Just as Gekko Chizan had expected, the return journey was unusually quiet.
Even within the borders of the Land of Grass, there were no ambushes.
By the time they returned to Konohagakure, he remained unfazed.
But Obito and Rin reacted quite differently.
"Ah! We're finally back! I need a good long bath!"
"Kakashi! Let's go train with Pakura-sensei tomorrow, okay?"
It was, after all, the first time the two of them had ever left the village. Even Rin's face was glowing with the joy of returning home.
"Sure, nine in the morning. Just don't be late again because of some old granny, or I might not be able to hold back and smack you."
Kakashi laughed as he exposed Obito's past excuses, making Obito stomp his feet in frustration.
"Alright, you all get three days off. Use this time to rest properly."
"Honda-san, what about you guys? Heading straight back to Logistics?"
Hearing Gekko Chizan's question, Honda Saburo nodded, indicating they also had to return and report.
"Alright, we'll go report in first too."
"See you later."
After parting ways with Honda Saburo, Gekko Chizan led the three brats straight toward the Hokage Tower.
But just before they could enter, two familiar figures appeared in front of him.
"Huh? If it isn't the Uchiha bathhouse duo?"
"What, you two just finished a mission too?"
The familiar faces were none other than Uchiha Arashi and Uchiha Makito, the same duo Gekko Chizan had once thrown into the women's hot spring using Flying Thunder God.
Both were Uchiha jōnin and partners. To Gekko Chizan, though, they just radiated bromance.
"Hmph! You brat from the Gekko clan! I haven't forgotten what you did last time!"
"Makito, forget it. The mission report comes first—don't bother with him."
Uchiha Arashi held back the agitated Uchiha Makito, his eyes flashing with a cold gleam as he looked at Gekko Chizan.
Clearly, he hadn't let go of the grudge.
"Tch. Two losers. Obito, you see these two? Whatever you do, don't end up like them."
"Useless and arrogant, that's all they are."
Gekko Chizan's mouth was razor-sharp. He showed no mercy to those he didn't get along with.
Seeing his clanmates getting roasted by his teacher, Uchiha Obito quickly hid off to the side.
"You!"
Uchiha Makito spun around, his Sharingan already flaring with three tomoe. Clearly, he was furious.
"What? Want to fight me?"
"Go ahead, try it. We're standing in front of the Hokage Tower."
"Would you dare lay a finger on me?"
Gekko Chizan crossed his arms and stared him down, completely unafraid. A three-tomoe Sharingan? Even if it were Mangekyō—never mind, better not tempt fate.
He couldn't be bothered with these two clowns. Gekko Chizan led his team straight into the Hokage Tower and headed for the Hokage's office.
As he stepped inside, Uchiha Arashi clutched Makito's arm tightly.
"Arashi, why are you holding me back?! That bastard!"
"You think I'm scared of him?!"
Uchiha Makito glared at his partner in frustration.
"He's right. This is the Hokage Tower. Even if you want revenge, this isn't the place."
"Come on. Let's go submit our report."
Uchiha Arashi shook his head slowly, then dragged Uchiha Makito away.
...
Inside the Hokage's office, Gekko Chizan and the three brats reported to the Hokage.
Since it was a mission personally assigned by the Hokage, it made sense to report back directly.
"So you're saying Iwagakure has gathered forces in the Land of Grass?"
"That bastard Ōnoki—is he trying to start an all-out war?"
After hearing the report, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked displeased.
"Should I say, 'like teacher, like student'?"
"Jiraiya-sama reacted exactly like you did. Sigh, isn't this movement obvious enough? Hokage-sama?"
Gekko Chizan sighed helplessly, full of contempt.
"This blatant troop withdrawal, especially from the Land of Rice Fields—it's a clear sign they're preparing to attack us."
"But what if Iwagakure is just trying to deceive Kumogakure? What if they wait for us and Kumogakure to clash, then backstab Kumogakure?"
"Ōnoki's ambition isn't limited to Konoha alone. You know just how big his ambition is, Hokage-sama."
With the historical script in hand, Gekko Chizan naturally took on the role of a scheming advisor, immediately overwhelming the Hokage with logic bombs.
Even the three brats behind him were stunned.
This was their first time seeing someone roast the Hokage to his face—and that someone was their own teacher.
"It's possible."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned red from the scolding, but upon reflection, Gekko Chizan's words made a lot of sense.
Ōnoki had never played by the rules. Iwagakure and Kumogakure had been in constant conflict, so a sudden withdrawal didn't make much strategic sense.
"Still, the troop numbers in the Land of Grass are far beyond normal limits. We can't ignore that."
"Alright. I'll make the necessary arrangements."
"Your mission's over. Let your squad collect their rewards."
Gekko Chizan nodded. This wasn't his problem anymore. His job was intel—war tactics weren't his concern.
After the four of them left, Sarutobi Hiruzen reopened the folder on his desk.
On it, in bold characters: [First Hokage Cell Cultivation Plan].
Reading line after line of data, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh.
"If it actually works... war could become a thing of the past..."
"Elephant."
At the soft call, a shadow flickered into the room.
"Go inform Danzo—I've approved it. But tell him to show some restraint."
"And if he wants Orochimaru's help, I'll allow it."
"But again, tell him—restrain himself!"
The ANBU captain, Elephant, nodded and vanished again.
If Gekko Chizan had seen this, he would've dragged his teacher far, far away from these lunatics.
The First Hokage had been dead for decades. Yet these people still insisted on messing with his cells.
Then again, his teacher Orochimaru wasn't exactly innocent when it came to this sort of pursuit either...
...
The three kids returned home to their families. For once, Gekko Chizan didn't wander around and headed straight home.
As he opened the door, he spotted Gekko Hayate, who was now able to walk on his own.
A warm smile appeared on his face.
"Yo, who's this little guy? Isn't this my little brother?"
"Already walking, huh?"
The last time Gekko Hayate had gotten a good beating from Chizan, he now instinctively turned and bolted at the sight of him.
"Waah! Nii-san's back!"
"Sayo-san, help!"
Gekko Chizan: You @#@!%##
Little brat! That last beating was totally justified! And now you run the moment you see me?
Needs another round!
Before Sayo could appear, Gekko Chizan used the Body Flicker Technique and snatched up Gekko Hayate, ready to resume his big brother-style discipline!
...
A/N: The First Hokage cell transplant and cultivation was originally approved by the Third Hokage, but due to the excessive number of deaths, it was halted.
Later, Danzo and Orochimaru conducted illegal experiments on children, eventually producing Yamato.
They'll be heading to the Land of Hot Water soon. A war between Kumogakure and Konohagakure is on the horizon.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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