Sand Ninja-Konoha Front in Crisis, Tsunade Heads to the Front Lines

The faint glow of dawn slipped through the cracks in the broken wooden door into the cabin. Chiyo sat cross-legged, resting with his eyes closed.

After three days of recuperation,

Chiyo had fully recovered.

Thinking back on his battle with Hanzō, Chiyo had gained a clearer understanding of his Sharingan's ocular techniques.

Both of his ocular techniques possessed unique properties.

Yomi Higan symbolized the manipulation of life and death.

It was a special ability similar to a domain.

Within a certain range, it could drain an opponent's life force and cause death.

Of course, this ocular technique had another use: the extracted life force could be transferred to someone else, extending their life or even reviving the dead.

Naturally, revival had its limits. The deceased had to have died within a day, and after using it, the revival cooldown was one month.

This restriction would improve as Chiyo's Dōryoku increased.

As for his other ocular technique, Karma Cycle,

it was likewise a domain-based ability.

It used Genjutsu to create a special domain space. When an enemy's attack entered that domain, it would be transferred onto themselves or someone else.

That was precisely why Hanzō's own attack had landed on him.

In truth, he had been blinded by Chiyo's Genjutsu the entire time.

Furthermore, according to the system's conclusions,

not only Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu, but even all attacks released through Kekkei Genkai and Kekkei Tōta could be transferred.

This ocular technique had taken Chiyo by surprise.

After all, there were far too many things in the Shinobi World that could kill him.

Iwagakure's Kekkei Tōta, Dust Release, was a special existence capable of reducing people to particles.

Now that he had this ocular technique, as long as he activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, no matter who ambushed him or where they did so,

so long as they were within the domain's range, or their attack entered its range,

his Mangekyō Sharingan would record it and carry out the special transfer.

His safety was greatly assured.

"Chiyo-niichan, look!"

Konan's excited voice interrupted his thoughts.

Chiyo opened his eyes and saw a thin sheet of paper floating above Konan's palm.

Though it wobbled unsteadily, she was indeed controlling it with Chakra Control.

A proud smile spread across her face, and her blue-violet short hair seemed especially bright in the morning light.

"Not bad. Your Chakra Control is very steady."

Chiyo nodded approvingly and reached out to ruffle her hair.

Konan's face reddened slightly as she lowered her head shyly.

On the other side, Yahiko was practicing Taijutsu against a wooden post. His movements were still clumsy, but each stance looked fairly convincing.

Nagato sat quietly in the corner, forming hand seals with both hands as he tried to gather chakra.

His progress was the most noticeable. In just three days, he had already begun to mobilize the chakra within his body.

"You three, come here too."

Chiyo beckoned to them.

The three immediately gathered around him, their eyes full of anticipation.

Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato.

After three days together, the three had clearly accepted him, and the smiles on their faces had become much more frequent.

They were children, after all. Their emotions came quickly and went quickly.

Chiyo took three shuriken from his ninja tool pouch and handed one to each of them.

"Today, I'll teach you the basics of Shurikenjutsu."

He stood up and walked to the clearing outside the cabin.

"Watch carefully."

With a flick of his wrist, Chiyo sent the shuriken flashing through the air. It embedded itself precisely in the tree trunk ten meters away, dead center in the target.

Yahiko's eyes widened.

Konan clapped and cheered, looking every bit like a devoted little fan.

Nagato silently memorized the key points of the movement.

"Remember, keep your wrist steady and your eyes sharp."

Chiyo patiently instructed them, correcting their movements one by one.

Just as the three were practicing with great enthusiasm, Chiyo's gaze shifted slightly.

He keenly sensed unusual chakra coming from the distance. Someone was clearly approaching.

"Keep practicing. I'll be right back."

Chiyo spoke in a low voice, then vanished from the spot in a blur.

In the forest, a Konoha Ninja was moving forward cautiously.

Chiyo appeared behind him without a sound, pressing a kunai against his back.

"Don't move."

Chiyo's voice was cold.

The ninja's entire body stiffened, and he slowly raised his hands.

"It's me! Chiyo Uchiha."

Hearing the familiar voice, Chiyo froze for a moment before withdrawing his kunai.

The other person removed his mask, revealing a resolute face.

The newcomer was Kunugi Mokume, one of Hatake Sakumo's subordinates.

"Why are you here?"

Chiyo asked.

Kunugi Mokume let out a long breath.

"Lord Orochimaru returned to the village and reported that the entire squad had been wiped out. Even Hanzō had personally made a move.

After hearing that, Lady Tsunade went straight to Lord Hokage and demanded to be sent to the battlefield."

"Tsunade..."

Warmth rose in Chiyo's heart, but he immediately realized something.

"Wait. Where did she go?"

"Sunagakure launched a surprise attack at the border where the three countries meet. The situation is critical.

Lord Sakumo requested reinforcements from the village. He split from Lady Tsunade and charged into the enemy's main force, while Lady Tsunade led the Medical Corps to the rear."

His expression grew grave.

"Before leaving, she asked us to make sure someone found you. She was certain you definitely wouldn't die."

Chiyo's eyes instantly sharpened.

Sunagakure's poison and Puppet Jutsu were extremely troublesome. Though Tsunade was powerful, the battlefield changed in an instant. One mistake could put her in danger.

No one could guarantee absolute safety.

"I need to get there immediately."

Chiyo said in a deep voice.

"Amegakure's offensive has suddenly stalled recently. Lord Sakumo said this was the perfect chance to free up his hands and focus on dealing with those Sand Ninja."

Kunugi Mokume nodded.

"But what about things here...?"

Chiyo glanced back toward the cabin. Yahiko and the other two were still practicing intently.

He pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Give me ten minutes."

After returning to the cabin, Chiyo gathered the three together.

"I have an urgent mission. I must leave immediately."

He spoke bluntly.

"You're leaving?"

A trace of disappointment flashed through Konan's eyes.

Chiyo took out a map and one of his marked kunai from his clothes, handing them to Yahiko.

"This is a safe route to the Land of Fire.

If your Teacher Jiraiya still hasn't come for you soon, and you get caught up in the fighting here, follow this route to the Land of Fire.

The places I marked have some ties to my Uchiha Clan. Mention my name and show them the token I gave you, and they'll naturally take care of you."

Yahiko's hand trembled slightly. He clutched the map and kunai tightly, a mix of reluctance and determination flashing in his eyes.

He raised his head and looked at Chiyo. His lips moved, but no words came out.

Nagato, who had been silent beside him, spoke first.

"Big Brother Chiyo, thank you... for teaching us so much."

Chiyo smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Remember, the meaning of strength is protection, not destruction."

Konan suddenly stepped forward and tightly hugged Chiyo, her voice choked with emotion.

Chiyo gently rubbed her hair and said softly,

"You must take good care of yourselves."

After saying goodbye to the three, Chiyo and Kunugi Mokume quickly set off.

"Lady Tsunade will definitely be happy to know you're alive."

Kunugi Mokume said.

Chiyo's gaze was firm.

"I know. That's why I have to reach her as quickly as possible."

"This is the exact location!"

Kunugi Mokume took out a Scroll and handed it to Chiyo. Chiyo opened it.

It was a map of the surrounding area. His eyes quickly locked onto the circled location. With his mind set, chakra covered his feet, and his speed suddenly surged.

Meanwhile,

Tsunade stood before the medical tent, her light brown eyes gazing toward the Land of Rain as her lips moved in a murmur.

"Chiyo, you have to stay alive..."