From Naruto Onwards, I Control Time

At the insistence of Shizune and Rin, the two of them eventually helped Kaede into a secluded corner. Then, with awkward expressions, they both averted their gazes and shut their eyes tightly.

Kaede let out a sigh.

Being a medical ninja was really the perfect excuse, completely irrefutable and impossible to turn down.

After resolving the issue with their help, Kaede was supported back to the tent by the two girls. However, their expressions had clearly changed. They would occasionally glance at each other, only to awkwardly look away the next moment.

The stiff atmosphere didn't ease up until Kurenai brought over lunch.

After the meal, they naturally shifted into a heart-to-heart conversation. Over the course of the morning and afternoon, Kaede got a general idea of what Kurenai, Rin, and Shizune had been doing since graduating from the Academy, the missions they had taken, and the events that had occurred.

Kaede wasn't particularly focused on Kurenai's story; what concerned him more was Rin's side, specifically, Kakashi and Obito. Their storyline still seemed to be progressing along the original trajectory.

"I wonder if Obito has already caught Uchiha Madara's attention. If he has, then Rin's already in danger."

Kaede glanced sidelong at Rin, silently muttering to himself.

Rin's situation was extremely precarious.

Even with the strength he had now, it would still be difficult to resolve, because it meant facing the likes of Madara, Black Zetsu, and White Zetsu, all exceptionally troublesome enemies.

Even though Madara was hanging by a thread at this point, the guy was still capable of controlling even Reanimation Jutsu. If they ended up in a head-on clash, who knew what kind of forbidden technique Madara might pull out of nowhere?

At the very least...

He would need to reach the super-Kage level to have the confidence to interfere in that part of the plot.

Right now, in terms of pure strength, he hadn't even reached the peak of the Kage level. If he faced off against someone like the Third Raikage or Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, he would struggle to win. He was still a long way off from reaching the super-Kage class.

If Madara's plans weren't set to begin early, that would give him about two more years to grow. In that case, reaching that level wasn't out of the question.

But if he couldn't make it in time, he'd have to find a way to keep Rin alive without clashing with Madara. Sure, this world had plenty of ways to bring the dead back to life, but dying still wasn't exactly a pleasant experience. If he could prevent it, he would absolutely do his best to do so.

"I really do need to keep training…"

Kaede gave a wry smile in his heart.

He had thought that once he reached the Kage level, he could finally relax a bit. This whole "injured patient" experience was meant to be a little break from the relentless cycle of training, fighting, training, and more fighting, but it seemed that break would last only a few short days.

If it were just about himself, he could afford to slow down. He could choose to live more leisurely going forward. But unfortunately, he found he couldn't just sit by and ignore the things he knew were coming.

If he wanted to interfere in the story, if he wanted to save people, then he needed power greater than what it took just to protect himself.

That rule held true no matter what world he was in.

"What's wrong, Kaede? You look like you've got something on your mind." Rin tilted her head and asked when she noticed a flicker of emotion on his face.

Kaede came back to his senses and smiled at her. "It's nothing. I was just wondering… how could we make this world truly peaceful, free from war."

That made Rin, Kurenai, and Shizune all fall silent for a moment, caught off guard.

"…I've never really thought about that kind of thing," Rin murmured.

For most shinobi, even entertaining such a thought was like reaching for the stars, completely out of their grasp. But with the position Kaede now held, he really could start to consider it. That realization made all three girls feel a sense of admiration toward him.

Seeing their expressions, Kaede couldn't help but laugh inwardly.

Peace? That doesn't exist.

Nuclear deterrence? Now that's realistic.

In some twisted way, Nagato's logic was actually sound. If someone truly created a weapon on par with a nuclear bomb, maybe peace could be achieved.

As for Naruto's vision of mutual understanding between people, that was nonsense. If it weren't for Naruto and Sasuke being walking cheat codes strong enough to take on the entire ninja world solo, peace would've never even had a chance.

If the two of them died, and the powers of the Sage of Six Paths and the super-Kage class vanished from the world, war would undoubtedly rise again.

Peace could only be built on the foundation of overwhelming power.

That had always been the way in the ninja world. The First Hokage didn't bring order to chaos with ideals or dreams, but with power that towered above the rest.

With that thought in mind...

Kaede lowered his hands to the ground and slowly pushed himself upright.

Kurenai, Rin, and Shizune all rushed forward, trying to help him, but he shook his head and stood up on his own, taking two steps forward.

"You're up already, Kaede?!" Kurenai said with a spark of surprise.

Kaede turned and smiled. "I'm not fully recovered yet, but I can move around just fine. I should be completely back to normal by tomorrow."

After spending the entire morning and afternoon resting, and with the help of his cell activation ability, he was already nearly healed. While it wouldn't hurt to lie down a bit longer, he figured he'd had enough of being pampered for now.

He walked out of the tent and looked toward the distant sky.

The sun was setting, leaving only half its glow on the horizon.

Nearby, several shinobi who noticed Kaede stepping out glanced his way, their eyes filled with respect. It was a stark contrast to when he had first arrived at the camp.

Feeling those respectful gazes, Kaede smiled softly and continued looking out at the last trace of sunset, watching it vanish beyond the mountaintops.

…

Kaede didn't stay in Tsunade's medical tent for long.

After only two nights, Tsunade kicked him back to his own quarters. While he wasn't fully recovered enough for combat or intense training, his condition was far better than any ordinary person's. Normal activity was no problem at all.

Kaede felt a small tinge of regret.

By the fifth day, he had completely recovered. Around the same time, Konoha's outpost began dismantling the outer perimeter, and ninja began returning home in waves.

After Sunagakure's defeat, the Land of Wind surrendered to the Land of Fire, paid a hefty sum in reparations, and signed a series of treaties. The Daimyō of the Land of Fire also conveyed a desire to end the war to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who promptly accepted and began pulling back troops in stages.

Inside the tent, 

Tsunade looked at Kaede. "So, are you heading back to Konoha?"

Kaede flashed a bright smile. "Didn't I say I wanted to learn medical ninjutsu from you, Tsunade-sensei? Of course I'll be following you."

Heading back to Konoha right now could bring unnecessary trouble.

Given the strength he'd shown so far, Hiruzen's stance toward him had likely shifted from protective to neutral. If Danzo decided to act against him, things could easily go south, especially since Danzo had far too many forbidden and secret techniques at his disposal.

So staying outside the village was the safest move.

And learning medical ninjutsu from Tsunade was the perfect excuse. Neither Danzo nor Hiruzen could reasonably demand he return.

He now had enough status, and with Tsunade's presence, plus Orochimaru being in the same camp as him, Kaede had essentially reached a point where even Hiruzen couldn't openly try to control or manipulate him anymore.

If they wanted to deal with him, they'd have to resort to the same tactics they once used against White Fang.

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