Inside the medical team's dedicated training field.
A figure darted between movable wooden stakes, engaging in rigorous and repetitive taijutsu practice.
These specially designed stakes had mobile bases, extendable mechanisms, and launch tubes that fired kunai. Facing them required constant vigilance, as a moment's lapse could lead to injury.
Yet, no matter how the stakes attacked, the figure weaving through them dodged with precision, albeit somewhat clumsily.
Soon, Shizune arrived at the field and shut off the stakes.
She approached with a towel and a drink: "Uchiha Shinji, you've done enough sparring practice for today. Take a break!"
Undoubtedly.
The one training in the field was none other than Uchiha Shinji.
After taking Uchiha Shinji as her student, Tsunade's initial plan had been to teach her the basics of medical ninjutsu.
However, Uchiha Shinji's encounters with opponents had exposed her weakness in taijutsu.
Coupled with Orochimaru and Akatsuki's interest in Uchiha Shinji, which heightened Tsunade's caution, she decisively shifted focus, prioritizing taijutsu training to bolster Uchiha Shinji's combat capabilities.
Wiping her sweat, Uchiha Shinji asked Shizune, "Senior Shizune, where were you just now?"
"Guess!"
Shizune teased with a playful raise of her brow.
Uchiha Shinji shook her head: "No idea."
Shizune chuckled, "I went to gather intel for you! You've probably heard, right? To take you on, the academy's geniuses have teamed up!"
"No big deal!"
Uchiha Shinji feigned nonchalance, but her flickering gaze betrayed her true feelings.
Clearly, she cared deeply about this.
Defeating all her peers and making a name for herself at the academy was her long-held ambition. Having fallen short last time, she wasn't about to miss this chance.
"True, with your current strength, their alliance probably won't matter," Shizune paused, then added, "But, those kids aren't pushovers. Only someone like you could face all three of them together. Anyone else wouldn't stand a chance."
Uchiha Shinji opened her mouth but ultimately stayed silent.
She had wanted to ask Shizune what kind of strategy Jikibi and the others were planning, but on second thought, asking would make her seem unsure of herself.
"This time, I'll defeat them fair and square!"
Uchiha Shinji handed the towel and drink back to Shizune, ready to train some more.
Watching Uchiha Shinji's diligence, Shizune nodded inwardly: She already has such astounding talent, yet she works this hard. Lady Tsunade truly chose well!
Hours later, after finishing her day's training, Uchiha Shinji returned to the Kurama clan's compound under the covert protection of an Anbu team.
After washing up and lying in bed, Jikibi's voice suddenly sounded in her ear.
She immediately sat up, saying respectfully, "Boss!"
After briefly inquiring about the training tasks Tsunade had assigned, Jikibi shifted the topic to Naruto: "Regarding Jiraiya's hope that you assist him in training Naruto, I want you to find a suitable opportunity to agree."
Uchiha Shinji froze, a hint of hesitation crossing her face.
Seeing her lack of immediate response, Jikibi asked, "What's wrong? Do you have doubts?"
Uchiha Shinji timidly ventured, "B-Boss, you're not planning to make a move on Naruto, are you?" Since becoming Tsunade's student, Uchiha Shinji had overheard intelligence known only to the village's upper echelons, such as Akatsuki's goal of targeting the Tailed Beasts of each village, which she'd learned from Tsunade.
Thus, she was worried about Naruto.
Jikibi's voice grew stern: "And if I am? Will you defy my orders?"
Uchiha Shinji's heart leapt into her throat, her entire being gripped by tension and fear.
Jikibi remained silent, waiting for her answer.
His 'Rinnegan Plan' had officially begun, and at this critical juncture, he needed all his forces to work in unison, not to question his orders or require patient explanations.
After about a minute, Uchiha Shinji answered in a trembling voice, "I'll carry out your orders!"
"Good."
Jikibi's tone was flat.
Uchiha Shinji exhaled, collapsing as if drained. The minute of tension felt more exhausting than her entire day of training.
Jikibi needed Uchiha Shinji's obedience, so once she pledged to follow his orders, he didn't press further. He said simply, "This is the only time I'll tolerate you questioning my orders. And for the record, Naruto isn't my target."
"Yes!"
Uchiha Shinji replied quickly.
"Prepare yourself and await my next instructions!"
With that, Jikibi severed the 'Jikibi' connection.
He glanced out at the night sky, noting the late hour, and headed to the bathroom. As he showered, he mentally reviewed the plan.
Based on current estimates, the fully damaged Mangekyo Sharingan in Karin's eye sockets could fully awaken in as little as one to two weeks.
Within that timeframe, Karin and Haku needed to stage their accident.
This was to guard against Jiraiya or others visiting Karin, which could expose her secretly fusing the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
Only by staging the accident early and handling any potential visitors could the subsequent fusion proceed smoothly and safely.
Best to have Karin and Haku pull off the act within this week. As for Hidden Leaf Hospital, I can cover for Karin…
Though Hidden Leaf Hospital had top-tier medical shinobi like Tsunade, Jikibi had confirmed that ordinary injuries didn't warrant her attention. With Tsunade preoccupied with Uchiha Shinji's matters, she hadn't directly treated patients in some time.
As long as Karin and Haku executed the act convincingly, the hospital side should pose no issues.
As for Jiraiya.
Though formidable, he lacked dojutsu and, outside Sage Mode, didn't possess extraordinary sensory abilities. Even if he visited Karin, he likely wouldn't detect the dormant, fully damaged Mangekyo Sharingan in her eye sockets.
"Once Jiraiya's visit is out of the way, I'll have Uchiha Shinji agree to assist him. That'll keep his focus on Naruto, leaving no energy to spare for Karin."
Jikibi then considered the Grass Village.
But he quickly dismissed the thought. The village's prior investigation had severely disrupted the Grass Village's intelligence network within Hidden Leaf, and they hadn't contacted Karin in at least two months, so they weren't a concern for now.