Attending the Meeting

After seeing Kurenai Yūhi and the others off, Yūske set out alone on the road back to camp.

Since Hiko had taken over his patrol duty for the day, Yūske found himself with nothing to do after returning to camp. So, he decided to head to the Medical Department to look for Tsunade.

Familiar with every corner of the camp, Yūske quickly arrived at the Medical Department, only to be told that Tsunade had left to attend a meeting.

With nowhere else to go, Yūske simply stayed at the Medical Department to lend a hand. Fortunately, everyone knew he was Tsunade's junior disciple and was happy to let him wait there for her.

"I didn't know your String Style could be used like that."

When Tsunade returned and saw Yūske using String Style to stitch up a wounded patient, she spoke in surprise.

"I had nothing to do today, so I thought I'd come by and see if you needed any help here."

After finishing the task at hand, Yūske stood up and looked at Tsunade with a grin.

"How's your patrol squad doing?"

Although Tsunade knew that Yūske had been assigned to a patrol squad by Hatake Mōsō, she had not said much about it. Perhaps she did not want Yūske charging into battle on the front lines so soon.

Besides, Hiruzen Sarutobi had told her some information about Yūske, and she needed to observe him further.

"Captain Shinku and the others returned to the village today, so I went to see them off. Lord Sakumo sent someone to take over my assignment for the day."

As Yūske spoke, he found a place to sit and casually patted the seat beside him, motioning for Tsunade to sit as well.

"Are you unwilling to accept being assigned to a patrol squad?"

Seeing Yūske's indifferent expression, Tsunade already understood that he was dissatisfied with the arrangement. "Do you want to find the old man and have him tell Sakumo to transfer you to the Combat Unit?"

"Not for now. The patrol squad's duties are just as important, and Lord Sakumo promised that once I've adapted, he'll let me join the Combat Unit."

Yūske shook his head. He had indeed considered it, but he had only joined the front-line forces a few days ago. If he tried to get reassigned now, it would not reflect well on his reputation if word got out. For now, the best course was to wait.

"Then what are you worried about?" Tsunade habitually knocked Yūske on the head with her fist and declared domineeringly, "With me here, are you afraid someone will bully you?"

"Make way! The wounded are coming in!"

Just as the two were chatting, a squad of ninja suddenly rushed into the Medical Department, carrying a steady stream of injured people inside.

"Do you want to help me out?" Tsunade stood and asked Yūske.

"Sure. It's not like I have anything else to do." Yūske did not mind. He figured carrying patients and stitching up wounds would not be a problem. He just had not expected that one day, he too would become a "Medical Ninja."

However, when Tsunade began treating the first wounded man, her brows immediately furrowed tightly. Sunagakure had apparently developed another new poison, and she had no choice but to spend time formulating an antidote.

"What's wrong?" Yūske, who was helping nearby, saw Tsunade suddenly stop and hurriedly asked.

Before Tsunade could answer, a ninja ran up to her and said, "Lady Tsunade, Lord Sakumo sent me to ask whether you have time to attend a meeting in the Command Room."

"No time." Tsunade was deep in thought over how to counter the poison and did not even glance at him. Her entire focus was on finding a cure.

"Yes!" Having received her answer, the ninja turned to leave.

"Wait." Tsunade suddenly called him back. "Have Yūske go in my place."

Seeing his hesitation, Tsunade added forcefully, "Tell Sakumo it was my decision."

"Yes!" The ninja then turned to Yūske. "Lord Yūske, please come with me."

Inside the commander's tent.

Hatake Sakumo sat upright in the seat of honor, while Nara Shikamaru sat beside him.

When Yūske entered the room, Nara Shikamaru could not help frowning. As far as he remembered, Mōsō had not informed Yūske to attend the meeting.

At that moment, the ninja who had led Yūske in stepped forward and reported the situation to Hatake Mōsō.

"Mōsō, do you think there's still any need to hold this meeting?" Nara Shikamaru lowered his voice and asked.

"There's no need to exclude Yūske. I trust him." Over the past few days, Hatake Sakumo had also sent people to secretly observe the Seventh Patrol Squad. Overall, he did not believe Nara Shikamaru's speculation.

"Yūske, is the situation on Tsunade's side difficult?" Hatake Sakumo ignored Nara Shikamaru and, before the meeting began, first asked about the Medical Department.

Although there were small-scale clashes with Sunagakure every day, they had all been minor skirmishes. However, there were far too many wounded sent in today, forcing Hatake Mōsō to take the matter seriously.

"There are quite a few wounded today, and they all seem to show signs of poisoning. Judging from Tsunade's expression, it's probably another new poison developed by Sunagakure." After thinking for a moment, Yūske voiced his guess.

"Chiyo again!"

Hatake Sakumo slammed his fist down on the table. He deeply despised such despicable tactics as using poison, yet there was nothing he could do about it.

When the time was about right, Nara Shikamaru began to preside over the meeting.

"According to information sent back by our spies who infiltrated the enemy camp, after Ebizo was brought back to the Sunagakure camp several days ago, they altered many of their strategic deployments. As a result, much of our previous intelligence is no longer valid."

"At the same time, because of Ebizo and Shūji, our spies believe Sunagakure may launch a full-scale assault in the near future."

"Is the intelligence accurate?" At that moment, one ninja raised a question.

"Although our spies successfully infiltrated their camp, they are not core personnel. Much of the intelligence was inferred by observing the movements of Sunagakure's ninja. However, most of it is accurate.

"And we cannot refuse to act simply because the intelligence is uncertain. Not only would that disrespect our comrades who risked their lives to infiltrate the enemy, it could also bring a devastating blow to our companions on the front lines."

Nara Shikamaru patiently explained it to him, while also knowing that this was what everyone present was thinking.

"Then what should we do next?"

"Send a Challenge Letter!"