Kakashi: Yecheng is a good guy!

Kiru immediately sucked in a cold breath at the sight.

What ninjutsu was this?

No, I can still recognize a Chakra Scalpel!

But this miraculous technique, pinpointing the affected area as precisely as if he could see through the body, completing the operation as effortlessly as an egret skimming the water...

How the hell am I supposed to learn that?!

He looked at Tsunade with a complicated expression, a greedy thought suddenly springing to mind: Why don't I just become her student too?!

He had thought Shizune's medical ninjutsu as the operating surgeon was already beyond his reach, but where had an expert like Yecheng come from?!

They're both Tsunade's students, and their medical skills all came from Tsunade. If I became her student too, could my medical ninjutsu reach their level?!

At the very least, I could improve on where I am now!

No, I can't!

Kiru, you're a ninja of Kumogakure. You absolutely cannot betray Lord Raikage!

Even the Raikage was dumbfounded now.

You made it sound so serious earlier, and that was it?

He looked at the tiny wound on his chest. It was barely any different from an insect bite.

Under Yecheng's Mystical Palm Technique, it was almost completely healed already!

Even a dark-skinned jock whose muscles had invaded his brain could understand that accomplishing this was nowhere near as simple as it looked!

Hadn't Kiru's face gone pale?!

Mabui was deeply shaken.

Judging by everything Yecheng had demonstrated today, he was undoubtedly a genius through and through!

She was practically going mad with jealousy. Fucking Konoha, its geniuses were like chives-cut down one crop, and another sprang up!

Luckily, Konoha still had someone like Danzo, the darkness of the Shinobi World. Otherwise, who could possibly contend with the Land of Fire?

Right, Danzo!

Thinking of Danzo's existence, Mabui gradually calmed down.

Konoha was a strange place. Every so often, a genius would vanish without a trace.

Shizune's gaze remained calm, without a hint of surprise.

Heh.

It's just a surgical operation. Give me half an hour, and I could do it too.

As for Yecheng finishing it in a single instant...

Ah, let's not go there.

Shizune had long since prepared herself for Yecheng's talent.

If he had needed to huff and puff away at it for ages, that would have been big news!

Someone like me should just serve as Lady Tsunade's personal attendant.

Truly inheriting Lady Tsunade's legacy will have to depend on a genius like Yecheng!

Beside her, Tsunade stared at Yecheng in a daze.

This time, however, it was not because of the blood on the Raikage's chest.

She had done her best to overestimate Yecheng, yet her estimates still fell short of what he could accomplish.

Every time. It was like this every time.

Just how far did this brat's potential reach?

Tsunade did not know. She only knew that she had truly found a successor who could inherit everything she had!

I'll teach him the Yin Seal later.

"Tsunade, I apologize for my earlier rudeness. I was shortsighted and failed to recognize your student's abilities."

The sun must have risen in the west. That Raikage had actually taken the initiative to apologize to someone!

The Kumogakure ninja all looked at the Raikage in shock.

"Mm."

Tsunade was delighted, giving a thoroughly haughty little hum.

The Raikage revealed his true aim. "Your student is outstanding. Let him return to Kumogakure with us! Rest assured, I will respect him and afford him the same courtesy and treatment as a Hokage!"

"What?!"

Tsunade bristled the moment she heard this. "Are you kidding me? Absolutely not! Go home!"

Everyone froze at those words, unable to understand what the Raikage meant by suddenly saying this.

Yecheng narrowed his eyes slightly, considering just what the Raikage was playing at.

"Then that really is a shame."

The Raikage shook his head and turned to leave. "Let's go."

Watching them leave, Yecheng felt uneasy. That final move of the Raikage's was truly baffling.

Although the Raikage had consistently acted reckless and brainless, in Yecheng's view, someone who was all brawn and no brains could not command everyone's respect as the leader of a village.

There might be some scheme behind this.

The group returned to the Hokage Office to discuss payment for the deal.

The Third Shinobi World War had only ended recently, and this was now a time of peace. In a meeting and transaction between leaders of powers at this level, reneging was out of the question.

Ultimately, the Raikage's side proposed an additional condition: Konoha was to send people to help them eliminate the Xuanyuan Group.

As for the payment, fifty million ryo and several ninjutsu were handed over on the spot, while the various secret techniques and Hizashi Hyuga's body would arrive in Konoha three days later.

Only then was the deal formally concluded.

After the meeting, Yecheng stopped Kakashi just as he stepped outside.

"Uncle Kakashi, congratulations on becoming the captain leading the expedition against the Xuanyuan Group."

"You know me?"

Looking at the boy whose hair color resembled his own, Kakashi asked curiously.

"You could say there isn't anyone in the entire Shinobi World who hasn't heard the name of Kakashi the Copy Ninja."

