Raiden and Yamanaka Koro's team continued their previous mission. This time, however, several other jonin teams had also joined them.
Raiden looked around vigilantly at the surroundings as the sealing team set up a barrier. It had been two days since the last jonin meeting. Since then, all teams had been on high alert.
They had discovered traces of Iwa ninjas. It seemed the Rain Village had tactically allowed the Iwa forces to pressure them. Although there hadn't been any large-scale battle, there were constant small probes.
Konoha's pressure was increasing.
No particularly strong Iwa ninja had appeared yet, but Iwa didn't rely on elite fighters. They preferred human-wave tactics. If 200 to 500 Iwa genin and chunin attacked alongside a few jonin, they might not destroy them outright, but Konoha would suffer losses and possibly lose territory — something Konoha could not accept.
Koro had also said that Orochimaru would bring reinforcements in three to four days. It had already been two days. Before that, they absolutely couldn't lose.
If Konoha lost this front, other villages would see them as weak and build momentum to attack fiercely. No matter what, they couldn't lose.
Raiden's eyes sharpened.
Although he didn't know if this front was lost in the original plot, his existence might have already changed the future. Anything could happen. He didn't have deep emotional ties to Konoha, but his home was there. He didn't want to become a rogue ninja. Besides, it wasn't like he lacked power. With his talent and time-stop ability, even if he couldn't be invincible, he wouldn't be insignificant.
Raiden's determination hardened.
Whoosh!
His mind suddenly brightened. His spiritual power surged, and his chakra increased along with it. His thoughts became clearer, sharper. His time ability extended from 0.1 seconds to 0.2 seconds.
Raiden was surprised.
"So determination can push my limits… and My spirit strengthens, chakra increases, and even my ability evolves," he thought with a faint smile. "No wonder geniuses grow stronger in battle and eventually become true powerhouses."
His mood improved. With his strength rising, the pressure on him decreased.
He wanted to test his improvement, but he forcefully calmed himself.
This wasn't the time.
He scanned the surroundings and realized his sensing range had expanded to 200 meters, with clearer detail. His teammates didn't notice anything — the change was internal.
Afterward, Raiden and his team headed toward their next target.
In the afternoon, the team returned to camp. Raiden didn't go to his tent. Instead, he headed straight to the training ground.
He summoned three shadow clones to practice Chidori in a corner. With his increased chakra, maintaining them was easier.
Then he tested his time ability combined with taijutsu and weapon techniques.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
After an hour, he concluded:
His mind was clearer. His strength was more refined. With the upgraded time ability, his attacks became more lethal. His reflexes were sharper. And after few days training His Chidori had reached entry level — in one or two days, he could use it proficiently in battle.
Satisfied, he returned to his tent, leaving the clones behind.
Meanwhile, at the Rock Village front.
Inside the commander's tent, Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage, was reading battle reports.
He was in his forties — not like in the future, when his back would nearly break just from walking. Still, there were signs of stiffness.
Unlike Konoha, which althogh not invincible as before still has many promising ninjas, the Rock Village lacked standout talents. That was why they relied on human-wave tactics so often. As a result, Onoki had to handle most strategic decisions himself.
A ninja entered the tent.
"Lord Onoki."
Onoki glanced up irritably. "What is it?"
"Orochimaru hasn't been seen on the front for two days."
Onoki's shrewd eyes narrowed. He snorted. "Hmph. What else? They're probably reinforcing the Rain front."after all it was their plan to losen the pressure here,
The ninja lowered his voice. "Then… should we send the Four-Tails jinchuriki to attack Jiraiya and Danzo?"
Onoki froze.
"If we send the Four-Tails, they'll send the Nine-Tails," he said flatly. "Don't forget that madwoman Mito is still alive."
The ninja hesitated, then stubbornly continued, "Then we can also send the Five-Tails. I don't believe the Nine-Tails is still invincible—"
Onoki slowly floated up to eye level.
The ninja sensed danger. "…Lord?"
Smack!
"OUCH— Dad! Stop! Stop!"
Onoki smacked him again.
"You're this big and still this stupid! If we send the Five-Tails, who guards the Cloud front? You?!"
Smack!
"OW! My face—"
"And you think two jinchuriki can handle Mito?one of the best sealing expert in entire ninja world! Have you lost your brain?!"
Smack!
The poor ninja staggered backward, covering his head.
"Get out!"
"Yes, yes!" He scrambled out of the tent.
Onoki rubbed his forehead, muttering, "If that useless son stayed one more minute, I'd have tested Dust Release on him…"
He sighed.
"When will this idiot will grow up…"