At the end of January 1949, Konoha Ninja were mobilized once again at the summons of the Third Hokage.
Unlike in the early stages of the war, the Jonin Division no longer had dissenting voices; everyone had only one thought: to win the war in one fell swoop and become the true victorious nation.
Inside the Hokage Building's recruitment room, Sarutobi Hiruzen, unlike before, decisively issued a series of orders amidst the surprised gazes of the crowd.
Shikaku Nara glanced thoughtfully at Tsunade standing to the side, then, as he took the mission scroll and left the room with his companions, he murmured, "It seems Lady Tsunade is the Fourth Hokage!"
" Shikaku, wasn't this something that was decided a long time ago?"
Akimichi Choza responded nonchalantly, saying that the clan had already made an "investment" long ago, and Tsunade had even helped the Akimichi Clan improve the side effects of the secret medicine. The cooperation between the two sides was very pleasant.
Yamanaka Inoichi patted his partner's broad shoulder, shook his head, and teased, "Being too smart isn't a good thing either; it makes you less sincere. Choza, the Akimichi Clan will definitely get the new Hokage's favor this time."
Akimichi Choza looked at the two of them, puzzled Shikaku Nara, without mentioning the clan's internal betting scheme, put his arms behind his head and said with a smile, "With Lady Tsunade's magnanimity, she shouldn't care about such things."
"In short, this is a good thing. The Anbu needs reform; diverting a portion of its resources is completely unnecessary."
No one likes being evaluated by Root ninjas. Although he knew it was for the sake of maintaining the village's stability, Shikaku Nara consistently opposed it.
Yamanaka Inoichi felt that Shikaku had already identified with the victorious nation, so he solemnly reminded him, " Shikaku, you must have a sense of awe on the battlefield, and never be careless at any time."
"You're not alone anymore; you have to be responsible for your family."
Shikaku Nara's lips twitched, and he suddenly lost his motivation; women were just too much trouble.
The Third Hokage trusted the " Ino-Shika-Cho " trio the most, and he didn't mind the three clans' early investment. Seeing Tsunade slightly, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt even more pleased. " Minato, I'll trouble you to go to the front lines in the Land of Hot Water for now. If there are any changes in the Land of Grass, we'll need your support."
Wearing his Jonin combat uniform, Minato Namikaze immediately bowed and replied, "I will complete all the tasks assigned by the village. However, Team 7 still needs to provide guidance to the Jonin during this period, so we will have to trouble the Lord Hokage with your help."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't take the few Chunin seriously, and simply smiled and did them a favor, " Minato, do you have any recommendations?"
"Let Kakashi lead the team for me for now. He's experienced too much killing in the Land of Grass; it'll be good for him to rest for a while."
"As Kakashi's teacher, I've neglected my duties somewhat; I was only thinking about my own feelings for a while."
Minato Namikaze chuckled awkwardly. He had been busy taking care of Kushina since their engagement, and he felt somewhat guilty about Kakashi's current state.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and agreed, then turned to Shu Furukawa and said kindly, "Osamu, you'll be in charge of patrolling the eastern outposts of the Land of Fire. If Kirigakure doesn't take any action, then we'll consider supporting the Land of Rain."
"Fortunately, we have you two extremely fast ninjas; otherwise, facing attacks from all sides, the village would have had a very difficult time putting up an effective counterattack."
Shu Furukawa bowed in response, then humbly replied, " Lord Hokage, I guarantee the mission will be completed. Minato- kun is the true speedster; I can only offer some assistance at most."
Minato Namikaze transformed back into a "little sun," a bright smile spreading across his face as he extended an invitation, "Shu, we can exchange ideas sometime. The Flying Thunder God likely has many areas for further development. Kushina is very skilled in Sealing Jutsu; she can also offer some assistance."
" Minato- kun, thank you so much!"
Shu Furukawa smiled and thanked her, then noticed the hesitant look on Tsunade's face and solemnly assured her again, " Tsunade, it's just to guard against an attack from Kirigakure. There are excellent comrades at the base, so there's no need to worry about me."
After training together for a month, Tsunade could feel the changes in her body. The thought of Shu Furukawa about to start another mission filled her with inexplicable worry.
