I, Konoha’s Sage of Life

Chapter 105 - 105: The True Mastery of Water Release Lies in Konoha

"Ice Release... It's pretty good against ordinary opponents, but against those people? Completely useless."

Kyoichi sighed.

Ice Release was powerful, no doubt. But in the end, it was still just a standard Bloodline Limit—not something as reality-defying as the Kaguya clan's Kekkei Genkai, nor as overwhelmingly destructive as Dust Release.

At best...

It was better than nothing!

Kyoichi toyed with an ice blade in his hand. With a mere thought, three or four more ice blades materialized in the air.

These were just the basics.

To be honest, their practical use was limited. For Kyoichi, the most useful application of Ice Release was forming a layer of ice armor over his body. That way, he wouldn't have to worry too much when facing Lightning Release users.

Stepping outside, he saw a crowd of shinobi gathered around the camp.

They were all studying the scrolls.

Hidden Mist Technique, Silent Killing Technique—these were fundamental to Kirigakure's combat style. Who wouldn't want to master them as an extra safeguard?

Unfortunately...

Shisui and his teammates had no affinity for Water Release. They could only sigh in frustration and instead focus on analyzing the Silent Killing Technique. Shisui, being small and nimble, squeezed into the crowd and quickly skimmed through it.

By the time Kyoichi walked over, Shisui was already reciting it to the others.

Might Guy was among them.

However...

After listening for a while, he scratched his head in confusion.

"Hey, Guy, do you understand it?" Ebisu whispered.

"Nope! I don't think this Silent Killing Technique is practical. We don't even know the Hidden Mist Technique!"

Guy had no concept of keeping his voice down.

Genma Shiranui covered his face in exasperation—

These two idiots... and they're my teammates?!

"They're not asking you to learn it," Kurenai said, stepping in. "Sensei wrote down not just how to use it, but also how to counter it, so we don't get killed if we face someone skilled in this technique."

The only kunoichi in the group spoke, and naturally, no one objected. They all nodded in agreement.

Just then, Kurenai noticed Kyoichi approaching.

She quickly stood up, dusted off her clothes, and grinned. "Sensei, did I get that right?"

"Exactly!" Kyoichi chuckled.

There weren't many shinobi on the eastern front, but those who were here were quite capable. Among them, only these six were still genin.

That said...

He planned to take them along on his next trip to Kirigakure.

So...

"Train well. This mission has been relatively easy, and you haven't truly experienced the brutality of war. I'll make sure you do next time."

"Yes!"

Shisui felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen could die on the battlefield—what chance did they have?

On the battlefield, neither clan name nor genius status mattered.

Only strength did.

The others quickly realized what he meant—Kyoichi was taking them to the front lines!

"...You're not joking, are you?"

"I never joke. Work hard!"

Kyoichi patted Ebisu on the shoulder.

Ebisu's face fell.

However...

For now, Kyoichi wasn't making any moves.

Might Duy hadn't fully recovered yet.

Duy was a deterrent.

If the Kiri-nin who fled had reported the situation accurately, Kirigakure would understand the kind of power he possessed.

At the same time...

These days were also an opportunity for Kirigakure.

If Kyoichi attacked before Yagura returned, things would escalate into an all-out war.

And he had no intention of wiping out the Kiri forces just yet—he was counting on Yagura to lead them against the Raikage. If he killed them all now, they'd just defect to Kumo instead.

Meanwhile, the intelligence from Inoichi continued to pour in.

Today's revelation was particularly surprising—among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen was an eighth individual named Ao.

It was highly unlikely that this was just a coincidence.

The probability was too low.

Moreover, based on the extracted memories, his appearance matched that of the Ao who would later acquire the Byakugan.

Unfortunately...

This time, he didn't get a Byakugan.

He got Kyoichi's blade instead.

The worst part?

Even after killing him, Kyoichi hadn't even remembered who he was.

Likewise...

Between the corpses of a Seven Swordsman and an ordinary ninja, Ameyuri Ringo's body was clearly more valuable.

So...

Even Inoichi hadn't bothered with Ao's body.

What a pitiful end.

Of course...

Kyoichi only felt a fleeting sense of regret—more crocodile tears than anything.

Ao's death was more of a relief than a loss. The man had been a mediocre talent—he got a Byakugan but never even mastered Gentle Fist or the Hyūga's chakra point strikes.

In contrast, Shira figured out pressure point attacks without a Byakugan.

The difference was night and day.

A deadweight like Ao? The world was better off without him.

In the following days, Konoha's forces focused on mastering Kirigakure's techniques. While Kyōichi worked on Might Duy's recovery, he also healed the three swordsman.

They were still useful—

Once negotiations with Kirigakure began, they could be used as bargaining chips.

After all, the Third Mizukage had put great effort into training them.

Three or four days passed.

Might Duy had made a full recovery.

At the signal flare, all shinobi gathered. Two pre-prepared ships were docked at the shore, ready to set sail.

"Kyoichi, shouldn't we take more people?"

Inoichi was concerned.

Kyoichi was bringing only two-thirds of their forces—yet he was heading into a potential confrontation with nearly half of Kirigakure's forces.

"No need. This is enough. If they really want to fight... well, they still have to get through me."

This wasn't arrogance.

