I, Konoha's Sage of Life-Chapter 154: Another Path to Immortality!

"Ugh... my head..."

Kyoichi woke up the next morning, only to be greeted by a single overwhelming sensation:

His skull was pounding!

Over a dozen critical patients.

Every single one was in need of surgery-level treatment.

Damn it, A!

Not even the slightest hint of restraint—just because he paid the price, he thinks he can work me to death?

Classic old-school capitalist mindset.

Kyoichi grumbled inwardly, but his hands didn't stop moving. With practiced ease, he pulled out a scroll and began recording data at lightning speed.

This was the physical data Kyoichi had been compiling.

And he'd discovered something...

Kumogakure shinobi generally possessed impressive physical attributes. Just like the shinobi of Iwagakure, they exhibited a stark specialization—almost absurdly so.

In comparison—

Even though Konohagakure was known as the "Village of Fire," it hadn't pushed Fire Release techniques to the extreme in the same way. Their approach leaned more toward general-purpose ninjutsu usage.

After thinking about it, Kyoichi figured that was pretty reasonable.

Konoha simply had too many options at its disposal. And the "Fire" in "Village of Fire" wasn't really about Fire Release—it symbolized the Will of Fire.

Still...

Not a single generation of Hokage was actually famous for their Fire Release?

That alone was worth a good chuckle.

Kyoichi grumbled inwardly as his thoughts turned to Killer B's situation.

There was no doubt about it—

Killer B and the Eight-Tails had genuinely achieved a harmonious relationship. In the entire history of jinchūriki across the shinobi world, this might very well be the first time such a thing had happened.

By the time he entered, Killer B had likely just begun attempting to merge his chakra with the Tailed Beast's under the guidance of the Eight-Tails.

Unfortunately—

The Eight-Tails was far too cautious.

Kyoichi had barely gotten close before being blocked out, the fusion process between Killer B and the beast even forcibly interrupted to prevent further observation. If not for that, he might've gleaned more intel.

Still...

That kind of relationship between Killer B and the Eight-Tails—Konoha could never replicate it.

The bond between the Nine-Tails and Konoha... was way too complicated.

Originally, the beast had been a wild, unbound entity, then forcibly contracted by Madara and used to fight against Hashirama Senju. Afterward, it was sealed and labeled a dangerous threat, which also implicated the other Tailed Beasts by association.

Add to that its notoriously bad attitude...

So...

Killer B's legendary tale of conquering the Eight-Tails through rap and heartfelt conversation? Kushina could pretty much forget it. And as for the idea of taming it with love? Kyoichi didn't think that would work either.

He was still jotting notes when—

"Sensei, you're awake?"

A soft, gentle voice.

It was none other than Yūhi Kurenai.

Kyoichi turned his head and saw the girl walk in, holding a small bundle in her arms.

"Kurenai? Yeah, I'm awake. Just writing down some notes... What's up?"

He set down his pen.

There was no table in the tent, so the one he was using was a makeshift Earth Release pedestal he'd created.

"I brought some breakfast from the camp."

Kurenai unwrapped the bundle.

Inside was a simple bento box, steaming with the rich scent of freshly made food.

On the front lines, most shinobi subsisted on nutrient pills—actual meals were rare luxuries, and even Kyoichi hadn't had a proper one in days.

Clearly...

This was one of the perks granted to medical ninja in recent days.

"Have you eaten?"

"I have..."

"Then sit and eat with me. I just had a ration pill, so I'll just try a bite. Opportunities like this don't come often on the front."

Kyoichi didn't call her out. He simply slid the scrolls aside and set the bento on the stone pedestal.

Of course he hadn't eaten a ration pill.

But—

Kurenai probably had.

Honestly, if Kyoichi were awake earlier, he could've just gone to the med division and grabbed a meal himself. It wasn't a big deal. But it wasn't mealtime anymore—and like he said...

He just wanted a taste.

Ration pills were truly awful.

