Eve of Departure

It was the familiar Operations Department conference room. The last time he had been here was when he first met Tsunade.

This time, Kawafune stood beside Tsunade, the two shoulder to shoulder.

Orochimaru and Sakumo stood nearby.

More Jonin were still arriving, while the Third Hokage had yet to appear.

"Kawafune-kun, your foresight is truly uncanny. I admire you."

Orochimaru's face was gloomy. The war had begun after all.

"It was only a guess. I didn't expect Hanzō the Salamander to truly be so bold."

If Kawafune had not read the original story, he would never have imagined that such a tiny country would dare wage war on three fronts at once.

First, Hanzō fought Chiyo of Sunagakure to a draw.

Then he beat Mifune of the Land of Iron and mercifully spared his life.

Finally, he defeated the Third Hokage's three disciples of Konoha and humiliatingly bestowed upon them the title of the "Legendary Sannin."

At this point in time, Hanzō the Salamander truly deserved to be called the Half-God of the Shinobi World. He was terrifyingly strong.

This guy was practically the embodiment of a hotheaded fool in Kawafune's mind. I don't accept this, so I'm going to fight all of you.

What Five Great Nations? I don't give a damn.

"Teacher must be furious this time. How dare the mere Land of Rain stroke Konoha's tiger whiskers?"

Tsunade had seen it clearly in the office. The Third Hokage had even smashed his pipe against the desk.

"It would be better not to underestimate Hanzō the Salamander."

Kawafune reminded Tsunade because he remembered that she had nearly been killed by Hanzō. If Jiraiya had not protected her—

She would have been crippled even if she survived.

"Kawafune-kun is right. The Half-God of the Shinobi World is not just an empty title."

Orochimaru was cautious enough. He believed that no great reputation was unearned.

Sakumo was like a silent gourd. As the three chatted away, he stood there stiff as a plank.

"Brother, why aren't you saying anything?"

Kawafune bumped his shoulder against his brother's, ruining his aloof persona.

"If the Land of Rain wants war, then we'll give them war."

Sakumo's words were concise. His expression did not change, and his gaze remained fixed ahead.

"You're pretty cocky."

Seeing his brother like that, Kawafune inexplicably thought of that line.

It successfully broke Sakumo's composure.

"You..."

"The Third Hokage is here."

Kawafune quickly straightened up. Sakumo had to swallow back the words he had been about to say, leaving him furious.

Watching those two idiots gave Tsunade a headache. Sister-in-law Nayuki had it much better, staying home and caring for her pregnancy.

Orochimaru watched the brothers teasing each other with great interest. It was a kind of happiness he had never experienced.

The Third Hokage stepped onto the conference room dais, accompanied by Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.

The conference room fell completely silent, and a stifling atmosphere began to spread.

The Third Hokage stood there for a moment before speaking.

"The Land of Rain has declared war on Konoha."

"The war has begun."

"I gathered everyone here today for only one reason."

"To let Hanzō the Salamander know that Konoha's dignity cannot be violated."

"Orochimaru will lead the team. You will depart for the Land of Rain tomorrow."

"This battle permits victory only, not defeat."

"Do you understand?"

This was not a meeting at all, merely the Third Hokage issuing unilateral orders.

At the final question, the Third Hokage's voice suddenly rose.

It had to be said that the Third Hokage held great prestige among the shinobi. The Jonin in the conference room responded loudly.

"We swear to complete the mission!"

The crowd was fired up, deeply influenced by the Will of Fire.

"Orochimaru, compile the list of those deploying and those remaining behind."

"Hand it to me later."

"Yes, Teacher."

After Orochimaru responded, the Third Hokage left with the two advisers, who had not spoken a word.

"I'm going."

Sakumo had already signed up.

Kawafune could only follow with a wry smile. There was nothing he could do about his hotheaded older brother.

"Tsunade, stay in the village for now."

"The war has only just begun, so there probably won't be any large-scale action."

"Come when you're needed."

Kawafune knew Tsunade had only just obtained the Hashirama Cells and still needed time to settle them in.

There was no need for her to head to the battlefield so early just because of him.

"Kawafune-kun, perhaps the war will end before Tsunade even needs to take the field."

Orochimaru even managed to ease the oppressive mood somewhat.

"I hope so."

Kawafune replied with a wry smile. He knew this war would not end anytime soon; it would drag on for several years.

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

Tsunade's beautiful eyes flickered. She looked at Kawafune for a long while before agreeing.

"Then I'll get to work first."

Orochimaru also spoke up to leave. Everything that followed was his responsibility.

Fortunately, he only needed to prepare the roster of Jonin. Otherwise, he definitely would not finish today.

Kawafune, his brother, and Tsunade left together. They were departing tomorrow, so they still had to go home and pack.

"I'm going to the hospital first. See you tonight."

After leaving the Hokage Building, Tsunade said her goodbyes.

"Alright."

Kawafune agreed. Only after watching Tsunade leave did he continue walking home with Sakumo.

"Brother, why are you in such a hurry?"

Kawafune could not understand it. Sister-in-law had only just become pregnant, so what was his brother rushing to the battlefield for?

"If we don't risk our lives, how can the next generation live well?"

Sakumo's gaze became profound. Perhaps he would only reveal his true feelings before his younger brother.

Everyone had their own thoughts, and he was no exception.

Only then did Kawafune understand why his brother would commit suicide in the future. His heart was filled with love for the village.

When darkness descended and the village abandoned him, his heart had already died.

But now Danzo was dead. And there was Kawafune, Nayuki, and the unborn Kakashi.

That tragedy would definitely not happen again.

"I never would've guessed that a silent gourd like you had such lofty aspirations."

Kawafune deliberately teased him, breaking the heavy mood.

"I have nothing to say to you."

Sakumo could not help shooting his younger brother a sidelong glare. He quickened his pace and soon vanished from Kawafune's sight.

Kawafune shook his head with a smile. His brother really could not take a joke.

When he returned home, Nawaki and Minato had already come back from Orochimaru's place and were training in the Training Hall.

"Nawaki, Minato, come here."

"Big Brother—Teacher, what is it?"

Nawaki and Minato put down their swords and jogged over.

"How has your training been lately?"

"There's still been no progress with developing ninjutsu. I've disappointed you, Teacher."

Minato was a little embarrassed. During this time, he and Orochimaru had combed through all the materials without finding any leads.

"Haha, it's fine. You're still young. You have plenty of time."

Kawafune no longer expected Minato to figure it out right away. Developing ninjutsu at ten years old was simply absurd.

"Teacher says what I lack now is actual combat experience. My Chunin-level strength is already not a problem."

Nawaki was extremely proud. Since meeting Kawafune, his strength had improved by leaps and bounds.

"Not bad, not bad."

"Konoha has gone to war with the Land of Rain. Did you know?"

The two youngsters shook their heads. The news had not yet spread.

"I'll be heading to the front lines tomorrow."

"I'm taking you two with me."

"A shinobi who has never seen blood cannot be called a shinobi."

Kawafune's expression turned serious. Going to war was no joke.

He could not guarantee that he would always be at their side to protect them.

"Alright!"

The two youngsters answered in unison, their youthful blood beginning to boil.

It was just unknown whether they would still be able to smile after witnessing the brutality of war.

"Nothing else. Pack up tonight and leave with me early tomorrow."

"Nawaki, stay for dinner tonight. Your sister will be coming over."

After saying that, Kawafune got up and left. The two youngsters were still caught up in their excitement.

Even after Kawafune left, they kept talking without pause.