Special Strategy Department

Dada had long considered establishing a "Special Strategy Department." Under the current system, many special matters had yet to be categorized. Take the previous Lightning-Fire summit between the two Raikage, for example. Without Dada, the Raikage and advisers would have discussed an upper and lower limit for compensation, then tried to secure as much as possible at the negotiating table.

But the Raikage and advisers might not necessarily know much about Konohagakure. Everyone had their own fields of responsibility, and they had no time to keep watch over Konohagakure's internal affairs. That could lead to inaccurate information, making it impossible to maximize their gains.

But if there were a group dedicated to handling matters within the same field, spending years learning about each ninja village and country, they could strive to obtain as much as possible.

That was only one example. The name "Special Strategy Department" explained a great deal. It would handle only special matters, most of which affected strategy. It would not deal with ordinary assignments.

The shadow of war was not yet especially apparent. Only Dada, with his foreknowledge, knew how brutal the coming Second and Third Shinobi World Wars would be. It gave him a sense of urgency.

The Special Strategy Department recruited a group of members from the Anbu, including Dodai's direct subordinates as well as volunteers like Kawanishi Kyohei. They hastily assembled a department of around ten people.

"So, our first mission is to contact Hanzo of the Salamander."

Dada tapped the small blackboard. The adult ninja below diligently took notes, while the Third Raikage sat to one side, calm and composed, clearly there to support Dada.

No one found it strange that they were listening to a child, because Dada had already proven himself. Besides, the Raikage and Dodai were both there to vouch for him.

"The Land of Rain occupies a special geographical position. It borders the Lands of Wind, Fire, and Earth, and its natural environment is harsh. If any one side gains control of the Land of Rain, it can pose a certain threat to the other two. At the same time, none of the sides will allow either of the other two to gain control over the Land of Rain."

A ninja raised his hand and asked, "But Amegakure has a Strongman like Hanzo of the Salamander, known as the demigod of the Shinobi World..."

At the mention of the Shinobi World's demigod, the Third Raikage visibly curled his lip, clearly dismissive of the title.

"The problem is precisely that Amegakure produced a Hanzo of the Salamander. The greater problem is that he wants to gain recognition from the other Great Ninja Villages through strength." Dada's words were startling.

"Without Hanzo of the Salamander and his makeshift Amegakure, the Land of Rain would merely be a battlefield in the geographical sense. But with Hanzo of the Salamander and the Rain Ninja, the Land of Rain can only become a battlefield in the literal sense."

The statement was a little convoluted, and quite a few people did not fully understand it.

"We do not need to consider that for now. Our first mission is to establish contact with Hanzo of the Salamander and provide him with support. All we ask is that he and the Rain Ninja forces survive—live a little better, and a little longer."

Quite a few ninja below revealed thoughtful expressions.

After leaving the Raikage Building, Dada once again lamented the pressure he bore at an age when he should not have had to bear it.

That evening, Uzumaki Hirohiko brought his younger sister Kagari to train with Dada.

Having studied at the Ninja Academy for nearly a semester, Uzumaki Hirohiko had become a well-known young prodigy in school. His enormous Chakra reserves, outstanding talent for ninjutsu, and respectable taijutsu ability made him very popular. His younger sister Kagari was still a little too young, but she had already begun trying to refine Chakra.

They called it training together, but really, Uzumaki Hirohiko was trying every possible method to attack Dada, while Dada relied solely on his physical abilities to evade.

"Footwork! Footwork! Turn around and grab! Take this, my Shuriken!"

"Lightning Ball, Lightning Ball, Lightning Ball!"

Being able to use C-rank ninjutsu after only one year of school was not just because Uzumaki Hirohiko possessed huge Chakra reserves. It was also because Hirohiko had exceptional talent for ninjutsu.

Unfortunately, Dada's physical abilities had improved again after this period of training. He had also grown quite a bit taller and was actually slightly taller than Hirohiko, who was a year older than him.

Relying on his monstrous reaction speed and dynamic vision, Dada weaved and darted through multiple tracking ninjutsu and ninja tools without a single leaf touching him.

Kagari, standing nearby, was dumbstruck.

She did not think her brother was all that impressive. Instead, her eyes were fixed on Dada as he flew and flipped around the Training Ground, stars sparkling in her eyes.

"Brother Dada is amazing!"

Uzumaki Hirohiko wiped away his sweat as well. Considered a genius at the Ninja Academy, he could not even touch the corner of Dada's clothes. That was only because Dada was defending without attacking. Having seen Dada spar with the Third Raikage, he knew very well that Dada's taijutsu was formidable. If Dada wanted to, he could probably knock him down in a single move.

They trained until Uzumaki Hirohiko had drained all his Chakra. Dada also wiped away some nonexistent sweat. Then, together with Kagari, they returned indoors and sat around the stove, eating pastries prepared by the kitchen.

Kagari was still somewhat reserved, but Hirohiko, who had visited many times, had completely shed his restraint and was stuffing his mouth full.

"Dada, you don't go to school normally. What do you do all day?" Hirohiko suddenly asked curiously.

"Mm... I handle disputes between Kumogakure and other countries... well, mostly the Land of Fire. I improve the village's humanitarian care system, resettle prisoners from other countries, and then there's a major project on my hands involving the core industries of several countries. Mm, that's about it for now."

Uzumaki Hirohiko forgot to chew. With puffed-out cheeks, he stared blankly at Dada, waiting for him to laugh and explain that everything he had just said was a joke.

That was way too outrageous! Even if your father is the Raikage, isn't that still way too outrageous?!

A thousand wild grass-mud horses galloped through Hirohiko's heart.

Meanwhile, Uzumaki Kagari's eyes were once again filled with little stars.

"Brother Dada really is amazing!"

"Wake up, Kagari, wake up! That can't possibly be true!" Hirohiko complained wildly.

"Hard to believe, isn't it? I find it hard to believe too..." Dada said with a dark expression.

After taking a long time to calm down, Hirohiko asked again, "Then will you never attend the Ninja Academy? I heard from the teacher that even the Raikage's son has to attend the Ninja Academy. I thought I might get the chance to be classmates with you."

Dada stroked his chin and said, "That is true. My brother attended the Ninja Academy too, but my situation is rather special. I might transfer directly into the graduation class during the final two years."

The Ninja Academy was an important part of Kumogakure. The Raikage led by example, so even his own sons had to attend. But Yotsuki Ki had not taken his studies at the academy too seriously back then. After all, the academy's pace had to accommodate most children, and it was not very friendly to geniuses—it dragged on too much.

Dada estimated that he would not be an exception. He would eventually have to make a trip through the Ninja Academy, but not for very long. There was a high chance he would go during the final year or two just to get the credentials. Speaking of which, once the children from the Orphanage had settled down, they would gradually enter the Ninja Academy as well.

It seemed his youthful campus life was destined to be brief. He actually wanted to experience what it felt like to be Uchiha Sasuke, to enjoy being admired by the prematurely mature elementary school students of the Shinobi World. After all, his looks in this life were still quite impressive.

"Oh, right, Dada, what are you doing for the New Year? Mom wants to invite you over to our house."

"That... I may have to apologize to your mother. The Daimyo invited my whole family to spend the New Year in the Capital City of the Land of Lightning, so I probably won't be able to make it."

Kagari's eyes once again sparkled with little stars.

"Brother Dada is really amazing!"

"Wake up already, Kagari! He's bragging! He has to be bragging!"