After a moment.
"Kyohiko-kun, what brings you here today?"
"These few days, I've been researching a ninjutsu and have some questions, so I wanted to chat with you, senpai."
The person who came was Uchiha Fugaku.
Ryoho Kyohiko smiled.
A trace of bewilderment appeared in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes. Ninjutsu research? Looking for me? He was stunned for a moment, then quickly came to his senses. He had heard about some of Konoha's recent activities. After all, the current Fugaku was not the same as before. Even their Uchiha clan… could also enter the higher echelons, participate in some key meetings, and there were even regular meeting reports from time to time. So, he knew what Konoha had been up to recently.
Researching ninjutsu! And a strange new type of puppet technique at that.
Uchiha Fugaku immediately nodded.
"Well then, let's talk in detail at my place. This is not the place to chat."
As he spoke, he paused slightly.
"Shisui, you continue to help everyone practice swordsmanship and the Body Flicker Technique. Don't fall behind in your own training either."
"Yes, Clan Head-sama!"
Shisui bowed respectfully.
Watching Kyohiko and Fugaku leave, he finally looked up, wondering in his heart what the two were going to talk about. Ninjutsu research? In this world, is there still ninjutsu research that can stump my teacher? He scratched his head.
After thinking for a moment, he put it out of his mind. As Fugaku had said, his key focus now was to become stronger. Only by becoming stronger could he do more things. My current self is still too weak!
Shisui turned back and went towards the crowd, continuing to lead the exchange of swordsmanship and Body Flicker techniques—it was called an exchange, but in fact, it was him teaching the others. Because these people's Body Flicker and swordsmanship were not as good as his. It was just a nicer way of putting it.
***
In the Police Force, inside the captain's office.
The two sat down. Fugaku poured a cup of tea and smiled.
"What ninjutsu is it that even Kyohiko-kun can't figure out?"
"It's not too difficult a ninjutsu…"
Ryoho Kyohiko didn't answer directly.
He looked up and glanced at Fugaku.
"Have you been well during this period, senpai?"
Fugaku asked back.
"Are you talking about after the Police Force was reorganized?"
He took a sip of tea, then put down the cup. After a moment of contemplation, he began to speak.
"After the reorganization, the combat effectiveness of the Police Force has declined a bit, but everyone is working for Konoha, and their work has become more active."
These words from Fugaku were an admission that the previous Uchiha were not active in some matters and had not played their role. There was no other way. The Uchiha had rebelled a few too many times. To be able to get the current benefits was entirely due to the mercy of this generation's leader in Konoha. The key was—Kyohiko would likely be at the helm for more than just this generation; the next generation would probably still be his. Even after he died, who knows, Kyohiko might still be alive. The vitality of the Senju clan was truly astonishing!
So, for the sake of the Uchiha clan, even though in terms of village status, he and Kyohiko were on the same level, he had to lower his stance. What's more, the past Uchiha did indeed have problems.
After hearing this, Ryoho Kyohiko couldn't help but smile.
"Then I am relieved. What about the use of ninja hounds?"
"Ninja hounds…"
Fugaku hesitated for a moment and frowned slightly. "What the ninja hounds can do, ninjas can also do. And there are very few battles around the village. I'm wondering if the ninja hounds can really be of any use."
As he spoke of his considerations, he was suddenly startled and quickly explained.
"I'm not questioning the village's decision, but I'm worried about wasting the village's financial resources."
Raising ninja hounds costs money! Especially for the Police Force. The funds for the Police Force were all allocated by the village. After the reorganization a while ago, the allocated funds were much more than usual. Some of the extra part was arranged for the ninjas of the Police Force, and a lot was used for the ninja hounds. The Police Force didn't need them! Was there a need for this?
Fugaku was puzzled, but Ryoho Kyohiko said seriously.
"Has senpai forgotten how Madara designed Obito's downfall?"
"You mean, the Kiri ninjas, and that kind of clone?"
Fugaku frowned. "But the ninja hounds, against these clones, seem to be outmatched."
It wasn't that the ninja hounds were useless, but that those things didn't pass through the open. How could the hounds smell them?
Ryoho Kyohiko said.
"When the Police Force encounters a battle, they can be additionally dispatched to patrol outside. They are not necessarily limited to within Konoha."
Fugaku was taken aback, then immediately became serious. Is a war coming?
He recalled for a moment.
"Isn't the Cloud Village's Eight-Tails captured by us? In this situation, they still dare to fight?"
"The Cloud Village is not certain, but as for Madara and Onoki, it's hard to say."
Ryoho Kyohiko shook his head.
