"What?!"
A collective gasp swept through the conference room.
Sunagakure and Kumogakure were two entirely different threats.
The Land of Wind was a barren country plagued by endless sandstorms and scarce resources. Although Sunagakure followed an elite-training system, the average Sand shinobi was generally considered weaker than a Konoha shinobi of the same rank.
That was why, despite the intense fighting on the southwestern front over the past six months, Konoha had deployed less than one-third of its standing forces.
After winning two major battles, Konoha had even begun rotating inexperienced Chunin through the front lines, using the conflict to sharpen them through genuine combat.
Sunagakure had also been among the first villages to withdraw from both previous Shinobi World Wars. Whenever Konoha tightened its grip, the Sand quickly sought peace. Yet the moment the pressure eased, it would begin provoking another conflict.
Kumogakure was another matter entirely.
Among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, the Cloud was the only one capable of matching Konoha in high-level combat power.
It possessed the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, several powerful bloodline abilities, and generations of shinobi trained in aggressive, close-range warfare. More importantly, Kumogakure had been the first village to turn its Tailed Beasts into stable weapons.
Although no conclusive evidence had ever been made public, many signs suggested that Kumogakure and Kirigakure had participated in Uzushiogakure's destruction.
The Cloud had benefited enormously from the Uzumaki clan's downfall. The knowledge and resources it seized had likely contributed to its ability to produce controllable Jinchuriki.
In that field, Kumogakure had even surpassed Konoha.
If Konoha and the Cloud entered a full-scale war, most experienced commanders estimated Konoha's chances of victory at around sixty percent.
But if Sunagakure attacked at the same time, the balance would change dramatically.
Two villages against one.
Two fronts draining the same pool of troops, supplies, and elite shinobi.
The pressure would be unimaginable.
"Wait!"
A Jonin stood abruptly.
"What is Iwagakure doing? They share a long border with the Land of Wind. Can't we convince the Stone to restrain Sunagakure?"
Hiruzen exchanged a grave look with Koharu and Homura.
"We have already contacted Iwagakure," he answered. "Based on the intelligence available to us, however, the Stone intends to remain neutral."
The room became quieter.
"Many of the Sand units currently moving toward the Land of Fire were withdrawn from the border between the Lands of Wind and Earth."
That revelation caused another wave of anger.
The border between the Lands of Wind and Earth was far longer than the one between the Lands of Wind and Fire. Sunagakure and Iwagakure normally stationed significant forces there to guard against each other.
If the Sand felt safe enough to withdraw elite troops from that region, only one explanation made sense.
Sunagakure had reached an understanding with Iwagakure.
"Ōnoki can't be trusted!"
A scarred Jonin slammed his palm against the table.
"Only a few days ago, he attended Konoha's Chunin Exams and spoke about improving relations between our villages. Now he's helping the Sand attack us from behind!"
"He's waiting for us to weaken," another Jonin said. "If we suffer heavy losses against the Sand and Cloud, Iwagakure will enter the war and take whatever it can."
"Then we should create trouble behind Kumogakure. Convince Kirigakure to attack the Land of Lightning."
"We should involve Takigakure too. The First Hokage treated them generously. They can't remain neutral while Konoha is surrounded."
"What about the smaller villages in the Land of Hot Water?"
"They'll surrender the moment Kumogakure crosses their border!"
Arguments erupted throughout the room.
Some advocated launching a preemptive strike before the Sand–Cloud alliance finished mobilizing. Others suggested negotiations, espionage, or drawing Iwagakure into the conflict through concessions.
A records officer hurriedly wrote down the proposals.
Many of the suggestions were merely emotional outbursts. Even among Jonin, not everyone possessed the strategic judgment necessary to plan a multi-front war.
The opinions offered by the Nara and Yamanaka representatives were considerably more practical, focusing on logistics, intelligence networks, and the routes the enemy would most likely use.
Still, Hiruzen allowed the discussion to continue.
It gave him an opportunity to measure the mood of Konoha's elite forces—to see who favored war, who desired peace, and who might resist the decisions that had already been made.
After several minutes, he coughed once.
The room gradually fell silent.
"I understand your positions."
Hiruzen's voice was steady, but its weight pressed down upon everyone present.
"Based on our current intelligence, the alliance between Sunagakure and Kumogakure is almost certain. Both villages are expected to begin large-scale operations within one or two weeks."
He paused.
"Konoha must prepare for war on two fronts."
