Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, Shin and the others had been following their acting Jonin, Asakawa Ki, on D-Rank Missions.
On this day, Tsunade finally returned, looking weary and travel-worn.
"Tsunade, what mission were you sent on? How come it took so long?"
Shin asked her curiously.
"I went to the Land of Wind to investigate Sunagakure's movements. The Shinobi World probably won't stay peaceful much longer," Tsunade said after taking a sip of water.
Sunagakure had been showing signs of unrest, which Konoha's ninjas had noticed. So Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi had sent Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya to investigate what Sunagakure was up to.
A long time had passed since the First Shinobi World War. The major ninja villages had built up their military strength, and the hardliners were beginning to gain influence.
After investigating, Tsunade had learned that Sunagakure was preparing for war. Its target was Konoha, in the Land of Fire.
Konoha had always been a target, not only because its strength made the other villages wary, but also because the Land of Fire was so well situated.
Compared with the fertile, prosperous Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, where Sunagakure was located, was practically the poorest place around. Apart from its vast size, it had nothing to offer.
Shin nodded at her words. It seemed the Second Shinobi World War was about to begin.
The Second Shinobi World War was a conflict between Konoha in the Land of Fire, Sunagakure in the Land of Wind, Iwagakure in the Land of Earth, and Amegakure in the Land of Rain, each representing its respective country.
The Land of Rain was a small country, and it would also become the battlefield for this war.
"By the way, even though I'm