"Damn it, good thing I was frugal on regular days. Even when helping fallen girls, I always chose the cheaper ones. Otherwise, I really wouldn't be able to afford supporting an apprentice."
Jiraiya's heart sank when he thought about the monthly expenses for Nawaki. He silently vowed never to accept another apprentice. It was simply too costly—he couldn't handle it.
After taking their medicine and soaking in the herbal concoction, both Nawaki and Minato Namikaze fell asleep almost immediately, not even sparing time for dinner. The day's intense training had pushed their energy and stamina to the limit.
Fortunately, the potion they took contained the latest nutrient solution developed by the village, which helped stave off hunger and hasten physical recovery.
During dinner, Jiraiya curiously asked, "Why didn't you attend the meeting today?"
"I'm only responsible for the medical room. The rest falls under Senior Shukako's jurisdiction. Besides, why would a medical ninja who stays at the camp need to attend those meetings?" Shinki replied, picking at his food.
At the start of the war, Shinki would sometimes join the meetings at headquarters. But as time passed, his presence at those gatherings dwindled.
As he put it, he was just a medical ninja, stationed at the camp without any direct battlefield involvement. Staying informed on basic intel was sufficient for his duties.
Nara Shukako was already busy, and Shinki had his hands full as well. He managed the medical room's operations, overseeing treatment and stepping in for severe cases. Who had the energy to attend tactical meetings with all that work?
"What? Has the situation changed?" Shinki paused mid-bite, then continued eating as he glanced at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya sighed. "The Sand Village has moved more troops to the Land of Rivers, and several ninja teams have infiltrated the Land of Fire to cut off our supply lines."
"I'm afraid a full-scale war is about to erupt."
The Great Battle in the Land of Rain had been ongoing for nearly a year. In the original accounts, the conflict in the Land of Rain lasted only a year before the Rock Village pulled back to guard against the Cloud Village, and Hanzo, the leader of the Rain Village, conceded defeat.
The skirmish between Konoha and the Sand Village had escalated from a localized conflict in the Land of Rain to the verge of full-scale warfare.
"According to Anbu intelligence, the Cloud Village has been pressuring the Rock Village significantly. The Rock Village might withdraw soon. Once they do, only Konoha, the Sand Village, and the Rain Village will be left fighting in the Land of Rain."
"Senior Shukako thinks the Sand Village might pull out soon," Jiraiya added.
When the war in the Land of Rivers intensified, its scale would surpass that of the Rain Country's battlefield, evolving into a large-scale conflict. The Rain Country would become irrelevant in comparison, forcing the Sand Village to redirect their focus there.
Without the advantage in the Rain Country and with no alliances formed, the Sand Village would likely withdraw, shifting its attention to the full-scale war in the Land of Rivers.
"I wonder if Konoha will withdraw from the Rain Country battlefield."
After finishing his meal, Jiraiya set down his bowl and patted his now-full stomach, satisfied with the meal.
"It's unlikely. Remember that our Hokage and the elders are too proud to back down. Even if the Sand Village withdraws, Konoha will likely stay until the Rain Village accepts defeat," Shinki said, smirking as he mocked the Third Hokage and the council's stubborn pride.
"Ahaha..." Jiraiya chuckled awkwardly. While Shinki could joke and hint at the Third Hokage's shortcomings, Jiraiya couldn't. After all, the Third Hokage was his teacher, and agreeing too much would be inappropriate.
Scratching his head, Jiraiya sighed. "I hope the old guard makes the wise choice and withdraws from the Rain Country once the Sand Village pulls out. The village shouldn't waste resources fighting the Rain Village."
"I hope so too," Shinki said, knowing well the nature of Konoha's leadership.
History had already shown how things would likely play out. When the Rock and Sand Villages withdrew in the past to prepare for full-scale war, Konoha stayed behind, stubbornly engaging in a grueling fight with the Rain Village.
The outcome was severe casualties among Konoha's forces, with the Rain Village superficially victorious but too depleted to continue fighting. In the end, Konoha claimed a hollow victory, with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru returning as the famed Sannin—but without the glow of true victory.
In Konoha, Tsunade slammed the meeting table in frustration and glared at the Third Hokage.
"If the Rock Village is withdrawing and the Sand Village is following suit, why are we still fighting in the Rain Country? What's the point of defeating the Rain Village there?"
Tsunade's voice was sharp, loaded with disbelief. She couldn't understand why the Third Hokage and the council would entertain such a notion.
The moment news reached the village about the Rock Village's movements, Nara Shukako had immediately relayed it back. Anyone could see the Rock Village's intent to withdraw—they didn't want to continue squandering resources in the Rain Country's mire. And with the Sand Village's forces pushing into the Land of Rivers, the stage was set for full-scale war.
At that moment, withdrawing from the Rain Country seemed the most logical move.
"Tsunade, the Rain Village declared war on Konoha. If we pull out now, it would be seen as retreating in disgrace, damaging the village's honor," the Third Hokage argued, sticking to the stance shared by him and the council.
"Honor, my foot!" Tsunade snapped, anger boiling over. "We should be pulling our troops out, sending those who need to recover back home, and deploying the rest to the Land of Rivers. That's the smart move."
"Frankly, I oppose wasting time in the Rain Country any longer," she continued firmly. "Senior Shukako also suggested negotiating with Hanzo. If we offer enough incentives, the war in the Rain Country can be concluded. We might even win over the Rain Village and gain their cooperation."
Tsunade knew that the Rain Village had been relentless against the Sand Village, proof of the deep animosity between them. Konoha had a genuine chance of reaching peace talks if they made an effort. And if it meant giving up some benefits to secure an ally, it was worth it.
"Tsunade, Hanzo isn't trustworthy," Utatane Koharu said, siding with the Third Hokage.
Mitokado Hamura nodded in agreement.
>>>>>
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