Kei Yamanaka truly felt that either plan was fine.
If everyone chose the first option, they'd swiftly eliminate White Zetsu and then annex Kirigakure, temporarily reducing the chance of being discovered by the Otsutsuki Clan.
They could slowly cultivate management talent to replace the Daimyo and establish corresponding administrative institutions.
Gradually bringing together the five countries—Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, and Earth—as well as the surrounding small countries.
Forming a stable unified situation to allow steady development.
If choosing the second option, they would examine Kaguya Otsutsuki for any particularly useful skill listings, then learn some of her extremely powerful jutsus.
At the same time, they could use the Ten-Tails as bait to lure out the Otsutsuki and see how many took the hook.
Both plans inevitably involved war and shared the same ultimate goal—to reduce the barriers and conflicts among the great ninja villages.
In fact, compared to the first, Kei personally believed the second option was far more effective!
With the occasional appearance of Otsutsuki clan members emerging to pose new threats to the merged Five Great Ninja Villages,
any internal conflicts would be suppressed when facing external enemies.
Given enough time,
those contradictions would naturally fade into history.
However, this meant Tsunade and Kushina would have quite a bit more work to do.
After all, with the [Plane Traveler] skill listing, there was no way he could stay in the ninja world forever.
What if the Otsutsuki Clan took advantage of his absence and made their move?
As Hokage, and having mastered Sage Mode, Tsunade would definitely be one of the main fighters!
And as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina would become a key target for the enemy—there would be no escaping it.
Fortunately, his [Yin-Yang Sage Ascendant] had already evolved into the [Lingjun of Heavenly Transformation], fully comprehending the essence of various energies in the ninja world. It was about time he upgraded Tsunade's capabilities even further.
As for Kushina, theoretically speaking, Uzumaki descendants did have the potential to master Sage Mode.
But Kei actually preferred that she focus on improving her [Magical Girl Transformation] skill listing.
Look at Madoka Kaname—the iconic magical girl.
You'll understand just how powerful such abilities can become!
Plus, since magical energy was fundamentally different from chakra and couldn't be absorbed by the Otsutsuki Clan's abilities, boosting the level of Magical Girl Transformation was far more worthwhile than going out of their way to chase after Sage Mode!
The merger negotiations continued for over two full days before finally concluding.
Pakura, Kitsuchi, and Third Raikage led the ninja who had accompanied them back to their respective villages, immediately beginning to mobilize personnel toward the eastern coast of the Land of Fire at top speed.
Tsunade and others also returned to Konoha using Yamanaka Kei's Flying Thunder God Technique.
Namikaze Minato led nearly a thousand Konoha ninja stationed at the border, breaking down the previously established camps and heading eastward without delay to prepare the landing site for the subsequent Allied Ninja Forces.
One order after another was issued from the Hokage Office.
The restructured Konoha began operating like a precise large-scale war machine, running at full speed.
Supplies from the Logistics Department were continuously shipped out.
Wave after wave of Konoha ninjas marched, escorting massive war machines toward the eastern coastline!
Hiruzen Sarutobi also led every Sarutobi ninja aged twelve and above into battle, joining the ranks at the frontlines.
Seeing this, the ninja clans within Konoha—regardless of their own reservations—were forced by the overwhelming momentum of events to finally reveal their hidden family treasures.
The looming war cast a shadow over Konoha, turning its once-bustling streets eerily silent.
"Old man... things have changed..."
Leaning against the window sill of the Hokage Office, Tsunade spoke in an unusually emotional and wistful tone.
Mobilizing every clan member twelve years or older for the war,
and preparing for death at any moment.
After stepping down from the Hokage title, her teacher seemed somehow different.
This attitude made it clear—every Sarutobi ninja was ready to die, but they silently begged her not to drag the young, the elderly, or civilians into this.
"Eh? Oh, maybe. Whether he lives or dies still depends on you anyway, right?"
Kei Yamanaka lazily pushed aside "The Tale of Resilient Shinobi", which had been covering his face, as he lounged on a double sofa, yawning drowsily, a few tears forming at the corners of his eyes.
Jiraiya's writing wasn't bad, but for someone like him—who'd devoured countless web novels in his past life—the plot felt bland.
