Chapter 242: Chapter 242

AN: As promised here is the Bonus Chapter!!!

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It was noon.

After traveling all morning, Tsunade and Kitazawa’s group finally reached the southeastern border of the Land of Fire.

“Lady Tsunade.”

Hiashi stepped forward with several Jonin in tow.

Under normal circumstances, the Hyuga Clan’s main family never left the compound, guarding the Byakugan above all else. Missions were out of the question. But war was different—war demanded everyone’s hand. Even the main family couldn’t stay sheltered.

After all, Ao’s Byakugan in the Mist had come from a Hyuga main family member during the Third Shinobi World War.

“Mm.” Tsunade gave a short nod. “How’s the situation?”

“Other than a large-scale ambush when we first arrived, it’s been mostly small skirmishes between squads,” Hiashi replied.

“So the Mist has slowed their pace?” Tsunade’s tone sharpened. “Who’s commanding them?”

“The vanguard was under Kisame Hoshigaki, but now that the main force has arrived, Ao has taken command.”

Hiashi’s expression remained composed, but inside, his blood simmered. Ao’s rise to fame had been built on the theft of the Byakugan. If given the chance, Hiashi would not hesitate to reclaim it.

“No wonder,” Tsunade muttered as they walked. “Ao’s cautious style explains their sudden restraint. For us, that’s troublesome. I’d rather settle this in one decisive battle than get dragged into a drawn-out war.”

Konoha’s strength far outmatched the Mist. To Tsunade, the cleanest solution was a single crushing victory. But the Mist had chosen a battlefield that made that impossible.

They entered the main command tent, where a large map dominated the wall.

“This is their camp,” Hiashi said, pointing to an island marked on the map.

Tsunade frowned. “Surrounded by sea. Easy to defend, hard to breach. Their plan is clear—they want to grind us down.”

Hiashi inclined his head. “Given their inferior numbers, attrition is the logical choice. Kisame’s reckless ambushes risked everything. One mistake and the vanguard would’ve been destroyed. Effective if successful, yes—but disastrous otherwise. Luckily, your counterattack turned the tide.”

Kitazawa rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

In the original timeline, Gensui, Ao, and Mei Terumī all opposed the tyranny of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura. Unlike Zabuza and others who defected, they stayed within the system. With Ao’s Byakugan, they eventually uncovered the truth and ended Yagura’s reign.

Kitazawa had expected Fuguki to lead this front. Instead, Ao held the reins—clear proof of internal struggle within the Mist. It seemed Gensui’s faction had gained ground, despite Yagura’s position as Mizukage.

So Ao’s attrition strategy made sense. He was buying time.

Kitazawa’s thoughts turned cold. Should he approach Ao or Mei now? No—he couldn’t reveal how much he knew about Yagura’s situation. They’d never believe a Konoha ninja.

For now, the only path was to fight. Once Konoha established an overwhelming advantage, he could then expose Obito’s genjutsu, complete his system mission, and force the Mist into peace negotiations—with a hefty indemnity and the Byakugan’s return on top.

Total annihilation of the Mist would be dangerous. The Cloud and Stone would intervene, sparking a Fourth Shinobi World War. Kitazawa wasn’t ready for that—not with the Akatsuki still lurking in the shadows.

“Lady Tsunade, this is the full report.”

Hiashi handed her a scroll.

“Kitazawa, you and your team rest,” Tsunade said, scanning the document. “I’ll assign missions once the situation’s clear.”

They had raided the Mist’s stronghold overnight and barely slept since. Now, Tsunade needed to reposition her forces. Ninja warfare wasn’t like conventional armies—missions, not mass clashes, defined the battlefield.

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.” Kitazawa and the others bowed and withdrew.

Hiashi’s eyes followed Kitazawa. He’d already read the Anbu’s report of the surprise attack—and he was shaken once again.

In only a year, Kitazawa had gone from an unremarkable academy teacher to Tsunade’s pupil, and now a Jonin with strength that rivaled the elites.

Hiashi had once frowned at Hinata’s closeness to him. Now, he thought differently. If Hinata became Kitazawa’s disciple in truth, it might be the best path for her.

“This is my first time seeing the sea.”

Izumi stepped out of the tent, eyes widening at the endless horizon.

“The sea is beautiful,” Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses, “but on the far side lies our enemy.”

“Once the Mist is defeated, you’ll have plenty of time to admire it,” Kurenai added with a smile.

Izumi nodded.

