After parting ways with Sasuke, the system flickered before Yuichi's eyes.
[SYSTEM: Host has formed a bond with Sasuke. Reward – Kusanagi Sword imbued with all-elemental chakra affinity.]
In the holographic display, the Kusanagi spun slowly, gleaming with elemental energy.
Yuichi's lips curved faintly. A blade that channels every chakra nature… a fine weapon indeed.
He preferred keeping enemies at a distance, and with this sword, opponents would think twice before closing in.
I'll retrieve it after we leave Konoha. Easier than answering awkward questions about its origin.
The sun had set; it was time to return to his small tent. Hopefully, no one else would delay him this time.
Konoha, wrapped in the towering remnants of his Wood Style, looked almost like a nation beneath a sacred tree. Though many parts of the village lay in ruin, lanterns still glowed warmly, and people still walked the streets in twos and threes.
Yuichi glanced at them, thoughtful.
If not for the system, I'd probably be clinging to the protagonist's side, living an ordinary shinobi's life. But with unlimited chakra at my disposal… I'd be a fool not to chase something greater.
His shadow stretched long under the lamplight as he continued forward, the night sky above him starless and dim.
Meanwhile, far away—
The Land of Wind – Sunagakure
In the Sand's council chamber, Jōnin gathered grimly.
The village was on shaky ground. Their Fourth Kazekage had fallen to Orochimaru's betrayal, their alliance with Konoha shattered, and their Jinchūriki captured. Even their elite Jōnin, Baki, had been slain.
"Was Baki really killed by a Genin from Konoha?" one Jōnin muttered bitterly.
"That boy isn't ordinary. He's their hidden weapon—a Senju descendant who inherited the First Hokage's Wood Style."
"It's not just Wood Style. His strange Body Flicker is so fast, even Baki couldn't react."
"We've lost a Kazekage, a Jinchūriki, and one of our strongest shinobi. All because of damned Konoha—and Orochimaru, their own traitor. Why didn't they eliminate him long ago!?"
The chamber buzzed with outrage, until the doors opened.
An elderly woman entered, her voice cutting through their noise.
"Is this how you intend to solve Sunagakure's crisis?"
The Jōnin immediately bowed in respect.
"Lady Chiyo!"
"Why am I here? Because Sunagakure stands on the brink of collapse, that's why," Chiyo snapped. "Without a Kazekage and without a Jinchūriki, are you telling me our shinobi have no idea what to do next?"
Ashamed, they fell silent.
Chiyo's disappointment weighed heavy in the room. After a long pause, she sighed.
"…Send emissaries to Konoha."
The Jōnin looked up sharply. To negotiate? That would mean bending to whatever terms Konoha demanded. With no bargaining power, it was as good as surrender.
"But Lady Chiyo—"
"Do we have another option?" Her tone was sharp.
The chamber grew quiet. Everyone knew the truth. Konoha had gained a shinobi wielding Hashirama's Wood Style—one who was already strong enough to kill Baki. His potential would only grow.
Silence was their only answer.
Chiyo turned and left, leaving the Jōnin staring at each other. Bitter though it was, she had voiced the reality none of them wished to admit.
The night passed swiftly.
The next morning, Yuichi woke early. For the past two days, he had been choosing to expand his chakra reserves. While small jutsu didn't benefit much, large-scale techniques like the Tree World profited greatly from the increased output.
Infinite chakra and high chakra capacity were different things. Ten points of chakra versus a hundred points released at once—two entirely separate concepts.
Now it was time for today's daily choice.
[SYSTEM: Daily Selection]
[1. Arrive at the departure point on time. Reward – Lightning Style Chakra.]
[2. Be deliberately late. Reward – Full Collection of Intimate Paradise.]
Yuichi rolled his eyes. As if I'd choose that trash…
He headed for the designated meeting place, an isolated gate of the Konoha wall. Rarely used, it was the perfect exit for discreet departures.
Beneath a large tree by the stream, Shikaku waited. He nodded as Yuichi arrived promptly.
[SYSTEM: Reward acquired – Lightning Style Chakra]
Another element gained. Only Yin chakra remained. Soon, Yuichi would master all chakra natures.
As he pondered the possibilities, Kakashi arrived—remarkably on time—bringing Naruto along.
Naruto blinked in confusion.
"Wait… Kakashi-sensei, didn't you say this was a special mission for me? Why is Yuichi here too? He's just a Genin—"
Kakashi's visible eye crinkled. "Oh, that's right. You're a Genin. But your partner today is Yuichi—Konoha's newest Jōnin. You didn't know?"
Naruto froze, dumbstruck, his excitement for the mission instantly turning to stone.