Chapter 197

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Ichikishimahime had not been completely subdued, but the time to fully gain her allegiance was drawing near.

This was good news; having Ichikishimahime on call and able to cooperate well with him made Kyomu feel quite satisfied.

While going through the day's reports, Kyomu discovered another piece of good news. Kakashi had submitted a report about leading his team to clear out bandits, rogue ninjas, and engage Rock Ninjas.

During these operations, they had unexpectedly found a red-haired woman who seemed to be a remnant of the Uzumaki Clan.

"Good heavens, good things come in bunches," Kyomu laughed. "Red-haired individuals are rare in the ninja world, almost exclusively found in the Uzumaki Clan. According to Kakashi's description, that woman is most likely Karin's mother. Without my interference, the Land of Grass would have become Orochimaru's territory in the future."

"Yugito," Kyomu called out.

"Yes, Kyomu," Yugito responded, stepping forward. She had changed her attire from a ninja uniform to something more formal.

Kyomu didn't mind these details and directly instructed her, "Go find Tsunade for me. I think she will be very pleased."

"Okay," Yugito replied, a bit dispirited. She wanted to ask if Kyomu noticed anything different about her, but Kyomu was already back to dealing with documents. Pouting, she left the office to find Tsunade in the village.

Soon enough, Tsunade burst in, her usual fiery demeanor on full display. Seeing no one else in the room besides Yugito, she relaxed and sat down casually, crossing her legs and revealing her shapely figure.

"Kyomu, what good news do you have to share?" Tsunade asked.

Kyomu handed her Kakashi's report. "Sis, take a look at this."

Tsunade scanned through the report, quickly becoming serious. "This is excellent news," she said, confident that the red-haired woman in the Land of Grass was indeed from the Uzumaki Clan.

"Sis, why don't you handle this for me?" Kyomu suggested. "The relationship between the Uzumaki and Senju clans is ancient. You are the best person for this job."

"This indeed should be handled by me," Tsunade agreed. "But this also suggests that other places might have remnants of the Uzumaki Clan."

"That's what I was thinking," Kyomu said, glancing at the ninja world map. "If there are traces of the Uzumaki Clan in the Land of Grass, other small countries might have one or two as well. We should find and gather these remnants. The Uzumaki Clan shouldn't be allowed to fade into obscurity."

"You just want the Uzumaki Clan's talents, don't you?" Tsunade gave Kyomu a sideways glance.

"Well, Grandma Mito's notes need someone to pass them on," Kyomu didn't hide his intentions. "And we need to start creating defensive barriers for Ryūgakure and Ryūjin City. The Uzumaki Clan is perfect for this."

"But I fear their knowledge might have been lost," Tsunade said somberly. "Like our Senju Clan, many things have been forgotten."

"Their talents remain, and with Grandma Mito's legacy, anyone with Uzumaki blood will do well."

"True," Tsunade agreed, standing up. "I'll head to the Land of Grass and bring them back."

"Not try, but must," Kyomu corrected her. "Sis, this is an order."

"Yes, Ryukage-sama," Tsunade replied, her eyes flashing a promise of retribution in private. Kyomu pretended not to notice and continued with his paperwork.

Meanwhile, he had another plan in mind.

"Yugito, contact Obito."

"Right away."

Yugito quickly reached Obito, who was in the Mist Village.

"Kyomu, you always summon me urgently. My eye power is greatly consumed," Obito complained upon arrival.

"I'll fix your eye power issue soon," Kyomu glanced at the magatama pendant around Obito's neck. "Isn't that helping you?"

"It is, significantly. If I use my eye power sparingly, I can avoid blindness for a long time," Obito admitted, touching the pendant. "But it would be better if it were stronger."

"We'll find a better solution," Kyomu reassured him. "Bear with it for now. Once I deal with the Land of Earth, we'll address it."

"Fine, I'll hold you to that," Obito said, grinning. "So, what's the urgent matter this time?"

"How are things in the Mist Village?"

"The same, but internal opposition is growing stronger. You'll be interested in one person," Obito said.

"Terumi Mei?" Kyomu asked.

"Yes, her. She's trying to follow your example, but her methods are still immature."

"Let her stir things up for a while. Just ensure her allies are under control," Kyomu advised with a cold smile. "But my main concern is the Yuki and Kaguya clans in the Mist Village. Stir up trouble between them and the higher-ups, especially making Yagura view them as threats."

