Spirit Transformation Technique, Kumogakure Declares War

The morning sun filtered through the window, spilling over the brand-new uniform.

Uchiha Ryūha stood before the mirror, meticulously adjusting his dark green Special Jonin tactical vest.

On the left chest of the vest, beneath the Konoha emblem, was an embroidered silver ripple representing his rank as a Special Jonin—delivered personally by the Anbu under the direct command of the Hokage just yesterday evening.

Independent squad command authority, S-rank ninjutsu access, the right to report directly to the Hokage...

He recited the clauses of his appointment letter in a low voice, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

It's fortunate that people in the world of Hokage generally mature early; otherwise, no matter how much merit I earned, it would be useless at my age.

Looking at his reflection, noting a height approaching 1.8 meters, Uchiha Ryūha sighed inwardly.

Konoha Training Ground, Training Area Seven.

"Congratulations, Ryūha-kun!"

Matsumoto Ryūichi bowed deeply, his waist bent until it was nearly parallel to the ground.

Behind him, Haruno Kazuya and Fujiwara Itsuki hurriedly followed suit.

Both of their faces displayed a mix of awe and irrepressible excitement.

"Rise."

Ryūha's voice was calm.

He looked at the Jonin teacher who had once treated him with indifference, now standing before him with such reverence, yet he felt no ripple of emotion.

The weak are prey to the strong; it is only natural.

"This is what the Hokage asked me to deliver to you." Matsumoto Ryūichi took an ancient-looking scroll from his robes and presented it with both hands.

"An S-rank ninjutsu scroll. You may choose one."

Ryūha took the scroll, untied the cord, and slowly unfurled it.

Flying Thunder God: BasicsRasengan Development NotesMutually Multiplying Explosive TagsFour Symbols Seal AnalysisWood Release: Wood Clone (Fragment)...

Names familiar from the original series were listed one after another.

Uchiha Ryūha's gaze lingered on "Flying Thunder God" and "Rasengan" for a moment, but ultimately settled on the final entry.

"I choose this one."

"Spirit Transformation Technique?" Matsumoto Ryūichi was slightly taken aback.

"Ryūha-kun, although this technique is rated S, it is a forbidden jutsu. It causes immense strain on the caster's soul. In history, no more than five people have successfully mastered it and used it safely, and besides..."

"I know."

Ryūha cut him off.

The Complete Hypnosis of Kyōka Suigetsu was, in essence, an interference at the level of spirit and soul.

If he could combine it with the characteristics of the Spirit Transformation Technique—"soul projection, sensing all things, and possession control"—he might be able to develop even more terrifying applications.

More importantly, he possessed Reiatsu.

The essence of a Shinigami was the high condensation of soul power; the side effects of practicing the Spirit Transformation Technique might, for him, be a form of training.

Perhaps it could even increase his Reiatsu?

Although his current Reiatsu growth relied entirely on system card draws and mission rewards, being able to increase it through independent practice would be a welcome addition.

"Understood." Matsumoto Ryūichi said no more.

"Regarding the squad reorganization." Ryūha put away the scroll and swept his gaze over the three men.

"Based on my Special Jonin authority, I am officially forming the 'Fourth Special Operations Squad'. I am the captain. Matsumoto-Jonin, are you willing to serve as vice-captain and tactical advisor?"

Matsumoto Ryūichi's body trembled, a look of disbelief flashing in his eyes.

In an independent squad led by a Special Jonin, the vice-captain was usually a Chunin; that was the convention. Given the weight Ryūha now held in the eyes of the higher-ups, he was fully qualified to choose a Chunin with a formidable background—for instance, a direct descendant of a major clan.

"I am willing!" Matsumoto Ryūichi hesitated for almost no time at all. "It is my honor to follow you, Ryūha-kun!"

"I will convince the Hokage."

He had never liked leading squads to begin with, and given the strength Uchiha Ryūha had displayed during the Chunin Exams, the boy was already above him. The only reason he was merely a Special Jonin was his age, which had necessitated an exceptional promotion.

"Kazuya, Itsuki, what about you two?"

"We're obviously sticking with Big Brother Ryūha!" Haruno Kazuya shouted, and Fujiwara Itsuki nodded vigorously.

