They didn't yet know the specifics of the declaration of war.
However, the disappearance of the Third Kazekage had already spread throughout the entire Ninja World.
Anyone with a working brain could deduce that this incident would inevitably become the fuse for a new great war.
Tsunade looked at Aoyama Ryuyun in disbelief.
She had originally doubted his claim about a coming Shinobi World War,
but now — seeing it unfold exactly as he'd said — she was convinced.
"Ryuyun-kun! You're incredible!"
Tsunade felt as if Aoyama Ryuyun could actually foresee the future.
In response, Aoyama Ryuyun merely smiled and said lightly,
"Well, well. It's not the first day you've known I'm amazing."
"..."
Tsunade rolled her eyes, understanding his teasing tone.
I'm being serious here, and you're flirting again?
"I suppose it won't be long until the war actually begins, right?"
"Hmm. Hiruzen Sarutobi should be gathering the clan heads and the elite Jōnin as we speak."
Aoyama Ryuyun nodded calmly.
As a transmigrator, he knew full well what this Third Shinobi World War would become.
This wasn't just another border conflict — it was a cataclysm.
The great villages of Sunagakure, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and even Kirigakure
would eventually involve themselves, directly or indirectly, in the chaos.
This would be a war far more brutal than the previous two.
And it would also be the stage upon which several legends would rise:
Minato Namikaze, who would earn the title of Konoha's Yellow Flash;
Shisui Uchiha, known as Shisui of the Body Flicker;
and Hatake Kakashi, who would one day be hailed as the Copy Ninja.
Representative names, born from a sea of blood and fire.
"Lady Tsunade! Lord Ryuyun!"
While Aoyama Ryuyun was still lost in thought about the events to come,
an Anbu operative suddenly appeared in the courtyard.
"I know."
Ryuyun waved his hand lightly before the Anbu could even speak.
Appearing at this time — what else could it be about?
"Then, Lord Ryuyun, I'll continue the summons."
The masked shinobi bowed and disappeared as quickly as he came.
Once he was gone, Tsunade turned her gaze toward Ryuyun, her expression filled with admiration.
"Be honest with me… can you really see the future?"
This was too uncanny — everything he'd said had come true.
He'd predicted the war.
He'd predicted that Hiruzen would summon them.
And not moments later, an Anbu appeared.
How could she not be astonished?
"Uh…"
Scratching his head, Aoyama Ryuyun looked a little embarrassed.
Honestly, even he was thrown off by the timing.
Hiruzen, you really didn't have to prove me right that fast.
"Well," Ryuyun said at last, "if we're talking about predicting the future…
I suppose I can do it, in a sense — though only in fragments."
"Huh?"
Tsunade blinked. She had been joking — but he sounded dead serious.
"You can think of it like this," Ryuyun explained casually,
"when one's sensory perception reaches a certain level,
it becomes possible to glimpse the immediate future.
But it's only useful in combat."
Ryuyun's Kenbunshoku Haki — Observation Haki —
had already reached an advanced level,
granting him limited foresight in the heat of battle.
However, since such a concept didn't exist in this world,
he could only call it perception ability.
"Uh…"
Tsunade's brow furrowed.
Predicting the future through perception?
That sounded less like ninjutsu and more like divine nonsense.
From childhood until now, she had never heard of anything like that.
Even her grandfather, Hashirama Senju, had never possessed such a gift.
At this moment, Tsunade looked at Aoyama Ryuyun
with a complicated expression — half skeptical, half fascinated.
She doubted the explanation,
but she also knew Ryuyun well enough to be certain he wasn't lying.
It was an impossible claim… but one she couldn't entirely dismiss.
Seeing her confusion, Ryuyun decided to show her instead.
"Next," he said calmly, "Orochimaru will walk in through the main gate
and say, 'I seem to have heard something incredible.'"
Tsunade blinked.
Before she could even respond,
a familiar voice echoed from the gate.
"I seem to have heard something incredible…"
Orochimaru stepped into the courtyard,
his golden, snake-like eyes narrowing as he stared at Aoyama Ryuyun.
"…You knew I was coming. And even what I was going to say."
His tone was low, but there was a hint of intrigue in it.
Detecting his approach was one thing —
but knowing exactly what he would say? That was something else entirely.
Orochimaru had seen many extraordinary abilities in his life,
but this one truly unsettled him.
"Is this… a Kekkei Genkai?" he asked quietly.
Such perception bordered on the supernatural.
"If you want to think of it that way, you can," Ryuyun replied smoothly.
Labeling Kenbunshoku Haki as a Kekkei Genkai wasn't entirely inaccurate, after all.
Orochimaru still wanted to say more,
but Tsunade suddenly broke in, unable to contain herself.
"You're amazing! As expected of the man this old lady has her eye on — I love you!"
Her joy was infectious, her tone bold and unrestrained.
The stronger Ryuyun revealed himself to be, the prouder Tsunade felt.
To her, this only proved her judgment had been perfect —
she had chosen the right man from the very beginning.
Aoyama Ryuyun smiled faintly, saying nothing.
"You two are really affectionate," Orochimaru said dryly, shrugging.
Dog food like this might make others jealous,
but for him, it was meaningless.
At this stage, Orochimaru's mind was focused on only one thing —
the pursuit of immortality.
"Ryuyun-kun," he said after a pause,
"you still remember our deal, don't you?
I help Tsunade become Hokage — and in return,
you'll give me that 'Living Corpse Reincarnation' technique from your sealing arts."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with a serpentine light.
He had long coveted that half-finished immortality technique.
He had even tried to recreate it himself — and failed, miserably.
"Don't worry," Ryuyun said calmly.
"In my opinion, that half-finished technique is indeed suited for you.
Only with your genius can it ever be perfected."
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