"I… How did you deal with Danzo Shimura?"
Pushing down the swell of sympathy within her, Tsunade shifted the topic to Danzo Shimura instead.
It had been ages since she last saw him.
"Cough, cough... enjoying his retirement, I suppose."
"Don't give me that crap. Save it for someone else. I've sensed White Zetsu's presence ever since you entered your special Sage Mode!"
"Tsk～ Well then, right now he's… Konoha's most popular scrubber."
Thinking about Danzo's recent situation, Kei Yamanaka struggled slightly to find the right words.
That guy seemed to be doing better and better lately!
Thanks to [Wild Imagination], he often gets ambushed and headshot out of nowhere, but thanks to Orochimaru's transplanted Hozuki Clan bloodline, he instinctively uses [Hydrification Technique], so his daily life isn't too affected.
At Sansui Bathhouse, whether it's the men's or women's bath, he is the most popular scrubber!
Sansui Bathhouse's business has been booming ever since he showed up!
"The most popular scrubber? You're talking about that amnesic member of the Hozuki Clan?"
Tsunade immediately remembered the earlier report from Anbu—the Hozuki Clan member found unconscious and taken in by the hot spring innkeeper.
Wait… that guy was Danzo?!
No way...
Dammit! Is he even human anymore?
"Hey hey! Don't look at me like that. He attacked first! I was just defending myself!"
"I originally wanted to ask how you dealt with Danzo Shimura, but... heh～ It's lucky the old man didn't end up in your hands."
"Thanks for the compliment."
Kei gave a modest smile, clearly taking it as a compliment.
Tsunade rolled her eyes but said nothing, finally letting the subject of Hiruzen drop.
There was still one thing that weighed heavily on her heart.
"How's Orochimaru's research coming along? When can I see... Nawaki?"
"He was reincarnated through the Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation) already. He's just hiding and avoiding you, that coward. I was thinking of giving you a small surprise in a few days."
Kei Yamanaka sat up on the sofa, smiling as he spoke.
"You! Damn it! You're not planning to turn Nawaki into a girl too, are you!"
At the word 'surprise,' Tsunade immediately recalled the Hebihime (Orochimaru's female form) she had met yesterday. Her eyes narrowed instantly as she quickly stepped toward Kei.
If her younger brother became her little sister instead...
She wouldn't be the only one going crazy—Grandfather and Great-uncle would probably lose it too!
"See? You're getting worked up again! That was Orochimaru's own choice, you know. You should respect other people's decisions and not discriminate!"
"I... Then what kind of surprise are you talking about?"
"Wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you now, would it?"
Leaning back against the sofa, Kei explained,
"I've already given Orochimaru the Rinnegan, and I've had Tobi assist him with his research."
It was just the [Gedo: Rinne Rebirth Technique] after all.
The results would probably be ready soon enough!
"...Please."
Tsunade's expression shifted continuously, but she finally gritted her teeth and said those two words.
"Huh? What did you say? I couldn't hear you!"
Kei's eyes lit up. He hadn't really expected Tsunade to compromise for her younger brother.
"I said! Go die, bastard!"
Tsunade's cheeks flushed crimson as she raised her fist and swung at Kei.
Smack~
Kei twisted his wrist, using spiritual power within him to dissipate the force behind Tsunade's punch.
"Hey hey hey! If you keep throwing punches, I'll bite you!"
"Me? I've already mastered [Sage Chakra], you fool! You actually think you can threaten me like this? Hmph!"
"Oh come on, sis, you really never learn."
"Ahh~!"
Niu, the Anbu squad leader who had been on patrol duty outside the window of the Hokage Office, heard Lady Fourth Hokage's shriek. Seeing his fellow agents gesturing toward him, indicating he should check what was happening, he let out a helpless sigh and cautiously peered through the window pane.
He saw Senju Tobirama's legs sticking out from behind the sofa where Kei Yamanaka sat—with his back facing the window—and Tsunade's left arm visible above the sofa.
Without a sound, Niu ducked back down, signaling to the other Anbu agents that nothing had happened.
Having served since the time of the Second Hokage, right through until the current Lady Fourth Hokage Tsunade took office, he'd certainly seen it all in his time!
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