"Tsuchikage-sama, we've sighted the coast of Lightning Country."
"Good. Hold position here."
Ōnoki issued the command.
Currently, only a small vanguard of Iwa-nin had arrived—far too few to cut off Kumo's retreat. Any premature attack would risk their own encirclement.
The Raikage wasn't foolish.
With Ōnoki not committing his full forces, why would the Raikage send all his shinobi to the frontlines? What if Ōnoki struck their undefended village?
No binding treaties existed between them.
Their joint assault on Konoha had been purely opportunistic.
Moreover.
Even with treaties, trust remained scarce among nations. When interests aligned, alliances formed—when they clashed, betrayal followed. No amount of assurances would make the Raikage lower his guard.
The same applied to Kiri.
However.
The Sandaime Raikage would never anticipate Ōnoki launching a full-scale invasion of Lightning Country at this very moment.
Who could have predicted this?
Just days ago, Iwa had been victorious in Grass Country. Now, after Konoha's devastating counterattack, they'd been forced into humiliating surrender…
Ōnoki sighed heavily.
——
Emerging from the cabin, Kyōichi gazed at the sparkling sea and distant shoreline, his mood lifting.
Noticing Ōnoki's pensive expression, he remarked: "Tsuchikage-sama, rather than territorial expansion, shouldn't your priority be grooming a proper Yondaime? Remaining Tsuchikage into your seventies would be… tragic."
"..."
Must every word pierce my heart?
Ōnoki had no rebuttal.
Did he not want a successor?
The problem was—
There weren't any!
The few promising candidates had all been eliminated… by the very man before him!
Clenching his teeth, Ōnoki suppressed his rage.
Five million ryō…
Must stay calm!
"No suitable heirs indicates flawed training methods. As Konoha's premier education specialist, while I can't disclose classified intel, I could design a customized program for you."
"Price?"
"Money sullies camaraderie. That flight technique of yours however…"
"Absolutely not."
Ōnoki's face darkened.
Light/Added-Weight Rock Techniques were Iwagakure's core secrets, taught only to rigorously vetted individuals. This outsider thought he could just ask?
Preposterous!
"Fine. Five million ryō then."
Kyōichi sighed.
Truthfully—
He'd only been fishing. Obtaining "Kage-level" jutsu through conversation was always a long shot.
"Two million. Take it or leave it. And if your advice proves worthless, I won't pay."
Ōnoki snorted coldly.
"Very well. Listen closely."
Kyōichi smiled.
With Tsuchi and Rōshi as hostages, he wasn't worried about payment.
Minato, overhearing their exchange, joined them on deck.
"Haven't you noticed? Iwa's education system is fundamentally broken! While your Doton is formidable, other disciplines are severely lacking."
"..."
Ōnoki fell into contemplation.
Iwa didn't mandate Doton specialization—it simply remained the most practical choice for most.
Yet.
The lack of diversity was undeniable.
Had Iwa possessed more Fūton or Raiton specialists, why would Kirin terrify them so?
His expression grew serious.
"You have solutions?"
"Such stagnation suggests rigid teaching methodologies. You must foster curiosity—developing cognitive abilities matters more than rote jutsu instruction."
"Sound principles."
Ōnoki sighed without elaboration.
The theory was sound.
But.
Implementation was impossible!
Iwa's non-Doton jutsu archives were too sparse. Kyōichi's abstract "cognitive development" proposals lacked practicality.
Kyōichi anticipated this.
After allowing Ōnoki to stew, he continued: "The Academy curriculum is woefully inadequate for many. Right, Minato?"
"Eh? Ah, yes! Though individual aptitudes vary—not everyone absorbs knowledge quickly."
Caught off-guard, Minato answered honestly. As a prodigy, standard lessons had never sufficed for him—but he recognized his experience wasn't universal.
Kyōichi resisted facepalming.
Too earnest!
Fortunately, he wasn't trying to swindle Ōnoki.
"Hence the need for elite tracks—special classes for gifted students, expanded curricula, advanced knowledge, critical thinking cultivation…"
"Genius classes?"
Ōnoki muttered.
