Year 2
Several days had passed since Tsunade made the brave decision to come to Heiwa and seek training from Sakura. That morning, as the rising sun bathed the main road of Ta No Kuni in golden light, Sakura invited her pupil for a crucial discussion, one intended to clarify the young girl's expectations regarding her fervent desire to become a medical ninja.
"If you've made it this far, it means you've passed my first test," Sakura declared, her voice signaling a point of no return. They walked side by side, their footsteps echoing softly on the cobbled ground. "So, I will spare you the long speeches about what the path of medical ninjas entails."
Tsunade's eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and admiration.
"Will this training make me as powerful as you?" she asked, her words betraying the depth of her desire. Sakura turned her head slightly towards her, probing her intentions with the keen eye of a seasoned kunoichi.
"What are you really looking for?" Her tone was not accusatory, but inquisitive, as if she were probing the true motivations hidden behind the girl's words.
"I never want to lose the ones I love again," Tsunade replied, her voice vibrating with emotion. "I refuse to relive the helplessness that paralyzed me during the war. I want to be strong enough to tip the scales in any situation!"
For a moment, Sakura observed the young girl surreptitiously. This Tsunade seemed far more vulnerable than the hardened woman she knew. Sakura realized that, despite the differences in time, some sufferings were universal, forged by the fires of trials that shape who we are.
"You know," Sakura resumed in a measured tone, "most of your training will not be devoted to combat, but to study."
Tsunade turned towards her, a glimmer of disappointment in her eyes.
"But… how did you become so strong while dedicating yourself to medicine? I've seen you fight! You mastered your opponents with incredible ease. You must have trained to fight, right?"
A mysterious smile touched Sakura's lips.
"I studied the right things," she said simply. "But you're right, I also trained intensely. Studying is part of that training."
Perplexity was evident on Tsunade's face.
"I still don't understand how studying will make me stronger…"
Sakura suddenly stopped, turning to face Tsunade. She knew that words alone wouldn't convince the young girl. She needed to offer a demonstration, tangible proof of the power that mastering chakra could provide. Spotting a sufficiently large stone, she bent down to pick it up.
"Do you see this stone?" she asked, showing it to Tsunade.
"Yes," Tsunade replied, uncertain of where this demonstration would lead.
"Do you think it could be broken by sheer brute force?"
"No," Tsunade answered, certain of her response.
But before she could say more, Sakura gently pressed the stone between her fingers, reducing it to fine dust that scattered in the wind. Tsunade stood frozen, her eyes wide with astonishment. She had never seen such a display of strength.
"How…?" she stammered.
Sakura merely smiled as she brushed the dust from her hand.
"I studied the human body and chakra with a rigor that few possess. What you just saw, I am the only one who can do it right now. But know that it's not magical or mysterious. It can be learned, mastered… by anyone willing to work hard and study diligently."
"Anyone?" Tsunade repeated, almost incredulous.
"Almost," Sakura corrected. "But only if they are taught how. And you, Tsunade… I'm convinced you can do it if you're willing to put all your energy into this pursuit."
Tsunade remained puzzled.
"How can books and medical knowledge teach me to break a stone like that?"
"It all comes down to controlling your chakra," Sakura replied, her voice deep with certainty.
"But I already control my chakra. I couldn't perform certain techniques without it," Tsunade retorted, a hint of defiance in her voice.
"You've mastered the basics, yes. But by studying the human body and how to heal it, you'll refine your control to a level you can't yet imagine. Your chakra will become an extension of yourself, allowing you to perform feats that others would only envy. One day, you might even break mountains," Sakura prophesied, thoughtful as she remembered the Tsunade of her own past.
"You seem so sure I'll succeed," Tsunade murmured, touched by the confidence Sakura seemed to have in her.
"Because I know you can," Sakura replied, a shadow of a secret lingering in her words. "You've already proven your worth by passing the test I gave you in that book."
"I understand, sensei," Tsunade agreed, a new spark of determination in her eyes.
Sakura paused, her gaze growing more intense as she addressed Tsunade.
"One last thing, Tsunade... Raw strength is not always the solution. Sometimes, a subtle attack can be far more devastating."
Intrigued, Tsunade furrowed her brows.
"What do you mean?"
