Seriously? I’ve reached Jōnin level, and the system’s only shows up?

Yamanaka Shinno honestly didn't mind either option.

If everyone decided on the first plan, then they'd quickly eliminate the White Zetsu threat and annex Kirigakure. That would reduce the risk of the Otsutsuki Clan discovering them too soon.

After that, they could gradually cultivate new administrative talent to replace the current daimyō, and build proper governing institutions.

Eventually, they'd bring the Five Great Nations—Fire, Wind, Lightning, Water, and Earth—along with the surrounding smaller nations under one unified system.

A stable, unified world. A smooth path for development.

If they went with the second plan instead, then they could see whether Kaguya Ōtsutsuki had any particularly valuable traits. Maybe pick up one or two of her devastating jutsu as well.

At the same time, they could use the Ten-Tails as bait—see how many more Otsutsuki come crawling out of the woodwork.

Either way, war was inevitable.

But both options would serve Shinno's ultimate goal: to reduce the rifts and tensions between the major shinobi villages.

In fact, in his eyes, the second plan might even be better than the first.

Having the occasional Otsutsuki pop out of nowhere to stir up chaos would create a lasting sense of urgency for the newly unified villages.

And when faced with an external threat, even deep-seated grudges would take a back seat.

Over time...

Those grudges would fade into history.

Of course, that also meant Tsunade and Kushina would be in for a tough time.

After all, with the [Multiverse Traveler] trait, there was no way Shinno would just settle down and quietly stay in the shinobi world forever.

If the Otsutsuki decided to show up while he was away...

Tsunade, as the Hokage and a master of Sage Mode, would definitely be one of their primary targets.

And Kushina, as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, would be in even more danger—she'd be a priority target, with no chance to hide.

Thankfully, his [Yin-Yang Sage] trait had already evolved into [Celestial Spirit Lord]. He'd fully grasped the essence of every energy system in the Naruto world. Maybe it was time to give Tsunade a bit of a power boost.

As for Kushina... sure, in theory, her Uzumaki bloodline gave her the potential to master Sage Mode.

But Shinno was more inclined to help her improve her [Magical Girl Transformation] trait.

Just look at Kaname Madoka—clear proof of how ridiculous the ceiling was on that kind of power.

Plus, magical energy was fundamentally different from chakra, making it immune to absorption by the Otsutsuki.

All in all, upgrading Magical Girl Transformation was way more efficient than chasing after Sage Mode.

...

The negotiations to unify the villages had taken over two full days.

Pkura, Kitsuchi, and the Third Raikage returned to their villages with the ninja they had brought, immediately mobilizing their forces to gather on the eastern coast of the Land of Fire.

Under Shinno's Flying Thunder God Technique, Tsunade and the others were quickly teleported back to Konoha.

At the same time, Minato led nearly a thousand Konoha shinobi stationed along the border, dismantling their temporary camps and rushing to the eastern coastline to prepare staging grounds for the Allied Shinobi Forces.

One after another, orders streamed from the Hokage's office.

The restructured Konoha moved like a finely tuned war machine, swiftly kicking into high gear.

Supplies stockpiled by the Logistics Division were dispatched in steady waves.

Wave after wave of shinobi left Konoha, transporting war equipment and resources to the front lines.

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi personally led every able-bodied ninja over the age of twelve from the Sarutobi clan to the front.

Seeing this, the other clans in Konoha didn't dare hold back.

Whatever they felt inside, none could resist the pull of the times—they brought out everything they had.

The war atmosphere was so intense that the once-bustling streets of Konoha had grown eerily quiet.

...

"…The old man's changed."

Tsunade stood at the window of the Hokage's office, resting her hands on the windowsill. Her voice carried an uncharacteristic mix of sighs and sentiment.

Mobilizing all clan ninja aged twelve and up. Preparing them to die.

Ever since he stepped down as Hokage, her teacher hadn't quite been the same.

His actions made it painfully clear: every last Sarutobi was ready to die if necessary—but he was begging her not to drag the children or the elderly into it.

