The Third Hokage looked at the urgent dispatch from the eastern front, his brows tightly furrowed. He handed it to Jin, then went to the window without a word and took several hard drags from his pipe.
"The Land of Water's forces are pretty formidable! They actually beat Lady Tsunade so badly that she couldn't fight back at all. Lord Hokage, what do you intend to do about this?" Jin asked after reading the letter.
The Third Hokage took a few puffs and said, "What do you think?"
Jin immediately replied, "I won't be free for the next month. I need to force the Land of Lightning into surrender within a month, so I don't have much time to join the eastern battlefield. Besides, I still have to guard against an attack from the Land of Lightning. So, old man, don't set your sights on me."
"But we have no troops left to send there," the Third Hokage said. "I heard you hired Otogakure and the Akatsuki to sabotage the Land of Lightning's supply routes. You must have paid a steep price. I already know the Land of Lightning's current situation. They won't attack us for the time being. So go to the eastern front without worry!"
Jin's mind raced. He put on a thoughtful expression, then said several minutes later, "I can go to the eastern front. But shouldn't Konoha cover the money for hiring Otogakure and the Akatsuki? If I didn't have so few people, I wouldn't have resorted to this."
"Sigh! Your troops are the only ones still free right now. Besides, Konoha should indeed pay that money. I agree. Rest for one day, then go reinforce Tsunade's eastern army tomorrow. If the Land of Lightning attacks again, I'll transfer Kakashi's troops north to hold back their