Even the most battle-hardened Jonin wore grim expressions.
Konoha was powerful, but it couldn't casually fight several Great Shinobi Villages at once. Dividing its military strength meant weakening every battlefield, and weaker defensive lines meant more casualties.
However, this was not a war Konoha had chosen.
Foreign armies were preparing to invade the Land of Fire. If Konoha showed weakness now, every surrounding nation would attempt to tear away a piece of its territory.
"Therefore, as the Third Hokage, I ask every one of you to stand together and defend our home."
Hiruzen surveyed the room.
"If there are no further objections, I will issue the first series of deployment orders."
The gathered Jonin exchanged looks.
Then one stood.
"Hokage-sama, give the order. We will not allow foreign enemies to trample Konoha!"
Another rose beside him.
"We will drive them out of the Land of Fire!"
One after another, the Jonin voiced their agreement.
Some were motivated by loyalty. Others saw war as an opportunity to gain achievements, resources, and influence for themselves or their clans.
Whatever their reasons, they reached the same conclusion.
Konoha would fight.
Hiruzen inhaled deeply.
"Minato!"
Minato Namikaze immediately stood.
"Present!"
"Depart as soon as possible. Take Shikuro and E with you to investigate Kumogakure's plans along the northern border."
Hiruzen's expression sharpened.
"If the opportunity arises, you are authorized to strike first and disrupt their preparations. The Anbu and Intelligence Division will provide full support and maintain communication with your unit."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Minato accepted without hesitation.
"Kusan, Torifu, Shihi!"
Three veteran Jonin stood.
"Lead reinforcements to the northeastern border immediately. Strengthen the defensive line and prepare for a possible Cloud invasion."
"Yes!"
"Hiashi."
Hiashi Hyuga rose from his seat.
"Select a contingent from the Hyuga clan and travel to the western front. Support Jiraiya and assist with reconnaissance. Additional units will follow once mobilization is complete."
"Understood."
One name after another echoed through the room.
The shinobi being assigned field commands were primarily clan heads, prospective successors, and experienced commanders trusted to lead large units independently.
Fugaku Uchiha remained silent.
He wanted to volunteer.
Ever since Tobirama Senju established the Konoha Military Police Force, most members of the Uchiha clan had been confined to maintaining order inside the village. Even during the Second Shinobi World War, when the Five Great Nations had fought viciously across multiple battlefields, the majority of the Uchiha remained in Konoha.
Ordinary clan members didn't necessarily object.
The more battle-hungry Uchiha felt differently.
Fugaku himself had never been content to remain behind the village walls. His strength currently ranked among the highest in the clan. Shisui was still growing, while Itachi had only recently learned to walk.
If Fugaku entered the battlefield and pushed himself through repeated life-and-death struggles, he might advance his Sharingan even further.
Perhaps he could even awaken the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan.
Yet after considering the political implications, Fugaku remained seated.
The Uchiha had not been asked to deploy.
Volunteering too eagerly might be interpreted as an attempt to escape the Military Police Force's responsibilities—or to gain control over Konoha's troops.
Ren also remained silent.
He had only been invited as an observer. He possessed neither the authority nor the desire to interfere in strategic decisions made by Konoha's leadership.
No one had assigned him a battlefield mission.
If that meant he could remain inside the village and train, he certainly wasn't going to volunteer for additional work.
"All remaining departments will follow the prearranged defense plan and enter maximum readiness," Hiruzen announced.
"The Medical Division, Logistics Department, Barrier Team, and the Military Police Force under Fugaku will mobilize immediately. Konoha will enter level-one martial law and prepare for any possible attack or infiltration."
Fugaku's expression tightened slightly, but he stood and accepted the order.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen looked around the room one final time.
"The survival of Konoha and the peace of the Land of Fire now rest upon your shoulders."
Every Jonin rose.
"We will do everything in our power!"
Their voices reverberated through the conference room.
The war had not officially begun, but everyone could already smell blood in the air.
Once the assembly ended, the Jonin departed in hurried groups. Some needed to gather their teams, while others had to notify their clans or organize supplies.
Ren didn't rush away.
Minato remained behind as well. After exchanging a few words with one of the Nara strategists, he approached Ren.
"You heard my orders."
"Yes."
"The Sand and Cloud moved sooner than we anticipated. My responsibilities are going to increase considerably."
Minato rested one hand on Ren's shoulder.
"While I'm away, I want you to look after Obito and Rin."
