Chapter 214: Enhancement, the War Has Begun

Time quickly passed to the end of October, and Shisui's and Sima Yi's Kaleidoscope fusion was essentially complete; after gradually becoming familiar with this power, Shisui began making the final preparations.

"Grandpa, time is almost up; I'm going to see the teacher for a moment."

Shisui looked at the moonlight outside the window and softly said to Sima Yi, who was reading a scroll.

"Go ahead; later the East Building will be in a hurry."

Sima Yi laughed teasingly, even wondering what expression Yan Shifan would make if he were held back and sent half an hour later.

Shisui forced a dry laugh; not wanting to meddle in their affairs, he said goodbye and used the Flying Thunder God technique to arrive at Juxian Village.

At that moment inside Juxian Village, Shi Liu Ye was stationed in the gambling arena, while Yan Shifan was alone in a room.

Although he held a book in his hand, his brows were tightly knit, and cup after cup of tea filled the table.

Yan Shifan frowned and sighed, but unlike Sima Yi, he didn't rename anything; instead he explained directly to Shisui: "The left eye's ability roughly controls unclaimed chakra, while the right eye's ability borrows others' chakra."

Points: 1 Advisor: Sima Yi (enhancement count: 1), Yan Shifan (enhancement count: 0)

However, before Shisui could act, a strange visitor arrived at the Hokage Building.

Shisui inhaled sharply and exclaimed, "Control chakra, what a powerful ability!"

Rain Hidden lacks sufficient numbers and cannot intercept all Leaf ninjas.

Time quickly moved to November, and the Leaf Camp had already begun dispatching squads en masse to infiltrate the Rain Country.

With the Kaleidoscope, Yan Shifan's confidence grew considerably; as for sincere followers, they were no trouble for him—money, power, and plenty of people willing to sell their lives.

It was regrettable that the enemy was not eliminated, but Mi Yan, an idealistic person, dying because of such a plot also saddened Shisui.

Everyone watching this war wondered why the Leaf hadn't declared battle, when in fact the war had already begun.

"Yes, teacher."

Compared to Shisui's regret, Hui was gleefully flaunting his golden Susanoo and used it to retrieve documents for Shisui.

"Yes!"

"Senior Jiraiya!"

The information was incomplete, and Shisui did not criticize; after all, Rain Hidden Village is too dangerous now—without the Flying Thunder God, even he might not return alive.

Ming left at once, and Shisui turned to the little toad and said, "Thank you, but Senior Jiraiya may be in danger now; I need to make preparations to help him and can't chat with you longer."

This is his fault, and he will make amends; regardless, he will exert his greatest effort to stop this war.

Shisui's eyes brightened, he was suddenly enlightened, and then hurriedly had Ming place it on the table.

"The East Building's ability is indeed peculiar."

At present, the Rain Country's situation is fully known to the Leaf, and the next step is the offensive.

"Hmm, no rush, have a seat," Yan Shifan said softly, then set the book down.

"Yes!"

"What a pity."

"Yes."

Pages turned as Yan Shifan casually glanced at the time, then picked up his teacup again.

Great Sovereign: controls all unclaimed chakra within its area of influence.

Shaoming Pigu Na: can place a mark on sincere followers, draw chakra from the marked individual, and when attacked, the marked person can take the damage in their stead.

"I need to go to Rain Hidden Village; I must understand the Reincarnation Eye's ability."

Shisui nodded, then drew a new kunai.

He is confident he can rally enough people.

"How is the Village's recent situation?"

"Go ahead, I'm in the Capital City awaiting your good news."

Then, after another instruction, Shisui returned to the Leaf and, upon Sima Yi's inquiry, detailed Yan Shifan's Kaleidoscope abilities and the bonuses their panels provided.

"No need, I have enough ninjas here for protection."

Yan Shifan didn't care about that; he soon learned the name of his eye technique.

When the panel points reached the required amount, Shisui stood and said, "Time's up, teacher, I'm about to begin."

"Then, teacher, take care of yourself; I'm heading back to prepare."

Shisui quickly grasped Jiraiya's meaning; he feared Jiraiya would infiltrate Rain Hidden Village to seek Nagato—convincing him would be best, but failure could lead to a master‑apprentice showdown.

A moment later, Yan Shifan opened his eyes; three jade talismans swirled within them, then transformed into three linked pillars whose tails were connected, each pillar bearing a wavy stripe, with three hollow circles—outer round, inner square—nestled between the pillars.

"Not good!"

"If you're not ready, then let them strike first; you can also gauge Rain Hidden's strength."

Points: 0 Advisor: Sima Yi (enhancement count: 1), Yan Shifan (enhancement count: 1)

Sima Yi used the Barrier's sensing function to modify the kunai itself, rather than the Flying Thunder God.

