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The temporary Hidden Sand outpost in the Land of Rivers had, of course, become Konoha's forward base for the time being.
Kabuto was handling the post-battle cleanup. Kitazawa hadn't taken part in that at all.
He set up a tent for himself and stepped inside.
[Current Mission: Defeat Fourth Kazekage Rasa. ]
[Mission Reward: Magnet Release: Gold Dust.]
[Host has completed the mission; reward issued. ]
Kitazawa raised his hand.
The earth shuddered. All the gold dust buried beneath the ground surged up at his call, shimmering faintly in the dim light.
The sight made him suddenly think of Tsunade.
If she ever mastered Magnet Release: Gold Dust, she'd probably go mining every day—only to lose everything at the casino.
The image made him chuckle.
He hadn't seen Tsunade in a few days, and he truly missed the warmth of her embrace.
After a moment's thought, he decided he could return tomorrow.
Tonight, he still needed to wait for Kabuto's post-war report.
Just then, footsteps approached outside the tent.
Kurenai slipped in through the flap.
"Are you done with your work?" Kitazawa asked, patting his thigh.
"I've got nothing to do," Kurenai replied as she walked over and swung a leg around, settling onto his lap.
"Then tonight, I'll make you busy," Kitazawa said with a grin, his hands coming to rest on her backside.
Kurenai froze for a heartbeat, then realized what he meant and shot him an exasperated look.
But it was true—they hadn't spent an entire night together in several days. With the war still ongoing, it hadn't been wise to waste stamina.
If the enemy attacked in the middle of that, it would be beyond awkward.
Now, though, with the fighting over, they could afford to indulge a few times.
Kurenai straightened her back, her ruby-like eyes locking onto his.
A soft sheen of moisture soon gathered in them.
Kitazawa smiled, leaned forward, and captured her lips.
Kurenai responded at once.
She hungrily chased his taste, her cheeks heating to a deep crimson.
Clothes slid soundlessly to the floor.
Kurenai's pale toes curled on instinct.
Her whole body tensed, only relaxing several seconds later.
Kitazawa cupped her soft ass cheeks in both hands and buried his face in her warm, yielding embrace.
Kurenai's arms tightened around him on their own.
She trembled like a fish out of water, body arching, unable to stay still.
Her beautiful eyes shimmered with an almost intoxicating moisture, and the flush on her face made her look even more enticing.
Heat surged through her chest.
The burning sensation sent her heartbeat racing, making her feel vividly, overwhelmingly alive.
After a long while, Kurenai finally closed her eyes and drifted to sleep in Kitazawa's arms.
He reached up and gently stroked her hair.
His gaze dropped, taking in the smooth line of her pale shoulder and the elegant curve of her back.
Through their close contact, he could clearly feel the softness and delicacy of her skin.
Just then, the tent flap lifted again, and Konan stepped inside.
She removed her shoes; her feet made no sound against the carpeted floor.
Kurenai was worn out and sleeping deeply, so she didn't notice Konan at all.
Kitazawa looked over at the newcomer.
Konan walked up and held out a scroll.
He didn't take it right away.
First, he carefully laid Kurenai down and pulled on his clothes.
While he dressed, Konan bit her lip, a flicker of longing passing through her eyes.
Kitazawa left the tent.
Konan followed closely behind him.
"Did Kabuto send this?" Kitazawa asked in an offhand tone.
"Yes," Konan replied with a nod. "I saw you were busy, so I stopped him for you."
"Good girl," Kitazawa said, reaching out to pat her head.
Then he unrolled the scroll.
Inside was a detailed summary of Konoha's spoils from the campaign, divided neatly into two categories.
One section of the scroll was labeled ""things"—assorted ninja tools and supplies.
The other was "people"—the captured shinobi from Sunagakure.
Kitazawa had no interest in the "things."
He flipped straight to the "people" section.
Kabuto had sorted them by rank: Genin, Chunin, and Jonin.
The Genin and Chunin columns only listed headcounts.
The Jonin section, however, gave actual names.