"Huh? Oh, maybe. But whether he lives or dies… isn't that kinda up to you?"

Sprawled across the two-seater couch, Shinno casually pushed the copy of Tales of Steely Resolve: A Ninja's Spirit off his face. He yawned lazily, eyes slightly misty with sleep.

Jiraiya's writing was decent enough, but for someone who'd read countless web novels in his past life, the plot was kinda... meh.

"I… what did you do with Danzō?"

Tsunade shoved aside her melancholy, abruptly switching topics.

She hadn't seen that bastard in a long while.

"Cough cough. Retired. Living the slow life at home."

"Save that crap for someone who believes it. The moment I used your special Sage Mode, I sensed the lingering presence of a White Zetsu."

"Tsk~ Fine, fine. He's, uh… Konoha's most popular bathhouse scrubber now."

Shinno scratched his head, thinking about Danzō's current situation. Honestly, it was hard to describe.

The guy was somehow thriving.

Thanks to his [Open-Minded] trait, he frequently took headshots out of nowhere. But with the Hozuki bloodline Orochimaru had transplanted into him, his Water Release: Hydrification Technique kept his body functional through sheer instinct.

Now, whether it was the men's bath or the women's bath, he was the most requested scrubber in all of Konoha's Three Springs Bathhouse.

Business had never been better.

...

"Most popular... scrubber? You mean... that amnesiac Hozuki clan guy?"

Tsunade blinked, recalling a report she'd read from the ANBU—about a mysterious Hozuki man with no memories, taken in by the owner of a bathhouse.

Wait... that guy was Danzō?!

No way...

You've gotta be kidding me!

"Hey! Don't look at me like that. He attacked me first, alright?! It was self-defense!"

"I was gonna use your handling of Danzō as a reference. But... tch. That old man really lucked out not ending up in your hands."

"Thanks for the compliment."

Shinno grinned shamelessly, pretending to take it at face value.

Tsunade rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't get stuck.

Still... there was something else that bothered her.

"How's Orochimaru's research coming? When can I... see Nawaki?"

"He's already been reanimated. He's just avoiding you for now. I was planning to give you a little surprise in a few days."

Shinno sat up on the couch, a rare warmth in his smile.

"You! Damn it! You're not planning to turn Nawaki into a girl, are you?!"

The word "surprise" triggered immediate alarm bells. She'd just seen Orochimaru the other day, and the thought sent a chill down her spine. She stormed over to him, eyes wide.

If her little brother got turned into her little sister...

Not just her, but her grandfather and great-uncle would come back from the dead just to lose it.

"See? You're jumping to conclusions again! That was Orochimaru's personal choice. You have to respect people's identities, you know? Don't be prejudiced!"

"I… then what kind of surprise is it?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore, would it?"

Shinno leaned back against the couch, looking pleased with himself.

He'd already given Orochimaru the Rinnegan and asked Tobi to help with the research.

It was just a matter of time before the Rinne Rebirth technique was ready.

...

"…Please."

Tsunade's expression twisted in conflict. In the end, she bit her lip and spat out the word.

"Huh? What was that? I didn't catch that!"

Shinno's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected her to actually beg.

"I said—GO TO HELL, YOU BASTARD!"

Her face flushed red as she raised her fist and swung.

Smack!

Shinno twisted his wrist, redirecting the force of her punch with his internal spirit power.

"Hey, hey, hey! Try that again and I'll bite you!"

"I've already mastered Sage Chakra! You think that threat still works on me? Hah!"

"Come on, Sis… have you learned nothing?"

"ARGH—!"

Outside the Hokage's office, ANBU squad leader crouched silently on the windowsill. When he heard the Hokage's scream and saw his teammates silently urging him to check, he sighed and cautiously peeked through the glass.

All he saw was Shinno's lower leg sticking out from behind the couch... and Tsunade's left arm hanging over the top.

He slowly retracted his head and gave the others a hand signal: nothing to report.

Having served under the Second, Third, and now Fourth Hokage, he'd seen it all.

Still... maybe draw the curtains next time, huh?

----------------

Pls Drop some Power Stones

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