As the Kazekage and the commander-in-chief of the battlefield, Rasa certainly bears some responsibility for the defeat. The fact that the poison he used on Chiyo failed to work twice also affected the reputation of this old man who enjoyed a high status in Sesshomaru Village.
Decades of experience as a ninja quickly helped Chiyo adjust her emotions.
What she needs to do now is turn failure into motivation and devote herself fully to what she needs to do now.
"Konoha, Tsunade, and the Meikyō the Body Flicker —our war is far from over!"
"Are you the Walking Miko of Root?"
Tsunade looked at the woman in front of her with curiosity, who was wearing an animal mask and had the same hair color as her.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Yakushi Nonō nodded in reply to Tsunade.
As Root's top spy, her identity is kept absolutely secret, which is why she presents herself in this guise.
"Your Medical Ninjutsu has reached such a level that you're able to become Chiyo's assistant in the Medical Department in Suna."
Teuchi Nonō Yakushi Nonō and quickly recognized her identity.
Konoha established Tsunade's Medical Ninja system, and she personally trained every outstanding Medical Ninja. In addition, Yakushi Nonō Tsunade Tsunade, was a female ninja, and was also extremely skilled in Medical Ninjutsu, so Tsunade naturally had a certain impression of her.
"Lady Tsunade, you flatter me. However, please refrain from making any statements related to my identity in any setting."
Yakushi Nonō suppressed all her emotions and answered in the emotionless voice typical of Root members.
Seeing Yakushi Nonō in this state, a pang of heartache flashed in Tsunade's eyes.
This was originally Medical Ninja she had high hopes for, hoping that he could become a pillar of Konoha Medical System!
Should we think of a way to talk to the Third Hokage old man and bring Yakushi Nonō back to his Medical Department from the Root?
"Oh? Does this senior from Root have superb Medical Ninjutsu? Teacher Tsunade, the Medical Corps is short-handed right now and urgently needs highly skilled Medical Ninja. How about we transfer this senior from Root to the Medical Corps to help me? After all, you never handle affairs normally, and all these things are on my shoulders, which I simply can't manage!"
At this moment, Meikyō's thoughts also jumped to the same frequency as Tsunade's.
Tsunade is usually too lazy to manage most of the trivial matters and dumps them all on Meikyō. If someone could share the burden, Meikyō would be more than happy to agree.
Moreover, if Danzo's power can be weakened, poaching people from his ranks would be something to celebrate.
Of course, we also need to consider that if our side really manages to find out about it, we need to be Danzo of Yakushi Nonō some orders that are detrimental to us. However, if such a thing really happens, we might be able to use it to Danzo back at that old bastard Danzo.
"I'm sorry, Lady Tsunade, the orders I received from Root are to continue my mission after retreating from the front lines here and infiltrating Iwagakure."
Yakushi Nonō refused once again in a completely emotionless voice, even though she was now more inclined to side with Tsunade.
But the orphanage was the Danzo thing she couldn't let go of, and it was also the most important handle that allowed Yakushi Nonō.
"I'll go explain to Orochimaru!"
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively.
Yakushi Nonō apologized to Tsunade once again.
"I'm sorry, Lady Tsunade, this order was not issued by Lord Orochimaru, but by Lord Danzo. He is now the leader of Root."
The smile on Tsunade's face vanished quickly.
"Danzo? The old man actually recalled that Nezumi hiding underground so quickly? Oh right, Orochimaru is now the commander resisting Kumogakure, so the position of Root leader should naturally return to Danzo."
Tsunade understood perfectly. The Third Hokage's idea was simply that since Tsunade and Kato Dan, who opposed Danzo, were both on the front lines, any opinions they had to report back to Konoha wouldn't cause much of a stir.
"I disagree!"
Tsunade on the table.
"Tsunade, I will have someone send a message back to the village, in my name as the commander of the Suna front and in your capacity as the head of the Konoha Medical Department, to request that Yakushi Nonō be transferred out of Root and incorporated into the Medical Department."
