The intelligence methods of the Anbu...
Are incredibly crude!
After reading through a portion of the materials, Kyohiko internally made his evaluation.
Crude. Simple.
They relied on shinobi and ninjutsu to infiltrate and gather information.
Most of the key points discussed were about how to avoid detection by the enemy or how to escape and counterattack when discovered.
And this is called "undercover training insights"?
Isn't this just using basic shinobi skills to scout for intel?
"You don't seem very satisfied."
Orochimaru smirked. "Actually, you shouldn't have expected much. If Danzo's abilities were worthy of your approval, he wouldn't be in Kyoto right now."
"You're right."
Kyohiko nodded but still created a shadow clone to continue reading the materials.
Additionally, he sealed away the half he had already finished, planning to send them all to Gekko Shusaku in one go.
Though these things weren't particularly useful, they were still better than having no foundation at all.
Orochimaru chuckled. "Like I said, I'll help with intelligence. I'll keep an eye on Gekko Shusaku for you. But if you have any ideas, you can tell me first."
With that, he stood up and left.
Orochimaru could tell.
This kid was deeply unimpressed!
What Danzo took pride in was probably seen by this kid as riddled with flaws and stupidity. The fact that he could endure reading through it was nothing short of miraculous.
Kyohiko gave a slight nod and continued reading.
Without studying them, he couldn't truly understand the methods of espionage in the shinobi world.
---
Ten days later, Konoha Shinobi Academy, Sealing Techniques Specialization Class.
Uzumaki Kushina scanned the room, her gaze carrying a hint of satisfaction.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Kushina, and I'll be your teacher. Starting today, I'll be instructing you in sealing techniques. Of course, I also know a bit about barrier techniques, so feel free to ask me if you have any questions."
As she spoke, her eyes swept across the room.
"Let's begin."
Halfway through the class, Kushina's cheek twitched—not from nervousness or excitement, but from anger.
Suppressing her temper, she forced a gentle smile. "Since you all chose the Sealing Techniques specialization, I assume you actually want to learn, right?"
"Of course!"
Only a few scattered voices responded from below.
Most of the students were whispering among themselves, some even subtly pointing at her, as if she wouldn't notice...
Kushina took a deep breath—then suddenly roared.
"THEN PAY ATTENTION! IS MY TEACHING REALLY THAT BORING?!"
The moment the words left her mouth, a desk slammed into pieces with a deafening crash.
The dozen or so students in the classroom froze, staring at her in shock and bewilderment—before instantly snapping back to reality.
Such terrifying strength!
Kushina stared blankly at the shattered remains of the desk, equally stunned.
I swore I wouldn't lose my temper...
And yet...
No!
This is my first class!
Her expression darkened as she slowly raised her head to glare at the students.
"You all..."
"T-teacher... is this also a sealing technique?"
Umino Iruka gulped audibly.
This is terrifying!
If that punch had landed on me... I'd be dead, right?
Kushina's face instantly brightened into a radiant smile.
"That's right! This is also a kind of—"
It's the Nine-Tails' fault!
If not for it, I never would've lost control of my emotions!
Blaming the fox, Kushina regained her composure and "gentleness," beaming cheerfully.
"Everyone, make sure to listen carefully, okay? Every lesson is very important—it determines whether you'll be able to master sealing techniques!"
"YES, MA'AM!"
The response was thunderous.
---
Outside the classroom, not far away...
Utatane Koharu let out a quiet sigh.
Half a class...
Well, it was still better than she'd expected!
Looking down at the evaluation sheet in her hands, she fell into thought.
Does this count as a good performance?
"...For now, I'll just observe further."
Koharu sighed.
In the past, she would've immediately dismissed Kushina.
If she can't even control her emotions, how can she teach and nurture students?
But...
Kushina's sealing techniques were truly exceptional. If these students could learn even a fraction of her knowledge, it would benefit them immensely in the future.
As for the specialization system...
Whether it was truly beneficial would become clear by the end of the year.
Koharu's gaze drifted downward toward the lower floors.
---
Downstairs...
"Next group."
Several children stood in a row, each forming hand seals.
Then—
One after another, fireballs erupted from their mouths.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Among them, one student's flames were particularly massive—far beyond what an academy student should be capable of.
Koharu's eyebrows rose in surprise. Adjusting her glasses, she took a closer look at the one who had unleashed such flames.
A Uchiha?
"That child..."
She frowned slightly, recognition dawning.
She vaguely remembered him.
A kind-hearted boy—the type who would stop to help elderly people in need.
