"The Third Hokage will likely summon elite shinobi to deal with the Rinnegan. Your genjutsu is among the best outside the Uchiha clan, so you'll definitely be called to fight the leader of Amegakure. Be careful."
Kiyo Hyuga crossed his arms and tilted his head as he spoke to Kurenai Yuhi.
"You think so highly of my genjutsu? And you're worried about me? That makes me really happy!" Kurenai beamed, her eyes curving like crescent moons, then suddenly embraced Kiyo.
Kiyo didn't expect it. When her face sank into something soft, he finally realized what was happening.
'Is this on purpose? Showing off in a different way?'
"Let go of me!"
He pushed her away with effort and scowled. "You need to hurry up and get married. Twenty is prime childbearing age. I think Sarutobi Asuma's not a bad choice."
"I'm sorry, Kiyo. Don't bring him up again…" Kurenai quickly clasped her hands in apology, then held her head and shook it. "I already made things clear to him. If he keeps pestering me, I'll have to be blunt."
Kiyo adjusted his clothes and stood, looking down at her slightly. "It's time to give up. Waiting like this won't lead to anything."
Kurenai pouted, clearly unbothered. "Aren't you the same? A Hyuga clan elder, are you planning to devote your whole life to the clan? As a bloodline family, isn't legacy important? What exactly are you waiting for, Lord Kiyo?"
"I'm just focused on serving the Hyuga clan for now..."
Before he finished, Kurenai's narrowing red eyes made him uncomfortable enough to want to flee.
"I have to attend a strategy meeting—see you."
Seeing Kiyo flee with such a weak excuse, Kurenai chuckled and fell back onto her bed.
Though the meeting to strategize against the Rinnegan had indeed gathered various clans and elite jonin, Kiyo arrived more than an hour early, surprising the others.
But as a Hyuga clan leader and a well-known main family shinobi in Konoha, even showing up early, the others could only welcome her properly.
Soon after, Hiruzen Sarutobi and other jonin arrived one after another, including even Ōnoki, who was still recovering from injuries. They began discussions to devise a strategy against the leader of Amegakure.
Though Iwagakure couldn't send many troops, once Ōnoki recovered, he would be a major force against Pain.
Dust Release's destructive power was something no one in the ninja world could ignore—not even the Rinnegan. If not for the Preta Path's ability to absorb Dust Release, the remaining Pains wouldn't have handled the Iwa-nin so easily.
Nara Shikaku had figured out roughly 70% of the Rinnegan's abilities. Except for the Human Path and Naraka Path, the others had been largely analyzed by him.
Shikaku, one of Konoha's top minds, rivaled even a full intel squad when it came to information and tactical planning.
Even Ōnoki secretly nodded upon hearing the intel Shikaku had gathered. If they'd had that information earlier, the losses wouldn't have been as severe.
After hours of discussion, the final strike team against Pain was decided:
Kiyo Hyuga, Futa Hyuga, Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Sito, Yamanaka Kaito, Aburame Shikuro, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Ōnoki, Kurenai Yuhi, Kaminarimon Kaede, and a few others—twelve in total.
Kiyo and Futa Hyuga were tasked with observing Pain's chakra and relaying info. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio would restrain and command against the Deva Path. Kurenai would support them. Kaminarimon Kaede and other elite jonin would use ninjutsu to distract and confuse the enemy.
Four squads of Iwa and Konoha ninjas would remain at the perimeter using long-range ninjutsu, especially binding techniques to restrain Pain's summoned beasts—even large summons could be held temporarily.
"If only Lady Tsunade were here, we'd be more confident. Her slug summon offers great defense against physical attacks and can heal on the spot."
Shikaku gave a regretful sigh.
Had Hiruzen brought Tsunade to the front lines, their chances against Pain would rise. As long as they weren't killed instantly, Tsunade could keep them alive.
However, Shikaku knew Hiruzen and Tsunade had their conflicts. Without the war, their power struggle would've been far more intense.