Every Sand shinobi Kitazawa recognized was there: Chiyo, Ebizo, Rasa, Baki, Kankuro, Temari, and others.
It was no exaggeration to say Sunagakure now existed in name only.
Kitazawa closed the scroll with a casual motion.
He was about to head back to his tent when something occurred to him—something he'd overlooked.
The Land of Wind.
Sunagakure had already submitted to Konoha, but the Land of Wind itself had not.
"Konan, call Kabuto over," Kitazawa said as the idea fully formed.
The current chaos in the ninja world was the perfect chance to bring the Land of Wind—and ultimately, all Five Great Nations—under control.
It was just a matter of taking advantage of the situation.
[Current Mission: Control the Five Great Nations.]
[Mission Reward: Sacrificial Pill Refining.]
[Do you accept?]
"Hm?" Kitazawa let out a quiet sound of surprise as the three lines of text suddenly appeared before his eyes.
He searched his memories.
A moment later, the information surfaced.
Sacrificial Pill Refining, like Origami Crane Teleportation, was an ability originating from Ōtsutsuki Urashiki.
Its effect was to absorb a target's chakra and refine it into pills, which could then be used to increase one's own chakra.
It had to be said, this ability was ridiculously broken.
Techniques or items that boosted chakra capacity were extremely rare in the ninja world.
Even as he was now, Kitazawa could still benefit from it.
In the original story, sacrificial pill refining was considered a core ability of the Ōtsutsuki clan.
Because of it, many Ōtsutsuki were able to raise their power endlessly.
After all, in theory, there was no upper limit to the chakra gained through sacrificial pill refining.
Kitazawa immediately thought of the Ōtsutsuki who would descend upon the ninja world in the future.
When that time came, refining their chakra into pills—whether for himself or for Tsunade and the others—would cause their strength to skyrocket.
He also didn't need to worry about Tsunade and the others' lifespans.
With Ōtsutsuki chakra, their lives would be almost limitless.
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Kabuto appeared quickly before him.
"I have a mission for you," Kitazawa said with a faint smile. "Use this opportunity to bring the Land of Wind under control."
Kabuto froze for a moment.
For an average shinobi, a mission like that would be earth-shattering.
But Kabuto was no ordinary ninja.
After the brief shock, he accepted the order calmly.
After all, in his heart, there was only Konoha—and Yakushi Nono and the others.
"After you return to Konoha," Kitazawa added after a moment's thought, "have a proper talk with the Sand shinobi. Make them submit to Konoha. If they refuse, even if it costs them their lives, kill them."
Even if Sunagakure had been wiped out, there would inevitably be a few stubborn ones willing to remain loyal to their village until death.
Kitazawa respected that.
But paths that diverged led to different ends.
Their continued existence held no value for Konoha.
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei," Kabuto replied with a nod.
"It's getting late. Rest well and handle it tomorrow," Kitazawa said casually, glancing up at the night sky.
Kabuto gave a slight bow, then turned to leave.
Kitazawa stretched, ready to head back to his tent.
After all, Kurenai was still waiting for him.
But when he noticed Konan standing there, he felt he couldn't just walk away.
"Come here."
Kitazawa opened his arms.
Konan quickly stepped into his embrace and hugged him.
"We'll try a different approach tonight," Kitazawa suddenly said with a laugh.
Konan tilted her head, studying him in silence, but didn't respond.
With a wave of his hand, Kitazawa took Konan and rose into the sky.
They flew higher and higher until the world below blurred into indistinct lights and shapes.
Only then did Konan fully react.
She clung to Kitazawa like an octopus.
Suspended so high above the ground, with nothing to stand on or grab, she could only press close to him, using her body to keep her balance and avoid the terrifying feeling of falling.
Kitazawa relished her nervous, sweaty grip and passed a wonderful night.
The next morning.
Kitazawa opened his eyes to see Kurenai sleeping beside him.
He smiled and gently brushed his fingers across her beautiful face.
Before long, Kurenai stirred and woke.
