Kyōichi, Konoha’s Life Mentor

Land of Water, Kirigakure.

Yagura ordered all Kirigakure ninja to withdraw to the islands and remain on standby. He then brought Hōzuki Mangetsu back to the village to report the situation.

The Seven Swordsmen were dead.

This was a disaster too big for Yagura to shoulder.

Moreover.

The one who had advocated for the attack was Hōzuki Mangetsu. What did that have to do with Yagura?

Upon hearing the news, the gravely ill Sandaime Mizukage made an appearance.

"So… my Seven Ninja Swordsmen are gone?"

The Sandaime Mizukage sat there, a trace of sorrow appearing on his aged, sickly face.

He had, of course, heard Yagura's report.

Thus, he did not wait for an answer. After a few moments of silence, he continued, "What about the Hōzuki clan? Did they attempt to retrieve the swords using summoning scrolls?"

"Mizukage-sama, our clan tried, but it seems the enemy used some method to block our summoning. We failed."

An elder of the Hōzuki clan stood and 

replied.

The swords were also lost.

The Mizukage opened his mouth, then finally sighed helplessly. "Explain everything in detail, from start to finish."

The surrounding elders grew uneasy.

The truth of the matter had already been verified. 

Given the severity of the incident, they could not rely solely on Yagura's account. When Hōzuki Mangetsu returned, they had immediately ordered the ANBU to investigate.

the result?

It was all true!

It truly was Hōzuki Mangetsu who led the charge, and Yagura had tried to stop him but failed. In the end, Yagura sent Ao, a young sensory ninja, to accompany them as a precaution.

Yet.

Despite all this, the Seven Swordsmen were still annihilated.

These were seven elite shinobi painstakingly trained by the Sandaime 

Given the Mizukage's already frail health, wouldn't this news push him to the brink?.

The Mizukage only had a moment of irregular breathing before quickly calming down, though his expression grew even more sorrowful.

Yagura began recounting the events from the beginning.

An elder interrupted.

"Focus on the Seven Swordsmen."

"No, Elder Shōgen. Six of the Seven Swordsmen are dead. Their loss is irreversible. The critical point now is the unique tactics Konoha employed in this battle."

Yagura's expression hardened.

The Sandaime Mizukage coughed weakly, then nodded. "Continue."

With the Mizukage's permission, no one else dared interject.

Yagura continued his explanation.

His emphasis lay on Kyoichi's tactics, not the fate of the Seven Swordsmen—since they were already lost.

Could they still call themselves the "Seven Ninja Swordsmen" with only one blade remaining?

Initially, the elders grew impatient.

After finishing his description of the first phase of the battle, Yagura paused and looked at the elders. "What do you all notice?"

"These tactics resemble those of our assassination squads. If Konoha can do it, our Kirigakure ANBU can too."

Hōzuki Shōgen declared.

"Elder… the Seven Swordsmen thought the same."

"???"

Hōzuki Shōgen's face darkened.

Those words…

Who did this brat think he was mocking?

He glared at Yagura but said nothing.

But Yagura didn't answer directly. Instead, he began explaining the second phase—

Konoha's systematic hunting of Kirigakure's outposts across the islands.

The Sandaime Mizukage's fingers twitched.

He understood now!

Intelligence!

Yagura continued, recounting how the Seven Swordsmen stubbornly insisted on copying Konoha's tactics to ambush Nagano Mountain. Despite his misgivings, Yagura had sent Ao to accompany them. After they left, he thought it over and realized something was wrong.

"Honored elders, Konoha's tactics are not simple, traditional assassination methods. They represent a complete infiltration and assassination system built upon intelligence, speed, and sensory ninja as its core!"

Yagura stated calmly.

Hōzuki Shōgen had already grasped it.

Though aged, these elders were once elite jonin who understood the importance of intelligence. Konoha's system thrived precisely because of it.

Why could Konoha ambush them, while Kirigakure's counter-ambush was effortlessly dismantled, becoming a suicidal charge?

Because Konoha's sensory range surpassed theirs—simple, brutal, and nearly impossible to counter.

In terms of sensory and reconnaissance, no one in the shinobi world could rival the Byakugan.

The room fell silent.

"What are you suggesting?"

"Mizukage-sama, elders, I believe this is an excellent tactical system—one perfectly suited to Kirigakure's ninja. We should study and adopt it."

"..."

The meeting room fell silent again.

Study and adopt?

How could that be easy?

Hōzuki Shōgen wanted to argue, but after glancing at the bound and sealed Hōzuki Mangetsu, and recalling Yagura's earlier jab, he decided not to speak further.

The Sandaime Mizukage lightly tapped the table, thinking for a long time before saying, "This tactic fundamentally cannot counter the Byakugan. Konoha can do this because they have the Byakugan and clans like the Yamanaka, who excel in sensing."

"Correct."

Yagura nodded, not denying this.

He looked up, a faint smile forming. "If we adopt this system, we naturally cannot use it against Konoha. But we can use it against Kumogakure."

"You mean…?"

Attack Kumogakure!

The Sandaime Mizukage froze for a long moment.

This was…

Completely unexpected.

"Are you proposing a truce with Konoha?"

The elders, shrewd as they were, immediately grasped Yagura's implication.

"Do we have another choice?"

Yagura avoided a direct answer, instead scanning the elders.

A truce with Konoha would mean Kirigakure's entire strategy had failed—tantamount to surrender.

It was humiliating!

However.

