Thirteen years had passed since arriving in this shinobi world.
From cautious vigilance to borrowing authority, from enduring years of being called "trash" without retaliation to boldly confronting the Uchiha elders with Jiraiya as his backing, Uchiha Kin finally felt he had gained real capital.
The kind that meant fearing no one.
In all of Konoha, only a handful could threaten him now. There was no longer any need to consider fleeing. Unless facing those select few, the question was: Who could survive against him?
Just one step remained before he could overturn the board entirely.
The thought nearly made him laugh aloud.
"You seem unusually happy today, Kin," Namikaze Minato's voice interrupted, his sun-like smile appearing before Kin. Some people naturally radiated an inexplicable charm.
"Just in a good mood," Kin replied, his lips curling into a smile—one that never reached his eyes.
To Minato, it looked like a mask. Strange how he'd stopped noticing such details over time. During their first meeting, he'd been wary of Kin.
"Dango. Here."
Kushina handed them each a skewer of sweet dumplings. The trio sat in a circle, eating under the falling snow.
"So sweet," Kin remarked. He truly was happy today.
After all, he'd reached elite jōnin-level strength—a definitive milestone.
The shinobi world had never adhered to strict power hierarchies. A genin with a kunai could kill a jōnin. Strength was once measured by rank, experience, or jutsu repertoire.
But that was the past.
Now, an unofficial grading system had emerged among Konoha's battle-hardened survivors—one based on the Chakra Foundation Internal Art.
First Tier: Non-Ninja
Those without foundational training. In this era, any competent shinobi had already learned the basics. These were considered non-threats.
Second Tier: Foundation Establishment Genin
Practitioners of the first layer could not yet use ninjutsu but excelled in taijutsu. Most were genin-level.
Third Tier: Body-Opening Chūnin
With the second layer unlocked, their chakra reserves allowed rapid advancement to chūnin.
Fourth Tier: Body-Opening Elite
Shinobi with jōnin-level prowess are still at the second layer.
Fifth Tier: Body-Opening Peak
The legendary elite jōnin.
Thus, the hierarchy is now centered on three stages: Non-Ninja, Foundation Establishment, and Body-Opening.
As for the Kage title? Merely ceremonial. Out of respect, shinobi avoided ranking Kage by strength, preferring terms like "Tailed Beast-level."
This system remained unique to Konoha. Other villages likely had their own classifications, imprecise as they were.
After all, the Sannin—Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya—had been elite jōnin. Now, with foundational training, they rivaled Kage. "Body-Opening Peak" hardly sufficed to describe them.
"These peaceful days won't last," Minato sighed.
Kin noted the shadows crossing his and Kushina's faces.
"True. Kumo isn't staying quiet either," he said, biting into his dango.
Though not formally at war, Kumogakure incessantly harassed the Land of Fire's borders. Recovered Konoha forces were being dispatched to counter these incursions, with heavy casualties.
The enemy suffered more, fighting abroad. But Konoha couldn't sustain these losses. The village teetered on collapse.
Fortunately, the foundational training's first two layers offered limited benefits to top-tier fighters—mostly extended lifespans and chakra accumulation. At their level, raw chakra meant little.
The true game-changer would be the third layer's breakthrough. A qualitative leap akin to the power of Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju—what Kin termed the Super-Kage tier.
Theoretically, perfect jinchūriki could reach it. But no such harmony existed between humans and tailed beasts today... right?
A sudden unease gripped Kin. Had he overlooked something critical?
Sunagakure
Within the prison holding the One-Tail's jinchūriki, the elderly Bunpuku sat cross-legged, his consciousness submerged in the seal's realm.
Endless water stretched beneath him as the massive Shukaku loomed behind.
"Old man, my power could push you to that realm. Why refuse?" the tailed beast grumbled. With such strength, escape would be trivial.
"Why not try yourself?" Bunpuku replied serenely, eyes still closed.
"You might die!" Shukaku snapped. Unlike its siblings, its chakra reserves were meager. Overexertion could be fatal.
Village elders believed sacrificing the One-Tail might unlock the third layer—a war-altering power. Yet Bunpuku had lied, claiming incapability.
Shukaku's voice cracked. Since Hagoromo, no one had cared for its well-being.
"I'm immortal! I'll revive as long as chakra exists!" it barked, turning away.
"Death is still painful."
"Damn you!!" Shukaku roared, though its eyes suspiciously glistened. Since when could tailed beasts cry?
Stubborn fool! With its help, he could rival Madara and Hashirama! Yet he hesitated—for its sake.
"You deserve this cage!!" it spat, trembling.
"This is enough." Bunpuku clasped his hands.
"Listen, old man. If your life's in danger, break through. If you die, I'll be sealed into some brat worse than you."
"I may not die."
"...Hmph."
Silence reclaimed the seal.
...
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(End of Chapter)