I, Konoha’s Sage of Life

Learning Ice Release and not using it would be a foolish move.

Kyoichi had no intention of hiding it.

So...

Recently, apart from training, he was "researching" Ice Release. He had previously researched Wood Release, so his work on nature transformation fusion already had a "record."

Now, writing notes was mainly for others to see.

With everything set up, there was no need to worry about being investigated.

Tsunade already knew that Kyoichi was researching chakra fusion. She initially wanted to advise against it, but since Kyoichi was using a shadow clone for the research while his real body focused on learning Creation Rebirth, she didn't say much.

With all the groundwork laid, when the time came, he could use it without raising suspicion.

Besides...

With Hidden Mist Jutsu as cover, even if he used Ice Release, it might not be noticed.

He had done the same thing last time against the Kirigakure ninja.

However...

What gave Kyoichi a headache was...

The Third Hokage was serious—he really intended to go to the battlefield himself.

"Tsunade, stop trying to dissuade me. Besides, with Kyoichi leading the team, I only need to keep an eye on Onoki. If worse comes to worst, I have a trump card to deal with him."

"Uh..." Stop jinxing it, old man.

Your trump card is probably the Death Demon Consuming Seal, right?

Kyoichi didn't even know how to respond.

"Kyoichi leading the team to support Jiraiya is enough. There's no need for you to go."

"We also need to keep an eye on the east, and Jiraiya and Kyoichi alone may not be enough."

The Third Hokage shook his head.

He was not only worried about the northern and northwestern fronts but also the eastern Land of Water and Danzo.

With Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado stepping down, he couldn't guarantee Danzo wouldn't make a move. Only by going to Iwagakure himself could he feel at ease.

In fact, he had already discussed these concerns with Tsunade several times.

This time, Tsunade wanted Kyoichi to help convince him.

But...

How could he?

Everything the Third Hokage said was true.

With the storyline already altered, Kyoichi couldn't guarantee that Danzo wouldn't do something desperate, so the Third Hokage's words actually made sense to him.

"Alright, alright, go then."

Tsunade waved them off.

Since she couldn't persuade him, she let him go.

After all, the administrative and village affairs had long been handed over. The difference between the Third Hokage being present or not wasn't significant.

Tsunade's concern was just that she didn't want him to return to the battlefield at his age.

Fifty-something wasn't that old, but it wasn't young either.

"Konoha is in your hands now. I believe you can do better than I did."

The Third Hokage sighed.

He genuinely believed that Tsunade could do a better job. After all, a long time ago, Tsunade had advocated for the reform of the medical ninja system, which, at the time, even he hadn't seen the value of.

Reality proved Tsunade right.

Because of her reforms, Konoha's medical skills remained the best among the Five Great Nations.

As for himself...

Ashamed, he felt he had accomplished nothing.

The Third Hokage took off his Hokage hat and cloak, revealing the flak jacket underneath, and walked out of the Hokage Building with Kyoichi.

The ninja below were stunned.

The Third Hokage was going to the battlefield himself?

What!

"Hokage-sama, this... is not allowed!"

The crowd erupted.

However...

The jōnin remained calm, clearly already informed.

"The fact that the Third Hokage is personally going to face Onoki is because Konoha has successors. Onoki, with his broken back and no reliable heir, is still risking leaving his village at his age—now that's the real tragedy."

When Kyoichi finished, the noisy crowd quieted down a bit.

It... kind of made sense?

But...

Was Iwagakure really that miserable?

The Third Hokage couldn't help but grumble internally.

Onoki was over sixty. Though his health was declining and his ailments were becoming apparent, he was still strong. Otherwise, neither he nor Danzo would be so worried.

So, living another ten years was certainly possible.

Of course...

Iwagakure having no suitable successor was true as well.

Aside from Onoki, there was currently no one else who had mastered Dust Release.

Though Dust Release wasn't the sole qualification for a Tsuchikage, without it, Iwagakure's strength would be significantly diminished—not to the level of Sunagakure or Kirigakure, but certainly less fearsome than now.

"Move out!"

Kyoichi commanded, and the group swiftly departed.

They knew Kyoichi's speed was far beyond theirs and that he would catch up quickly, while the Third Hokage walked alongside them, deep in thought—

Wasn't giving a motivational speech his job?

He hadn't said a word, and Kyoichi had taken over completely.

He glanced sideways at Kyoichi.

"Hokage-sama, shall we go too?"

"Ahem, yes, let's go."

The Third Hokage didn't overthink it.

He was just a bit emotional—after the Eastern front, Kyoichi's prestige had risen significantly.

In the past, if a teenager like him had spoken such words, no one would have believed him. They might even have thought he was arrogant.

But now...

When you're strong, everything you say is right.

On this trip, several Anbu accompanied them, including Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who personally led the team to protect the Third Hokage.

In addition to him, there were many from the Intelligence and Operations Divisions.

And this was just the Anbu.

Even more regular ninja were mobilized.

In this battle, the Third Hokage was betting everything, determined to go all out against Onoki.

"Sensei, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes. How's your progress with Lightning Release?" Kyoichi asked.

Shisui had started practicing Lightning Release recently.

