Three months passed in the blink of an eye. The year's end was near, and the winter chill was deepening.
For the past three months, Yusuke's routine had stayed more or less the same: he moved between three places and was hopelessly consumed by training.
A figure darted across the training ground in the courtyard.
Yusuke gripped his ancient-looking greatsword tightly. Its blade didn't gleam with an ordinary metallic sheen.
Instead, crackling arcs of electricity and billowing flames swirled around it.
Under his precise control, the two Chakra Nature Transformations—Lightning and Fire—had reached a delicate balance.
The greatsword in Yusuke's hands instantly became a genuine "Thunder-Fire Sword."
The blade swept through a wooden post, cutting through it like a hot knife through butter. The thick post snapped cleanly in half.
"Lightning Style: Lightning Fang!"
Yusuke barked the technique's name again. Rather than forming Hand Seals, he poured Lightning Release chakra into the blade.
With his swing, a fang-shaped shock wave made of lightning shot from the sword's tip.
Several targets in the distance exploded into splinters. The wooden posts behind them were no better off, charred by the electricity.
He let out a soft breath of white mist and lowered his sword.
Hashirama Senju's notes on developing hand-seal-less ninjutsu had been a great help to Yusuke.
He no longer clung to the traditional method of casting jutsu with Hand Seals. Instead, he treated the greatsword as part of his body.
He focused his chakra's shape and nature transformations on the greatsword in his hands.
Now, he could skillfully "enchant" the blade and switch its properties as needed.
He had even truly achieved "jutsu unleashed wherever the sword pointed."
As for genjutsu, under Tohka Senju's famously strict guidance, his skill had reached a level of mastery. He had attained the second stage: "Immersion in the Illusion."
He still couldn't plant "suggestions" and cast multiple genjutsu, but he was capable of turning the tide of a battle in an instant.
His training in the Flying Thunder God Technique had made an even more remarkable breakthrough.
Thanks to his profound understanding of spatial markers and his astonishing talent, he could now perform a successful teleport.
However, his proficiency and practical experience were still limited. He needed more practice to pinpoint his destination accurately and use the technique consecutively in high-speed combat.
His ultimate trump card was [Stage One: Incursio*Leather Armor Form].
With the help of the special medicine Tsunade had prepared, his constitution had undergone a complete transformation.
He felt his body could now withstand the strain of Incursio's first stage without suffering the severe injuries that had followed its use before.
However, he still couldn't maintain it for very long—only about two and a half minutes.
Even without Incursio, Yusuke now had the strength of an elite jōnin, relying solely on ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and genjutsu.
With a little more refinement, he was sure to reach Kage Level soon.
"Not bad. You're starting to look the part."
Tohka Senju's cool voice came from the veranda.
"Your chakra control is decent, but you still need to improve the stability of your shape transformation."
"The balance between Lightning and Fire may look impressive, but against a powerful enemy, even the slightest loss of control will leave an opening."
Her sharp gaze scrutinized the results of Yusuke's training.
"Yes, Teacher." Yusuke bowed respectfully.
Tohka's standards for him were extremely high. In her eyes, this progress probably only just earned a passing grade.
"Still, at your current level, it'll be difficult to improve further. You'll need to hone your skills in battles where your life is on the line."
Tohka changed tack, a glint flashing in her eyes.
"Perhaps I could use members of Root for some target practice," Tohka thought.
Smoke filled the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind the broad desk, his brow furrowed.
He had just heard the Anbu Captain's report on the urgent plea for help from the Land of Whirlpools.
Across the desk, Shimura Danzo leaned on his cane, expressionless, his one eye lowered as though he were resting.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, the two Hokage Advisors, sat on either side, their expressions grave.
"Everyone, the Land of Whirlpools is Konoha's most important ally. It's also Lady Mito's homeland. For both political and personal reasons, we must act at once."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke and glanced around at the three of them, his gaze finally settling on Danzo.
Utatane Koharu spoke first, her tone uneasy. "Hiruzen, we understand how you feel."
"But Anbu intelligence also indicates that the forces attacking the Land of Whirlpools are a motley mix, with at least two or three great nations involved."
"If we intervene recklessly, won't we bring the fighting straight to Konoha?"
Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses and chimed in. "Koharu makes a fair point."
