Battlefield Camp – Early Morning
When Kitazawa opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Kurenai's beautiful face hovering above his.
He blinked, momentarily disoriented. "Did I sleep for too long?"
"No," she replied softly, lying across his chest. "It's not even eight yet. I just happened to wake up a few minutes before you."
"Is that so?" Kitazawa smiled, feeling the warmth of her body against his. "I thought I'd overslept."
"You were exhausted yesterday. You deserve a little more rest."
Kurenai poked his cheek with her finger, teasing. "You don't have a mission today, right?"
"Mm." Kitazawa caught her slender finger gently between his teeth, his eyes half-closed. "Today's supposed to be a rest day… though that depends on the enemy."
"That's true." Kurenai sighed and sat up, her hair cascading down her shoulders. "We should eat first—before the Mist decides to ruin breakfast."
Kitazawa chuckled. "It's not that serious."
He lightly patted her thigh as he sat up.
It was true that the Mist might retaliate, but knowing Ao, he doubted they'd act recklessly. Maintaining the current stalemate seemed more in line with the man's cautious nature.
Kitazawa wasn't overly concerned about Ao anyway. What truly occupied his mind was Yagura.
Now that Fuguki was dead, the Mist had lost one of its major powerhouses. In terms of top-tier strength, they were far behind Konoha.
Would Yagura personally take the field next?
"It's never wrong to stay cautious," Kurenai said as she stood up.
"I'll go call Kabuto and the others," she said before stepping out of the tent.
Since he'd slept fully clothed, Kitazawa didn't need to change. After washing up, he joined Kabuto and the rest for breakfast.
The meal was simple—just rice balls.
"There are no missions today," Kitazawa said after finishing his food. "You can all use the time to practice your ninjutsu—but don't push too hard. In wartime, emergency summons can come at any moment."
Just as he finished speaking, his expression shifted. His gaze flicked toward the distance.
"Kitazawa-sama."
An Anbu appeared silently. "Lady Tsunade requests your presence in the main tent."
"So the Mist finally made their move," Kitazawa said, rising to his feet. "Stay here and continue training. I'll be back soon."
He followed the Anbu toward the command tent.
Inside, several Jōnin had already gathered—Hiashi, Shikaku, and others.
When Kitazawa entered, many of them greeted him respectfully. His reputation within Konoha had grown rapidly. Strength, connections, and talent—he possessed them all. Befriending him was an investment in the future.
Moments later, Tsunade strode in with Shizune close behind.
"Lady Tsunade," everyone greeted, falling silent.
"Starting last night," Tsunade began without preamble, "the Hidden Mist forces have withdrawn toward the sea."
"Withdrawn?" Hiashi frowned. "Are they retreating?"
"I dispatched Anbu to verify," Tsunade replied. "They're not retreating. They've fortified positions on the islands—they're preparing for a defensive stand."
"They're scared of us!" Yashiro laughed, and several others nodded in agreement.
It was a natural conclusion—only those who lacked confidence in victory would adopt such a defensive stance.
"The sea is their home ground," Shikaku said, his tone thoughtful. "Even if we have the upper hand, a decisive victory will take time."
"What's the Fourth Mizukage thinking?" Choza muttered. "He started this war, yet he's been fighting conservatively ever since. It doesn't make sense."
"I can't figure it out either," Shikaku admitted, brow furrowed.
Kitazawa couldn't help recalling a line from his past life: 'I thought for ten days and ten nights, yet still couldn't understand it.'
Without knowledge of Obito's involvement, the Mist's recent moves were indeed baffling.
"No need to rush," Tsunade said firmly. "Victory is already within our grasp. We'll proceed carefully."
She disliked drawn-out conflicts, but with the Mist holding the terrain advantage, a reckless offensive would only increase casualties.
"Hiashi," she continued, "have your team survey every Mist outpost and stronghold nearby. Leave no blind spots."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Hiashi bowed his head slightly.
"Shikaku," she added after a moment of thought, "compile a list of shinobi suitable for sea combat."
"Understood," Shikaku replied immediately.
The most suitable candidates would naturally be Water Release users—but not only them.
Lightning Release users could be equally devastating; water conducted electricity, making it a deadly battlefield tool.
Even Earth Release shinobi had their role—reshaping terrain to disrupt the Mist's advantage.
The next phase of the war would not be decided by brute strength alone, but by strategy—where every element counted.
"If nothing unexpected happens, there shouldn't be any battles in the coming days."
Tsunade turned to Kitazawa. "Kitazawa, you and Shizune will handle the treatment of the wounded."
"Understood."
Kitazawa agreed without hesitation.
Hiashi and the others exchanged subtle looks.
If Tsunade hadn't reminded them, they might've forgotten that Kitazawa wasn't just a capable fighter—he was also an outstanding medical ninja.
"Yashiro," Tsunade continued, "you'll escort the severely wounded back to Konoha."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade!" Yashiro replied crisply.
"That's all for now," Tsunade said with a dismissive wave. "I'll inform you if anything changes."