Without responding immediately, Sakura raised her index finger, channeling a fine yet precise amount of chakra to its tip. A green glow suddenly radiated from her finger, transforming into a chakra scalpel. Tsunade's eyes widened in shock as Sakura gently positioned her finger near the young Senju's jugular, at a measured distance but close enough to make her point.
"A simple movement of this finger," Sakura began, her voice calm but laced with implicit threat, "and you would bleed out in seconds, without even understanding what happened." She let her words hang in the air before deactivating the technique, the chakra scalpel vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. "Raw strength isn't needed for this. It only takes a tiny amount of chakra, and most importantly, precise knowledge of human anatomy. Being a doctor doesn't just mean saving lives... it also means knowing exactly how to take them, and in such a discreet manner that the enemy doesn't realize what's happening until it's too late."
These words ignited a new determination in Tsunade, more firmly rooted than ever. Doubts faded, replaced by a clear certainty.
"Sensei..."
Sakura turned to her, a benevolent smile softening her features.
"Yes, Tsunade?"
"Who taught you all this?" the young girl asked, her admiration evident in her eyes.
Sakura's smile widened, imbued with a tender, almost nostalgic warmth.
"A remarkable woman," she replied softly, her eyes meeting Tsunade's.
As Sakura introduced Tsunade to deeper truths, in a completely different part of the city, Madara was with another pupil, Jiraiya. The atmosphere between them was tense, almost electric, with the teenager unsure how to behave in the presence of such a living legend. Madara, arms crossed, surveyed the young ninja with a sharp gaze, trying to uncover the secrets hidden behind Jiraiya's apparent awkwardness. The adolescent swallowed nervously, feeling the imposing aura of the Shinobi bearing down on him.
Finally, Jiraiya found the courage to speak, though his voice betrayed his apprehension.
"Sensei?"
"Yes?"
"Were you... Did you... accompany Sakura-sama during the war?" The question slipped from his lips, but he knew he hadn't yet articulated what truly troubled him.
Madara, impassive, narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Ask your real question," he ordered in a cold tone.
"Uh... are you the Shinobi in the brown kimono and straw hat that everyone is talking about?" Jiraiya finally asked, his voice trembling.
"Yes," replied Madara, his response short and cold, as sharp as a katana's blade.
This confirmation did nothing to reassure Jiraiya; on the contrary, it intensified the fear he was trying to suppress. The rumors circulating among the ninjas of Konoha came back to him in full force. Could he afford to ask the burning questions he had without risking the wrath of this fearsome shinobi? Yet his curiosity overcame his caution, compelling him to give in to his desire to know.
Madara's impatience was palpable.
"Jiraiya! Whatever your question is, just ask it!"
Madara despised this lack of emotional control in his pupil. Such a flaw was unworthy of a ninja, let alone one he was supposed to train. He would need to correct this quickly.
Finally, Jiraiya took a deep breath and asked the question that had been burning on his lips.
"Are the rumors true? That you destroyed Uzushio?"
The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken meanings. But Madara did not hesitate.
"Yes."
This answer, as blunt as it was devastating, left Jiraiya completely disarmed. He faced a reality he was struggling to accept. How could he be trained by such a formidable man, a merciless assassin who had destroyed an entire village without remorse? Terror and shame mingled within him as he struggled to control his emotions. Madara, observing his pupil's internal struggle, let nothing slip.
"Are you afraid?"
"N... No," he stammered, but his lack of conviction was evident.
Barely had Jiraiya begun to formulate a response when Madara moved, lightning-fast, instantly closing the distance between them. In one smooth, unrelenting motion, he grabbed Jiraiya by the collar of his kimono and effortlessly lifted him off the ground. The young ninja, gripped by panic, instinctively shut his eyes.
"Never lie to me, Jiraiya," Madara thundered. "If I agreed to train you, it's solely because my wife sees potential in you worth developing. But I have my doubts. What I see before me doesn't even deserve my attention. So I'll ask you one last time: are you afraid, Jiraiya?"
As he finished his sentence, his Sharingan activated, the three tomoe swirling slowly.
"Y... Yes, I'm afraid!" Jiraiya finally admitted, terrified by Madara's Dōjutsu. He had heard countless stories about the frightening abilities of these eyes, and he had no desire to experience them firsthand.
