White Fang of the Leaf

Senju Genma clapped Hatake Sakumo on the shoulder and said confidently, "Don't worry. I understand. Leave the One-Tail to me."

For ordinary ninja, Tailed Beasts were indeed difficult opponents.

But for Senju Genma, who had reached Kage Level and possessed Wood Release, he was confident he could fight any of the other Tailed Beasts, as long as it wasn't the Nine-Tails.

Among the Tailed Beasts, only the Nine-Tails could pose a threat to Senju Genma in a one-on-one fight.

Kurama's power was on a completely different level from that of the other eight Tailed Beasts.

With his Wood Release at its current level, Senju Genma wasn't yet a hundred percent confident he could suppress it.

Tsunade hurriedly said, "How can that be? It's a Tailed Beast! I have to go with you."

Senju Genma reached out and lightly tapped her forehead with his index and middle fingers together.

"Just stay put in the Logistics Department. Don't forget, my Wood Release counters Tailed Beasts."

"Besides, Sunagakure might have sent Shukaku here just to intimidate us. Maybe it won't even enter the battlefield."

"Fine!" Tsunade pouted, holding her forehead with both hands and looking pitiful.

Senju Genma quickly asked, "Does it hurt?"

Tsunade nodded, tears welling in her eyes.

Senju Genma reached out and patted the top of her head to comfort her.

Tsunade immediately broke into a smile.

Hatake Sakumo narrowed his eyes and snorted. "You two, get out!"

"Yes!" they answered in unison.

"We can finally leave. Let's go back and pick up where we left off!"

"Hey, keep your voice down! Don't let Sakumo hear you. He'll definitely get jealous. He might even make us stay."

Listening to the two of them, Hatake Sakumo clenched his back teeth so hard they almost shattered.

But soon he thought of his wife, who had died when old injuries flared up during childbirth, and his young son waiting at home for him to return. A forlorn look crossed his face.

Still, at least it was a son and not a daughter. He'd only have to take a few beatings from him someday. At least no one would steal him away!

Thinking of this, Hatake Sakumo couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Senju Genma and Tsunade walked outside. The dazzling sunlight fell warmly on them. Though it was already summer, it felt as if spring had arrived.

Senju Genma looked into the distance.

To be honest, he wasn't afraid of the battles to come. He was even a little excited.

He had faced many opponents, including Genin, Chunin, Jonin, and Elite Jonin. He had even encountered a legendary ninja, but he had never had a proper fight with a Tailed Beast.

Sealing the Nine-Tails didn't count. Uzumaki Mito had done the heavy lifting that time; all he had done was gently press down on Kurama's head with Kakuan Entering Society with Bliss-Bringing Hands. It hadn't been a fight at all.

Half a month later, on a dark and stormy night.

Konoha's forces had gathered.

Although Konoha had announced that Senju Genma had returned to the Land of River and even let him make an appearance on the battlefield, war was no game.

The Third Kazekage had spent enormous manpower and resources to bring Shukaku to the border of the Land of River. He wouldn't send him back without gaining anything. They had to achieve some strategic objectives.

For example, prolonging the war and expanding Sunagakure's military occupation of the Land of River.

But with Senju Genma joining Konoha's side, the advantage on the battlefield had grown even greater. Sunagakure had only a few strongholds left in the Land of River.

In response, the Third Kazekage had chosen to send troops on the offensive, hoping to use the Tailed Beast's power to strike at the forces of the Hidden Leaf Village.

The intelligence unit led by the dependable Orochimaru had learned of the news immediately and reported it to Hatake Sakumo.

"Why is Sakumo late? Wasn't he the one who told us to assemble here?" Senju Genma looked around, puzzled.

The Jonin standing beside Senju Genma, Yuhi Shinku, said, "Lord Genma, Lord Sakumo is assigning tasks to the various units. Please don't worry. He'll be here soon."

Senju Genma narrowed his eyes and looked at Yuhi Shinku's.

Those eyes looked so much like Yuhi Kurenai's in his memories! The only difference was their color.

What a shame Yuhi Kurenai was still so young. Otherwise...

Faced with Senju Genma's handsome face, Yuhi Shinku grew self-conscious under his gaze and could only lower his head and rub his hands together.

After waiting for two or three minutes, Hatake Sakumo appeared at the front of the troops.

Hatake Sakumo quickly addressed the ninja with a pre-battle pep talk.

He said the decisive battle was coming, they would surely win, and the village wouldn't let them down when they returned, and so on.

Some hot-blooded young ninja were soon so swept up by Hatake Sakumo's smooth talk that they shouted about giving their lives for Konoha.

"Move out!"

At Hatake Sakumo's command, the Konoha Ninja forces surged into motion and headed for the border of the Land of River.

Though the Land of River was near the Land of Wind, its terrain was quite different.

Most of the Land of River was covered in forest, with only a small area near the Land of Wind blanketed in sand.

Hatake Sakumo led the Konoha Ninja through the trees, racing toward the border between the Land of River and the Land of Wind.

Half an hour later, at the border between the Land of River and the Land of Wind.

Chiyo stood at the border of the Land of River, with her younger brother Ebizo close behind. Rasa and Bunpuku stood side by side behind them, with the main force of the Sand Ninja bringing up the rear.

Their objective was to use the One-Tail Shukaku to catch Konoha off guard and eliminate as many of its forces as possible. Ideally, they would kill a Kage Level opponent from Konoha.

But now, they were facing a major problem.

"Damn it, Konoha's forces are on the move and heading straight for us. We've only just started!" Ebizo handed Chiyo an intelligence report.

They hadn't expected Konoha's intelligence network to be so advanced. Their plan had barely begun, and it had already been discovered.

"What should we do now?"

"How about we ambush them along their route and lay traps? They won't be expecting it," Rasa suggested.

Chiyo shook her head. "Konoha's forces aren't far from us. There's no time to set traps now."

Ebizo asked, "Should we retreat, then?"

"I'm afraid it's too late to retreat. Prepare for battle," Chiyo said firmly.

"Who's there?" Just then, Ebizo, a sensory ninja, sensed something amiss and shouted toward the distance.

Realizing he couldn't stay hidden, Hatake Sakumo simply stopped concealing himself and leaped out.

"You two siblings are still as troublesome as ever!" Hatake Sakumo drew his short sword, its blade gleaming coldly.

A sea of Konoha Ninja appeared behind him.

"White Fang of the Leaf, so it was you!" Chiyo said through gritted teeth.

Hatake Sakumo had killed her son and daughter-in-law.

It was only natural that Chiyo and Ebizo would be furious at the sight of the man who had killed their family.

Hatake Sakumo looked ahead. His side clearly outnumbered the enemy, which eased his mind a little.

Then he looked at Bunpuku, knowing that this man was the greatest variable in this war.

But their objective was to keep Shukaku from crossing into the Land of River.