"That'll depend on how Mei pushes things," Obito said, his eyes glinting. "I can give her the illusion that allying with those clans will help her overthrow Yagura and end the Blood Mist policy. Then, we reel them in."

"Don't go for a complete wipeout," Kyomu cautioned. "There are talents in the Mist Village worth recruiting. We should turn as many as possible into rogue ninjas willing to join us."

"I knew you'd say that," Obito replied. "Don't worry, I'll set things up carefully."

"I trust you. Give it about a year," Kyomu estimated.

"Sure, I'll keep you updated," Obito said, reminding Kyomu, "But until you solve my eye power issue, stop summoning me so urgently. Use a summoning snake for communication instead."

"Got it. No need to repeat yourself," Kyomu said dismissively.

"Alright, I'm off," Obito said, disappearing into a vortex.

"Kamui is convenient, especially with both eyes," Kyomu mused. "But the chakra cost is high. It's time to address the White Zetsu issue."

He squinted, considering his plans. "Madara should be dead by now. A year ago, when Danzo forced Yahiko's death, Nagato summoned the Gedo Statue. Without it, Madara wouldn't have lasted long. He must be relying on Nagato now."

Finishing his last document, Kyomu stood up. "Time to deal with the Rock Ninjas quickly. I need to stabilize things so my future plans can unfold."

—

At the border of the Land of Grass.

Onoki's son, Kitsuchi, led a force of two thousand Rock Ninjas, accompanied by the Daimyo of the Land of Grass.

"Hatake Kakashi, stand aside!" Kitsuchi demanded. "The Land of Grass is not your Dragon Nation territory. We've been hired by the Daimyo to escort him back and clear out rebels. Don't make a mistake!"

"You've got it wrong. I'm not Hatake Kakashi, nor am I a Dragon Nation ninja," Kakashi lied with a straight face. "We're just bandits who claim this territory, and we don't recognize your Daimyo."

"Ha! So this is one of Kyomu's teachings?" Kitsuchi laughed angrily. "Such shamelessness!"

"This has nothing to do with us," Kakashi maintained his stance. "If you know what's good for you, leave. Otherwise, we'll settle this with strength."

"Don't you fear we'll unite against you?" Kitsuchi threatened.

Kakashi interrupted, "I only know that dogs that bark don't bite. If barking solved everything, who needs strength? Step on our land, and you'll lose your head."

Kitsuchi's face darkened, but he couldn't show weakness. He didn't believe Kakashi would dare act, assuming Kyomu wanted to avoid major conflict. If not, Kyomu would have targeted the Land of Earth first, not provoking the Land of Lightning.

Kyomu is a paper tiger!

Kitsuchi stepped forward, crossing the border into the Land of Grass. As his foot landed, Kakashi moved.

With a swift motion, Yukihime extended into a full-length sword, enveloped in thick Lightning Release chakra.

With a blinding flash, Kakashi slashed forward, a blade of pure Lightning Release chakra shooting towards Kitsuchi, illuminating his surprised face.

Kakashi dared to attack! Kitsuchi was stunned.

"You really want to start a war with the Land of Earth?" Kitsuchi roared, covering his arms in thick rock, crossing them to block.

Earth Release: Rock Fist!

The Lightning blade easily cut through the rock defense but didn't harm Kitsuchi himself.

While Lightning Release counters Earth Release, practical combat depends on the specifics. Kitsuchi's high-level Earth Release techniques still provided significant defense.

Kakashi wasn't surprised, his expression unchanged.

Extend, Yukihime!

Yukihime's blade shot forward like lightning, bypassing Kitsuchi's defenses and piercing through his rock armor.

With a swift duck, Kakashi's left hand lit up with a brilliant blue-white light, thrusting into Kitsuchi's armpit.

This was Kitsuchi's weakest point.

Lightning Release: Raikiri!

With a wet sound, Kakashi's left hand pierced through Kitsuchi's armpit, the fingertips emerging from his shoulder, crippling his right arm.

Reversing his grip on Yukihime, Kakashi retracted his left hand and reengaged, slicing diagonally across Kitsuchi's chest with the elongated blade.

In a series of fluid motions, Kakashi slashed again, creating a large X-shaped wound on Kitsuchi's chest.

Godspeed Kakashi, living up to his name!

(End of Chapter)