Kyōichi, Konoha’s Life Mentor

Teaching jōnin doesn't take long—they're all sharp.

The group assembled in the morning and dispersed by noon. 

Kyōichi ate with Tsunade, who explained Sandaime's deeper intentions during their meal— 

Publicity. Authority-building.

Every step was preparation for Kyōichi's upcoming role on the eastern front. The shinobi heading east would likely be those who benefited from today's training. 

Kyōichi agreed wholeheartedly. 

Tsunade, having commanded before, understood the intricacies. 

Days later. 

He received the roster. 

These were the jōnin teams heading to the eastern front ahead of him—most were those who'd trained that day. 

Now, Kyōichi himself had to depart for patrol missions in the Land of Fire's east. 

However. 

Not because Kirigakure had made a move. 

Quite the opposite. 

Kumogakure stirred first! 

Kumo ninjas grew active along the Land of Lightning's border, even infiltrating the Land of Fire. Meanwhile, Iwagakure shinobi also prowled the borders, poised to cross. 

An ominous sign. 

The three villages might have formed a tacit alliance! 

—— 

That evening. 

After discussing the next day's mission with Asuma and the others, Kyōichi returned home at dusk. 

Contemplating dining out, he opened his door to the aroma of home-cooked food. 

He froze. 

Tsunade and Shizune sat at the table, surrounded by dishes. 

"Welcome home. Let's eat."

Tsunade smiled warmly. 

"Uh… Tsunade-nee, did you make this?"

Kyōichi was skeptical. 

The food wasn't elaborate but looked edible—far from the dark cuisine he'd heard about. 

Since when could Tsunade cook? 

Hadn't Nawaki nearly died eating her meals? 

"You doubt me?"

"Clearly, Shizune-chan cooked. But thanks for waiting, Tsunade-nee— that's effort enough!"

"Smartass!"

Tsunade's face stiffened. 

Shizune giggled. 

She'd warned Tsunade that Kyōichi would see through the ruse. 

The three picked up their chopsticks. 

"Thank you for the food"

The room felt warm under the lamplight. 

—— 

The next morning. 

"I'm off. No need to see me out."

"Hmph. It's just a battlefield. Hurry up and leave."

Tsunade scoffed. 

But as Kyōichi walked away, she leaned against the doorway, watching him go with worry. 

"No bets this time."

"Come back alive."

She whispered, too softly for others to hear. 

Shizune stayed silent. 

She knew Tsunade-sama feared for Kyōichi-sama's safety—just as she had for those lost long ago. 

"Shizune, starting today, I'll train you twice as hard. Slack off, and…"

"Huh?!"

Shizune blinked in surprise as Tsunade returned with her medical notes and a stack of books. 

Some were Tsunade's own; others she pushed toward Shizune. 

"Study. Ask if you don't understand."

Tsunade buried herself in research—determined to master seal-less healing. 

—— 

Meanwhile, at the village gates, Kyōichi regrouped with Shisui and the others. 

"Sensei, what's our mission this time?"

Asuma asked eagerly. 

Nearby, Kurenai focused on medical ninjutsu, while Shisui's mind raced with clan matters. 

Kyōichi's strategy had worked—Shisui and Tekka were gradually swaying Inabi, letting him "discover" the truth through "self-study." 

But now, duty called. 

Could Tekka handle it alone? 

Shisui sighed, refocusing as Kyōichi revealed their task. 

"Patrol the eastern front."

"Are we going to war?!"

All three tensed—feeling both fear and excitement. 

"Possibly. It depends on Kirigakure's moves… or mine."

"You're the commander?!"

Shisui's eyes widened. 

Lately, he'd studied beyond ninjutsu, grasping implications faster than Asuma or Kurenai. 

Commandership hinted at greater things—could sensei become Hokage? 

The thought thrilled him. If Kyōichi rose to power, the Uchiha's fears might finally ease. 

"Yes, but don't read too much into it. I'll coordinate with Tsunade-nee—no autocracy here."

Kyōichi smiled, addressing Shisui's unspoken hopes. 

His shadow clone's memories had shown Shisui's efforts with the clan. The boy was growing quickly—sometimes too quickly, veering into overthinking. 

Shisui nodded. 

"Tsunade-sama…"

She'd be an ally. At the very least, better for the Uchiha than most. 

"Incredible. Sensei's only seven years older than me and already commanding a front."

Asuma's admiration was genuine. 

"Haven't you noticed? Sensei's been in the spotlight lately—big things are happening."

Kurenai remarked. 

Frequent hospital visits had shown her Kyōichi's name plastered everywhere. Her father's hints about his rising status confirmed it. 

Today's mission sealed the deal. 

"Becoming a chūnin sharpened your analysis skills. Keep it up!"

Kyōichi ruffled Kurenai's hair—soft and smooth. 

"Sensei, even you're teasing me now."

Kurenai shrugged. "I don't deserve this rank. Shisui's clearly better."

She argued for him, believing his contributions in the exams—though unseen—outweighed hers. 

"Hahaha!"

Kyōichi laughed. 

Shisui explained, "Don't overthink it. You earned your rank. As for me… I asked to stay a genin." 

"What? Why?"

Asuma blurted. 

He'd assumed his father was sidelining the Uchiha. 

"Personal reasons. Sensei approved."

Shisui kept it vague—Uchiha affairs weren't their burden. 

As for threats to Kyōichi? 

None in the clan could touch him.

Modern Uchiha had no true prodigies. Shisui's pride had crumbled upon seeing the wider world's talents. 

Their "glory" was mere nostalgia.