Dan Katō glanced at the table, which had a deep handprint left by Tsunade's slap, and thought for a moment before speaking.
"Thank you very much, Lady Tsunade, Lord Dan, and Lord Meikyō."
Knowing there was no point in hiding her identity from Tsunade, Yakushi Nonō removed the animal mask from her face.
"But I still can't agree."
"Why."
"Tsunade asked."
"For my children."
Tsunade's expression changed once again, and she clenched her fist, which cracked loudly.
"That Danzo guy has actually stooped so low as to kidnap the children and relatives of his own villagers to use as a means of coercing others."
"Lady Tsunade, you misunderstand. I am not married or have children. What I mean is that I am the director of an orphanage in Konoha, and the orphanage's funding has always been provided by Lord Danzo. The price I paid was that I joined Root and served Lord Danzo."
Yakushi Nonō took out her Glasses from her pocket, put them on, and said with a gentle smile.
Tsunade remained silent for a moment, feeling a surge of admiration for Yakushi Nonō, before speaking.
"The Medical Department will also provide financial support to the orphanage in the future. This is more legitimate than Root, an organization that hides in the shadows. We will guarantee more than three million ryo every year. Dan and I will also make suggestions at the next Jonin Conference to increase the village's support for institutions like the orphanage."
Tsunade has already started planning whether to gamble less in the future if this is still not enough.
She can spend tens of thousands of taels a day. The money she and Dan Katō, two Kage Level masters, usually earn from missions isn't enough for her gambling. If she could save some of it, it would be enough to support an orphanage.
Dan Katō in agreement.
"Regarding this matter, I will also persuade Clan Chief Fugaku to have the Uchiha Clan and the Police Force provide charitable assistance to Konoha's orphanages, nursing homes, and other institutions. As a powerful clan that co-founded Konoha with the Senju, I believe the Uchiha Clan has this obligation."
Meikyō added from the side.
"As for Danzo, you don't need to worry about him. If that guy dares to cause trouble, I can lead my men straight into Root, and no one in Konoha will dare to say anything!"
Tsunade concluded with a final, triumphant wave.
As the First Hokage's granddaughter, she saved countless Konoha Ninja and had a distinguished military record, making her the one with the deepest background in Konoha.
Or rather, she herself is the background, representing the orthodoxy of Konoha passed down from the First Hokage and the Second Hokage.
Of course, if they really did that, it would be an open confrontation with Shimura Danzō, and Danzo's old classmates would definitely Danzo with him. It might even lead to an internal power struggle between the Young Faction generation of the village, such as Tsunade and Dan Katō, and the older generation of high-ranking officials, such as Danzo.
"Well then, thank you all very much!"
Yakushi Nonō showed a grateful expression and bowed to everyone.
It's definitely a good thing that the orphanage has received the support of these important figures.
Yakushi Nonō knew very well that she couldn't go against Tsunade's will by staying here, so she could only settle down here and join the front-line Medical Corps.
As for the future, it depends on the clash between Danzo and Tsunade. On her own Nonō is more inclined to follow Dan Katō and Tsunade because Tsunade and the others are not only more generous than Danzo, but also less dangerous than what Danzo asks of them.
"Hiruzen, look at this! Look at this! What do Dan Katō and Tsunade mean by this? They've actually tried to poach people from my Root! The Wandering Miko is a strategically important S-rank spy, a key member of Root. With just one word from her, she transferred her directly to the Medical Department!"
Upon receiving the news, Shimura Danzō stormed into Hiruzen Sarutobi's office in a menacing manner.
"Tsunade's actions were indeed somewhat unethical, but I think she might be using this opportunity to express her dissatisfaction."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his pipe, took a puff with a look of enjoyment, and then spoke.
The Third Hokage was pleased to see a conflict erupt between Dan Katō Tsunade's faction and Orochimaru's Danzo.
As long as these struggles are kept within a certain range and no excessive incidents occur, it is actually beneficial to the Third Hokage.
"They actually dare to express their dissatisfaction; this is arrogance and a desire to take credit for others' work!"
