Chapter 169: Tsunade's Embrace
"Yesterday morning, several hundred Hidden Mist ninjas entered the Land of Rivers and established a forward operating base." Hiruzen Sarutobi said grimly. "Their commander is the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was the elite squad of the Hidden Mist Village. Each member possessed Jōnin-level skill and was famous for wielding a unique ninja blade.
Legend had it that the seven of them, working together, could conquer a small nation overnight.
"While their numbers are small, their individual strength is considerable," Sarutobi continued. "Furthermore, they are backed by the sea, making them formidable in both offense and defense, which is very troublesome."
"The Land of Rivers is bordered by the Land of Wind to the west and the Land of Fire to the east." Shikaku Nara stood up and asked, "Is the Hidden Mist Village targeting the Hidden Sand Village or the Leaf Village?"
"That is currently unclear," Sarutobi shook his head. "But the Hidden Sand Village has already issued a distress call to us."
In his view, the Hidden Mist Village was most likely targeting the Hidden Sand Village.
The Hidden Sand Village had suffered a disastrous defeat at the hands of the Hidden Cloud Village, and less than half of its ninjas remained at the main base.
If the Hidden Mist Village launched a major offensive, the Sand Village would likely be unable to withstand it.
Even if they held out, they would pay an extremely high price.
Sarutobi had considered seizing the opportunity to take over the Hidden Sand Village.
But thinking of the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone Villages, he decided to wait and see for now.
"The Hidden Sand Village will send five hundred ninjas to rendezvous with us," Sarutobi pondered for a moment. "The Leaf Village will also send five hundred ninjas, led by Tsunade."
Tsunade nodded casually upon hearing this.
A war involving one thousand ninjas wasn't considered an intense conflict.
The only troublesome factor was the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Hoshikawa 's expression was strange.
Could this be the battle in the original story where Might Duy single-handedly fought the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, kicking them into the 'Three Lucky Treasures' (a reference to how few survived)?
However, with Tsunade present now, the outcome was hard to predict.
"There is one last matter," Sarutobi sighed.
The Jōnin in the conference room exchanged looks.
This was truly a time of great upheaval, an ominous feeling of a coming storm.
"The Hidden Stone Village has recently been mobilizing resources," Sarutobi said, a slight headache evident in his voice. "While we don't know who they intend to fight, the Leaf Village is certainly one of their targets."
Hoshikawa looked thoughtful.
In the original story, the Hidden Stone Village's main attack was on the Hidden Cloud Village, deploying ten thousand ninjas and eventually surrounding and killing the Third Raikage.
Their secondary target was a surprise attack on the Leaf Village, which led to the Kannabi Bridge Battle, resulting in Obito Uchiha's disappearance.
Of course, he was actually rescued by Madara Uchiha, who spent the next few months while Obito recuperated talking to him about the Eye of the Moon Plan.
But Obito didn't agree and still wanted to return to the Leaf.
Madara then took control of the Hidden Mist Village's ninjas, captured Nohara Rin, and sealed the Three-Tails Isobu inside her.
After learning of the situation from White Zetsu, Obito rushed to the rescue, only to witness Kakashi Hatake kill her.
In his rage, he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, fell into darkness, and began executing the Eye of the Moon Plan.
Hoshikawa wondered if Madara Uchiha's plan would change.
After all, Rin was no longer Obito's teammate, and with Tsunade present, she would be difficult to capture.
"For the Hidden Stone Village, the focus will be on reconnaissance, and Sakumo Hatake will be in charge of that," Sarutobi said after a brief thought.
"This old man believes that the most suitable ninja is Minato Namikaze," Shimura Danzō suddenly interjected.
"Minato is helping the Hidden Sand Village resist the Hidden Cloud Village and cannot return right now," Sarutobi shook his head.
"Once Orochimaru arrives in the Land of Frost, Minato can take a moment to leave," Danzō argued logically, glancing at Orochimaru.
His motive was actually very simple: he was worried about Minato Namikaze stealing the glory.
After all, his Flying Thunder God Technique was truly a weapon of war.
Orochimaru frowned slightly.
In his opinion, Danzō's suggestion was a sign of a lack of confidence in his abilities.
Couldn't he, a great Sannin, handle a mere junior?
"Minato possesses the Flying Thunder God Technique. He can report back instantly if the Hidden Stone Village makes any move," Homura Mitokado concurred. "In a matter of life and death like this, there is no room for delay."
"Minato it is, then," Sarutobi considered for a moment and ultimately agreed.
Mainly, both Danzō and Homura had valid points.
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow.
