Raizen had pushed detonating clay to the edge of its potential. Comparable to what later generations would call Deidara-level mastery, yet Raizen knew its limits. Resourcefulness could cover most weaknesses, but Lightning Style was a brutal counter. The core issue: clay was finite. Once it ran out, the technique was useless. That's why Raizen treated it as an early-stage tool, perfect for softening enemies but never a lifelong crutch.
With his study of detonating clay complete, Raizen turned to the next frontier: the second phase of the Flying Thunder God. The first phase was strong, yes—but restrictive. Each teleport required a pre-marked kunai, and if that kunai was lost or intercepted, so too was his mobility. The second phase promised freedom: touch a target—be it object or person—and mark it instantly. Raizen could teleport anywhere in sight, any place he controlled, and the world would have very few avenues to escape him.
Alongside mastering the second phase, Raizen refined Flying Thunder God Guidance, a technique to redirect attacks. Incoming strikes could be transferred elsewhere mid-combat—a move that turned deadly situations into calculated chaos. The combination of second-phase teleportation and guided redirection made him untouchable, a phantom across the battlefield.
While Raizen honed his craft in secret, the clans of Kashiwagi and Jane burned each other to the edge. Their strengths were evenly matched, stalemates forming again and again. Both sides poured every ounce of chakra into the conflict, attempting to crush the other in one decisive sweep. Raizen only intervened twice that year: once to reverse the tide against Kashiwagi Makoto, and once to prevent the Jane clan from losing control. Every move was according to his blueprint.
What neither clan nor Raizen expected was the war's duration. Over the year, casualties mounted. Three elite Jōnin from each clan fell in battle, and only the patriarchs struggled to maintain control. During this time, the Amamiya clan infiltrated Uicheng, quietly positioning to take control once the rival clans were weakened.
Throughout the year, Raizen achieved breakthroughs. He mastered the second-phase Flying Thunder God and perfected the guidance technique. He acquired a few silver treasure chests, though most contained only C-rank ninjutsu. The exception was a single gem: the Darkness Technique, an A-rank illusion capable of blinding enemies and creating overwhelming hallucinations. It could rival even the Sharingan, unless faced with a clan proficient in illusions like the Uchiha.
Physically, Raizen had grown too. Constant training enhanced his strength and stamina. Doors that once resisted his push now swung easily. His mastery of Flying Thunder God reached heights few in the Warring States could even dream of matching. By the time the final phase of the Kashiwagi–Jane war approached, Raizen was untouchable.
The climactic battle arrived early one morning. Patriarchs of both clans clashed directly, sustaining grievous injuries. Raizen's meticulous year-long orchestration had reached its crescendo. He immediately sent word to Patriarch Amamiya Gen, who rushed overnight to Uicheng with the clan's elite ninjas.
"Raizen," Gen said upon arrival, his eyes sharp and assessing, "you've been here a year. I assume you've controlled everything—fill me in."
Raizen recounted the entire year's events. Ordinary Amamiya ninjas had been kept in the dark, unaware of the orchestration behind Uicheng's chaos. Now they understood why Gen had deployed so many resources: the city itself was to become an Amamiya stronghold.
"When do you think the clans will clash again?" Gen asked. "When should we strike?"
"Tonight," Raizen said confidently. "And tonight is the perfect moment for our Amamiya clan to seize Uicheng."
Gen arched an eyebrow at the certainty in Raizen's tone.
"The patriarchs of the two clans were badly injured today," Raizen explained. "Their top fighters are exhausted, their families' morale shaken. Tonight, the unwilling clans will inevitably clash again, each aiming to kill the other's patriarch. That's when the Amamiya clan can swoop in—either to crush both in full battle or exploit the injured leaders to annihilate them at once."
Raizen's calm, unflinching prediction left Gen momentarily silent. It wasn't luck; it was chess played a year in advance—and Uicheng's fate now rested firmly in Raizen's hands.