"Human experimentation?"
Tsunade murmured, a fleeting shadow of gloom and helplessness crossing her eyes.
Wood Release...
The power that ended the Warring States era and gave rise to the Hidden Villages era—how many could resist such temptation?
Even the Second Elder, who deeply revered his older brother, had carried out related experiments.
As for Konoha's current leadership...
"The girl named Xiao He is still recovering. As for Yamato, he's currently learning life skills from my assistant. I don't plan to inform Konoha's leadership about their existence."
Kei Yamanaka shared his intentions.
With Wood Release being so well known, if word got out, who knew how many people would start coveting it?
There may be thieves for a thousand days, but there's no defense that lasts a thousand days.
As Yamato and Xiao He hadn't even learned to extract chakra yet and were utterly defenseless, it would be best to keep them hidden for now.
"Hmm... When can I meet them?"
Tsunade pushed herself up from the ground, remained silent for a while, and still wished to see the two children.
In the end, the suffering those children endured was all because of Konoha and Wood Release.
They should have been growing up nestled in their parents' arms, raised under their parents' care and affection...
"Not that again—who exactly are you feeling guilty toward? Did you do the human experiments? Or issue the orders? Your ancestral grave's already been dug up—who the hell are you blaming now?"
Kei shot Tsunade a look like she'd grown a second head, mocking her strong sense of empathy.
He just didn't understand.
Why did the decent people in Konoha always take responsibility for everything themselves?
While the conscienceless ones hid behind "for the village" and spewed endless talk about the Will of Fire.
"Shut up!"
A huge 'well'-shaped mark popped up on Tsunade's forehead.
If she weren't outmatched, she'd definitely show this guy a thing or two.
"..."
Kei rolled his eyes, annoyed, then stood up, opened the door, and walked out.
Waving at Kushina, who was leaning on the railing at the hallway's end watching fireworks, he headed straight home.
"Onee-san Tsunade, are you okay?" Kushina stepped forward to support Tsunade as she emerged from the specimen room moments later.
Feeling the sweat-drenched clothes, Kushina asked with concern.
"Hmph… I'm fine. Just haven't been sleeping well lately. Would you like to sleep with me tonight?"
Tsunade glanced at Kei's retreating figure.
She definitely couldn't go toe-to-toe with him anytime soon.
But that was fine—she still had other ways to get back at him!
Damn it! Spend the night all alone, you bastard!
"Hehe~ Sure! It's been a while since we last cuddled together while sleeping, Onee-san Tsunade."
Kushina cheerfully agreed.
Walking ahead, Kei nearly rolled his white eyes into the sky.
Does it really have to come to this?
"Is there any food left at home? I'm hungry."
"Of course! I've got quite a few semi-prepared meals. Just reheat them a bit and they're ready to eat."
"Wine?"
"Yeah, your favorite sake. I've stocked up plenty."
"..."
——————————————
They didn't talk much that night.
The next morning.
Kei Yamanaka, who had actually managed a full night's sleep, woke up promptly at eight o'clock.
As usual, he first went to Root to switch places with the shadow clone that had been working all day, then made his way toward the infirmary.
After two days of recovery.
Xiao He, who had been utterly drained of energy, was significantly improved.
Those eyes, once clouded by fatigue, were slowly regaining their brightness and vitality.
Yamato, who had remained by Xiao He's side all along, found himself drawn closer to both Kei Yamanaka and Tsunade as Xiao He continued getting better.
In just two short days, he was already beginning to understand some basic words.
After silently performing another round of the [Medical Water Release: Water Jellyfish] technique on Xiao He, Kei left the Root Base.
The slow handover of control over the Tongue-Cutting Seal—used to ward off misfortune—was still progressing steadily.
It would probably take no more than half a month before White Zetsu—disguised as Danzo—would finally be relieved of duty.
Activating the Flying Thunder God Technique, he returned home.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast with Kushina and Tsunade,
Just as Kei was about to study further into the revised application of Kotoamatsukami, Jiraiya knocked on the door.
Wearing full battle gear, Jiraiya lacked much of his usual playfulness and eccentricity.
His expression carried unusual seriousness and weight.
He walked into the living room and took a seat.
Tsunade lounged on the couch, barefoot, yawning lazily.
Noticing Jiraiya's prolonged silence, she impatiently tapped her fingers on the coffee table.
"Is this your first time heading into battle?"
"Tsunade, I think this time something feels off."
Jiraiya hesitated momentarily before lifting his head to face Tsunade and Kei, who was just about to leave.
"How does it feel wrong?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, her tone shifting to something more serious.
"This morning, I checked the deployment list drafted at the Hokage Office. More than half consist of ninja from the great clans—they're pretty strong overall."
"Clan-born ninja do tend to have better training than those from civilian roots. And since it's meant to intimidate, the stronger the better makes sense."
"Hmm, but something still feels unsettling."
Jiraiya gave a faint chuckle—maybe he was overthinking things?
"...I'll keep an eye on things for you."
Tsunade didn't scold Jiraiya for relying on vague instincts. After a brief pause, she finally responded.
"Hah! Guess I'd better get going. When men march off to war, they've got to do it boldly, like real warriors!"
Jiraiya laughed out loud.
With his purpose served, he waved goodbye to Kei and Kushina before leaving directly.
Watching Jiraiya's retreating figure from afar,
Kei couldn't help but be deeply impressed—he had to admit, this guy's instincts were absurdly sharp.
That deployment list had been thoroughly debated by both the Third and the Elder Council.
And yet, Jiraiya caught the flaw at a glance.
"What exactly happened?" Tsunade, still lounging on the couch with her eyes closed in thought, turned her head to ask Kei, who was taking a sip of water.
Although Jiraiya's intuition sometimes seemed baffling, she had grown up with him and knew from experience that when things got serious, he could always be counted on.
Besides, a ninja's instincts were sometimes more reliable than evidence or logic ever could be.
"I don't know."
"Phew… To be honest, let's just forget about what happened before."
"After that High Council meeting, we received another intelligence report—Kiri and Suna had reached an agreement…"
Kei Yamanaka scratched his cheek and revealed the truth.
Mist's interference had made it highly likely that Sand and Stone would also strike a deal, joining forces to attack Konoha.
Therefore, Konoha's leadership naturally needed to adjust their original plans accordingly.
Considering multiple factors,
The thousand-man unit originally deployed under the guise of intimidation remained intact.
However, its new role was no longer to intimidate, but to act as bait in plain sight—an obvious target meant to draw enemy attention. This allowed the hidden ambush waiting in the shadows to strike under ideal conditions.
Fully aware that this unit could suffer heavy casualties,
The original roster had naturally been adjusted.
But why hadn't the Third told Jiraiya? Was it out of fear that his reckless nature might jeopardize everything?
"Who suggested it…"
Tsunade sank helplessly onto the couch behind her.
What could she even do about strategic matters affecting the entire village?
Without hesitation, Kei Yamanaka firmly said two words.
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