Yecheng smiled slightly. "Besides, I grew up hearing stories about you."

That really was no exaggeration.

Ever since graduating early, Kakashi had been active on the battlefields of the Third Shinobi World War. After obtaining the Sharingan, his fame had soared even higher, making him a veritable celebrity in the Shinobi World.

In reputation alone, he fell only slightly short of the Yellow Flash.

Of course, the Yellow Flash's reputation was far more terrifying.

"Then, what does Lady Tsunade's prized student want with me?"

Kakashi's voice barely fluctuated. He looked as though he had given up and was waiting to die.

"When you deal with the Xuanyuan Group, please capture as many Explosive Insects as you can."

Yecheng smiled and handed him several cloth pouches.

Yecheng had just made these Insect Pouches using Juzo Kumiya's Craftsmanship, combined with his own understanding of ninja tools and insects, specifically to hold Explosive Insects.

With the Six Eyes, even his handiwork was exceptionally deft!

"It's not just that my teacher needs them for research. I think the Aburame Clan would like them too."

Kakashi's movements paused slightly. "Understood."

"Then I'll leave it to you."

Kakashi watched Yecheng leave.

What did he mean by this?

Was he trying to give me credit for something, or make the Aburame Clan owe me a favor?

But what would he gain from it?

Kakashi could not figure it out and could not be bothered to think further.

Whatever. Forget it.

Just complete the mission.

The Raikage's group arrived at the quarters reserved for ninja from other villages.

Having held it in for a long time, Kiru finally asked, "Lord Raikage, even if Kumogakure is desperately short of medical ninja, you didn't have to do that!"

In his view, even if they wanted to poach someone, they could approach him privately afterward.

What was the point of doing it right in front of his teacher?!

"Shut up."

Mabui glanced at him, then at the Raikage. Only after confirming that no ninja were secretly listening outside did she explain.

"As long as Lord Raikage shows that Yecheng goodwill, it can sow discord. Can't you see something that simple?"

"But!" Kiru protested.

In his view, for the Raikage, Kumogakure's supreme leader, to do something like that outright was still far too embarrassing and beneath his dignity.

The Raikage waved a hand and said indifferently, "It's nothing worth worrying about. The better the treatment we offer Yecheng, the more it will stir certain people's jealousy.

"Ever since the Yellow Flash died, Konoha has never been united from top to bottom. The simpler the scheme, the more often it produces unexpected results."

Especially with that darkness of the Shinobi World still holding power in Konoha.

The Raikage did not say this aloud, but he still could not help revealing a look of disdain.

In his view, a ninja village was one big family. Only by being united and directing their strength toward a single goal could they truly dominate the Shinobi World and conquer all!

Konoha might look powerful now, with its various mighty ninjutsu, secret techniques, and Kekkei Genkai, with the Nine-Tails and all sorts of renowned experts, but what was it really?

A heap of loose sand!

Conquering Konoha was his goal. He had failed last time, but he would not fail the next!

The Raikage's gaze deepened. From that perspective, he really did have to thank that darkness of the Shinobi World.

At the thought, the Raikage could not help letting out a derisive laugh.

The next day.

The force sent to eliminate the Xuanyuan Group returned without a single casualty.

This was only to be expected. The only thing noteworthy about the Xuanyuan Group was its Explosive Insects. With precautions in place, the elite force composed of Konoha's ANBU and the Raikage's group had found wiping out such a small band effortless-a sure thing.

Once Karai had recovered, the people from Kumogakure took their leave. The agreed-upon items would also be delivered in two days.

Konoha seemed to have returned to peace and harmony.

Only a very few understood the undercurrents beneath Konoha's tranquility.

Kakashi arrived near the Aburame Clan's compound.

"Oh, it's you, Kakashi. What brings you to my home?"

Kakashi was still hesitating over whether to knock when a voice suddenly came from behind him.

He jolted and turned to look at the newcomer.

"Shibi..."

Kakashi let out a breath of relief. "Say something first if you're there."

"That's why I spoke."

Shibi Aburame stepped forward and pushed the door open. "Won't you come in and sit down?"

"Then pardon the intrusion."

Kakashi nodded.

In earlier years, Shibi Aburame had often teamed up with his teacher, Minato Namikaze, on missions. The two of them were on decent terms and could be considered familiar with each other.

"Shino, bring tea."

"Yes."

Kakashi jolted again. There was someone else beside us?

"..."

"..."

The two sat facing each other, but neither spoke.

Shibi Aburame could be called the pinnacle of the Aburame Clan's taciturn nature. Apparently, hoping he would speak first was a fantasy.

Kakashi took an Insect Pouch from his bag, set it on the table, and pushed it toward Shibi Aburame.