Tsunade, striving to maintain a serious expression, looked at the two and earnestly advised, "Don't push yourselves. The village isn't at a point where it can't accept defeat. Konoha's future depends on young people like you."
Shu Furukawa and Minato Namikaze responded in unison again. As they left the room together, Minato suddenly whispered something.
"I don't want to see Kushina on the front lines. It may sound selfish, but I'm afraid it might cause problems for her due to the battle seal."
"If possible, please, Lady Tsunade, I will fight to the very end."
The problem with the Jinchūriki of Kumogakure also startled Minato Namikaze. A strange look flashed across Furukawa Osamu's face as he replied in a deep voice, "Don't worry, Minato-kun, with everyone here, that kind of terrible situation definitely won't happen."
Minato Namikaze smiled again and responded, then, when talking about Kakashi, he blamed himself again, saying, " Kakashi used to team up with me; I didn't take good care of him."
"Hopefully, returning to his companions this time will help him get rid of that extreme thinking."
Shu Furukawa nodded. As long as Kakashi wasn't placed under the Cursed Seal, he would always find a way to free him from the Root: "How can a will destined to disappear erode the mind and body?"
White Zetsu naturally noticed Konoha's mobilization, and the Uchiha Clan began a new round of "medicine training," the frenzied atmosphere leaving White Zetsu bewildered.
Fugaku Uchiha continued to boldly recruit boys around 10 years old, and Shisui Uchiha was among those conscripted. This genius ninja would fight alongside Shu Furukawa.
Having already received inside information about the Hokage Position Fugaku Uchiha was in high spirits. He invited Shisui to his home for dinner, and afterward, he kindly instructed his junior, " Shisui, in the future, you will become an important figure in communication between the Uchiha and the village."
"Don't let everyone down. If we encounter a battle, I hope you can fully demonstrate the power of the Uchiha Clan!"
Shisui Uchiha bowed his head in agreement, but when he saw Fugaku Uchiha handing him the Three-Color Pills, his expression changed slightly.
"This is a secret medicine that has been improved within our clan; it can enhance eye power!"
On the Land of Iron peninsula, in the Mountains' Graveyard, White Zetsu once again reported on the situation of the Uchiha Clan.
Upon hearing that drugs were used to enhance eye power, the aged Madara Uchiha chuckled softly before finally speaking with a mocking tone, "I never imagined that my clansmen had fallen to such a low level."
"Emotions amplified by drugs can only ultimately transform into a false sense of power."
"Once they take the drugs, even the so-called Uchiha genius is nothing special."
"Is there anyone who insists on using their own strength to open their eyes?"
Before the Ancient White Zetsu could speak, the inferior White Zetsu who was just watching the show chuckled and recommended, " Lord Madara, I reported to you that idiot has the latest medicine, but refuses to take it, firmly believing that he can awaken his Sharingan."
"But that idiot only talks the talk; he spends most of his time hanging around a girl."
Another lively White Zetsu chimed in with a grin, "I remember him, the Uchiha who liked to help old women! That guy was a real idiot, always talking about wanting to be Hokage."
Madara Uchiha recalled White Zetsu's recommendation. Upon hearing that Uchiha Hokage, a mocking glint appeared in his Red Eye: "Give him a chance. If he can become my successor, he will completely abandon his past delusions!"
" Hashirama, let me personally end this ninja village system that only creates war and suffering."
Despite panting heavily, Madara Uchiha persisted in his daily " Hashirama Time." Only by mentioning that name could he endure living in this hideous state.
Far from this massive base, in a ravine, Shu Furukawa's spirit led his White Zetsu Clone astray underground.
Guided by the Katsuyu, Shu Furukawa finally found a God Tree. Looking up into the underground space, he subconsciously exclaimed, "No wonder it could create White Zetsu army!"
The space above was filled with thick roots. The Katsuyu, unusually surprised, released the resonance, wiggled its antennae on its shoulder, and earnestly explained to the Root, "It's probably the God Tree's shell providing the energy; the roots are still alive!"
"This residual energy must be being manipulated; they can sense changes in the energy."
"Lord Xiu, if you can absorb it, your Chakra can undergo another transformation."