After a few minutes, the jonin began arriving at the tent. One by one, they entered, their gazes briefly stopping on Raiden. Surprise flashed in their eyes when they noticed the jonin vest, but none of them said anything. They simply nodded. This wasn't the time for small talk.
Murata and Kaser also walked in. They, too, looked surprised at Raiden's vest, but quickly understood. After all, they had already witnessed Raiden's strength. The three stood together and quietly discussed the purpose of the meeting.
Once all the jonin had gathered, Isshi spoke.
"Everyone, take your seats."
Raiden sat down along with the others.
Isshi glanced at him and said, "First of all… congratulations to Raiden on his promotion to jonin."
Several voices followed.
"Congratulations." "Sixteen-year-old jonin…" "A true genius." "His future is limitless."
Raiden didn't show any arrogance. He remained calm, his expression quiet as always. He slightly bowed his head.
"Thank you. Please take care of me in the future."
The jonin nodded in approval. His humility left a good impression.
Isshi's expression then turned serious.
"Now… to the main topic."
The atmosphere immediately became heavy.
"Team Koro discovered Iwa ninjas near our frontline," Isshi continued. "After interrogating a captured jonin, we learned they are planning to pressure this front."
The tent fell silent.
"If they succeed," Isshi said, "Konoha will be forced to send reinforcements here, weakening our other fronts."
One jonin frowned. "If they realize we already know, won't they change their plan?"
Others looked at Isshi.
Isshi shook his head. "That's why it's an open scheme. Whether we know or not, we still need reinforcements. Otherwise, we can't handle two villages at once."
"I've already sent a message to the Hokage. We should receive a response soon. Until then, we must tighten patrols."
He paused.
"Today's meeting is to decide mission assignments and maintain balance until reinforcements arrive."
Another jonin spoke. "Rain Village won't allow a large-scale invasion on their land."
Isshi nodded. "Correct. Even if they allow limited movement, they won't permit large forces. Aside from Hanzo—who is considered a demigod—Rain doesn't have many top-tier fighters."
Everyone understood what that meant.
Hanzo alone could change the battlefield.
After nearly an hour of discussion, the jonin began leaving. Only Murata, Kaser, and Raiden remained behind, as Koro had asked them to stay.
Koro looked at them.
"We'll continue our mission. We can't risk being ambushed by another wave."
"Yes," they replied together.
After returning to his tent, Raiden saw his two shadow clones still training. , they didn't stop.
Raiden felt a growing sense of urgency.
His time-stop ability made him nearly invincible — but only if he could damage his opponent. If he lacked the power to harm them, time stop would become meaningless.
The Third Raikage could withstand a tailed beast head-on.
Onoki could fly and erase mountains.
He might not face a Kage now… but emergencies didn't wait.
Without hesitation, Raiden began training again.
Meanwhile, in Konoha.
The village remained prosperous, yet wartime tension lingered in the air. The three Hokage Rock faces overlooked the village as if guarding it. The people still believed Konoha was invincible.
But… was it?
Inside the Hokage office, Hiruzen Sarutobi read battle reports one after another. He looked middle-aged, far younger than in later years, yet fatigue showed in his eyes.
A knock sounded.
"Come in."
An ANBU entered hurriedly.
"Hokage-sama, report from the Rain front."
Hiruzen's heart tightened. He opened it immediately.
After reading, he let out a sigh of relief. The front hadn't collapsed. Still, his expression remained serious.
Rain ninjas weren't particularly strong… but if Hanzo personally entered the battlefield, the situation would change instantly. Hiruzen wasn't even certain he could defeat him alone. He was strong, yes — a top-tier Kage in his prime — but he wasn't Hashirama, nor Tobirama who can surpassed whole ninja world.
Rubbing his temple, he considered his options.
His three students were all powerful, though each had their own quirks. Sakumo was older and even stronger. But every major force was already tied down.
Without Tsunade, Chiyo's poison would be unstoppable.
And sakumo has to support the whole battlefield in sand village,
Jiraiya and Orochimaru were on the Iwa front.
Danzo was also there monitoring the situation.
Hamora, mikoto, and other bloodline clan leaders is in, hidden rain and hidden cloud,
After thinking for a moment, he made a decision.
"Orochimaru…"
He picked up a brush and quickly wrote the order. Orochimaru was smart, decisive, and closest to the Rain front.
After sending the message, Hiruzen turned to another report — jonin promotions.
His eyes paused.
"Raiden…"
A faint smile appeared.
He remembered the boy. His parents had belonged to his faction. A civilian genius. Those were always precious.
Unlike clan heirs, civilian talents tended to prioritize the village as a whole.
Yet… there was also regret.
"If he had just a few more years," Hiruzen murmured softly, "he might have become another Sakumo… or even comparable to my students."
Still, the war forged talents quickly.
And Raiden… was growing faster than expected