Without relying on his talent boosts in the normal state, he could use Lightning Style Nintaijutsu to continuously refine his neural reflexes, pushing them toward the pinnacle of mortal capability.
Not just neural reflexes, strength, defense, and speed… every basic physical attribute can be pushed to its limit through various Taijutsu training methods.
By then, his base physical state alone would already be at the peak of mortal limits in every category, and stacked with multiple peak-level talent enhancements…
He could probably even overpower opponents at the Six Paths Sage Mode level.
Thinking of this, Shinichi summoned his personal status panel, his gaze landing on the blue-glowing talent, Medical Expertise.
"It should be close to leveling up."
Previously, on the southwestern battlefield, he had continuously analyzed and broken down the various new toxins developed by poison master Chiyo.
This alone had already left a deep impression on the intelligence systems of major villages.
And now, with his development of medical scrolls, an almost revolutionary breakthrough in Medical Ninjutsu, the entire Shinobi World would be shaken even further.
Once Medical Expertise evolved into Medical Mastery, his understanding of human structure and the mysteries of life would deepen significantly.
At that point, combined with his Gourmet talent, he would be able to design more efficient nutrition plans, more scientifically formulated medicinal baths for training, and more precise auxiliary medicinal formulas tailored to himself.
These supporting methods would allow him, during the golden stage of adolescence, to rapidly strengthen his foundation and raise his upper limit.
Thinking of this, Shinichi shifted his gaze to the Gourmet talent.
"This one too… I need to find a way to level it up faster."
...
At the same time, inside the headquarters command center on Konoha's southeastern coastal front.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado sat side by side in the main seats.
The desk before them was covered with battle reports and documents submitted from the various defensive lines.
Unlike in the past, both elders appeared noticeably more relaxed, and occasionally, a faint smile would even appear on their faces as they exchanged opinions.
This kind of battlefield situation was something they had hardly dared to imagine before the war began.
As veterans of Konoha, both Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado had experienced the previous two Shinobi World Wars.
During those wars, the opening stages had always been accompanied by massive casualties, chaotic command and deployment, and countless emergency meetings that left everyone overwhelmed.
The frontlines between attackers and defenders were often interlocked like jagged teeth, with the situation changing from moment to moment, while the command center was frequently in an extremely tense state.
But this time, from the very beginning of the war, whether against the Village Hidden in the Sand, against the Village Hidden in the Cloud, or now simultaneously against the Village Hidden in the Sand and the Village Hidden in the Mist, the initiative had remained firmly in their hands.
Especially against the Village Hidden in the Cloud, the powerful enemy they had always been wary of. Everyone had prepared themselves mentally for a desperate battle to the end, yet it had been dealt with in a completely unexpected manner.
Shinichi Higashino had led the Shinichi Battalion deep into the heartland of the Land of Lightning, turning Village Hidden in the Cloud's rear areas upside down and ultimately forcing Village Hidden in the Cloud to withdraw from the battlefield ahead of schedule, allowing Konoha to focus its efforts on dealing with the Village Hidden in the Sand and Village Hidden in the Mist.
And after the Village Hidden in the Cloud withdrew from the war, although they were now fighting on two fronts simultaneously, the casualty ratio had remained within a highly desirable range.
The efficiency of treating the wounded had also improved significantly due to the introduction of medical scrolls, and the morale of the frontline ninja had consistently remained high.
"I've lived for so many years and fought so many battles, yet I've never fought a war this worry-free."
Homura Mitokado shook his head, his tone carrying a trace of emotion.
"Although having two frontlines at the same time certainly brings a lot of pressure, the current situation is far better than I originally expected."
Koharu Utatane nodded slightly, then her gaze fell upon the documents on the desk, which were covered with dense notes.
"Indeed. To achieve this, aside from our fellow villagers risking their lives in battle... That child's contribution is truly indispensable."
She did not say the name aloud, but both people present knew exactly who she meant.
After a moment of silence, Koharu set down the report in her hand and spoke.
"Homura, after the war ends, I plan to propose to Hiruzen that child to be appointed as the Jonin Commander and directly participate in the village's overall decision-making process. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Homura was momentarily stunned before speaking in a low voice.
"Koharu, isn't he a bit too young?"
According to the analysis report that the child had submitted before the war, the conflict would likely last three to four years.
In other words, after the war, Shinichi would only be fourteen or fifteen years old.
That was simply too young.
The position of Jonin Commander was the leader of all Konoha ninja. Its status was second only to the Hokage and the three advisors, and its authority was sufficient to directly intervene in the village's overall planning and major decisions.
Moreover, Homura had heard the deeper meaning behind Koharu's words.
She wanted to push that child upward, to become the next generation's Hokage.
The position of Jonin Commander was merely a stepping stone.
"Yes, that child is indeed young."
Koharu nodded and sighed.
"But his abilities and achievements are there for all to see. We should not restrict a truly talented individual because of age. Allowing him to enter the village's core decision-making circle earlier would also benefit the village's development."
"And if he takes on greater responsibilities earlier, then when the village entrusts him with even more important tasks in the future, he'll already be prepared. He won't be like Hiruzen back then, knowing nothing and making a mess of things at the beginning."
At that, she shook her head helplessly before looking calmly at Homura.
"In another ten years, people of our generation will be old. I think it's time to gradually pass the burden into the hands of the younger generation."
That statement was practically a direct declaration.
Homura Mitokado remained silent for a long time before finally nodding slowly.
"I have no objections. However, the most important step in this matter still depends on Hiruzen's opinion."
A smile appeared on Koharu's face.
"I don't think Hiruzen will object. He was the first among us to notice that child, and even Danzo won't oppose it."
"After all, this child inherited our teacher's will and wisdom."
"Yes."
Homura nodded as well.
"To witness the emergence of such a successor during our lifetime may be the fortune of both the village and ourselves."
A brief silence fell between them.
But during that silence, the two old partners reached a tacit agreement.
After the war, they would push Shinichi Higashino into a higher position.
"Report! The four captains have arrived at headquarters and are awaiting orders outside!"
At that moment, a messenger ninja entered the room.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously.
"Let them come in."
A short while later, inside the command center, Koharu and Homura quietly listened as the four captains reported the detailed intelligence from their respective sectors.
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