Just as Arashi thought his first chakra refinement would be a marathon, Ai interrupted him.
"That's enough for now, Arashi. Let's rest," he said with a hint of helplessness.
Medical ninjas were extremely rare in this era, and most were specialized doctors who knew a few secret techniques. Tsunade, who would establish a systematic medical system, hadn't yet made a name for herself.
To be honest, despite the numerous Kumogakure and clan elites gathered to observe, if Arashi's Kekkei Byō were to develop complications during his first chakra refinement, everyone would be at a loss, with little hope of rescue.
After all, it was an unprecedented Kekkei Byō and a new suspected Kekkei Genkai. Out of caution, Ai stopped Arashi's refinement. Chakra refinement is something ninjas do every day; if they're unsure, it's better to proceed slowly and avoid rushing.
A three-year-old child refining chakra for so long was already abnormal.
Ai carefully examined Arashi's condition. After stopping the chakra refinement, the strange phenomenon on Arashi's spine subsided, returning to its previous bruise-like state. The rapid electric arcs gradually disappeared.
Even more strangely, the remaining trace of chakra was quickly absorbed by the spine, leaving not a single bit behind.
After confirming that Arashi was physically fine, Ai handed him over to a maid to take him home, while he remained to hold a meeting with the clan members.
"Did you notice anything? Is this truly a Kekkei Genkai, or just Kekkei Byō?" Ai rubbed his brow in distress.
Since the birth of his second son, he had been troubled, and so had the entire Yoruzu clan.
Kekkei Byō was already troublesome, and Arashi might be the first Kekkei Genkai user in the Yoruzu clan's history, with no one to refer to.
"Actually, we're too impatient. Whether it's a Kekkei Genkai or simply Kekkei Byō, we'll know when Arashi can train ninjutsu or become a ninja. That's only four or five years away; we old fellows can wait," said an elder with a white beard.
Another, even older elder with almost no teeth glared at him fiercely.
They exchanged a look; some couldn't wait.
"Ai, your approach is correct. Arashi is too important to the Yoruzu clan to be reckless. Just wait a couple of years," others agreed.
One elder frowned, "If Arashi possesses a Kekkei Genkai without Kekkei Byō, his condition is hard to predict. If it's a Kekkei Byō with side effects, it's better to treat it early, otherwise, it might become uncontrollable..."
Ai frowned, remaining silent.
This was his most difficult dilemma. As a father, he didn't want to simply leave it to fate and hoped to identify and remedy the problem early, but the problem was that the Yoruzu clan and Kumogakure lacked effective medical techniques. The village's few medical ninjas were good at treating injuries, but researching a never-before-seen Kekkei Byō was wishful thinking.
Ultimately, the village lacked the expertise.
Ai sighed and summoned Tsuchikage, saying, "Initiate the 'Fire-Stealing Plan.'"
Tsuchikage nodded, unsurprised, and instantly disappeared from Ai's sight.
The so-called Fire-Stealing Plan was devised by Ai, the Raikage, after Arashi's birth. Its core concept was simple: acquire the "fire," or essential knowledge and skills.
To compensate for Kumogakure's weaknesses in certain areas.
Kumogakure, as a martial arts-focused village, had some imbalances.
From the clan system of the Warring States period to the ninja village system, the system became more complex, and the needs more comprehensive. They couldn't rely solely on their clan's secret techniques like in the family era, but needed a well-rounded approach.
Ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu are not to be mentioned, but interrogation techniques, assassination techniques, medical ninjutsu, sensory ninjutsu, and various other aspects must be present. They may not be strong, but they must exist, otherwise, the village's operation will suffer from functional deficiencies.
Kumogakure's establishment didn't have the advantageous start of Konoha, which had powerful clans filling every gap, lacking no weaknesses. Konoha had the Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans for sensory skills, the Uchiha, Nara, and Yamanaka clans for genjutsu, the Akimichi and Hatake clans for taijutsu, and the Yamanaka clan for unparalleled interrogation techniques. Other unique techniques were countless: shadow techniques, spirit transformation, and infiltration techniques. Other ninja villages could only be envious. Even excluding the overpowered Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju, Konoha's foundation far surpassed the other four Great Ninja Villages.
Weaknesses or deficiencies in certain areas were common in all villages except Konoha. Kumogakure had been slowly filling these gaps. Before, it wasn't a formal plan but more of an inclination and strategy. However, Arashi's condition highlighted Kumogakure's weaknesses in certain areas.
Clearly, Arashi's situation was a significant impetus for the Fire-Stealing Plan.