He didn't go into detail. Some intelligence couldn't be revealed to Fugaku. It was enough to stop at the right point. At this point, he took out the glass bottle.
"Fugaku-senpai, I'm returning the eyes to you."
"You don't… hmm?"
Fugaku had thought Kyohiko didn't need them anymore. But when he looked closely, his pupils suddenly shrank.
The tomoe of these eyes had disappeared! He was somewhat astonished.
"It?"
"I did an experiment. I dispersed the dōjutsu power inside it, and then it became like this. It's useless for now," Ryoho Kyohiko answered.
Fugaku took back the eyes and observed them carefully. It was indeed a state of blindness caused by the exhaustion of dōjutsu power. He was a little surprised. In the Uchiha clan, two forbidden jutsu could cause blindness, but… Izanagi and Izanami, Kyohiko knew neither. He didn't think that with the other's character, he would steal these two forbidden jutsu for experiments. It was most likely that he had researched a way to disperse dōjutsu power himself. This was already very remarkable!
Because… he had observed that these eyes had been transplanted. With Kyohiko's character, it was most likely that he had experimented on himself. This thing was risky!
"Kyohiko-kun's methods are truly shocking!"
"It was a difficult attempt, and in the end, it still failed."
Ryoho Kyohiko took out another scroll. "Fugaku-senpai, there is another jutsu I hope you can master."
Fugaku took it. After a glance, he couldn't help but look up. This was a chakra perception jutsu! Created by Senju Tobirama, it could be used to sense the movement trajectory of chakra in the surrounding area by probing with one's fingers. Although not as good as the Byakugan, its effect was not small.
"I understand."
Fugaku's expression was serious. He nodded and accepted it. "I will master it as quickly as possible!"
"The safety of Konoha is in your hands."
After Ryoho Kyohiko bowed, he stood up and left.
Uchiha Fugaku stood up to see him off. After seeing Kyohiko off, he quickly took out the eyes to check them. After careful inspection and confirmation, he put the eyes back. It was indeed the eyes of the Uchiha clan! So, Kyohiko's experiment had failed, and he was no longer interested in the Sharingan. Fugaku was relieved. Before, he had been worried that Konoha would continue to covet the Sharingan in the sealing scroll in his hand. But now, he could rest a little easier.
***
In Sunagakure, Rasa returned to the village and quickly arranged some tasks, clearing up some of the backlog of matters in the village. It wasn't until late at night that he let out a long sigh. Sunagakure is really out of people! If there were still some talents, he wouldn't have been reduced to this.
At this moment, Rasa regretted it a little. If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have sent Baki to Konoha. That child was talented and should have been able to grow into a pillar of the village. But now… after being sent to Konoha, whether he could maintain his original intentions was probably hard to say. But if he hadn't sent them, how could those children have been controlled? Konoha was too prosperous!
"Sigh! I hope he can help the village and keep a few more talents. Otherwise, Sunagakure is really going to perish!"
Rasa's heart was heavy. He stood up and opened the door to go out.
Elder Naito was holding a document and was about to knock. Seeing him, his action immediately froze.
"Kazekage-sama."
"Elder, you haven't left yet? Is there something you want to talk about?"
Rasa brought him in.
Elder Naito entered and then bowed.
"Kazekage-sama, there is news from the capital!"
"Oh?"
Rasa's eyes lit up, and he immediately took it.
Then, he glanced over it, and his face immediately stiffened. The Daimyo's meaning… if it was just that barren mountain, they could decide for themselves. But this was not giving them power, but that the Daimyo and nobles of the capital no longer cared about the northern desert at all. Then, they naturally also didn't care about Sunagakure.
Rasa looked at the reply, not speaking for a long time.
Elder Naito said.
"Kazekage-sama, the Daimyo-sama should be trusting us…"
"I understand, Elder."
Rasa took a deep breath. "As long as we produce results and show effects, they will still recognize us. At that time, everything will get better."
The key to Sunagakure now was… with one defeat after another, the allocation from the capital was getting smaller and smaller each year. They urgently needed to let the capital see results. For this, some sacrifices, for now, they really couldn't afford to care about.
Rasa put down the scroll.
"Elder, I plan to cooperate thoroughly with Konoha. Subsequently, I will send people to Konoha to discuss the division of the northern part of the Land of Rivers."
"That's also good. For now… this is the only way."
Elder Naito's eyes were downcast.
The current Sunagakure had no capital to bargain. Fortunately—in the alliance, the third party was not one of the five great ninja villages, but Amegakure. A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Although Amegakure was very strong among the small ninja villages, it was still not as deep-rooted as Sunagakure.
