Two years passed in a blink of an eye.
Konoha Year 44.
Too many changes have taken place in the ninja world.
Uchiha Kiyo stayed at his base with peace of mind, conducting his own research and seldom intervening in the Ninja world.
But the clones are different.
Ma Jia is a bit more secure and is developing the art of reincarnation in Sunagakure. At the same time, he is developing the Magnet Release. Recently, there have been signs of success. Two years is really very little movement.
In addition to Ma Jia, there is also Yun among the clones who has the least movement—Akatsuki's Yun.
At this time, Yun had become an elite jōnin-level ninja, one of the top masters in the Akatsuki organization.
Originally, according to Yahiko's plan, the Akatsuki organization was going to develop secretly for a year to cultivate strength.
But soon they realized the reality: most Akatsuki members were former wandering ninjas, and their foundation and talent were not as strong as expected. They were far from reaching the level of Nagato, Konan, or even elite jōnin-level.
After one year, their progress was limited, forcing Yahiko to extend their training for another year.
Therefore, Yun is rarely active in the ninja world, spending most of his time training within Akatsuki and guiding the next generation.
As for Zhen, although there has been no major event in the ninja world, he has gained significant notoriety in Kirigakure.
In two years, he has transformed into an elite jōnin, and with his Ice Release abilities, his strength continues to improve.
In other words, all of Uchiha Kiyo's clones have reached the elite jōnin level, and Tushi has grown even stronger.
After two years of Lightning Release forging, his physical fitness has greatly improved, and his chakra reserves have increased several times. He has now stepped into the ranks of shadow-level ninja.
Given his fusion abilities and other techniques, his strength ranks among the top even within the shadow-level category.
Among the clones, the most active—apart from Tushi, who occasionally roams the ninja world and attracts attention from the major ninja villages—is Hui.
For two years, Hui was primarily responsible for gathering intelligence for Uchiha Kiyo. At the same time, he gradually distanced himself from his identity as Orochimaru's assistant and became a recognized Konoha jōnin.
However, he had yet to earn the title of elite jōnin due to insufficient mission contributions.
Promotion to elite jōnin is not easy. These individuals represent the top echelon below Kage-level and are crucial figures in their respective villages.
To qualify, a ninja must complete numerous high-level missions, particularly A-rank and S-rank missions, with a high success rate.
Unlike Zhen—who had infiltrated Kirigakure and successfully assumed a legitimate identity—Hui had no such cover in Konoha.
He was initially known only as Orochimaru's assistant. While some in the village acknowledged his abilities, Konoha's leadership did not fully trust him.
The training of Konoha's ninjas extends beyond the academy. In addition to clans privately cultivating their own warriors, organizations like Root secretly train operatives.
Even so, Konoha's ninja numbers have only reached four or five thousand over the past decade, far from the tens of thousands that make up a major village's total forces.
This discrepancy is due to an additional recruitment method—military-style training.
Unlike the Root's harsh conditioning, this system takes in orphans, war refugees, and other children, training them until they reach the equivalent of a genin-level graduate. These individuals are then incorporated into the standard ninja ranks, ensuring a steady supply of fresh recruits.
Hui's ambiguous background led Konoha's higher-ups to assume he was a product of this system—someone who had trained outside the official academy before being picked up by Orochimaru.
While this explained his existence, it also meant Konoha lacked full confidence in him.
This lack of trust, however, did not prevent Hui's promotion. Instead, the real obstacle was the overwhelming number of ninjas competing for promotion.
Many high-level missions had already been assigned to recent elite jōnin like Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Fugaku.
Meanwhile, rising talents such as Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi were also nearing promotion. As a result, Hui—who lacked a clan backing him—found it difficult to secure top-tier missions.
Why not ask Orochimaru for help?
That was wishful thinking.
Orochimaru viewed Hui as nothing more than a subordinate. He had no reason to support Hui's career advancement unless it benefited him.
Unless a deal was struck, he wouldn't lift a finger.
And Hui, who valued his independence, was unwilling to make such a trade.
Thus, despite his strength, Hui remained a standard jōnin in rank.
However, certain people—including the Third Hokage—were well aware that Hui was more than qualified to be an elite jōnin.
Hokage's Office
"Minato, Kumogakure has been stirring up trouble again. The village needs you to investigate. If circumstances allow, you have permission to resolve the situation directly."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Minato Namikaze, with his characteristic blond hair and blue eyes, replied solemnly.
"I've selected strong partners to assist you. Here's the list."
Minato accepted the document and reviewed the names, nodding in satisfaction.
"Hyuga Hizashi, Hui, and Yamanaka Kaiichi."
Aside from Hyuga Hiashi, every major talent recently promoted—or on the verge of promotion—was included in this team. They were all among the best of the new generation.
Minato did not yet grasp the full implications of this selection.
And the Third Hokage was in no rush to explain.
What would be the point?
Telling Minato outright, "I am grooming you to be the next Hokage" before anything was set in stone?
"If there are no questions, return home and prepare. This mission may last for an extended period."
Sarutobi gave Minato a meaningful glance before dismissing him.
Minato, confused by the look, left the office.
"Was there something specific I should prepare for?"
Unable to decipher the Hokage's intentions, Minato decided to follow standard preparations.
Upon returning home, he finally understood.
"Minato! You're going away for a long time again?! Did that old man do this on purpose?!"
Kushina, enraged, nearly stormed off to Hokage's office to complain.
Minato quickly calmed her down with an explanation, but he failed to see her true thoughts.
Hmph, stupid old man. If he doesn't let me out this time, we won't be done!
Outwardly, Kushina pretended to accept Minato's reasoning, but inwardly, she plotted ways to escape Konoha's confines. She had been "imprisoned" for too long.
Meanwhile, Hui and the other team members received their mission briefings.
"A mission at the border?"
After dismissing the Anbu messenger, Hui pondered the assignment.
"The team includes Minato Namikaze, Hyuga Hizashi, and Yamanaka Kaiichi. Essentially, Konoha's top rising stars."
"Wait, why isn't Fugaku included?"
Whatever the reason, one thing was clear—
"The Third Hokage is already preparing the path for Namikaze Minato."
But why? Hui narrowed his eyes.
The sudden loss of White Fang? No, that alone wouldn't prompt this decision.
Then, there was only one explanation—
Flying Thunder God.
Yes, that was it. Minato had likely mastered the technique.
This mission might provide an opportunity to witness it firsthand.
At the same time, in the mountains near Iwagakure—
Tushi, having received shared memories from the main body, smirked.
"Namikaze Minato has mastered Flying Thunder God? And there's friction with Kumogakure?"
A certain duo might make an appearance.
"Perfect."
Excited by the prospect, Tushi prepared to test his new Meltdown Release: Gundam Mode.
"It's time to make my name resound through the ninja world again."