Iwa's standardized education had no such divisions. Yet the concept resonated—precisely because Iwa lacked versatile jōnin, not foot soldiers.
Elite education…
True to its name.
Only for the exceptional!
After thorough consideration, Ōnoki found no flaws. Still, he questioned: "Why share this? Aren't you concerned about strengthening Iwa?"
"Konoha stands supreme, fearing no village. Didn't we dismantle your three-way siege? Competition drives progress!"
Kyōichi clasped his hands behind his back, exuding arrogance.
Ōnoki's emotions churned.
This teenager's insights surpassed veteran Kage.
With such talent, arrogance was warranted.
And those words…
Struck deep.
"Competition drives progress?"
Minato pondered.
Superficially counterintuitive, yet historically accurate—the era of Hashirama, Tobirama and Madara had spurred unprecedented jutsu innovation across nations.
Nowadays…
While Konoha had declined relatively, only Kumo matched their developmental pace. Other villages grew complacent, relying on legacy techniques.
Why?
Because Konoha alone faced existential threats from multiple fronts.
Pressure bred innovation.
Ōnoki reached the same conclusion.
His earlier resolution solidified—Iwa's youth must engage internationally, no longer isolated in self-study.
Exhaling, he produced a scroll, summoning an aide with inkbrush.
Then—
Scritch-scratch…
A formal promissory note for four million ryō materialized.
More remarkably, Ōnoki added solemnly: "That axiom moved me deeply. The extra million is for those words alone. Payment will follow."
Kyōichi smiled.
One million per sentence.
Worth it!
As Ōnoki contemplated reforms, none of which concerned Kyōichi further, the system notification arrived:
[Complete 'Education Model' Guidance]
[Evaluation: Excellent]
[Reward: Earth Release: Rock Guardian Technique]
Only Excellent?
No "Perfect" rating meant no Light/Added-Weight Rock techniques.
Not that he particularly needed this reward anyway.
Kyōichi acknowledged his suggestions' limitations.
So-called elite education…
Was essentially tracking classes—shinobi edition.
While it would produce outstanding individuals, systemic inequality would emerge. Not that Konoha needed Iwa's stagnation to maintain superiority.
If Konoha required others' weakness to remain strong…
Wouldn't that make me no better than Danzō?
Standing on the shoulders of giants if not matching their vision, he could at least surpass Konoha's darkness.
Aim higher.
Gazing through the porthole at the approaching coastline, Kyōichi's resolve firmed.
"Is this… appropriate?"
Minato seemed troubled.
While appearing helpful, something felt off about strengthening an enemy village.
"Perfectly fine. That model is outdated anyway."
"Hn."
Minato trusted Kyōichi's judgment. There had to be deeper calculations at play.
——
Iwa's fleet assembled gradually.
Soon.
All ships advanced toward shore—no proper docks, just jagged reefs and treacherous currents.
Irrelevant obstacles for shinobi.
Then—
Kumo's scouts spotted them.
Thousands of Iwa-nin across dozens of ships couldn't possibly evade detection. Not that Ōnoki or Kyōichi cared—with Kumo's main forces deep in Fire Country, even immediate recall would take half a day unimpeded.
Add Konoha's harassment, and reinforcements would require over 24 hours—ample time to establish beachheads and defensive lines.
Granted.
Earthworks held limited utility against Lightning Release specialists. But better than nothing.
Presently…
Waves of Iwa-nin stormed ashore.
Kyōichi observed without intervening.
Not his contract.
Ōnoki sighed internally.
With Kyōichi and Minato's assistance, this assault would proceed far smoother. Alas—
Their ten million ryō fee covered only the Sandaime Raikage.
Still.
If that objective succeeded, the expense would be justified. Other Kumo-nin were expendable by comparison.
Calculations raced through his mind—
Even with perfect coordination, the Raikage's forces needed hours to disengage and return.
More than enough time to prepare traps.
A veteran of countless conflicts against Kumo, Ōnoki knew precisely how to counter Lightning specialists.
After securing the beachhead, he ordered elaborate defensive preparations.
Kyōichi and Minato spectated silently—
Secretly hoping more Iwa-nin would perish.