I, Konoha’s Sage of Life

Chapter 103 - 103: Tactical Lessons—Ice Release

Land of Water, Kirigakure.

Yagura ordered all Kirigakure shinobi to withdraw to the islands and remain on the defensive. Then, he returned to the village with Hozuki Mangetsu to report on the situation.

The Seven Swordsmen were dead.

This was a burden far too great for Yagura to bear alone.

Besides...

It was Hozuki Mangetsu who had pushed for the attack. What did this have to do with him, Yagura?

Upon hearing the news, the ailing Third Mizukage personally came forward.

"So... my Seven Ninja Swordsmen are gone?"

The Third Mizukage sat there, his aged and sickly face tinged with sorrow.

He had already listened to Yagura's report.

So, without waiting for an answer, he paused for a few seconds before continuing, "The Hozuki Clan... Did they attempt to use summoning scrolls to retrieve the swords?"

"Mizukage-sama, we did, but it seems the enemy used some method to block it. Our summoning attempt failed."

An elder of the Hozuki Clan stood and responded.

The swords were lost as well.

The Mizukage opened his mouth slightly but, in the end, only let out a long, helpless sigh. "Explain everything in detail."

The surrounding elders all looked deeply concerned.

The truth had already been verified.

This was too significant an event to rely solely on Yagura's testimony. When Hozuki Mangetsu returned, the first thing they did was have the Anbu investigate.

And the results...

Everything was true.

Hozuki Mangetsu had indeed taken the lead in the attack. Yagura had tried to stop him but failed, and in the end, he had sent Ao, a young but capable sensory ninja, to ensure the operation's success.

Yet...

Even with all these precautions, the Seven Swordsmen were still wiped out.

These were seven elite warriors that the Third Mizukage had painstakingly cultivated.

Given his already fragile health, wouldn't this news be enough to push him over the edge?

However...

The Mizukage merely struggled to steady his breathing for a few moments before regaining his composure, though his expression became even more sorrowful.

So Yagura began his account from the beginning.

An elder interrupted.

"The focus should be on the Seven Swordsmen."

"No, Elder Shohiko," Yagura said firmly. "The Seven Swordsmen are already dead. The loss is irreparable. The real focus should be on the unique tactics Konoha employed in this battle."

The Third Mizukage coughed a few times, then nodded. "Continue..."

With the Mizukage's approval, the other elders dared not interrupt.

Yagura proceeded.

His focus was not on the deaths of the Seven Swordsmen but rather on Kyoichi's battle strategy—because the Seven Swordsmen were undeniably gone.

With only one sword remaining, could they even still be called the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?

At first, the elders seemed uninterested.

After describing the first phase of the battle, Yagura paused and asked, "Did any of you notice something?"

"This strategy is similar to the tactics used by our assassination squads. If they can execute it, so can the Kirigakure assassination unit," Hozuki Shohiko remarked.

"Elder, the Seven Swordsmen thought the same thing."

"...Huh?" Shohiko's face darkened.

Was he mocking them?

He glared at Yagura but said nothing.

Instead of responding directly, Yagura moved on to the second phase—Konoha's methodical elimination of Kirigakure's sentries stationed across the islands.

The Third Mizukage's fingers trembled slightly.

He understood.

Intelligence.

Yagura continued, explaining how, after analyzing Konoha's methods, he grew uneasy and sent Ao to follow the Seven Swordsmen. However, after they departed, a lingering sense of dread prompted him to reconsider.

"Elders, Konoha's tactics are not just simple assassination techniques. This is a fully developed system based on intelligence gathering, speed, and sensory ninjas—an entire framework of stealth and assassination!"

Yagura's voice was calm and steady.

Hozuki Shohiko had already figured it out.

Though old, the elders had once been formidable jonin on the battlefield. They understood the critical importance of intelligence, and Konoha's system was built entirely upon it.

Why was Konoha able to ambush them so effectively, while their own ambushes were effortlessly countered and turned into death traps?

Because their opponent could sense them first.

Simple, brutal... and nearly impossible to counter.

In terms of perception and reconnaissance, no one in the ninja world could rival the Byakugan.

The room fell silent.

"What are you suggesting?"

"Mizukage-sama, Elders, I believe this is an excellent tactical system—one that suits Kirigakure perfectly. We should study and learn from it."

"...Huh?" The conference room went silent again.

Study it?

That would be easier said than done.

Shohiko wanted to argue, but when he glanced at the tightly bound and sealed Hozuki Mangetsu, he hesitated.

Moreover, remembering Yagura's earlier remark, he found himself unwilling to voice his opposition.

The Third Mizukage tapped his fingers against the table, lost in thought for a long moment before saying, "This strategy is ineffective against the Byakugan. Konoha can use it because they have the Byakugan and the Yamanaka Clan, who excel at sensory techniques."

"Yes..."

Yagura nodded without denying it.

He looked up, a slight smile appearing on his face. "Naturally, we wouldn't use this strategy against Konoha. But we can use it against Kumogakure."

"...You mean?"

Attack Kumogakure!

The Third Mizukage was stunned.

That had never even crossed his mind.

"You plan to negotiate with Konoha?"

The elders were sharp. They immediately picked up on Yagura's underlying message.

"Do we have another choice?"

Yagura didn't answer directly but instead posed the question to them.

Negotiating with Konoha would mean admitting Kirigakure's strategic failure in this war—essentially an alternative form of surrender.

That was unbearably humiliating!

But...

Those six swords...

As they thought about it, the elders sighed softly. The anger in their eyes toward Hozuki Mangetsu only intensified.

This was all his fault!

