Chapter 54: Red’s Resolve—“My Will of Fire Can’t Match Yours!”
The trio made their way toward the center of the camp, where the command tent was stationed. As they neared, several figures emerged from within.
"Good to see you, Captain Kazuya!" The first to greet him was a large, friendly-looking man in green armor, with the character for "food" on his large belly. Kazuya recognized him instantly as Akimichi Chouza, father of Akimichi Chouji from the Konoha Twelve.
Beside him, a youthful, serious-looking shinobi with short dark hair bowed respectfully. "Captain Kazuya, it's an honor. I'm Uchiha Shisui."
As he spoke, several golden lights glimmered, floating toward Kazuya.
[You have received 100 Chakra Points]
[You have received 100 Chakra Points]
[You have received 80 Chakra Points]
[You have received 200 Combat Experience Points]
[You have received 100 Yin Affinity Points]
[You have received 100 Yin Affinity Points]
[You have received 50 Yang Affinity Points]
[You have received 50 Yang Affinity Points]
Impressive gains right from the start—Shisui had lived up to his reputation!
"Akimichi Chouza, Shisui-san, it's good to meet you all," Kazuya replied with a warm smile. "The Hokage sent me to reinforce the frontlines."
"Glad to have you!" Chouza said, patting Kazuya on the shoulder. "We got word from the Hokage too. To be honest, facing a Jinchuriki had us all a bit nervous."
"Oh?" Kazuya asked, feigning curiosity. "So, they did send a Jinchuriki?"
"Yes." Chouza's face grew serious. "We encountered the Two-Tails' Jinchuriki, Yugito Nii. She's fast—too fast to take lightly."
"And we've had word that the Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki, Killer B, may join her as well," he added a worried note in his voice. "Our initial skirmishes were manageable, but with two Jinchuriki, things could get out of hand."
As Kazuya listened, he took a moment to take in the large command tent. Standing by a tactical map was another figure—a man with a solemn face.
"Kazuya," he said with a nod, barely looking up in acknowledgment.
[You have received 70 Yin Affinity Points]
[You have received 70 Yin Affinity Points]
[You have received 100 Chakra Points]
[You have received 100 Chakra Points]
A few more points drifted Kazuya's way. Not quite the haul he'd gotten from Shisui, but still something.
Come on, Fugaku. Even Shisui's stats are higher than yours?
The man in question, Uchiha Fugaku—the head of the Uchiha Clan and, unfortunately, its ill-fated leader—wore a stoic expression, though his body was wrapped in bandages.
"Fugaku, are you injured?" Kazuya asked casually.
Fugaku sighed. "I faced Yugito a few days ago. Her speed was incredible, enough that even the Sharingan couldn't keep up."
"I see… So even the Sharingan couldn't track her movements?" Kazuya asked, suppressing a smirk.
"Yes," Fugaku replied, frowning. "She's not to be underestimated."
"Seems like we're up against a real challenge if even you had trouble," Kazuya added, making a show of sympathy.
Kazuya reiterated his plan one more time, his voice calm but resolute.
"Yes, exactly," replied Akimichi Chouza, a touch of grimness in his tone. "This time, Kumogakure has deployed 240 ninjas, including over 30 Jonin, and that's not counting the presence of their Jinchuriki."
"As for us…" He hesitated. "We have numbers, but we lack high-level fighters. If they deploy the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki too, the situation will become truly dangerous." A shadow crossed Chouza's face. "The only silver lining is that it seems like they're limiting the scale to about a hundred fighters on each side. It's not an all-out war."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded in agreement. "Kumogakure can deploy two Jinchuriki, whereas Konoha's own Jinchuriki hasn't yet reached the battlefield. Our elite force is at a severe disadvantage."
Kazuya nodded thoughtfully. It made sense to keep the battle limited. Even the battle-hungry Kumogakure didn't have the nerve to start the Fourth Great Shinobi War. But still… for the Fourth Raikage, keeping the scale of the fight small gave his Jinchuriki a massive advantage. Without overwhelming numbers, ordinary ninjas wouldn't stand a chance against them.
"The Raikage isn't as foolish as he looks," Kazuya thought, nodding.
After a moment's contemplation, he spoke up, his tone earnest. "Everyone, leave the fight against the Jinchuriki to me. As for the rest of the Kumogakure forces, I leave them in your capable hands."
The words fell like a stone in the tent, and the assembled ninja stared at Kazuya, stunned. Some looked shocked, others grateful, and still more—awed.
Those were, after all, Kumogakure's Jinchuriki—devastating, ultimate weapons. Not a single person here wanted to face them directly. Even Fugaku, who'd only had a trial encounter, had nearly been torn to pieces by the Two-Tails Jinchuriki. They didn't even want to imagine what would happen if the Eight-Tails entered the fray.
But Kazuya? Here he was, volunteering to take on the most dangerous enemies single-handedly.
"I see now, Kazuya!" Chouza said, feeling a pang of humility. "I thought the rumors in the village were exaggerated, but meeting you has shown me you're a true shinobi—someone willing to take on the impossible for Konoha. You have my utmost respect."
Uchiha Fugaku, too, nodded. "The Hokage was right about you, Kazuya. You're an exemplary shinobi who embodies the Will of Fire. Remarkable."
Red and Yugao's admiration was unmistakable as they looked at Kazuya. "This is the man I've chosen," Red thought, pride glowing in her gaze.
At that moment, everyone in the command tent was captivated by Kazuya's bravery and selflessness. To them, he seemed to radiate with something deep, something they knew as the Will of Fire.
For the first time, some felt ashamed. Everyone knew that to face a Jinchuriki was to accept a deadly risk. But there was Kazuya, boldly facing the prospect with calm resolve, while the rest of them had instinctively set their sights on easier enemies. This was the essence of the true Will of Fire.
"It's what I must do," Kazuya said with a soft smile. Beneath his mask, he couldn't help giving Fugaku a sly glance.
The Will of Fire, huh? Funny… give it a few years, and the Will of Fire would burn down his entire clan.