Hiruzen, You Will Regret This
"Hiruzen, entrusting the eastern command to a sixteen-year-old Jōnin, your decision is too impulsive!"
"You never discussed it with us, both the forbidden jutsu policy from before and this appointment, you've been way too reckless recently."
The two advisors were at it again.
Hiruzen's head was about to split open. He had never anticipated that, after his attempt to make changes, the greatest resistance wouldn't come from Danzō but his two old friends.
He was on the verge of speaking, but in the end, he could only sigh, "If not him, then who among you is willing to take command at the front lines?"
"This..."
Homura Mitokado flinched.
Koharu Utatane hesitated for a moment, finally saying, "This his impossible."
"Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are no easy opponents."
"..."
Those words.
Might as well just say you don't trust me.
Koharu Utatane's mouth twitched, but she did not contradict the Third's words.
Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were indeed tough. Even in their youth, they weren't confident in taking on the Seven—though commanders don't necessarily have to fight, they must be ready to act in a crucial moment.
"A few months ago, I started having Kyōichi research Hidden Mist Jutsu. Recently, it's been quite successful. He can use the mist to cast illusions, hiding his location from the enemy."
"Also, he is a master of swordsmanship; Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist won't have an advantage."
Hiruzen tried to reason.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado had no rebuttal. Hiruzen's "If you can do it, then do it" was said quite forcefully.
Having been away from the battlefield for so long, they truly dared not go.
They weren't afraid of death, but the weight of the lives of thousands of ninja that was too heavy to bear.
They subconsciously couldn't shoulder it.
"Hiruzen, we understand your desire to change and strengthen Konoha, but you're being too aggressive. You will regret this."
Homura Mitokado's words were weak.
Even...
A sense of déjà vu.
Hiruzen didn't delve into it; he just felt tired.
These two old friends didn't understand his and Kyōichi's thinking at all, opposing seemingly just for the sake of opposition.
They're people of a bygone era!
He lost his patience, waved his hand to dismiss the two advisors, and sat in his seat, silent for a long time.
The Third Hokage held back in the conversation.
Kyōichi and Tsunade had both formed contracts with slugs; they could communicate information through them. Therefore, letting Kyōichi command was, indirectly, like letting Tsunade command.
But the reasons couldn't be explained in detail.
Additionally,
The war hadn't started, but Jiraiya had sent news that the villages of Iwa and Kumo to the north were restless, yet restrained, not creating any friction between them.
This made no sense!
He had reason to believe...
The two countries might have reached some understanding.
Considering the east's Kirigakure, Konoha was in a dangerous position.
In this perilous time, there was even more need to boldly use daring and capable newcomers, just like the Second Hokage once did—at least now, this old man could still move.
If all else fails, he could go himself.
After all, there were people to follow him.
Hiruzen solidified his plan in his mind, finally firming his resolve.
The plan remains unchanged!
Young people needed experience, but there wasn't much time for growth. He could only hope that Kyōichi could withstand the pressure and grow quickly.
His side was under tremendous pressure, but Kyōichi, strangely, hadn't thought much about it.
Commanding a multitude of people was indeed a challenge.
Certainly.
Kyōichi had his advantages—he was well aware of the situation in the Hidden Mist Village.
The Hidden Mist Village dared not go all-in.
The top combat forces they deployed were only the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.
Strong, yet not to be feared.
...
Hayate Gekko was discharged from the hospital.
At the same time, Kyōichi's new chakra blade arrived.
A relatively short ninja blade.
Its greatest advantage was its convenience in deploying sword-drawing techniques and various attribute sword skills. Although the amplification of each type of chakra was not as powerful as Kakashi's and Asuma's chakra weapons, it excelled in versatility.
Kyōichi was very satisfied.
He had initially planned to head to the front lines, but another matter forced them to halt their steps temporarily.
Forbidden jutsu polict has finally officialy changed!
With war approaching, the Third Hokage had no time to hesitate, making a direct decision to implement a forbidden jutsu policy according to Tsunade and Kyōichi's plan.
And so,
In Konoha, the elite ninja were secretly summoned to a base.
"Hokage-sama," hundreds of ninjas gathered. Even the least among them were special Jōnin; many were from noble clans, together forming the elite of Konoha's existing ninja force.
"Today, I have called you here primarily to teach two techniques."
The Third Hokage was very straightforward.
He then hung up two ninja scrolls, opening them vertically.
Everyone looked over simultaneously.
After a moment,
"Hokage-sama, is this... a bit..." Yamanaka Inoichi was quite shocked.
The first was the method to unlock the first and second gates of the Eight Gates, and the second scroll was to enhance cell vitality through breathing, increasing strength, speed, etc.
These were forbidden jutsu!
The Third Hokage wanted to popularize forbidden jutsu, and he hadn't received any news about this.
"Let's hear what Hokage-sama has to say first," Shikaku spoke up.
He naturally knew the inside story, so he didn't oppose this plan.
The plan was perfect; there was no reason to object.
"I believe you all know that the current situation is grim. The three major ninja villages all want to strike at us; we are on the brink of war, again," the Hokage said.
"These two techniques are forbidden jutsu. The purpose of implementing them is not to have you misuse them, but to hope that this will help you to survive in the battlefield while carrying out missions and fighting."
"Konoha cannot afford many losses. Of course, this is all voluntary. If you don't want to learn, it's understandable. Those who learn the forbidden jutsu will have to go to the hospital for free check-ups and treatment from time to time."
The Third Hokage's tone was heavy.
Every Jōnin needed a significant amount of time to train. Losing even one would be a heavy loss to Konoha; this was another reason he made the decision so swiftly.
The Jōnin fell silent.
The Third Hokage spoke only the truth.
In Konoha's wars, the battle was not fought by sending Chūnin and Genin to the front lines as cannon fodder. Instead, the Jōnin bore a great part of the pressure, resulting in significant losses among them in every war.
If they mastered these two forbidden techniques, their survival rate would indeed greatly increase.
In comparison, the many side effects were almost so minor they could be disregarded.
Living on was the most important.
"Lord Hokage, I wish to learn!" someone said.
"I want to, as well," another said.
"I..."
The first to speak up were Jōnin of civilian origin, including Tekuno Kanden. He had climbed from the rank of Genin step by step, specializing in controlling hidden weapons and traps.
Tekuno Kanden was clear-headed.
Clan ninja had various means to survive, even without these two techniques, their chances of surviving on the battlefield were still considerable. But it was different for those of civilian origin like him.
Two life-saving forbidden techniques.
He had to consider if this was his only chance in life.
In the end.
Nearly all the ninja voluntarily chose to learn the forbidden techniques.
The more skills, the better.
First learn, and consider whether to use them later.
"Very good. Then, Kyōichi Kamida will teach you the Seven Heavens Breathing Method," said the Third Hokage, stepping aside to make way.
Kyōichi walked forward.
He knew that this was the Third Hokage's way of laying the groundwork for his future command. Teaching them now will obligate them to show favor when he became their commander.