, Wind Release, and Ninjutsu that controlled sand. Against a heavily fortified structure like Kikyo Castle, they were somewhat powerless.

Although the Ninja troop led by Pakura was nearly unstoppable outside Kikyo Castle, Sunagakure could not safely take a detour to attack as long as they failed to capture Kikyo Castle.

Other than their initial gains, the Saudi Federation had been stalled here for a long time.

"Lord Kazekage, perhaps we can send squads to infiltrate the Land of Fire and target the nobles," someone suggested to Pakura.

Pakura frowned slightly upon hearing that. "Target ordinary people?" Though she wanted to avenge Yasunori Sakai, she did not want to violate the Ninja Regulations. Targeting ordinary people during a ninja war was a regulation observed by all Ninja. Anyone who violated it would basically be no different from a Rogue ninja. Even a Great ninja village would be rejected by everyone.

Ninja did not engage in production. Everything they had was provided by ordinary people. If Ninja targeted ordinary people on a large scale, they would be digging up their own foundations. Once Ninja Villages discovered such wandering ninja or Rogue ninja, they would certainly send people to eliminate them immediately.

"We won’t harm their lives. We’ll merely use their influence to force the Konoha Ninja out of Kikyo Castle, that turtle shell, and fight us decisively. If enough nobles in the Land of Fire are intimidated by us, then even the Hokage will have to order the Ninja on the front line to fight."

"If that’s the case…"

After hearing this, Pakura thought again of Yasunori Sakai’s death. If she did not avenge him, she would not be able to serve as Kazekage with peace of mind.

"Do it. Send out twenty squads. Make sure Konoha has no choice but to fight within a short time!"

If Gaara had not been so young and her disciple, Pakura would have considered using the Tailed Beast.

The Saudi Federation had deployed nearly twice as many Ninja as Konoha this time. Pulling out enough Ninja to form twenty squads would not have much effect on the front-line battlefield.

Konoha could not do the same as the Saudi Federation. Their numbers were already severely strained. Maintaining their reconnaissance and harassment squads was difficult enough. If they wanted to send out more personnel, they would have to request reinforcements from the village.

The Suna-nin moved quickly. With Pakura personally watching over Kikyo Castle, even if Konoha noticed the Saudi Federation’s intentions, they would not dare send Ninja squads to intercept them. Otherwise, Pakura could lead the main force in a direct assault and possibly seize Kikyo Castle.

The commanding Jonin at Kikyo Castle could only send this intelligence back to the village.

Kikyo Castle could defend against the Saudi Federation’s main force, but it could not stop the infiltration of such Ninja squads. No terrain could truly hinder Ninja.

Less than two days later, Tsunade received both Kikyo Castle’s message and reports on the events occurring throughout the Land of Fire at her desk.

Within two days, four nobles had been attacked by Suna-nin. Though only a few people were injured, much of the nobles’ property had been destroyed. They were therefore furious and came directly to Konoha to commission missions. At the same time, they sent people to the Capital of the Land of Fire to accuse Konoha Ninja before the Daimyo of doing nothing and allowing enemy Ninja to run rampant within the Land of Fire.

Tsunade also had a headache when she saw this. She knew the details of Pakura’s revenge. Strictly speaking, Hyuga Mirai had been plotting against Danzo, but that idiot had taken the bait directly and been thoroughly played.

However, Tsunade could not bring herself to dislike Hyuga Mirai. Setting aside the hope he offered of achieving unified peace, Hyuga Mirai’s care for her surpassed that of everyone in Konoha.

"This matter… Right, let the Anbu handle it!"

Tsunade had been considering where to draw squads from to intercept the Suna-nin, but the moment she thought of the Anbu, she instantly relaxed.

Since you managed to stuff nearly four divisions of people into the Anbu in such a short time, this mission will be entrusted to your Sarutobi Clan. Before, without Ninja registration numbers, you could use that as an excuse to evade missions. But since you took the initiative to stand up and fight for power, you must bear the corresponding responsibility.

With the Root Ninja recovering from their injuries and the village needing to send reinforcements to the front-line Ninja, the Anbu were the only ones suitable for this mission.

"Go call the Anbu Captain for me!"