This was the first time Ryuri saw his father standing in the Hokage's office, giving orders to all those well-known ninja.
At that moment, Ryuri thought his father looked really cool.
Not just anyone could become Hokage and command such strong ninja with a single word.
For the first time, Ryuri wanted to be like his father—someone who could make a huge force move with just a single command.
But at the same time, Ryuri also realized that some problems couldn't be solved by just being strong enough.
Take this current enemy Konoha was facing, for example.
The so-called survivors of Kumogakure and Kirigakure were actually nothing compared to Konoha in terms of strength.
But because they were scattered across the vast ninja world, even a powerhouse like Konoha couldn't wipe them out in one go.
In fact, Konoha would even suffer losses because of their existence.
The reason was simple—Konoha was strong, but that didn't mean every single person in Konoha was strong.
A genin facing a jonin would still die.
At that moment, Ryuri felt like he had learned a lot.
"Hmm… Let Shikaku handle the Hokage Guard Platoon as well. Arrange the rest as you see fit, except for Orochimaru."
Raijin hesitated for a moment before continuing to speak to Nara Shikaku.
"We need to create a massive network across the ninja world. No matter where Konoha is attacked, it must be able to hold out for some time, and the nearest ninja must be able to provide support immediately."
"Leave it to me. You can count on me."
Nara Shikaku nodded seriously.
This was the first time, since becoming the leader of the jonin squads, that he was commanding so many powerful ninja for a large-scale operation.
"Alright, it's going to be tough on everyone. Minato, stay by my side for the next two days and help coordinate intelligence between different areas."
Upon hearing this, Raijin nodded and spoke to the gathered ninja.
"Understood!"
As soon as Raijin finished speaking, all the ninja responded, including Uchiha Motohide, who didn't put on any airs as a father.
In fact, Uchiha Motohide had never acted superior in front of Raijin.
With that, everyone disappeared from Raijin's sight, leaving only Namikaze Minato and Nawaki's Team Seven.
"Our previous approach was defensive, but we can't just sit back and take hits. I need an elite squad to track down those rogue ninja."
Raijin looked at Senju Nawaki.
"Leave it to me! I won't let you down!"
Nawaki thumped his chest as he responded to Raijin.
"Of course, this task was meant for you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have called you here."
Raijin chuckled and looked at Nawaki.
"You young ones have great potential. I hope you make a name for yourselves in this mission."
His gaze shifted to the four genin standing behind Nawaki.
They may be Genin, but at sixteen years old, if they had been in the Second Great Ninja War, even the weakest among them, Uchiha Obito, would have been on par with a Jonin.
"The only way to truly find your weaknesses is to fight for your life. White Fang's swordsmanship is excellent—I hope you don't bring shame to your father."
Raijin said to Kakashi.
"Don't worry. I won't let the Hatake sword style decline in my hands."
Kakashi nodded seriously and responded to Raijin.
"And Might Guy, the Eight Gates is an incredible Taijutsu technique, but there's one thing you must always remember—something your father says all the time."
Raijin continued, addressing Might Duy.
"YOUTH REQUIRES SELF-DISCIPLINE!"
Might Guy shouted, giving a big thumbs-up as he spoke.
"I'm looking forward to seeing just how brightly your youth can burn."
Raijin nodded, then turned his gaze to Uchiha Obito, who looked noticeably nervous.
"Obito, you may not have famous parents, but the fact that you awakened the double Tomoe from your family's faked death shows how deeply emotional you are.
That said, missions are still missions. I hope you can stay as rational as possible while carrying them out."
"D-Don't worry! I will definitely stay emotional! No, I mean—I'll definitely stay rational!"
Obito shouted, drawing glances from the others.
"And lastly, we have Ryuri."
Raijin's smile grew noticeably warmer as he looked at her.
"Ryuri, your talent is exceptional. You have Uchiha agility and the massive chakra reserves of the Senju—that's a huge advantage.
But with all of that, the pressure must be pretty intense, right?"
"Not at all! I'm going to surpass you one day!"
Ryuri said with a bright smile.
"If it's you, Ryuri, I have no doubt you can."
Raijin nodded.
"But now that you're leaving the village, you'll attract more attention. You're my daughter, after all, and I have no shortage of enemies."
Raijin said to Ryuri.
"Then I'll make sure they know—they're no match for the Thunder Blade Saint, and they're definitely no match for Uchiha Ryuri!"
Ryuri lifted her chin slightly, her voice filled with confidence.
"You hear that? If you run into an enemy you can't handle, or multiple opponents, contact me immediately."
Raijin suddenly turned to Senju Nawaki.
Tsunade, watching from the side, couldn't hold back a laugh.
"Got it."
Nawaki smiled and nodded.
"Dad!"
Ryuri shot Raijin a resentful look, clearly displeased.
"Alright, alright. If there's nothing else, everyone can go. I'll be waiting at home."
Raijin dodged Ryuri's attack, stood up, and spoke to Namikaze Minato. Then, he reached out, took Tsunade's hand, and instantly disappeared from the Hokage's office.
"As expected of Raijin-sama. That was some impressive wordplay."
Kakashi smacked his lips as he looked at the spot where Raijin had just been, then glanced meaningfully at Uchiha Ryuri.
"My blade is pretty sharp too."
Hearing this, Uchiha Ryuri shot a sideways glance at Kakashi and rested his right thumb on the guard of his sword.
*Clang—*
The crisp sound of a blade being unsheathed rang out, and Kakashi instinctively took half a step back.
Nope. No way he could win.
The Uchiha bloodline gave Ryuri absolute speed.
The Senju bloodline gave him insane endurance and explosive power.
