A Yamanaka's Trait System

Kei truly felt that either of the two plans would be fine. 

If they chose the first option, they could quickly eliminate White Zetsu and then annex Kiri, reducing the chances of being discovered by the Ōtsutsuki clan in the short term. 

They could gradually cultivate talents capable of replacing the daimyō, establish the necessary administrative institutions, and systematically unify the small countries surrounding the Land of Wind, Lightning, Water, and Fire. 

This would create a stable and unified situation, allowing for steady development. 

If they chose the second option, they could observe Kaguya closely to see if there were any particularly useful abilities to learn, especially those incredibly powerful jutsu. 

At the same time, they could use the Ten-Tails as bait to lure in the Ōtsutsuki clan and see how many of them would show up. 

Either way, war was inevitable. Both plans would also achieve Kei's goal of reducing the divisions and conflicts between the major ninja villages. 

In fact, in his view, the second option seemed even better than the first.

Having the Ōtsutsuki members appear from time to time would create a sense of crisis for the newly unified ninja villages. No matter how many internal conflicts existed, facing an external enemy would force everyone to suppress them. 

Over time, those conflicts would naturally fade into history. However, this would likely mean more hardship for Tsunade and Kushina. 

After all, with [Multiversal Voyager], he couldn't always stay in the shinobi world peacefully. 

If the Ōtsutsuki clan attacked while he was away, Tsunade, as Hokage and a Sage Mode user, would be one of the main combatants. 

And Kushina, as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, would inevitably become a prime target for the enemy, unable to escape their attacks. 

Fortunately, [Yin-Yang Sage Master] had already advanced to [Heavenly Spirit Sovereign], allowing him to fully comprehend the essence of all energy in the Naruto world. It was time to enhance Tsunade's strength further. 

As for Kushina, in theory, the Uzumaki bloodline did have the potential to master Sage Mode. But he actually preferred her to focus on improving [Magical Girl Transformation] instead. 

After all, just looking at Madoka Kaname, it was clear how limitless that power could be! Plus, the nature of magical energy was entirely different from chakra, making it immune to the Ōtsutsuki clan's absorption abilities. 

Instead of pursuing Sage Mode, leveling up [Magical Girl Transformation] was far more efficient.

---

After two intense days of negotiations regarding village mergers, the talks concluded. 

Pakura, Kitsuchi, and A led their respective ninja groups back to their villages, swiftly mobilizing their forces toward the eastern coast of the Land of Fire. 

Tsunade and the others returned to Konoha via Kei's Flying Thunder God Technique. 

Minato led Konoha's border forces, dismantling their previous encampments and rushing ahead to the eastern coast to clear a staging area for the incoming ninja alliance army. 

Orders flowed from the Hokage's office one after another. 

The newly reformed Konoha operated like a highly efficient war machine, moving at full speed. The logistics department continuously transported supplies, while wave after wave of Konoha ninja escorted large amounts of war equipment to the eastern coastline. 

Hiruzen personally led all Sarutobi clan members aged twelve and above into battle, heading straight for the front lines. Seeing this, the other ninja clans in Konoha—regardless of their personal feelings—had no choice but to follow suit, emptying their stockpiles to contribute to the war effort. 

The tense atmosphere of war made Konoha's once lively and bustling streets eerily quiet. 

"You've changed…" Tsunade rested her arms on the windowsill of the Hokage's office, her voice unusually filled with melancholy. 

Sending all clan ninjas aged twelve and above to fight, all prepared to die at any moment… Ever since stepping down as Hokage, her teacher seemed… different. 

His actions clearly conveyed that the Sarutobi clan could sacrifice every one of its ninjas in battle, but he begged her not to drag innocent children and the elderly into it. 

"Huh? Oh, maybe… But whether he lives or dies, isn't that up to you?" Lying on the sofa with a book covering his face, Kei lazily yawned, his eyes slightly watery. 

Jiraiya's novel had decent writing, but for someone who had read countless web novels in his past life, the plot felt a little dull. 

