Chapter 57: Yoru's Positioning, Can't Be Stopped
"Tsk tsk... Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique is, if I remember correctly, like Dan's Spirit Transformation Technique—both classified as super S-rank secret techniques. Gojo Yoru, what an impressive kid. No wonder Minato considers him a goal to chase."
Jiraiya toyed with the Flying Thunder God kunai in his hand, then teased Orochimaru: "I thought my eye for talent was already excellent, but Orochimaru, your judgment is even sharper than mine."
Orochimaru smiled without responding.
More than just sharper judgment—in the entire shinobi world right now, no one's luck could compare to his.
Any excessive praise would be an underestimate of Gojo Yoru.
Once Yoru exposed his Space-Time bloodline, the entire shinobi world would erupt in shock.
The Flying Thunder God Technique with its fixed abilities was already a super S-rank jutsu that stumped countless geniuses.
A Space-Time Release that could develop various abilities in the future—even be inherited by descendants—would shatter everyone's worldview.
Hatake Sakumo likewise examined the Flying Thunder God kunai in his hand. After a moment's contemplation, he suddenly asked: "Hokage-sama, are you planning to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to link all three fronts?"
"Exactly."
Hiruzen nodded. "Yoru's current age, strength, and comprehensive qualities don't yet qualify him to lead a shinobi corps. My arrangement for him is as a secret weapon linking the three fronts."
"With him present, even while remaining in Konoha, I can receive battlefield intelligence promptly."
"When unexpected situations occur on your battlefields, as long as you carry Flying Thunder God kunai, all five of you—even I—can provide support at maximum speed."
"Moreover, Yoru is Orochimaru's student. His Earth Release is excellent, and his Body Flicker abilities place him among the shinobi world's elite. Since no one in the shinobi world currently possesses intelligence on him, when necessary, we can have him infiltrate enemy camps to gather information."
"Since he's a secret weapon, we should help conceal his identity as long as possible." Danzo proposed. "Why not have him join the Root I've established? I'll grow him into the finest assassin."
Hearing this, Orochimaru's brow furrowed slightly, displeasure stirring within.
"No, Yoru isn't suitable for ANBU." Hiruzen seemed oblivious to his old friend's ulterior motives, shaking his head with a smile. "As a Flying Thunder God Technique wielder, exposing him brings greater benefits than keeping him hidden."
"Yoru will be the new generation's standard-bearer!"
Danzo's expression showed no change, but his heart sank once again.
Just as he'd suspected—Hiruzen was paving the way for Orochimaru.
The next generation had Orochimaru. The new generation had both a Flying Thunder God Technique wielder and the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, who shared a master-student relationship.
Once the Flying Thunder God wielder and Nine-Tails jinchuriki matured, let alone him—even if the Uchiha and Hyuga clans united, they couldn't shake this three-generation master-student lineage's position!
Damn it, how did he discover that Gojo Satsu and Gojo Mio's child possessed the talent to master the Flying Thunder God Technique?
At this moment, Danzo Shimura felt the gap and importance of intelligence gathering.
...
With the meeting's conclusion, Konoha—Fire Country's military stronghold—finally began operating again years after the First Shinobi World War's end.
The Senju clan that had integrated into Konoha, along with the three great houses of Uchiha and Hyuga, immediately recalled all clan members.
The Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans represented by Ino-Shika-Cho, the two great sensory clans Inuzuka and Aburame, and the Kurama clan specializing in genjutsu all did likewise.
The elder council families naturally followed suit.
As for civilian shinobi, they could only await orders.
How did the gap between clan shinobi and civilians manifest?
Not just in bloodline limits and secret technique inheritance, but in maintaining private forces and autonomy over various departments.
Why was Jiraiya lazy? Why did earning money require taking missions?
Because he was merely a civilian. All he could do was take missions.
The Senju clan's Yang Release chakra made them natural medical geniuses. Konoha needed them, so Tsunade could freely enter and leave Konoha Hospital. In the future, if she wanted, she'd become the hospital director.
Every hospital position—she could appoint whomever she wished.
To prevent another Madara Uchiha from emerging, while simultaneously stabilizing the Uchiha by denying them opportunities to win popular support, the Second Hokage created the Konoha Military Police Force, granting the Uchiha enforcement authority over both the police and prison.
The Hyuga clan likewise possessed similar power.
Moreover, these great houses all held privileges to personally train descendants and arrange them into departments, without needing to send every newborn to the ninja academy.
The Intelligence Division and Torture and Interrogation Department always featured members from the Nara and Yamanaka clans.
These departments couldn't function without these clans' bloodline limits and secret techniques.
Just like the island nation of Yoru's previous life, these departmental positions differed little from hereditary succession.
The Intelligence Division director's son would become the future Intelligence Division director.
The Police Force captain's son would become the future Police Force captain.
Civilian advancement paths had been essentially blocked by them.
Without influential backing or strength to break through these walls, Yoru's parents in this life represented the civilian ceiling.
The so-called jonin council was more accurately an internal meeting of Konoha's leadership and various clan heads, with a few "outsiders" merely listening in.
Unless one could defeat all the clans like the First and Second Hokage, as Hiruzen said, only a handful of people could be entrusted with heavy responsibilities.
"No! You're still too young—you cannot join the war!"
"Yada (No way)! I'm already a genin, no longer a child who needs protection."
Inside the First Hokage's mansion, Fire Country's princess and Konoha's prince were currently arguing.
Tsunade stood with hands on her hips, rejecting Nawaki's application to join the war.
Nawaki retorted with resolute eyes: "I'm the First Hokage's grandson, carrying the Senju clan's glory. How can I cower behind others for protection? I want to be like Second Grandfather—protecting this village Grandfather created!"
Tsunade found herself stunned by Nawaki's gaze.
Looking at her brother's unwavering determination, Tsunade ultimately chose to compromise. "You can join the war, but you must stay by my side."
"No. I'll follow the village's arrangements." Nawaki raised his palm, condensing a blue-white energy sphere, then grinned at Tsunade. "Sister, don't underestimate my strength!"
Tsunade's eyes widened. "You learned the technique Kushina gave you?"
"Simple as that. This technique isn't even as difficult as Chakra Enhanced Strength." Nawaki looked utterly smug while making no effort to hide his love for the Rasengan. "The Rasengan is absolutely perfect for us Senju. Plus, it's a seal-less non-elemental jutsu that can be enhanced by adding nature transformation. Whoever invented this technique is an absolute genius."
Seeing Nawaki had already mastered such a seal-less technique, and remembering the clan members integrated into Konoha's shinobi corps, plus the fact that genin wouldn't be sent to the front lines, Tsunade finally stopped resisting and completely capitulated. "Fine. Since you're so determined to fight, I'll allow you to accompany the forces to the border."
"Really? Excellent! Thank you, Sister!"
Nawaki immediately cheered.
Unfortunately, Yoru didn't witness this scene—otherwise, he'd certainly be sighing again.
People rushing toward death truly cannot be stopped!
Not participating in the war could rewrite destiny. But once joining the war, even gods descending couldn't save them.
Explosive tags were blast weapons that showed no chakra signature.
Dying by stepping on an explosive tag ranked among the most miserable deaths. Even transmigrators couldn't prevent it.
Because you didn't know where the explosive tags were buried. Even avoiding them once didn't guarantee you wouldn't step on another next time.
Unless the butterfly effect appeared, even Yoru couldn't save Nawaki.
He could only wish him luck!
Otherwise... hopefully, he'd bring his talent to Konoha in his next life rather than Kumogakure.