Chapter 301: Awakening and Recuperation! Transition and Omens! It's three o'clock, brothers!
The battle between the Third Hokage and the Third Raikage ultimately did not happen.
Although both sides were full of anger, for political and practical considerations, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Third Raikage both forcibly restrained their impulse to fight.
From the perspective of the Third Raikage, or rather, the Hidden Cloud Village, they were not yet fully prepared to overthrow Konoha.
Before Burabi and A, the top pillars of the Hidden Cloud Village, had truly matured, and considering only Kage-level combat power,
the current Hidden Cloud Village still had many shortcomings.
Once they truly took that step, even if they successfully defeated Konoha with their strong military power,
at that time... the Hidden Cloud Village would also face pressure from the Hidden Mist Village and Iwagakure, and it was very likely that the Hidden Mist Village and Iwagakure would reap the benefits.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, the reason was simple... it was Konoha's current situation that prevented him from acting recklessly... Konoha.
It was half a month later when Fujiwara Tetsuya woke up in Konoha Hospital.
In the past half month, the events that occurred in Frost Shadow Village had spread throughout the Ninja World through various channels.
As a result, the small countries surrounding the Land of Fire... the small and medium-sized Ninja Villages, all sent envoys to Konoha, openly and secretly, to express their goodwill.
Of course, Fujiwara Tetsuya, as one of the centers of the incident, also used this event to elevate his reputation in the Ninja World by several points.
"Kid... your injuries are recovering well. In another half month, you can be discharged."
Because Fujiwara Tetsuya's injuries were too severe, after returning to Konoha, all the Konoha Medical Jonin, including Torune Ryoui, could only barely maintain Fujiwara Tetsuya's life and could not fundamentally heal the injuries to Fujiwara Tetsuya's internal organs and entire skeleton.
Ultimately, Hiruzen Sarutobi personally sent people to bring Tsunade back from the Land of Rivers, and it took a full three days to completely pull Fujiwara Tetsuya back from the brink of death.
"Senior Tsunade... this time, I've troubled you again."
"If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have to spend the rest of my life lying in bed..."
Looking at Tsunade's fair face, Fujiwara Tetsuya moved his neck and smiled ingratiatingly.
"Hmph ~ It's good that you understand."
"With your injuries, looking at the entire Ninja World, only I can completely heal them."
"Kid! Pay attention, you won't be that lucky every time..."
"Don't worry, Senior Tsunade, I understand. Next time... I won't be so impulsive again without absolute certainty."
Fujiwara Tetsuya did not refute Tsunade's reminder this time.
To be honest, after experiencing this, he was indeed a little scared.
However... let alone him, probably no one would have thought that the Third Raikage, as the Kage of a Village, would appear in Frost Shadow Village for a mere kid like him.
"By the way... Senior Tsunade."
"The thing you promised me in the Land of Rain? When do you think... I can try it?"
"Thing? What thing?"
Looking at Tsunade's confused expression, Fujiwara Tetsuya's mouth... twitched involuntarily a few times.
He was absolutely certain that Tsunade had thrown the promise she made that day eight hundred miles away.
"Cough ~ It's about going to Shikkotsu Forest to see the Slug Sage."
"Oh! Is that it?"
"I remember now. We'll talk about this after your body fully recovers. I'll be staying in the Village until the end of the year. When you feel your body is ready, you can come find me at the Senju Clan."
"However... I still need to remind you again, compared to those two Old fellows from Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave, the Slug Sage's temperament is much more serene. Whether it's willing to sign a contract with you... that's not something I can control."
Breaking promises was clearly a habit for Tsunade.
Facing Fujiwara Tetsuya's meaningful gaze, Tsunade didn't even bat an eye.
After giving Fujiwara Tetsuya a few instructions, she left the ward directly... Due to the weather, transporting supplies to the front lines, especially to the Land of Rivers, became increasingly difficult.
Moreover, due to continuous major battles, both Konoha, Sunagakure, and the Hidden Rain Village needed to rest.
According to the current war situation, it is estimated that Konoha, Sunagakure, and the Hidden Rain Village... will transition from large-scale regional warfare to localized small-scale battles at least before the New Year.
After Tsunade left the hospital, she went directly to the Hokage Office.
"Ah, Tsunade! How is Tetsuya-kun's recovery?"
Seeing Tsunade arrive, Hiruzen Sarutobi subconsciously put down his pipe, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
"That kid's bones, after this period of treatment, have re-healed."
"His abdominal organs, all functions are gradually recovering, and he can be discharged in at most half a month..."
"However..."
Seeing the smile on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face deepen, Tsunade's tone paused slightly.
"However what?"
"Does Tetsuya-kun have any other troublesome injuries?"
As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows gradually furrowed.
For a Ninja, twelve or thirteen years old is undoubtedly just the beginning, and he did not wish... that Fujiwara Tetsuya's injuries would become a drawback that would limit Fujiwara Tetsuya's growth one day in the future.
"No... it's not like that."
"I've also treated all the other hidden injuries on this kid."
"It's just that Fujiwara-kun's injuries this time were too severe. For the sake of that kid's future! If possible... I suggest that within the next half year, Fujiwara-kun should not be assigned missions that might involve high-intensity combat."
"Is that so!"
"I understand. Actually, even if you didn't say anything, I had planned to let Tetsuya-kun rest for a while."
"He... has done enough for the Village."
"If it weren't for Tetsuya-kun's surprise attack on Frost Shadow Village, which deterred the surrounding countries and Ninja Villages of the Land of Fire... the situation Konoha is facing now would probably be much worse than it is."
...Konoha Hospital.
After finishing a day's work at the Medical Division, Torune Ryoui appeared in Fujiwara Tetsuya's ward with a bento box.
Compared to Uchiha Mikoto, Torune Ryoui, who was skilled in Medical Ninjutsu and worked in the Medical Division... in a sense, found it more convenient to take care of Fujiwara Tetsuya.
"Tetsuya-kun, how is it? Does it taste alright?"
"These things were all carefully prepared by me."
Looking at Fujiwara Tetsuya, who was wolfing down his food, a serene smile floated on Torune Ryoui's lips.
"Delicious! Ryoui, do you know?"
"Now, every day, I'm just counting on this meal. You don't know... Senior Tsunade instructed the Medical Chunin taking care of me not to let me eat anything oily, meaty... or even strongly flavored."
"I've been craving so much these past few days since I woke up."
"By the way, Ryoui! Where's Mikoto? Why haven't I seen Mikoto come over these past few days?"
After devouring all the food in the bento box, Fujiwara Tetsuya let out a satisfied burp, and then looked at Torune Ryoui, who was sitting beside him.
"Mikoto, she..."
Facing Fujiwara Tetsuya's gentle gaze, a trace of panic flashed in Torune Ryoui's eyes.
"Mikoto... what happened to her?"
"Did something happen?"
Noticing the change in Torune Ryoui's eyes, Fujiwara Tetsuya's tone gradually deepened.