At Kikyō Castle, the woods and mountains were eerily silent, save for the occasional sound of bodies being moved. The air carried a strange odor, periodically dispersed by Wind Release techniques to clear lingering toxins.
Everywhere, the dead were being collected.
"Kurenai... he's beyond saving."
"I... I know..."
Kurenai's hands fell limply to her sides.
She understood now why Tsunade had been so desperate to increase the number of medical-nin—why she'd posed that question to her.
There simply weren't enough healers.
"Let's go."
Kyohiko's spirits weren't high, but compared to the hopeless cases before them, strategizing with Orochimaru was the priority.
Of course—
Those who could still be saved received their aid without hesitation.
By the time they returned to Kikyō Castle at dawn, an Aburame clansman stood waiting at the gates.
Spotting them, he stepped forward.
"Jonin Kyohiko, Orochimaru-sama requests your presence. The other three, follow me—I'll arrange your quarters."
"Understood."
Kyohiko glanced at Minato, signaling there was no cause for concern.
Guided by the Aburame's insects, he headed beyond the castle walls.
At the mountain's peak, Orochimaru stood gazing into the distance until footsteps announced Kyohiko's arrival.
Turning, his eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Kyohiko-kun, I've long desired a private meeting. Only now has the opportunity arisen."
"Long desired?"
Kyohiko caught the implication.
Orochimaru was blunt.
"At Tanzaku Quarters, the group that ambushed you—they were Root operatives. Indirectly connected to me."
"So I owe you thanks for helping me bring Tsunade-nee back?"
Kyohiko smiled.
He'd always found that attack suspicious—now confirmed as Orochimaru and Danzō's doing.
Orochimaru's lips curled.
"I appreciate this about you—no matter the situation, you remain composed. Unlike Jiraiya, who erupts at the slightest provocation."
"You didn't summon me just for this, surely?"
Kyohiko remained calm.
"Of course not. Kyohiko-kun, might I inquire how you mastered Wood Release?"
Orochimaru's tongue flicked out.
"My theory? Partly due to my own bloodline awakening, partly from elemental affinity development."
Facing Orochimaru, Kyohiko naturally wouldn't reveal the truth, offering two fabricated reasons instead.
Orochimaru pondered.
"Bloodline... Wood Release..."
He elaborated, "At the time, I didn't know Yamato survived. After your rise, I suspected you'd inherited Hashirama's power. I wished to conduct an experiment."
Orochimaru studied Kyohiko.
"Has Tsunade mentioned Hashirama's cells?"
"She's referenced related experiments."
Orochimaru detailed some past procedures, confident Kyohiko would find them intriguing.
They were kindred spirits.
"Hashirama's cells harm the human body—animal testing should've revealed that. And surely human trials occurred earlier. Why experiment on infants?"
Kyohiko disagreed. "Moreover, it wasn't Wood Release that was formidable—it was the First Hokage himself. My version—"
A single hand seal summoned sprouting trees.
"—With more chakra, might grow slightly stronger. Yamato isn't vastly different."
"Hashirama's cells won't grant me immortality. The experiments matter little to me."
Orochimaru sneered. "But others... hah! They crave it more. Where do you think I sourced my materials?"
A cold laugh.
"If exposed, I'd merely be exiled. With Tsunade gone, would the old man truly punish Danzō?"
Reining in his emotions, Orochimaru's tone leveled.
"Are you interested in Hashirama's cells?"
"Not presently."
Kyohiko shook his head.
Orochimaru smiled, changing topics.
"Then let's discuss this war. Flanking their rear was your idea?"
He knew Minato—
As Jiraiya's student, the boy lacked such strategic insight. More likely, he'd have charged the frontline directly.
"Yes."
Kyohiko needed this credit.
Only then could he influence Orochimaru's strategy meaningfully.
He recounted their rear assault in detail.
Orochimaru listened silently.
"I grasp your perspective, but sacrificing so many chūnin is unnecessary. They're Konoha's backbone."
Kyohiko argued.
Orochimaru countered, "War demands casualties. Unless you propose a better alternative? If so, I'll comply."
"Decapitation strike."
Kyohiko stated. "Locate the Third Kazekage. We kill him together."