Kitazawa stretched and yawned. “Get some rest. If I’m right, we’ll have a mission tomorrow. For now, sleep.”

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei.”

Kabuto and the others responded in unison.

Since they were part of the same squad, their tents were placed side by side. Normally, one squad shared a single tent. Whether on missions or during war, sleeping arrangements were always kept simple—sleeping bags on the ground, clothes kept on, and no separation of gender.

But Kitazawa’s current status was anything but ordinary. His squad had been granted two tents. The arrangement was natural: Kabuto and the others shared one, while Kitazawa and Kurenai occupied the other.

That night, Kitazawa held Kurenai close, breathing in her faint fragrance as sleep overtook him.

They woke in the afternoon. After a quick meal, they didn’t idle away the time, but threw themselves into training.

Kitazawa used the opportunity to practice the jutsu he’d copied with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan during the previous night’s battle—two Water Release and two Earth Release jutsu:

Water Release: Water Fang Bullet

Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu

Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet

Earth Release: Subterranean Voyage

Copying a jutsu only allowed him to perform it—it was far from mastery. Fortunately, his proficiency with both Water and Earth nature transformations made progress relatively quick.

Of them, the Hidden Mist Jutsu stood out as especially useful. Against opponents outside the Mist, it could turn battles in his favor. Against actual Mist shinobi, though, it was another matter—they were born and bred in the fog, masters of Silent Killing.

Unless he learned Silent Killing himself, using the mist against them was risky. But that art was assassination, not ninjutsu—and in the original timeline, Kakashi had copied Zabuza’s water jutsu, but not his killing style.

The next morning, Kitazawa awoke on time. He sat up and stretched.

“Good morning,” Kurenai murmured, opening her eyes.

As they were on the battlefield, they remained restrained. She hadn’t overexerted herself, so she’d slept soundly; Kitazawa’s movement stirred her awake.

“It still feels better sleeping at home,” he sighed. “Not going to class also feels… strange.”

“Your students are probably feeling it even more,” Kurenai chuckled softly. She knew just how much his students adored him.

Kitazawa’s thoughts drifted briefly to Naruto and Hinata. If only they were older… but sending them here would be unthinkable. He wasn’t Fugaku—he couldn’t bring himself to hurl children into war. Even if their skills rivaled a Chunin’s, the battlefield carved scars into the mind. One Itachi was more than enough for a lifetime.

After washing up, he and Kurenai joined Kabuto and the others for breakfast.

“Lord Kitazawa.”

An Anbu appeared in front of them. “Lady Tsunade requests your presence.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Kitazawa rose and headed for the main tent. Ninja bustled on both sides, receiving assignments. Only the most critical missions came directly from Tsunade.

“Lady Tsunade,” Kitazawa greeted respectfully, waiting at the entrance until permitted to enter.

Inside were only Tsunade and Shizune.

“Choose one.” Tsunade gestured at the scrolls laid across the table. “They’re all A-rank and S-rank.”

“You’re definitely throwing me to the wolves,” Kitazawa said with a crooked smile.

“With two Jonin in your squad, it would be wasteful not to,” she replied. Originally, she had intended to keep Kitazawa close, but after the raid on the Mist stronghold, she changed her mind. Such power couldn’t sit idle—and this was a perfect chance to sharpen his reputation.

Tsunade was already paving the way for him. To become Hokage, the first requirement was renown.

“And Kurenai?” Kitazawa reminded her.

A squad typically consisted of four members. With Kurenai added, theirs was oversized. Still, if Tsunade, the commander herself, approved, no one would dare raise objections.

“I’ve already accounted for her,” Tsunade said with a small snort.

“As expected of Lady Tsunade—always one step ahead!” Kitazawa praised instantly.

“Enough flattery. Pick a mission.” Tsunade rolled her eyes.

Kitazawa sifted through the scrolls. There were four main categories:

Defense

– protecting Konoha’s outposts and strongholds.

Reconnaissance – locating the Mist’s own bases and supply points.

Combat – seizing enemy strongholds or eliminating their roaming squads.

Infiltration – striking the Mist’s island stronghold to disrupt medical and supply lines.

Finally, Kitazawa handed a scroll to Tsunade.

“You really aren’t afraid of death, are you?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“This makes the best use of our strengths,” Kitazawa answered with a grin. “And I’m confident in my infiltration skills.”

“…Be careful,” Tsunade said after a pause.

“I understand.” Kitazawa accepted the mission scroll and left the tent.

[Once on the battlefield, it’s time to prove your worth.]

