Two days later, the Fourth Ninja Division successfully arrived in the Land of Rivers.
Following Yakushi Kabuto's orders, Hatake Kakashi, Yūhi Kurenai, and the others began setting up camp.
Before long, a temporary base capable of housing five thousand people rose from the ground.
Around the perimeter, Kabuto had already led the Summoned-Beast Ninja Unit in laying traps.
On top of that, he arranged venomous snakes and White Zetsu as hidden sentries.
The moment any Sand ninja approached the camp, they would be detected.
In fact, in the two days before Kitazawa and the others arrived, Kabuto had already captured three Sand ninja squads.
They were all Sand Anbu sent by Rasa to scout for intelligence.
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Kabuto entered the tent that had been set up for Kitazawa and got straight to the point. "What should we do with Baki?"
"Lock him up for now," Kitazawa thought for a moment and said.
Baki was Gaara's teacher.
And since Gaara had joined the Advanced Class, killing Baki wouldn't be a good idea.
Besides, Kitazawa also intended to assemble a full ninja squad for the three siblings—Gaara, Kankurō, and Temari.
"Understood." Kabuto paused, then asked, "Will you be attending the upcoming battle meeting, Kitazawa-sensei?"
"No." Kitazawa shook his head. "I already told you—I'm just a spectator."
"I understand, Kitazawa-sensei."
Kabuto felt a bit more at ease.
This was exactly the situation he wanted.
It wasn't that he was afraid Kitazawa would steal the credit.
After all, Kitazawa was already Hokage—more merit didn't mean anything.
What Kabuto feared was that once Kitazawa took action, this war with the Sand would end on the spot.
As the battlefield commander, Kabuto probably wouldn't even get a chance to do his job.
Kabuto gave a slight bow, turned, and left.
"White Zetsu."
Kitazawa thought for a moment, then called out.
"Hokage-sama."
White Zetsu entered from outside the tent.
"How are the other three ninja divisions doing?" Kitazawa asked casually.
"They've all reached their assigned positions," White Zetsu replied. "So far, there's been no conflict with the three great villages."
The "assigned positions" referred to the smaller countries bordering the Five Great Nations—this war's battlefield zones.
For example, the battlefield between the Fourth Ninja Division and the Sand was chosen as the Land of Rivers.
It was an unspoken understanding among the Five Great Villages:
Use the bordering small nations as battlefields to avoid bringing the war onto their own soil.
"If anything happens, report to me immediately," Kitazawa said, waving a hand.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
White Zetsu burrowed underground and disappeared.
Kitazawa stretched and lay down on the carpet.
Just then, three lines of text suddenly appeared.
[Current Mission: Ignite the Fourth Great Ninja War and become the mastermind behind the shinobi world.]
[Mission Reward: Increase Ōtsutsuki bloodline purity by 30%.]
[Mission Completed. Reward Granted.]
Kitazawa's eyes lit up. He immediately sat upright.
This system mission was finally complete!
He had been waiting a long time for this.
Because the reward was Ōtsutsuki bloodline purity.
Kitazawa's Ōtsutsuki bloodline had long since reached 100%.
And with this mission completed, his Ōtsutsuki bloodline purity also reached 100%.
[Congratulations, Host. You have become a true Ōtsutsuki and obtained the dōjutsu: Paper-Crane Body Flicker.]
[Paper-Crane Body Flicker: At the instant you are attacked, you transform into red paper cranes to evade, then can reappear anywhere.]
[Note: In the future, you can obtain all Ōtsutsuki dōjutsu through system missions.]
"So that's how it is," Kitazawa thought.
With both reaching 100%, he now matched the Ōtsutsuki out in the cosmos, not the branch on the Moon.
Paper-Crane Body Flicker came from Ōtsutsuki Urashiki's blue Rinnegan—it was his unique dōjutsu.
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki was a member of the Ōtsutsuki clan sent to the shinobi world to hunt down Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
[Current Mission: Help Yūhi Kurenai's squad gain fame.]
