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The Iwa frontline camp.
The border sentry posts had fully transformed, evolving into a steadfast encampment to repel the Iwa forces.
No longer focused on reconnaissance of ninjas infiltrating the Fire Country, their primary objective now was to prevent any breach into the country. The methods had naturally changed as well.
Jin walked into the command tent alone, leaving Minato and Kushina still guarding the defensive line. Jin's main purpose here was to hand over his current duties to someone else, as he was needed on the Sand Village front.
Inside the command tent, several Jonin were gathered around a large map model, analyzing potential routes and strategies. Some advocated for a proactive assault, while others insisted on holding the line.
"If we keep defending, we'll stay on the back foot. We should push the Iwa forces back entirely!"
"But do you know how many traps they've set up ahead? Do you understand how many losses we'll incur if we launch a hasty attack?"
The debate between the two approaches grew heated, with the Jonin nearly coming to blows over their differing opinions.
Ultimately, however, the final decision would come from Jiraiya, who stood silently by the map, deep in thought. His gray armor was marred with cuts, scorch marks, and dark, dried blood.
Hearing someone enter, Jiraiya looked up to see Jin walking in. The other Jonin glanced at Jin but quickly returned to their argument.
Jiraiya stepped closer to Jin. "Jiraiya-sensei, what's the situation on the Sand Village front? Why am I being sent there?" Jin asked in a low voice, noting the Jonin's heated debate.
Jiraiya recalled the orders from the village. The deployment orders at the borders always came directly from the village, and Jiraiya had learned that the situation on the Sand Village front was deteriorating.
"The Sand Village has developed a complex poison. They want you to create a jutsu that can help our forces resist the effects of the poison."
"Isn't that Tsunade-sama's area of expertise?" Jin asked, though he had confidence in his ability to develop such a jutsu. Glancing at his mental simulation input, he already saw several new jutsu that could help resist poison.
But this task seemed more fitting for someone with Tsunade's medical expertise. Even though her proposal to train medical ninjas had been rejected, it didn't change the fact that Tsunade was the most powerful medical ninja in the entire ninja world.
When it came to medical ninjutsu, no one could surpass her.
"You're just the backup plan. The main effort still lies with Tsunade. The village has already ordered her to head to the Sand Village front," Jiraiya explained, smiling at Jin. "If you don't want to go, you don't have to. I can decline the order for you."
In truth, Jiraiya didn't want Jin to stray too far from him. Suspecting that Jin might be connected to the child of prophecy, Jiraiya felt the need to guide him. Unfortunately, the ongoing war wasn't the best time for such guidance. Keeping Jin close seemed the safest option.
Jin rubbed his chin thoughtfully before asking, "Jiraiya-sensei, if I manage to solve the Sand Village problem, could that earn me the right to view the scroll?"
Ever since the basic inner technique had become a common jutsu in Konoha, Jin had gained access to numerous techniques.
However, there was one technique he still lacked access to, the Spirit Transformation Technique, which was likely sealed within the Forbidden Scroll. If he could view it, he would significantly expand his repertoire.
Jiraiya considered Jin's request for a moment before replying, "I can help you apply for it, but to view the Forbidden Scroll, you would need Hokage-sama's approval."
"I see..." Jin pondered this. Hiruzen, the current Hokage, might not be willing to grant him access to the Forbidden Scroll.
After all, when Jin had handed over his basic inner technique to the village, all he had received in return was a token acknowledgment.
Other ninjas might offer their jutsu freely, but Jin wasn't one to accept such terms without compensation. If it weren't for the technique's ability to let him observe others' jutsu, he wouldn't have handed it over so easily.
Outwardly, it seemed like he had been taken advantage of, and Jin had kept this grudge in his heart, waiting for a chance to retaliate.
His main goal in accumulating accomplishments was to eventually gain access to the contents of the Forbidden Scroll.
This might be the opportunity he needed.
"Alright then, leave it to me," Jin said, accepting the task.
As he stepped out of the command tent, Jin squinted against the sunlight, raising a hand to shield his eyes. The camp was noticeably sparse, with far fewer people than before. Most of those left were either too injured to fight or were busy tending to the wounded.
Heading to his tent to pack, Jin encountered a familiar figure.
"Hyuga Hizashi."
"Uchiha Jin."
Hizashi's expression darkened as he met Jin's gaze. He looked worse for wear, with one eye covered by a bandage, an arm in a sling, and his neck wrapped in gauze. He leaned heavily on a crutch.
"You're... hanging in there, right?" Jin asked, trying to shift the conversation as Hizashi's hand turned white from gripping the crutch, veins bulging on his hand. He seemed outwardly calm, but his frustration was evident.
"Is your eye okay?" Jin inquired, knowing that, like the Uchiha, the Hyuga clan's abilities were tied to their eyes. Losing one would be a severe blow.
"It'll be fine. Just needs a few days to heal," Hizashi replied, touching the bandage over his eye. If his enemy hadn't discovered his blind spot, he wouldn't have been in such a dire state. His fist clenched tightly, his anger barely contained.
Sensing Hizashi's rising frustration, Jin quickly ended the conversation and left.
Most of the Hyuga clan had significant issues, Jin reflected, recalling the young Hyuga he had earmarked as a future subordinate.
"Seiryuu should be on the Rain Country front. I wonder if he'll survive."
But Jin quickly pushed these thoughts aside as he reached his tent. There wasn't much to pack, just some essential ninja tools, which he stowed in a backpack.
Then, using a reverse summoning technique, he sent the bag to the Ryūchi Cave. He knew that Kogane would take good care of his things.
Finally, Jin left the camp, the lush forest beyond the camp's edge quickly obscuring it from view. The camp was still there, but an illusionary barrier made it easy to overlook.
In the distance, the roar of battle echoed, signaling the front lines. Various jutsu flared with light, their hues visible even from afar.
The Iwa forces continued their relentless attempts to break through the Konoha defenses, only to be met with stiff resistance from the Leaf ninjas. Despite suffering fewer casualties, Konoha had still lost many shinobi in the ongoing struggle.
"I wonder if the Sand Village front will be as dangerous as this..." Jin mused. The odds weren't favorable.
"But with my current strength, it's unlikely I'll be in any real danger." After nearly six months of warfare, Jin had witnessed the brutal realities of shinobi combat.
In terms of power, he had reached the level of a Jonin. Initially, his lack of experience had been a disadvantage, but now, though he wouldn't claim to be a veteran, he was no longer a novice easily outmaneuvered by an experienced opponent.
With a final glance at the camp, Jin leaped into the trees, quickly disappearing into the dense forest.
(End of Chapter)