I, Konoha’s Sage of Life

The current situation in the east was still unknown.

Although Jiraiya had gone there, no intelligence had been sent back yet.

Of course…

If Jiraiya and Minato had any sense, the best choice wouldn't be to send a ninja with a scroll but to deliver one of Minato’s Flying Thunder God kunai instead.

As long as they had the kunai, they could receive Minato’s reports at any time.

Meanwhile…

Minato had already selected a team from the eastern front and was setting out to flank the enemy from behind in the Land of Waterfalls, targeting the back of the Kusagakure.

The squad was made up of elite ninjas.

Among them were Hyuga Hizashi, Aburame Shibi, and others.

The weakest member was probably Kakashi, but since he specialized in Lightning Release, he had the advantage of speed, which was effective against Earth Release techniques.

Jiraiya had arranged for the delivery of two Flying Thunder God kunai along with a report. With the kunai in place, Minato could pinpoint the location, transmit information, and even gain partial insight into Konoha’s main camp intelligence through sensory tracking.

Most of the fast-moving ninjas had been sent with Minato.

However…

Jiraiya left behind a formidable one.

Might Duy!

The one entrusted with delivering the kunai and intelligence was Might Duy.

He did not accompany Minato.

Though powerful, once he activated the Sixth Gate or higher, he would be left too exhausted to continue fighting.

While he had also achieved mastery of the Eight Gates, like his future son, Gai, the difference was substantial—Guy had the advantage of learning from predecessors, while Duy had to figure things out on his own.

Additionally, their ages at peak strength were different.

Duy’s recovery abilities were significantly inferior.

Thus…

He wasn’t suited for deep infiltration missions.

After some consideration, Orochimaru decided that Duy was better suited to accompany Kyoichi.

Joining him for the escort mission were Obito, Rin, and the trio from Guy’s squad—since Minato had reassigned Hayama Shirakumo to an elite unit, Guy’s team had no Jonin leader and had to be reassigned here.

The six-man group moved quickly.

They reached Konoha’s western camp in just one day.

However…

In that single day, Ōnoki had already begun his assault.

“Sensei, aren’t you going to organize a counterattack this time?”

Asuma asked curiously.

He expected Kyoichi to charge in alone again, slashing through enemies with guerrilla tactics like before, but instead…

They were still observing.

“Wait a little longer…”

Using chakra sensory techniques, Kyoichi scanned the area.

Iwa-nin had launched their attack!

However…

Ōnoki wasn’t rushing an all-out invasion. Instead, he was methodically pushing Iwa-nin’s defensive lines outward with Earth Release, as if he planned to use fortifications to slowly erode the border.

It was slow but incredibly difficult to counter.

“Ōnoki is too cautious. Even if we form an elite squad, it will be hard to gain an advantage against so many Iwa-nin. Too bad my Lightning Release isn’t strong enough…”

Shisui was frustrated.

If his Lightning Release was more advanced, he could use the Thunder Swords to devastate Ōnoki’s Earth Release defenses.

Unfortunately…

His Lightning Release was only mediocre—not even at an excellent level.

Kyoichi glanced at the darkened sky.

He paused for a moment, and a certain jutsu came to mind.

Lightning Release: Kirin!

The technique utilized natural lightning by creating a stormy environment and then guiding the lightning precisely with the Sharingan and Lightning Release.

Shisui certainly couldn’t manage it.

However…

He remembered that the Third Hokage was a master of all five chakra natures, proficient in every elemental jutsu. If Sarutobi worked together with the Hyuga clan’s observational skills, they could use this technique to bombard Iwa’s earth fortifications.

Of course…

Technically, Shisui could also pull it off.

But…

First, he was still young and might not execute it with enough precision.

Second, if he successfully performed such a high-level technique, the existing hostility toward the Uchiha clan would only deepen.

The Third Hokage was the best candidate.

With that thought, Kyoichi waved his hand and said, “Let’s go back!”

“Yes!”

Asuma didn’t know what his sensei had planned, but judging by Kyoichi’s expression, Iwa-nin were about to suffer again.

Back at the Main Camp

“I think we should counter with Earth Release.”

“If we engage in mutual destruction, we won’t stand a chance against Iwa’s Earth Release specialists.”

“There are just too many Iwa-nin skilled in Earth Release…”

The Third Hokage was discussing strategy with Asuma and several Sarutobi clan Jonin.

Honestly, he preferred consulting Kyoichi, as the boy’s thought process was completely different from theirs and often led to unexpected yet effective ideas.

But unfortunately, when he sent someone to find Kyoichi, he was already out scouting.

Just as they were about to form an Earth Release squad to disrupt Iwa’s defenses, a Chunin rushed in with a report.

Kyoichi had returned!

“Hokage-sama.”

“Kyoichi, do you have an idea?”

The Third Hokage’s eyes lit up as soon as he saw him.

This kid always walked with a commanding presence—clearly, he had a plan.

Kyoichi nodded.

“I have a rough idea I’d like to discuss. Their Earth Release fortifications are densely packed—what if we use Lightning Release to break them?”

“Lightning Release… It’s a good idea, but we don’t have enough Lightning Release users, and we can’t destroy that many earth walls at once.”

The Third Hokage sighed.

He had considered this before, but the difference in numbers was overwhelming.

Iwa had thousands of ninja, while Konoha had far fewer Lightning Release users.

Even if they focused all their efforts, they couldn’t cause enough destruction.

