In the cave, the Konoha ninjas, who had just endured the fierce battle, were trying to recover as quickly as possible. Most of them looked depressed. Among them were newcomers to the battlefield, like Nawaki and Uchiha Yoruki.
However, Tsunade, now leading the group, had no time to sigh or rest.
Though they had won the battle, the sneak attack by the Rock Ninjas had nearly wiped out their war supplies. While they had recovered some of the supplies from the rubble, it wasn't enough to sustain the remaining hundreds of ninjas for long.
The most urgent task was to report the battle's outcome back to Konoha and receive reinforcements—both in terms of personnel and supplies.
After this battle, the situation in the Land of Rain had changed drastically. The Rock Ninja forces were nearly wiped out, and the Sand Ninjas were unlikely to make any major moves for a while.
As for the Rain Ninja, Hanzo had spared Jiraiya and the others, signaling his intent not to continue the war.
What happened next was no longer their decision—it was up to the higher-ups in Konoha to determine the next course of action.
Konoha - Outside the Hokage Building
On a deserted street, a toad the size of a human head hopped towards the Hokage Building. The members of the Sixth Guard Team, hidden in the shadows, noticed it and exchanged surprised looks.
"What is that? A toad?" one of them muttered.
Only one red-haired girl saw it and immediately sensed something unusual. Her previously calm eyes flickered with recognition.
"This chakra… is it from Mount Myoboku?"
The girl was Kushina. She had encountered toads from Mount Myoboku before, and with her sensory abilities, she quickly recognized the chakra's familiar signature.
At that moment, a Konoha ninja rushed out of the Hokage Building. The toad spat out a scroll from its mouth before disappearing with a bang.
Swish!
Kushina landed on the street, her gaze fixed on the Hokage Building, which was only a dozen meters away. She clenched her fists.
"Minato, what's happened to you?"
Inside the Hokage's Office
Sandaime Hokage slowly set the scroll down, a flicker of coldness in his eyes. However, there was also a sense of relief—Hanzo had spared Jiraiya and the others.
"The Rock Ninja forces… completely wiped out? I'd love to see Onoki's face when he hears this," Sandaime murmured with a faint smile.
Compared to Konoha's losses, the Rock Ninjas had truly shot themselves in the foot this time. Not only had their siege failed, but their entire force had been annihilated, and their leader, Tsuchiguki, had been killed by Hatake Sakumo.
The foothold the Rock Ninja had established in the Land of Rain over the past half-year had collapsed in a single stroke.
For Konoha, this meant only one direct threat remained—the Land of Wind, and the Sand Village.
"If that's the case…"
Sandaime's expression darkened, but he didn't make a decision immediately. The thoughts running through his mind required careful planning and discussion.
Though Hanzo had done them a favor by sparing Jiraiya and his team, the situation in the Land of Rain still needed close observation.
The immediate priority was to send supplies and additional troops to the Land of Rain to compensate for their losses.
Two hours later, hundreds of ninjas gathered in front of the Hokage Building. Carrying essential supplies, they prepared to head for the Land of Rain.
In the Hokage's office, a different scene was unfolding.
"Let me go!"
Kushina struggled desperately to free herself from the ropes that bound her, her face flushed red with frustration. But despite her efforts, the ropes didn't budge.
Sandaime sat at his desk, watching her with a smile. "You'll stay in the village for now, Kushina. You can't go to the battlefield."
Half an hour earlier, an Anbu had reported that a Chunin assigned to a mission in the Land of Rain had been found unconscious in an alley in Konoha.
This had surprised Sandaime, but the culprit standing before him explained everything.
"How did you knock out a Chunin so easily?" Sandaime asked, curious.
Kushina pouted. "I'll tell you if you let me go to the battlefield."
"That's not happening," Sandaime replied flatly, stopping his questions. "It seems your fuinjutsu has improved a lot."
Kushina blinked in surprise and looked at him.
"With your current skills, knocking out a Chunin instantly would be impossible unless you sealed his chakra with fuinjutsu," Sandaime explained with a chuckle. "And if I couldn't figure that out, I wouldn't be Hokage."
Kushina glared at him but continued to struggle. Unfortunately for her, the ropes binding her were made from special material—no matter how hard she fought, it was useless.
Sandaime's smile widened. "You want to go to the Land of Rain to check on Minato, don't you?"
At the mention of Minato's name, Kushina's struggles weakened, and she reluctantly nodded.
"You're aware of your role, right? Your idea is completely impractical," Sandaime said. "But I can keep you informed about Minato's situation. How does that sound?"
Sandaime's offer left Kushina with no choice but to nod in agreement.
Afterward, Sandaime shared what Jiraiya had reported about Minato's performance in the battle. Even with her understanding of Minato's capabilities, Kushina's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Three Jonin?"
Currently, the captain of Kushina's Sixth Guard Team was only a special Jonin. To think that Minato—her Minato—had reached such a level without her even realizing it…
She had thought she was catching up to him, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.
"You don't need to worry about his safety," Sandaime reassured her. "Minato has more than enough strength to survive on the battlefield—and even make valuable contributions. I'm sure he left you something before he went, didn't he?"
Sandaime knew how special the relationship between Minato and Kushina was. He had been surprised when Kushina remained quiet after Minato left for the battlefield. Now it seemed clear that Minato had made preparations.
Kushina's thoughts immediately returned to the last letter Minato had written to her before his departure.
"Kushina, I've decided to protect my comrades and Konoha on the battlefield. You, who stay behind in the village, must protect the village. We share the same dream, and if you want to become Hokage, you must fulfill your duties, no matter where you are. I believe you can do it!"
Minato's familiar, gentle voice echoed in her mind, and her anxious heart began to calm.
"Minato, I will do it, and you must come back safely."
"You promised we'd be together forever."
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