The Uchiha's Mad Fox

[Annual sign-in successful. You have obtained the crafting method for the Sage's Talisman... A new year begins!]

The crafting method for the Sage's Talisman? Wasn't that the legendary treasure of the Land of Toads, used by the Sage of Six Paths to resurrect his dying brother, Otsutsuki Hamura?

Because it was saturated with senjutsu chakra, it could easily restore vitality to those on the brink of death. Within the entire Land of Toads, Mount Myoboku—one of the three great training sanctuaries—possessed only a single one.

A thousand years had passed, and it was unclear if a second one could ever be crafted. In all likelihood, it was impossible; even if it could be made, it would never be allowed to circulate outside the Land of Toads.

"So this is natural energy, and this is Sage Mode?"

The scene within Ryuchi Cave grew increasingly clear. The thick mist floating in the air, the tobacco burning in the White Snake Sage's pipe, and every movement of the three princesses could not escape Uchiha Hanazuki's gaze.

Time ticked away, second by second. When the black-purple eyeshadow extended to the corners of his eyes, the White Snake Sage and the three princesses finally retracted their fangs. They looked at the figure—who bore no traces of snake-like transformation, save for the black-purple eyeshadow—with eyes full of shock.

"How is this possible? The White Snake Sage and the three of us poured in most of our natural energy, yet it only allowed him to barely enter a perfect Sage Mode? Just how much chakra does he have in his body?"

"Phew, so you finally entered the perfect Sage state? Little Uchiha, you who are naturally gifted for Sage Mode, you are welcome to visit Ryuchi Cave again in the future..."

Bang! Uchiha Hanazuki's figure vanished from Ryuchi Cave, leaving the three princesses looking regretful, unable to stop themselves from taking a deep breath.

"He's just leaving like this? I wanted to keep him here. This long-lost impulse and appetite... it's making my mouth water."

Ichikishimahime's eyes were seductive, her petite and cute transformation enough to incite desire in any member of the opposite sex, provided one ignored those sharp fangs and the flicking of her snake-like tongue.

"One after another, I knew it would end up like this. That little Uchiha's body, that charm bordering on monstrous, and his level of control over natural energy..."

"I haven't encountered such a unique human in over a thousand years. You lot, if you want to be in heat, get out of here. Don't let that scent linger in my residence."

The three princesses lowered their heads in submission and turned to leave, though they grumbled inwardly.

If you hadn't brought such an attractive child into Ryuchi Cave, how could you have stirred up an impulse that hasn't appeared in nearly a millennium? Honestly...

The story branches here.

Land of Fire, Konoha Village, Training Ground Three.

The white mist dissipated. Before Hanazuki could reflect on his unexpected journey, he was instantly dragged into his inner world by the Black Nine-Tails.

"Kid, how does it feel to get stronger? I didn't expect there to be energy other than chakra in this world. Natural energy, is it? It's quite similar to the senjutsu used by the Sage of Six Paths."

The Black Nine-Tails' eyes were filled with excitement. From its bristling fox fur to its robust frame, one could clearly see its inner ecstasy.

"Didn't I tell you long ago to ask if you could sense natural energy? Believe me now? Tch, stupid fox..."

"Ah! You bastard kid, do you want to fight me?"

The sharp, pointed fox claws swiped through the air, but the Hanazuki before it dissipated quietly like smoke.

"I have things to do now; I don't have time to play with you. Although I don't know what that thing inside your belly is, judging by its ability to absorb so much natural energy, it must be a remarkable secret."

"Once the major battles of the Third Shinobi World War have settled down, I hope to hear the truth, Kurama..."

The voice lingered, and the Black Nine-Tails' lazy expression slowly faded, eventually turning into one of gravity and hesitation.

"Little Uchiha, after obtaining this so-called Sage Mode, have those eyes of yours that were gradually losing their light found some relief?"

"You're becoming more and more troublesome. Survive the battlefield first. Although I'll likely die if you do, it won't be so easy to convince this lord. Hahahaha!"

In Training Ground Three, Hanazuki glanced at the Black Nine-Tails, which was currently in a state of Uchiha-style maniacal laughter. His mouth twitched; he was the Uchiha, so why was the Black Nine-Tails better at having a mental breakdown than he was?

"Forget it. I didn't expect to spend over twenty days in Ryuchi Cave. I almost missed the New Year over there..."

Walking aimlessly through the streets, the noise and bustle, the playfulness of young men and women, left Hanazuki slightly dazed. He almost forgot that they were still in a time of war.

The scent of meat in the air and the smell of fireworks and firecrackers left him feeling a sense of melancholy.

Meanwhile, in the Land of Grass, a small country on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth.

The local Kusa Village ninjas could only tremble as they watched over a thousand Iwa Ninja cross the border toward the Land of Fire, forced to swallow their humiliation.

"Damn it, are we just going to watch these Iwa bastards act so wantonly in the Land of Grass?"

A Kusa ninja lurking in the shadows gritted his teeth, his face full of humiliation.

"What can we do? The Land of Earth is one of the Five Great Nations. We are just a small country surviving in the cracks; we are powerless."

"It is better to preserve the strength of Kusa Village. We cannot let precious ninjas die in such a meaningless place. Civilians and the like should be abandoned if necessary."

"You know how much it costs to train a single ninja compared to those peasants with no combat ability."

The leading jonin of Kusa Village scolded them sternly. He looked at the backs of the thousand Iwa Ninja with a mix of envy and jealousy, but mostly hatred and resentment.

"Fight! Fight! Die on the battlefield, all of you! Every great war makes the people of our small countries suffer worse than death. One day, you will face the retribution of the gods!"

At the same time, as the thousand Iwa Ninja breached the border of the Land of Grass, the Konoha Anbu lurking on the frontier, responsible for intelligence, immediately rushed back to Konoha to deliver the urgent military report to the Third Hokage and his advisors.

In the Hokage's office, the Konoha F4 were gathered together, their expressions uniformly grim.

"That Onoki of the Two Scales—sending ten thousand ninjas to surround the Third Raikage and taking the opportunity to strike at the Land of Wind wasn't enough? Now he's coming for the Land of Fire?"

Danzo lowered his eyelids. With Konoha's current numbers, it was truly difficult to support a war against other major powers simultaneously. Small-scale skirmishes were already enough to be a headache, let alone a thousand Iwa Ninja.

"At this point, whether or not to start a war is no longer something Konoha can decide alone. Since Onoki has chosen to strike, Konoha cannot simply sit back and be slaughtered."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze was cold and sharp. The killing intent and resolve hidden within it made Danzo grow wary; it seemed his old friend and rival had not forgotten the ruthlessness of the battlefield.

"Summon the Konoha ninjas. Everyone, prepare for battle. Also, send for Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Hanazuki..."