After some discussion, Chiyo and Ebizo finalized their plans to split their forces for the operation.
The main force would be led by Hattori and Ebizo, positioning themselves on the border of the Land of Fire to wait for Iwagakure and Konoha to clash. They planned to ambush Konoha at the opportune moment.
Meanwhile, a smaller contingent, led by Chiyo herself, would head to the southern battlefield to confront the invading forces from Kirigakure, misleading both Iwagakure and Konoha and staying ready to reinforce the eastern front if necessary.
As for Hattori, he naturally accompanied Chiyo, serving as medical support and aerial assistance.
Since aerial support was involved, Chiyo generously handed him 500 explosive tags, worth a whopping 1,000,000 ryo!
That's no small amount!
Ninjas cover their own costs on missions, and any supplies they use aren't reimbursed by the village. Knowing this, Hattori suddenly appreciated what it meant to have support from powerful allies.
Unable to hold back, he looked over at Chiyo and said, "Teacher, you're so generous—500 explosive tags, just like that. I'm so lucky to be your student!"
"Hmm, as long as you understand that," Chiyo replied with a slight smile.
"But it's not free. Your mission to ambush Iwagakure could shift the entire war; I'll be counting this as an A-rank mission, and those 500 tags are your reward."
Hattori: "╭(°A°`)╮"
Wait, what? He frowned, thinking about it, then reluctantly separated half of the tags and handed them back to Chiyo.
"Teacher, I think I'm using too many resources for myself at a time when supplies are tight. I'll keep 250 tags; can I trade the other 250 for cash?"
"…"
At this, Chiyo gave him a blank look and said only one word.
"Get Out~!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Since there was no way to trade for cash, Hattori had no choice but to install the explosive tags in his puppets, creating explosive puppets. Although he had made many primary puppets before, most had been used up in previous battles against Iwagakure, so he had to start fresh.
Fortunately, the process was quick; Hattori could craft over a dozen per hour, and by the time they reached the southern front, most were finished.
Once they arrived at the southern battlefield, Chiyo took Hattori to meet the general in charge of the front-line forces.
Before meeting the general, Hattori assumed this person would be like Hattori, the general of the northern front—a stern, tough warrior.
But when he met the general, he was stunned.
Contrary to his expectations, the southern front's general was neither rough nor intimidating but rather a young, graceful woman with a beautiful, slender figure!
Like Chiyo, she wore her hair in a bun, with two golden strands framing her face, which enhanced her delicate, charming features.
Unlike the other ninja clad in armor, she seemed confident in herself and wore only a sleeveless black vest, exposing her smooth, ivory shoulders and back.
Recognizing her outfit, Hattori immediately realized who she was.
"You're Lady Pakura!"
"Hmm?" Chiyo, standing beside him, looked puzzled. "Hattori, you know Pakura?"
"Of course!" Hattori nodded without hesitation. "How could I not know about someone as strong and beautiful as Lady Pakura?"
"Uh…"
Chiyo looked at him in surprise, while Pakura, visibly flattered by the compliment, blushed slightly.
"Thank you for the compliment. I'm Pakura; nice to meet you."
She extended her hand toward Hattori, intending for a handshake.
Unexpectedly, Hattori took her fingertips gently and kissed the back of her hand.
"Lovely to meet you, beautiful lady! I'll be like a lamb following you, happy to feel the gentle sting of your whip…"
Pakura: "╭(°A°`)╮"
What's going on here?
Pakura stood there in bewilderment, while Chiyo's lips twitched at the scene. She promptly reached out and twisted Hattori's ear.
"What are you up to, you little brat?"
"Ouch!" Hattori winced, grimacing. "My ear's gonna fall off!"
"Hmph!" Chiyo finally released his ear and issued a stern warning.
"Pakura is a genius of Sunagakure and the southern front's general. Don't mess with her!"
"Mess with her? I'd never!" Hattori protested, looking at Pakura pitifully and reaching to hold her hand.
"I've admired Lady Pakura for so long that I was just too excited to meet her! Teacher, how can you wrongly accuse me?"
Chiyo: "…"
Wrongly accuse? Yeah, right!
After spending so much time with Hattori, Chiyo knew his nature fairly well, and there was no way she believed a word he said!
The sad expression he was putting on just made her even more certain he was plotting something.
Pakura, however, knew nothing of this. Hattori's youthful appearance and apparent innocence fooled her entirely. Seeing his teary-eyed expression only lowered her guard further.
"Lady Chiyo, I believe he meant no harm. You don't need to scold him so harshly!" she said, crouching down and patting Hattori on the head gently.
"Hattori, right? Facing the battlefield just after graduating from the academy must be frightening. Don't worry; I'll protect you!"
"I know you will, Lady Pakura!" Hattori bit his lip and nodded, then added hesitantly, "But… I'm still a bit scared. Would it be alright if I… stayed close to you tonight?"
"Well…"
Pakura hesitated but, seeing the mixture of fear and hope in his eyes, finally nodded.
"Alright…"
But before she could fully agree, Chiyo, who had been silently observing, reached over and grabbed Hattori's ear again.
"Hmph, I knew you were up to no good. Brat—come with me!"
"No, I won't go! The battlefield's too scary! I'm afraid!"
"Oh, you're scared, all right!" Chiyo scoffed. "You've taken advantage of Onoki and Rasa. It's only because of people like you that war is so terrifying! You little pervert—barely old enough, and you're already harassing girls!"
"I don't care; I just want to stay with Lady Pakura!"
"Enough! You're coming with me!"
"No… let go! Help! Yamete…"
Watching Chiyo drag Hattori away, a speechless Pakura stood frozen in place, not knowing what to say or think.
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