I, Konoha's Sage of Life-Chapter 142: Simple—I’ll Wipe Out the Seven Ninja Swordsmen

"Huh? We're being sent back to Konoha? Why?"

Asuma was confused.

According to their teacher, they had graduated early because the war needed more manpower. But now, even though the war wasn't over, they were being sent back to the village and wouldn't participate in the next battles.

This... didn't make any sense!

The others were just as bewildered. Clearly, no one expected this outcome after being summoned.

Return to the village...

Out of all the early graduates, only three were exempt—Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, and Kurenai Yuhi.

"Why don't Guy and the others have to go back?"

Asuma voiced his objection.

In front of the Third Hokage, he was probably the only one bold enough to speak so directly. The others were already intimidated by the Hokage's presence and wouldn't dare question him.

"They are Chunin. The next battle is against the Kumogakure. Their ninjas excel in speed and Lightning Release techniques. Most of you wouldn't be able to counter that, so there's no need for you to participate."

The Third Hokage was straightforward.

At times, sugarcoating the truth wouldn't help. These children had "graduated" and were officially Genin now, meaning they already understood how the ninja world worked.

Laying out the facts was the best approach.

Asuma was silent for a long moment.

Speed and Lightning Release...

Wind Release could counter Lightning Release, but the ones staying behind were all Chunin. Since he hadn't made Chunin, he obviously didn't qualify to stay.

"Do you understand now?"

"Yes..."

He was frustrated but couldn't argue.

Especially considering...

During the last Chunin Exams, as the team leader, he had been careless in gathering intelligence, falling into a trap that cost them the match.

He had no right to complain about not being promoted.

If only he had worked harder back then!

"Asuma, going back to the village isn't a bad thing. There's plenty for us to do—D-rank missions, training, studying. Honestly, we were a burden on the battlefield."

Shisui spoke softly.

He understood how much the higher-ups had done for them.

To keep them alive in battle, their team leaders were always exceptionally strong—not just for the children from ninja clans, but even for those from civilian backgrounds.

In reality...

Most regular Genin didn't have the luxury of being led by a Jonin. Usually, a Chunin served as the team captain, responsible for commanding and training the squad.

So in comparison, early graduates like them had been given special treatment.

But that also meant the Jonin leading them couldn't fight at full strength.

For example, in this operation—without Obito and Rin holding him back, Minato Namikaze had fought at his full potential, and the twelve-man team had torn through the Iwagakure forces with no opposition.

Everyone understood the logic behind it.

It wasn't easy to accept their own weakness, but seeing how calm Shisui was about it, the others started to feel at ease too.

After all—if a genius who graduated at age five had no complaints, what right did they have to protest?

Their mindset quickly shifted.

"Then you'll leave today. Once you're back in the village, Tsunade will handle your training."

"Yes, sir!"

...

"So, you're using the Chunin Exams as an excuse to send them back to school?"

Aboard a ship in the northern waters, Minato Namikaze looked amused.

The idea of making Genin return to the academy for more studies was... ingenious.

"Exactly. These kids graduated too quickly. Their theoretical knowledge is full of holes. Take Obito, for example—he practically slipped through the cracks. If he doesn't pass the intensive review class this time, he's not getting out."

Kyoichi's lips curled into a slight smile.

After chasing them for half a day, he finally caught up just before Minato and the others boarded the ship. Now, the two of them were in the same cabin.

This ship was surprisingly grand—

Onoki himself was aboard, along with only two Iwagakure escorts, some sailors, and just Minato and Kyoichi.

Clearly...

Onoki had done this on purpose.

Fewer people meant Minato Namikaze and Kanda Kyoichi could feel more at ease, and at the same time...

It allowed for a more open discussion.

Knock, knock, knock—

Kyoichi exchanged a glance with Minato before getting up and opening the door. Looking down, just as expected, it was Onoki.

"Tsuchikage-sama."

Cough, cough. "No need to be so formal. Sit, let's talk."

Onoki cleared his throat.

It wasn't that he minded their courtesy, but with both Kyoichi and Minato being much taller than him, if they stood while talking, he would have to keep looking up.

And that...

Was not only exhausting but also made it harder for him to maintain his authority.

"Yes, sir."

Minato and Kyoichi complied without hesitation.

On one hand, Onoki was the Tsuchikage. On the other, he was also their employer—the man who had paid ten million just to have them accompany him in battle.

Regardless of their actual contribution, it was only right to show some respect.

"I overheard you two talking about a 'prep course.' What is that?"

Onoki asked directly, showing no embarrassment.

Kyoichi was momentarily stunned.

This guy! He's even shameless about eavesdropping!

"Don't misunderstand. I just happened to be passing by and overheard that part by accident."

"No misunderstanding at all."

Minato smiled warmly but said nothing about the "prep course," instead glancing toward Kyoichi—leaving the decision of whether to explain up to him.

Kyoichi considered for a moment.

Iwagakure was one of the better villages at training shinobi. After the Second Shinobi War, they had recovered quickly, producing many competent Chunin and Genin in a short time.