"Shouldn't we first identify the forces involved and assess the risks before making a decision?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened. He tapped the desk. "Identify them? By the time we do, the Land of Whirlpools might not exist anymore!"
"Besides, if the Uzumaki Clan is wiped out and their Sealing Jutsu falls into the hands of another nation, that will pose an even greater threat to Konoha."
At that moment, Shimura Danzo, who had remained silent, slowly raised his head. His one eye opened, flashing with a keen light.
"Hiruzen, your thinking is far too naive." Danzo's voice was hoarse and cold.
Sarutobi Hiruzen fixed him with a sharp stare. "Danzo, what do you mean?"
Danzo spoke unhurriedly. "It was only a matter of time before someone coveted the Land of Whirlpools' Sealing Jutsu."
"And you all need to understand one thing: the Nine-Tails is still inside Lady Mito."
"The Nine-Tails can only belong to Konoha, not the Land of Whirlpools."
"Because the Uzumaki Clan is Lady Mito's family, the Land of Whirlpools must be destroyed."
Danzo leaned forward slightly, radiating confidence in his control of the situation.
"And if we don't send troops, we'll have no way to answer to Lady Mito."
"If we send them at once, we'll face the forces of several great nations, and our losses will be immense."
"But what if we wait a few days?"
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a glance. They seemed to have guessed what Danzo had in mind.
Danzo continued, "Let the Land of Whirlpools fight those greedy jackals for a few days."
"The Uzumaki Clan has deep reserves. They're bound to make the invaders pay a terrible price."
"Once both sides are badly weakened, our Konoha elite can intervene with the force of a thunderbolt."
"That way, we can 'rescue' our ally at the lowest possible cost while greatly weakening the other villages."
"By then, the surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan will inevitably depend on Konoha even more."
"And we can use the opportunity to 'safeguard' those dangerous Sealing Jutsu."
He placed particular emphasis on "rescue" and "safeguard." The meaning behind his words was plain.
This wasn't a rescue at all. They would sit back and watch the tigers fight, then swoop in to claim the spoils—and perhaps even seize the Land of Whirlpools' legacy.
"Absurd!" Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed his hand on the desk, sending ash flying.
Danzo wasn't fazed by the rebuke. Instead, he let out a cold laugh. "Hiruzen, you're too sentimental."
"As Hokage, your first concern should be the village's interests. Dragging the village into an unpredictable quagmire of war would be the height of irresponsibility!"
"With your indecisive nature, how can you lead Konoha to greatness?"
"You!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned livid with rage.
Seeing this, Utatane Koharu hurried to smooth things over. "Hiruzen, Danzo's words may be blunt, but he isn't entirely wrong."
"We need to be cautious for the sake of the village's stability."
Mitokado Homura nodded as well. "That's right, Hiruzen. Danzo's plan may not be honorable."
"But in terms of the outcome, it really would preserve Konoha's interests as much as possible and eliminate future threats."
"I believe we can accept it."
Three votes to one.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the two advisors, then at the impassive Danzo. A wave of defeat washed over him.
He remained silent for a long time. The atmosphere in the office was so oppressive it was hard to breathe.
At last, he slumped back in his chair and said hoarsely, "We'll do as Danzo says. Delay... sending troops for three days."
A glint of triumph flashed in Danzo's one eye. He immediately pressed his advantage.
"Since that's settled, I should be placed in full command of this rescue mission to ensure it goes smoothly."
"I'll draw up a list of elite shinobi and make sure we achieve the best strategic results at the lowest cost."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved a weary hand, giving his tacit approval.
Danzo bowed slightly, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile that was all but imperceptible.
He had already planned everything while sitting with his eyes closed in thought.
The list would include not only the "loyalists" he had cultivated in Root, but, more importantly, a large number of key members of the Senju Clan, quietly slipped into the ranks.
People died in war. Over the past three months, he had discovered quite a few key members of the Senju Clan.
Of course, the name of the "traitor" who had to be eliminated—Yusuke—was also prominently listed.
Use one blade to kill another, eliminate dissenters, and secure control over the Nine-Tails.
All of it would be accomplished amid the chaos of the battlefield in the Land of Whirlpools.
"Hiruzen, you really aren't fit to be Hokage. Teacher Tobirama was wrong," Danzo sneered inwardly as he turned to leave.
And so, a "rescue" operation founded on conspiracy was set in motion.
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