Main World.
Summer, Year 24 of Konoha.
Land of Rivers, Country of Roran Aid Station.
The summer sun scorched the earth. Heat rose from the ground, distorting the distant scenery into blurred outlines. The Relief Station was much larger than last year, growing from a few wooden huts into a neat row of stone buildings. The surrounding wall was two meters higher, and shade canopies had been erected in the courtyard. Several benches stood beneath them, with a few wounded people sitting on them, their bodies wrapped in bandages and their faces bearing the look of those who had survived disaster.
Little Tsunade stood in the center of the courtyard, her golden ponytail fluttering gently in the hot wind. She wore a white medical robe stained with a few spots of blood-not hers, but the patients'. Her face showed fatigue, but her eyes remained bright. She had been here for over a year, going from nervous and inexperienced to calm and seasoned, from handling everything alone to leading over a dozen medical ninja, from treating a few patients a day to treating dozens.
"Teacher, more wounded have arrived." A medical ninja ran in through the entrance, a hint of urgency in his voice.
"How many?"
"Five. From the Land of Rivers border patrol. They encountered wandering ninja."
Little Tsunade nodded and headed toward the entrance.
Five wounded people were carried through the Relief Station's entrance. Bandages wrapped their bodies, blood seeping through them. Their faces were contorted with pain, but the moment they saw Little Tsunade, a glimmer of hope flashed in their eyes.
"Doctor... save me..." a young ninja said weakly.
Little Tsunade crouched and unwound the bandages. The wound was in his abdomen, deep enough to have nearly damaged his internal organs. Her brow furrowed slightly, but her