"Will the arrival of the Fourth Mizukage change the Hidden Mist's tactics?"
Chōza broke the silence, his voice heavy with concern.
"I believe it will," Hiashi said after a pause, his expression thoughtful. "A Kage's strength and influence alone can shift the momentum of a war."
"Even if he's strong, so what?" Yashiro countered confidently. "Lady Tsunade isn't any weaker. His arrival won't change the outcome."
Kitazawa listened quietly as the discussion unfolded, and a realization flickered in his mind.
None of them knew that Yagura was the Three-Tails Jinchūriki.
But that was only natural.
Most great villages went to great lengths to conceal their Jinchūriki's identities—both to protect them during peacetime and to preserve the strategic surprise they could bring to war.
Of course, there were exceptions.
In the Hidden Cloud, for example, both of their Jinchūriki were public figures. The Fourth Raikage had no reason to hide them—he trusted in his village's strength, and in theirs.
"I think there's something else we should consider," Kitazawa said suddenly, clearing his throat. "Since the Fourth Mizukage is coming… what about the Jinchūriki?"
He didn't name Yagura outright—there was no way to explain how he knew.
"What Kitazawa says makes sense," Shikaku replied, his brow furrowing. "If the Mizukage brings a Jinchūriki to the front, we'll be in serious trouble."
Among most ninja, there was an unspoken truth: only a Jinchūriki could truly fight another Jinchūriki.
And they weren't wrong.
The power of a Tailed Beast in full release was monstrous. Across the entire shinobi world, only a handful of ninja could stand against it.
Kitazawa's thoughts deepened.
A Jinchūriki… that was a major complication.
Especially since Tsunade still suffered from hemophobia.
At the moment, perhaps only Itachi's Mangekyō could turn the tide if the Three-Tails appeared.
Then, Kitazawa froze mid-thought.
He had fallen into a trap of his own logic.
Defeating Yagura wasn't his true objective—freeing him from Obito's control was.
And for that, the battlefield might actually work in his favor.
If he exposed the truth during combat, the Mist ninja wouldn't believe him immediately—but Ao would.
Ao possessed the Byakugan.
The only reason he hadn't discovered the genjutsu control before was simple: he didn't dare use his dōjutsu to spy on his Kage.
After all, no Hyūga would casually use the Byakugan to observe Hiruzen Sarutobi in Konoha either.
In fact, Konoha had a standing rule—Hyūga were forbidden from using the Byakugan within the village unless authorized. No one would tolerate a shinobi peering through walls at will.
Kitazawa couldn't help thinking that such paranoia was probably one of the reasons the Hyūga incident with the Hidden Cloud happened in the first place.
Tsunade broke the silence after a brief pause for thought.
"To prepare for the possible appearance of a Jinchūriki, I'll have the old man send us the Sealing Squad."
It was the wisest move.
Konoha's own Nine-Tails Jinchūriki—Uzumaki Naruto—was still far too young. There was no way they'd bring him to a battlefield like this.
"Everyone, be ready," Tsunade continued firmly. "Once the Fourth Mizukage arrives, we'll respond based on the Mist's actions."
The meeting ended, and the Jōnin began filing out of the tent.
Kitazawa, however, stayed behind.
"Kitazawa?" Tsunade looked at him curiously. "Something else on your mind?"
"I was going to ask Itachi about the Academy," he said honestly.
Tsunade chuckled. "You're quite the dedicated teacher."
Turning to Shizune, she said, "Go find Itachi for me."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Shizune nodded and left.
While waiting, Kitazawa asked, "Lady Tsunade… are you confident about facing the Fourth Mizukage?"
Tsunade leaned casually against the table, her tone playful. "Not really. That's why I'll be relying on you."
Kitazawa smiled. "That's the first time I've heard you say something like that."
She blinked, slightly caught off guard—he was right. Those words didn't sound like her at all.
Recovering, Tsunade crossed her arms. "You're my student. If I don't rely on you, who else am I supposed to rely on?"
Her shamelessness was legendary—after all, this was the same woman who once crisscrossed the world to dodge debt collectors.
Kitazawa grinned. "And if we can't beat him?"
"Then we run," Tsunade said bluntly, flashing him a mischievous look. "Only idiots stay put and wait to die."
He chuckled. "As expected of Lady Tsunade."
Her smile faded as she rubbed her temples. "Jokes aside, if they really bring a Jinchūriki, escaping won't be easy."
As she sighed, her movement caused her low-cut top to shift slightly, drawing Kitazawa's eyes almost instinctively.
"What are you staring at?"
Tsunade elbowed him sharply in the arm.
"Sorry," he said quickly. "Human instinct."
Tsunade blinked, caught between annoyance and amusement. "At least you're honest."
Then she exhaled, her tone turning thoughtful. "It's a shame Rina hasn't mastered the Adamantine Sealing Chains yet."
Kitazawa nodded. "True. If she had, she'd be invaluable in restraining a Tailed Beast."
In the original history, even Kushina, just after giving birth, could suppress the Nine-Tails with that technique.
"Rina simply hasn't had the time," Kitazawa continued. "She's been recovering ever since we brought her back from Grass. Back there, she never even had the chance to study sealing arts."