"He's the strongest Kazekage..."
Despite his words, Orochimaru's expression betrayed eagerness.
Without Minato and Kyohiko, he'd never consider such a plan. But their combined prowess—Flying Thunder God, Water Release, even Wood Release—tipped the scales.
The crux—
"Have you mastered Sage Mode?"
"Not entirely."
Kyohiko admitted.
In Wood Release state, controlling lignification remained his biggest hurdle.
Orochimaru deliberated.
His knowledge of Sage Mode was limited—initially gleaned from Kurokawa's "Sage Body."
With that power, plus Minato's abilities...
"One issue remains."
Orochimaru noted. "Their Magnet Release lets them fight airborne. The Third Kazekage isn't Rasa."
"True."
Kyohiko grinned. "Which is why I have a plan requiring your expertise."
"Oh?"
"Magnet Release can be learned. Why can't we develop a counter? Even if not identical, disrupting their iron sand could sway the battle."
Kyohiko said.
Orochimaru unconsciously licked his lips.
This was a sign of his excitement.
Magnet Release.
Indeed, if he could master Magnet Release—
Even if it were just a rudimentary ability, as long as it could disrupt the Third Kazekage's jutsu, it could turn the tide at a critical moment and even make Sunagakure fear them.
Because...
This was their proud, cherished Kekkei Genkai.
Orochimaru's eyes burned with barely restrained excitement: "Kyohiko-kun, do you have ideas about Magnet Release?"
"I have a few, though they aren't practical for combat, they could be effective against the Third Kazekage."
Kyohiko nodded.
The Third Kazekage's Magnet Release directly used chakra to create magnetic iron sand, which he manipulated in battle.
Kyohiko couldn't produce magnets with chakra.
However.
The principle of electromagnetism—something understood in his previous life—had already been tested on his way here. By using Lightning Release chakra to generate an electric current, then passing it through a coil to create a magnetic field.
It worked!
That said, the strength of the magnetism depended on the scale of chakra used, and it wasn't entirely stable yet.
He took out the materials he had used for testing—
A wire-based ninja tool and a kunai.
Then, he channeled Lightning Release chakra to produce an electric current, feeding it into one end of the wire and allowing it to cycle back into his body to complete the circuit.
Orochimaru crouched down, staring intently at the coiled wire and kunai.
"Do you have any smaller iron pieces?"
"No, but..."
Orochimaru pulled out a shuriken and crushed it with his fingers into several fragments.
As the shattered pieces fell, some of the iron dust was immediately drawn toward the kunai. His eyes lit up, and he sharply raised his head to look at Kyohiko.
Then, he moved some of the iron fragments even closer.
Snap!
The iron pieces were also pulled in.
Orochimaru's lips curled into a grin, unable to contain his excitement: "Kyohiko-kun, you're truly a genius!"
"I stumbled upon this by accident. It's the opposite principle of generating electricity—if we have enough electric current, we should be able to achieve the same effect."
Kyohiko explained.
As he stopped channeling chakra, the wire lost its magnetism, and the iron dust, shards, and fragments fell to the ground.
Orochimaru took the wire and kunai, fiddling with them himself.
After testing it personally...
It worked!
"How fascinating!"
His excitement was palpable, like a child with a new toy, as he continued experimenting with different configurations.
It could be replicated!
Images were already forming in Orochimaru's mind.
"If we bury sufficiently large wire coils in the battlefield beforehand, could we amplify the magnetic field to the scale we need?"
"That would require further testing—which is where I need your help."
Kyohiko replied.
Orochimaru smirked. "Of course. I'm interested in the secrets of all jutsu!"
Then, he chuckled darkly.
With this technique, defeating Sunagakure wouldn't be difficult!
Orochimaru turned to Kyohiko. "I'll begin experiments immediately. For now, you and Minato will handle matters around Kikyō Castle."
In the next moment, he tossed down a command token and vanished on the spot.
Command? Strategy?
If he could perfect this technique and deploy it effectively, it might even kill the Third Kazekage outright.
In ninja battles, intelligence was everything!
Moreover...
"The best victory is won without fighting."
Compared to directly slaughtering Suna-nin, shattering their confidence in their own Kekkei Genkai was far more devastating.