Ren stared at him.
"Me?"
Shouldn't that responsibility fall to Kakashi?
Minato seemed to understand his confusion.
"Kakashi is still a Chunin. Your rank is now higher than his."
"That's only a technicality."
"It isn't only about rank."
Minato lowered his voice.
"Kakashi is exceptionally capable, but he's also too independent. He trusts his own judgment so completely that he sometimes refuses to consider other people's circumstances."
Ren couldn't deny that.
"Among the four of you, I currently have the greatest confidence in you," Minato continued. "Until I return—or until the team receives new deployment orders—you will temporarily assume leadership of Team Minato."
Ren hesitated.
He had already predicted that his promotion would bring more responsibilities. Still, being asked to manage Obito, Rin, and possibly Kakashi sounded troublesome.
Yet Minato was about to undertake a dangerous reconnaissance mission against Kumogakure's forces.
Refusing him now would be unreasonable.
"All right. I'll watch over them."
"Thank you."
Minato's smile returned.
He reached inside his jacket and removed a sealed scroll.
"This is the Water Severing Wave scroll you requested from Lord Third."
Ren's eyes brightened.
"I originally planned to study it with you, but I probably won't have time before leaving. Take it home and examine it. Return it once you're finished."
Ren accepted the scroll carefully.
Minato continued, "I also haven't forgotten my promise concerning the Flying Thunder God Technique. I'll organize the basic theory and my personal notes over the next few days."
"Really?"
"Yes. Begin by studying the construction of jutsu formulas and the principles behind spatial coordinates. When we meet again, I'll personally teach you how to apply them."
Ren's response was immediate.
"Thank you, Minato-sensei!"
Water Severing Wave and Flying Thunder God were the only S-rank techniques he had encountered so far. The latter was also one of Konoha's most heavily guarded forbidden techniques.
Giving him access to such material represented extraordinary trust.
Even Kakashi probably hadn't received anything comparable yet.
Ren's favorability with the Summoning Technique wasn't high enough to let him learn Flying Thunder God through a related gift, but studying the theory in advance could only benefit him.
"I need to prepare for departure."
Minato gave his shoulder a final pat.
"Take care of the others."
"I will."
Minato turned and joined the departing Jonin.
That night, the lamp in Ren's room remained lit long after the rest of the house had gone quiet.
The Water Severing Wave scroll lay open across his desk.
Ren carefully copied every section.
Writing it by hand was slower, but the process forced him to examine the formula, Chakra routes, and casting method rather than merely skimming them.
Unfortunately, Water Severing Wave was far more complicated than he expected.
Tobirama Senju was renowned for developing techniques that could be executed at astonishing speed. The standard Water Dragon Bullet required forty-four hand seals, while Tobirama had reconstructed it so thoroughly that he could perform it with only four.
But shortening a casting sequence didn't make the technique simpler.
It made the internal Chakra manipulation vastly more complex.
If an ordinary Water Release technique was basic arithmetic, Tobirama's techniques were advanced calculus. They produced faster results, but only because the user performed dozens of hidden operations beneath the surface.
How many shinobi could master calculus before turning fourteen?
Fortunately, Ren had already learned Tobirama's version of the Water Dragon Bullet and used it repeatedly. He possessed some familiarity with the Second Hokage's approach.
Even then, the dense formula symbols and intricate Chakra-circulation diagrams left him staring at the scroll for long periods.
He summoned Wild Water Wave's interface and asked for guidance.
[Water Dragon Bullet—Tobirama Version: Isn't this obvious? The formula on this page can be easily derived from the previous one.]
Ren's mouth twitched.
"Which part of this is easy?"
The response reminded him of textbooks from his previous life that casually skipped half the solution with phrases such as clearly proven or obtained in the same manner.
If every process Tobirama had omitted were restored, the scroll would probably be twice as thick.
The room remained silent except for the scratching of Ren's pen.
Hours passed.
By late night, his copy was finally complete.
Ren leaned back and released a long breath. His version contained several thousand more words than the original because he had expanded Tobirama's missing steps and written down his own explanations.
He reviewed everything from beginning to end.
Then he placed one hand on the copied scroll and focused on the Gala System.
[Gift: Legendary Limited Skin—Water Severing Wave → Wild Water Wave]
The copied scroll dissolved into points of light.
Those lights flowed into the virtual figure representing Wild Water Wave.
[Wild Water Wave favorability +8!]