"What's this?"

Shibi Aburame picked up the Insect Pouch and examined it. From his knowledge of insects and the reactions of the Kikaichū on his body, he could be certain that the insects inside this pouch were exceptionally rare.

He was slightly surprised. Ever since Minato Namikaze had died on the Night of the Nine-Tails, Kakashi had not had any dealings with him.

Let alone brought him a gift!

Rather than saying they had lost touch, it would be more accurate to say that Kakashi himself had seemed somewhat dead inside.

Yet now, he had come calling on his own and even brought insects as a gift?

What had happened?

Kakashi gave a rough account of the Raikage's earlier request for treatment and the expedition against the Xuanyuan Group.

"...These are the larvae of those Explosive Insects. Yecheng said your Aburame Clan would probably need them."

Kakashi did not take all the credit for himself, choosing instead to name the person behind it.

"Yecheng?"

Shibi Aburame paused slightly in his examination of the insects. "Shino, I remember you're his classmate. Tell me what you think of him."

"Yecheng... He's very strong, and he cares about his companions. He gets along well with all our classmates, often plays with Naruto, and talks Sasuke through things when he's feeling down..."

Shino Aburame's voice came from the side.

You're still here?!

Kakashi was getting a little frantic.

After a moment of inattention, he had thought Shino Aburame had already left!

He even wanted to lift his Forehead Protector and take a proper look at this father and son with his Sharingan!

"...That's all."

"I understand."

Shibi Aburame nodded.

In short, Tsunade's prized pupil liked making friends far and wide and catering to their interests. This time, too, he had sent someone to deliver Explosive Insects that were quite useful to the Aburame Clan.

Understood.

Shibi Aburame understood everything now.

Lady Tsunade, just say the word, and our Aburame Clan will immediately support you as the new Lord Hokage!

However, the other side seemed to still be gathering momentum, so there was no hurry for now.

"Thank you, Kakashi. These insects are very important to us."

Shibi Aburame accepted the Insect Pouch. "Let's have a meal together, my treat. How about the Akimichi Clan's barbecue restaurant?"

Given the nature of the Aburame Clan's secret techniques, Kakashi had wanted to refuse. After all, no one wanted to find a few insects in their food...

But when he heard that they were going to a barbecue restaurant, he agreed.

The Aburame Clan were taciturn and rarely socialized, much less took the initiative to treat someone to a meal.

Kakashi silently marveled at how Yecheng had indeed given him a share of the credit by having him deliver the Explosive Insects.

With this favor in hand, if he asked them for help in the future, they presumably would not refuse, so long as it was nothing too difficult.

Yecheng, you really have done me a huge favor.

As he walked down the road, Yecheng's earlier smile surfaced in his mind. Kakashi sighed, his mood slowly relaxing.

This guy is a good person.

[Successfully befriended Kakashi Hatake. Favorability increased. Fate points +17]

[Current fate points: 27]

[Current lifespan: 17]

Seeing the notification suddenly appear on the panel, Yecheng knew things had probably worked out on Kakashi's end.

With that, the Aburame Clan could be considered part of their Tsunade Team.

With Hizashi Hyuga's remains soon to be delivered, the Hyuga Clan would soon be drawn into the team as well. That made two ninja clans.

The [Make Tsunade Hokage] plan had made considerable progress and was proceeding in full swing.

After thinking for a day and working backward from the ultimate objective, Yecheng more or less understood the Raikage's earlier actions.

As long as he considered it from the broader perspective of attacking Konoha, the Raikage's move became clear. It could be called an open stratagem.

He had specifically identified the hostility that the Conservative Faction, represented by the Third Hokage and Danzo, held toward Tsunade and Yecheng, and wanted to use that attitude to undermine Konoha's internal unity.

After all, ever since the Fourth Hokage's death, Konoha had never been particularly stable.

The struggle for power and the distribution of interests between the old guard represented by the Third Hokage and the Young Faction left behind by the Fourth Hokage had always been major problems for Konoha!

Today, I asked a big-shot author in the group.

"Can you really not post more updates during the new-book period?"

"Post first. If there isn't enough when it goes premium, add more then."

"But I'm afraid readers will leave it to build up chapters until the book dies. Aren't you afraid of that?"

"I am, but I'm more afraid of using up all the satisfying moments in advance and making the book die even faster."

"You're so steady!"

"Only by establishing rules can a book go the distance."

"I feel reassured writing books alongside you."

"Better to update a little less than break the rules."

"Readers won't get heartburn from consuming it, either."

"What time you update and how much you post should all follow the rules. You can't go wrong."

Dear readers, my book won't give you heartburn!

P.S. The image was stolen from a big-shot author I respect the most!