Between him and Might Duy, wiping out Kirigakure's forces was unrealistic, but holding them off long enough for everyone to retreat? That was easy. They could even get out unscathed.

No need to worry.

Inoichi couldn't convince him otherwise and could only watch as they boarded the ships.

The vessels set sail.

With an entire crew of shinobi, sabotage wasn't a major concern—worst case scenario, they'd abandon ship and use chakra to walk on water, though it would be more tiring.

A few kilometers in, Kyoichi noticed an unexpected problem.

He had planned for everything—

Except for one thing—

Might Duy and Might Guy both got seasick.

Unbelievable.

"Urgh—"

The two of them vomited violently.

The sound of retching was contagious, making the atmosphere even worse.

Kyoichi rubbed his temples.

These two...

"Duy-senpai, Guy, how about you two just run there on foot? You can walk on water, right?"

"O-Of course!"

"YEAH! The Blue Beast of Konoha has risen once more!"

Might Guy jumped overboard without hesitation.

SPLASH!

He landed in the sea, immediately dashing across the water's surface like a madman.

Kyoichi watched, speechless.

"...They're really running the whole way?"

"Don't worry. They can go a lot farther than you think."

Kyoichi wasn't the least bit concerned.

After all, he hadn't planned on arriving in one day. They still had to stop by the previous outpost for rest.

A few hours later...

They reached Kirigakure's former outpost.

The place had been abandoned. Most traces had been wiped clean, leaving little useful information behind.

They moved at a steady pace.

A day later...

"Kyoichi-sama, I've spotted Kiri-nin—about four squads, positioned on an island four kilometers northeast. We're getting close."

"Perfect. Let's go."

Kyoichi shot forward, with Asuma, Shisui, and the others close behind.

Apart from Kyoichi and Hayate's squad, Hyūga Tō stayed with them, while the rest of their forces remained on the ships, continuing their approach.

Soon, the Kiri-nin noticed them.

"Sir! Konoha shinobi are here again!"

"Stay calm."

Shimokawa Kazuhiro raised a signal flare and fired twice.

"Fight?"

"If we retreat any further, they'll be right at our main base," Shimokawa Kazuhiro said.

Konoha was already pushing them to the brink—how could they back down now?

Rear Lines...

Upon seeing the signal flare, Yagura shouted a command and immediately led three or four squads forward.

He had anticipated this.

With four or five men unaccounted for, it was highly likely that their outpost's intelligence had been compromised.

That was why, a few days ago, he had temporarily transferred some members of the Yuki and Kaguya clans here.

When the expected attack didn't come, he sent them back—

After all, the Kaguya and Yuki clans were notoriously difficult to deal with. They didn't follow orders well, and keeping them at the outpost was more of a liability than an asset.

However...

A Few Days Later, Kyoichi Arrived.

He had let his guard down!

Yagura cursed himself internally and quickened his pace.

Before long, he saw a thick mist rising over a distant island.

"Yagura-sama, this doesn't seem to be our Hidden Mist Jutsu," a sensory ninja urgently reported.

The chakra signature was different!

Yagura's expression darkened.

Of course, he knew.

If he wasn't mistaken, this was Kanda Kyoichi's chakra.

That damn Kanda Kyoichi...

Infuriating! Absolutely infuriating!

It had only been a few days!

Not only had the enemy acquired the Hidden Mist Jutsu, but he had also mastered it to such an extent that even their own Mist Technique was being overwhelmed.

This brought back unpleasant memories—

According to the village elders, long ago, the most renowned Water Release user in the ninja world wasn't from Kirigakure, but rather the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

Now, Yagura could finally understand that feeling.

Damn it!

On the Island...

Kyoichi's mist engulfed the enemy's.

Around the island, dozens of paper bombs hovered in midair, sealing off the four squads of jonin within.

"Move in!"

"Yes!"

Asuma and the others hesitated, but at the command, they charged forward without question.

The thick fog was the perfect cover.

At the same time...

As outsiders unfamiliar with the mist, Asuma's team couldn't claim much of an advantage. However, within this chakra-infused haze, Kyoichi was in his element.

A voice suddenly echoed.

"Throat, spine... eight vital points. Which one would you like me to strike next?"

"What?"

Shimokawa Kazuhiro was momentarily confused, then his anger flared.

That Konoha bastard!

Did he really think that just because he had stolen their Hidden Mist Jutsu, he could replicate their Silent Killing technique?

Too arrogant—

The thought barely crossed his mind when an icy chill swept from behind.

The next moment...

A sharp pain in his neck.

He looked down.

Blood spurted into the air.

And it wasn't just him. Another jonin had also been struck—but unlike him, that one was impaled clean through.

His feet had been frozen in place, completely immobilized, before Kyoichi's water-forged blade had pierced his heart.

Two other jonin immediately launched Great Breakthrough Wind Release techniques.

However...

The gusts momentarily parted the mist—but within a second, it closed in again.

In that brief instant, they hadn't even caught a glimpse of their attacker.

This was the true Silent Killing technique!

No sound. No shadow.

The only thing they could see—was their comrades dying.

"Damn it! Retreat! Fall back!"

Panic gripped the remaining shinobi.

For the first time, they truly understood just how terrifying the Hidden Mist Jutsu and Silent Killing technique were—

And the worst part?

The one wielding them wasn't even from Kirigakure.

He was from Konoha.

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