[As Hokage, one must prioritize the people.]
[Your refined battle strategy will significantly reduce allied casualties, preserving Konoha's strength while effectively intimidating Sunagakure.]
[Reward: Enhanced Mastery of the Strength of a Hundred Seal]
An effective decapitation strategy was undoubtedly superior to Orochimaru's "lure the enemy in" approach—it would save far more lives and minimize losses.
Receiving a reward was expected.
Kyohiko wasn't surprised by that. What did surprise him was that the upgrade was applied to the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
Master-level Strength of a Hundred Seal.
Building upon his existing proficiency, this enhancement refined his chakra control, allowing him to gather and release chakra at any part of his body with even greater speed. And if he slowed the process...
Another qualitative leap.
Kyohiko savored the changes as he walked toward Kikyō Castle.
Once inside, he tested a few techniques.
Without a doubt, his chakra control had improved further.
More precise manipulation.
Even with larger quantities of chakra, he could still manage it effortlessly.
Wait—
Kyohiko suddenly thought of something—
Previously, he couldn't control Sage chakra while in Wood Release mode. Could he do it now?
Outside Minato's quarters, he quickly formed a shadow clone.
The clone would test it while his main body observed.
Two minutes, three minutes...
Four minutes passed.
Kyohiko sensed natural energy saturating his clone.
Then, strange markings appeared on the clone's forehead, followed by further transformations across its body.
Unlike Senju Hashirama's version.
This state resembled a unique Sage Mode derived from Mount Myōboku's methods.
Kyohiko continued observing.
After several more minutes, he confirmed that his clone could fully control Sage Mode's power without excessive Sage chakra causing woodification.
He dismissed the clone.
In the next instant, Sage chakra surged into his body.
Sage Mode.
Kyohiko opened his eyes, the same markings now visible on his face.
He could feel the earth and trees responding more vividly to his presence.
If this state progressed further, he might even achieve full Sage Mode without external assistance.
"If I were to implant Hashirama's cells..."
The thought of cell transplantation crossed his mind.
Hashirama's cells would undoubtedly bring his physique closer to the First Hokage's, but without the Sharingan, could his body suppress them?
That was the unknown.
And precisely what Orochimaru wanted to research.
Kyohiko shook his head, manipulating his chakra to disperse the natural energy and exit Sage Mode.
"Kyohiko, were you just testing Sage Mode?"
"Yes. It seems to have worked this time."
Kyohiko nodded.
Minato first nodded in acknowledgment, then abruptly looked up at him in surprise.
"Which Sage Mode?"
"Wood Release state, of course. In my normal state, no matter how much I improve, my Sage Mode wouldn't surpass yours by much."
Kyohiko replied.
Minato had been concerned for Kyohiko's safety, so he had been monitoring the surroundings.
Seeing Kyohiko return and immediately dive into training, he couldn't help but admire his dedication.
But—
Sage Mode...
And in Wood Release state, no less.
A power nearly on par with the First Hokage!
Minato fell silent for a long moment before finally nodding. "That's... good."
A stronger teammate meant greater impact in war.
But...
The speed of Kyohiko's progress filled him with an intense sense of urgency.
At this rate, he'd be surpassed too.
No—
He needed to train harder himself.
Minato had initially hesitated to dedicate time to Sage Mode, but Kyohiko's progress pushed him to expand his own abilities.
Time to double down on training!
He steeled himself inwardly.
Then, refocusing, Minato asked, "What did Orochimaru-sama say?"
"We discussed it, and he approved my plan. He put us in charge of command and troop movements for now—he has something important to work on."
Kyohiko answered.
Something important?
Minato doubted Orochimaru had his own separate agenda. Based on Kyohiko's response, it was more likely that Kyohiko had proposed something requiring Orochimaru's expertise.
Orochimaru...
Some kind of new jutsu?
One targeting Sunagakure.
Magnet Release? Puppetry? Surely not Scorch Release?
Minato speculated silently, but in the end, he didn't press Kyohiko for details. Instead, he shifted the conversation to logistics and command.
However.
This was Kyohiko's first time handling such matters. While he could offer suggestions, actual execution was unfamiliar territory.
The two exchanged glances, both slightly at a loss.