For the next few months, Hayashi focused entirely on studying the Flying Thunder God Technique.
He had been exposed to this technique for nearly as long as Minato, yet because he did not possess a natural affinity for space-time ninjutsu, he had never been able to use it properly.
Now, that limitation was no longer holding him back.
Hayashi gathered chakra into both hands and infused it into a kunai. Before long, a complex formula took shape across its surface.
When it came to the marking formula of the Flying Thunder God Technique, he was already familiar with both the Second Hokage's and Minato's versions. One used a refined variation of a clan-style pattern, while the other, after much persuasion from Jiraiya, had adopted a more stylized phrase tied to his own identity.
Both reflected their creators in different ways.
Naturally, Hayashi wanted something that reflected his own style.
Mikoto suggested using a three-tomoe design, simple and recognizable. Himeji proposed a crescent moon, something elegant that resembled the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan. Kushina leaned toward a symbol inspired by the Nine-Tails, thinking it would make the mark more distinctive.
Nawaki, as usual, had no restraint at all. He suggested using his own face as the mark.
Minato, trying to be helpful, offered several alternative naming ideas, each more dramatic than the last, including something along the lines of a space-time gale flash blade.
Hayashi dismissed every single suggestion.
With a decisive motion, he finalized his own design, leaving behind eight bold characters that reflected his personal flair.
May, Year 39 of Konoha.
The weather gradually grew warmer. Even the harsh winds of the Land of Earth softened, no longer carrying the biting cold of winter.
For the Konoha ninja who had endured months of harsh conditions, the change brought visible relief. The exhaustion on their faces faded, replaced by renewed energy.
After spending so much time in foreign terrain, many had come to realize that no place compared to the Land of Fire. Short stays in other lands were manageable, but anything longer became difficult to endure.
During this period, the conflict between Konoha and Iwagakure entered a temporary stalemate.
After Roshi was captured, Fūga immediately ordered a large-scale strategic withdrawal. He maintained only the essential supply routes connected to the Land of Grass, abandoning control over other regions, which effectively became Konoha-held territory.
His decisiveness caught Konoha off guard. It was clear that he had no intention of initiating another large-scale confrontation.
Despite the withdrawal, the number of ninja under Fūga's command had not decreased. Reinforcements continued to arrive from Iwagakure, strengthening his forces.
At present, he commanded around four thousand ninja. Half were stationed near the Kannabi Bridge, while the other half guarded the supply lines leading toward Kusagakure, ensuring that Konoha could not disrupt Iwagakure's logistics.
Konoha Encampment.
"This is the current situation. I suggest we begin infiltration operations against Iwagakure as soon as possible," Shikaku said, pointing at the large map spread across the table.
The map was densely marked with enemy troop movements and supply routes.
If Konoha could disrupt these logistics further, it would force the Iwa forces stationed in Kusagakure to retreat and defend their supply lines.
If executed properly, this strategy could bring the war in the Land of Earth to an end within the year.
That would allow Konoha to redirect its full strength toward the Hidden Cloud Village and secure victory in the Third Great Ninja War.
However, infiltration would not be as simple as before.
Previously, such missions were carried out by small squads, focusing on reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and targeted sabotage, while avoiding detection.
But after their earlier losses, Iwagakure had completely changed their tactics. They no longer operated in small groups. Every deployment consisted of at least a hundred ninja.
A small Konoha team would stand no chance against such numbers. Yet sending a force of equal size would make them easy to detect, leading to encirclement.
Iwagakure also had aerial reconnaissance units. Using summoned creatures like ninja eagles, they could monitor movements from high altitudes and detect enemy activity from dozens of kilometers away.
Under such conditions, launching a surprise attack was extremely difficult.
Shikaku clasped his hands together and spoke with confidence. "I have a plan that can bypass their aerial surveillance and allow us to launch a sudden strike."
The room immediately fell silent.
Shikaku had already proven his capabilities in previous battles. His strategic thinking and battlefield awareness had earned everyone's respect.
Within the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance, he alone represented all three clans in such meetings. The others trusted his judgment completely.
"Let's hear it," Sakumo said with a faint smile.
Shikaku nodded. "Since Hayashi can now use the Flying Thunder God Technique proficiently, we shouldn't limit it to individual combat. It can also be used to transport multiple ninja directly onto the battlefield."
Sakumo turned to Hayashi. "Is that possible?"
Hayashi gave a slight nod. "It is. The technique can be used to transport others."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"There is a condition. Anyone being transported must maintain physical or chakra contact with me."
Shikaku picked up from there.
"The solution is simple. Nawaki and Nono can summon Katsuyu at the same time. Katsuyu can divide into countless smaller bodies and attach to each ninja involved."
"With Katsuyu distributing chakra, Hayashi only needs to stay connected to Katsuyu itself. That creates a link to everyone."
The idea was clear.
Using Katsuyu as a medium, Hayashi could effectively teleport a large group at once.
In that moment, the Flying Thunder God Technique transformed from a powerful individual ability into a decisive battlefield weapon.
As long as a marked kunai was placed near the enemy, Hayashi could instantly bring a large force directly into position.
In warfare, numerical advantage often determined the outcome.
This method would allow Konoha to create localized superiority, overwhelming enemy units before they could respond.
Even though Konoha's total forces were not greater than Iwagakure's, this strategy would let them dominate specific battlefields with precision and speed.