How to stop it?

Hui is now full of vigor, only wanting to find someone to fight, but due to Shisui's strict command he cannot act in the Leaf; now that he hears the mission, he instantly becomes excited.

The letter recounted to Shisui how they had encountered Nagato and two others in the Rain Country, and also detailed the information Shisui had uncovered about Mi Yan and Hanzo's deaths.

"You rude kid, I'm a toad from Myōki Mountain; if Senior Jiraiya hadn't sent me the letter, I wouldn't have come!"

Sima Yi sighed and said no more; he knew the other party must have concealed some abilities, but it didn't matter—within the Leaf, even a double Kaleidoscope was useless.

Nara Suzaku spoke while handing another stack of documents to Shisui, one of which caught his attention.

Shisui's face brightened, and he thanked repeatedly, but remembering he still had urgent matters, he said directly, "In a few days I'll take Shi Liu Ye to the Rain Hidden battlefield; teacher, would you like to return to the Leaf with me first, and come back after the Rain Hidden affairs are settled?"

"Since that's the case, Ming, go fetch Hui back."

"Senior Jiraiya isn't weak, but that's an unknown Reincarnation Eye."

"A nonsensical name."

Bonus: Divine Longevity (LV2).

Shisui watched the intelligence sent from the front line, his index finger repeatedly tapping the desk.

"Alright, put it away; don't let anyone see it. You just came back, go check on the clan first."

Shisui's expression grew heavy; after long contemplation he finally decided to take Shiliuye on a trip to Rain Hidden Village.

"Oh?"

Konoha, Hokage Building.

When Hui rushed back and saw the slightly weary Shiliuye with a face full of excitement, Shisui was the first to speak, cutting off what he intended to say. Shisui does not think Zilaie can win; he cannot let Zilaie go to a certain death.

Yan Shifan shook his head helplessly and said, "I'm not skilled in fighting; what good is this ability?"

Thus Nara Suzaku agreed outright; Shiliuye already knew what Shisui intended, and since he was also weary from the Western Mountain Road incident, he left early to rest.

The little toad flailed its limbs incessantly, trying to break free from Ming's grasp.

Yan Shifan waved his hand, looking disinclined to talk; seeing this, Shisui could only shift his attention to the panel.

With his Flying Thunder God, the Rinnegan cannot catch them; even if a mistake occurs, Shiliuye's eye technique can salvage the situation, so safety should not be an issue.

Including Scorpion, Jiaodu, Xiaonan, Fei Duan, Jue, Pain, and a mysterious three‑tailed jinchuriki who appears to be the Fourth Mizukage.

However, Shisui still has to wait for a few more people.

Divine Longevity: lifespan slightly increases; the longer one lives, the stronger one becomes; for each year Sima Yi lives, this effect gains one level. (Bonus from Sima Yi.) Erudition: learning ability slightly increases; the more one learns, the faster one learns; for each year Yan Shifan lives, this effect gains one level. (Bonus from Yan Shifan.) "Teacher, I have obtained another augmentation."

Seeing Yan Shifan calm and composed, still reading, Shisui instantly felt respect and hurried, "Teacher, the time is approaching."

Upon hearing the toad disrespect Shisui, Ming bluntly pulled out a kunai and pressed it onto its head, startling the toad into silence.

Behind it is information about Akatsuki members collected by Orochimaru.

The intelligence department has already familiarized itself with Rain Hidden Village's population, defenses, logistics, domestic roads and prices, foreign trade, and the Rain Country daimyo's attitude, awaiting a single order from Konoha; the front line can launch an attack immediately. "Hokage, this is an additional summary of the situation inside Rain Hidden Village; apart from the Akatsuki leader, we have gathered some information on the others."

If Orochimaru is also counted, this organization's strength is indeed terrifying.

"Shiliuye, rest for a while; tomorrow you will go to the Rain Hidden battlefield as chief commander, all affairs will be arranged by the Jonin squad, promptly."

"This was modified by my grandfather; as long as I infuse chakra, I will know when the teacher is in danger here. Teacher, please keep it safe."

"Not bad, read more. Another day I will carve out some post‑Jin‑Wei ancient texts and write them for you."

Zilaie is ultimately a Konoha person; Konoha's interests are above all.

"Hmm."

At that moment, the figure Yan Shifan had long awaited finally appeared in the room.

Then, without waiting for Shisui to speak, the little toad let out a bang and broke the summoning, leaving.

Looking at the toad Ming was holding, Shisui couldn't help but tilt his head.

Shisui laughed heartily, intending to console once more, but he did not notice the change in Yan Shifan's gaze.

