Entering the Meeting

After Uchiha Kō defeated Uchiha Kiyoshi, the way the Uchiha clansmen looked at him changed; it was no longer filled with mockery and disdain, but with fervor and respect.

Everyone present acknowledged that Uchiha Kiyoshi's strength was among the best of the jōnin, yet Uchiha Kō, who had defeated him, was only eighteen years old. What did this signify?

Uchiha Kō's talent far surpassed that of Uchiha Kiyoshi. The Uchiha clan revered the strong, and even though Uchiha Madara had left Konoha, this deep-rooted pride ensured they remained worshippers of power.

"Did you all hear me? The Five Kill Rules—no matter who you are or which family you belong to, you will execute them strictly. If anyone attempts to challenge Lady Tsunade's authority, you won't need to go to the battlefield; I will send you to your deaths myself." Uchiha Kō's words were not just for the Uchiha clan, but for every ninja present.

The ninjas all shouted in response, "Yes!" The Uchiha clansmen, in particular, were the most rigorous in their adherence to the order.

Seeing this, Uchiha Kō nodded, then called out, "Nawaki, step forward!"

"Here!" A child of about ten years old stepped out. He had a simple, honest face and looked at Uchiha Kō with undisguised admiration.

He had watched the entire battle between Uchiha Kō and Uchiha Kiyoshi. Seal-less ninjutsu! Only his grandfather and his grandfather's rivals could do that.

If this man could do it too, didn't that mean he was a ninja capable of going toe-to-toe with his grandfather?

Nawaki was incredibly excited to be called, yet he maintained his composure, knowing everyone was watching him. He couldn't bring shame to his grandfather or the Senju clan.

Uchiha Kō glanced at him and smiled, "Come with me." After beckoning to Senju Nawaki, he looked toward the army, "Everyone, disperse and rest. Adjust your state; there is still a hard battle to be fought!"

With that, he took Senju Nawaki to the office. Inside, the future Sannin were plotting how to deploy their troops. Jiraiya believed they should strike at the heart of the enemy and go head-to-head with Salamander Hanzō.

Orochimaru looked on, speechless. How was he in the same group as this guy? Salamander Hanzō was a ninja that even their teacher might not be able to defeat, not to mention his exquisite swordsmanship, his poisonous constitution, and his summoning, the giant salamander.

In terms of strength, the giant salamander could go toe-to-toe with a tailed beast. Even if the three of them had a chance of winning in a direct confrontation, what about the vanguard? Were they supposed to just send them to their deaths?

They were all elites from various families. If they were allowed to be slaughtered, and they returned to the village, wouldn't that guy Danzo pin the charge of poor command on them?

Once that label was pinned on them, they could kiss their chances at becoming Hokage goodbye!

"Lady Tsunade, Uchiha Kō, accompanied by Nawaki, requests to join the meeting." Uchiha Kō's voice was steady and serious.

Orochimaru's train of thought was interrupted. Uchiha Kō—Tsunade had mentioned him earlier. It seemed this kid had some tricks up his sleeve, capable of allowing the army to foresee danger in advance.

Orochimaru looked at Tsunade, as did Jiraiya, for they were currently the guests at this alliance meeting, and Tsunade was the host.

Tsunade nodded and said loudly, "Come in."

"Yes!" After the guards opened the door, Uchiha Kō walked in with Nawaki.

"Nawaki! You brat! Are you hurt?" Tsunade's face was filled with concern as she walked over to Nawaki, checking his body to ensure he wasn't injured.

"Big Sis, I'm fine! And during this march, I even killed three or four Rain Ninja!" Senju Nawaki scratched his head and laughed.

Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, then looked at Orochimaru, "Orochimaru, thank you. I'm very relieved knowing you were looking after Nawaki."

Orochimaru waved his hand, "Nawaki is smart and sensible. He achieved what he has today through his own efforts." As Orochimaru spoke, he looked at Senju Nawaki with a slight upturn of his lips.

Nawaki was his disciple; it was only right that he looked after him.

Tsunade replied, "Orochimaru, don't praise him too much. I know exactly what my little brother is like." After she said this, Orochimaru laughed heartily.

At this time, Orochimaru had not yet become as gloomy as he would be in his later years, obsessed with eternal life. Like most, his goal was to become Hokage.

Jiraiya, meanwhile, was grinning as he draped an arm around Senju Nawaki and pulled him aside, "Ahem, have you finished those books I gave you? I'll give you a few more when we get back to the village!"

Senju Nawaki's eyes instantly lit up, "Thank you, Senior Jiraiya!"

Uchiha Kō watched this scene with a smile. The bonds of the Sannin and the smile of Senju Nawaki were things he had only seen in the anime; experiencing them in person now filled his own heart with joy.

Tsunade walked over to Uchiha Kō and waved her hand in front of his face.

"Kō-kun? Kō-kun? What are you thinking about?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.

Uchiha Kō suddenly snapped out of his trance. Seeing Tsunade before him, his face flushed, and he quickly knelt on one knee, "Lady Tsunade, please forgive my rudeness."

Tsunade was taken aback. She touched her forehead and helped Uchiha Kō up, "I just saw you staring at everyone and smiling, so I was wondering what was on your mind."

Uchiha Kō said shyly, "Seeing Nawaki, Lady Tsunade, Lord Orochimaru, and Lord Jiraiya getting along so well, one cannot help but feel envious."

Orochimaru walked over as well and said to Uchiha Kō, "Kō-kun, I heard from Tsunade that you possess a ninjutsu that can foresee danger. Would you mind letting me see it?"

Orochimaru was very curious about Uchiha Kō. What kind of ninjutsu could allow the Senju troops to suffer almost zero casualties?

At this, even Jiraiya and Senju Nawaki stopped their banter and looked over.

Uchiha Kō first checked with Tsunade, who smiled and nodded, "Everyone here is one of our own."

Only then did Uchiha Kō nod. Even though this gesture might have seemed unnecessary, it reflected the social nuances of the situation.

Uchiha Kō covered his left eye, and the dust in the air began to gather, forming an eyeball that floated in the air, circling the people in the office again and again.

Orochimaru's eyes brightened, "Kō-kun, this is a Magnet Release detection ninjutsu, isn't it? It can share vision to gather intelligence and reduce casualties. I just wonder what the range is, and what kind of damage the user suffers if the jutsu is broken!"

Orochimaru was truly Orochimaru; even before he had begun his own research, his observational skills were among the sharpest.

"The range is ten kilometers. Even if this eye is destroyed, I just won't be able to use this jutsu again for three hours. As for the impact on the user, it's probably just a bit of a headache," Uchiha Kō replied.

Orochimaru nodded. No wonder Tsunade's troops hadn't suffered a single casualty. With such a divine detection skill, as long as one knew how to avoid risks, they would essentially be safe.

He looked at Tsunade and couldn't help but sigh. Lady Mito's judgment was truly sharp to have chosen such a genius to be Tsunade's confidant.