Unfortunately, his academic performance had never been impressive.
But now...
A Great Fireball of that caliber wasn't something just anyone could produce.
A genius in ninjutsu?
Koharu pondered, committing the name to memory.
Uchiha Obito.
---
Below, on the training grounds...
Obito stared at the scorched target, a bright grin spreading across his face.
I did it!
This was the most successful Great Fireball he'd ever performed.
"Rin... I can finally use a Great Fireball at this level!"
He clenched his fist, whispering excitedly to himself.
But the person he cared about was no longer at the academy. In fact—
Ever since she had begun studying at Konoha Hospital, his chances to see Rin had grown fewer and fewer. Recently, it had reached the point where they barely crossed paths at all. Even when they did, she would only exchange a brief greeting before hurrying off.
Has Rin changed?
His expression dimmed as he walked over to receive his instructor's feedback.
"Obito, excellent performance. Full marks."
"Thank you, sensei!"
---
Anbu Headquarters.
The medical team rotated shifts at regular intervals, but the schedule was generally divided into two shifts.
However—
Since this was a time of peace, and one of the few places where they could regularly treat injuries...
With Tsunade's permission, some trainee medics were allowed to work in the outer areas, assisting with treatment.
"Rin, come quick—another injured patient!"
"Another training injury from the Anbu?"
"Most likely. This is a rare chance to treat lightning style blade wounds. You'll take the lead."
Hebiame stated calmly.
Nohara Rin took a deep breath, forming hand seals as she stepped forward and began treatment in earnest.
After a moment, she was inwardly shocked.
The blade wound was small—meaning the weapon had been extremely sharp, and the wielder had precise control. Had it gone even a fraction deeper, the victim could have died.
But as things stood...
Simple.
Rin confidently proceeded with the treatment.
Soon, the wound was healed—even the minor internal damage had been completely repaired.
"Thank you!"
The man sat up, clutching his stomach as he walked away.
Nohara Rin let out a soft sigh.
"Sensei, are there many injured like him?"
"Mhm."
"Then..."
Rin was about to ask when—
A shout came from the other side: "Incoming wounded, prepare for treatment!"
Hebiame nodded, sending someone to receive them, but the patient pushed aside the curtain and walked in on his own. Upon seeing Rin, the Anbu ninja froze for a brief moment.
"All external injuries, minor. The worst is on the arm—just severe blood loss. On the battlefield, wounds like this require immediate hemostasis, along with blood replenishment..."
Hebiame instructed while guiding her.
Rin nodded, simultaneously treating the injuries.
Once the treatment was done, the patient left the "clinic" on his own. Rin frowned slightly as she watched his retreating figure.
She had the feeling that she knew him.
Someone familiar...
Kyohiko? Or Kakashi?
"No, it couldn't be Kyohiko-kun. With his skills, he wouldn't get injured during training."
She thought back to the time Kyohiko had demonstrated the Mystical Palm Technique.
His medical ninjutsu surpassed hers—even her teacher's. There was no way he'd need treatment here.
Kakashi, then?
Rin sighed quietly.
"What's wrong?"
Hebiame glanced at her.
As a medical ninja, she had recently been studying some genjutsu—particularly those related to emotions—so...
Her perception in this area had sharpened.
"Nothing."
Rin shook her head, not revealing that she might have recognized the patient.
Anbu identities were supposed to be strictly confidential, right?
Hebiame gave a slight nod. "Once you leave here, don't disclose anything you've seen or heard to anyone."
"Yes, Sensei."
---
Inside the office.
"Rin-sama, he's fully qualified to serve as a squad leader now. I believe I can take on other missions at this point."
Gekko Shusaku reported.
Kyohiko nodded.
"Kakashi's skills are more than sufficient. It's just that before, being in the same team as me, he never learned how to lead or command others. But after this past month of training, he's been thoroughly tempered."
"He's improved quickly. Among the others, Shiranui Genma and Namiashi Raido have progressed the fastest."
Shusaku added.
Kyohiko wasn't surprised.
Shiranui Genma and Namiashi Raido had never been lacking in talent or ability. Over the years, they'd persisted in their training, and within the Dust faction, there had been occasional exchanges of techniques and insights.
They were definitely stronger than in the original timeline!
Add to that the brutal training they'd undergone—forced to face Kakashi one-on-one, hunted down by groups of ten or twenty—and it'd be stranger if they hadn't improved.
"Keep the ninja with special abilities. As for the more average ones, let them return to being regular shinobi."
Kyohiko replied.
