"Dad!"
When Hiruzen Sarutobi, who rarely shared breakfast at home, suddenly appeared at the table this morning, his youngest son Asuma couldn't hide his surprise.
I actually get to eat with Father!
Biwako Sarutobi smiled gently. Once Asuma had left, she turned to her husband.
"Rest today?"
Hiruzen nodded.
"Yes. I've given myself three days' leave."
"Can you really afford to take a break? What about those youngsters you're guiding?"
Hiruzen chuckled softly.
"Why not? Back when we returned from Kumogakure, weren't we just as reckless and in danger?"
Biwako thought for a moment, then nodded.
"You're right. If you believe they can handle it, then there's no problem."
The sudden death of Danzo, and the simultaneous collapse of the Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado clans, sent shockwaves across the entire shinobi world.
This was no small event—it was nothing short of upheaval within Konoha itself.
The delegation from Kumogakure was already en route. Meanwhile, both Sunagakure and Iwagakure were stirring restlessly.
The next day, Ryoma went about his duties as usual.
Or rather—his shadow clone did.
That same clone also led Terumi, the two Nii sisters, and Yamato—the Root outcast—to train alongside Team 7.
Though the Nii sisters had their Two-Tails extracted, Tsunade's medical prowess had saved them from death. Still, they regarded Ryoma with lingering wariness. After all, it had been Danzo who had kidnapped them from Kumogakure.
Terumi, by contrast, was in high spirits. No more Orochimaru's experiments, no more being drained for blood samples—she could now attend the Ninja Academy freely. That alone made her happier than she'd been in years.
When Jiraiya saw Ryoma bring these three, he promptly reformed them into a new Team 9.
Originally, Mikoto Uchiha had overseen Team 9, but after their last mission, her three students had suffered severe trauma. They were still in treatment, leaving the team disbanded.
Now, Team 9 was reborn—with Terumi, the Nii sisters, and Yamato. Mikoto, left without pupils, naturally stepped in again—this time as Ryoma's assistant instructor.
She watched curiously as Ryoma oversaw training.
"Ryoma, how did you get so strong?" she asked, blinking at him.
"…I'm not that strong," he replied flatly.
Mikoto tilted her head. "You're a shadow clone, right?"
Ryoma's clone frowned.
"So what if I am?"
The clone bristled with indignation. He might be a clone—but he was still Ryoma!
Mikoto laughed lightly, covering her lips.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend. It's just… your shadow clones feel so real I can't even tell the difference."
"Of course they're real!" the clone huffed.
Meanwhile, Teams 7 and 9 had already finished sparring. Team 7's teamwork—sharpened by their Water Country mission—was leagues above what it once was. The real advantage lay in Obito's newly awakened Sharingan.
Ryoma himself hadn't expected it. His actions had completely altered Obito's path. Now, with the Sharingan, Obito was clearly the pillar of Team 7.
As for Kakashi… no matter his genius, talent meant little before the might of a bloodline limit. Even his self-created Lightning Blade paled in comparison to the Sharingan's versatility.
That was the reality of the shinobi world.
Unless, of course, you were like Ryoma—with a unique constitution that ignored genjutsu entirely.
It was why even someone as strong as Madara Uchiha had been so heavily suppressed by Hashirama. Not just by strength, but by natural counters—Wood Release, immunity to genjutsu, even resistance to fire. Against the Senju, fire jutsu had little effect.
After the sparring, Ryoma's clone began offering feedback. With his mastery of Hashirama's techniques, even critiquing Hiruzen himself would have been within his right. For these students, his insights were priceless.
"Kakashi—your speed is good, but you're too impatient. Complete the motion fully; trust your teammates to cover you."
"Yes, sensei!"
"Obito—genjutsu here is overkill. Focus on Fire Release. If I'm not mistaken… you haven't actually learned it yet, have you?"
Obito's face burned. "Wha—?! I'm working on it! Don't expose me like that, sensei!"
"Heh. Then work harder."
He continued, pointing out Terumi's reliance on Boil Release, Yamato's lack of confidence, and even spotted the Nii sister's leg injury just from her footing.
By the end, every student had learned something new. Mikoto, watching from the side, looked at Ryoma with sparkling eyes. He's incredible.
Meanwhile, the punishment of the Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado clans was finalized.
Their shinobi were stripped of rank and reduced to genin. All public posts were revoked. Each clan was fined 10 million ryō, to be placed into a special educational fund for the children of commoners at the Ninja Academy.
Ryoma's reforms won him immense support from the villagers and lower-ranked shinobi.
The disgraced clans were personally escorted home by the Uchiha Police Force. The irony wasn't lost on the Uchiha—who for years had been unfairly surveilled by those very families. Now the tables had turned.
Secretly, many Uchiha elders began to view Ryoma favorably. Some even whispered that if he became Hokage, it might herald a new beginning for their clan.
