Land of Earth, Iwagakure
Inside the Tsuchikage's Office, Ōnoki floated in mid-air, his hands behind his back, squinting as he watched the scene in the Heavenly Screen where Kurotsuchi and several others were suppressing Kinshiki Otsutsuki. His wrinkled old face first tightened, then slowly relaxed, and finally, surprisingly, revealed a satisfied smile.
"Excellent!" He nodded repeatedly, his voice brimming with undisguised pride. "This little girl has a bright future ahead of her! She hasn't disgraced our Iwagakure!"
He moved closer, carefully examining the Lava Release: Gray Stone Sealing Technique that Kurotsuchi had used, his eyes gleaming.
"Smooth Ninjutsu transitions, precise Chakra control... Hmm, she has the flair of my younger days!" He stroked his beard, then suddenly frowned and muttered, "I just wonder if she's mastered Dust Release..."
(If you can even master Kekkei Tōta, that's true skill!)
Kitsuchi, standing to the side, watched his daughter's heroic figure against the Heavenly Screen, his honest face filled with pride. He scratched his head and smiled, "Father, Kurotsuchi has always been outstanding."
Ōnoki snorted, but couldn't hide the smile on his lips, "Nonsense! Don't you know whose granddaughter she is!"
The two exchanged a smile, and a rare relaxed atmosphere filled the office.
"Kitsuchi..." he suddenly spoke, "After this Heavenly Screen incident is over, let Kurotsuchi participate in the high-level meeting."
Kitsuchi was taken aback, then nodded solemnly.
(The future of Iwagakure... will ultimately be entrusted to the younger generation.)
(And this legacy brings peace of mind.)
Explosion Corps Training Ground
Looking at the Heavenly Screen, the image froze on the moment when Kurotsuchi blasted Kinshiki away with a Lava Release Kinshiki, and then trapped him firmly with the Gray Stone Sealing Technique.
Kurotsuchi stomped his foot on the rock and threw a punch at the sky. "See that? My future self is awesome!"
"What extraterrestrial visitor, what Ōtsutsuki— " She suddenly waved her hand, Lava Release Chakra boiling in her palm, "And I took them down easily!"
The surrounding Iwa ninja cheered in unison, and several young ninjas even excitedly began to imitate her Lava Release hand seals.
Training Ground perimeter
Han leaned against a stone pillar, arms crossed, silently watching the fierce fighting stance of the Kurotsuchi against the Heavenly Screen. The Steam Armor hummed slightly, reflecting the faint smile beneath his mask.
(That old man... he really does have a wonderful granddaughter.)
He recalled how Kurotsuchi used to pester him with questions when she was little. Back then, she was just a boisterous little girl, but now she's capable of standing on her own on the future battlefield.
(The use of Lava Release was good... but it still needs some refinement.)
He straightened up, and steam slowly seeped out from the gaps in his armor.
(Looks like... I'll have to find some time to teach her a few moves.)
(A promising talent, we can't let him go to waste.)
Han strode into the village, but his thoughts drifted to something else.
(Originally, I went back to the village intending to take on a few disciples...)
During this time, he traveled all over the Iwagakure Ninja Academy and Training Grounds, and even personally inspected them several times, but he still couldn't find a suitable candidate.
(Either their mental fortitude is insufficient, or their Chakra control is too poor...)
(Are young people these days all so restless and impetuous?)
He shook his head, and his Steam Armor emitted a plume of white mist with a sigh.
(Let's wait and see...)
(There will always be a suitable one.)
Han looked at the Kurotsuchi Hei Tu on the Training Ground, and the smile behind his mask deepened.
(If all else fails...)
(It wouldn't be bad to practice on the Tsuchikage's granddaughter first.)
Land of Water - Kirigakure
In the Mizukage's Office Mei Terumi leaned lazily against the window, her slender fingers gently caressing the rim of her teacup. Her emerald eyes reflected the scene in the Heavenly Screen where Chōjūrō and the others were working together to suppress Kinshiki.
"Hmm... it does resemble Mizukage to some extent." She nodded slightly, her red lips pursed, but then she suddenly frowned, "However—"
A light tap of the fingertip on the teacup caused ripples to spread across the tea.
"Your reaction was still a beat too slow." She narrowed her eyes, staring at the wound on Chōjūrō's body caused by the Kinshiki Axe. "While deliberately feigning weakness to lure the enemy is a tactic, a severe injury will affect the subsequent battle... The enemy won't give you a chance to catch your breath."
(This kid is still too honest...)
She put down her teacup, tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, and fell into deep thought.
(Looks like... I'll have to arrange some 'special training' for him.)
Dozens of grueling training programs have already flashed through my mind—uninterrupted Water Release combos in a downpour, blind combat training in the fog, even... throwing him into a shark-infested ocean to survive?
"Hehe~" She chuckled softly without realizing it, startling the Anbu standing at the door.
Her thoughts shifted, and she recalled how Chojuro had come to her Chōjūrō a flushed face and stammering a while ago.
"Lord Mizukage... I... I want to form a summoning beast contract..."
She was busy with official duties at the time, and after casually agreeing, she forgot about it.
(Thinking about it now... we really should find him a suitable partner.)
She sighed, "If only the Second Lord had left behind the 'Mirage' contract scroll back then..."
(Those sea monsters that can create illusions are a perfect match for Hiramekarei...)
"Someone come here."
Mei Terumi tapped the table lightly with her fingertips; the sound was soft, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.
"Whoosh--"
The office door slid open silently, and a ninja wearing Kirigakure Anbu mask knelt on one knee.
"Lord Mizukage, what are your orders?"
Mei Terumi lazily rested her chin on her hand, casually waving her other hand:
"Go to the archives later and retrieve all the summoning beast contract data."
She paused, a dangerous smile curving her red lips.
"By the way, tell Chōjūrō-- "
"Starting tomorrow, we'll add three hours of practice every day."
The corner of the Anbu Ninja's mouth twitched beneath his mask, but he still replied in a deep voice, "Yes!"
(Chōjūrō... Best of luck.)
Lookout Platform
Chōjūrō stood on a high point in the village, his hands gripping the railing, gazing up at the scene in the Heavenly Screen where he and the other four Kage fought side by side. His eyes behind his glasses gleamed with excitement, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up in a smile.
"I never imagined... that I would be able to stand on my own two feet in the future!"
In the Heavenly Screen, he wielded the twin swords Hiramekarei, cooperating seamlessly with Gaara, Darui, and Kurotsuchi. He even managed to withstand Kinshiki Otsutsuki strategy.
(So... I can be this strong!)
He clenched his fists, a fighting spirit he had never felt before welling up inside him.
"No, I'm still far from good enough!" he muttered to himself. "If such an enemy truly appears in the Heavenly Screen, I must be stronger, faster, and more—"
Achoo--!
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly shuddered, a strange chill creeping up his spine, causing him to shrink back sharply.
"Strange... The weather is perfectly fine." He looked up at the clear sky, puzzled, then touched the back of his neck, feeling that something was amiss.
(Why do I have this feeling... like I'm being watched?)
Chōjūrō rubbed his arms, trying to dispel the inexplicable chill, but quickly rallied and slapped his face hard.
(The future of Mizukage... is destined to be filled with "warm" care!)