"Hm."
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. The Sealing Squad's techniques are quite solid too."
"Lady Tsunade," came Shizune's voice from outside the tent. "Itachi is here."
"Good. Send him in."
"Yes, ma'am."
Kitazawa turned to Tsunade. "Call me if anything happens."
"Of course."
With that, he stepped out of the main tent. Tsunade's gaze lingered on his retreating back, her thoughts drifting. Something about the way she interacted with Kitazawa always felt… odd. Not quite like teacher and student.
"You two can talk," Shizune said softly as she left with Tonton, giving them space.
"Itachi," Kitazawa greeted, stepping closer. "I'd like to ask for Anbu's help with something—the final exam rankings for the Genius Class."
"That's easy enough."
Itachi nodded without hesitation. "I'll return to Konoha tomorrow and bring them back myself."
"You shouldn't," Kitazawa said, shaking his head. "Your presence here is more valuable right now."
Itachi blinked, then nodded. "Then I'll send someone else."
He didn't show it outwardly, but inwardly, he was surprised. Kitazawa trusted him that much? Even knowing the Fourth Mizukage was on the move?
Still, he couldn't help but wonder—how much did Kitazawa really know about his strength? After all, he had never revealed his Mangekyō to anyone.
"Thank you," Kitazawa said simply. After a short exchange, he returned to his tent.
Inside, Kurenai and Kabuto were still awake, chatting idly.
"The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, will likely arrive tomorrow," Kitazawa said as he sat down beside Kurenai.
"What? Even the Mizukage himself is coming?" Kurenai's eyes widened.
Kabuto and Izumi exchanged uneasy looks; the tension in the air rose instantly.
"Relax," Kitazawa said evenly. "We'll focus on our duties as usual."
He paused, then turned to his students. "Kabuto, Izumi—how's your Ninjutsu progress?"
"The Compound Ninjutsu is proving difficult," Izumi admitted apologetically. "We estimate another half a month before we can execute it properly."
That wasn't surprising. Wind Release: Pressure Damage and Fire Release: Intelligent Hardwork were both B-rank techniques—complex enough on their own. But when combined into an A-rank joint attack, coordination became everything.
Kabuto smiled faintly. "Though with Izumi's Sharingan, maybe it won't take that long."
"Sharingan really is unfair sometimes," Kurenai sighed. "My Wind Release: Rasengan progress is nowhere near that."
Kabuto chuckled. "Kurenai-senpai, you're learning an A-rank technique. We're just handling B-ranks. If we were learning your Rasengan, we'd probably be worse off."
"You certainly know how to flatter people," Kurenai laughed.
"Alright, that's enough for tonight," Kitazawa said, standing up. "Get some rest. I'll inform you if any new missions come up."
"Yes, Sensei."
The three replied in unison before leaving the tent.
Once they were gone, Kitazawa and Kurenai sat together in the quiet.
"I wonder if I'll finish the Wind Release: Rasengan before this war ends," Kurenai murmured, stretching lazily. Her loose outfit shifted with the motion, catching Kitazawa's eye for a brief moment.
Compared to Tsunade, she was… modest—but that wasn't exactly her fault. In the entire ninja world, only Samui and Hinata could rival Tsunade in that department.
"Just keep doing your best," Kitazawa said calmly, pulling out paper and pen. "Don't push too hard."
He sat cross-legged, beginning to write. In recent weeks, he hadn't focused much on learning new Ninjutsu—aside from occasionally copying Mist techniques with his Sharingan. His main project was far more important: refining medical ninjutsu for limb regeneration.
Using the Body Regeneration Forbidden Technique as a base, his progress had been impressive. If all went well, he could complete it within a month.
Seeing him absorbed in his work, Kurenai quietly began practicing her Rasengan again.
Meanwhile, Konoha's camp remained calm regarding the Fourth Mizukage's arrival—
but far away, in the Hidden Mist main camp, few could sleep.
Inside Ao's tent, tension filled the air.
Mei and several elite jōnin entered hurriedly, answering a summons.
"What did Elder Gensui say?" one young ninja asked anxiously.
All the jōnin present were from Gensui's faction. Notably absent was Zabuza—too proud and independent to align with anyone. In fact, rumor had it he once attempted to assassinate Yagura himself.
"Elder Gensui doesn't know the full reason either," Ao replied, shaking his head.
"Then what do we do?" Mei frowned. "Once the Mizukage arrives, he'll assume full command. We'll have no choice but to obey his orders."
"Mizukage-sama will likely lead us into a full-scale assault on Konoha," another jōnin muttered grimly. "The casualties will be devastating."
He wasn't wrong. The power gap between the Mist and Konoha was obvious—and one man, even a Kage, couldn't bridge it alone.
"In recent years, Mizukage-sama's behavior has grown increasingly erratic," another ninja said. "Declaring war on Konoha now is pure madness. Does Elder Gensui really plan to stand by and do nothing?"
"Of course not," Ao said heavily. "But with the Mizukage freshly arrived and the war not yet begun, no one can confront him directly."
