"Tch… Flying Thunder God, the Second Hokage's technique—I remember it's like Dan's Spirit Transformation Technique, both super–S-rank ultimate jutsu. Gojo Yoru… what an amazing brat. No wonder Minato sees him as the target to chase."
Jiraiya idly played with the Flying Thunder God kunai in his hand and teased Orochimaru. "I thought my eye for talent was already good, but yours is even sharper than mine."
Orochimaru only smiled, saying nothing.
More than just sharper eyes—his luck was better than anyone else's in the entire shinobi world right now.
Any praise would still be underestimating Gojo Yoru.
The moment Yoru revealed his space–time bloodline, the whole shinobi world would explode.
A fixed-function Flying Thunder God was already a super–S-rank jutsu that stumped countless geniuses.
A space–time release that could develop all kinds of abilities—and even be inherited—would shatter everyone's worldview.
Hatake Sakumo also toyed with a Flying Thunder God kunai. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly asked, "Hokage-sama… are you planning to use Flying Thunder God to connect the three fronts?"
"Yes," Hiruzen nodded. "Yoru's age, strength, and overall fundamentals still aren't enough to lead a shinobi corps. My arrangement for him is to be the surprise piece that links the three fronts."
"With him, even if I stay in Konoha, I can still grasp battlefield intelligence in time."
"And if something happens on your front lines, as long as you carry Flying Thunder God kunai, the five of you—or even I—can rush there to reinforce at maximum speed."
"Also, Yoru is Orochimaru's student. Not only is his Earth Release excellent, his Body Flicker is also top-tier in the shinobi world. Right now, no one in the shinobi world knows his information. When necessary, we can have him infiltrate the enemy camp and gather intelligence."
"Since he's a surprise piece, we should help him hide his identity for as long as possible," Danzō proposed. "How about letting him join the 'Root' I'm building? I'll cultivate him into the best assassin."
Orochimaru frowned slightly, feeling displeased.
"No. Yoru isn't suited to Anbu," Hiruzen said with a smile, as if he didn't notice Orochimaru's reaction. "As the user of Flying Thunder God, the benefits of him being visible are greater than the benefits of hiding him."
"Yoru will be the model of the new generation."
Danzō's expression didn't change, but his heart sank again.
Just as he suspected—Hiruzen was paving the road for Orochimaru.
The next generation has Orochimaru. The new generation has the Flying Thunder God user and the Nine-Tails jinchūriki—and their relationship is master and student.
Once the Flying Thunder God user and the Nine-Tails jinchūriki grow up, forget him— even the Uchiha and Hyuga joining forces wouldn't be able to shake the position of these three generations: teacher, student, and "grandstudent."
Damn it—how did Hiruzen even discover that Sa and Mio's child had the talent to learn Flying Thunder God?
In that moment, Danzō truly felt the gap—and the importance—of intelligence.
…
As the meeting ended, Konoha—the Land of Fire's military fortress—finally began turning again after many years of peace since the First Great Ninja War.
The forest Senju integrated into Konoha, and the two great houses Uchiha and Hyuga, immediately recalled all clan members.
The Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans represented by Ino–Shika–Chō did the same, as did the Inuzuka and Aburame sensory clans, and the Kurama clan known for genjutsu.
Naturally, the clans tied to the elder council were no exception.
As for civilian shinobi, they could only wait for orders.
Where does the gap between clans and civilians show?
Not just in bloodline limits and secret arts, but also in their autonomy: raising private forces and dividing up departments like fiefs.
Why is Jiraiya lazy, and why does he have to take missions to make money?
Because he's a civilian. All he can do is take missions.
But the Senju's Yang Release chakra makes them natural medical geniuses, and Konoha needs them—so Tsunade can freely come and go at Konoha Hospital, and if she wants, she can become its director in the future.
Every position in the hospital—she can put whoever she wants there.
To prevent another Uchiha Madara, and also to keep the Uchiha from winning public favor, the Second Hokage created the Konoha Military Police Force, handing the police department and prison enforcement power to the Uchiha.
The Hyuga held similar power.
And these great houses all had the privilege of cultivating their next generation and placing them directly into departments. They didn't need to send every newborn to the Ninja Academy.
You always saw Nara and Yamanaka members in the Intelligence Division and Interrogation Division.
Those departments depended on clan bloodlines and secret arts.
Just like the island nation in Yoru's previous life, these positions were basically hereditary.
The intelligence chief's son becomes the next intelligence chief.
The police chief's son becomes the next police chief.
The path upward for civilians was basically blocked.
Without a patron, or without becoming strong enough to smash through that wall, Yoru's parents—jōnin though they were—were the ceiling for commoners.
So-called "jōnin meetings" were really internal meetings of Konoha's high command and major clan heads, with a few "outsiders" sitting in.
Unless you could beat every clan into submission like the First and Second Hokage, then just as Hiruzen said, the people he could truly entrust with heavy responsibility were only a handful.
…
"No. You're still too young—you can't fight in the war!"
"Yada (no)! I'm already a genin. I'm not a little kid who needs protection anymore!"
In the Senju mansion, the Fire Country princess and Konoha's crown prince were arguing.
Tsunade stood with hands on hips, rejecting Nawaki's request to go to war.
Nawaki argued back with stubborn, unwavering eyes. "I'm the First Hokage's grandson, carrying the glory of the forest Senju. How can I hide in the back and let people protect me? I want to be like Second Grandpa and protect the village Grandpa founded!"
Tsunade was shaken by Nawaki's gaze.
Facing her determined little brother, she finally compromised. "You can go—but you must stay by my side."
"No. I'll follow the village's arrangement." Nawaki raised his hand and formed a blue-white sphere of energy. Grinning at Tsunade, he said, "Sis, don't underestimate my strength!"
Tsunade's eyes widened. "You learned that jutsu Kushina gave you?"
"Easy." Nawaki looked smug, openly showing how much he loved it. "It's not even as hard as chakra-enhanced strength. Rasengan is perfect for our Senju clan—and it's an attribute-less, hand-signless jutsu. You can even add nature transformation to strengthen it. Whoever invented it is a genius."
Seeing Nawaki had already learned such a rare hand-signless jutsu—and knowing there were still clan members serving within Konoha's shinobi forces, and that genin wouldn't be sent to the front line—Tsunade finally stopped opposing him and fully relented.
"Fine. If you insist that much, you can go with the unit to the border."
"Really?! That's great—thank you, Sis!"
Nawaki cheered immediately.
Too bad Gojo Yoru didn't see this scene—otherwise he would've sighed again.
People determined to die… you can't stop them.
Not fighting is the only way to rewrite fate. Once he goes, not even a god descending can save him.
Explosive tags are explosives that don't show chakra.
Stepping on one and getting blown apart is one of the worst ways to die—something not even a transmigrator can prevent.
Because you don't know where the tags are buried, and even if you dodge one, you don't know whether you'll step on another next time.
Unless the butterfly effect intervenes, even Gojo Yoru can't save Nawaki.
All he can do is wish him good luck.
~~~
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