"Very well." Uchiha Ryūha nodded. "The roster remains unchanged. Your duties are..."

"Lord Ryūha."

An Anbu wearing a mask flickered into existence at the edge of the field, his voice flat and devoid of emotion: "The Hokage requests your presence. Please, follow me. Also..."

The Anbu paused for a moment. "Shimura Danzō is also there."

Matsumoto Ryūichi's expression shifted slightly.

Uchiha Ryūha, however, merely smiled: "Lead the way."

Hokage Office.

The atmosphere was heavy.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat in the main seat, wreathed in smoke.

To his left, the two advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, had their brows tightly furrowed.

To his right, Shimura Danzō leaned on his cane, his single eye cold and sinister.

Hatake Sakumo stood by the window, his back to the others, his white Hokage-style haori standing out sharply in the sunlight.

It was a gift recently sent by the villagers, symbolizing his status as the "Hero Beneath the Shadow."

Though he lacked the title of Hokage, his reputation was already rivaling the incumbent.

"Everyone is here."

Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped his pipe and looked at Uchiha Ryūha: "Ryūha, Kumogakure officially declared war on Konoha yesterday.

The reason given is that Konoha is harboring criminals and dispatched an unidentified Kage-level powerhouse to attack the Third Raikage, thereby violating diplomatic relations between the two nations."

"Utterly shameless!" Utatane Koharu exclaimed in anger.

"Whether it is shameless or not is irrelevant." Shimura Danzō spoke slowly, his single eye fixed on Uchiha Ryūha.

"What matters is that the Third Raikage personally infiltrated Konoha, failed in his attempt to abduct the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and was allegedly wounded.

Kumogakure will undoubtedly wash away this humiliation with blood.

War is now inevitable."

He paused, his voice growing colder: "And as the fuse for all of this, Uchiha Ryūha, shouldn't you have something to say?"

Everyone's gaze converged on Uchiha Ryūha.

The youth's expression remained calm, even carrying a hint of a polite smile: "What would Shimura Danzō like me to say? That I shouldn't have defeated the Kumogakure envoy during the exams?

Or that when that Raikage attacked the village, I shouldn't have had a master passing by who stepped in to help?"

"A master?" Mitokado Homura frowned. "That berserker who calls himself 'Zaraki Kenpachi'—is he truly your master?"

"Of course." Uchiha Ryūha spread his hands. "After all, Master saved the lives of Minato and Kushina, didn't he?"

"As for where he came from, why he appeared, or why he vanished... how could a lowly Special Jonin like me possibly know the whereabouts of a Kage-level powerhouse?"

The statement was airtight, shifting the responsibility away entirely.

A cold glint flashed in Shimura Danzō's eyes: "Even so, it is a fact that you act ostentatiously and have made countless enemies.

If you hadn't repeatedly displayed power beyond reason during the exams, why would Kumogakure be so wary, even going so far as to have the Third Raikage personally test you?"

"So," Uchiha Ryūha's smile remained unchanged, but his voice echoed clearly throughout the office.

"Is Shimura Danzō suggesting that Konoha's ninjas should hide their strength during external exams to let the enemy underestimate us?

Or that when facing an attack from another nation's Kage-level powerhouse, we should simply surrender to avoid 'provoking' them?"

He tilted his head slightly, his tone filled with innocent confusion:

"Shimura Danzō, are you teaching us that when facing invaders, we should kneel and beg for peace?"

"You—!" Shimura Danzō slammed his cane down heavily.

Seeing this, a flash of sharp malice crossed Uchiha Ryūha's eyes; this old man had lived long enough.

It would be quite reasonable for him to die mysteriously during the war.

"Enough."

Hatake Sakumo turned around.

He released no killing intent, yet merely standing there, he felt like a drawn blade.

He sliced through the heavy air of the room.

"What did Uchiha Ryūha do wrong?" Hatake Sakumo's voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable power.

"Bring glory to Konoha during the exams? Step in to save his teammates when they were in danger?

Stand his ground when a Kage-level powerhouse attacked the Jinchuriki? Or perhaps..."

He looked at Shimura Danzō, his gaze like a knife: "Show mercy and refrain from killing them on the spot when Root ninjas attempted to 'test' him?"