Now that she had the Yang Seal, she wouldn't collapse as easily as before and sleep for so long afterward.
"Kurenai, are you going back to Konoha now, or will you come with me as an observer?" Kitazawa asked.
"I'll go back to Konoha."
Kurenai hesitated for a moment before answering.
She had been on missions for quite some time, clashing with Sand ninjas. Her spirit was worn thin; she didn't want to see any more fighting.
"Alright." Kitazawa nodded. "I'll send you back later."
"No need," Kurenai refused. "I'll go back with Yakumo and the others."
Seeing her insist, Kitazawa didn't press the issue.
The two of them changed clothes.
After breakfast, Kabuto led the Fourth Division of the Allied Shinobi Forces as they officially set out on the road back to Konoha.
Kitazawa watched them go.
Konan appeared at his side a moment later.
Last night, she had floated in mid-air for an entire hour before returning to the tent to rest.
"I'll take you to the Land of Moon first," Kitazawa said, taking her hand and activating the Flying Thunder God.
In the blink of an eye, they were standing at Konoha's temporary outpost in the Land of Moon.
"I need to go to Konoha," Kitazawa said, letting go of her hand. "Wait for me here."
Konan nodded.
Kitazawa vanished.
When he reappeared, he was already standing in Tsunade's room.
He looked toward the bed.
Tsunade was still asleep, her nightgown rising and falling gently with each breath.
Kitazawa walked over and slipped into her arms.
He immediately felt her familiar weight and warmth.
"You came back so early. Do you not want me to sleep?" Tsunade opened her eyes to look at him, but his face was buried against her, completely out of sight.
"I suddenly missed you, so I came back for a visit," Kitazawa replied, his voice muffled.
Tsunade was stunned for a moment, caught between being moved and feeling exasperated.
She couldn't tell whether Kitazawa missed her, her embrace, or both.
"I heard the Sand Village has already surrendered?" Tsunade asked, gently stroking his head.
"Yes," Kitazawa answered. "Kabuto and the others are already on their way back."
"It really is… not like before," Tsunade sighed.
In the previous Great Ninja War, Konoha had won, but at a terrible cost.
This time, though, there was an unfamiliar ease to it.
Of course, she knew exactly why this war had been so simple.
It was because of Kitazawa and his students.
"I wonder what the future of the ninja world will look like," Tsunade said with a small smile. "I'm really looking forward to it."
"You will see it."
Kitazawa sniffed the faint fragrance lingering in the air.
"Mhm."
Tsunade paused, as if remembering something. "Jiraiya came back a while ago."
"Did something happen in the Hidden Rain Village?" Kitazawa asked, rubbing his face lightly against her pale skin.
"Not Hidden Rain Village." Tsunade shook her head. "He said the Great Toad Sage made a new prophecy."
"Oh?" Kitazawa raised an eyebrow, curiosity stirring. "What is it?"
In the original timeline, toward the later stages of the story, almost every prophecy from the Great Toad Sage had revolved around Uzumaki Naruto.
But now, the course of events had completely changed.
Naruto was still important, but he was no longer the unquestioned center of everything.
If the Great Toad Sage truly could see the future, then its prophecies should have shifted as well.
"The Great Toad Sage said there's another major crisis in the Ninja World." Tsunade's brows knit together. "But it doesn't know what kind of crisis it is."
Kitazawa narrowed his eyes.
There was indeed another looming crisis in the Ninja World—
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki and the others hunting Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
"There are plenty of crises in the Ninja World," Kitazawa said calmly. "Thinking about them now is pointless. We'll know when the time comes."
"I think you're right." Tsunade nodded.
She had never placed much faith in prophecies.
Now, Kitazawa's very existence only reinforced that belief.
If there really was a Child of Prophecy, they should have appeared back when the Akatsuki were active.
Yet the Ninja World was on the verge of unification, and this so‑called child still hadn't shown up.
"Tsunade." Kitazawa looked up at her. "Shouldn't you reward me?"