"Good," said Madara simply as he deactivated his Sharingan. "I hope you understand what awaits you if you ever dare to lie to me again. Is that clear?"
"Very clear, sensei!" Jiraiya responded immediately as Madara set him down.
"First lesson: as my future apprentice, you will need to learn to lie effectively, as it is an essential skill in our line of work. However, there are three people in Heiwa to whom you must never lie."
"Who are they?"
"My wife, myself, and the Uzukage."
The name made the young boy frown, his mind desperately trying to comprehend.
"Uh... I'm not sure I understand," Jiraiya stammered, before Madara abruptly interrupted with a punch that doubled him over. Jiraiya fell to his knees, struggling to catch his breath, inwardly relieved not to have vomited his lunch.
"I hate repeating myself... Ask your question clearly and without hesitation!"
The boy took a moment to regain his breath.
"If you destroyed Uzushio, why shouldn't I lie to a man who was supposed to be dead?"
Despite his impassive face, Madara felt a pang of satisfaction. Perhaps, after all, Sakura was right about this young ninja.
"Second lesson: a shinobi is not just an assassin or a fighter. Above all, a shinobi is an information gatherer. Here is your first long-term mission, Jiraiya: find the answer to your own question. In a month, you will provide me with a detailed report of the information you have discovered, as well as the conclusions you draw from it. And all this, without anyone discovering what you're doing."
"Understood!" Jiraiya responded with renewed fervor, realizing that despite Madara's ruthless methods, this legendary ninja was giving him a chance to prove his worth.
"Why did you come to Heiwa?"
Jiraiya was about to answer that he didn't understand the question but hesitated when he saw Madara's left eye narrow slightly. A shiver ran down his spine, and he wondered for a moment if Madara could read his thoughts. In any case, he felt he had narrowly avoided another violent blow and decided to tell the truth.
"Because, besides Tsunade, I have no one," he admitted, his shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of his memories.
"Yet it seems you had another teammate, and your sensei is still alive, at least according to the latest news."
"Nah! Orochi-teme is just a fool, and sensei... my former sensei no longer had the time to take care of us," Jiraiya replied, looking down as his mind drifted to that bygone time.
"Do not show such emotions, Jiraiya! Emotions are acceptable, but in private, where no one can see them, and especially where no one can use them against you. You can show them to someone dear to you, but the rest of the time, you must present an infallible attitude."
"Yes, sensei," the young ninja immediately corrected himself, trying to control his emotions.
"Starting tomorrow, you will join Heiwa's military unit under the supervision of Matsuo-san, from six in the morning to noon every day. After that, you will eat your fill, followed by a one-hour nap to help your body recover from the morning. In the afternoon, if I am available, I will handle your training. If my duties prevent me from doing so, you will carry out your mission... of course, you are free to do it at any hour of the day or night."
"Understood, sensei."
"One last thing: when you join the military unit, no one should suspect that you are a newcomer, and no one should remember you."
"That's impossible...," murmured Jiraiya, incredulous.
"False! You are a shinobi, Jiraiya! So think like a shinobi! As my apprentice, you must learn to think differently, to stop behaving like a beginner! Now, explain to me how you will manage."
"I... I..."
"You have the right not to know," Madara added after a moment of silence.
"The only problem is that I will need time," Jiraiya eventually said.
"Explain."
"If I had time to observe Matsuo's unit's routine, I could better blend into the team," Jiraiya explained, his mind already beginning to formulate strategies.
"Unfortunately, life doesn't always go as hoped, and you must learn to improvise in real time. So, knowing that time is of the essence, what would you do to integrate this unit now?"
"Uh... I..."
"Think like a shinobi!"
"I... I would go where the men prepare, discreetly dispose of one of the soldiers, and then take his place using a Henge to undergo the training," Jiraiya replied, a satisfied smile lighting up his face at his own ingenuity.
"Good. Now that you are beginning to understand how a shinobi must think, find another solution before tomorrow morning, one that does not endanger any lives in the military unit," said Madara before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
Day 731
"How long do you think it will take to complete the Ashina seals?" Madara inquired.
"Everything should be finished by the end of the week. The wall will be as strong as Uzushio's, if not stronger," Ashina replied confidently.
