Linear Potential

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the Hokage Office, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk.

Before him lay the latest report from Root, detailing the analysis of the direction in which Kyoshin Uchiha had fled.

The Third Hokage sighed and took a sheet of letterhead from his drawer.

He personally took up his brush to write a letter to Ōnoki.

In the letter, he expressed his concern over the disappearance of a genin and requested permission for a Konoha squad to enter the Land of Earth to conduct a search.

To demonstrate his sincerity, he promised to provide five million ryo as compensation for any inconvenience caused to the Land of Earth during the search.

The letter was quickly dispatched.

Iwagakure, Tsuchikage Office.

Ōnoki's gaze swept back and forth between the letter and the messenger's face as he carefully weighed his options.

If he refused outright, Konoha might suspect that Iwagakure had taken Kyoshin in.

Ōnoki's back began to ache again, but what gave him a greater headache at this moment was this diplomatic document, which appeared mild but was sharp in its implications.

He pondered for a moment, then picked up his brush to begin his reply.

In his response, Ōnoki expressed his understanding regarding the lost Konoha genin but proposed revised conditions.

Konoha would need to pay ten million ryo, and in return, Iwagakure would allow a single squad to enter the Land of Earth.

The squad was limited to three members, and the strength of each member would be subject to Iwagakure's assessment, with no individual exceeding the level of an elite chunin.

The squad was forbidden from approaching Iwagakure, restricted to searching other areas of the Land of Earth, and limited to a duration of fifteen days.

At the same time, Iwagakure would dispatch a squad of its own to assist in the operation.

This was to ensure that the complex terrain would not hinder the search progress, and to prevent the squad from wandering into dangerous areas or restricted zones, which could lead to unnecessary casualties or greater disputes.

Ōnoki handed the reply to the messenger: "This is Iwagakure's final answer."

After the messenger departed, Ōnoki began drafting a letter to the Daimyo.

The content was essentially to inform the Daimyo Palace of Konoha's search activities, as required by diplomatic protocol.

However, Ōnoki did not mention the existence of Kyoshin in the letter; he chose his words carefully to ensure that no information that might arouse suspicion would be leaked.

The letter soon returned to the hands of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.

Ten million ryo was not a small sum, but it was within Konoha's capacity to pay.

The crux of the matter lay in those restrictive conditions.

The squad size, the strength cap, the prohibition against approaching Iwagakure, and the mandatory joint search.

Every single point felt like a carefully designed line of defense.

Ōnoki's attitude was tougher than he had anticipated, yet it still left room for maneuver.

The other party had not refused entirely, but instead proposed terms that maintained their sovereignty while being just barely acceptable to Konoha.

Such political maneuvering was indeed consistent with Ōnoki's style.

Eighteen days later.

The search operation concluded entirely.

Konoha returned empty-handed.

Both Ōnoki and Hiruzen Sarutobi were old foxes.

Ōnoki had not leaked any information regarding the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha.

Konoha's reputation remained temporarily intact, but they had failed to determine Kyoshin's approximate location based on "public opinion" analysis, simply because there was no public opinion to speak of.

Hiruzen Sarutobi analyzed two possibilities regarding the search results.

First: Kyoshin had not gone to Iwagakure, and the traces leading toward the Land of Earth were merely a diversion created by Kyoshin.

Second: Kyoshin was in Iwagakure, but Ōnoki was holding "public opinion" as a trump card, keeping it in his hand as leverage against Konoha in the arena of public perception.

In any case, no matter what choice Konoha made now, it could no longer affect Kyoshin.

Iwagakure.

As night fell, Kyoshin finished his day of training, his clothes soaked with sweat.

He walked to a bench at the edge of the training ground and sat down, opening his canteen to take a few sips.

Over these past few days, he could feel his own progress.

Kyoshin closed his eyes and summoned the attribute panel in his mind.

Host: Kyoshin Uchiha
Bloodline: Two-Tomoe Sharingan
Ninjutsu: Great Fireball Technique, Clone Technique, Transformation Technique

Genjutsu: Sharingan, Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique

Taijutsu: Konoha-Style Swordsmanship

Chakra: 8

Combat Power: 17

System Ability - Linear Potential: Hard work yields rewards; your potential no longer has any upper limits or bottlenecks.

The chakra of a normal genin is 5. Jingxin was previously at 6, and now it has increased to 8.

The combat power of a normal genin is 5. Jingxin was previously at 9, and now it has increased to 17.

This growth in strength is tangible; he can feel the flow of chakra within his body becoming smoother, and his taijutsu movements have become more precise.

Jingxin rests while analyzing his current situation.

The acceptance from Iwagakure is sincere, and the protection from Ōnoki is solid.

However, Jingxin knows that this protection is not free.

He needs to demonstrate sufficient growth potential to maintain the allocation of resources from Iwagakure.

So, how should he demonstrate this growth?

Just as he is thinking, a figure walks over from the entrance of the training ground.

Kurotsuchi is wearing a dark brown training outfit tonight, her short black hair neatly falling behind her head. She carries a lunch box in her hand and walks briskly toward Jingxin.

"Jingxin, still training this late?"

"No, I've already finished."

Kurotsuchi places the lunch box on the bench and opens the lid.

Inside is the steaming signature cuisine of Iwagakure: Rock-Grilled Meat and Land of Earth Rice.

The aroma drifts out, making Jingxin feel a wave of hunger.

Kurotsuchi sits down next to Jingxin and looks at him with a resentful gaze.

Her eyes are a mix of helplessness and slight complaint: "Do you know, ever since you arrived, Grandpa's requirements for me have suddenly become much stricter."

"In the past, although Grandpa urged me to train, it was still considered gentle."

"But now, he checks my progress every day, and the training volume has increased."

"I guess it's because you're too excellent, causing Grandpa's expectations for me to rise as well."

Jingxin eats the meal; it tastes very good, with a rich meaty flavor, and he responds: "This will help improve your strength."

Kurotsuchi sighs: "I understand all these big principles, but it's really exhausting."

"Three days from now, I have to participate in the early graduation exam for ninja students. Grandpa said if I can't pass this time, he'll double my training."

Although her expression carries complaints, there is a hint of anticipation in her eyes: "I hope you can come to watch. Your strength is very high; perhaps you can give me some advice."

Jingxin nods: "I will go."

A smile appears on Kurotsuchi's face: "Then it's a deal. Three days from now in the morning, at the Ninja Academy exam grounds, don't be late."

After saying this, Kurotsuchi leaves the training ground with light steps.

Jingxin watches her retreating figure. He should indeed go see the graduation exam in three days.

Kurotsuchi's graduation exam might be an opportunity to observe the strength of Iwagakure's younger generation and further integrate into life here.

More importantly, appropriately demonstrating his growth potential is the only way to put the upper echelons of Iwagakure at ease.

Kurotsuchi's invitation might not just be her own personal decision.