"Why should I reward you?" Tsunade asked, clearly puzzled.
"Under my brilliant leadership, the Hidden Sand Village was successfully taken down. That's unprecedented," Kitazawa said, blinking at her.
"Wasn't it Kabuto who took it down?" Tsunade rolled her eyes, already knowing what he was after.
"I am the Hokage," Kitazawa replied with a straight face.
"…"
Tsunade raised her hand and flicked him on the forehead, then sat up, her peach-like hips pressing down on his legs.
Kitazawa soon got the reward he'd been seeking.
By noon, feeling completely refreshed, he left Konoha.
The war with the Hidden Sand Village had ended, but the conflicts with the Hidden Mist, Hidden Cloud, and Iwagakure were still ongoing.
He had taken a day to relax. Now, it was time to return to the front lines.
Using the Flying Thunder God, Kitazawa jumped to Konoha's temporary outpost in the Land of Moon.
At the same time, a meeting was underway at the Hidden Cloud's temporary outpost.
"Our organized sneak attacks over the past few days have all ended in failure," Dodai said grimly. "That means Konoha has a complete grasp of our movements."
"Does the Byakugan really have such a wide range?" the Fourth Raikage asked, his expression dark.
"Hyuga Hinata must be special," Mabui analyzed. "Previous Hyuga clan members have never shown a Byakugan with such an extensive field of vision."
"Hidden Sand Village has already fallen. If we lose too, Konoha will eventually unify the entire ninja world," Dodai said with a sigh.
"Our only hope now is the Chakra Cannon," Mabui said after a brief silence.
"But with Hinata's Byakugan, how can the Chakra Cannon be effective?" Samui asked, her brows tightly furrowed.
"Heavenly Transfer Technique," Mabui said after thinking for a moment.
Land of Moon, Konoha's temporary encampment.
"The Hidden Cloud Village hasn't launched any sneak attacks today," Uchiha Yashiro reported.
"This isn't surprising," Itachi replied calmly. "All their previous ambushes failed. They're bound to change their strategy."
"With Hinata and White Zetsu here, whatever they try, they won't be able to hide it from us," Inuzuka Tsume said bluntly.
Hearing her own name, Hinata couldn't help the joy that rose in her chest.
She was no longer the timid little girl she once was; now she was a key figure who could influence the course of the war.
More importantly, she hadn't let Kitazawa down.
"For now, we wait and observe," Fugaku concluded. "We'll talk again once White Zetsu confirms the Hidden Cloud's new strategy."
"Kabuto‑senpai has already defeated the Hidden Sand Village," Sasuke suddenly spoke up.
Everyone instinctively turned to look at him, unsure where he was going with this.
"I request permission for our Team Seven to raid the Hidden Cloud Village's main camp," Sasuke said evenly.
They all knew how the Hidden Sand had been defeated.
Among the Konoha forces, Kurenai's team and Kakashi's team had contributed the most.
Sasuke couldn't accept Kitazawa's team falling behind them.
After all, Kitazawa's team was the strongest among the ninja squads that graduated from the Genius Class.
"That's inappropriate," Yashiro objected at once. "Your strength is impressive, but the Hidden Cloud still has more than ten thousand ninja."
"The ones who truly decide victory or defeat on the battlefield are the top‑tier powerhouses on each side," Sasuke replied.
This was the same thing Fugaku had said at the jōnin council before the war—though at the time, it had been meant to flatter Kitazawa.
"In the name of youth, our Team Seven will definitely complete the mission!" Naruto declared, giving a firm thumbs-up.
Although Sasuke hadn't discussed this with them beforehand, Naruto felt his reasoning was sound.
Hinata had even less reason to object.
If the three of them brought down the Hidden Cloud, Kitazawa would surely praise her.
Fugaku fell silent, sinking into thought.
Sending only three people to attack the enemy's main camp sounded insane—but for Team Seven, it wasn't necessarily impossible.
As commander, he had made a point of understanding their capabilities in advance.
