A Sage's Pursuit of Power

The future of the Hyūga Clan was something Aoba had considered long ago. Utilizing the Byakugan's traits, he had envisioned teaching them his Lightning Flash technique, creating a unique sniper unit for Konoha.

However, in his early years, Aoba lacked the status and strength to implement such ideas. By the time he gained the power and position, he had lost interest.

Still, life is often unpredictable. Plans fail, while unexpected opportunities arise. Now, he suddenly found himself with two Hyūga Clan disciples.

Aoba's first thought was to teach them Lightning Flash. But mastering it was incredibly time-consuming.

Sasuke, with his natural affinities for lightning and fire, had spent over a year to barely wield the technique.

Neither Hinata nor Neji had lightning nature. Hinata's chakra nature was wind, and Neji's was earth. If they started learning from scratch, it would take at least two years to see results.

Their chance to master this technique had passed, at least for now. They needed alternative paths to develop their strengths.

While Aoba was teaching his new disciples, Kakashi was undergoing surgery in Konoha's laboratory.

In the end, the Kamui Sharingan was entrusted to Kakashi. With the assistance of a chakra cloak, Kakashi, who no longer had issues with chakra depletion, was the most suitable wielder for the Mangekyō Sharingan pair.

To preserve his vision long-term, Kakashi finally agreed to undergo Hashirama cell transplantation.

Tsunade and Tobirama personally oversaw the procedure.

After finishing his lesson, Aoba also went to the lab. Despite ongoing advancements in the surgery and the stabilizing effects of White Zetsu's cells, there was still no guarantee of 100% success.

The laboratory prepared for every contingency. If anything went wrong, their priority was to ensure Kakashi's survival.

Fortunately, the surgery was a success, though full integration would take at least a month.

After the procedure, Tsunade called Aoba to her office for a meeting.

When Aoba arrived, Hiashi and others were already present.

Tsunade handed Aoba a mission report.

"Mei Terumī and her team succeeded. The Daimyō of the Land of Fire and his two eldest sons have been killed. Currently, the youngest son is preparing for the succession ceremony."

Aoba glanced through the scroll and placed it on the table.

"There's only a mission report, no invitation? It seems the new Daimyō has no plans to invite you, the Hokage, to his ceremony."

"This is the subject of our meeting," Tsunade explained. "Given the current situation, our relationship with the Daimyō of the Land of Fire is essentially broken.

According to the original plan, after the Daimyō and his two sons were dealt with, Konoha would support the five-year-old youngest son as the new Daimyō, effectively controlling the Land of Fire from the shadows.

The first step of the plan was successful, but the second step encountered a problem. The nobles in the Daimyō's court sensed something and united to take control of the young Daimyō. Our plan has hit a snag."

"Can't Mei Terumī handle it?"

"In theory, yes. But most of the Twelve Guardian Ninja have already been bought off. On top of that, traces of Iwa shinobi have been found. Mei and her team lack the strength to fully resolve the situation."

"Heh, Ōnoki truly lives up to his reputation as the ninja world's master disruptor. If there's a chance to make Konoha's life difficult, you can bet he'll be involved. So, Hokage-sama, what's the plan? Do we push through and settle this by force, or play by their rules?"

Aoba didn't take the matter seriously. After all, Obito, now equipped with the Rinnegan, was in hiding, while Madara and Black Zetsu had taken control of Kirigakure.

Kumogakure had been crippled, Sunagakure was an ally, and only Iwagakure was still stirring up trouble.

Ōnoki's intentions were transparent to Aoba. The old man was trying to provoke Konoha into an open conflict with the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, hoping to incite a larger confrontation between the Daimyō system and Konoha.

In his old age, Ōnoki had become fond of such political maneuvering. Though crude, his tactics were undeniably effective.

"My recommendation is to cut through this quickly and decisively," Tsunade said, presenting her view as Hokage.

Shikaku gave Tsunade a surprised glance but, as a staunch supporter of the Hokage, followed her lead and voted in favor.

With Kakashi absent, he entrusted his vote to Aoba. Hiashi turned to Aoba, clearly hesitant.

He disliked these voting sessions because it was clear that, aside from him, everyone else was aligned.

Aoba and Kakashi were close friends, and Aoba's relationship with Tsunade was even stronger. Their views were usually unified.

In the era of the Third Hokage, his role as an advisor had carried some weight. Now, however, he was merely a figurehead, his position more about maintaining internal clan stability than influencing decision-making.

"I agree with resolving this quickly, but we need to address not just the Daimyō, but Iwagakure as well."

"Do you mean an all-out war? Our current strength makes it feasible to handle Iwagakure alongside this issue," Shikaku noted.

Hearing this, Hiashi knew he had no other choice and gave his approval.

Iwagakure was different from Kumogakure. Ōnoki wasn't a brute; on the contrary, he was the most cunning Kage in the ninja world.

While Konoha finalized its strategies against the Daimyō and Iwagakure, Kirigakure welcomed an unexpected group of visitors.

In the secret chamber at the heart of Kirigakure, Madara opened his eyes. He now wore a pair of fresh three-tomoe Sharingan.

A Kirigakure shinobi knelt before him, delivering a report.

"Ōnoki? That little brat dares to come and see me?"

Outside Kirigakure, Kitsuchi questioned Ōnoki with confusion.

"Father, I don't understand why we're seeking out Madara. From what I know, Uchiha Madara isn't exactly someone you can reason with."

"Heh, there's no one in this world who understands Uchiha Madara better than I do. In my time, he was already a figure you could only look up to. He's powerful, ruthless, and relentless—willing to do anything to achieve his goals.

But you need to understand one thing: as unique as Uchiha Madara is, there's one thing he shares with us, he's a ninja."

"Are you saying Aoba Kamikawa isn't a ninja?"

"Heh, Aoba… For now, he's still a ninja, but in the future, that may no longer be the case."

Ōnoki sighed as he spoke, glancing helplessly at his son. The foolish boy still hadn't realized that if Aoba continued to change the ninja world, the day would come when ninjas would cease to exist.

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Currently on Chapter 279 - Hashirama vs Aoba