The 14th Generation Ino-Shika-Cho

After the local skirmish at the forest's edge ended in victory, Konoha's ninja army began clearing the battlefield.

"Yamanaka, these men are yours. Extract intelligence as quickly as possible. I have an ominous feeling."

Sensing no foreign ninja in the vicinity, the Yamanaka Clan Head and Kage-level powerhouse, Yamato Yamanaka, opened his closed eyes and nodded. "Understood, Vice Commander Nara."

Konoha's Yamanaka Clan specialized in controlling enemy minds, capable of invading and reading the memories of the dead, and possessed the unique ability to relay information to allies, granting them formidable sensory prowess.

In team combat, they often achieved results greater than the sum of their parts.

Due to the straightforward, linear nature of their early jutsu—like a clumsy wild boar charging in a single line—they were the "Boar" in Konoha's classic Ino-Shika-Cho formation.

As another member of Ino-Shika-Cho, the Nara Clan relied on strategy, judgment, and superior intellect. Their forests were also home to generations of sacred Nara deer that guarded the clan, producing high-quality antlers, earning them the title "Deer." In group battles, they served as the strategist and tactician.

During the First Ninja World War, the Nara Clan Head and Kage-level powerhouse, Nara Shikamei, served as the ninja army's vice commander, deeply trusted by Senju Tobirama.

The "Cho" was the Akimichi Clan, whose current clan head was also on the front lines, named Akimichi Chohane, a fellow Kage-level combatant.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio advanced and retreated together, their combined strength rivaling that of Konoha's third great family, the Hyuga Clan with their Byakugan bloodline.

"After the intelligence is extracted, do not publicize it."

Nara Shikamei emphasized, a trace of worry creasing his brow—this small-scale battle had been utterly baffling.

The two sides, drawn together by an emergency signal flare, had clashed on sight. The Kumogakure ninja hadn't spoken a single word before attacking Konoha's ninja, catching them completely off guard.

He knew that in the forest, the Second Hokage of both sides were currently negotiating a peace treaty. This sudden development forced Nara Shikamei to delve deeper into interpretation and judgment.

"Mm."

The taciturn Yamato Yamanaka immediately began working on the captured or slain Kumogakure ninja, using his jutsu to invade their brains, searching for information with a somewhat rough touch.

Soon, shock and urgency flickered across Yamato Yamanaka's stoic face. Seeing this, Nara Shikamei's heart leaped.

They were among the strong who had joined Konoha since its founding, weathering the storms of the Warring States Period. Aside from matters of life and death, little could shake their composure, let alone Yamato Yamanaka, a master of mental secrets, well-versed in deception, and with a heart as hard as iron.

"Mind Transmission Body Technique."

Nara Shikamei watched as Yamato Yamanaka extended his hand. He knew this technique intimately—it could not only transmit intelligence but also broadcast it to everyone within a designated range.

(Is the intelligence extracted from the Kumogakure ninja's mind too important to be spoken aloud?)

(Could something have happened to Lord Tobirama? Is war about to reignite?)

With a heavy heart, Nara Shikamei pressed his forehead against the offered hand, and their minds began to link.

Yamato Yamanaka began relaying the intelligence concisely.

"Shikamei, our alliance talks with Kumogakure were sabotaged by Kinkaku and Ginkaku."

"Lord Tobirama is currently dealing with the Tailed Beast Transformation of Kinkaku and Ginkaku, and he's in grave danger."

"The Kumogakure ninja at the forest's edge were all rogue ninja under Kinkaku and Ginkaku, tasked with hunting down Hiruzen and the others."

"But from their memories, they only saw Takefu using the Super Expansion Jutsu; they didn't catch up to Hiruzen and his group."

Having conveyed the known intelligence, Yamato Yamanaka lowered his hand, dispelling the Mind Transmission Body Technique, and silently watched Nara Shikamei, whose face was etched with bitterness.

"Lord Hashirama hasn't been gone long, and this happens."

"Takefu was already fighting for his life, and we still haven't seen Hiruzen or the others. Chances are, things are dire."

"Our focus must remain on Lord Tobirama."

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Nara Shikamei, the army's strategist, knew full well the value of time for Senju Tobirama. He quickly shifted into his role, making calm and steady judgments.

"Yamanaka, immediately form three-man squads from all jonin in the First through Third Companies. Three squads make a platoon. Assign one Hyuga ninja to each platoon."

"If numbers are short, pull personnel from the Fourth Company. You are to depart immediately to reinforce Lord Tobirama. Remember, this is a classified mission. Do not spread rumors, and do not engage in drawn-out battles."

"I will command the remaining forces and notify the village."

After issuing the simple, direct orders, Yamato Yamanaka moved out at once. Left behind, Nara Shikamei rubbed his brow, staring at the setting sun staining the clouds a hazy orange on the horizon, his eyelids twitching.

"I hope everything goes smoothly. Truly a turbulent time."

"The interests of the great clans, the interests of Konoha, the interests of other nations and villages..."

"Sigh, if only Lord Hashirama were still alive, or if the tailed beasts hadn't been distributed and Konoha held the power of all nine, or if the Senju and Uchiha had worked together..."

"This Ninja World War will not be the last."

Understanding the nature of war, Nara Shikamei shook his head. While reorganizing the ninja army to guard against a Kumogakure ambush, he carefully chose his words and sent a message back to Konoha.

Time passed drop by drop. The platoon led by Yamato Yamanaka moved silently through the forest. Suddenly, a Hyuga branch family jonin, whose eyes had turned pale white with bulging veins and black markings visible in his pupils—using his Byakugan bloodline—made a hand signal.

The silently advancing platoon melted into the surroundings without a sound, leaving only the Hyuga branch jonin, Yamato Yamanaka, and the tall, burly Akimichi Chohane.

"There's a ninja ahead with powerful, malevolent chakra, very similar to an Uchiha."

The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan possessed telescopic, x-ray, and insight abilities. Even in a dense forest, they could see things within a kilometer, making them natural sensory ninja.

Though inferior to the Sharingan in direct combat, the Byakugan held greater strategic value in group battles. Kumogakure's ambushes were often turned into counter-ambushes by Konoha, breeding envy among Kumogakure's higher-ups.

"There aren't many Uchiha ninja on the front lines. Could it be Kagami Uchiha?"

Akimichi Chohane, naturally bold and somewhat impatient, wore a look of urgency on his face, marked with two symmetrical streaks of paint. "Can you see if my cousin Takefu is there?"

After focusing his observation, the Hyuga branch jonin confirmed, "There is only one Uchiha."

"Don't be impatient."

Meeting Akimichi Chohane's uneasy gaze, Yamato Yamanaka closed his eyes and began to perform a sensory jutsu. The presence of Chakra around him flowed into his mind, and a familiar Chakra fluctuation made him open his eyes.

Then, staring gravely ahead at the figure flickering in and out of view among the forest, Yamato Yamanaka said slowly, word by word, "S-class Rogue Ninja, the Butcher of Humans—Uchiha Takeyasu!"

The atmosphere instantly froze. Konoha's side all readied themselves for battle.

Strolling leisurely into the encirclement, Uchiha Takeyasu stroked Tachibana's head. Tachibana let out an adorable meow, shattering the dead silence.