And though he was already betrothed to Kushina Uzumaki, some in the Uchiha still thought there was a chance to tie him to their family.
The Hyuga and Akimichi were no different—each scheming their own ways to court his favor.
Ryoma's clone, stationed in the administration office, nearly choked on his tea when he saw the Akimichi clan's… "beauty strategy."
The real Ryoma, however, was napping at home—head resting comfortably on Kushina's lap, basking in her soft touch and the faint fragrance of her hair.
Her cheeks flushed red as she gently stroked his head.
Why is he so lazy? He leaves everything to his clones…
But then she smiled. As long as he's here with me, I don't care. I'm happy.
"Are you leaving the day after tomorrow?" she asked softly.
Ryoma nodded. "Yeah. I don't understand what Kumogakure is so afraid of. Instead of meeting us directly, they insist on moving the talks to the Land of Hot Water."
Kushina snorted, then laughed.
"Of course. You killed the Third Mizukage, eliminated Danzō, and even took down the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Word of your deeds has spread everywhere. Even the Third Raikage, who calls himself invincible, has to be cautious of you."
Originally, the talks between Konoha and Kumogakure were supposed to take place in Konoha. But now, the venue had been shifted to the Land of Hot Water, serving as neutral ground between the two nations.
There were many such small countries between the great powers—Yu no Kuni (Land of Hot Water), Kawa no Kuni (Land of Rivers), and the like. Their purpose was to act as buffer zones, preventing direct clashes between great nations.
But sometimes, those buffers were meaningless.
Just like the time when Kushina was kidnapped: the Third Raikage had marched straight through the Land of Hot Water and into the Fire Country's border.
The second time, the Third Raikage crossed over again, only to be driven back by the Third Hokage himself.
This time, the meeting point between Kumogakure and Konoha was again set in Yu no Kuni.
The Konoha delegation was, naturally, led by Ryoma.
"Ryoma, have you decided on who's accompanying the mission?"
Ryoma smiled, taking Kushina's soft hand into his own.
"How about I take you to Yu no Kuni and let you experience the local mixed hot springs?"
Kushina's face flushed crimson. She glared at him in embarrassment.
Time passed quickly. Two days slipped by.
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen listened to a report from an Anbu kneeling before him.
"Lord Hokage, Hatake Sakumo has sent word. The strange movements in Sunagakure these past two days appear to be connected to the Third Kazekage."
"According to Lord Hatake's probes, the information we've obtained suggests…the Third Kazekage has disappeared."
Hiruzen, pipe in hand, froze mid-drag. He looked sharply at the Anbu.
"The Third Kazekage…is missing?"
As the leader of a great village, the Kazekage would never travel unguarded. Even Hiruzen himself was constantly shadowed by Anbu guards. If there had been an attack, a messenger could have relayed the news. A disappearance without a trace…was unprecedented.
The shadow of an entire Hidden Village vanishing—such a thing had never happened in shinobi history.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly.
"Has there been any movement from Sunagakure's forces at the Wind–Fire border?"
"Reporting, Lord Hokage: control within Sunagakure has shifted to the Chiyo family. Shinobi activity along the border is rapidly increasing. We suspect this is connected to their old grudge against Konoha."
The Anbu paused, then added:
"They may even believe Konoha is behind the Kazekage's disappearance. If so, they could attempt to divert domestic unrest by starting a war."
Hiruzen sighed, shaking his head helplessly.
Not long ago, the Third Mizukage had fallen to Ryoma. The entire shinobi world knew of it.
For a mere jōnin to slay a Kage… it was unheard of.
Ryoma's reputation had only grown bloodier with each battle. To Sunagakure, it wasn't unthinkable to suspect Konoha of orchestrating the Kazekage's disappearance as well.
Rumors were already spreading: that Konoha trained assassins capable of felling even Kage.
Five years ago, the White Fang of Konoha, Hatake Sakumo, had slain Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law.
Now Ryoma had taken it even further—killing the Mizukage himself.
Hiruzen's voice was quiet.
"So…has Ryoma already departed?"
"Reporting, Lord Hokage. Lord Ryoma has already set out."
"And who's with him?"
"Along with Lord Ryoma: Uzumaki Kushina, Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, Nohara Rin, and Namikaze Minato."
Hiruzen frowned deeply.
"The Seventh Class… I've heard they're all prodigies. It's good experience for them, but…why Kushina? Why bring her along?"
The Anbu hesitated.
"Lord Ryoma said…he wanted to take a short break with Lady Kushina and enjoy the hot springs together."
Hiruzen went silent, at a rare loss for words.
"…And Minato? Why bring him?"
"Well…" the Anbu replied awkwardly, "…Lord Ryoma said, in case of battle, Lord Minato would be the fastest to carry away any corpses."
Hiruzen almost dropped his pipe.
...
TN:
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