Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Back in Konoha, Shūichi and Jiraiya went straight to see Hiruzen Sarutobi to report on their mission to the Land of Rain.

"Obito, huh…"

Upon hearing about the space-time jutsu, Hiruzen couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

The Shinobi World is filled with various secret and forbidden techniques, each more unusual than the last, making intelligence crucial. Among these techniques, space-time jutsu is one of the hardest to handle—knowing about it isn't enough to defeat it.

"If they joined forces to capture the Nine-Tails…"

Hiruzen voiced his biggest concern.

Jiraiya smiled. "No need to worry too much about that."

"With Minato and Shūichi on our side to counter space-time jutsu, and us Sannin to take on the Rinnegan, we should manage."

Shūichi was not as optimistic as Jiraiya.

The Sannin versus the Rinnegan? Even disregarding Nagato's recent power boost, the original Nagato alone would be difficult for the Sannin to defeat.

The Rinnegan's powers are just too overpowered.

After some thought, Shūichi said, "I'll find an appropriate chance to deal with Obito."

"And I'll work on gathering intel about Nagato's Rinnegan as quickly as possible."

Although he had a general idea of the Rinnegan's capabilities, things seemed different now, and it was necessary to understand Nagato's mastery of it.

Hiruzen reminded him, "Don't forget there's still Uchiha Madara to consider."

"If Nagato was telling the truth, Madara is still alive and retains formidable strength."

But Shūichi replied, "Lord Third, I'm not too worried about Uchiha Madara."

"Even if he has the First Hokage's cells, he's still very old."

"Besides, why would Madara orchestrate things to manipulate Obito and mislead Nagato?"

"Given his legendary power back in the day—matching even the First Hokage—if his goal was to capture the Nine-Tails or destroy Konoha, it shouldn't be too difficult for him."

Hiruzen and Jiraiya fell silent in thought.

If Tobirama were still around, it might make sense for Madara to be wary of the Flying Thunder God technique.

But with Tobirama gone, Hiruzen knew that although he was powerful, he couldn't match the legendary Madara.

"So, Shūichi, are you suggesting that Madara's physical condition may not be ideal?"

Hiruzen continued, "I remember some details from when Madara left the village. According to the Second Hokage, it was partly due to a dispute over the Hokage title and partly due to ideological conflicts with the First Hokage."

"He wanted to crush the other shinobi villages by force. Unfortunately for him, no one wanted to go back to those chaotic times—not even the Uchiha Clan supported his vision."

Jiraiya added, "Nagato's current vision is quite similar to Madara's—using force and war to make people suffer, hoping that fear will end future conflicts."

He sighed. "That's likely the reason Nagato and Madara could work together."

Then Jiraiya's expression turned serious. "With the current situation, even with Nagato's Rinnegan, it would be impossible to take on all five shinobi villages."

"So they must be aiming to acquire even greater power… the tailed beasts?"

Hiruzen nodded solemnly. "That does seem to be the only answer."

"Even though we don't fully understand the Rinnegan's capabilities, we know the Mangekyō Sharingan can control tailed beasts."

"And now, with Madara and Obito, they have two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan."

Hearing their analysis, Shūichi nearly applauded but instead decided to guide them further: "If I were Madara, already over a hundred years old, with unfinished ambitions…"

"I would want to borrow a few more centuries from fate!"

Hiruzen and Jiraiya froze.

Then Jiraiya, wide-eyed, exclaimed, "The Rinnegan—legend has it that it's the Sage of Six Paths' eye technique, with the power to create and destroy worlds… Shūichi, are you saying that Madara intends to use Nagato's Rinnegan to restore himself to his prime?"

Shūichi's hypothesis was bold and speculative, but after careful consideration, both Hiruzen and Jiraiya found it surprisingly plausible.

Whether the Rinnegan could revive someone was beyond their knowledge.

If the Sharingan could have an ultimate illusion like Izanagi, then the Rinnegan—known to have the power to create and destroy worlds—might indeed hold such potential.

Not to mention, reviving people wasn't unheard of in the shinobi world.

For instance, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, developed the Impure World Reincarnation technique, which could be considered a type of resurrection.

Hiruzen maintained his calm and said, "For now, this is all speculation. We need solid intel to confirm it."

"Kushina has Minato with her. Shūichi, you should assemble your team as well."

"Any missions you take should be conducted as a team."

