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Chapter 233: The Advancing Mist!
🕑 Added 2025-10-05 11:00:18 +0000 UTCChapter 233: The Advancing Mist!
The next morning, Keisuke had planned to create the "Chakra Creation Method" scrolls for all the new Kekkei Genkai he had just derived. However, a message from the village interrupted his plans.
"Shikaku-san," Keisuke said, having teleported back to the Konoha camp. "You just said the village is planning to temporarily reassign Kagami-senpai?"
Some days prior, Minato and Kagami had been ordered to the Land of Hot Water to repel the Kumo invasion. Although Keisuke had since "defeated" the Third Raikage, Minato and Kagami had remained on standby to prevent a counter-attack.
"Not exactly 'reassigned'," Shikaku said, reporting to his new clan head. "The village has detected a shift in Kirigakure's movements. They had been harassing our southeast coast from the Land of Waves, but their attack frequency has dropped. Our scouts discovered their forces are moving north along the coastline. The village believes it's highly likely they have already entered the Land of Hot Water."
This wasn't just a strategic shift. It was the beginning of the "One-Eyed Uchiha's" plan.
"I think I understand," Keisuke nodded. "The village wants Kagami-senpai to intercept the Kiri ninja?"
"Yes," Shikaku said calmly. "He won't be leaving the Land of Hot Water. He will lead a separate unit to defend against their raid, but he can still act as a reserve force for this front. The village noted that he is extremely skilled with Water Style."
And he was. Not only had he inherited most of Tobirama's water jutsu, but one of his Mangekyo abilities was a massive-scale water technique. From the high command's perspective, sending him was the perfect choice. Keisuke couldn't find any fault with the logic, nor did he intend to refuse the order.
"The troops for his unit... will they be drawn from our forces here, or from the village?"
"The village's intention is to reassign a portion of the forces from this front," the chief of staff replied softly.
"Who will be assigned to his unit?" Keisuke asked, his expression unchanging. With so many high-end assets concentrated on this front, their numbers of low and mid-rank ninja were relatively small. It was a reasonable question for the supreme commander to ask.
"The village has not interfered with the division of forces on the front; that decision is yours to make, Clan Head," Shikaku reminded him. "However, according to the intel, the Kiri force is being led by the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Given the long coastline, it's unlikely all seven will enter the Land of Hot Water at once, but we can't be sure who we'll be facing. For safety, I would advise sending as many elite ninja as possible to support him."
The Seven Swordsmen? That's just a smokescreen, Keisuke thought, shaking his head. "Shikaku-san, I'll leave the personnel arrangements to you."
"Yes, sir." Shikaku nodded and was about to leave.
"Ah... wait," Keisuke called out after a moment's hesitation. "Could you ask Shisui and the others to come here?"
Is the Clan Head planning to... train his subordinates? The thought flashed through Shikaku's mind, but he just nodded again. "Yes, sir."
A few minutes later, Shisui, Retsu, and Shizune were assembled in his tent. "Captain."
"Everyone," he began, "I've called you here because there are a few things we need to discuss. As you know, while we are still a squad in name, we no longer have many opportunities to go on missions together."
As the commander, he was stuck in the camp. "Squad Nara" was, for all intents and purposes, already defunct.
"Also, a heads-up," he continued. "It's highly likely Kirigakure has invaded the Land of Hot Water. Shisui, Retsu, Shizune. Do you want to stay here and defend against Kumo, or would you prefer to go elsewhere and fight Kiri?" As their captain and commander, this was the last "small favor" he could do for them.
The three of them looked at each other.
"Captain," Shisui, as the Jonin, spoke first. "I will follow my orders. For Konoha, it doesn't matter if I'm fighting Kumo or Kiri."
Following orders? You're just throwing the problem back at me. Keisuke looked at the other two.
"I'll follow the arrangements," Retsu said flatly.
"Me too," Shizune added in a small voice.
"Fine. Then I won't interfere with your assignments," he said, placing the Large Sealing Scroll on the table. "Now, for the other matter. Remember that S-rank mission we went on? I've inspected the scrolls we recovered from that Jashin cult priest. There is one B-rank jutsu that I think is a suitable reward."
He took out a scroll. "This is the 'Blood-Colored Contract,' a B-rank technique developed by the Chinoike Clan. It can enhance the effect of the Summoning Jutsu."
Shisui, who had a contract with the crows, accepted the scroll gratefully. "Thank you, Captain!"
Retsu and Shizune, however, looked bewildered. Neither of them had a summoning animal.
"Retsu," Keisuke said, "how is your training with the two C-rank Earth Style jutsu going?"
"I've basically mastered the Earth Substitute," she replied honestly. "I'm still learning the Earth Dragon Hiding Technique."
"Here's another B-rank Earth Style jutsu," he said, taking out a scroll for the "Hiding in Rock Technique." "Find some time to study it."
More Earth Style... A flicker of disappointment crossed Retsu's face, but she accepted it. "Thank you, Captain."
"And, Shizune," he said, turning to his last team member. "I have a jutsu for you as well."
"R-really? For me?" she stammered. She had always felt like an invisible member of the team.
"Of course. You're my squad member, too," he said, taking out an A-rank scroll: "Water Release: Heavenly Weeping." "This is a high-level, seal-less water jutsu developed by Lord Second. It might be a good fit for you."
He remembered from her file that she knew the "Subtle Jab" technique. This was a water-style version of that, and a perfect upgrade for her.
"Thank you, Captain," Shizune said, her hands trembling as she accepted the scroll. The Captain is so good to me... is there something I should do to... repay him?
That afternoon, under Shikaku's arrangement, Kagami led a small unit out of the camp. Considering Kiri's fighting style, the unit was mostly composed of Fire Style users. After some consideration, Shikaku had assigned all three members of "Squad Nara" to it. Shisui's reputation was well-known, Retsu's Byakugan was a perfect counter to the Hidden Mist, and Shizune's medical ninjutsu was a valuable asset.
At the same time, all three members of "Team Minato"—Kakashi, Obito, and Rin—were also assigned to the same unit.
Observing this from the shadows, the "One-Eyed Uchiha" was overjoyed. He had been planning to find a way to separate Shisui and Obito from Keisuke and Minato, but now Konoha had done the work for him. With the "Shadow of Darkness" and "Yellow Flash" tied down on the Kumo front, and his two targets now on the Kiri front... this was the perfect opportunity.
He returned to the Kumo camp and met with "Nara-Raikage," presenting his "final payment." "Lord Raikage," he said, handing over three new scrolls. "The items you requested. The Uzumaki clan's sealing arts, the Hozuki clan's hydrification secret art, and the intel on the Yuki clan's locations. Are you satisfied now?"
"Nara-Raikage" took the scrolls. His panel flashed.
[A-Rank Sealing Technique Detected: [Adamantine Sealing Chains]. Learn?]
[B-Rank Technique Detected: [Water Release: Great Water Arm Technique]...]
"Of course!" he boomed, his voice full of sincerity. "I told you I'm not some insatiably greedy demon. So, when does the operation begin? Are your men ready?"