[Mission Reward: Sukunahikona.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa narrowed his eyes.
Sukunahikona was Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's unique dōjutsu.
Its effect was to shrink anything—but only inanimate objects.
For living beings, it could only shrink the user themself.
This dōjutsu was extremely useful for defense and escape.
If Kitazawa had it earlier, during his fight with Uchiha Madara, he could've shrunk the meteor Madara summoned.
And escaping would be even easier.
He could shrink himself to the size of an ant, making it far less likely to draw attention.
Of course, the chakra cost was heavy.
And it was only a simple reduction in size—it wasn't weakening.
As for Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, he was the Ōtsutsuki who had once come to the shinobi world with Ōtsutsuki Kaguya to plant the God Tree.
But he was ambushed by Kaguya and turned into nourishment for the God Tree.
Even so, he didn't die—now he was parasitizing a monk named Jigen.
Kitazawa nodded in satisfaction.
That "note" really was true.
Soon, Kitazawa fell into thought.
How should he help Kurenai's squad become famous?
In terms of strength, it wasn't hard.
Kurenai's squad had Kurama Yakumo, Karin, and Inuzuka Kiba.
With his help, Kurenai herself already had the strength of an elite jōnin.
Kurama Yakumo needed no explanation.
And Karin was now the One-Tail jinchūriki.
Kiba was a bit weaker, but still around jōnin level.
The only problem was needing a stage big enough to make a name.
"Kitazawa, I'm back!"
Kurenai appeared in front of him with a smile.
"Finished your battle meeting?" Kitazawa patted the carpet beside him and asked.
"Yeah. Honestly, there wasn't much—Kabuto just assigned us tasks." Kurenai sat down next to him, took out a mission scroll, and said, "Our squad's mission is to provide rescue support to various outposts."
Shinobi wars generally came in two forms.
One was a large-scale frontal melee.
But that was rare.
Because it didn't let ninja play to their strengths.
Ninja excelled at infiltration and assassination.
The second form did let them play to their strengths:
Small-scale skirmishes.
Either fighting over outposts, or carrying out rescues and ambushes.
The rescue mission Kurenai's squad received was undoubtedly S-rank—the most dangerous kind.
Because they had to move across the entire battlefield, rushing from place to place to save allies.
"What strategy is the Sand using?" Kitazawa asked after thinking for a moment.
"Positional warfare," Kurenai replied. "According to Kabuto, the Sand has built lots of outposts in the Land of Rivers and is waiting for our assault."
"Then they're trying to stall for time," Kitazawa immediately understood.
Among the four great villages, the Sand ranked near the bottom.
And after the huge loss of Maki's 3,000-man advance force, the Sand didn't dare push recklessly.
So they wanted to drag things out and wait for the other three great villages to decide the outcome first.
Kitazawa stroked his chin.
This strategy was probably Chiyo's doing.
Then an idea sparked in his mind.
He would leak Kurenai's squad's movements to the Sand.
Normally, only Shimura Danzō would do something like that.
But Kitazawa knew Kurenai's squad's strength—and he would also be protecting them in secret.
So the "betrayal" became fishing with bait.
Especially since everyone knew Kurenai's relationship with him.
The Sand would have a hard time not taking the bait.
"When does your squad depart?" Kitazawa asked, returning to himself.
"After two hours of rest," Kurenai said.
"Good. Don't waste time—take a nap," Kitazawa reminded her.
"I want to sleep in your arms," Kurenai said with a playful smile.
"My pleasure," Kitazawa replied.
He lay down and extended his right arm.
"Remember to wake me when it's time," Kurenai said.
She rested her head on his arm, pressed close to him, and closed her eyes.
Time slowly passed.
Two hours later, Kurenai opened her eyes and left the temporary base with Kurama Yakumo, Karin, and Inuzuka Kiba.
Not just them—other squads also took their missions and departed one after another.
