For every 30 POWER STONES there will be an extra chapter! 21 left!!
"I understand how you feel," Hiruzen said in response to Kushina's request, but he didn't immediately agree.
"However… in the current situation, it's not appropriate for you to go to the battlefield."
"Why?" Kushina was confused. As a jōnin, she could contribute to Konoha's forces, especially since even genin had been deployed.
"The other villages are already aware that you are a jinchūriki. This is why, even though Konoha is short on manpower, we haven't sent you to the frontlines," Hiruzen explained.
His hands folded under his chin, Hiruzen knew that sending a jinchūriki into battle would provide a huge advantage for Konoha, but it would also attract the attention of enemy villages. They could use her power for their own purposes. Given the precarious situation Konoha was in, if Kushina were targeted, they wouldn't have the resources to deal with the consequences.
A jinchūriki was a variable, and after considering many aspects, they had decided to keep Kushina in the village.
"Is it just because I'm a jinchūriki?" Kushina clenched her fists. She hated that label.
"Yes." In the end, that was the key reason, though Hiruzen didn't want to delve too deeply into the more complicated aspects.
"I want to fight." Kushina took a deep breath and said seriously, "Please respect my wishes."
In an instant, she realized that no matter how much she reasoned, it wouldn't change the Third Hokage's decision. The only thing she could do was express her strong desire to fight.
Since the moment she became a ninja, she had been prepared for the possibility of sacrifice. Konoha was in a dire situation—how could she just sit by and do nothing?
Seeing the unwavering determination in Kushina's eyes, Hiruzen fell silent.
This child… reminded him so much of Tsunade.
A jinchūriki was the ultimate weapon of war, and other villages had been exploiting their own jinchūriki openly or secretly. One day, her identity would inevitably be revealed.
If Kushina was sent to the battlefield, she would undoubtedly become a great asset to Konoha. With her sealing techniques, she could even find a way to seal enemy jinchūriki.
But… if the enemy managed to capture her, it would be a disaster.
It was like wielding a sword that could easily turn against you.
"I understand… if this is your wish." Hiruzen tapped the table and looked at the determined Kushina. "Go back and wait for further notice."
"Mm!" Kushina broke into a wide smile when she saw that the Third Hokage had agreed to her request. After bidding farewell, she turned and left. As she stepped out the door, the smile on her face slowly faded.
She hated war, but Konoha was now embroiled in one. She couldn't singlehandedly end the conflict, but neither could she stand by and do nothing.
Because… she was a ninja—a Konoha ninja!
Inside the office, Hiruzen stared at the closed door, a hint of weariness in his eyes. He rubbed his temples and muttered to himself, "Since I've promised her, I'll have to convince them… I just hope I didn't make the wrong decision."
…
Falling leaves turned to ash in midair, scattering in all directions like countless black dots, embodying the will of fire. That unwavering belief protected the place called Konoha.
After his failed ambush on Minato, Ye Zi had left the Land of Earth and entered the Land of Fire.
Withered, pale trees stood everywhere, the land cracked and dry. Looking out, all the trees seemed scorched by fire, leaving only bare trunks, creating a desolate scene.
He bent down and picked up a dried, yellowed leaf, holding it between his fingers. With a slight squeeze, the brittle leaf crumbled into fragments and blew away in the wind. His gaze followed the scattered remains.
"Konoha and the Iwa-nin are both in the Forest of Dusk. Which side will you help?" White Zetsu emerged from a pale tree trunk, blending perfectly with the tree's color.
"I'll kill anyone I encounter," Yezi replied, discarding the last fragment of the leaf and heading toward the Forest of Dusk.
"Once this is done, the next destination is Sunagakure."
"Understood." White Zetsu narrowed his eyes as he watched Yezi move through the pale, withered woods.
The team led by Minato had successfully gathered intelligence on the Iwa-nin's movements. The enemy planned to take a risky move: instead of fighting Konoha head-on, they intended to send an elite unit to infiltrate Konoha's rear and destroy its supply lines.
Upon Minato's return to the outpost, Konoha immediately began making preparations.
The Iwa-nin had anticipated Konoha's response. Their elite units, organized into small squads, began infiltrating the Forest of Dusk. It wasn't long before they encountered resistance from Konoha's forces. The Iwa-nin were not surprised. There were seventy-five Iwa-nin squads in total, and getting all of them through the Forest of Dusk was unrealistic. Some squads were soon wiped out.
Due to the outdated communication methods, they couldn't coordinate in real-time and could only follow pre-arranged routes. As the battle unfolded in the vast forest, the Iwa-nin and Konoha ninja clashed in a new round of combat.
Kakashi's Team 7 was hiding atop a giant tree, lying in ambush, waiting for the enemy to arrive.
An Iwa-nin squad leaped through the forest, quickly approaching the giant tree where Team 7 was stationed.
As the lead Iwa-nin, with narrow, triangular eyes, came into range, a cold killing intent flashed through Kakashi's eyes. He sprang from the foliage, his short sword cutting through the air in a white arc, slashing across the Iwa-nin's neck.
Splat!
Blood spurted from the Iwa-nin's neck, and his eyes widened in shock as he fell from the air.
After killing one Iwa-nin in midair, Kakashi's small frame landed on a nearby tree trunk. Kneeling slightly, he spun around and hurled three kunai at the remaining three Iwa-nin.
"Watch out!"
The three Iwa-nin behind the leader dodged the kunai.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Obito appeared behind the three Iwa-nin, his chest puffed up as he spewed a high-temperature fireball at them. One Iwa-nin, caught too close to the flames, was engulfed and screamed as he fell to the ground. The other two managed to avoid the flames, each landing on a tree trunk.
"Yeah!" Obito pumped his fist, proud of his success.
"Idiot. You're giving away your position by yelling," Kakashi remarked, rolling his eyes as he charged toward the remaining two Iwa-nin with his sword.
"Annoying little brats! Don't underestimate us!" one of the Iwa-nin, who wore a headband, shouted angrily as he formed hand seals.
Earth Release: Mud Dragon Bullet!
A dragon-shaped mud projectile formed and lunged toward Kakashi.
Meanwhile, the other Iwa-nin, a bald man, finished forming seals and disappeared, blending into the surroundings.
"Kakashi!"
Seeing the Mud Dragon Bullet heading for Kakashi, Obito quickly threw three kunai at the headband-wearing Iwa-nin.
Kakashi wasn't fazed by the incoming mud projectile. Instead of retreating, he used the dense trees as stepping stones, changing direction in midair to dodge the attack. He then slashed at the headband-wearing Iwa-nin, who had exposed a weakness while dodging Obito's kunai.
The blade flashed, and blood sprayed.
"There's still one left."
Kakashi, now standing on a tree trunk, coldly surveyed the area. His expression changed as he looked toward Obito. He pushed off the tree and rushed toward him.
"Huh?" Obito blinked in confusion as he saw Kakashi charging toward him. He quickly turned to look behind him and saw the bald Iwa-nin emerging from the shadows, a kunai in hand, aiming for his throat.
Obito's heart raced, and he instinctively stepped back, but his foot slipped, causing him to fall backward.
"Die!"
The bald Iwa-nin's eyes gleamed with killing intent as he thrust his kunai toward Obito's neck.
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Currently on Chapter 236 - I Am Your Enemy