The brief meeting ended, and Kitazawa stepped out of the command tent.
"How did it go?"
Kurenai approached him, her tone tinged with concern.
"The Mist has completely withdrawn to the sea," Kitazawa replied after a pause. "They're preparing for a defensive stand."
He added, "You two should focus on training over the next couple of days. I'll be assisting Shizune-senpai with the wounded."
"Alright." Kurenai nodded quietly.
"If there's anything you don't understand, come find me," Kitazawa said, pointing toward a tent not far away. "I'll be stationed there."
"Yes, sensei," Kabuto and the others answered in unison.
Once Kitazawa left, they returned to their training—especially Kabuto and Izumi.
Aside from mastering Wind Release: Pressure Damage and Fire Release: Intelligent Hardwork they were also experimenting with combining the two.
They had witnessed Kitazawa's Compound Ninjutsu: Blazing Wind Riot during his fight with Fuguki—its overwhelming power left a deep impression on them, filling them with ambition..
Meanwhile, Kurenai continued training her monstrous strength.
Battle after battle had accelerated her progress. Although her control had become remarkably precise, the sheer power of her strikes still couldn't compare to Kitazawa's or Tsunade's.
"Not bad," came a sudden voice.
Kurenai turned instinctively—and froze.
"L-Lady Tsunade!"
"No need to be so nervous," Tsunade said casually. She'd long known that Kurenai was training in Monstrous Strength; after all, Kitazawa's team had been on countless missions lately—there was no way to keep it a secret.
"I've been too busy lately," Tsunade said, flexing her wrist. "Since I've got a moment, how about we spar a bit?"
"Eh?" Kurenai blinked, caught off guard.
"You're the second person to learn my monstrous strength." Tsunade said with a teasing smile. "Naturally, I have to see if you're worthy of the technique. Wouldn't want you tarnishing my reputation."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Kurenai steadied her breath and nodded.
As the two began sparring, Kitazawa made his way to the rear of the main camp.
The pungent smell of medicine filled the air, mixed with muffled groans of pain.
Due to the harsh field conditions, the wounded lay close together—those with lighter injuries on the outer edges, while the severely wounded occupied the center. Many were missing limbs; their faces reflected a quiet despair.
Those who'd lost hands were the most despondent—without them, they could no longer weave hand seals, effectively ending their lives as ninjas.
Kitazawa's thoughts drifted to the limb regeneration technique he'd been researching.
Unfortunately, it wasn't yet perfected—useless for now.
"Kitazawa, over here!"
Shizune waved him over.
Snapping from his thoughts, Kitazawa walked up to her with a faint smile. "It's rare to see you all in white."
"These uniforms make it easier for the wounded to recognize us," Shizune explained, then added with a smile, "Though you don't really need one. Everyone already knows who you are."
"Is that so exaggerated?" Kitazawa chuckled.
"Ask them yourself," Shizune said playfully.
"Of course we know Lord Kitazawa!" a nearby wounded shinobi said immediately. "He's Lady Tsunade's student—the one who killed two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!"
Another Chunin chimed in, "He even saved my life yesterday!"
Kitazawa glanced at the speaker, recognizing him faintly—someone he'd healed while hunting Fuguki's team.
"See?" Shizune said with a grin. "Your reputation's nearly as high as Lady Tsunade's now."
She gestured toward a section of patients. "Those over there are yours."
"That many?" Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.
"I trust your ability," Shizune replied with a knowing smile.
Kitazawa sighed lightly. "Alright, I'll get started."
He rolled up his sleeves and moved to his assigned area.
Time passed slowly.
Then—
[Current Mission: Assist Kurenai in mastering the Strength of a Hundred Technique and earning her devotion.]
[Mission Reward: Self-Cursing Seal.]
[Mission complete. Reward granted.]
The sudden text flashed before Kitazawa's eyes, and he felt a surge of satisfaction as knowledge poured into his mind.
He didn't rush to analyze it—there were still wounded waiting. But inwardly, he was pleased.
He had been observing Kurenai's progress closely, so this didn't surprise him. Still, the timing couldn't have been better.
The Self-Cursing Seal was a powerful sealing technique, even capable of restraining someone like Sasuke after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan.
During wartime, such a seal could prove invaluable.
Kitazawa rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Now that Kurenai had mastered the Strength of a Hundred Technique, what should he teach her next?
Under normal circumstances, he'd move on to sealing techniques—but on the battlefield, offensive Ninjutsu held greater value.
The Self-Cursing Seal was tempting, but far too difficult—it might take her until the end of the war just to grasp the basics.
Then an idea sparked in his mind.
Wind Release: Rasengan.
She already knew the base Rasengan, so adding wind nature transformation would be the logical next step. Once mastered, it could combine with Water Release: Raging Waves to form the Compound Ninjutsu: Ripping Torrent.
It would take time, but it was a feasible goal.
He also considered the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique Jutsu—an A-rank skill, equally challenging.
After weighing the options, Kitazawa decided.
Kurenai would learn Wind Release: Rasengan first.
