It was precisely because of the need to send these two heavyweight figures to the southeast that the third Hokage had to cancel his original plan to personally oversee and command the front lines in the northeast in the next few days, and instead remain in Konoha to coordinate the overall situation.
After all, the lesson of the last Shinobi World War, where Konoha suffered heavy losses because the main force was deployed and the rear was left vulnerable, was still fresh in everyone's mind.
Shinichi Higashino understood the third Hokage's caution. As the Kage of the village, especially in a situation of fighting on multiple fronts, ensuring the absolute safety of the headquarters was the top priority. However, this change also genuinely affected the balance of power on the northeastern front.
Village Hidden in the Cloud was increasing its troops, while Konoha lacked both the morale boost and high-end combat support that would have come from the Hokage's personal presence.
One side rose while the other fell.
The pressure undoubtedly fell on Orochimaru, the current highest commander on the northeastern front, as well as all frontline troops, including Shinichi himself.
"In a few days, the Village Hidden in the Cloud will definitely launch another fierce assault in an attempt to break the stalemate."
Sitting inside the tent, Shinichi carefully stored away the scroll in his hand and thought to himself.
"I need to..."
At that moment, a sudden stir arose within his heart, interrupting his train of thought.
His mind moved slightly as he opened his personal panel, only to see the position where the original green talent, Spiritual Perception, had suddenly erupted in brilliant light before shattering with a loud crash, releasing an even purer, deeper azure radiance!
The radiance flowed and gathered together as a brand-new line of faintly glowing text slowly formed: [Clarity (Blue): Your perception can now easily discern the flow of chakra and the aura of life. Without needing your eyes, you can see the form, strength, and natures of life and chakra, and can precisely lock onto disguised or hidden targets.]
Was it actually upgraded?
Shinichi raised his brows slightly, then closed his eyes and carefully sensed the changes within his body.
The next moment, chakra spread outward from around his body, forming an invisible fluctuation that could neither be seen nor touched.
An invisible net formed from perception!
Or rather, an entirely new field of vision!
Within the coverage of this net, every scene was clearly presented within his mind.
In the corner of the tent, a tiny insect, almost invisible to the naked eye, was crawling along the edge of the wall. The sensation of its minute limbs rubbing against the ground felt as though it were happening right at his fingertips.
Near the tent, Konoha ninja patrolling or changing shifts were walking past at varying speeds. Under the perception of Clarity, the weight of their footsteps, the rhythm of their breathing, and even the flow trajectory of chakra within their bodies were all completely clear.
Farther away, on the branch of a cedar tree at the edge of the camp, a perched bird was grooming its feathers. Even the subtle airflow created by the movement of its wings could be captured.
This net could continue expanding outward.
Shinichi could feel that its limit was far beyond this, but he immediately focused his mind and slowly retracted the dispersed chakra under control.
"My perception range and precision have increased by a massive level!"
Shinichi reopened his eyes, then his thoughts moved again as he attempted to combine this brand-new sensory ability with his existing talents.
A glass-like luster seemed to flash through his distinct black-and-white eyes, and in the next instant, the world in Shinichi's vision changed once more.
Even though he was inside a sealed tent, with thick tent curtains blocking ordinary sight, in Shinichi's current vision, the tent's obstruction was virtually nonexistent.
Not only could he see the humanoid chakra light clusters moving outside, but he could also see through the curtains of other camp tents, observing the outlines of ninja sitting or lying within. He could even see items carrying special chakra energy on their bodies, such as explosive tags.
"It can actually be combined with Lightning Speed Reflex?"
Seeing this, Shinichi's lips curled slightly. In a way, he now possessed his own unique Byakugan, capable of seeing through obstacles and sensing chakra from a distance.
Moreover, it's the kind that doesn't require chakra to maintain; it only requires some mental effort to perceive and process the information obtained.
That's a really good thing, but… Shinichi withdrew his gaze and closed the panel.
Which top-ranked fan provided the assist this time?
Hehe....
…..
Meanwhile, at the Village Hidden in the Cloud headquarters, inside the command center.
Blue B knelt on one knee, head bowed.
"Uncle, it was my fault for not doing things properly. I failed to capture Shinichi, and instead, he discovered our plans ahead of time."
After a moment of silence, the third Raikage slowly said, "This is not your fault. No one could have imagined that the kid from Konoha would have such keen senses."
Then, as if talking to himself, the third Raikage continued, "It seems that what those useless people from the Village Hidden in the Sand said was true; Shinichi Higashino does indeed possess powerful sensory abilities."
