Medical Department

"Iwagakure? That short-statured runt, hmph."

Third Raikage A stroked his chin upon hearing this. Though he wasn't one for deep thought, that didn't mean he was a fool.

Dodai's words were sound; it was just that he truly wanted to drag Konoha down from its title as the strongest hidden village.

Seemingly sensing what Third Raikage A was thinking, Dodai continued.

"Once Iwagakure joins the war, we can strike directly from here toward this position. A single blow to Iwagakure's rear should yield significant gains.

At the same time, once we succeed, we can entangle ourselves with Iwagakure around these locations while waiting for the war to progress. Although Amegakure is weak, Hanzo's presence there can still inflict some damage on a Konoha already distracted by Sunagakure.

By then, we can decide whether to enter their chaotic fray based on the situation, but all of this is predicated on our attack against Iwagakure going smoothly."

Dodai pointed at the map, explaining his arrangements to Third Raikage A one by one, while using a pen to mark the locations he had selected.

As the Raikage's external brain, Dodai understood his leader's personality perfectly. Consequently, before the war had even begun, he had already contemplated no fewer than ten contingency plans for its outbreak.

"Hahahaha, good! As expected of you, Dodai. In that case, I'll leave it all to you. However, although I won't intervene in the war between Sunagakure and Konoha for the time being...

Dodai, arrange for two squads to infiltrate the battlefield between Sunagakure and Konoha. See if you can steal some ninjas possessing Kekkei Genkai back, just like before.

Also, see if you can get your hands on some bloodline secret techniques. Take that kid Toroi, for instance—his Magnet Release is far too mediocre without secret techniques to study."

Third Raikage A burst into laughter after hearing this, quite satisfied with Dodai's arrangements. Once he finished laughing, he continued to instruct Dodai.

He was obsessed with bloodline ninjas. In the past, he didn't know how many bloodline ninjas he had snatched from other villages in the shadows. Although most hadn't awakened their bloodlines, or had awakened them but performed poorly due to a lack of corresponding ninjutsu inheritance, it didn't stop his enthusiasm.

After all, the inheritance of bloodlines was far more stable than the inheritance of ninjutsu. Given enough time, Kumogakure could produce several bloodline clans, and by then, Kumogakure's strength would inevitably be even greater.

"Understood, I will make the arrangements."

Dodai nodded immediately upon hearing this. He was quite supportive of plundering bloodline ninjas from other villages.

As a strategist, he particularly coveted Konoha's Byakugan and Sharingan—the two ocular bloodlines. The Sharingan needed no introduction; it was synonymous with power. As for the Byakugan, every single pair held immense strategic significance.

In the past, they hadn't failed to capture Hyuga ninjas, but the existence of the Caged Bird meant they hadn't managed to acquire a single pair of Byakugan.

"Since the direction is set, gather the troops and be ready at all times. Iwagakure, hmph, that damned short-statured runt—this time, let me properly test your Particle Style."

Third Raikage A stood up and looked out the window, his eyes filled with battle intent.

"I don't want to."

"No, you do."

"Not interested."

"No, you are interested."

"..."

On the wind and fire front, Uchiha Gen looked at Tsunade standing before him, speechless.

Just moments ago, Tsunade had suddenly sought him out, wanting him to join the Medical Department. Her reasoning was that the Medical Department was currently short-staffed, and since Uchiha Gen's medical ninjutsu had already reached half her level, he naturally shouldn't be staying in the regular ninja squads.

"With your current level, you can even complete large-scale surgeries on your own when combined with your Sharingan, so the Medical Department is definitely the most suitable place for you.

I know that as an Uchiha, you surely yearn for the battlefield more, but the Medical Department is also a battlefield. Gen, believe me, you are truly suited for the Medical Department."

Tsunade persuaded him earnestly. As the person who had personally taught Uchiha Gen, she knew his level all too well. It was no exaggeration to say that in certain specific surgeries, Uchiha Gen, with his Sharingan, was even better than she was.

"My purpose in learning medical ninjutsu was only to become stronger, nothing more. Besides, I have my own ninja squad."

Seeing her earnest expression, Uchiha Gen felt somewhat helpless. He really couldn't handle Tsunade; if anyone else had been this persistent, he would have drawn his blade long ago.

But toward Tsunade, he had no such thoughts. He wasn't an ungrateful wretch.

"Those two? You don't need to worry about them. Jiraiya asked me to arrange for Minato Namikaze to work in the morgue moving corpses first, saying he wanted him to adapt to the cruelty of the battlefield.

I think this method is quite good, so I've decided to temporarily arrange for Nawaki to go to the morgue as well. That way, they have a place to go, and you can temporarily free yourself up to come with me to the Medical Department."

Hearing this, Tsunade turned her head to glance at Nawaki and Minato Namikaze, who were busy moving supplies in the distance, before turning back and smiling.

"..."

Looking at Tsunade, who seemed to be asking what other excuses he had, Uchiha Gen fell silent.

"Are you worried that the battlefield will affect me?"

After a moment of silence, Uchiha Gen spoke suddenly.

As soon as these words left Uchiha Gen's lips, a flash of panic appeared on Tsunade's face, but she quickly composed herself and laughed it off.

"Haha, how could that be? The Medical Department is genuinely short-staffed. You know Chiyo, right? That old hag from Sunagakure. According to intelligence, she went to Amegakure.

But the poisons she developed are being used very effectively by her younger brother, so the Medical Department is really lacking people. I need someone to work with me to develop corresponding antidotes.

With the help of your Sharingan, my research progress will be much faster. Yes, that's it. Why would I be worried about you being affected? How could that be?"

"Tsunade, the reason some Uchiha change their personalities and become extreme isn't because of war or anything else; the root cause is simply because they are losing things.

But I, Uchiha Gen, am destined to lose nothing. As long as I wish to keep something, no one can change that. So, don't worry about me being affected. The Sharingan is the power of my Uchiha clan's bloodline. This power is not a curse, but a protection granted to us."

Uchiha Gen raised one hand to gently cover his right eye and spoke calmly. The longer he stayed in the Uchiha clan, the more Uchiha Gen understood why Tobirama Senju said the Uchiha were the clan that understood "love" the best.