Madara could only acknowledge the effectiveness of the Uzumaki seals, which had already proven their worth on Uzushio's ramparts. During Madara's devastating attack, only the wall had held firm against the power of the Shinra Tensei.
"Suzuki-san, what is the status of the army unit led by Matsuo-san?"
"Nothing to report, everything is going as planned. Progress is notable," Suzuki reported.
The other members around the table seemed satisfied with this response. However, Madara felt two distinct things. On one hand, he shared the general satisfaction with the army unit's results. On the other, it confirmed that Jiraiya had managed to infiltrate without being detected. Although proud of his pupil, Madara was concerned about the possibility that other ninjas might exploit the same weakness. Nevertheless, the Heikage remained calm: if an attack were to occur, they would know how to defend and preserve the peace they so cherished.
Suddenly, a bird flew into the room and landed in front of Sakura. She immediately recognized the animal and hurried to retrieve the message attached to its leg.
Nibi cloistered in a cave ten kilometers from the eastern border of Ta No Kuni. Head north from the village of Kasigai until you reach a river and follow it upstream.
I will be waiting for you.
Kakuzu.
"Madara," Sakura said, breaking the silence of the military council after reading the message.
"Yes?" he replied, intrigued.
"He has found another one," Sakura answered before dropping the paper into a brazier.
"Perfect. Ashina, coordinate the next steps with Suzuki. We need to leave immediately," Madara ordered as he stood up, followed by Sakura.
"When do you think you will return?" Suzuki asked as Ashina immersed himself in the scrolls.
"Tomorrow, if all goes well," Sakura replied.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, a man was quietly having lunch with a bowl of rice and pieces of chicken. This man, Nao Hyūga, was waiting for orders from his military superior, staying in one of the city's inns. He changed rooms every three days to avoid arousing suspicion.
Sitting at a table in the inn's back courtyard, he noticed the increasing crowd as lunchtime approached. Still, this did not concern him. Nao Hyūga was a master at blending into the crowd, invisible to all, like the most common of mortals.
Suddenly, a small bird landed on his table. To avoid drawing attention, Nao took a small pouch from his pocket, pulled out some seeds, and spread them gently on the table.
"Come here, little one, have a treat," he murmured softly, as the bird hesitated before beginning to peck at the seeds.
To an outside observer, it was simply a man feeding a bird. But the reality was different. As he gently stroked the bird, Nao managed to retrieve the tiny message attached to its leg.
He held the scroll in his hand while calmly resuming his meal. Then, as he put a piece of chicken in his mouth, he discreetly activated his Byakugan, allowing him to read the message through his hand without drawing attention.
The pawn takes the king.
To an ordinary observer, it would be just a simple move on a chessboard, marked on a piece of paper. But for Nao, this phrase had a much deeper meaning. It was the signal that it was time to launch the second phase of his operation.
Usually, he was sent on infiltration and espionage missions, but today, his Hokage had given him a mission of extreme danger: a mission of a grade known to only a few.
SS-Class Mission: Assassinate a Daimyō!
Nao finished his bowl of rice and then refreshed himself with a glass of sake as a digestif. Observing the small bird in front of him, he took a small handful of seeds to attract the animal closer. Once it was close enough, Nao discreetly attached a message to the bird's leg before getting up.
"Tavern keeper!" Nao called, leaving some ryō on the table. The attendant, who nodded in acknowledgment, recognized the payment.
Nao headed for the exit of the establishment, and in an instant, he vanished into the crowd as if he had never existed.
At all times, Nao wore a Henge on his eyes, making them appear brown. This allowed him to hide his Byakugan and activate it at will. Thanks to this technique, he avoided several patrols on the move, which were conducting regular checks. Indeed, every resident of the city was required to have identification papers, a revolutionary measure for the time.
"Excuse me, sir, I think I'm lost," Nao said, addressing a man at a fabric stand.
"Hello! No problem. What are you looking for?" asked the man, as a troop of soldiers crossed the street behind Hyūga.
"What is the way to the noble district? I have a message to deliver, and I'm running late," Nao replied, showing a bag attached to his right hip.
"Continue on this road until the next intersection, turn right, and you should see an internal wall in the distance. It's that way," the man indicated.
