Chapter 3: Hello, Captain Cung! Even a weak Kage is still a Kage
An open conspiracy!
Using a borrowed knife to kill someone!
"If that's truly the case, the Cloud Village's shinobi delegation cannot possibly escape the Land of Fire easily. In other words..."
Before Shikaku Nara could finish his sentence.
The Third Hokage at his side spoke up, "On the Cloud's side, it's highly likely that an elite shinobi squad has already entered the Land of Fire, and they might even have a large number of troops moving towards the border."
"Correct."
Shikaku Nara added, "If the Head Ninja dies, the Fourth Raikage can use the opportunity to pressure Konoha and increase his influence in his own village. If the Head Ninja survives, the Cloud Village might be able to obtain the village's Byakugan, Sharingan, or even a Jinchuriki..."
"What a plan!"
Both of them were highly strategic shinobi and quickly fleshed out the related plans in their minds.
"In that case, it is indeed highly possible!"
A sharp glint appeared in the Third Hokage's eyes.
The transfer of Kage authority, the clash between old and new powers, were always filled with danger and hidden blades.
Having experienced two Hokage successions himself, the Third Hokage naturally understood this better than anyone.
The guess about using a borrowed knife to kill someone was perfectly logical.
If he were in the Fourth Raikage's position, he might do something similar.
"Kazuya..."
The Third Hokage said with great comfort, "I was right about you. You are indeed an exceptionally outstanding shinobi!"
"Indeed he is!"
Shikaku Nara, a man of extremely high intellect, rarely praised anyone for their strategic thinking, but at this moment, he felt a great deal of admiration for Kazuya.
Kazuya smiled faintly.
Knowing the entire plot, his deductions were naturally logical and reasonable since he was reasoning backward from the result.
...
Kazuya had to seize this opportunity to climb to a higher position.
What lay ahead for Konoha—Orochimaru's defection, the Uchiha clan massacre, the future Akatsuki, the Fourth Great Ninja War—was fraught with crisis.
If he didn't have enough power in his hands, he might be eliminated from the game very quickly.
After all, to pick up attributes, he needed to know where the Kage-level shinobi were!
If he had no intelligence whatsoever, he wouldn't even be able to find them. What attributes would he pick up then!
"Kazuya, go report to the ANBU first."
The Third Hokage said with a smile, "In perhaps two days, a new S-rank mission will appear. Be prepared!"
"Yes."
Kazuya nodded and quickly departed.
The Third Hokage watched his departing figure, the admiration in his eyes completely unconcealed.
Even Shikaku Nara, who always had extremely high standards, looked on in the same way.
...
Half an hour later.
Kazuya was at the ANBU base.
On the night of the Nine-Tails' attack, he was a squad leader with three members under his command. Unfortunately, they all died in battle.
Now, Kazuya had been promoted to Platoon Leader, commanding four ANBU squads. He wondered if any familiar shinobi would be under his command.
[You have picked up 20 Chakra points]
[You have picked up 20 Chakra points]
[You have picked up 50 Combat Experience points]
[You have picked up 30 Fire Release Talent points]
[You have picked up 20 Fire Release Talent points]
Walking from the main gate to the equipment supply window, Kazuya picked up more than ten golden orbs.
The vast majority of them were combat experience, along with 50 chakra points and some Fire Release talent.
Currently, Kazuya's Fire Release talent was LV4 (450/1000), not far from the max level of LV5.
Ninjutsu talents, like ninjutsu levels, ranged from LV1 to LV5, with each level requiring 1000 experience points.
Kazuya's Fire Release talent was LV4, Wind and Lightning Release were both LV3, Water and Earth Release were LV2. As for Yin and Yang Release, they were both at LV1 with zero experience.
This was roughly consistent with the strength of his ninjutsu for each element: Fire was the strongest, followed by Wind and Lightning.
It was worth mentioning that after lying in the hospital for over two years picking up attributes, Kazuya now possessed chakra of all five natures. Among Jōnin, he was an incredible expert!
"Captain Kazuya, here is your new equipment."
The shinobi at the equipment depot handed a set of ANBU attire and a mask through the window, along with some basic ninja tools.
"Thank you."
Kazuya nodded.
"You're welcome. It's what I should do."
The equipment shinobi's tone was friendly, clearly indicating a good relationship with Kazuya.
Kazuya took the equipment and first went to the changing room to put on the ANBU uniform, but he didn't rush to put on the mask.
Then, he strode towards the ANBU's daily training grounds.
How nostalgic!
He couldn't wait!
The quality of the golden orbs he picked up on a daily basis was generally average. Only the golden orbs picked up when shinobi were fighting were of extremely high quality!
ANBU shinobi were, without a doubt, the elite of the elite.
Therefore, Kazuya naturally wouldn't miss the ANBU's daily training.
"Captain Kazuya!"
"Congratulations!"
"Haha, Kazuya-kun, you'll be my direct superior from now on!"
"Platoon Leader Kazuya!"
The ANBU shinobi he met along the way all smiled and greeted Kazuya.
It seemed that Kazuya was quite popular in the ANBU.
After all, his battle on the night of the Nine-Tails' attack had made him an iconic hero of the ANBU!
Kazuya smiled in response.
His attention, however, was on the scattered golden lights.
[You have picked up 10 Chakra points]
[You have picked up 30 Chakra points]
[You have picked up 20 Chakra points]
...
[You have picked up 10 Chakra points]
Quickly.
He picked up over a dozen golden orbs, all of them chakra.
The notification sounds rang out wildly!
By the time Kazuya reached the ANBU training grounds, he had already picked up over 300 more chakra points.
His chakra reserves instantly broke through their shackles.
[Your Chakra level has increased. Current Chakra: LV4 (120/100,000)]
LV4!
Kage-level chakra!
The chakra within Kazuya's body began to surge wildly. In an instant, he broke through to the Kage level!
"Not bad!"
Kazuya's eyes lit up with joy.
He had only been out of the hospital for a few days, and his chakra reserves had already broken through from Jōnin to Kage level.
As expected!
The speed of picking up attributes outside was much faster than in the hospital!
Kage-level chakra was a qualitative leap!
It was a bit of a pity that only his chakra had reached the Kage level. Kazuya's combat experience and ninjutsu proficiency still had some gap to bridge to be considered Kage level.
However, even a weaker Kage's strength was far beyond what a Jōnin could compare to!
What's more, Kazuya had the God-Tier Attribute-Picking System. As long as he picked up more golden orbs in the ANBU, his overall strength could quickly improve!
Swish!
At that moment.
A black shuriken suddenly flew towards Kazuya