Mei narrowed her eyes. "So we wait for him to lose before we act?"
Ao nodded reluctantly. "That's the only path open to us."
No matter what they thought of him, Yagura was powerful—and his influence ran deep.
If they wanted to challenge him, they'd need to wait until the moment he faltered.
By then, dawn was already breaking over the Mist camp.
Next Morning
Kitazawa didn't take any missions that morning, choosing instead to remain in Konoha's main encampment.
Kabuto, Kurenai, and the others were busy as ever, honing their ninjutsu under the midday sun.
The morning passed in quiet rhythm until, around noon, Kitazawa spotted Itachi approaching.
"This is the Genius Class's final exam ranking," Itachi said, handing over a sealed scroll.
"Thank you," Kitazawa replied, taking it.
"There's more," Itachi added. "Half an hour ago, the Fourth Mizukage arrived at the Hidden Mist's main camp."
Kitazawa gave a silent nod, then unrolled the scroll. His brow lifted slightly in surprise.
It wasn't just a list of rankings — detailed notes on each student's training progress had been added as well.
Typical Itachi. Meticulous, efficient… thorough to the very end.
Kitazawa couldn't help but be reminded that in the original timeline, even Sasuke's entire fate had been carefully arranged by this man.
After reading through the scroll, Kitazawa rolled it back up. The results were almost identical to the previous monthly exam.
Naruto still topped the practical assessment.
With Wind Release: Gale Palm, Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, and his signature Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, he was practically unstoppable in close combat.
Sasuke, despite mastering Leaf Style: Willow—a blend of genjutsu and kenjutsu—still couldn't gain the upper hand against Naruto. He would need lightning-style techniques to bridge that gap.
Ino had improved impressively, having learned Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique.
Though genjutsu was often underestimated, against ordinary shinobi, it could be devastating—especially for a academy-level opponent.
Shino, meanwhile, had begun experimenting with parasitic water insects. With Kosuke and Sakura assisting via water-release training, the insects had developed limited resistance to water-style attacks.
It was only the beginning—but progress nonetheless. The insects' lifespan was still short, meaning the system mission tied to them remained incomplete.
After lunch, Kitazawa was summoned once again to Tsunade's tent.
This time, there was only one topic on the table—
Hidden Mist Village had changed its strategy.
Their forces had begun abandoning the islands, establishing footholds and forward bases on land.
The battlefield had shifted overnight.
Where Konoha had once held the advantage, the tides now threatened to turn.
And with the arrival of the Fourth Mizukage, the intensity of battle soared.
Many Mist shinobi fought with reckless abandon—as if their lives no longer mattered.
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
By mid-May, the weather had warmed, though tension in the camp only thickened.
Inside the main tent, Shikaku stood before a map.
"This past week," he reported, "the Mist's casualties are more than double ours—but in exchange, they've secured several strongholds inland."
Tsunade folded her arms. "As expected."
"Lady Tsunade," said Yashiro, his tone hard, "we can't let the Mist become this bold. It's time to counterattack."
Tsunade nodded slightly. "That's exactly why I've gathered you all here. Three days ago, I dispatched Anbu and Hyuga operatives in three separate infiltration teams. Their reports just came in."
She spread a scroll across the table. Red markings dotted the map like wounds.
"These are the Mist's fortified strongholds," she explained. "The one furthest inland is their main camp. The other three—two supply points and one medical base—will be our targets."
Kitazawa leaned in, eyes tracing the map.
"I plan to send three strike teams," Tsunade continued. "Yashiro, Choza, and Kitazawa—you'll each lead one."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Kitazawa accepted the order without hesitation, though he hadn't expected such a direct assignment.
After discussing tactics, it was decided that Kitazawa's team would attack a supply base located on a small offshore island. His group would move in coordination with Hizashi's squad—a total of eight shinobi, five of them jōnin.
A formidable lineup.
"Lord Kitazawa," Hizashi greeted him warmly, "I didn't expect we'd fight side by side again."
"With you watching our backs, success is all but certain."
"Gather your teams at the camp gate in five minutes," Kitazawa instructed.
"Understood."
Within minutes, the two teams assembled and departed under cover of dusk.
With Torune Aburame's insects and Hizashi's Byakugan, their approach went smoothly. Soon, the faint glow of lanterns revealed the Mist's coastal supply base ahead.
"The intel checks out," Hizashi murmured, activating his Byakugan. "I count four jōnin, sixteen chūnin and genin."
"Then we proceed as planned," Kitazawa said. "I'll open with a water-release barrage to destroy their traps and sow confusion. Once the chaos starts—you strike."
"With your water release, Lord Kitazawa," Hizashi said with a grin, "it'll be over before they know what hit them."
He wasn't exaggerating—he'd seen Kitazawa's water-style before. It was like watching a tidal wave devour everything in its path.
Kitazawa began forming hand seals—
—but before he could finish, the sea erupted.
Splash!
Four figures burst from beneath the surface, landing in a tight formation that surrounded them.
"Mizukage?!" Hizashi's eyes widened in disbelief.
Kitazawa froze, his gaze narrowing sharply.
They hadn't come to strike first.
They'd walked straight into a trap.
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