Despite Shūichi's mastery of the Flying Thunder God technique, Hiruzen still felt it was safer to operate in a team, especially since their enemies also had space-time jutsu.

Shūichi nodded in agreement.

Having a coordinated team would indeed be advantageous.

Of course, this plan would be even better once Uchiha Shisui awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan.

…

As they exited the Hokage's office, Jiraiya stretched lazily and then grinned mischievously. "Hey, Shūichi, how about we hit the hot springs together?"

Shūichi declined without hesitation.

Why go to the hot springs when he could head to Daimyo Mansion and visit Pakura? After all, he hadn't yet appreciated the beauty of her elegant back!

Besides, the situation with Nagato was giving him a sense of urgency.

He distinctly remembered how, even in his reanimated state, Nagato almost single-handedly fought Naruto in Nine-Tails mode and Killer Bee.

From the current situation, it seemed highly likely that Uchiha Madara had taught Nagato several jutsu, and with Hashirama's cells enhancing his control over the Rinnegan, Nagato was bound to become even more powerful.

"Well, if that's the case, I'm all fired up!"

Waving goodbye to Jiraiya, Shūichi vanished in a flash.

Jiraiya chuckled ruefully. "Young people these days really don't know how to enjoy themselves, but…"

Thinking about Nagato, along with Madara and Obito with their Mangekyō Sharingan, Jiraiya sighed. "It seems I'll have to put in some serious effort, too!"

"Might be time to head to Mount Myoboku for training."

With a pang of regret, Jiraiya let go of his plan for 'fieldwork.'

…

Time passed swiftly, and before long, it was December.

Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure finally signed a peace treaty, marking the official end of the war among the three major villages.

Konoha's shinobi began to return from the frontlines, and Kakashi resumed his research on tailed beast experiments.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Fugaku also returned from the battlefield, bringing along his young son, Uchiha Itachi.

This guy was something else—Itachi hadn't even turned four, and Fugaku had already taken him to the frontlines.

The day after Fugaku's return, Shūichi, led by Shisui, paid him a visit.

"What? Uchiha Madara isn't dead?"

Usually calm and composed, Uchiha Fugaku was visibly shaken upon hearing Shūichi's intel. "This… how is that possible?"

"He was from the same era as the First Hokage. Even if he used Izanagi to escape death at the Valley of the End, by now he should…"

Shūichi explained, "It's hard to believe, but it's true."

"He's obtained cells from the First Hokage."

Fugaku regained his composure. "So, our enemy is Uchiha Madara."

Shūichi nodded. "That's correct."

"Currently, we believe that Madara has already died once. He plans to use the Rinnegan to resurrect himself in his prime state."

"Though it's only a theory, it's highly probable."

"His manipulation of Obito is likely part of his resurrection plan, which is why I came to the Uchiha clan today—to find some answers."

Fugaku pondered Shūichi's information for a while before responding, "There's very little recorded about Madara in the Uchiha clan. He left almost nothing behind."

Shūichi looked at him and said, "Madara's sudden departure from the village must have had a reason."

"And I'm sure that reason lies within the Uchiha clan itself."

"You understand what I'm getting at, don't you, Clan Leader Fugaku?"

"After all, you're someone who has also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!"

Shisui looked shocked, and Fugaku's expression grew tense as cold sweat broke out on his back. "Shūichi, as expected, you are the village's strongest—nothing escapes your notice."

Shūichi smiled. "It's because I have a deep understanding of chakra and am a sensory ninja. I can sense that your chakra has changed, Clan Leader Fugaku."

"This is also a characteristic change that occurs when the Sharingan evolves. It's something few can avoid, and it's connected to the method of awakening."

"Rest assured, I have no interest in uncovering the secrets of the Sharingan, nor do I covet its power. I'm confident that I can achieve my own unique bloodline limit as powerful as the Sharingan."

Fugaku nodded. "I believe you, Shūichi. You have the strength to rival even Madara."

"The reason I kept the Mangekyō hidden is because of its special nature. I trust you can understand that."

Shūichi nodded in understanding and said, "I've already taken care of Danzo."

Both Fugaku and Shisui were stunned.

"Shūichi, you—"

Shisui started to speak with concern.

Shūichi raised a hand to interrupt. "Don't worry, Shisui. The Third Hokage is aware of it."

"So, I hope you understand, Clan Leader Fugaku. Not everyone is like Danzo."

"Whether it's me or Minato-sensei, we both fully support the First Hokage's ideals."