"Danzo, Tsunade are trying to express is their dissatisfaction with my reinstating you to your original position."
The Third Hokage Danzo a warning.
"Hiruzen, this precedent must not be set! I demand that Yakushi Nonō be transferred back to Root!"
Danzo said solemnly.
"Danzo, Yakushi Nonō is currently in the hands of Tsunade and Dan. She has a request; you should go to them."
"Hiruzen, you're the Hokage! Can't you even command them?"
"That's right, Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
Danzo silent.
Before I could even speak, how did the monkey learn to answer first?
"Hmph, since that's the case, then I'll handle this matter myself. There's another matter as well."
Danzo took a document out of his pocket and placed it on Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk.
"The intelligence from the Root's mole in Iwagakure suggests that because Dan Katō and his men have achieved a great victory at the front, the Iwagakure leadership is worried that Suna's defeat is merely diverting Konoha's attention. Ōnoki has already ordered the mobilization of resources in preparation for an attack on the Land of Fire. This is also why I wanted to transfer Yakushi Nonō to Iwagakure, since her identity in Suna has already been exposed."
"Is that old man Ōnoki also planning to get involved...?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes.
The victories of the first two Shinobi World War have already caused all the ninja villages to start targeting Konoha.
Even though Konoha is the strongest power in the Ninja World, it is difficult for it to fight on three fronts at the same time against three major ninja villages.
"Jiraiya has already returned to the village, and I will appoint him as the commander to resist Iwagakure, but that is still not enough."
Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe and looked at Danzo.
"Danzo, Konoha is now at its most dangerous moment. Facing three great ninja villages at the same time is unprecedented in history. Even if we win, we will pay an extremely heavy price. Danzo, it is time for Root to play its role."
"Hiruzen, what do you want to do?" Danzo said to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Sow discord, frame others, shift blame—do whatever you're good at. Muddy up the waters between the major powers and prevent them from targeting Konoha. I will also have Yan Dai make a trip to visit the Mizukage and see if we can form an alliance with the Land of Water, which has not yet joined the war, to help us share the burden."
Playing these dirty tricks was something Shimura Danzō was best at.
"Sure, but I need more manpower."
Danzo knew this was the perfect opportunity to expand his power.
"Okay, the maximum number of people allowed in the Root will be increased by twenty."
"What I need are not those commoner ninjas who have little ability and require too much time to train; there's no time for that."
One by one, the names that Danzo had long ago Danzo suddenly popped into his mind.
"I will talk to those Ninja Clan, but the quota will be reduced to ten, and no more than three of them can be from the Ninja Clan, nor can they be direct descendants. Otherwise, if they unite and raise objections, I'm afraid I'll have to dismiss you again to appease them."
After thinking for a moment Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
"Alright, then I'll take Yu..."
"It can't be anyone from the Uchiha or Hyūga Clan. As this war progresses, these two powerful clans will definitely need to use their reserves to survive. It's not advisable to offend them."
Before Danzo could even finish speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew what nonsense he was about to spout and rejected him without hesitation.
To end this war, we need to get these Ninja Clan to contribute more power, and if we can persuade the Uchiha and Hyūga Clan, the other Ninja Clan will not be a problem.
Only these two powerful Ninja Clan are not easily manipulated by Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage. Other Ninja Clan can only obediently Hiruzen Sarutobi to him, and while there may be room for negotiation, it is definitely not much.
Danzo was somewhat unhappy, but once he realized that he had achieved his goal, he put it out of his mind.
We've already set a precedent, so why worry about a next time?
Mitokado Homura's mission to the Land of Water ultimately yielded no results.
The Third Mizukage is nearing the end of his life, and internal turmoil has arisen due to the policies of the Bloody Mist Village, resulting in the demise of several bloodline families. Only a powerful and capable individual who can succeed the Fourth Mizukage can possibly quell the unrest.
Therefore, with Iwagakure joining the war, the scale of the Ninja World war expanded again to a level comparable to the Second Shinobi World War, gradually entering a heated phase.
Time flew by in the midst of blood and fire, and more than two years passed quickly.