"White Zetsu," Kitazawa sat up and called.
"Hokage-sama."
White Zetsu appeared.
"In two days, send Kurenai squad's location to the Sand," Kitazawa ordered.
The reason for waiting two days was to avoid arousing suspicion.
And with Kurenai's squad's strength, after being active for two days, they would already have drawn the Sand's attention.
At that point, White Zetsu "delivering" a precise location would seem perfectly reasonable.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," White Zetsu answered immediately.
For it, passing intel was easy.
It had not only the strongest infiltration technique, but also the strongest transformation technique.
After White Zetsu left, Kitazawa had nothing to do.
If not for the system missions, he would've fought four villages alone and ended the Fourth Great Ninja War at light speed.
But judging from the current situation, his approach was clearly the intended one.
After all, three separate system missions related to the Fourth Great Ninja War had already been triggered.
"Konan," Kitazawa called with a smile.
If there was nothing to do, he might as well find something to do.
Konan appeared before him—and he pulled her into the blankets.
Time reached the third day.
Sand Village temporary base.
"Kazekage-sama."
An Anbu ninja hurried into the main tent.
"What is it?" Rasa asked calmly.
"We've discovered the whereabouts of Kurenai's squad," the Anbu said in a low voice.
"Kurenai?" Rasa raised an eyebrow. "Kitazawa's girlfriend?"
"Yes," the Anbu replied.
"Where are they?" Rasa narrowed his eyes.
"At an outpost to the southeast."
The Anbu explained the events in detail.
At 9 a.m. today, the Sand had just captured a Leaf outpost, and then ran into Kurenai's squad.
One Sand ninja survived by means of a secret technique and rushed back to report.
"So they're still at that outpost?" Rasa paced back and forth a few steps.
"They are," the Anbu said.
"Go invite Elder Chiyo," Rasa said after thinking for a moment.
"Yes, Kazekage-sama."
The Anbu turned and left.
A short while later, Chiyo entered.
"Elder Chiyo, what do you think?" Rasa asked after recounting what happened.
"This is indeed a good opportunity," Chiyo said thoughtfully. "If we can capture Kurenai, we can definitely trade her for Gaara."
"As far as I know, the most troublesome ones in Kurenai's squad are Kurenai herself and Kurama Yakumo. Their genjutsu is extremely strong." Rasa paused, then said, "But your puppets shouldn't fear genjutsu at all."
Puppets were inanimate objects—they couldn't be affected by genjutsu.
All Chiyo needed was to avoid appearing in Yakumo's line of sight.
As for Karin and Kiba, they weren't particularly noteworthy.
A medic-nin and an Inuzuka clan ninja—no matter how strong, they'd be around ordinary jōnin level.
"Then I'll make the trip," Chiyo said.
She understood Rasa's implication: he wanted her to capture Kurenai's squad.
With her, it would be more secure.
And Rasa, as Kazekage, had to remain at headquarters.
"Sorry to trouble you, Elder Chiyo," Rasa said with a nod.
"I'll depart immediately."
Chiyo took three Sand jōnin with her and left the Sand temporary base at once.
Meanwhile, at the southeastern outpost.
Kurenai and her three teammates were waiting for the Leaf squad that would relieve them.
Just then, Karin suddenly opened her eyes.
"Enemies?" Kurenai immediately asked.
After becoming the One-Tail jinchūriki, Karin had awakened the Mind's Eye of the Kagura.
Although they already had Kiba as a sensory ninja, the Mind's Eye was far beyond Kiba's abilities.
During yesterday's missions, their squad had relied on it multiple times to avoid Sand ambushes.
"Yes," Karin said at once. "Four Sand jōnin."
"Normally, it's rare for a single squad to have four jōnin—unless they're on a high-difficulty mission." Kurenai frowned. "Are they coming for us?"
"Judging by their route, yes," Karin nodded.