He had initially thought of trying to stop it, but then realized it was a good thing.
Without Minato Namikaze, Orochimaru would face the future Fourth Raikage A, Killer B, and Yugito Nii directly.
Although he was powerful, he wasn't that powerful. The battle would inevitably be arduous and protracted.
"There is nothing more to discuss. War is imminent. I hope everyone will prepare thoroughly and also take care of your safety," Sarutobi stood up. "Meeting adjourned!"
"Yes." The assembly answered in unison.
The meeting ended. Everyone was too preoccupied to chat or reminisce and quickly departed.
Tsunade had wanted to exchange a few words with Orochimaru, but seeing him walk toward Sarutobi, she gave up on the idea.
"Old man, I want to take the Uchiha Clan with me," Hoshikawa heard the conversation between Orochimaru and Sarutobi before he left.
His heart stirred, and he immediately made a guess.
The reason Orochimaru volunteered for the battlefield, aside from his cooperation with Danzō, was probably to acquire the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan.
Hoshikawa shook his head and didn't intervene.
He couldn't interfere with Orochimaru's actions, after all.
Even if he went to warn the Uchiha Clan, those who were destined to die would likely still perish.
"What a pity." Tsunade suddenly said after leaving the conference room.
"Pity about what?" Hoshikawa slightly turned his head to look at her beautiful profile.
"Your birthday is in two days," Tsunade explained. "If the war could have been delayed by a few days, it would have perfectly missed it."
"Ah, that." Hoshikawa smiled. "Don't worry about it. If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten about my birthday altogether."
"Are you saying you also forgot my birthday?" Tsunade's tone shifted, and she suddenly asked.
Hoshikawa was taken aback.
No, how can you change your expression so fast?
"Of course not!" Hoshikawa quickly said. "I would forget everything else before forgetting Sensei's birthday!"
Tsunade stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"..." Hoshikawa 's mouth twitched.
"Not bad. You're quite filial to your teacher," Tsunade said, her face full of smiles.
"But you clearly have no love for your student," Hoshikawa glared at her and retorted.
"What do you mean by that?" Tsunade's smile froze. She grabbed his collar, leaned in close, and asked, "Am I not good to you?"
A faint fragrance wafted over.
Up close, Hoshikawa felt Tsunade's face looked even prettier.
Naturally, his gaze drifted down, where he could see a breathtaking expanse of white, rising and falling with her breath.
"Of course you're very good!" Hoshikawa conceded immediately.
"I'll let you off for now, considering it's your birthday," Tsunade released him, inwardly sighing in relief.
This brat is getting too good-looking. Looking at him for too long is stressful.
The love of beauty is universal, and she was no exception.
Normal humans are either fans of good looks or secretly so, always taking a second glance when seeing a handsome or beautiful person on the street.
"Sensei, how about we take Uncle Duy with us to the Land of Rivers?" Hoshikawa walked alongside her and asked.
"Mhm," Tsunade didn't refuse. "His strength is quite good. He might be useful against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
"Are the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist really that formidable?" Hoshikawa shook his head.
In his opinion, only Hōzuki Mangetsu could be considered a truly top-tier strongman among the Seven Swordsmen.
And he was one of the second generation of Seven Ninja Swordsmen. The current group was the first generation and did not include him.
The first generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen didn't have much screen time in the original story.
Jūzō Biwa had the most, joining the Akatsuki after defecting from the village and becoming Itachi Uchiha's partner.
But he died a very quick death.
He used the Kubikiribōchō to meet the Tailed Beast Bomb of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, and was killed when the rebounding Kubikiribōchō struck him.
"Don't underestimate them," Tsunade raised her hand, flicked him on the forehead, and said, "They are the equivalent of the Leaf's Three Sannin in the Hidden Mist Village."
"How can they compare to Sensei?" Hoshikawa couldn't help but complain.
A comparison like that cheapens the Leaf's Three Sannin!
"I meant their status," Tsunade snorted. "Their strength certainly doesn't compare to mine, but they are more than enough to handle you."
"That's debatable," Hoshikawa disagreed. "I have the Yin Seal now!"
Tsunade was slightly startled.
Thinking about it carefully, this brat was indeed no longer weak.
She felt a moment of bewilderment. Unknowingly, had his strength reached this level already?
"I know, I know!" Tsunade narrowed her eyes and smiled. "You might be able to handle one, but not seven."
"I'm not fighting seven," Hoshikawa 's mouth twitched. "Why would I foolishly go and challenge all of them?"
"Stop talking back," Tsunade shot him a look and strode forward.