"Okay!"

Kurenai sat down and placed her hands together in a quiet gesture of thanks before reaching for the food.

Rice balls...

They each took one.

For someone who hadn't had a real meal in months, even the simplest rice ball tasted incredible.

Kurenai was curious, but since Kyoichi hadn't said anything, she didn't ask. Her disciplined demeanor showed she clearly understood the old adage: "Knowing too much isn't always a good thing."

Still, while eating, Kyoichi noticed her eyes occasionally flick toward the scrolls beside them, and he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

Well, she was only eleven, after all.

"Just some notes on the physical data of Kumogakure shinobi. Not particularly useful on their own, but if I want to study the link between Lightning Release Armor and taijutsu strength... they might come in handy."

Medical ninjutsu wasn't like anatomical research—data was always limited.

Kurenai nodded thoughtfully in understanding.

Kyoichi finished his rice ball with great satisfaction.

Delicious!

If only he had a hot spring to soak in—then he'd be in heaven.

The Land of Hot Water was right next door, but there hadn't been time to visit the famous Yu no Kuni village or enjoy its scenery and culture. A bit of a shame, really.

Kyoichi sighed and turned to Kurenai. "How are the wounded? Everyone hanging in there?"

"We don't have too many now. Most of the injuries we're treating are from the earlier battles against the Kumogakure assault. As for those who were hurt yesterday... we couldn't save most of them."

Kurenai sighed.

Because of tactical decisions, Konoha hadn't directly engaged with most of the enemy forces the day before. Those who did make contact—

Were all dead.

Kyoichi had expected as much, but he didn't think Kumogakure's forces were that ruthless.

No wonder A and Killer B had shown up near the frontlines almost entirely drained of chakra—only breaking through thanks to Killer B removing the seal.

It seemed those two had been pushing through the battlefield as vanguard all along.

"Your medical ninjutsu's not bad at all now. Got any plans for where to focus next?" Kyoichi asked.

"I want to continue studying both genjutsu and medical ninjutsu," Kurenai replied. "But after seeing the battlefield, I've realized that while genjutsu can be powerful, it's often useless against high-level shinobi."

"Good thinking. Genjutsu isn't weak—it's just that without a kekkei genkai-level technique, relying on it in jōnin-level fights puts you at a disadvantage."

"Yes, I understand, Sensei."

Kurenai wasn't physically strong. Her chakra reserves were limited, and she wasn't suited for high-impact roles or direct assault. Focusing on support-based training was the right call.

The real issue was whether she had a sense of self-awareness.

Unlike a certain someone from Iwagakure...

Kyoichi chuckled softly.

One war was all it took for Kurenai to grow considerably.

She was becoming a proper shinobi now.

Back when she focused solely on genjutsu, she had the slowest progress among the upcoming jōnin. Now, with her switching to medical ninjutsu—which she had the aptitude for—her potential had drastically improved.

Of course...

She hadn't abandoned genjutsu either. She picked up his Light Illusion technique and Willow Sword style quickly, showing she still had a knack for illusions. What she lacked...

Was a strong genjutsu lineage or inheritance.

Kyoichi thought for a moment and said, "I've got a few more genjutsu techniques. You can learn them when we're back in the village. If you're truly interested, you can even try developing your own. You don't have to be confined to the techniques of the past."

"Yes!"

Kurenai bowed her head.

Kyoichi gave a small nod and didn't say more.

She wasn't dumb—she would understand the message.

"Come on, let's head to the medical corps."

Kyoichi stood, planning to continue teaching while tending to patients. But just as they stepped out—

He spotted Orochimaru strolling through the camp.

He considered going over, but—

"Sensei, I'll go ahead to the medic corps to continue training."

"Alright. I'll join you once I'm done."

"Goodbye, Sensei."

Kurenai gave a respectful bow before walking off, bundle in hand.

What a considerate kid.

Kyoichi felt a flicker of warmth in his chest.