[Current favorability: 100/100—Perfect Synchronization!]
[Four milestone rewards acquired: Physique +4.]
[New Trait Unlocked: Myriad Forms!]
[Your mastery over the shape and structure of water has reached perfection. Chakra consumption for all Water Release techniques is reduced by 30%–50%, depending on the technique's original structure.]
[The more refined, stable, and artistic the technique's form, the greater the reduction in Chakra consumption.]
A cool sensation poured into Ren's mind.
Countless insights concerning water pressure, currents, density, and transformation surfaced almost simultaneously. For a moment, he felt as if every trace of moisture in the room existed within his perception.
Ren carefully examined the new trait.
"Wild Water Wave's Chakra-reduction ability now affects every Water Release technique?"
That was far more valuable than it first appeared.
Water Release's greatest weaknesses were its dependence on the surrounding environment and its high Chakra consumption. Unless the caster fought near a large body of water, producing enough water for a powerful technique could exhaust them rapidly.
Now, every Water Release technique Ren used would cost thirty to fifty percent less Chakra.
In practical terms, his overall Water Release output and endurance had almost doubled.
He still couldn't compare to monsters such as Tobirama Senju or Kisame Hoshigaki, but he had undoubtedly reached—and possibly surpassed—the level of an average Water Release Jonin.
Combined with Water Severing Wave's cutting power, the new trait could produce terrifying results.
Ren waited for another system notification.
Nothing appeared.
"Wild Water Wave didn't trigger a special event?"
It was the first technique to reach one hundred favorability without unlocking a personal mission.
Apparently, limited-time events weren't guaranteed. They likely appeared only for techniques possessing unusually strong personalities, ambitions, or evolutionary potential.
Techniques that completed special events also seemed to undergo greater transformations.
Wild Water Wave's Myriad Forms merely expanded its original Chakra-saving ability to cover all Water Release. It was extremely practical, but it lacked the overwhelming destructive spectacle of Great Fireball's ultimate heat or Phoenix Sage Fire's miniature solar flare.
Still, Ren wasn't disappointed.
Not every technique needed to become a world-ending attack.
Moreover, reaching maximum favorability didn't necessarily mean a technique could never improve again. Phoenix Sage Fire had continued absorbing knowledge related to Scorch Release even after reaching one hundred.
In the future, Ren could obtain Tobirama's Water Release research through Tsunade and continue strengthening Wild Water Wave.
But not tonight.
It was already far past midnight.
Ren carefully stored the original Water Severing Wave scroll, stretched, and felt exhaustion crash over him like a wave. He barely had enough energy to lift the blanket before collapsing onto the bed fully clothed.
The night passed peacefully.
The following morning, Ren visited Minato's home and returned the scroll intact.
Minato was packing equipment when he opened the door.
"You've already finished reading it?"
"I stayed awake all night."
Ren smiled.
"I've memorized the important parts, so I no longer need the original."
Minato studied him for a moment before accepting the scroll.
"All right. I'm still organizing the Flying Thunder God materials. I'll deliver them before I leave."
He placed the scroll among his equipment.
"Train as much as possible over the next few days. Once you're sent outside the village, you won't have the same freedom or safety."
Before Ren could respond, a woman's voice came from inside.
"Minato, who's at the door?"
A head of brilliant red hair appeared behind him.
"Oh, it's little Ren!"
Kushina Uzumaki smiled brightly.
"How are your Sealing Technique studies progressing? Do you want me to give you another lesson before Minato leaves?"
She stepped closer.
"Bring Rin too. I haven't seen her in ages."
"Kushina."
Ren greeted her with a smile.
Rin and Obito truly hadn't seen Kushina for some time. As Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, her movements were heavily restricted.
Ren had encountered her in the Hokage's office while dealing with Kana Uzumaki's situation, but the others hadn't enjoyed the same opportunity
Now that Kushina had offered to teach them personally, Ren had no reason to refuse.
"I'd be happy to attend. I'll speak to Rin."
He still wanted to deepen his understanding of Sealing Techniques.
More importantly, Kushina possessed the Uzumaki clan's greatest inheritance.
If even one of her lessons revealed a compatible gift for the Gala System, Ren might gain something far more valuable than ordinary sealing knowledge.
As that thought crossed his mind, the system suddenly flickered.
[Ding! A giftable special item has been detected nearby.]
Ren's eyes sharpened.
Before Minato could even leave for the battlefield, another opportunity had appeared.
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