Several days later, Leaf Frontline Camp—Command Tent
Tianyi and Minato had barely entered the camp when the heavy stench of blood hit them head-on.
The tents were packed with wounded men. Some lay groaning on stretchers, while others slept against the walls.
The bloodstains on their bandages had dried into dark brown patches. Several medical ninjas hurried among them, their faces etched with exhaustion.
He quickened his pace and headed for the innermost command tent.
The flap was lifted again. Jiraiya sat in the seat of honor, his right arm suspended against his chest in bandages.
White gauze wrapped from his shoulder all the way to his fingertips, with blood faintly seeping through.
His complexion was far paler than usual, yet his eyes remained sharp.
When he saw Tianyi and Minato enter, Jiraiya's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Kid, you're finally here!"
Everyone else in the tent raised their heads. The captains, strategists, and intelligence officers all visibly lost some of the gloom on their faces the moment they saw Tianyi.
News from the Hidden Sand Village front had long since spread throughout the camp. One man had broken a village, killed a Tailed Beast, and forced back the Hidden Sand Village's main forces.
With someone like that coming as reinforcements, who wouldn't breathe a sigh of relief?
Tianyi strode forward, his gaze falling on Jiraiya's right arm.
"Lord Jiraiya, I didn't expect even you to suffer such a serious injury. It seems the enemy is very strong."
Jiraiya gave a hearty laugh, trying to brush it off with his usual boldness.
"Ah, just a minor injury. It'll be fine in a couple days—" Halfway through, his expression darkened, and his voice turned grave.
"But honestly, the Third Raikage's strength has exceeded my expectations.
Even when facing the old man alone,