A Meeting Gift and White Fang's Appreciation

The moment he arrived in the Land of Wind, the blood pact within Uchiha Chiba's body began to stir. This technique made Chiba increasingly curious, and he was just as curious about how Danzo had come to learn of it.

At the Konoha headquarters stationed in the Land of Wind.

Tsunade flicked Chiba on the forehead.

"What's wrong? Heatstroke? My chakra can't detect any illness." Tsunade was wearing casual clothes; she had shed the armor she wore in Amegakure due to the sweltering heat. Come to think of it, they hadn't seen a clear day in a long time. Given the climate of the Land of Rain, where it rained year-round, having a day or two without rain was considered a stroke of immense luck.

"Perhaps, Master. Did I delay your mission?" Uchiha Chiba rose from the bed, straightened his clothes, and slung his kusarigama over his back.

"Delay isn't the word for it, though some interesting things have happened these past few days," Tsunade shook her head, putting away her Chakra Scalpel.

Through their brief period of study, Uchiha Chiba had clearly defined what each of his three teachers was teaching him: Orochimaru was primarily responsible for ninjutsu and strategy, Jiraiya was in charge of teaching Chiba how to infiltrate enemy lines, as well as disguise and transformation techniques, while Tsunade taught him medical ninjutsu and taijutsu.

"What interesting things?" Uchiha Chiba was a bit confused. After all, he didn't know much about Konoha's war against Sunagakure during the Second Shinobi World War; he only knew that the White Fang of the Leaf had risen to fame during that conflict, and by its end, his reputation had even begun to eclipse that of the peak-era Orochimaru.

"Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of the Leaf, broke through a hundred-man squad all by himself and killed the son and daughter-in-law of the Sunagakure commander, Chiyo." Tsunade gestured for Uchiha Chiba to walk out of the tent with her.

Stepping out of the tent.

The wind and sand outside were fierce.

If Chiba remembered correctly.

The Kazekage currently ruling Sunagakure was the Third Kazekage... the nameless lord known as the strongest Kazekage, whose unique kekkei genkai was the Iron Sand World Method. Those pitch-black wings raining down terrifying iron sand were like a dark cloud on the battlefield.

Before the Sannin's troops arrived, Sakumo Hatake had been hesitant. He feared that if he charged the Sunagakure headquarters and got pinned down by the Third Kazekage or Chiyo, his own squad would be overrun by someone else, leading to the total collapse of the Konoha forces. But things were different now; Sakumo Hatake intended to let loose and go all out.

Just as Uchiha Chiba was lost in thought.

Jiraiya walked over.

"Are you feeling better?" Jiraiya smiled, pulling a scroll from his pocket and handing it to Chiba.

"This scroll contains the S-rank Fire Release: Dragon Flame Song Technique. I got it from the White Fang. Practice hard," Jiraiya said, then looked toward Tsunade.

Uchiha Chiba took the scroll and opened it on the spot. His Three Tomoe Sharingan spun wildly, and in just one minute, the Fire Release: Dragon Flame Song Technique was etched into his mind.

"Tsunade, Chiba, let's go. Orochimaru and the White Fang are still waiting," Jiraiya said, heading toward the central command tent first.

Following that.

Chiba hurried to catch up.

Tsunade watched Chiba's retreating back, which seemed to constantly merge with the image of Nawaki Senju. She rubbed her temples and let out a long, weary sigh, her chest heaving as she muttered, "What is wrong with me... am I just too tired lately?"

Inside the Konoha command tent in the Land of Wind.

"Since that's the case, we should just take it by force," Orochimaru said, pointing at the map.

"Hmm, I think so too. The Third Hokage sent me a secret message telling me to take this canyon as soon as possible. We don't have much time left," a white-haired man said, rubbing his chin. This was none other than the renowned White Fang of the Leaf, Sakumo Hatake.

"This canyon is easy to defend and hard to attack. Unless the Third Kazekage is an idiot, there must be heavy troops guarding it," Orochimaru continued.

"You're right, but..." Sakumo Hatake's voice trailed off as he turned to look at the entrance.

Then.

Jiraiya and the others walked into the tent.

"We aren't too late, are we?" Jiraiya quipped.

Sakumo Hatake shook his head.

"Of course not, Lord Jiraiya. Ah, Lady Tsunade, it's been a long time. I presume the little one behind you is the student shared by the Sannin?" Sakumo Hatake smiled, his gaze landing on Chiba.

Chiba felt a wave of terrifying chakra wash over him; it was an aura released unintentionally.

"Lord White Fang, I am Uchiha Chiba," Chiba nodded.

"Oh? A member of the Uchiha Clan, eh? Hahaha, we only knew that a genius kid had been taken as a disciple by the Sannin, but I didn't expect him to be from the Uchiha Clan. Of course, I don't mean that in a discriminatory way," Sakumo Hatake maintained his gentle smile.

"It's fine. I don't have a home anyway, so I don't care," Uchiha Chiba replied indifferently.

"Right, since this is our first meeting... here, take this," Sakumo Hatake said, pulling a scroll from his pocket and tossing it to Uchiha Chiba.

Thwack!

Catching the scroll.

Written on it was:

Puppet Technique Summary

"This was a trophy I found on the son and daughter-in-law of that Sunagakure commander, Chiyo. Of course, the bodies have already been returned. Now, let's talk about this valley. I don't have much time left," Sakumo Hatake said, returning to the map.

Orochimaru glanced at Chiba.

Then he beckoned him over.

Chiba also approached the map table.

"Back to the point, where were we... Right, this valley. I've already sent people to scout it. It's garrisoned by Chiyo's special puppet unit. They say it's extremely troublesome; taking this place in a short amount of time is nearly impossible," Sakumo Hatake glanced at Chiba before focusing intently on the map.

Orochimaru fell into deep thought.

Then.

Tsunade spoke up, "Since she is a puppeteer, she must be quite the expert at using poison."

"That is correct, Lady Tsunade. To tell you the truth, the moment you arrived in Amegakure, Chiyo sent over the formula for the Salamander Toxin antidote," Sakumo Hatake nodded.

"Oh? So that antidote was sent by her? I would certainly like to meet her," Tsunade remarked.

"I suggest we dispatch a surprise attack squad to strike the granary in the forest of the Land of Wind, on the side of the valley," Orochimaru pointed toward a forest not far to the right of the valley.

The Land of Wind did indeed have forests.

However, compared to its deserts, they were dwarfed by comparison.

"Hmm... My apologies, Lord Orochimaru, but my subordinates do not seem to have that kind of surprise attack squad," Sakumo Hatake frowned.

"Come to think of it, we do happen to have such a squad..." Orochimaru glanced at Tsunade.

Then, Tsunade spoke up: "Let Dan and the others go, and take this kid along while you're at it. He's a skilled assassin anyway, and his poisonous chakra is quite troublesome."

Tsunade patted the head of Chiba, who was much shorter than her.