Had they followed Yagura's plan—staying in the Land of Water and waiting for Kumogakure and Iwagakure to escalate their conflicts before making a move—none of this would have happened.

Useless! Completely useless!

"For now, let's not discuss negotiations. We can delay and observe the other villages. But this strategy is indeed worth studying. You'll handle the arrangements."

The Third Mizukage's energy was waning.

After such emotional turmoil, he had already pushed himself to his limits. A weaker-willed person might have coughed up blood and died from sheer anger.

Yagura didn't push the matter further.

The elders would need time to argue among themselves.

That the Third Mizukage had given such a decisive response was already surprising. In truth, Yagura's thoughts aligned with his.

Delay... and wait for Kumogakure and Iwagakure to make their move.

---

["Guerrilla Tactics" Training Complete]

[Evaluation: Excellent!]

[Rewards:

1. Justification Technique (Theory)

2. Water Release: Water Shark Bomb Technique

3. Water Release: Kekkei Genkai (Choose One)]

Where did this reward come from?

Kyoichi woke up that morning feeling confused.

Somehow, he had earned a reward—seemingly out of nowhere.

But upon examining it carefully, his expression grew serious.

This reward... was no ordinary one.

The Hydrification Technique—the foundation of the Hozuki Clan's unique abilities.

Unfortunately, it was only the theoretical framework.

Given his current Yin Seal reserves, Kyoichi suspected that the system had determined he wasn't physically capable of learning it yet.

As expected, the Hydrification Technique was closely tied to one's body constitution.

The second option, Water Shark Bomb Technique, belonged to the Shark Bomb series. Once he learned one variation, the others wouldn't be difficult to derive. It also synergized well with his existing Water Release techniques.

And as for the third choice...

Kyoichi took a deep breath.

Ice Release!

Although it was just a Kekkei Genkai-based nature transformation, its performance in the anime was undeniably impressive.

Even when faced with many powerful Kekkei Genkai later on, it sometimes fell short, but if used well, it could greatly expand his current arsenal.

Something that Water Shark Bomb Jutsu could not offer.

After careful consideration, Kyoichi ultimately chose Ice Release.

This technique was unique and extremely difficult to develop.

At least for now, Kyoichi had no way of figuring it out on his own. In contrast, the Great Shark Bomb Jutsu might still be obtainable from Kirigakure or other sources. And if worst came to worst...

He could just do without it.

The Great Shark Bomb techniques were strong, but they weren't absolutely necessary.

Ice Release, however, was different.

As for the Hydrification Technique...

Not to mention that he had already captured Hōzuki Chikage, learning this technique likely required modifications to one's physical constitution. In the anime, Kabuto had to undergo body modifications to use it.

Kyoichi had no interest in altering his own body.

With his decision made, he quickly claimed his reward.

Before long, knowledge of Ice Release surfaced in his mind, along with some insights into the fusion of Water and Wind nature transformations.

Nature transformation fusion...

Kyoichi immediately focused on comprehending it.

However...

He was a little disappointed.

The methods for fusing different elemental natures varied.

Which meant...

The knowledge of Ice Release wouldn't help him with Wood Release.

Kyoichi didn't mind.

Although this path was a dead end, Wood Release had an easier alternative.

Besides, he understood one thing very clearly—

It wasn't Wood Release itself that was powerful, but rather Hashirama's Wood Release.

Kyoichi experimented for a while.

Soon, a small ice crystal formed at his fingertips.

That was easy!

Yet without an innate understanding of Water-Wind fusion, achieving this would have been impossible without the Kekkei Genkai.

Kyoichi marveled at it for a moment and was about to continue his research when he heard approaching footsteps.

Dispersing the ice, he stepped out of his tent.

Uchiha Fugaku?

Kyoichi wasn't surprised.

The Uchiha's Military Police Force had been deployed to the eastern front, and naturally, they were eager to make their mark.

"Fugaku-senpai."

"Kyoichi-sama, I've already heard the details from Yashiro. Thank you for your generosity."

Fugaku bowed deeply.

If Kyoichi had wanted to pursue the matter, he could have easily used yesterday's bet to make things difficult for Yashiro. But since he hadn't mentioned it at all, it was clear he had no intention of targeting the Uchiha.

Kyoichi shook his head and said, "It was just a joke. Yashiro-senpai and the others did their best yesterday. Losing to Yagura wasn't their fault."

"We truly appreciate your understanding."

Fugaku bowed again. Just as he was about to ask something, Kyoichi turned and entered his tent, motioning for him to follow.

Fugaku had no choice but to step inside.

"Kyoichi-sama, will Kirigakure continue to fight?"

"Right now, they definitely don't want to, but they haven't explicitly stated they won't. That means we can't let our guard down—we'll maintain our standoff for now."

Kyoichi shared his thoughts.

This was the conclusion he had reached after discussing it with Yamanaka Inoichi.

However, he then added, "Of course, if the Military Police Force has other ideas, feel free to bring them up. We can discuss it together."

"No, that won't be necessary. No one wants war. The Military Police Force has been involved in numerous battles over the years, and our losses haven't been small..."

Fugaku sighed.

If they could avoid war, who would want to fight?

"In that case... I don't have any battle plans for now, but if anything comes up, I'll be sure to inform you."

Kyoichi gave his response.

Fugaku nodded, then stood up and bowed. "Understood! I'll take my leave, then. Also, I sincerely appreciate your guidance of Shisui."

"He's my student—it's only natural."

Kyoichi smiled.

Fugaku didn't say any more and exited the tent.

With Tsunade now in charge, the Uchiha still felt uneasy.

A new Hokage meant a new policy.

Fugaku's visit wasn't just to ask about the war—he was also here to express loyalty and test the waters.

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