Shortly after they went to war with Konoha, the Village Hidden in the Sand, through special channels, passed on intelligence about Konoha to the Village Hidden in the Cloud while highlighting the name Shinichi Higashino.
The intelligence report mentioned his formidable Fire Style Jutsus and swordsmanship, his composure and command abilities beyond his years, and his eerie behavior at various crucial moments, as if he could foresee danger.
Here, the Village Hidden in the Sand highlights that Shinichi Higashino appears to possess extremely powerful sensory abilities or an early-warning intuition.
"Tsuchidai."
After muttering to himself, the third Raikage turned to his trusted confidant, Dodai, and said, "Don't you think this kid looks more and more like someone?"
After a moment of silence, Tsuchikage spoke, "The second Hokage."
"Yes, second Hokage."
The third Raikage nodded, his tone complex.
Top-tier talent in developing and utilizing Ninjutsu, powerful sensory and early-warning abilities, and even rumors that, before this war broke out, the boy had made astonishingly accurate predictions about its course.
After entering the battlefield, his team's operations and localized command repeatedly displayed thinking beyond the norm.
In other words, this kid also possesses excellent strategic vision and command ability.
All these factors combined make it seem more and more like the second Hokage.
In some ways, this Shinichi Higashino is even more terrifying than Tobirama Senju.
After all, Tobirama Senju at that age did not have this level of performance, not even the first Hokage or Madara Uchiha.
Moreover, Tobirama Senju was born into the Senju clan and was the young master who inherited the bloodline of a top-tier ninja clan. He was born extraordinary and received the best resources, the most systematic training, and the deepest cultural influence from a young age. His strength was inevitable due to his Kekkei Genkai and background.
But this Shinichi Higashino, according to repeated intelligence checks, is completely a commoner orphan.
Someone without the Senju bloodline, yet possibly able to grow into a second Tobirama Senju, or something even more troublesome.
Perhaps in the future, he might become a terrifying existence that combines the strength and power of the first Hokage with the wisdom and vision of the second Hokage.
And perhaps even the third Hokage's…
The third Raikage fell silent as he recalled the staff the kid often used, then turned his gaze back to the map in front of him.
"Pass down the order: Once Toroi and Yugito arrive, immediately deploy the general offensive plan."
"Understood."
...
Just as the Village Hidden in the Cloud was planning another strong attack, the Konoha was preparing to deal with another offensive from the Village Hidden in the Cloud.
The Land of Iron, at the General's residence.
Unlike the escalating tension outside, where a major ninja war could erupt at any moment and engulf most of the Shinobi World, the Land of Iron remains quiet.
Winter sunlight streamed through the window lattice into the hall, falling on the tatami mats, creating a play of light and shadow.
Several servants knelt in a corner, quietly brewing tea.
General Mifune sat in the main seat, with documents spread out in front of him while listening to his subordinates' report on preparations for the National Swordsmanship Tournament six months later.
The triennial event is now in its final stage of compiling the list of participants, with Swordsmanship Associations from various regions and cities submitting their information to the organizers.
Beside Mifune, an elderly man with white hair and beard but still vigorous features was slowly flipping through the information of some of the contestants that had been delivered.
He is none other than the previous General, now over seventy years old, Rokkaku. Although he has long since retired, Mifune always invites him to listen in when handling important matters, as a sign of respect and to seek his advice.
Listening to his subordinate's detailed report, Mifune nodded and asked questions from time to time. Suddenly, Rokkaku stopped flipping through the documents, and a smile appeared on his lips.
"Mifune, take a look at this."
Rokkaku handed the documents in his hand to Mifune.
"Do you remember that interesting young man named Isshin that I mentioned to you last time?"
Isshin?
Upon hearing the name, Mifune was momentarily stunned, then remembered it, and a smile appeared on his face: "Rokkaku-sama, are you referring to that kid who went to Konoha a few months ago and hired ninjas from Konoha to fight him?"
This incident sparked considerable discussion among the high-ranking officials and samurai of the Land of Iron, who felt that the young man's actions were ruthless.
While taking an unorthodox approach to pursue breakthroughs in swordsmanship and remaining entirely within the bounds of the law, hiring a ninja to fight against oneself still raises questions.
He feels that it deviates somewhat from the style of orthodox samurai.
"It's him."
Rokkaku nodded while gesturing for Mifune to see for himself.
Mifune took the document, his smile fading, and began to read it carefully.
It's the above details of the activities of this young samurai named Isshin over the past two years.