Border line, Konoha's camp, medical unit. The flickering small fire reflected the figure of the pink-haired girl.
With one hand gently stroking the girl sleeping soundly on her lap, she used the other hand to manipulate the vines behind her, using Yang Release to promote the growth of a healing tree sap.
Behind her, on a surgical bed, lay the Kirigakure's Ninja whose neck had been pierced. A small amount of vines, resembling human tissue, bloomed into flowers from the wound, assisting her breathing and blood flow.
As for why not use Creation Rebirth to heal her directly? Because that technique consumes life force. For an injured person whose vitality is not strong, it might take their life before healing them.
"Nagare!" The tent flap was thrown open, and the brash Kirigakure's Jonin burst in, waking the soundly sleeping Sato Sakura. A tangible displeasure appeared on the emotionless girl's face!
Sakura raised her hand to comb her disheveled hair, soothing her for a moment.
The Kirigakure's Jonin rushed to the surgical bed. When he found his subordinate still unconscious, he flew into a rage. "Didn't we agree that as long as I talked, you would heal her?!"
"Haven't we already healed her? We saved her life!" Jiraiya followed behind him and also entered the tent.
"You call this healed?" The Kirigakure's Jonin charged forward, about to roar, when suddenly a chill surged into his heart.
Sakura and Sato Sakura were both staring at him. The surrounding air nearly stopped in their line of sight.
"You, and you, Jiraiya-sensei. I don't care what kind of damn deal you made outside. But in my ward, keep! Quiet!"
Warning the two in an almost threatening tone, Sakura raised a finger. Chakra boiled, and the stone floor slabs seemed to come to life, standing up and pushing the two directly out.
She instructed Sato Sakura to monitor the patient's vital signs inside, then Sakura stood up from the ground and followed the two outside.
When she got outside, the Konoha's Ninjas had already escorted the other party away. Jiraiya stood in place, patting his collar, looking as if he had just been grabbed.
"So, what was so important that you had to cause a scene in the ward?" Sakura came up behind Jiraiya.
"That guy used the information he had as bargaining chip, demanding that we treat his daughter!" Jiraiya spoke.
"So you tricked him into giving up the information, knowing full well that I would heal the person anyway, right?" Sakura sat down cross-legged next to Jiraiya and rolled her eyes.
"Please, call this the wisdom of a sage!" Jiraiya first grinned triumphantly and raised his eyebrows, then turned somber again. "But this time, thanks to your medical skills, we know that Kirigakure's elder faction actually has some thoughts about us as well."
"There's no need to thank me for that. Kirigakure has been coveting our southwestern coast for a long time." Sakura sighed softly.
In fact, from the moment this Kirigakure's reconnaissance squad appeared on the battlefield, it had already answered many of their questions.
The Bloody Mist did indeed eliminate many of Kirigakure's geniuses, but the old leftovers from previous wars were not eradicated. They naturally know when to bite.
And what about the Mizukage, Terumi Mei? Self-interest will lead this idealist to make the most appropriate decision.
"Troubled times!" Jiraiya looked up and rubbed his messy hair. "It seems the village's decision to temporarily augment their forces with some outside personnel was correct."
"Ha? What do you mean?" Sakura was startled and wanted to question further.
Boom!!!
The sudden explosion alarmed the entire camp. Harsh alarms echoed in the sky. The Ninjas in the tents hurriedly got up and quickly gathered at the designated locations.
But there was no need for the Ninjas who rushed out of the encampment to search for the intruders.
Because in the cold moonlight, the divine phantom, as towering as a mountain, rolled with unquenchable flames.
And opposing it was a giant dragon, slithering through the clouds, gripping flame clouds and scorching winds, its scales coiled with countless bolts of lightning.
An earth-shattering roar erupted from its wide-open jaws: "Uchiha… Itachi!!!"
The cherry-pink dragon gathered a massive amount of burning particles in its breath. The next moment, blazing rays of scorching red and brilliant silver shot out, leaving a burning trail across the night sky.
Like a steel volcano, it illuminated the constricted pupils of countless Ninjas.
"Heh, brilliant. Konoha hiring Konoha's Missing-Nin to help Konoha fight a war! How did Tsunade-nee come up with such a genius idea?" Sakura, equally shocked by the suddenly appearing red Susanoo, held her forehead and laughed.
Jiraiya smiled bitterly. "You, as a witness, should know that both the village and they were at fault in that incident. It's just that now the village has taken the lead in extending an olive branch to heal the rift."
After all, they are all Ninjas who originated from Konoha. Being closely linked by a common bond, it's a good thing to be able to resolve their resentment and avoid maintaining hostility between both sides.
Since defecting from Konoha, the elite of the Uchiha Clan have been coveted by the other Great Ninja Villages. After Tsunade took office, Konoha did attempt to recall these people, but was obstructed by various forces.
The only chance to mend fences is to take advantage of the current chaotic period on the eve of the Great Ninja War, when the Great Ninja Villages are fighting each other and have no time to mind their own business. Only then does Konoha have the opportunity to use the just cause of war to legitimately bypass many of the usual obstacles.
As long as they can create enough value, why can't Konoha love the Uchiha? Negotiate! Everything can be negotiated! Everything can be negotiated!
"So what does Tsunade-nee plan to do? Bury the hatchet with them and recall these Uchiha who defected from the village?" Sakura raised a finger and activated Wood Release.
A large number of vines rapidly grew from the ground, winding their way up into the sky, blocking the residual energy leaks from the battle between the cherry dragon and the divine phantom.
"Not that fast. First, revoke the bounties to show goodwill, then reach some small wartime cooperative agreements, like right now." Jiraiya raised his eyebrows and gestured with his lips toward the two figures constantly clashing in the sky.
You have to eat a meal bite by bite. Regarding matters with the Uchiha Missing-Nin, both sides need a process they can accept to ease tensions.
As for how to do it? Haven't they already been sent to the battlefield to build some life-and-death camaraderie?
"Also, I'll leave those two to you. This old man is old and frail lately, I can't handle young people of this level." Jiraiya pretended to shrink his body, pounding his lower back as he walked off into the distance.
"Heh, just trying to slack off!" Sakura curled her lip and squinted as she watched him leave.
Jiraiya, with more than half his combat power relying on toads, even missing one arm, how could he possibly not be able to handle it? He's simply giving Sakura this almost effortless political capital.
The reason is simple. Don't let the fierce fighting up there fool you. They're both holding back their strength.
Since Sasuke learned what Itachi had been carrying, there isn't much hatred left in him. As for Itachi, from the very beginning, he was extremely loyal to the village.
The reason they're putting on such a spectacular show now when they meet is simply because of the Uchiha Clan's old tradition… Tsundere.
"So, how do I stop these two precious treasures in the sky?"
Sakura stretched her joints and pulled her ligaments.
Just then, Sato Sakura, the emotionless girl, stuck out her tongue to catch the falling snowflakes from the sky, catching Sakura's eye and making the corner of her mouth curl up.
She had a... pretty good idea.