Chapter 309: The War is in Full Swing! I Lost My Way!
During the time Fujiwara Tetsuya, Uchiha Mikoto, and Torune Ryoui were diligently training their swordsmanship in the Land of Iron, challenging various powerful samurai across the Land of Iron, and creating an undefeated legend...
The Ninja World once again saw turbulent changes and was engulfed in the flames of war.
Konoha Year 41, July.
The forces of Iwagakure, Konoha, and Kusagakure Village once again clashed in a chaotic battle in the Land of Grass.
Iwagakure and Konoha suffered heavy losses. It is said that even Kage-level experts like Orochimaru and Danzo sustained considerable injuries.
As for Kusagakure Village, the host of the Land of Grass, its situation was even more dire compared to the elite forces lost by Iwagakure and Konoha.
In the later stages of the three-way battle, it was almost wiped out by Iwagakure and Konoha.
In late August, after an unsuccessful push from the Land of Grass, Iwagakure officially declared war on Amegakure and Konoha.
Thousands of Iwagakure elites, taking advantage of the main Amegakure forces led by Hanzo being engaged with Sunagakure, advanced into the Land of Rain. In just a few days, they seized nearly one-third of the Land of Rain's territory.
Also in late August, Hanzo, unable to withstand the pressure from the two great Ninja Villages of Sunagakure and Iwagakure, sought aid from Konoha.
The Konoha Higher-Ups, to prevent the situation from deteriorating further, dispatched two groups of reinforcements. One group, led by Orochimaru and Akimichi Torifu, ventured deep into the Land of Rain, replacing the main Amegakure forces and holding off the main Sunagakure forces led by the Third Kazekage and Chiyo.
The other group, led by Danzo, moved along the border of the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain, assisting Hanzo in resisting Iwagakure's invasion.
In short, a war involving Konoha against Sunagakure, Konoha against the Land of Earth, and Amegakure against the Land of Earth, encompassing the countries of Fire, Earth, Wind, River, and Rain, broke out.
It also pushed the Second Shinobi World War to a new climax... in the Land of Iron.
Due to its northern geographical location and lower terrain, lacking vast mountains to block the cold currents from the north,
by early October, the land of the Land of Iron was already covered in a thick layer of silvery-white snow.
East of the capital, a luxurious mansion.
Outside the mansion, winter raged and strong winds howled, but inside the exquisite rooms of the mansion, fragrant and spicy steam rose everywhere.
"Mikoto, pass me that plate of hand-cut lamb, and also the mushrooms that Ryoui just sent over... pass those to me too."
Looking at the boiling copper pot in front of him, Fujiwara Tetsuya's eyes flashed with eagerness, and he unconsciously swallowed.
Although he had eaten a few low-budget hotpot meals to satisfy his cravings since arriving in the Land of Iron,
the seasons of spring, summer, and autumn simply couldn't compare to the perfect ambiance of a winter's snow.
"This is so comfortable!"
"Ryoui, what's wrong? Is it too spicy, not to your taste?"
His wooden chopsticks moved quickly, and in just a dozen seconds, Fujiwara Tetsuya had devoured the entire plate of freshly blanched lamb.
"No... Tetsuya-kun, I'm already full."
Clutching her slightly bulging abdomen, Torune Ryoui stared at Uchiha Mikoto opposite her and slowly put down her bowl and chopsticks.
Since arriving in the Land of Iron, she had gained more than ten pounds, and in terms of weight, she had already surpassed her primary competitor.
If she didn't control herself, perhaps... one day in the future, the competitive pressure she faced would only increase.
"Is that so?"
"That's good, Ryoui. If you feel any discomfort, be sure to tell us immediately."
"Don't forget... in a sense, I am also a Medical Ninja comparable to an ordinary Medical Jonin."
Looking at the solemn Fujiwara Tetsuya, Uchiha Mikoto's eyebrows curved slightly like a crescent moon, clearly having noticed Torune Ryoui's little actions.
"I understand, Tetsuya-kun..."
Looking at Torune Ryoui's docile and obedient appearance, Fujiwara Tetsuya felt a surge of comfort.
Just as he was about to continue focusing his attention on the delicious food in front of him, his brows furrowed. After a sigh, he suddenly placed his bowl and chopsticks down.
"Sure enough, I knew the Sandaime wouldn't let me be idle for too long, at least not let me get through this winter."
"You guys, since you're here, just come in."
"Hiding outside, aren't you cold?"
"Tetsuya-sama..."
The moment the door opened, a biting cold wind rushed in, instantly sweeping away the warmth from inside the room.
Immediately after, four Anbu members appeared in front of Fujiwara Tetsuya.
"Close the door. You guys, even if you don't consider my feelings, you should consider Mikoto's and Ryoui's, right?"
"Also... what urgent matter does Hokage-sama want you to convey?"
Perceiving the Chakra of the four Anbu in front of him, Fujiwara Tetsuya rolled his eyes.
These four were most likely new recruits recently transferred to Anbu; otherwise, they wouldn't be so clumsy.
"Cough ~"
After dutifully closing the door, the ANBU Squad leader, who was at the forefront, carefully let out a sigh of relief.
"Tetsuya-sama, Iwagakure has declared war, and the Village is currently facing immense pressure from fighting on three fronts."
"Hokage-sama wants us to bring you back..."
"Also, Hokage-sama said he would find a way to mediate the Uchiha Clan's affairs and would not give the Uchiha Clan a chance to intervene."
"... Is that so! I understand. I will return to the Village as soon as possible. The four of you can return to the Village to report."
Although his tone was full of complaints, Fujiwara Tetsuya could understand the pressure Hiruzen Sarutobi, or rather, the entire Konoha Higher-Ups, was currently facing.
Amegakure, Kawagakure, Sunagakure, Kong Ninja Village, Kusagakure Village, Iwagakure... and the lurking Kumogakure, as well as the Kagerou Ninja Village, which was extinguished by Root in cooperation with Takigakure shortly after the Second Shinobi World War began.
Facing these Ninja Villages, all hostile towards Konoha, the Konoha Higher-Ups led by Hiruzen Sarutobi had done a commendable job leading Konoha to this extent under such circumstances.
"Hmm ~ Why aren't you four leaving yet?"
"Does Hokage-sama have something urgent he wants to tell me privately?"
Looking at the Root members standing still, Fujiwara Tetsuya's tone paused slightly.
"No... no, that... Hokage-sama specifically instructed us four to personally escort you back to Konoha for this mission to be considered complete."
"... What does the Third Hokage mean by this?"
"Is he suspecting that I might desert?"
Meeting the prying gazes of the four Anbu, Fujiwara Tetsuya's face gradually darkened.
"No! Tetsuya-sama, you've misunderstood. Hokage-sama has no such intention at all."
"It's just... because you are accompanied by Mikoto Jonin and Jonin Ryoui, Hokage-sama is worried... that you might delay on your way back to Konoha, so he asked us to follow..."
Upon hearing the ANBU Squad leader's reply, Uchiha Mikoto and Torune Ryoui's cheeks flushed... and their gazes towards Fujiwara Tetsuya became a little hazy.
"..."
"What do you mean by 'delay'? Was I lost along the way?"
"I understand Hokage-sama's meaning, but... I cannot return immediately. I still have a battle in the Land of Iron."
"After I challenge that person, I will set off back to Konoha."
"During this period, the four of you can find a house nearby to rent..."
"Unless there's something urgent, don't come and bother me again."