Wind Chakra Mode

War is coming!

The atmosphere grew heavy. 

Asuma thought back to Kyōichi's river-splitting sword strike. 

Though he had no interest in swordsmanship himself, he now understood the vast gap between his strength and his sensei's. 

"Even with Wind Release ninjutsu… I haven't fully mastered Flying Swallow yet."

I need to work harder!

"Sensei, I…" 

Obito started to speak but faltered, his voice shaky. 

He felt Kyōichi disliked him. 

"Obito, forget training. Focus on studying tactics, teamwork, and strategy. On missions, I can save you or cover your mistakes, but on the battlefield? No chance." 

Kyōichi's tone was stern. 

Pre-Mangekyō Obito had potential, but his stubbornness—before and after awakening his Sharingan—made him a liability. 

Thankfully he's not my subordinate.

Obito slumped, recalling his poor tactics during the Chunin Exams. He knew his flaws but muttered, "Where do I even find books like that…?" 

"The Uchiha Police Force must have some," Asuma suggested. 

Obito hesitated, conflicted. 

"Come to me later. I'll lend you a basics guide. I don't expect you to master strategy, but learn how to fight with your team on a battlefield," Kyōichi said, cutting through Obito's hesitation. 

Obito can't access the Police Force's resources. 

Even in his clan, only Shisui treats him kindly.

But he kept that thought to himself. 

Obito bowed gratefully. 

"Use your time wisely. If war breaks out, promotions to Chunin—or even Jōnin—could happen overnight," Kyōichi added. 

He himself had risen to Chunin during wartime. Peacetime promotions were slower—in another era, he might still be a Genin. 

Not anymore. Now, I'm an elite Jōnin. No one disputes that.

--- 

Meanwhile, in Konoha…

The daimyō's arrival stirred curiosity. 

Though he'd visited before, years of war had kept him away. 

His ambitions were clear: the earlier conversation, combined with the future Twelve Guardians, hinted at his desire for a private ninja force. 

He tried recruiting me. 

A trap.

Only the Hokage's kin—like Asuma—could survive that political quicksand. 

Kyōichi had his own plans for Konoha, hence mentoring Shisui and Asuma. 

No way I'm joining the daimyō's circus.

Returning home, he found Asuma waiting at his door. 

"…" 

This kid's persistent.

He let Asuma in without comment. 

"Sensei, I'm just… curious. What did the daimyō talk to you about?" Asuma asked sheepishly. 

"Senju history, my grandmother. Nothing important." 

Kyōichi eyed him. Asuma's too interested in the daimyō. Better nip this in the bud.

"Drop it. The daimyō's irrelevant to you. Stay away." 

"But… he wanted to recruit you, right?" Asuma pressed. 

Kyōichi sighed. "In Konoha, I lead armies and save lives. Serving him? I'd just babysit one man. Pointless." 

"Right, right…" 

Asuma nodded. His sensei's value lay here, shaping Konoha's future. 

The daimyō's private force was a naive fantasy. 

The Will of Fire isn't about individuals—it's the village, the nation. 

Leaders come and go, but Konoha endures.

This version of the Will… Asuma could embrace. 

"Sensei, I'll go practice Flying Swallow!" 

"Go." 

Asuma had thrown himself into mastering the Wind Release taijutsu style, sidelining Fire and Wind ninjutsu. Kyōichi didn't mind— Flying Swallow suited him. 

--- 

Later, Kyōichi's Research

A shadow clone headed to Tsunade's house while he studied the Nidaime's kenjutsu notes. 

His fusion of Vacuum Blade and Iaido had slain the Kiri Jōnin, but his true strengths were Water and Earth Release. 

Earth can't blend with swords, but Water…

The Nidaime's Water Cutter technique, though designed for kunai, could adapt to a blade. 

But it's weak. Needs refinement.

"Merge it with Water Severing Wave's high-pressure principles. Compress Water chakra layers into the blade for a pressurized slash." 

A daunting task—requiring flawless chakra control and seamless integration with kenjutsu. 

But doable. Step by step.

He checked his system panel. His earlier lesson to Asuma had triggered a reward: 

['Will of Fire' Guidance Complete]

[Rating: Excellent]

[Reward: Wind Release Chakra Mode]

Will of Fire? I barely mentioned it. What did Asuma even imagine?

No matter. 

He absorbed the technique's memories. 

Wind chakra enveloping the body… Perfect to counter Lightning's weakness in my Earth Spear defense.

"Now, even Raikage-tier Lightning Release won't break through easily."