What they lacked were Jonin.

But...

The crash course was ultimately an educational method...

After thinking it over, he spoke. "Given our relationship, I'd personally love to tell you, but I have to consider my position, so..."

"More money?" Onoki instinctively asked in a low voice.

"I'm not that kind of person."

Kyoichi shook his head.

"True, you're an honorable ninja."

Onoki forced himself to say it, though the words tasted bitter.

As Tsuchikage, he had lied countless times, but calling this kid "honorable"...

What a joke!

When it came to money, Kyoichi was nothing like the Senju Clan. If anything, he was more like a full-fledged businessman—an incredibly shrewd and cunning one at that.

Still, Onoki knew that classified information like this wouldn't be given up easily, so he had prepared in advance.

Kyoichi understood.

Onoki's real goal was the Chunin Exams.

After a brief pause, he nodded. "Konoha is always open to exchanges with other villages. However, I'm just a Jonin—I don't have the final say. This would need to be discussed with the Hokage."

"Of course."

A smile crept onto Onoki's face.

The Hokage, huh?

He wasn't fooled.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's interest in leading Konoha had faded. Once this war ended, the Fourth Hokage would take over. And given the current situation...

That Fourth Hokage would most likely be Tsunade.

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And who was Kyoichi?

Tsunade's relative, the strongest genius of the new generation. His words were just a formality—he was merely being polite.

After that, the three chatted casually for a while. Onoki didn't bring up anything serious, and the mention of the Chunin Exams had been more of a spur-of-the-moment idea.

His true objective was something else.

After waiting for a long time and seeing that Kyoichi wasn't initiating the real conversation, Onoki finally lost patience and asked:

"What do you know about the Third Raikage?"

"To be honest, not much. You know how it is—I'm only in my teens, and Minato's only in his twenties..."

Kyoichi straightened his posture.

This was the real business!

Onoki remained silent for a moment, then adjusted his chair, raising his seat a little higher before speaking.

"The Third Raikage is a master of both ninjutsu and taijutsu. His defensive technique, the Lightning Release Armor, is said to be impenetrable, and his offensive technique, the One-Finger Nukite, is devastating. He's also incredibly fast. My Dust Release barely affects him."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Kyoichi.

In a way, Kyoichi and the Third Raikage were very similar. However, Kyoichi's abilities were more diverse and unpredictable, and their records were comparable—

The Third Raikage couldn't defeat Onoki, and Onoki also had no real way to deal with the Third Raikage.

Just like his battle with Kyoichi.

Onoki sighed, reminiscing about past battles before continuing.

"As far as I know, there was a time when the Eight-Tails rampaged in Kumogakure, but the Third Raikage single-handedly subdued it. His Lightning Release Armor is so strong that even a Tailed Beast couldn't break through it. If we Iwa-nin were to fight Kumogakure alone... I'm not confident we'd win."

When someone is truly determined to kill their enemy, they'll find a way.

But Onoki wasn't at that point yet.

And Kyoichi understood why.

Wind Release counters Lightning Release.

Everyone knew this, and Kyoichi excelled at Wind Release techniques.

He also knew more about the Eight-Tails rampage than Onoki did—Orochimaru had orchestrated that mess. In fact, part of the Eight-Tails' cells were still sitting in his lab.

But that didn't matter.

What mattered was that the Third Raikage's Lightning Release Armor had a weakness.

Onoki's reason for being here was clear.

He wanted to see what he was getting for his ten million.

After a brief moment of thought, Kyoichi replied, "To be honest, I've never fought the Third Raikage, so I can't say for certain whether I can break through his defense. But if we have enough people, he can be worn down."

"Worn down..."

Onoki fell silent.

So it still came down to exhausting him?

If that was the case, then his ten million had been a waste!

"That's all?"

"Not exactly. With the three of us, we can wear him down. But the real issue is the rest of the Kumogakure forces."

Kyoichi said matter-of-factly.

"As expected of Konoha's genius. I have no more doubts."

Onoki's smile returned.

Three people exhausting him...?

He had clearly misunderstood.

The ten million was still worth it!

Then, he asked, "I have a personal question. Just how badly did you crush Kirigakure? Why did they retreat so quickly?"

"They didn't tell you?" Kyoichi chuckled. "I wiped out the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Four of them are still alive, but three were let go by me—along with their swords."

"What?!"

Considering that Onoki had seen three of those swords in Konoha...

That made six.

Damn Kirigakure! They had been hiding the truth!

The reports he received only mentioned Kyoichi's speed and strength but completely omitted the battle details.

Those fools!

They were useless—just like the Second Mizukage.

If it weren't for him sacrificing himself to take down his teacher, Iwagakure wouldn't have been suppressed by Tobirama Senju for so many years.

"Of course, it wasn't just my effort."

"So, in exchange for letting them go, you took their swords and had them attack the Land of Lightning's rear?"

"Well, since you already figured it out, there's no need for me to explain."

Kyoichi smirked.

Kirigakure's lack of transparency had worked in his favor.

Thanks, Kirigakure!

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