The First Uzukage Awakens, Heading to the Training Grounds

Inside the ninja hospital, several medical staff were busy adjusting the nutrient solution drips.

Uzumaki Ashina was in a deep coma due to excessive chakra exhaustion.

Muto, captain of the Fifth Division, looked down at the Uzukage lying on the hospital bed.

He frowned to himself; all they could do was administer nutrients and let the Uzukage's body repair itself.

Jiro led Tsunade inside this hospital, which had been built alongside the Land of Whirlpools itself.

The massive hospital was empty now; everyone was out fighting for the sake of the Uzumaki Clan.

It seemed the entire Uzumaki Clan had been fully mobilized.

"Muto, where are you? Come out and take me to see the Uzukage."

As the chief physician of the Uzumaki Clan, Muto immediately hushed Jiro's shouting.

"Can't you see I'm treating the Uzukage? Shouting and disturbing his rest is a grave offense."

Muto ignored Jiro's reprimand and instead offered a faint smile, stepping aside to let Tsunade approach.

"The Second Uzukage invited Lady Tsunade here to treat our First Uzukage. Take us to the ward at once."

Jiro looked at Tsunade as she stepped forward; he knew she was a medical ninja.

However, Tsunade had not yet made a great name for herself in the field of medical ninjutsu; she was mostly known as the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

Age was a significant factor for a medical ninja, and seeing Tsunade so young, he wondered if she was really capable of treating the Uzukage.

Wasn't the Second Uzukage being reckless by inviting someone so young?

Still, she was of the Senju Clan; perhaps she could actually succeed. Jiro's expression remained grim.

Tsunade walked in and examined the medication being used on the Uzukage.

She stepped forward to observe Uzumaki Ashina closely, noting his furrowed brow.

He was covered in cold sweat and his breathing was labored; such injuries were common within the Senju Clan.

The Senju Clan possessed immense vitality, and in the heat of battle, when chakra was exhausted, they could tap into their powerful life force to unleash a surge of chakra.

The aftermath, however, was a deep coma and a reduction in lifespan. It seemed the previous battle had been intense.

She opened Uzumaki Ashina's mouth and pulled a specially crafted Military Ration Pill from her ninja pouch.

Standard Military Ration Pills were used by ninjas in combat to instantly boost and restore chakra.

But this was Tsunade's custom-made Military Ration Pill, designed to effectively replenish physical strength and accelerate recovery from chakra-depletion damage.

She placed it under his tongue to be absorbed slowly, then formed hand seals.

"Medical Ninjutsu: Mystical Palm Technique."

She placed her hands over his heart, using her chakra to force an abnormal increase in his metabolic rate, accelerating Uzumaki Ashina's recovery.

As her chakra intensified, his body's metabolism quickened, and the Military Ration Pill beneath his tongue was gradually absorbed.

His brow smoothed out, the cold sweat ceased, and his breathing steadied—the results were immediate.

Jiro now understood that the other party's medical skill was leagues above his own.

No wonder the Second Uzukage had invited her to treat the First; he quickly asked the question that mattered most to a medical ninja.

"Lady Tsunade, how did you do that?"

He, the most skilled healer in the Land of Whirlpools, had been unable to achieve such a result.

"The Second Uzukage fell into a coma due to excessive chakra usage; you know this. Simply administering nutrient solution can achieve the same effect as my method."

"Chakra is a combination of physical energy and spiritual energy. When cells lack energy, the Uzukage can only rely on his willpower to control his body."

"Once that willpower falters, the Uzukage falls into a coma. The special Military Ration Pill I used gently replenishes the energy in his body's cells."

"My Mystical Palm Technique stimulates the patient's heart to boost vitality, precisely controlling the flow of chakra into the bloodstream to circulate throughout the body and replenish the cells' missing chakra."

"Once the cells recover, they regain the ability to produce new chakra, allowing the Uzukage to recover a hundred times faster."

Stunned by the barrage of theory, Jiro sighed to himself; she was truly worthy of being Hashirama Senju's granddaughter.

Under Tsunade's treatment, Uzumaki Ashina opened his eyes, feeling as if he had been trapped at the bottom of a ten-thousand-meter ocean, the pressure of the water leaving him unable to move.

Then, a warm current lifted him up from the seabed.

"How long have I been unconscious? Has the battle with Kirigakure ended?"

Hearing the Uzukage speak, Tsunade continued her treatment without changing her expression.

A chunin ran in, discovering that the Uzukage had regained consciousness.

"Congratulations on your recovery, First Uzukage. Lord Muto, the Second Uzukage is at the training grounds test-firing the Rocket Launcher meant for Kirigakure, and I have come to inform you."

Uzumaki Ashina felt a pang of worry; it seemed there was still a battle to be fought. A Rocket Launcher? It appeared his son had already found a way to deal with Kirigakure.

He hurriedly tried to rise. "I must go see this so-called Rocket Launcher."

"Uzukage, your injuries have not yet healed; you should continue to rest."

Tsunade spoke up.

"It's fine. Your healing treatment was very effective; my body feels much lighter now. I know my own condition best."

"I still want to see the Rocket Launcher you all mentioned so that I can set my mind at ease."

Uzumaki Jiro and Uzumaki Muto wanted to speak up and persuade him otherwise, but knowing the Uzukage's temperament, they could only silently acquiesce as he rose to his feet.

Uzumaki Ashina stretched his body as he stood up; although he still lacked physical strength, he knew a good night's sleep would fix that immediately.

He beckoned to the others and took the lead, walking out first.

Tsunade could only shake her head to herself regarding his decision to end the treatment early.

As they looked toward the training ground ahead, a sudden "boom" rang out.

A rocket flew through the sky, and another roar echoed through the air.

So that is the new weapon? It looks like an arrow from a bow, yet it can spew fire—no wonder it is called a Rocket Launcher.

Watching the rocket launch from the training ground, Uzumaki Ashina felt a renewed sense of hope for the coming battle, and his body felt several times better.

He quickened his pace toward Uzumaki Shori. Upon entering, he saw the rocket tube—it was slender and long, measuring a full meter. He examined it closely and realized it was constructed using Earth Release ninjutsu.

It seems this is what is used to launch them.

Uzumaki Shori noticed his father arriving at the training ground and immediately stepped forward.

"Father, your injuries haven't healed yet. How can you be out and about?"

Before Uzumaki Shori could finish, Uzumaki Ashina pointed at the rocket tube and interrupted him.

"Tsunade's medical ninjutsu is truly remarkable. Aside from a bit of exhaustion, my body has already recovered. The rest will be taken care of with a good night's sleep."

"I will certainly be in peak condition to face the enemy in the battle three days from now. Uzumaki Shori, I ask you: how many of these Rocket Launchers can be produced in three days?"

Uzumaki Shori glanced at Uzumaki Sasuke, who understood the cue and stepped forward to answer.

"First Uzukage, we currently have one factory in operation, producing about one hundred and seventy units per day. Two more factories will be put into use tomorrow. By the time of the decisive battle in three days, we will have one thousand two hundred units."

Tsunade looked toward the target, stunned by the explosive power of a Rocket Launcher with a nine-kilometer range.