As time passed, the daimyo grew increasingly dissatisfied with Konoha's inaction, and then, with money paving the way, ninjas from River Country and Grass Country gradually joined the war.

"Toad?"

"That's enough. We have secured the first stage victory; next, inform Grass Country and River Country of Rain Hidden's defenses. Also, remind the front line again: without my orders, no unauthorized attacks."

At this point, either persuade Akatsuki to hand over the masked man, eliminate Akatsuki, or eliminate the Uchiha.

Shisui explained the Erudition effect to Yan Shifan, who nodded with satisfaction; he is a genius, so having this effect is expected, unlike that old turtle.

Divine Longevity: lifespan slightly increases; the longer one lives, the stronger one becomes; for each year Sima Yi lives, this effect gains one level. (Bonus from Sima Yi.) Shisui did not hesitate, immediately allocating the newly earned points to Yan Shifan.

The little toad instantly opened its mouth wide, "What? If Lord Zilaie is in danger, you go then; you don't need to mind me, I'm leaving now!"

Yan Shifan did not refuse; after all, the more means of survival, the better.

Yan Shifan merely nodded; he is not adept at strategy, and said, "Konoha has been dragging its feet. I received word that the daimyo has begun assigning war missions to other ninja forces within the country. Moreover, the daimyo seems to plan to issue missions in Grass Country and River Country as well."

Among them, the focus mentioned Danzo.

Konoha Year 52, November 9, Uchiha Hui returned to Konoha, bringing Orochimaru's reply.

Hearing Shisui say that, Hui reluctantly withdrew the Susanoo.

"With the teacher's arrangements, the daimyo's funding is continuous, supplies are ample everywhere, Konoha's development is fairly smooth; however, wars keep arising, Rain Hidden is not easy to handle, and the upcoming war may not go smoothly."

Zilaie roughly explained in the letter his affairs with Miyane and the other two.

Left eye: Great Country Lord; right eye: Shaoming Piguna.

Shisui twitched the corner of his mouth; although he already knew Danzo couldn't accomplish anything, making the situation turn out this way truly gave him a hard time.

"Haha, actually that's quite good. The teacher can also use the Great Country Lord to protect himself."

Shisui also activated Flying Thunder God to swiftly bring Shiliuye back to the capital, then summoned Nara Suzaku.

Shisui's eyes flickered; there was an unexpected delight.

Rain Hidden, exhausted to cope, allowed Konoha to seize a wealth of intelligence, yet the Akatsuki's actions hidden within Rain Hidden are few and remain mysterious.

After Hui left, Shisui continued to peruse the letters.

Shisui stared in surprise at Yan Shifan's eyes, puzzled by the pattern generated by the evolution of the three‑tails.

He then added some information: since parting from Miyane and the other two, he had rarely kept up with their news, and did not expect so many events to unfold.

The two exchanged a few more words, and Yan Shifan gained further insight into the Village's situation.

After reading, Shisui's complexion changed instantly.

Shisui had mentioned three months, which also includes the intelligence‑gathering phase.

The little toad, after landing on the table, finally breathed a sigh of relief and then retrieved the letter Zilaie had entrusted.

Bonus: Divine Longevity (LV2), Erudition (LV1).

"Thank you, Teacher, I have noted it."

"Fine, better than nothing."

Yan Shifan casually set down his teacup and calmly said, "Shisui has arrived."

"It's as strange as grandpa's; what exactly is the principle behind these patterns?"

In an instant, a flash of brilliance passed, and Yan Shifan instantly felt a change; his whole body became somewhat light, and his slightly grayish hair turned a glossy black.

Hui rubbed his fists together, his face showing eager anticipation; this familiar feeling made Shisui smile briefly.

Shi Liu Ye, being one of only two Uchiha openly possessing a Kaleidoscope, enjoys ample prestige both within the clan and in Konoha, fully qualified to command a great army.

"Angel Xiao Nan, paper-style, strange bloodstains."

"Hui, go find Uncle Fugaku; you two set out tonight, the operation must be covert, infiltrate the Rain Country quickly and wait for my message, and remember not to expose yourselves."

However, after gathering intel on these people, aside from the mysterious Pain, the others are of no concern to Shisui at present.

Five steps away from him, a custom-made kunai lay on the ground.

"Take this, follow Uncle Fugaku's orders, and stay safe."

Shisui took out the custom-made kunai and, with a cautious expression, handed it to Hui.

Both the Kaleidoscope and the First Generation Cell are on his body, and they were applied by him and Fugaku together; he can't imagine any chance of failure.

"Don't worry, a mere Rain Hidden will be fine."

"." (End of chapter)