Nawaki and Minato Namikaze didn't quite understand why Takashi had been summoned to the frontlines right away, considering his situation.
"Silly girl, it's because the village needs me. If the war wasn't breaking out, I'd definitely stay in the village. But as a village ninja, when there's a threat to Konoha, heading to the battlefield is just what I'm supposed to do, right?" Takashi smiled, lightly pinching Kushina's nose.
All the scheming and underhanded tactics—Takashi and Tsunade had taken them upon themselves, ensuring that Kushina and the others didn't get caught up in it. At least not until they were strong enough to handle such matters.
So, Takashi had to come up with another excuse.
"But I don't want you to go," Kushina's big eyes were already brimming with tears.
"I don't want to leave you either, but this is my duty. Do you remember what I once told you?"
"Mm-hmm." Kushina sniffled, nodding vigorously.
Tsunade handed her a tissue, looking exasperated. This girl's attachment to Takashi had reached a point where even Tsunade felt a twinge of jealousy.
As Takashi comforted Kushina, he glanced at Nawaki.
"Nawaki, if war breaks out, your class will graduate early, and the transition period will be very short. Jiraiya will definitely be heading to the battlefield, and you won't be able to follow him to learn."
"Huh?" Nawaki panicked. "Then what am I supposed to do? I can't just stay in the village forever! My dream is to become Hokage so I can protect everyone."
How nice, my dream is also to become Hokage and protect the village and everyone. Minato glanced at Nawaki; they shared the same dream.
"You should focus on protecting yourself first." Tsunade gave her brother a light smack on the head.
Nawaki winced in pain, wanting to complain but not daring to.
But Nawaki's imminent graduation was indeed a problem. He was supposed to become Jiraiya's disciple, but now Jiraiya was heading to the battlefield. It wouldn't be appropriate to send Nawaki straight to the frontlines right after graduating, would it?
Konoha hadn't fallen so low that it needed newly minted Genin on the battlefield.
Takashi understood Tsunade's concerns. If he were in her position, he wouldn't want Nawaki heading to the frontlines too early either. The curse of explosive tags was nothing to take lightly.
"The village hasn't reached a point where we need fresh Genin on the battlefield. If it does come to that, just send him to the camp. He can assist me there."
Theoretically, the chances of rookie Genin being sent to the frontlines were low.
But war is unpredictable, and if things get too intense, and casualties mount, no one will care if you're a newly graduated Genin. Every Konoha ninja would be obligated to fight.
If it came to that, it would be better for Nawaki to stay by his side, assisting in the medical unit at the camp.
"I'll make the arrangements if needed," Tsunade agreed with Takashi's suggestion.
Compared to sending Nawaki to fight alongside Jiraiya, it would be better for him to stay at the camp. He could get a feel for the atmosphere of war and grow from it, without the risk of putting his life on the line.
With Takashi around, Nawaki's safety wouldn't be an issue.
"Minato, focus on your studies at the Academy. When you graduate, I'll personally teach you. While I'm away, if you have any questions, you can ask Tsunade. She'll help you out."
"Understood, sensei." Minato Namikaze was an obedient student, always following his teacher's instructions without any rebellion—unlike Nawaki.
As for Nawaki, any rebellious thoughts would be swiftly knocked out by Tsunade's two-handed "persuasion."
If words don't get through to you, there's only one answer: a smackdown. After that, let's see if you still insist on heading to the frontlines.
Tsunade had always believed in convincing people with virtue—her fists bore all that virtue, a fact Nawaki knew all too well.
Her virtuous strength was always abundant, especially when it came to disciplining him.
---
Hanzo of the Salamander's plan succeeded. He successfully intensified the conflict between Konoha and Sunagakure, prompting both villages to send reinforcements to the Land of Rain.
But his success came at the cost of the suffering of the Land of Rain.
In theory, Hanzo should've been pleased with the success of his plan. But instead, he felt anything but joy, because the Land of Rain was even more chaotic now.
With Sunagakure sending reinforcements, Konoha also ramped up its troop deployment.
Seeing both Konoha and Sunagakure moving more troops, Iwagakure wouldn't sit idly by. They too sent reinforcements to the Land of Rain.
When Konoha and Sunagakure began constructing war camps in the Land of Rain, Iwagakure followed suit.
Iwagakure wouldn't let its pace lag behind either Konoha or Sunagakure.
If one side made a move, the others followed, resulting in all of them getting caught in the conflict.
What had begun as a conflict between Sunagakure and Konoha escalated as Iwagakure got involved, dragging them deeper into the fray.
The ninja from the three great villages were now in the Land of Rain, fighting on sight, no matter which village they came from—even Amegakure wasn't safe.
If they encountered ninja from Amegakure, they'd better leave quickly; if they didn't, they'd be beaten up as well.
As the chaos in the Land of Rain grew, Takashi, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and the others set off with the second wave of reinforcements.
"Listen to Tsunade, eat well, and don't starve yourself. Don't lock yourself in your room either, got it?" Kushina held onto Takashi's hand, refusing to let go.
Takashi knelt down, comforting the little girl who was reluctant to part with him.
"I'll be good, I promise. Just make sure you stay safe, alright?" Kushina's nose was red from crying. Her voice was shaky, but her words couldn't stop Takashi from leaving.
"I promise, I won't take unnecessary risks. I'll return safely to the village," Takashi smiled, making a promise to Kushina.
Kushina wiped her tears and nose, not caring if she got her clothes dirty.
"Let's pinky swear."
"Alright."
He lifted his hand, extending his pinky, and made the promise with Kushina. Takashi then picked her up and handed her to Tsunade.
The little girl was too clingy, her dependence on him too intense. Without Tsunade holding her, Kushina wouldn't let go.
After waving goodbye, Takashi decisively turned and joined the main forces.
The more he lingered, the harder it would be for Kushina.
"Tsunade, I don't want Takashi to leave…" Kushina buried her face in Tsunade's arms, crying.
Tsunade was at a loss. She wasn't good at comforting people, especially little girls.
If it were Nawaki, it would be easier to handle—a couple of smacks and he'd behave.
But she couldn't bring herself to do that to Kushina.
"Then grow up quickly. When Takashi leaves the village next time, you can go with him."
"Really?"
"Of course. When have I ever lied to you?"
"Two months ago, you told me we didn't have money for food…"
"..."
This brat, I'm trying to comfort you, and you're stabbing me in the chest?!