"How did you deal with Danzō?" 

Tsunade pushed aside her emotions and instead asked about Danzō. She hadn't seen him in a long time.

"Ahem, he's retired and enjoying his old age."

"Don't feed me nonsense. That White Zetsu presence—I sensed it with my special Sage Mode!"

"Ugh… Fine. He's currently Konoha's most popular bathhouse scrubber."

Recalling Danzō's current predicament, Kei found it difficult to put into words. That guy… seemed to be doing better and better lately.

Even though, due to the effects of [Big Brainstorm], he would inexplicably get his head blown off from time to time, but the Hydrification Technique allowed him to survive without much issue.

At the hot spring district's bathhouses, whether it was the men's or women's bath, he had become the most popular bathhouse scrubber.

Business at the bathhouses even improved significantly because of him.

"The most popular bathhouse scrubber? Are you talking about… that Hōzuki clan member?"

Tsunade instinctively recalled a previous report from the ANBU about an amnesiac Hōzuki clan member who had been taken in by a hot spring shop owner.

So that guy… was actually Danzō?!

Wait… What the hell?! This bastard was actually…?

"Hey, hey! Don't look at me like that! He attacked me first! It was self-defense!"

"I was thinking of taking inspiration from how you handled Danzō, but… heh, guess the old man was lucky not to fall into your hands."

"Thanks for the compliment." Kei smiled bashfully, pretending to take it as genuine praise.

Tsunade rolled her eyes in exasperation and decided to stop dwelling on Hiruzen's situation. But there was still something she couldn't let go of.

"How's Orochimaru's research going? When can I see… Nawaki?"

"He's already been Edo Tensei'd. He's just avoiding you because he doesn't dare face you. I was actually planning to give you a little surprise in a few days."

Kei sat up from the couch, his face lighting up with a smile.

"You! Damn it! You're not planning to turn Nawaki into a girl too, are you?!" Hearing the word surprise, Tsunade immediately thought of the Orochi-hime incident from yesterday. Her pupils shrank as she rushed toward Kei.

If her little brother turned into her little sister… Not only would she lose her mind, but so would Hashirama and Tobirama!

"Look at you, getting all worked up! Orochimaru made that choice on his own, okay? You need to respect his decision and not be prejudiced!"

"I… Fine. Then what's this surprise you're talking about?"

"If I tell you now, how would it still be a surprise?" Kei leaned lazily against the couch.

He had already handed the Rinnegan over to Orochimaru and arranged for Tobi to assist with the research. It was just the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique.

It shouldn't take too much longer to get results.

"...Please." Tsunade's expression shifted unpredictably before she finally gritted her teeth and uttered two words.

"Huh? What did you say? I didn't hear you~"

Kei's eyes lit up in genuine surprise—he never expected Tsunade to actually compromise for her little brother.

"I said—GO TO HELL, YOU BASTARD!" Tsunade's face turned bright red as she swung her fist at Kei.

Smack!

With a flick of his wrist, Kei used his inner spiritual power to effortlessly deflect the force of Tsunade's punch.

"Hey, hey! If you keep swinging, I'll bite you!"

"Hah! I've already fully mastered senjutsu chakra, and you think that kind of threat will work on me? Pfft!"

"Oh, you really never learn, do you?"

"ARGHHH—!"

Outside the Hokage's office, the ANBU squad captain, codenamed Ox, was standing guard when he suddenly heard the Hokage scream.

He glanced around at his team members, who all exchanged silent looks, urging him to check inside.

Letting out a resigned sigh, he cautiously peeked through the window.

From his vantage point, he could see Kei's leg sticking out from behind the couch… and Tsunade's left arm resting over the couch's backrest.

He quietly withdrew his head, turned to the other ANBU members, and gave a hand signal: Nothing happened.

Having served as an ANBU since the time of the Second Hokage, and continuing into the reign of the Fourth Hokage, he had seen a lot in his years.

But still…

At the very least, couldn't they close the curtains in the Hokage's office?!