The Land of Lightning, border fortress.
In the temporary war room.
"In short, thanks to Lady Tsunade and everyone here, the operation has gone extremely well."
There had been no heavy casualties. They had successfully held off the Perfect Jinchuriki, dealt a severe blow to the Fourth Raikage, and thwarted Kumogakure's frontal counterattack. Konoha's phased plan for the early and middle stages of the war had been executed almost flawlessly.
Tsunade picked up where he left off, delivering the meeting's final summary. "The next stage of the war will be a strategic standoff. We'll dig in here and keep harassing Kumogakure's strategic strongholds, forcing its leadership to come to the negotiating table and admit defeat."
She looked around at everyone, deliberately avoiding Kazuhiko beside her. Her tone was firm. "For Konoha's sake, I hope we can all work together and secure victory as soon as possible."
The Jonin in attendance were visibly energized and voiced their agreement one after another.
"Victory is ours!"
The meeting ended. The Jonin rose and took their leave, each returning to their duties.
Soon, only Kazuhiko and Tsunade remained in the temporary war room.
"I should go check on the wounded..."
Tsunade stood, hoping to slip out of the tent the other way and avoid being alone with him.
Ever since she learned that Kazuhiko had awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan through the emotion of "love," she had been deliberately avoiding him. She didn't know how to respond to his feelings.
He had used his eye powers without hesitation to treat her Hemophobia, revealing his Mangekyō technique in the process. He had saved her life.
She felt she owed Kazuhiko far too much already.
Kazuhiko knew all about Tsunade's ostrich-like attempts to avoid the issue.
Her affection for him, and her reaction when he had kissed