"Thank you very much," said Nao, who knew the way perfectly but had to pretend to ensure the patrol would move away. Although he could have moved across rooftops, he chose to remain discreet.
Once in sight of the internal wall, Nao activated his Byakugan and spotted a dozen guards at the gate, behind the portcullis and above it. Observing their placement, he found a blind spot and, discreetly, concentrated his chakra to change his appearance into that of a noble he had noted, often seen at this entrance.
He adjusted his gait and appearance, greeting the guards who recognized him and returned his salutation with respect. He added a smile to his act, one of the things he enjoyed most about his job: deceiving the enemy.
He continued to walk calmly down the street, where the buildings grew more sophisticated and elegant. He could see the Daimyō's residence higher up and took advantage of a house corner to transform his Henge into that of a servant before waiting.
At this time of day, the residence of the administrative chief would normally be restocked with food. So he waited a few minutes for a large cart filled with supplies to pass by the street, then slipped onto it. Thanks to his enhanced movements, he boarded the cart without being seen.
Out of sight, he changed his appearance again using the Henge technique, transforming into a barrel. He allowed himself to be rocked by the cart's movement.
"Halt!" one of the guards stationed in front of the Daimyō's residence ordered.
"Steady now, my dear," the driver replied, pulling on the reins of his horse.
"Hello, Kenzo. Usual delivery?" one of the guards asked, while another stood in front of the horse and a third climbed into the cart to check its contents.
"Yes, everything is in order. And you?" Kenzo asked.
"We're managing."
"Everything is in order," the man confirmed as he exited the cart.
"You can pass, Kenzo."
The driver gave a slight flick of the whip to his horse, and the cart continued on its way.
A minute later, the cart stopped again, but this time the driver got down to start unloading the cargo, soon followed by many servants.
"Hurry! Get this to the kitchen and the pantry! Everything needs to be stored so we can start preparing for tonight's meal!" ordered what appeared to be the house's head servant.
A dozen people began their task, emptying the cart and transporting the contents to the kitchen cellar.
This was how Nao Hyūga entered his target's residence undetected. He had been transported disguised as a barrel.
After waiting ten minutes in his motionless form, Nao finally released the Henge to return to his normal appearance. He immediately activated his Byakugan to locate the guards and spot his target.
"Only three guards nearby," he murmured to himself before opening the cellar door.
With his Dōjutsu, Nao reached the corridor leading to the Daimyō's quarters in two minutes. The three guards were positioned far enough apart to see each other, and the door to his target's quarters was open. Nao pulled a kunai from under his jacket and rushed toward the three men blocking his way.
Thanks to his Byakugan, he launched his weapon with surgical precision at the throat of the guard furthest from his position. By this action, he aimed to achieve two goals: divert attention and avoid a potential alarm. The weapon lodged in the guard's throat, who fell to the ground with a dull thud, accompanied by a sinister gurgle.
The other two guards immediately turned their heads toward their comrade, giving Nao the opportunity to act.
As soon as he was within striking distance of another guard, he readied his arm. His eyes focused on the breath of his future victim.
Now!
He plunged his second kunai the moment his target exhaled all the air from his lungs, so no sound was made when the weapon penetrated.
"Ghn!"
As the second guard fell, Nao had already closed almost the entire distance to the last guard, who had drawn his sword and was preparing to attack.
Nao easily deflected the attack with the Hyūga clan's combat style, then placed his index and middle fingers directly into the opponent's throat. The chakra discharge severed the carotid artery, paralyzing the last guard in pain. He drowned in his own blood within seconds, under the impassive gaze of the Daimyō.
"You don't seem surprised," Nao noted, turning to Hashuba.
"I knew this day would come," replied the Daimyō calmly, showing no fear of his fate.
"I see," said Nao.
"Who?" Hashuba asked.
"What does it matter?" Nao replied, surveying the surroundings with his Byakugan to ensure no one else was approaching: no one in sight.
"It matters to me. And if I must die, I would like to know who ordered my assassination," Hashuba Shōta responded, unperturbed, while getting into a combat stance with his sheath.
"Konoha," Nao said, approaching.
"I see… However, there is a detail that might displease you," the Daimyō added, slowly spreading his feet, ready to fight.
"Which?" Nao inquired.