"The relief squad hasn't arrived yet," Kurenai thought briefly. "Prepare for battle!"
They could retreat, but there was no need.
"Yes!" Yakumo, Karin, and Kiba answered in unison.
Kurenai moved to a higher point in the outpost and looked into the distance.
Moments later, four figures entered her view.
"Chiyo?"
Kurenai's heart jolted, surprise flashing across her face.
"Something feels off," Kurama Yakumo analyzed. "Chiyo is Sand leadership—she shouldn't be here."
"Unless she knows our squad is here."
Kurenai snorted softly. "She's probably here to capture me."
Given her relationship with Kitazawa, she was extremely valuable to the Sand.
"Then they picked the wrong target!" Kiba suddenly lit up with excitement. "If our squad captures Chiyo, that's a huge achievement!"
"That would be a major merit indeed," Kurenai paused, then smiled.
"Kurenai-sensei, are we capturing her?" Kiba asked eagerly.
"Karin, you stall Chiyo. We'll take out the other Sand jōnin and then come help you," Kurenai ordered immediately after thinking.
Chiyo was a famous puppet master.
And puppets could ignore genjutsu.
Whether it was Kurenai or Yakumo, facing Chiyo head-on would be tricky.
As for Kiba, his raw strength wasn't enough against Chiyo.
Only Karin—the One-Tail jinchūriki—could hold Chiyo back.
At that moment, Chiyo and the others stopped.
She raised her head and looked at the four atop the outpost.
"Yūhi Kurenai. Surrender, and I can spare your three students," Chiyo said slowly.
"Do you really think that's possible, Elder Chiyo?" Kurenai smiled faintly and shot back.
"Still so confident even after seeing it's me?" Chiyo took out a scroll. "Then let me see how much strength you truly have."
The Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu!
In an instant, ten puppets in white robes appeared around her.
Seeing this, Karin leapt up and charged forward.
"…?"
Chiyo couldn't help showing a puzzled expression.
What was this?
She had assumed her opponent would be Kurenai or Yakumo—yet the one rushing her was the medic-nin Karin.
Chiyo flicked both hands.
Cold light flashed.
All ten puppets moved at once.
A barrage of ninja tools flew out, completely blanketing Karin.
Tailed Beast Chakra Mode!
Karin formed hand seals.
Dark red chakra burst forth, wrapping around her as a tailed-beast cloak.
At the same time, a single tail manifested behind her.
"A One-Tail jinchūriki!"
Chiyo's face sank instantly—both shocked and furious.
Shocked because she never expected a jinchūriki to be in Kurenai's squad.
Furious because the One-Tail Shukaku had once belonged to the Sand, yet now Konoha was using it against her.
Monster Strength!
Karin didn't know what Chiyo was thinking. She clenched her fist, blasted away the incoming tools, and slammed toward Chiyo.
Puppet Technique: Mechanized Light Shield Seal!
Chiyo snapped out of it.
Two puppets moved in front of her.
They raised their hands, chakra forming into shields.
Boom!
Both puppets were sent flying by Karin.
"Tsunade's monster strength?" Chiyo realized how troublesome this was.
A One-Tail jinchūriki plus monstrous strength—this was no weaker than Tsunade herself showing up.
For a moment, Chiyo even considered retreat.
But then, Kurenai, Yakumo, and Kiba closed in.
"How is that possible?" Chiyo instinctively looked at the three Sand jōnin on the ground, disbelief on her face.
Were they… instantly killed?
Although Yakumo had displayed frightening power during the graduation exam, Sand had never obtained especially detailed intel.
Especially not the fact that she possessed genjutsu on a Mangekyō Sharingan level—there was no way to know.
Sand only knew Yakumo's genjutsu was "strong," but had no sense of how strong.
Most importantly, Sand didn't believe she could instantly defeat three jōnin.
"Elder Chiyo, surrender. You might be spared some suffering," Kurenai threw Chiyo's earlier words back at her.
