Return to Village and Eve of the Second Shinobi World War

For the next few days, Sen first escorted his clansmen back to a rear base, while he and Team Seven continued to be responsible for patrolling the newly occupied island.

Although it was called patrolling, everyone knew that Kirigakure was severely weakened after this battle and would not be able to invade again in the short term.

As a result, the mission became much easier, basically just a formality each day.

One afternoon, as Sen and the others returned to the base, an Anbu ninja appeared instantly, handing them an appointment letter from the Hokage's office.

As soon as Sen opened it, Kushina, who was beside him, leaned over to take a look and then exclaimed.

"Chunin appointment letter?!" His large eyes, like Minato's, sparkled with envy. "Sen, you... you've only been graduated for a little over half a year and you've been promoted to Chunin?"

One had to know that many ninja remained Genin their entire lives.

For someone like Sen to be promoted at such rocket-like speed was extremely rare in Konoha's history.

This was not just a symbol of status, but also meant access to higher-level missions and secrets.

"It seems I've been left behind by you again." Minato said with some dejection. He used to be able to keep pace with Sen, but now he felt the distance between them was growing wider and wider.

Sen himself frowned slightly.

What the hell? I risked my life as bait, almost died, and all I get is the title of Chunin?

This is too anticlimactic. Couldn't they have given me a few million Ryo instead?

"Sen, you're a Chunin now, you have to treat us to a meal!" Kushina said righteously, drooling.

"Shouldn't you be giving me a congratulatory gift?" Sen chuckled, flicking Kushina's nose. "All you think about is eating."

"Hehe, I don't have anything to give you. You seem to lack nothing," Kushina said matter-of-factly.

Watching the two bicker, Minato regained his usual cheerfulness and said with a smile, "Since we're treating, I'll invite Master Jiraiya too!"

When it came to food, these two were like starving ghosts.

"Fine, I'll cook tonight," Sen said helplessly.

That evening, a bonfire was lit again on the beach.

The three of them were feasting around the grill, but Jiraiya, uncharacteristically, was drinking alone on the side, looking dispirited.

"Master Jiraiya, what's wrong?" Sen noticed his unusual behavior and walked over to ask.

Jiraiya called Minato and Kushina over to him. After a long silence, he downed the wine in his cup and said in a tone of helplessness and exhaustion:

"The village has assigned me a new mission. I'm afraid I can no longer be your guiding Jonin."

Seeing their shocked expressions, he continued, "I'm about to form a team with Orochimaru and Tsunade to carry out an S-rank mission in Amegakure. The border conflict... has escalated again.

From the latest intelligence, this could very well directly escalate into the Second Shinobi World War."

"Second... Shinobi World War?"

The three of them froze. The localized conflict with Kirigakure had already been so brutal.

What kind of hellish scene would a full-scale war engulfing the entire ninja world be?

Seeing the unease on the children's faces, Jiraiya mustered his spirits and comforted them:

"You don't need to be too nervous. I've reported your achievements this time to the village. Lord Third has personally promised to give you a two-month rest period, so you won't have to rush to the main battlefield immediately."

He paused, and his final words carried a heavy entrustment:

"So, during this time, you must... practice diligently."

All three understood the unspoken second half of his sentence—

Try to survive.

"Let's eat first!" Kushina waved her small fists, forcibly breaking the heavy atmosphere. "It's not too late to worry when the war actually comes!"

Looking at her forced cheerful and cute demeanor, everyone's mood relaxed somewhat...

The next morning, the three of them returned to Konoha with the main force.

As for Jiraiya, his mission was urgent, and he had quietly departed in the early hours of the morning.

When they finally saw the familiar village gates again, a beautiful figure was already waiting.

"Sister Tsunade!" Kushina cheered and pounced on her like a little bird.

"You're back," Tsunade dotingly stroked Kushina's head, then pushed her away and quickly walked up to Sen, her face filled with unconcealed relief and gratitude.

"I'm finally glad you're back! Thank you!"

Sen was a little puzzled. Tsunade's backpack was bulging, and she had sweat on her forehead, as if she had been waiting for a long time.

He had only brought Kushina back safely; it shouldn't have warranted such a serious reaction from her.

He said calmly, "There's nothing to thank me for. Bringing Kushina back unharmed was my duty."

Tsunade's smile bloomed like a flower upon hearing this, drawing frequent glances from the guards at the gate.

"No, I'm talking about Nawaki!" She suddenly stepped forward and gave Sen a firm hug, her voice trembling with a hint of lingering fear. "If you hadn't taught him about traps, on the battlefield...

he definitely wouldn't have made it back! Thank you so much! He's my only younger brother!"

Only then did Sen remember that he had indeed taught Nawaki the knowledge of [Mastery of Ninja World Traps].

However, at this moment, his main focus was on resisting the astonishing "facial cleanser."

He felt his whole body turning red, and he just wanted to lie down in it.

No, no! I'm going to get a nosebleed! I have to push her away!

He roared inwardly, but his body was honest; his hands had no intention of pushing her away at all.

A moment later, Tsunade let him go and took out a check from her pocket. "I don't know how to thank you enough. Here's five million ryo. It's not as valuable as Nawaki's life, but you're not allowed to dislike it!"

Sen felt the lingering warmth on his face and thought, I don't dislike it, I don't dislike it, I'd be fine with doing it again...

But he said aloud, "It's nothing, it's what I should do."

Seeing him accept the check, Tsunade continued, "Oh, right. Nawaki will be discharged from the hospital in a couple of days. You promised me last time you'd help take care of him. I'll be counting on you during this time!"

Sen's face immediately fell. Why do I have to be a babysitter again? I don't even have enough time to train.

"Are you still planning to send him to the battlefield?"

"What? You look down on our Senju Clan?!" Tsunade's knuckles cracked as she clenched her fists. "There are no cowards in our Senju Clan!"

This woman really changes her mood on a dime.

Sen nodded. "Fine, I also want to see if Nawaki has any special talents."

What if I can copy 'Wood Release' from him...

Then when fighting, I'll just let the opponent have two hands, and my 998 real hands will fight them!

"Good, you know what's good for you!" Tsunade nodded with satisfaction. "I'm going to meet up with Jiraiya and the others. I was supposed to leave this morning."

With that, she left in a hurry.

"Then for the next few days, everyone should rest well," Minato suggested from the side.

Sen nodded and returned to the clan compound alone.

After a simple day of rest, he headed to Uchiha Setsuna's small courtyard, as there was something in Uchiha Setsuna's possession that he had always liked and found quite flashy.