Kyoichi had been keeping an eye on him, but he wasn't sure of the specific progress since he'd been training a full squad, not just Shisui.

Shisui scratched his head and said apologetically, "Sensei, I don't think I have much talent for Lightning Release. Although I've grasped the nature transformation, the effect isn't very strong."

"No problem. This blade is particularly effective against Earth Release. You take it."

Kyoichi handed him the Thunder Sword: Kiba.

Of the six swords they had previously seized, only the Samehada, Kiba, and the Executioner's Blade remained with him. The rest had been returned to Kirigakure, and the remaining three had been thoroughly sealed by Konoha.

The Kirigakure couldn't possibly summon them back.

In fact, the Thunder Sword wasn't the most suitable weapon for Shisui.

But as for that guy... who knows if he's managed to break through his stubbornness.

Aside from the Thunder Sword, Kyoichi also gave Shisui a short blade.

It was forged from parts of the Executioner's Blade, melted down and reforged. While the material wasn't top-tier, it was certainly better than Shisui's current weapon.

Asuma's situation was even better.

He received a custom-made chakra trench knife. Over the past ten days, he also learned the Active Breathing Technique, significantly improving his taijutsu.

In terms of strength, the one who improved the least was Kurenai Yuhi.

During these ten days, she focused on taijutsu and medical ninjutsu, barely touching genjutsu.

After spending so much time with Kyoichi, she gradually understood—while genjutsu was useful, it could only serve as a support. True trump cards lay in taijutsu and medical ninjutsu.

She considered herself of average talent and, aside from these three areas, had no intention of learning more ninjutsu.

Clearly...

Kurenai had absorbed Kyoichi’s "bitter truths."

Kyoichi observed while running.

Excluding himself, Asuma and the others' strength was already on par with many stronger chunin squads. All three had solid taijutsu...

After traveling for a while, Kyoichi called them over during a break.

"Sensei Kyoichi."

"I'm giving you all a choice."

Kyoichi's face turned serious. "The Iwa ninja are numerous and powerful—stronger than the Kiri ninja. The missions ahead will be very difficult. You can choose to join another sensei for the tasks."

"Sensei, what are you talking about? Difficult missions still need to be completed by someone. No matter who goes, there will be danger. We're also ninja, and we have the will to protect the village and our comrades!"

Asuma's response was brimming with youthful zeal.

But...

He truly meant every word.

"Sensei, we've learned a lot from the special training these past few days. We won't be as lost as last time."

Shisui added his agreement.

Last time on the island, they had been utterly disoriented in the mist, let alone able to coordinate with Kyoichi.

This time was different.

After ten days of training, they were now well-versed in the Hidden Mist Jutsu and Silent Killing techniques.

They were confident they could keep up.

"I said it back in the Academy: on the battlefield, no one can guarantee another's safety, especially you rookies. Even a small trap could take your lives."

Kyoichi paused, then continued, "I have only one requirement—follow orders!"

"Yes!" the three of them responded in unison.

Not far away, the resting Third Hokage showed a hint of relief and melancholy. Seeing Asuma so full of spirit and confidence, he sighed softly, "I haven’t been a good father."

"Asuma will understand one day," said the masked Anbu beside him.

"It’s not just Asuma. I haven’t been a good father to either of you. Especially that boy—Kyoichi is more of a mentor to him than I’ve ever been..."

What struck Hiruzen Sarutobi the most was—

Kanda Kyoichi wasn’t even seventeen yet.

In comparison, he truly felt like a failure.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke had nothing to say. When it came to parenting, the Third Hokage had indeed fallen short. Most of their education had come from the clan and other teachers, not from him.

But having followed the Third Hokage for so long, he understood the reason.

The Third Hokage had always been too busy.

The responsibilities of the Hokage consumed all his energy.

Of course...

He also admitted...

Over the years, the Third Hokage had only managed to prevent Konoha from declining too much. Faced with the chaotic situation, it seemed the old man had become a bit powerless.

He hoped the future would be different.

His gaze settled on Kyoichi.

Everyone knew that while the Third Hokage chose Tsunade as his successor, the real reason was no secret.

So...

Konoha’s future lay in Kanda Kyoichi.

---

They set off again.

On the way, Kyoichi saw another large group of refugees.

This time, instead of moving further into the Land of Fire, they were heading south, towards the Kikyo Pass area affected by last year’s war.

That region had no battles this year and was relatively peaceful.

However, according to the latest frontline reports, Iwagakure had not yet reached the borders of the Land of Fire. The conflict remained at the border of the Land of Grass.

The Land of Fire was still relatively safe.

But the Land of Grass...

Stuck between the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire, Onoki wouldn’t dare provoke Hanzo, but he had no qualms about bullying the Land of Grass.

However...

As Kyoichi looked at the intelligence reports, he noticed something they had overlooked.

"Hokage-sama, once we enter the Land of Grass, I’d like to take a team to investigate the area between the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain."

"The Land of Rain is neutral this time."

The Third Hokage didn’t understand why Kyoichi wanted to check there.

Kyoichi picked up a report.

It was from yesterday's briefing.

"Look here—it mentions that many villagers from the Land of Grass are relocating to avoid the war. However, our Land of Fire hasn’t received many reports of them crossing the border."