The world of shinobi was gripped by an eerie peace.
The Third Kazekage of Sunagakure was missing. Kiri was tearing itself apart under its bloody mist policy. Kumo was licking its wounds after a disastrous rampage of the Eight-Tails. Iwa, sensing the shifting tides, had turtled up, refusing to engage Konoha.
Peace. But everyone knew why. Sand, Mist, and Cloud were all in chaos within their own walls.
The entire world felt like a bomb with a fraying fuse, ready to explode at any moment.
Two more years passed in a flash.
Qianyu was now eighteen.
Kakashi was nine.
The two had spent the time together, moving as a unit on various missions. With Konoha holding the advantage in the Land of Hot Water, the fighting had died down enough for Kakashi to return to the village briefly—to take the Chunin Exams.
Neither of them understood the point. Kakashi had been a chunin for three years already. Why make him do it again?
And then there was Kakashi's other headache: Obito Uchiha. The kid was like stubborn gum stuck to his shoe. Impossible to shake off.
But these past two years, the wider world had only grown more chaotic.
Sunagakure had poured all its resources into finding their missing Kazekage. Nothing. The village was leaderless. For now, Rasa led as acting Kazekage, having inherited the Magnet Release: Gold Dust from the Third and holding the highest prestige. But even with a leader, the holes left by the Third's disappearance couldn't be plugged.
Kirigakure, to solve its internal strife, decided to export its conflict. The village acted like a rabid dog now, attacking Konoha shinobi, Kumo shinobi—anyone—indiscriminately.
Iwagakure remained in its shell. It wouldn't move until the fog of war cleared.
Which left Konoha with mainly one front to worry about: Kumo. Konoha had sent a fresh wave of reinforcements to Hot Water, pinning the Cloud ninja firmly at the border.
And in Amegakure, a new force had emerged.
The Akatsuki.
Their stated ideal was peace through dialogue, not violence. They worked as mediators, running all over the place, trying to build bridges.
"Qianyu-sensei. Targets eliminated."
Kakashi wiped a speck of blood from his cheek, reporting the mission's completion.
Qianyu gave a short nod. "Good. Cloud stragglers are getting scarce here. Let's head back to base for a while."
He noticed Qianyu's expression. "Qianyu-sensei? Is something wrong? You seem… off."
"One more year, Kakashi." Qianyu's voice was heavy.
Kakashi understood immediately. "Lady Mito. One year until the Nine-Tails' seal must be transferred."
"Correct."
"Do we… have a plan now?"
"No." Qianyu's jaw tightened. "With my current record of service, it likely won't be enough to make Hiruzen Sarutobi change his mind."
Kakashi's face darkened, his brows knitting together. "Should we return to the village?"
"No need. I have snakes from Ryūchi Cave watching Lady Mito's residence. It's not even a secret watch—she knows they're there. The moment anything changes with her condition, I'll know immediately. Let's go."
Back at the Konoha outpost, Qianyu found Orochimaru. "Any missions, sensei?"
Orochimaru produced a scroll. "One just came in. Perfect for you. The Third Raikage's son, the 'Blue Lightning' A, and the current Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B, are active in Hot Water. They're mimicking your tactics, hunting our shinobi. Their status makes this the highest-value target available. Interested?"
Qianyu took the scroll. "I'll take it."
As he turned to leave, Orochimaru spoke again, his voice a low hiss. "Qianyu. You don't need to be so tense. Root intelligence suggests the overall situation is turning in Konoha's favor. Danzo is preparing to ally with the Hokage to suppress the Uchiha clan. And the candidate for that role… you know it's you. You're the most suitable.
"Furthermore, Miyuki Uzumaki shows remarkable talent for fuinjutsu. Her studies with Kushina are progressing well.
"Your current strength, your achievements, your impending crucial role with the Uchiha, Miyuki's own talent… and most importantly, your Mangekyō Sharingan. It should be more than enough to sway the village elders."
Qianyu listened but didn't relax. "Orochimaru-sensei, I don't like variables. Until this is settled, I can't afford to let my guard down."
"This world has no certainties, Qianyu," Orochimaru said, a faint, knowing smile on his lips. "Change is the only constant."
"I know." Qianyu's gaze was steady. "That's why I want to raise the odds as high as I can. I'm not yet strong enough to ignore all obstacles. Unless it's the absolute last resort, I don't want Kushina living a life on the run with me. I can't guarantee I could protect her completely from a life like that. I'll go prepare for the mission, sensei."
For the past two years, Killer B had trained relentlessly. Now, he could achieve a partial tailed beast transformation at will, just like the previous jinchuriki, Blue B. What touched both the Eight-Tails and A was B's attitude. Despite the cold shoulders and scorn from the village, he remained relentlessly, almost stupidly, optimistic.
His sync with the Eight-Tails was exceptional. Rampages were rare.
So, A brought him to the battlefield in Hot Water. A dual purpose: kill Konoha ninja and hone B's control over the beast's power.
Qianyu moved swiftly toward the last known location of the two brothers.
A flicker of anticipation burned in his chest. Ever since that night in Kumo—unleashing the Eight-Tails, facing the raw power of A—he'd yearned for a fight against elites of that caliber. The weaklings he'd been mowing down were starting to bore him. It had been too long since he'd faced a true, desperate, equal fight.
And… facing A and Killer B together? That was almost guaranteed to earn him some serious Witness Points.
A fierce desire for battle, long dormant, roared to life within him.
Qianyu increased his pace.
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