"I heard you even took Itachi with you to the battlefield this time?"

A faint smile crossed Fugaku's face, and he nodded. "Yes, as the son of the clan leader, he has to shoulder greater responsibilities from a young age."

Shūichi smiled. "I have high hopes for Itachi's future. If possible, I'd like to recommend him for the Anbu."

Fugaku was taken aback, but then joy lit up his face.

Although Shūichi was currently just a regular Jōnin in Konoha, his position was uniquely special.

From what Uchiha Fugaku had inferred from their conversation, it was clear to him that Minato Namikaze's ascension to the Fourth Hokage was now an unchangeable reality.

With Shūichi's strength, it was merely a matter of time before he would take on the role of the Fifth Hokage.

Therefore, Shūichi's promise carried significant weight.

Fugaku, who had long sought a closer alliance with Konoha's core leadership, had always been kept at arm's length due to the antagonism from people like Danzo. Now, Shūichi's hints couldn't have been clearer.

After a moment's thought, Fugaku shared, "If there's anything related to Madara's departure, it would have to be that one artifact."

"The stone tablet left by the Sage of the Six Paths, which lies within our clan's Naka Shrine."

Shisui was surprised. "Clan Leader, that tablet doesn't seem to hold any particularly special information."

Fugaku replied solemnly, "That's because, Shisui, you haven't awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"The higher the level of the Sharingan, the more content it reveals."

"What I can currently see is the method to advance from the Mangekyō Sharingan to the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."

Shūichi feigned contemplation. "So that means Madara's Mangekyō had already reached the Eternal stage."

Fugaku nodded. "It should be so."

"Overusing an ordinary Mangekyō leads to blindness."

Shūichi played along, "Is that so?"

"It seems that's due to a lack of Yang Release power."

This remark left both Fugaku and Shisui momentarily stunned.

Shūichi explained, "From the perspective of chakra nature, the Sharingan is primarily Yin Release-based, formed through a combination of Yin and Yang Release."

"Yin Release is representative of spiritual power, while Yang Release represents physical energy."

"I arrived at this conclusion by analyzing the Sharingan's awakening process, its evolution, and the ocular jutsu it grants."

Fugaku considered this deeply and finally praised, "Shūichi, your achievements are indeed no accident."

"The method inscribed on the tablet to attain the Eternal Mangekyō involves transplanting the Mangekyō of a direct blood relative to gain everlasting visual power."

Shisui's expression changed. "Clan Leader, that's incredibly harsh. Wouldn't that mean having to kill one's closest kin?"

Fugaku fell silent, then sighed. "That's why the Sharingan is often called the 'cursed eyes.'"

Shūichi reflected, "The crucial factor may not be the eyes themselves but the chakra that flows through them."

"The activation of the Sharingan, as well as its evolution, all stem from changes in chakra. This unique chakra alters the nervous system, resulting in the eye's awakening and advancement."

"In theory, as long as one has sufficient physical and spiritual power, it may not be necessary to transplant eyes to achieve the Eternal Mangekyō."

Shūichi based this hypothesis on two examples.

The first was Indra, the Sage of the Six Paths' son.

The second was Obito, who had implanted Hashirama's cells.

The so-called 'eternal eyes' simply prevent irreversible damage to the eyes that leads to blindness. Even with frequent use, the only cost is chakra.

Moreover, it also grants the full-body Susano'o.

Although Shūichi didn't know much about Indra, he was familiar with Obito, who frequently used Kamui without suffering the limitations of a typical Mangekyō.

The complete Susano'o also manifested when he combined his two eyes to lend power to Kakashi.

Obito's talent was indisputable, and he was mentally resilient enough to withstand the torment of the Ten-Tails' consciousness.

With Hashirama's cells, he balanced both Yin and Yang.

However, at present, Shūichi's ideas were still theoretical.

Theories are one thing; individual differences are vast.

Thus, Shūichi didn't bring up Hashirama's cells, choosing to stop short.

It wasn't the right time yet.

If he ever tested the Eternal Mangekyō on the Uchiha clan, Fugaku would not be his choice due to his unpredictability.

Everything would wait until Shisui awakened his eyes.

Today's conversation served two purposes: to lay the groundwork for future information and to build mutual trust through a certain level of openness.

Shūichi represented Konoha's future leadership, while Fugaku embodied the Uchiha clan as a whole.

(End of Chapter)

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