Shusaku looked up, startled. "Huh?"
"What's the matter?"
"Isn't that a bit...?"
"Anbu missions are far more dangerous than regular ones, and the rewards aren't necessarily better. Letting them return to normal duty isn't a bad thing."
Kyohiko explained.
Shusaku hesitated for a moment.
"But... ninja with special abilities are rare to begin with. And even among the rest, those like Genma and Raido are a minority."
"I know. I have my own plans."
Kyohiko said calmly.
Shusaku exhaled in relief. "Understood. I have no further questions."
"Good. Have you finished reading the materials I gave you?"
"Yes."
Shusaku nodded.
Kyohiko took out two booklets and handed them over. "This is a cipher manual I've compiled. The other is the master copy. From now on, all communications within our intelligence network will use this cipher."
"Ah?"
Shusaku was surprised at first, but after flipping through the pages, he immediately understood.
This was an encryption method.
Technically, the Anbu already had something similar—but their current system relied more on memorization, whereas the Anbu primarily used ninjutsu-based encryption—
Seals and barriers to conceal the contents of messages, making them unreadable without the proper decryption methods.
However...
The two could be combined.
"For different communication lines, you'll switch to another cipher. Understand?"
"Yes!"
Shusaku's eyes lit up with comprehension.
By using different cipher manuals and varying encryption methods, they could prevent a single captured spy from compromising the entire network.
This method was far more advanced than their current system!
Shusaku grew excited, his mind racing with ideas for other obscure texts that could serve as cipher keys.
The more useless and obscure the book, the better.
"If you encounter any difficulties in setting up the intelligence network, you can consult Lord Orochimaru. He'll assist you."
Kyohiko advised.
Shusaku's eyes widened slightly before he eagerly responded, "Understood!"
"Good. You may go now."
As Shusaku turned to leave, he sensed Kyohiko forming a hand seal behind him.
In the next instant, the original vanished.
Flying Thunder God.
So convenient...
Too bad a technique like that is beyond my reach.
Even the simplified Konoha Style: Willow technique had taken him forever to grasp—and he'd only mastered half of it.
Wiping away an embarrassed sweat, Shusaku quickened his pace.
---
Deep in the forest beyond the Anbu base, inside a massive cave...
Orochimaru meticulously adjusted cells and observed their reactions within a test subject.
Suddenly, a figure materialized beside him.
"Need something?"
Orochimaru paused, then a hint of delight flickered in his eyes.
"Did the Hyuga clan finally respond?"
"Mhm. They've lent us some of their texts on chakra points."
"These noble clans move at a snail's pace... stagnant as a swamp. Hah—though I suppose it's that very stagnation that's allowed them to endure for so long. How dull."
Orochimaru sneered.
Kyohiko wholeheartedly agreed.
Three or four days after their initial agreement, when Hyuga Hiashi had informed him that the deal was approved, Kyohiko had immediately pushed for cooperation—requesting access to the Hyuga's texts on chakra point theory.
Yet, things had stalled again.
Fortunately, the delay hadn't hindered their experiments. They'd proceeded cautiously, testing and exploring, and had managed to achieve some results.
After yet another round of Hyuga clan meetings, they'd finally released the texts.
Orochimaru's gaze swept over the books with voracious hunger.
"The treasured archives of a noble clan... Shall we review them together? Or..."
"Together. But there's something else I'd like your help with."
Kyohiko said.
Orochimaru picked up a book, flipping through it absentmindedly.
"Speak."
"The Iburi clan. Familiar with them?"
"Iburi..."
Orochimaru frowned, recalling what little he knew of the reclusive clan.
The Anbu had records on them, but they were sparse. All he knew was that they possessed a smoke-based transformation ability.
"You want to locate them?"
"Correct. No one is better suited for intelligence work than they are."
Kyohiko nodded.
Orochimaru turned a page, considering.
"You want me to help track them down?"
"No. I suspect their ability has a critical flaw. Otherwise, with a power as potent as smoke transformation, they'd have long risen as a formidable shinobi clan. Why remain in hiding?"
Kyohiko smirked.
"If we find them, I'd like your help in researching a way to overcome the limitations of their Kekkei Genkai."
"Researching a Kekkei Genkai like that would be... troublesome. It might require their direct participation in experiments."
Orochimaru glanced sideways.
"Would you allow that?"
"That depends on them—and the severity of their Kekkei Genkai's drawbacks."
Kyohiko replied.
Orochimaru gave a slow nod.
"Very well. Find them for me, and I'll handle the rest."