"I am not like other Daimyōs. I do not intend to go down without a fight," Hashuba replied, drawing his sword.
Nao wasted no time and drew two additional kunais from his pouch before charging. After all, although the Daimyō might boast of his skills, he was just a civilian wielding a sword. It shouldn't be too difficult.
However, Nao had underestimated Hashuba. The Daimyō was a skilled swordsman, and it was largely thanks to this that he had taken leadership of Ta No Kuni.
Hashuba's movements were fluid, unpredictable, and he was constantly on the defensive. He knew that any mistake could cost him his life.
The fight was noisy, and Nao had to act quickly. He used more chakra than expected to speed up his movements. What was surprising and disorienting was that the Daimyō was able to keep up with his moves.
"How are you doing this?" Nao asked, bewildered by a simple civilian's ability to hold his own. Admittedly, the Daimyō's low chakra level prevented him from moving as fast as ninjas, but he was far quicker than any untrained eye. What Nao didn't know was that Suzuki and Hashuba had mastered the basics of chakra and some E-rank techniques. This was what allowed Hashuba to resist while keeping this secret well hidden.
"Unlike you, I'm not foolish enough to reveal it," Hashuba retorted.
"Tch!" Nao growled, charging at the Daimyō again. Another exchange of blows took place with a clatter of sparks and clangs.
"Is that all Konoha can send?" Hashuba taunted, regulating his breath.
As he made this provocation, Nao threw a kunai at the Daimyō. Hashuba deflected the projectile with fluid ease, but Nao took advantage of the opening to pass his guard and plant his second kunai into his target's body.
When Nao felt the blade penetrate the flesh, he gave a small smile, convinced he had succeeded.
But suddenly, the Daimyō began to shimmer for a fraction of a second before exploding into a cloud of smoke, revealing a cushion impaled on his weapon.
"Kawarimi?" Nao wondered, completely surprised.
Hashuba had just used a substitution technique with a cushion placed behind Nao. In this advantageous position, the Daimyō readied his sword, prepared to decapitate his attacker. Hashuba was confident of his victory: no one could dodge this strike.
Unfortunately for him, his opponent was a Hyūga, endowed with 360-degree vision. The Genjutsu on the assassin's eyes prevented him from perceiving this information. Nao contorted to dodge the blade before striking the Daimyō's wrist with his index and middle fingers. Hashuba immediately dropped his weapon with a cry of pain.
Nao immediately seized the sword with both hands and plunged it into his target's chest.
"Urgh!" Hashuba groaned as the blade pierced him through.
The pain became unbearable as Nao withdrew the sword from his body. He felt warm liquid running down his chest and soaking his clothes. His legs trembled before he fell to his knees. He collapsed on the ground, a pool of blood widening around him.
As Nao prepared to flee, someone burst into the room.
Upon seeing this person, the assassin froze in shock.
"Uzukage-dono?!" Nao exclaimed, astonished to see this person he thought was gone.
"So, in addition to failing to honor its commitments and alliances, Konoha takes it upon itself to assassinate the leaders of neighboring countries? Ashina said coldly, looking at Hashuba lying on the ground surrounded by a pool of blood. It's as if Konoha is responsible for the last war!
"That's not true!" Nao immediately protested.
"Oh no? Then how do you explain this?" Ashina demanded, striking the ground with his foot.
Immediately, a multitude of Fūinjutsu seals spread throughout the room, under the horrified gaze of the assassin.
"What I see is an assassin ninja, whose reactions, chakra, and Dōjutsu can only come from Hi No Kuni! And I see the Daimyō of Ta No Kuni lying in his blood... If this isn't a declaration of war, I don't know what is!"
"It's not what you think!" the ninja defended himself, disoriented by the situation. He wanted to explain that they arrived too late to save Uzushio, but what was the point? He had just assassinated the leader of a major city that sought neutrality.
"Not what I think?! What I know is that this man you just killed...," Ashina began, slowly advancing toward the Byakugan user. "He wanted nothing but peace and prosperity for his country! So what justifies Konoha No Sato committing such an act?!"
As soon as he finished his sentence, Ashina released his killing intent. The assassin felt extremely uneasy, fearing the effects of the Fūinjutsu seals deployed by the Uzukage, even though he did not know their true function.