If she succeeded, it'd be like a two-for-one deal—she'd automatically unlock the compound technique as well.
Having made up his mind, Kitazawa didn't immediately seek her out.
There were still many wounded waiting for his hands.
The sun sank beyond the horizon, and dusk quietly descended.
"Kitazawa."
Shizune removed her white coat, her expression softening. "That's enough for today."
"Mm."
Kitazawa exhaled slowly. After using medical ninjutsu nonstop since morning, even his stamina felt taxed.
The other medical ninja had far less chakra than him—they'd already rotated shifts several times.
Returning to his tent, Kitazawa found that Kurenai, Kabuto, and Izumi had also finished their day's training.
Inside, Kurenai was lying on the carpet, her forehead beaded with dried sweat, her hair sticking together in strands—clear signs of intense exertion.
"Seems you trained hard today, Kurenai," Kitazawa said as he sat down beside her.
Her eyes were closed, though she wasn't asleep. Her uneven breathing made her chest rise and fall with each slow exhale.
"But it was worth it," she murmured, opening her bright eyes. "Lady Tsunade even sparred with me for half a day."
Kitazawa blinked in surprise.
No wonder the system had marked her mission as complete—it seemed Tsunade had helped speed things along.
Though, even without her, Kurenai would've mastered it within a few more days.
"You don't need to train the Strength of a Hundred Technique anymore," he said, gently resting her pale calf across his lap and massaging it. "Next, I plan to teach you Wind Release: Rasengan."
"Wind Release?" Kurenai asked hesitantly. "Do you think I can learn it?"
"Why not?" Kitazawa replied, still rubbing her calf with an amused look. "To reach Jōnin level, you'll need at least two elemental releases. It's about time you tried."
"That's true," she admitted, shifting slightly and placing her other leg on his lap.
The movement created a graceful curve along her posture.
"So," Kitazawa asked, glancing at her with a faint smile, "do you want to shower first—or eat first?"
"Eat," Kurenai answered, her tone teasing. "If I shower first, who knows if I'll ever get to eat."
Kitazawa chuckled. "You're more self-aware than I thought."
"I know you too well," Kurenai said, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning close. "It's always you who can't control himself."
Kitazawa smirked and gave her a playful smack on the rear. "Says the one who tempts me."
Kurenai's face flushed scarlet. Shooting him a glare, she stood up abruptly and stormed out of the tent.
After dinner, the two returned, showered, and finally lay down to rest.
But peace never lasted long in wartime.
The conflict between Konoha and the Hidden Mist soon reignited—only this time, the tides had turned.
Now it was Konoha on the offensive.
Unlike before, when the Mist launched raids from the shore, this time Konoha's forces pushed them back across the sea.
Since the Mist had home advantage in naval warfare, Shikaku reorganized the Ninja units for coordinated assaults.
Even so, Kitazawa's team remained unchanged. His Water Release jutsu, combined with Torune's insects, were extremely effective in maritime battles—there was no reason to split them.
A month passed in a blur.
With no new system missions, Kitazawa wasn't as tense as before. He took on missions every other day, giving Kurenai, Kabuto, and Izumi plenty of time to train.
One evening, as night settled in, the team gathered outside their tent for dinner.
"By the way," Kurenai said between bites, "didn't your class have their final exams recently?"
Kitazawa blinked. "Ah, that's right—they finished a while ago. The students must be halfway through their break by now."
He sighed softly. "I've been so caught up with missions this month, I completely forgot."
"You can always ask the Anbu to bring you the results," Kurenai suggested, chewing on grilled fish. "They travel between the frontlines and Konoha all the time."
"That's true. I'll have Itachi fetch the rankings for me," Kitazawa said with a nod.
Returning to the Academy for exams during wartime was impossible anyway. Still, he wanted to see how his students—the so-called "Genius Class"—were doing.
"In the blink of an eye, it's been two months since we got back to Konoha," Kurenai said wistfully.
Kitazawa gave a small smile. "At this rate, we'll probably return soon. The Hidden Mist is running out of options."
"I don't know…" Kurenai frowned slightly. "I get the feeling they're waiting for something."
Before Kitazawa could reply, a masked Anbu appeared silently in front of them.
"Lord Kitazawa," the Anbu said, bowing slightly. "Lady Tsunade requests your presence in the main tent."
"Understood."
After finishing dinner, Kitazawa made his way to the command tent.
Inside, Hiashi, Shikaku, and several other Jōnin were already gathered.
Another strategy meeting? he wondered.
Once everyone had assembled, Tsunade's voice cut through the quiet air.
"I've just received new intelligence," she said gravely. "The Fourth Mizukage—Yagura Karatachi—is personally leading his forces to the frontlines."
"What?"
Shock rippled through the room.
Even in the turbulent history of the Ninja World, it was rare for a Kage to take the field themselves.
When they did—it usually signaled total war.
Kitazawa's brow lifted slightly.
"So… he's finally coming," he murmured inwardly.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
It seemed his next system mission was about to begin.
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