Not long after, the two returned home.
"Sensei Tsunade!"
Kurenai and Rin saw them and rushed over, asking, "What's the situation?"
"The war has started. We leave tomorrow morning," Hoshikawa answered.
"The Hidden Cloud Village again?" Kurenai complained. "They're so annoying!"
"Yes and no," Hoshikawa said, being deliberately vague.
"Huh?" Kurenai instinctively grabbed his wrist. "Tell us quickly!"
"It's like this." Hoshikawa repeated the three issues Sarutobi had mentioned in the Jōnin meeting.
Kurenai's eyes widened.
The situation was more severe than she had imagined.
Rin's face showed deep worry.
With the start of the war, she knew many more people would die.
More importantly, the people she knew would also be in danger.
"Alright, don't scare them," Tsunade walked up, lightly stepping on his foot. "Things aren't that bad yet. You two go back and prepare."
"Yes, Sensei Tsunade." Kurenai and Rin snapped back to attention and replied in unison.
The next morning.
"I never thought my daughter and I would fight side-by-side one day," Shinku Yūhi said emotionally at the breakfast table.
"Don't worry, Hoshikawa and I will protect you!" Kurenai said confidently.
"..." Shinku Yūhi's face was full of question marks.
What kind of role reversal is this?
"With your current strength, I should be the one protecting you," Shinku Yūhi snorted.
"Is that so?" Kurenai pouted. "You definitely can't beat Hoshikawa ."
"What are you saying?" Shinku Yūhi looked at Hoshikawa . "Let's go spar outside!"
"Uncle Shinku, we have to gather at the Leaf Village gate soon. We shouldn't waste any more time," Hoshikawa coughed slightly.
How could he dare fight his future father-in-law?
Besides, Kurenai was right. He couldn't beat Shinku.
"Actually, I was originally supposed to go to the Hidden Cloud Village battlefield," Shinku Yūhi changed the subject. "But Suzaku Nara, who selected the people for Lady Tsunade, moved me to the Hidden Mist Village battlefield instead."
Suzaku Nara?
Hoshikawa had a slight recollection.
He was a Jōnin of the Nara Clan who was responsible for monitoring and intercepting Naruto Uzumaki during the Fourth Great Ninja War in the original story.
"It seems I'm benefiting from my connection to you two," Shinku Yūhi said with sincere satisfaction.
He had always hoped Kurenai and Hoshikawa would achieve greatness.
Now, it seemed half-realized. They already held a certain degree of influence in the Leaf Village.
Though most of it came from Hoshikawa 's status as Tsunade's student.
After breakfast, the three of them arrived at the Leaf Village gate and met up with five hundred ninjas.
With a command from Tsunade, the group headed toward the Land of Rivers.
The Land of Rivers was adjacent to the Land of Fire, located on its western side.
The group traveled for two days before reaching the Land of Rivers.
However, they didn't go deep into the country. They found a secluded spot near the border and began to set up camp.
One reason was that the Land of Rivers was already occupied by Hidden Mist ninjas. Rushing in might lead to traps or ambushes.
The second was to wait for the Hidden Sand Village ninjas and rendezvous with them.
When dinner time arrived, Hoshikawa 's tent became lively.
Today was his and Tsunade's birthday.
Although it was a bit rushed and they were in the Land of Rivers, having a hearty dinner to celebrate was naturally no problem.
Besides Hoshikawa and Tsunade, Kurenai, Rin, Shinku Yūhi, and Might Duy were also present.
"A birthday! How youthful!" Might Duy said excitedly.
"It would be great if Kakashi and Gai were here too!" Kurenai looked regretful.
"We can see them again after the war ends," Rin said softly.
"Enough with that talk. Let's eat," Hoshikawa quickly stopped her from setting up a death flag.
Because they were in the Land of Rivers and Hidden Mist ninjas could appear at any moment, everyone dispersed after dinner.
"I didn't prepare a gift. I'll get you one next time," only Tsunade remained.
"It's fine. I didn't prepare a gift either," Hoshikawa 's heart suddenly stirred. "I have an idea that will let both of us give a gift."
"What idea?" Tsunade asked curiously.
"How about we hug?" Hoshikawa blinked and asked.
Tsunade froze, staring at him.
Just as he was starting to feel a bit nervous, she stepped forward and hugged Hoshikawa .
A soft, warm fragrance washed over him.
Hoshikawa instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist.
"That's enough." After a few seconds, Tsunade controlled the stirring in her heart and let go.
She turned and walked out of the tent.
For some reason, although she had often hugged him before, this time felt different.
........
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