White Fang of the Leaf

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

Tailed Beasts are indeed difficult entities for ordinary ninja to deal with.

However, for Senju Genma, who has already reached the Kage level and possesses Wood Release, he is confident he can fight any Tailed Beast, provided it is not the Nine-Tails.

Among the current Tailed Beasts, only the Nine-Tails can make Senju Genma feel threatened in a one-on-one fight.

Kurama's power is on an entirely different level compared to the other eight Tailed Beasts.

With his current level of Wood Release, Senju Genma does not yet have one hundred percent certainty that he can suppress it.

Tsunade hurriedly said, "How can that be? That's a Tailed Beast; I must go with you."

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

"Just stay obediently in the logistics department. Don't forget that my Wood Release is the bane of Tailed Beasts."

"Besides, perhaps the Hidden Sand Village only sent Shukaku for deterrence; they might not even bring it onto the battlefield."

"Fine then!" Tsunade pouted, touching her forehead with both hands, looking pitiful.

Senju Genma asked hurriedly, "Does it hurt?"

Tsunade nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.

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

Tsunade immediately started to laugh.

Sakumo Hatake narrowed his eyes, let out a cold snort, and said, "You two, get out of here!"

"Yes!" the two replied in unison.

"Finally we can leave, let's go back and continue!"

"Hey, hey! Keep your voice down, don't let Sakumo hear you. He'll definitely be jealous and might just keep us here."

Listening to their conversation, Sakumo Hatake felt like his molars were about to shatter!

But he soon thought of his wife, who had passed away due to complications from old injuries during childbirth, and his young son waiting for him at home, and a look of loneliness appeared on his face.

Fortunately, it was a son and not a daughter; at worst, he'll just get beaten up a few times in the future, as long as he doesn't get whisked away!

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

Senju Genma and Tsunade walked outside, the dazzling sunlight shining warmly upon them; even though it was already summer, it felt as if spring had arrived.

Senju Genma looked into the distance.

Regarding the upcoming battles, to be honest, Senju Genma felt no fear, but rather a hint of anticipation.

He had encountered many opponents, including Genin, Chunin, Jonin, and Elite Jonin, and had even met legends among ninja, but he had never fought a Tailed Beast in earnest.

Sealing the Nine-Tails didn't count; the main force that time was Uzumaki Mito, and he had only been responsible for a light tap on Kurama's head with Kuan Entering the Marketplace with Bliss-Bringing Hands; there had been no actual combat.

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

The Hidden Leaf forces completed their assembly.

Although the Hidden Leaf had released the news that Senju Genma had returned to the Land of River and had him show his face on the battlefield, war is never child's play.

The Third Kazekage had spent a massive amount of manpower and resources to send Shukaku to the border of the Land of River; he would never take it back without achieving any results—he had to accomplish some strategic goals.

For example, extending the duration of this war and expanding the Hidden Sand Village's military occupation zone in the Land of River.

However, with the addition of Senju Genma to the Hidden Leaf side, their battlefield advantage was even greater, and the Hidden Sand Village had few strongholds left within the Land of River.

In response, the Third Kazekage chose to dispatch troops to take the initiative, hoping to use the power of the Tailed Beast to strike the Hidden Leaf forces.

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

"Why is Sakumo late? Wasn't it him who notified us to assemble here?" Senju Genma looked around, feeling puzzled.

The Jonin Yuhi Shinku, standing beside Senju Genma, spoke up: "My Lord Genma, Lord Sakumo is currently assigning tasks to each unit. Please do not be impatient; Lord Sakumo will arrive shortly."

Senju Genma narrowed his eyes, looking into Yuhi Shinku's eyes.

These eyes were so similar to the Yuhi Kurenai in his memories! Only the color was different.

It was a pity that Yuhi Kurenai was still young, otherwise...

Facing Senju Genma's handsome face, Yuhi Shinku felt somewhat embarrassed by the stare and could only lower his head and rub his hands together.

After waiting for two or three minutes, Sakumo Hatake's figure appeared in front of the troops.

Sakumo Hatake spoke quickly, giving the ninja a pre-battle pep talk.

He mostly spoke about how the decisive battle was approaching, that this battle would surely be won, and that the village would not treat everyone poorly upon their return, and so on.

Some hot-blooded young ninja were quickly fooled by this old veteran Sakumo Hatake, becoming completely enthralled and shouting that they would sacrifice themselves for the Hidden Leaf.

"Move out!"

Following Sakumo Hatake's order, the Hidden Leaf ninja forces moved as one, marching in a grand procession toward the border of the Land of River.

Although the Land of River is adjacent to the Land of Wind, its environment is quite different from that of the Land of Wind.

The terrain of the Land of River is mostly forest, with only a small portion near the Land of Wind covered by desert.

Sakumo Hatake leaped through the trees with the Leaf ninja, racing toward the border between the Land of River and the Land of Wind.

Half an hour later, on the other side of the border between the Land of River and the Land of Wind.

Chiyo stood on the border of the Land of River, with her younger brother Ebizo following closely behind. Behind them stood Rasa and Bunpuku side-by-side, followed by the main force of the Sand Ninja.

The goal of their mission was to catch the Leaf off guard using One-Tail Shukaku, annihilating as much of the Leaf's vital strength as possible—and if they could kill a Kage-level powerhouse of the Leaf, that would be even better.

But now, they were facing a major problem.

"Damn it, the Leaf's forces are on the move and charging toward us. We've only just begun our operation!" Ebizo handed a piece of intelligence to Chiyo.

They had not expected the Leaf's intelligence network to be so advanced; their plan had been discovered the moment it began.

"What should we do now?"

"How about we set an ambush along their path and lay traps? They surely won't be prepared," Rasa suggested.

Chiyo shook her head. "The Leaf's forces are not far from us; it's already too late to set traps."

Ebizo asked, "Then should we retreat?"

"I'm afraid we can't retreat anymore. Prepare for battle," Chiyo said with a firm tone.

"Who's there?" At that moment, Ebizo, a sensory-type ninja, sensed something unusual and shouted toward the distance.

Knowing he could no longer remain hidden, Sakumo Hatake stopped trying to conceal himself and leaped out.

"You two siblings are still as troublesome as ever!" Sakumo Hatake drew his short blade, the steel gleaming with a cold light.

A dark mass of Leaf ninja appeared behind him as well.

"White Fang of the Leaf, it really is you!" Chiyo gritted her teeth as she spoke.

Sakumo Hatake was the one who had killed her son and daughter-in-law.

Seeing the enemy who had killed her kin, it would be strange if Chiyo and Ebizo were not furious.

Sakumo Hatake looked ahead and felt slightly relieved, noting that the enemy's numbers were clearly inferior to his own.

He then looked toward Bunpuku, aware that this man was the greatest variable in this war.

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