From this perspective, you could say Ai had a conflict of interest, but Ai, or the successive Ais of Kumogakure, were not public servants, but leaders who led the village through personal charisma and martial prowess. Therefore, the Fire-Stealing Plan shows some biased details.
Ai spoke in a low voice, giving his first order:
"Dispatch elite squads to the ruins of Uzushiogakure to search for any remaining sealing jutsu information. Also, all ninjas on missions should pay attention to the movements of Uzushiogakure survivors. Upon discovery, immediately bring them back to Kumogakure. The Uzumaki clan's sealing jutsu is extremely powerful and has many amazing applications. There are also records that some Uzumaki clan members are born with unique healing abilities, but the veracity is uncertain."
The value of sealing jutsu needs no explanation. Rumor has it that the Uzumaki clan possessed sealing jutsu more suitable for tailed beasts than Kumogakure's iron armor seal. As one of the highest-priority ninjutsu in the ninja world, sealing jutsu can solve many niche problems, potentially including Arashi's condition.
After the destruction of Uzushiogakure, many forces coveted its legacy, but the Land of Lightning was too far from Uzushiogakure, so they hadn't paid much attention before. But that would change.
Ai waved his hand, and three ANBU appeared before him. After a moment of contemplation, he gave his second order:
"Send people disguised as merchants to contact the Land of Water. There are many Kekkei Genkai clans there, some of which haven't joined Kirigakure. Contact them; if it works out, recruit them; if not, report back and find a way."
Kirigakure is a gathering place for Kekkei Genkai clans. Although many aren't famous, they are still valuable. The clans' inherent strength and bloodlines are highly valuable, and some long-standing clans may have unique insights into Kekkei Genkai.
Many smaller Kekkei Genkai clans are now on the verge of collapse, with only a few members left. Even bringing them to Kumogakure is better than letting them disappear from history.
Other forces might have reservations and wouldn't forcefully pressure these small clans, as such actions might make their own clans wary or have other negative consequences, but Kumogakure doesn't have such concerns.
Kumogakure's internal unity is strong, and their voices are highly unified. The original story doesn't even have a named rogue ninja.
Such an internally unified force wouldn't be suspicious due to external strong-arm tactics. Moreover, Kumogakure can guarantee that while the recruitment process might not be polite, once they arrive, they'll be treated as brothers.
The third order:
"Place a bounty in the underworld for medical ninjutsu. When the time is right, I will find a way to establish a special medical unit."
Kumogakure naturally has medical personnel, but most focus on external wound treatment. They can save lives but struggle with illnesses, lacking research capabilities and the ability to handle special cases.
Kumogakure's foundation in this area is weak, so they need to absorb relevant ninjutsu and experience from the ninja world.
Ai hopes Kumogakure will have its own special medical unit or hospital, not only for treatment but also research capabilities.
Ideally, to solve Arashi's problem.
Ultimately, Ai is a leader, not a public servant. As long as the village's core interests aren't harmed, orders with some personal bias are entirely acceptable.
Not only the Yoruzu clan but also the rest of Kumogakure would treat it as their own matter, because it was Ai's order.
"Everyone, the ninja world is still at peace, but Kumogakure needs to accumulate its strength. The 'Fire-Stealing Plan' is a crucial long-term project. Do not slack off!"
"Osu!" An enthusiastic response echoed through the Yoruzu clan's shrine.
Meanwhile, at home, Dana Arashi was wrestling with Yoruzu Ki, stomping his feet in anger, unaware that his butterfly wings had flapped so early and so forcefully.
He didn't know that this Fire-Stealing Plan, filled with the Third Raikage's personal interests, would change so much.
"Damn it, Ki, put me down! I'll tell Mom!"
Well, let's hope his intelligence can soon overcome the influence of his immature body.
Regarding Kinkaku and Ginkaku: Kinkaku and Ginkaku rebelled at the end of the First Great Ninja War, killing the Second Raikage and severely injuring the Second Hokage. The original story doesn't say how they died, but the outcome suggests their rebellion failed, otherwise, there wouldn't be the Third Raikage we know. The Third Raikage would be Kinkaku or Ginkaku.
Therefore, it's inferred that they died in the counterattack after the rebellion. Kumogakure wouldn't let them live.
The above are reasonable inferences based on the original story. Most online theories also suggest they died in Konoha 20, the same year as the rebellion.
The protagonist was born in Konoha (same as Kumogakure) 27.
So their graves are overgrown with weeds... Don't ask why Kumogakure doesn't have them anymore...
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