Chiyo's expression flickered, uncertain.
The next second, she swept both hands—ten puppets charged at Kurenai's group.
At the same time, she retreated.
"Karin and Kiba, deal with the ten puppets!" Kurenai ordered immediately. "Yakumo and I will pursue—don't let her escape!"
Monster Strength!
Karin clenched her fist.
Surging chakra poured out, making her fist glow brilliantly, as if coated in fresh blood.
She smashed at the nearest puppet.
The puppet reflexively raised both arms.
Spinning blades emerged from its forearms.
But with a crack—
Karin punched straight through the blades, and her fist landed on the puppet's body.
The puppet shattered into pieces.
Inuzuka Style: Man-Beast Clone Combination—Three-Headed Wolf!
Kiba fused with Akamaru, transforming into a massive three-headed wolf.
The three-headed wolf leapt up, pinned one puppet under its feet, and at the same time opened all three mouths to bite down on three puppets.
Three Jewels Suction Crushing!
Chiyo immediately worked her hands.
Three puppets formed a triangular formation.
A violent tornado roared out.
Kurenai and Yakumo immediately felt a powerful suction force dragging them uncontrollably toward the three puppets.
The closer they got, the greater the pressure crushing their bodies became.
If they stayed any longer, they would be torn to pieces.
Genjutsu: True Illusion!
Yakumo threw out three scrolls.
In the next second, three earthen walls rose in front of them.
The suction force dropped sharply. Kurenai used the wall as footing and sprang into the air.
Yin Release: Rasengan!
Kurenai dropped rapidly.
A high-speed spinning sphere of chakra was braced in front of her, aimed at the three puppets.
Chiyo's eyes narrowed.
While pulling the three puppets back, she flung out a large number of kunai.
Puppet Technique: Binding Assault Blades!
Threads were attached to the kunai—if they struck Kurenai, the threads would lock her down.
Super Beast Imitating Drawing!
At that moment, Yakumo unfurled a blank scroll.
With a flick of her hand, a dense swarm of birds flew out, shielding Kurenai from the kunai.
Boom!
Yin Release: Rasengan slammed down.
Two of the puppets were a beat too slow and were blasted away immediately.
Super Beast Imitating Drawing!
A huge eagle flew out in front of Yakumo.
She reached up and grabbed the eagle's talons.
The eagle spread its wings, rose into the air, and with a powerful swing, hurled Yakumo forward.
Yakumo landed—right in front of Chiyo.
Terror Dreamscape!
Demonic Five Senses!
Chiyo froze, a blank, stunned expression overtaking her face.
She still had the awareness that she needed to break the genjutsu—but the combination of Terror Dreamscape and Demonic Five Senses made her forget that entirely.
"We won!" Kiba shouted excitedly as the puppets all stopped attacking. He immediately separated from Akamaru.
"Everyone did great!" Kurenai praised them. "Especially Yakumo!"
"It was Karin," Yakumo said with a smile.
"You all contributed." Kurenai considered for a moment. "To prevent Sand from coming to rescue her, Yakumo and Kiba, take Chiyo away immediately."
With Yakumo present, as long as they didn't run into Rasa, she and Kiba would be fine.
And for Kurenai and Karin staying behind at the outpost, it was the same logic:
With a jinchūriki here, they could hold out until the relief squad arrived.
"Yes, Kurenai-sensei," Yakumo and Kiba answered at once.
Akamaru quickly enlarged himself and carried Chiyo away on his back.
Meanwhile, high above, Kitazawa—his Byakugan active—watched the entire process.
[Current Mission: Help Yūhi Kurenai's squad gain fame.]
[Mission Reward: Sukunahikona.]
[Mission Completed. Reward Granted.]
That afternoon, after Kitazawa heavily publicized it, he smoothly completed the system mission and obtained Sukunahikona.
And when the news of Chiyo being captured reached the Sand, Rasa and Ebizō were left speechless
~~~
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