Put them together, and the result was simple: unbeatable.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Obito was off to the side, grinning foolishly and muttering to himself.
"Raijin-sama actually knows who I am… hehe… Raijin-sama knows me… hehe… Raijin-sama even gave me advice…"
His odd behavior made Might Guy, who was standing nearby, instinctively take two steps back to keep a safe distance.
"Alright, time to go! This is our first mission, so stay sharp!"
Senju Nawaki clapped his hands and called out to his students.
"Yes, sir!"
…
"Let's go see Madara."
At home, Raijin and Tsunade appeared together, along with Namikaze Minato.
"Alright."
Minato nodded naturally and followed Raijin without hesitation.
Tsunade, on the other hand, showed no intention of tagging along.
…
"Uchiha Madara! Time to pay rent!"
Raijin kicked open Madara's door and shouted loudly.
"Get lost."
Madara, sitting in the courtyard making tea, didn't even bother to lift his head.
"You do know who's in charge here, right?"
Raijin took two steps forward and plopped down across from Madara.
"If you want my help, ask properly. I might consider it."
Madara lifted his eyelids slightly and spoke to Raijin in a calm tone.
~~
"Didn't you have Uchiha Suisei round up those Kumogakure and Kirigakure survivors back then?
I figured I'd come and ask if you have any leads."
Raijin pursed his lips and got straight to the point.
"You think I'd keep in touch with those ants?"
Madara paused for a moment, slightly puzzled, and asked Raijin.
So… did those people have any use for his Eye of the Moon Plan?
Once he was resurrected, they had no value anymore.
"Tsk, that's pretty heartless. No matter what, they were once your subordinates."
Raijin clicked his tongue and sighed as he spoke to Uchiha Madara.
"Say that again while patting your chest, calling them my subordinates."
Madara lifted his chin slightly, his eyes narrowing, a dangerous glint flashing through the slits.
His subordinates?
No. They were Uchiha Suisei's subordinates. All these years, they did nothing.
Nothing at all!
He had even shielded them for years.
Given them plenty of time to rest and recover.
Their lives? He had given those to them.
Even if he ignored them, the next time they saw him, they should at least say thank you!
"Isn't that guy under you supposed to be great at gathering intel?"
Raijin awkwardly scratched his nose, speaking to Uchiha Madara in a dry tone.
"Yeah, but why should I help you?"
Madara nodded without hesitation but then immediately shot back at Uchiha Raijin.
"Just because you managed to annoy me twice in three minutes?"
After a brief pause, Uchiha Madara continued.
"Why? Because I have no shame."
Raijin scoffed and muttered under his breath.
"Come on, Madara-sama~"
The moment he finished speaking, a sickly sweet smile spread across Raijin's face as he looked at Uchiha Madara.
"Madara-sama..."
Madara chuckled softly, repeating the title.
Hmm, unexpectedly pleasing.
"Say it again."
Uchiha Madara lifted his head again, the smile on his face slowly fading as he spoke to Raijin.
"Don't push it."
Raijin's smile vanished instantly. He lifted his chin slightly, looking down at Uchiha Madara with a condescending gaze.
Calling you 'Madara-sama' was already giving you face. I suggest you don't take it for granted.
"Oh? You want my help, yet you won't even call me Madara-sama?"
Madara sneered, locking eyes with Raijin.
"Whatever. Since you're still young, I'll help you this time."
With that, Madara called out softly.
"Zetsu."
"Madara-sama."
As soon as Madara spoke, Zetsu appeared before him without delay.
"Do you have any valuable information?"
Madara asked.
"After your first fight with Raijin-sama, I haven't had any further contact with those people. But if you need anything, I will do my best to gather information for you."
Zetsu knelt on the ground and respectfully spoke to Uchiha Madara.
Hearing this, Raijin looked at Zetsu thoughtfully.
"If you find anything, just tell Raijin directly. I don't want to waste my time on a bunch of weaklings."
Madara spoke lightly.
"Understood."
Zetsu nodded and then slowly sank into the ground.
"Well, thanks for the help, Madara-senpai."
Raijin stood up and said to Madara.
"Actually, based on seniority, calling me 'grandfather' would be quite reasonable."
Madara said with a grin.
"Maybe. But whether I actually want to call you that is up to you."
Raijin chuckled, then disappeared in an instant.
He hadn't come here expecting any real information. His main goal was to get Uchiha Madara to agree to help him. That way, even if Zetsu wanted to assist Kumogakure or Kirigakure, he would have to take a risk.
To be honest, Raijin had a feeling that something was off. Those people had been hiding so well, yet they suddenly decided to attack Konohagakure. There had to be a trigger.
And then there was Zetsu watching Ryuri outside the Ninja Academy before.
There was no proof, but Raijin couldn't shake the feeling that Zetsu was involved.
Not that it mattered.
If he was suspicious, then he would be treated as an enemy.
Madara could be set aside for now, but Zetsu was definitely someone he needed to deal with.
"Heh… that brat."
Madara scoffed as he looked in the direction Raijin had disappeared, then poured out the tea he had just prepared.
But in the end, he didn't think much of it.
To Madara, this was nothing more than a trivial matter.
…
Meanwhile, Raijin and Tsunade were making plans for the evening gathering.
Getting ready to host Namikaze Minato and his wife.
Meanwhile, Konohagakure was running at full speed following Raijin's orders.
A large number of ninjas started setting out from Konohagakure, heading to different parts of the ninja world.
Many small nations trembled in fear at Konohagakure's sudden movements.
The five great hidden villages had been reduced to just Konohagakure. Now, with such a large-scale mobilization, what exactly was Konohagakure planning?
—End of Chapter—
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