"Then let's do it! Also, the climate issue, we can talk to Konoha and Amegakure again and try to settle it…"
Rasa stated his ideas one by one.
On the matter of the Land of Rivers, they could make concessions and let Amegakure gain more benefits. But the climate must be improved! To transform the northern desert would not only improve the climate in the north of the Land of Wind, but most importantly—it would let the nobles see the value of the north! The desert was not a desolate, worthless place. It could be transformed, crops could be produced, and even trade routes could be opened up. Amegakure needed the benefits of the Land of Rivers, while they actually needed the support of the capital more. Both sides would get what they needed!
Elder Naito thought for a moment and nodded lightly.
"I understand."
"Afterwards, on the sea, let them pay more attention. We must take down the Land of the Sea together with Konoha!"
A fierce glint appeared in Rasa's eyes.
Sunagakure was indeed weak. But if he couldn't beat Konoha or Iwagakure, could he not beat you, Kirigakure? What's more, this time there was Konoha's help. They could surely take it!
"The nobles have a lot of business at sea. Taking down the Land of the Sea can also get us more benefits and a say in the capital."
The old man nodded in agreement.
Putting aside why Sunagakure had become so weak, in a sense, cooperating with Konoha was a huge profit!
"Mm."
***
On the sea near the Land of the Sea.
"Who are you? How dare you rob our merchant ship!"
"Heh, the Land of Water? This is our Land of the Sea. No matter how strong your Land of Water is, you have to step aside!"
On the pirate ship, a rugged man held a samurai sword, his gaze fierce. "If you know what's good for you, just hand over the goods. We rob for money, not for lives. Otherwise…"
"Otherwise what?"
A figure walked out from the ship, his gaze cold.
"You bunch of wandering ninjas, don't you know that the Land of the Sea has hired us Kirigakure ninjas?"
Then, one by one, figures emerged from the surrounding sea. Kirigakure ninjas!
The leader was precisely Hoshigaki Kisame. He had failed his previous mission and was reprimanded and punished, and was then punished to come here. Compared to Kyohiko, Kisame was of course very weak. But that was only relatively speaking. In Kirigakure, he was a first-class genius of the Hoshigaki clan. At a young age, his chakra amount was already very outstanding. The current him… was naturally stronger than before!
The next second, he flickered forward, instantly arriving on the sea surface, his palm striking the water.
Water Style: Rain Four Sharks!
Four water sharks soared into the air and flew towards the ship in front. A few mere wandering ninjas actually dare to rob the ships near the Land of the Sea, and they're robbing a ship from the Land of Water. Not only that, but this group of people dared to rob a second time! How could he tolerate it?
The water sharks charged up, but the next moment, fireballs suddenly erupted from the ship. Fire Style ninjutsu? A wandering ninja can actually master Fire Style of this scale? But it was only at the chunin level. He snorted coldly and instantly formed hand seals with both hands.
Hiding in Mist Technique!
Not just him. On the sea surface around, one Kirigakure ninja after another released the Hiding in Mist Technique, enveloping the entire sea area. Then, Hoshigaki Kisame formed hand seals again.
Water Style: Great Shark Bullet Technique!
A huge shark appeared and blasted towards the distant ship. This one blow, surely, in cooperation with his comrades, would wipe out everyone on this ship… Hoshigaki Kisame was pondering.
Suddenly, a miserable cry came from the ship. Then, he sensed that a Kirigakure ninja had been cut down from the ship and had fallen directly into the sea. Dead?
Kisame was a little shocked. The next moment, he sensed—Boom! A huge wall of water rose up from the sea, blocking his Great Shark Bullet. Although the shark quickly devoured the chakra of the water wall, but… the next second, he sensed that figure quickly approaching him.
This speed? How could this speed belong to a wandering ninja! Kisame immediately sensed that something was wrong.
Clang!
A clash of blades. His own blade was almost knocked out of his hand, sent flying. What great strength!
"Heh!"
The other party sneered and quickly kicked at him.
Kisame immediately blocked with a kunai. But the other party actually didn't dodge. Clang! The kunai hit a leg guard and failed to break through the opponent's defense. On the contrary—Bang! He was sent flying again.
The next second, the other party's blade turned, and in an instant, it was in front of him. Tch! Kisame fell backwards, but his arm was still cut. So fast! This guy is definitely not a wandering ninja! He had no time to think.
He quickly swiped his finger across the wound and directly pressed it on the water surface. The next second, one after another, sharks appeared, swallowing him and disappearing into the sea.