Those six swords…

Thinking of this, the elders sighed softly, their gazes toward Hōzuki Mangetsu growing increasingly furious.

It was all his fault!

Had they followed Yagura's strategy, remaining entrenched in the Land of Water until war erupted between Kumogakure and Iwagakure, none of this would have happened!

Worthless fool!

"Let's not discuss peace talks for now. We can stall while waiting for the other villages. However, this tactical system is worth studying. Yagura, oversee its implementation during this period."

The Sandaime Mizukage's energy was waning, and He had no interest in further debate.

Given his condition, maintaining composure amid such turmoil was a testament to his mental fortitude. A lesser man might have coughed blood and died on the spot.

Yagura pressed no further.

The elders would continue bickering regardless.

The Sandaime Mizukage's relatively decisive response had already surprised Yagura. 

In truth, their thoughts aligned—

Stall. 

Wait for Kumogakure and Iwagakure!

...

['Guerrilla Tactics' Teaching Complete]

[Evaluation: Excellent!]

[Rewards:

1. Principles of the Hydrification Technique

2. Water Release: Water Shark Bomb Technique

3. Ice Release Kekkei Genkai

Choose one reward.]

Where did this reward come from?

Kyōichi woke up next morning, bewildered by the inexplicable reward notification. Upon closer inspection, his expression turned grave.

This reward was extraordinary.

The Hydrification Technique.

The foundation of the Hōzuki clan's prowess.

Unfortunately, it was only the principles.

Based on the situation with the Yin Seal, Kyōichi felt that the system might judge this technique as something he couldn't currently learn.

The Hydrification Technique was indeed related to one's physical constitution!

The second option, the Water Shark Bomb.

This technique corresponded to the Shark Bomb series. Mastering one would make it easier to derive the others, aligning well with his water-based techniques.

As for the third option...

Kyōichi took a deep breath.

Ice Release!

Though merely a chakra nature Kekkei, its performance in the anime was quite impressive.

Even if it couldn't match some of the more powerful kekkei genkai later on, if used well, it could greatly enrich his current arsenal.

This was something the Water Shark Bomb couldn't provide.

After much deliberation.

Kyōichi ultimately chose Ice Release.

This technique was uniquely complex, with extremely high derivation difficulty.

Currently, Kyoichi had no leads on how to develop it himself. In contrast, the Great Shark Bomb Technique might still be obtainable from Kirigakure or other sources. 

Worst case…

He could live without it.

The shark series was powerful but nonessential. Ice release, however, was irreplaceable.

As for the Hydrification Technique.

Not only had he captured Hōzuki Chikage, but mastering this technique might also require altering his physical constitution, as Kabuto had done in the anime.

Kyoichi wanted no part of that.

After making his decision, he quickly claimed the reward.

Soon, memories of Ice Release flooded Kyōichi's mind, along with knowledge of wind and water nature transformation fusion.

Chakra nature fusion…

Kyoichi eagerly immersed himself in comprehension.

However.

He was somewhat disappointed.

Different chakra natures required distinct fusion methods.

Thus.

Ice Release's principles offered no insight into Wood Release.

Kyoichi shrugged it off.

Though this path was closed, Wood Release had simpler alternatives.

Moreover, he knew one truth—

It wasn't Wood Release itself that was formidable, but Hashirama Senju's Wood Release.

After a brief attempt, Kyoichi conjured a tiny ice crystal on his fingertip.

Effortless!

But Without understanding chakra nature fusion, this would require a bloodline.

Kyoichi marveled briefly, then dispersed the ice. 

Footsteps approached.

He stepped out of the tent.

Uchiha Fugaku?

Kyōichi wasn't surprised.

The Uchiha's Military Police Force had been deployed eastward, eager to prove their worth.

"Fugaku-senpai."

"Kyoichi-sama, I've heard the details from Yashiro. Thank you for your magnanimity."

Fugaku bowed deeply.

If Kyōichi had wanted to pursue the matter, he could have used yesterday's bet to teach Yashiro a lesson. The fact that he hadn't mentioned it yesterday or today signaled no ill will toward the Uchiha.

Kyōichi shook his head. "It was just a joke. Yashiro-senpai and the others did their best yesterday. Losing to Yagura wasn't their fault."

"Your understanding is deeply appreciated."

Fugaku thanked him again, then was about to ask something when Kyōichi entered the tent, signaling him to follow.

Reluctantly, Fugaku followed.

"Kyoichi-sama… will Kirigakure attack again?"

"Kirigakure surely wants to avoid further conflict, but without explicit confirmation, we must remain vigilant. For now, we maintain the stalemate."

Kyōichi shared his thoughts.

This was the conclusion he and Shikaku had reached.

However, he added, "Of course, if the Military Police has other ideas, feel free to bring them up. We can discuss them together."

"That's not it. No one desires war. The Military Police have suffered heavy losses over years of combat."

Fugaku sighed.

Who willingly embraced battle?

"In that case… I currently have no plans for further offensives. Should that change, I'll notify you."

Kyōichi gave his response.

Fugaku nodded, then stood up and bowed. "Understood! I'll take my leave now. Also, thank you very much for your guidance of Shisui!"

"He's my student. It's my duty."

Kyōichi smiled.

Fugaku said no more and left the tent.

With Tsunade ascending as Hokage, the Uchiha remained uneasy.

Each Hokage brought new policies.

Fugaku's visit served dual purposes: probing intentions and signaling loyalty.