Hiruzen responded in a deep tone, "Tsunade can't come now. But for safety, everyone in the assault team will receive five healing tags and one medical ninja suit. That way, it's like having a medic with you at all times."
The medical tags were a creation of Hyuga Mirai back when he was still at Konoha Hospital. They were too expensive for mass production, but the manufacturing method had been preserved.
Hiruzen had originally planned to make these for his clan, but to win this war, he brought out his best resources.
The tags could automatically activate healing ninjutsu and had decent defense. Each cost millions. If they weren't effective, Hiruzen wouldn't have secretly made so many.
The ones worn by Kurenai and Kiyo had saved them three or four times before finally being destroyed after several battles.
Kiyo received three tags—two of which he gave to Kurenai and Futa Hyuga. As he left the tent, she scoffed and muttered, "As expected of the Hokage."
Though she'd left the camp, many nearby still heard her. But given Kiyo's reputation for being strong and assertive—and his status as a Hyuga clan elder who could summon dozens of family shinobi at will—no one dared speak against her.
With the strategy set, Hiruzen waited.
Underground Root Base
Kimimaro had only followed Kakashi for less than ten days, yet his exceptional learning speed had already impressed him. In the first three days, he sought guidance on ANBU protocol. After that, he could carry out missions alone and didn't seem like someone leading a team for the first time. Considering he'd always been by Tsunade's side, it was strange he knew ANBU methods so well.
But Kakashi wasn't about to question Tsunade. Though Kimimaro was from the Kaguya clan, with the Fifth Hokage vouching for him, and the Kaguya clan wiped out in rebellion, no one in Konoha could question his bloodline or background.
"I don't mind if you want to take control of Root now. If you're confident, give it a try."
Kakashi brought Kimimaro to Root's base and advised, "If they resist, it's best to consult with Lady Tsunade."
Kimimaro calmly turned his head and said, "No need to worry, Kakashi-senpai. I already have the appointment letter from Lady Tsunade."
"That's not the issue…" Kakashi waved his hand. Root had disobeyed the Hokage's orders several times. Technically, that was treason. But Root had Danzo—'the Dark of the Shinobi World'—backing them.
"Anyway, just try for now."
Then Kakashi led a small ANBU team with Kimimaro into Root's base.
Danzo had been stripped of all duties by the Third Hokage. Root members were now inactive. Kimimaro's desire to bring them under control to serve Tsunade made sense.
"Halt! This is Root's base. Outsiders are not allowed!"
Two Root shinobi appeared, blocking their path.
Kimimaro calmly pulled out a scroll and said, "This is Lady Tsunade's appointment. From now on, I'm in charge of all Root personnel."
The two Root shinobi didn't even glance at the scroll and replied, "Root follows only Lord Danzo's orders. Leave immediately. Outsiders are not allowed."
Then they reached for the short swords on their backs.
Even Kakashi frowned. Danzo had been completely stripped of power—he wasn't even a shinobi anymore.
"Kakashi-senpai, would this be considered treason?"
Kimimaro asked calmly, "Defying Lady Tsunade's orders and preparing to attack comrades—this should count, right?"
"Well, yes, but Kimimaro, maybe we should… wait—"
Before Kakashi could finish, Kimimaro had already acted.
"Shikotsumyaku: Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets!"
With a flick of his arms, ten finger bones shot out with enough power to pierce boulders. At such close range, the Root shinobi had no time to react.
Clang! Clang!
Splat! Splat!
Though they blocked a few, the remaining bones pierced their hearts, killing them instantly.
Kakashi cleared his throat before saying, "Kimimaro… wasn't that a bit rash?"
"They were already traitors—no need to keep them alive. Don't worry, Kakashi-senpai, I'll handle the rest alone."
Kimimaro walked over to the corpses, removed a mask from one of them, and put it on.
Next, he planned to use the Byakugan, so a mask would help conceal it.
(End of Chapter)