Then...

He turned with a sigh and walked toward Orochimaru.

"So envious," Orochimaru teased with a smile. "Even while you're sleeping, you've got such a thoughtful disciple, waiting outside just to bring you breakfast."

"If you're jealous, go get one yourself."

"Heh..."

Orochimaru just chuckled.

Kyoichi couldn't help but think—

Didn't he eventually get a female student?

Anko Mitarashi.

Still in the Academy. She'd even sat through some of Kyoichi's temporary lessons when their classes were reorganized during the war.

Though...

She seemed to be back in the lower grades now.

With the war winding down, Konoha would likely return to its standard graduation age of eleven or twelve. She'd be waiting a few more years.

Kyoichi shook off the distraction and focused on Orochimaru. "So, you came looking for me?"

"Mm. While you were resting, I went to dig through some records..."

Orochimaru handed him a scroll.

Kyoichi opened it—and his eyes immediately narrowed in surprise.

A list of names.

Most were unfamiliar, but one surname stood out.

Kazematsuri.

"This is a list of people connected to the Senju?"

"As expected of Kyoichi-kun."

Orochimaru gave a subtle nod.

Kyoichi frowned.

He did need this kind of intel—but Orochimaru...

What's the point?

"You like research, and so do I. Besides, I'm really looking forward to your results. If you succeed... the very rules of the ninja world might have to change."

"It's too early to say that,"

Kyoichi shook his head.

At the end of the day, the rules of the ninja world are set by the strong. As long as that old fossil Madara's still hooked up to his oxygen tank, peace was never going to be an option...

Why hasn't that bastard kicked the bucket yet?

But then again—

Even without Madara, there's still Black Zetsu to deal with.

Kyoichi sighed again.

The more you know, the scarier the world becomes.

He really envied those who knew nothing. They lived easier, freer lives.

Orochimaru didn't know why Kyoichi sighed, but he still had something important to ask.

"Yesterday, you mentioned something else... I'm guessing that once we get back, you're planning to establish a dedicated research unit for ninjutsu, right? Count me in."

"Take a guess."

Kyoichi gave the scroll a little toss in his hand to show his thanks, then slipped it into his cloak and started walking toward Konoha's medical station.

Orochimaru fell silent.

He'd only heard half of it yesterday, but now...

There it was—"take a guess."

Even so, he was fairly certain—

The thing Kyoichi hadn't said out loud was a research department.

From the Seven Heavens Breathing Method to Kyoichi's ninjutsu and sword techniques, everything about the guy screamed innovation and experimentation. And now this "Wood Release" project had only confirmed it further in Orochimaru's eyes.

Creation, research... and then, reshape the ninja world!

Yeah—

That's exactly what Kyoichi was after.

Orochimaru's tongue unconsciously flicked across his lips.

His own pursuit might be immortality, but...

If you could change the very structure of the world—

If your name could be carved into history alongside the Sage of Six Paths and Hashirama Senju—

Wasn't that just another kind of eternal life?

"So the answer you mentioned... was a research division," a voice piped up nearby.

Jiraiya stepped out from behind a post, face serious.

Orochimaru cast a deadpan look his way.

This guy...

He'd clearly been tailing them since Orochimaru went off to dig up those documents.

Persistent bastard.

"Can't sleep? Figures—you get to slack off now that the boss is back, huh?"

"Orochimaru, I've got no problem with ninjutsu research, but chasing immortality is a road with no end. I'm telling you—don't go down that path. I joke about a lot of things, but not this. I mean it."

Jiraiya's expression was unusually solemn.

Orochimaru gave a cold smile. "Maybe I haven't found my own path yet, but at least I've seen another one. Never mind—someone as simple as you would never understand."

"Another path? You mean Kyoichi?"

Jiraiya's brows furrowed as he sank into thought.

He opened his mouth to ask more—but Orochimaru had already slipped away with a silent Earth Release.

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