“We can create natural lightning through ninjutsu. I can use Water Release, others can use Fire Release to heat and evaporate water into the air, generating clouds that interact with the atmosphere to form natural lightning.”

Kyoichi explained quickly.

“Then, the Hyuga clan can monitor and observe, while you use the Thunder Swords to guide the lightning with precision.”

“Lightning forms and strikes too quickly. By the time the Hyuga report its location, it might be too late. However… if we only need to direct it toward Iwa’s fortifications, that’s doable.”

The Third Hokage considered it.

The hardest part of this technique was guiding the lightning accurately.

But since the enemy’s fortifications were clustered together, there was little risk of missing the target.

“The weather is perfect for this!”

“Hokage-sama, should we test it first?”

Sarutobi Shinnosuke was concerned.

Natural lightning was no joke.

If anything went wrong, even the Third Hokage wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

The Third Hokage shook his head.

“There’s no time. If we conduct a test, Ōnoki will notice something is off, and we’ll lose the element of surprise.”

“Yes, I’ll make the arrangements immediately.”

Everyone sprang into action.

Moments later…

Konoha’s main camp mobilized.

Meanwhile, in Iwa’s Camp

“Tsuchikage-sama! Konoha is making a move!”

“Hahaha, so Sarutobi Hiruzen finally lost patience? No rush. We’ll stay defensive. The longer they wait, the more mistakes they’ll make.”

Despite his calm words, Ōnoki immediately flew out of his tent and positioned himself atop the frontline earth walls.

He peered into the distance.

Sure enough, birds were circling in alarm.

“Everyone, stay alert! The Sarutobi clan excels in all five nature transformations. They might be leading the charge. Also… be prepared for Water Release attacks.”

“Yes, Tsuchikage-sama! We’ve already dug trenches. Even if they use Water Release, it will be diverted.”

“Good! If we can withstand this, we can keep advancing using this strategy.”

Ōnoki was excited.

A battle against Water Release specialists?

That was exactly what he wanted!

He watched expectantly.

Moments later, he spotted a silver-haired young ninja in a mask.

That must be Kyoichi.

Ōnoki narrowed his eyes.

“Be careful of that one. He’s young, but incredibly dangerous.”

“Yes!”

The Iwa-nin braced themselves.

And then—

Kyoichi led the charge.

Dozens of Konoha shinobi surged forward from their ranks, and behind them, thousands more followed, a dark wave stretching beyond the horizon. Ōnoki couldn’t immediately decipher their formation, but he had a nagging sense that something was off.

Before he could figure out what, Kyoichi had already made his move.

Hand seals—jutsu activation.

Exploding Water Shockwave, Water Colliding Wave…

A barrage of Water Release techniques.

The most alarming part?

On both sides, towering earth walls shot up.

Boom—!

The sound of rushing water roared, no longer just a simple wave but an entire river, carrying debris and sediment as it surged toward Iwagakure’s fortifications.

But… was that all?

Ōnoki was puzzled.

This level of force was a threat, sure, but with their prior preparations, as long as they reinforced their defenses with Earth Release, there was no way this attack could breach their stronghold.

And indeed, that’s exactly what they did.

The incoming waves were quickly diverted, channeled into the trenches they had dug earlier.

However…

What happened next left Ōnoki utterly bewildered.

The second act of Konoha’s grand performance unfolded.

A second wave of shinobi rushed in—hundreds of them—each unleashing Fire Release jutsu, heating the flowing river with intense flames, some even targeting the sky.

From the rear, numerous shinobi cast Great Breakthrough—

A contingency Kyoichi had devised with the Third Hokage, designed to direct the resulting air currents toward the Iwagakure encampment above.

“Tsuchikage-sama, what are they doing?”

“I don’t know, but this doesn’t feel right.”

Ōnoki frowned.

There was no way Konoha had mobilized over a thousand shinobi just to put on a fireworks display.

Something was off.

His instincts screamed at him. He scanned the battlefield, feeling uneasy, then raised his hand and commanded, “Let’s play it safe. Order the main force to retreat to the second defensive line. Leave a small unit here to observe.”

“Yes, sir!”

Ōnoki’s instincts had always been sharp.

Kyoichi sensed the enemy’s withdrawal and felt a tinge of disappointment, but he knew better than to expect this technique to take down Ōnoki. That old man wasn’t that easy to deal with.

He looked up at the sky, formed hand seals, and released a dense mist, which was swiftly carried toward the Iwagakure encampment by Wind Release.

Moments later, raindrops began to fall—pitter-patter, pitter-patter.

Everything was in place. Now, it was up to the Third Hokage.

At that moment…

From the rear, the Third Hokage led a contingent of Lightning Release shinobi, Shisui among them. In the Hokage’s hands were two blades. They leaped onto an earthen platform erected by Konoha’s Earth Release users, channeling Lightning Release chakra toward the Hokage.

The Third Hokage gripped his swords, now crackling with surging electricity.

Thunder Swords – Kiba!

“Be careful!”

The Iwa shinobi on watch duty sensed something was wrong.

Their true attack… was Lightning Release!

They quickly erected more earth walls to block it.

But…

They never expected—

The Lightning Release attack wasn’t aimed at them.

It was aimed at—

The sky!

Twin blades crackling with lightning shot a massive sphere of energy upward.

In an instant, the entire sky erupted into a storm of raging thunder.

“Hokage-sama!”

“I know!”