[Mission Objective: Lead your squad to complete ten A-rank or S-rank missions.]

[Reward: Compound Ninjutsu – Blazing Wind Riot.]

[Accept?]

As Kitazawa stepped out of the command tent, four glowing lines of text appeared before his eyes.

The sudden mission wasn’t unexpected, but the reward caught him off guard.

Blazing Wind Riot… a deadly combination of Fire Release: Searing Migraine and Wind Release: Pressure Damage. A technique once belonging to Kakuzu.

Kitazawa smirked faintly. The power of such a compound ninjutsu was nothing to scoff at. In his view, Kakuzu had always been the gatekeeper of the top-tier—any shinobi who surpassed him was among the true elite of the ninja world.

“Did you receive a mission?”

Kurenai noticed Kitazawa’s return and spoke up first.

“An S-rank,” Kitazawa answered calmly. “We’re to disrupt the Mist’s supply transport team.”

“The very first mission is S-rank?” Kurenai’s brows knit together.

Supply convoys were never lightly guarded—jōnin usually accompanied them. Worse, the transport route ran straight from the Land of Water into the Mist’s main encampment. Enemy territory from start to finish.

“A difficult task, yes…” Kitazawa conceded, then turned to Torune with a slight smile. “Which is why this mission rests on your shoulders, Torune.”

“Y–Yes.” Torune blinked in surprise, then quickly regained composure.

“Good. Let’s move,” Kitazawa said, striding out. “Think of a way to make this mission cleaner—and faster.”

Leaving the Leaf’s main camp, the squad reached the shoreline.

“Our destination lies on an island within the Land of Water,” Kitazawa explained, unrolling a map. “The convoy will stop there to rest before continuing.”

“How many shinobi are stationed there?” Kabuto asked, adjusting his glasses.

“Only a single squad,” Kitazawa replied. “One Special Jōnin and three Chūnin.”

Kabuto’s eyes gleamed. “Sensei, I have an idea… If we eliminate them, we can take their place and strike the convoy by surprise.”

“That’s clever,” Kurenai admitted, nodding in approval.

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Kitazawa agreed, tucking away the map. “Torune, scout the perimeter. The rest, follow me.”

He slipped on a pair of sunglasses, leapt onto the ocean’s surface, and sprinted forward.

Traveling by boat would’ve saved chakra, but it was far too slow—and an obvious target. Instead, Kitazawa led them across a route dotted with islands. Whenever they needed rest, they could pause without fear of discovery.

With Byakugan checks and Torune’s kikaichū scouting, they avoided several Mist patrols entirely. Any other squad might have been dragged into skirmishes by now.

“There are indeed four shinobi inside the outpost,” Torune reported once they reached the island.

“Good. You three handle them,” Kitazawa ordered, waving a hand dismissively. “I’ll keep watch for the transport ship.”

Kabuto glanced at Kurenai.

“You’re the jōnin—you command,” Kurenai said calmly, stepping back. She had no intention of being incharge here. After traveling with them for so long, she knew well enough—Kabuto’s tactical mind and medical skills far outstripped her own, and he was a Jonin while she was still a Chunin.

“Torune, strike first with a surprise attack,” Kabuto directed swiftly. “Kurenai-san, Izumi—prepare genjutsu.”

The four moved.

The outpost was small, lazily guarded. Its occupants—one Special Jōnin and three young Chūnin—patrolled halfheartedly, faces betraying boredom.

Torune’s kikaichū slipped unseen across the ground, climbing onto their boots. A moment later, they sank their fangs in.

The Special Jōnin’s instincts flared. He vanished with Body Flicker, but his students weren’t so fortunate. Screams tore through the camp as their skin turned blue-purple, bodies collapsing in poisoned spasms.

“What?!” the Special Jōnin roared, landing atop the outpost roof. His eyes widened in shock as he saw his students convulsing, dead within seconds.

Just then, a flurry of crimson flower petals swirled around him.

Genjutsu? His heart lurched. He spotted Kurenai approaching and cursed. Konoha shinobi? Here?

He snapped his hands into seals. “Genjutsu: Release!”

But in that brief instant of hesitation, the petals dissolved—revealing a pair of spinning Sharingan.

“Sharingan…?!” His eyes widened further.

Izumi stood before him, her gaze locking his.

Too late.

From above, Kurenai descended, chakra swirling in her palm.

“Rasengan!”

The Special Jōnin barely had time to raise his arms before the sphere of chakra slammed into him, blasting him across the outpost in a spray of shattered wood.

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