Seriously? I’ve reached Jōnin level, and the system’s only shows up?

The border of the Land of Fire, just as the first rays of morning light crept over the horizon.

Ten days ago, a massive crater had been left here when Yamanaka Shinno unleashed a large-scale Sage Art Wood Release technique.

Now, with both hands pressed to the ground, Shinno summoned forth thick roots and vines that rapidly filled the dozens-of-meters-deep pit beneath him.

Once the terrain was completely leveled...

A grand wooden tower, sprawling over several thousand square meters, rose majestically from the earth. Its design was elegant and traditional, with sweeping eaves, carved beams, and intricate depictions of auspicious beasts and swirling clouds etched into its frame.

In under a minute, the entire structure was complete.

Shinno casually dusted off his hands—as if he hadn't just conjured an architectural marvel out of thin air.

Turning to Tsunade and Kushina behind him, he shot them a proud, almost smug look.

This was his Wood Release replica of the iconic Yellow Crane Tower from his previous life.

Who wouldn't be stunned by a sight like that?

"Woooow~"

Kushina let out an admiring little gasp, her eyes lighting up with wonder.

Though the tower's color palette was a bit plain due to its all-wood construction, the dense dragon motifs, auspicious beasts, blooming flowers, and floating clouds made the structure feel both majestic and exquisitely detailed.

Tsunade placed her hands on her hips, taking in the old-world grandeur of the tower. The more she looked at it, the more she loved it.

"Think we could move this thing back to Konoha?"

"Beg me."

Shinno grinned, teasing her without missing a beat.

"Pfft."

Tsunade rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.

She turned and waved at the eight nearby ANBU members.

They immediately picked up scrolls filled with sealing jutsu and headed into the building to begin setting up the meeting space.

Even if today's real guests of honor were from Iwagakure, and Sunagakure was just tagging along, that didn't mean they could cut corners on appearances.

They couldn't have high-level negotiations take place in the middle of nowhere. That'd be a joke.

...

"Lord Shinno's mastery of Wood Release truly commands admiration! Such lifelike carvings, such flawless structural precision… it radiates grandeur! Even the Uchiha clan's most prized artistic treasures might pale in comparison to this tower!"

Uchiha Fugaku clapped enthusiastically as Shinno finished speaking with Tsunade and Kushina, his face full of flattery and admiration.

These days, things were looking up for the Uchiha clan.

Sure, due to the village merger, they could no longer monopolize the Police Force. Other village members had to be brought in to prevent inter-village tensions.

But Fugaku still retained his title as Chief, and Uchiha clan members were being accepted into other departments as well.

The benefits? Obvious.

All around them, the Konoha higher-ups exchanged odd glances.

Shameless!

When did Fugaku become so good at kissing up?

Back when the Third Hokage was still around, didn't this guy always look like the world owed him eighty million ryo?

Where's your cold, aloof persona now, huh?

Keep your character consistent, dammit!

But Fugaku couldn't care less about their looks.

he Uchiha finally had a golden thigh to cling to. With the clan's future looking brighter by the day, what was a few flattering words?

It wasn't like anyone was asking him to go fight Madara.

Look at the Hyuga across the way—always bragging about being one of Konoha's two great dōjutsu clans alongside the Uchiha.

Pfft—tui!

No sense of timing at all.

Serves them right.

...

"Chief Fugaku flatters me. I merely—hmm?"

Shinno had started to respond politely, but stopped mid-sentence.

Several familiar chakra signatures had just entered his sensory range—coming from the north, several kilometers away.

"Iwagakure's here?"

Tsunade noticed the faint grin tugging at Shinno's lips and straightened up a little, putting on her full Fourth Hokage demeanor.

"Onoki, Kitsuchi, Roshi, Han, and Gari from Iwagakure. From Kumogakure: the Third Raikage A, young A, Killer Bee, Dodai… and more than a dozen elite jōnin."

Shinno listed off each chakra source with perfect clarity.

Shikaku Nara had told him there was a 60% chance the Third Raikage would personally attend today's talks—but Shinno hadn't expected Kumogakure to show up in full force like this.

With a lineup like that…

If things went south and they were all wiped out, Kumogakure wouldn't even have a choice—they'd have to merge with them.

"Iwa and Kumo are arriving together?"

Tsunade's brows furrowed, a serious glint in her eyes.

Her grandfather, granduncle, Madara, and Izuna had all gone to Orochimaru's for some mysterious project, so none of them were present.

Jiraiya was holding down the fort in Konoha, and most of the front-line shinobi had already returned home.

They didn't have the numbers they once did.

And when it came to top-tier combat power… only Namikaze Minato was still around.

If the Third Raikage stirred up trouble and convinced Iwa to join him in an attack...

She, Shinno, and Kushina might not be enough to hold the line.

...

"They probably met up ahead of time."

Shinno nodded slightly, not a hint of worry in his tone.

"Want me to go fetch Grandpa and the others?"

Tsunade lowered her voice as she asked.

"Didn't you hit the 'Super Kage' level already? Can you try acting like it?"

"Hey—I was smacked around by Grandpa's wooden avatar for days, alright?! That hurt!"

"Could you compare yourself to literally anyone else?"

"Madara?"

"Damn it!"

Shinno gave her a deadpan look as Tsunade sheepishly averted her eyes.

...

A week ago, the plains a few kilometers from the Cultivation Cavern had turned into a battleground for sparring between Hashirama, Madara, and others.

Tsunade, feeling bold after her recent power surge, had joined a couple rounds herself.

The results didn't need spelling out—her grandfather gave her a thorough reality check on the spot.

Maybe he'd gone a little too hard.

Because ever since then, she'd seemed less confident than when she was barely scraping into Kage-level.

Shinno winced, then finally said:

"Let's put it this way: even if I don't lift a finger, you could still flatten both Onoki and the Third Raikage by yourself."

"…What about the Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Eight-Tails?"

"Kushina can blow through all of them solo."

"Oh, and there's also the Raikage's son."

"…Look behind you."

Shinno nodded toward the rear, prompting Tsunade to glance over her shoulder.

There he was—a thick-browed, wide-eyed, green-clad bowl cut, giving her a gleaming thumbs-up.

His smile sparkled so brightly it could've reflected sunlight.

"Konoha's need… is when the flames of youth burn at their brightest! Fear not, Lady Hokage! Even at the cost of my life, I shall defend you!"

"Uhh… Thanks. I believe you."

Tsunade's cheek twitched.

If Shinno hadn't told her that this green-suited weirdo could open seven of the Eight Gates without breaking a sweat…

Who'd ever believe he was a powerhouse?

...

"Ahem. Lady Hokage, Lord Shinno—under Lord Izuna's guidance, I've made some decent progress. I've finally managed to awaken my Mangekyō Sharingan. If Kitsuchi tries anything, please leave him to me."

As Fugaku spoke, his eyes shifted—revealing the swirling, deadly pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Given how powerful the current Konoha leadership was, no one would bat an eye at a mere Mangekyō now.

In fact, showing his strength openly might boost his political standing.

"Very good! If anyone causes trouble today, you two give them a proper beating, hahaha~!"

Tsunade snapped out of her thoughts, realizing she'd been a little too tense.

Though… Shinno said she could pummel both Onoki and the Third Raikage?

Well… if those two were willing to give her the opportunity…

She kinda wanted to see what made Grandpa enjoy beating people up so much.

----------------

Pls Drop some Power Stones

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