Sasuke not only possessed Perfect Susanoo, but he was also the Eight‑Tails' jinchuriki.
Naruto, as the Nine‑Tails' jinchuriki, hardly needed explanation; his power alone placed him among the top‑class figures in the ninja world.
Hinata had already proven herself—not long ago, she'd shattered a force of four thousand Hidden Cloud ninja with a single arrow. Even most "powerhouses" couldn't do that.
"Father, I think it's feasible," Itachi said with a faint smile. "It's about time the Hidden Cloud Village witnessed our Konoha's new Sannin."
New Konoha's Sannin?
Fugaku's heart trembled as the implication sank in.
This was a chance for monumental military achievement.
If the three of them broke through the Hidden Cloud's main camp, their merit would be more than enough to place them among the candidates for Hokage.
Yashiro and Inuzuka Tsume exchanged a long look.
Their grasp of Team Seven's true capabilities still couldn't compare to Uchiha Fugaku's.
Because of that, the plan in front of them felt dangerously bold.
"Alright. Then we'll go straight for a decisive battle."
Fugaku's voice was low and firm as he made his decision.
"Have Sasuke and the others pin down the Hidden Cloud from the front," Itachi said after a brief pause. "We'll sweep in from the flanks, clean up the battlefield, and take out the stragglers."
"Does attacking from the front count as a sneak attack?" Naruto scratched his head, genuinely puzzled.
Everyone fell silent for a beat—and then burst into laughter.
"The terminology doesn't matter," Fugaku said, clearing his throat lightly. "What's important is that we win."
"When do we move?" Tsume asked.
Risky as it was, she could see the quiet confidence in Fugaku and the others. From her point of view, this operation would also ease the burden on the rest of their forces.
Up until now, most of the pressure had fallen on Sasuke, Naruto, and Hinata. Tsume couldn't help worrying that the three of them might not be able to bear that kind of weight.
But remembering that they were Kitazawa's students, she relaxed a little. Even if they couldn't secure victory, they would at least be able to retreat.
Kitazawa would not let them die.
And if they did succeed, the Hidden Cloud Village would cease to be a threat.
"Tomorrow," Fugaku decided after a moment's thought. "I'll work out the detailed tactics next."
"Sasuke, you three should go see Hokage-sama," Itachi reminded them. "He just arrived."
Hinata's eyes lit up instantly.
"We're going now!" Naruto said, barely able to contain his excitement.
Sasuke gave a short nod and followed them out of the command tent.
"Lord Fugaku," Inuzuka Tsume spoke up as something occurred to her, "we need to be careful about the Hidden Cloud's chakra cannon."
"If we force a direct, decisive battle, it'll be very difficult for them to use the Chakra Cannon," Fugaku replied with a faint smile. "They'd risk hitting their own troops."
"The Chakra Cannon can be dealt with by Team Seven when they get the chance," Itachi added after a brief pause. "I'll tell them tomorrow."
"They are indeed the most suitable for that task," Fugaku agreed with a nod. "Let's begin working out the specific arrangements."
Team Seven no longer needed any deployment adjustments.
The real challenge now was figuring out how to completely wipe out the remaining Konoha ninja on the field.
Fortunately, Kitazawa had left them five thousand White Zetsu.
They could finally put those to proper use.
Not long after, Sasuke, Naruto, and Hinata met with Kitazawa.
From them, he learned of the First Ninja Force's new plan.
He was somewhat surprised, but not overly so.
Of the four ninja forces, the first was the strongest overall. And among the Four Great Ninja Villages, the Hidden Cloud was the most powerful.
That was why Kitazawa had dispatched the First Ninja Force to face the Hidden Cloud.
Now that they were preparing for a direct, decisive battle, there was nothing wrong with that.
With Team Seven present, the First Ninja Force's strength already surpassed the Hidden Cloud's.
Barring any unforeseen accidents, victory was assured.
"Get some rest. I'll be watching your performance tomorrow," Kitazawa said, reaching out to gently pat Hinata's head.
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei," the three replied in unison.
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