After Uchiha Kō defeated Uchiha Kiyoshi, the Uchiha clan members looked at him differently. Their scorn and disdain had turned to fervent admiration and respect.
Everyone present acknowledged Uchiha Kiyoshi as one of the finest jōnin. And Uchiha Kō, who had defeated him, was only eighteen. What did that say?
Uchiha Kō was far more talented than Uchiha Kiyoshi. The Uchiha Clan revered strength. Even though Madara Uchiha had left Konoha, the pride rooted deep in their nature meant they still worshipped the strong.
"Did you hear me? The Five Kill Rules apply to everyone, no matter who you are or which clan you belong to. Enforce them strictly. If anyone dares challenge Lady Tsunade's authority, they won't even have to go to the battlefield—I'll send them straight to their deaths." Uchiha Kō's words were meant not only for the Uchiha Clan, but for every shinobi.
The shinobi all replied in unison, "Yes!" The Uchiha Clan, in particular, would follow the order to the letter.
Uchiha Kō nodded at the sight, then called out, "Nawaki, step forward!"
"Here!" A boy who looked about ten stepped forward. He had a goofy face and gazed at Uchiha Kō with open admiration.
He had watched Uchiha Kō and Uchiha Kiyoshi's entire battle. Ninjutsu without hand seals! Only his grandfather and his grandfather's opponents could do that.
This man could do it too. Didn't that mean he was a shinobi who could match his grandfather?
Nawaki was beside himself with excitement at being called, but he kept his composure. Everyone present was watching him, and he couldn't bring shame on his grandfather or the Senju Clan.
Uchiha Kō glanced at him, then smiled. "Come with me." He beckoned to Senju Nawaki, then turned to the troops. "Everyone, dismiss and get some rest. Make sure you're ready. We've still got a tough battle ahead!"
With that, he led Senju Nawaki to the office. Inside, the future Sannin were discussing how to deploy their forces. Jiraiya thought they should strike straight at the heart of the enemy and take on Salamander Hanzō head-on.
Orochimaru could only stare at him in exasperation. How did I end up as this guy's teammate? Salamander Hanzō was a shinobi even their teacher might not be able to defeat. Besides his exquisite swordsmanship, he had a poisonous body and the summoning beast Ibuse.
In terms of strength, Ibuse could even go toe-to-toe with a Tailed Beast. If the three of them fought Hanzō head-on, they might win—but what about the vanguard? Were they supposed to send them to their deaths?
They were all elites from their respective clans. If they let them get killed, wouldn't that fool Danzo slap them with a charge of gross incompetence when they returned to the village?
That would ruin any chance they had at the Hokage Position!
"Lady Tsunade, Uchiha Kō and Nawaki request permission to join the meeting." Uchiha Kō's voice was steady and solemn.
Orochimaru's train of thought was interrupted. Uchiha Kō... Tsunade had mentioned him earlier. The boy seemed to have some tricks up his sleeve. He could help the troops anticipate danger.
Orochimaru looked at Tsunade, and Jiraiya did the same. By rights, they had come to form an alliance, so they were guests, while Tsunade was the host.
Tsunade nodded and called out, "Come in."
"Yes!" Once the guards opened the door, Uchiha Kō led Nawaki inside.
"Nawaki! You little rascal! Are you hurt?" Tsunade's face was full of concern as she went over and checked him for injuries.
"Big Sis, I'm fine. And on this march, I killed three or four Rain shinobi!" Senju Nawaki scratched his head and grinned.
Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, then turned to Orochimaru. "Orochimaru, thank you. Knowing you've been looking after Nawaki puts my mind at ease."
Orochimaru waved a hand. "Nawaki's smart and well-behaved. He's gotten this far through his own hard work." As he spoke, he glanced at Senju Nawaki with a smile.
Nawaki was his student. Looking after him was only right.
"Orochimaru, don't praise him. I know exactly what my little brother is like." Orochimaru burst into laughter at that.
Orochimaru hadn't yet become as sinister as he would later, nor had he begun seeking immortality. Like most people, his goal at the time was to become Hokage.
Jiraiya grinned and slung an arm around Senju Nawaki, pulling him aside. "Ahem. Have you finished reading those books I gave you? I'll give you a few more when we get back to the village!"
Senju Nawaki's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Jiraiya-senpai!"
Watching them, Uchiha Kō smiled. He had only ever seen the Sannin's bond and Senju Nawaki's smile in the anime. Now that he was truly experiencing it firsthand, he couldn't help feeling happy too.
Tsunade walked up to Uchiha Kō and waved a hand in front of his face.
"Kō? Kō? What are you thinking about?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.
Uchiha Kō suddenly snapped back to his senses. Seeing Tsunade standing before him, he blushed and quickly dropped to one knee. "Lady Tsunade, forgive my rudeness."
Tsunade froze, then touched her forehead and helped him up. "I only saw you smiling as you watched everyone and wondered what you were thinking about."
Uchiha Kō answered shyly, "Seeing Nawaki, Lady Tsunade, Lord Orochimaru, and Lord Jiraiya getting along so well made me feel a little envious."
Orochimaru came over as well. "Kō, Tsunade told me you have a jutsu that can predict danger. Would you mind showing it to me?"
Orochimaru was curious about Uchiha Kō. What kind of jutsu could leave the Senju troops with almost no casualties?
At that, even Jiraiya and Senju Nawaki stopped fooling around and looked over.
Uchiha Kō first glanced at Tsunade for permission. She smiled and nodded. "Everyone here is one of us."
Only then did Uchiha Kō nod. His gesture of asking Tsunade for permission might have seemed unnecessary, but it showed his awareness of the delicate social niceties at play.
Uchiha Kō covered his left eye. Dust in the air began to gather, forming an eyeball that floated in midair and circled the people in the office again and again.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up. "Kō, this is a sensory Magnet Release jutsu, right? It lets you share your vision and gather intelligence, while also reducing casualties. I wonder what its range is—and what happens to the user if the jutsu is destroyed!"
Orochimaru was every bit as perceptive as his reputation suggested. Even without having started any research, he was already among the sharpest observers around!
"It has a range of ten kilometers. Even if the eye is destroyed, I just can't use this jutsu again for three hours. As for the effect on me, I'd say it's a little stimulating," Uchiha Kō replied.
Orochimaru nodded. No wonder not a single person in Tsunade's unit had been injured. With a sensory technique this powerful, as long as they knew how to avoid danger, they'd be practically untouchable.
He looked at Tsunade and couldn't help but marvel. Lady Mito certainly had a sharp eye, choosing such a talented aide for Tsunade.
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