Chapter 35: You’d Better Have Tsunade’s Healing Too

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: You’d Better Have Tsunade’s Healing Too

"Alright, now that everyone is here, we will begin arranging tactics. According to the intelligence gathered by Jonin Sakumo, the Sand Ninja will be positioned here, here, and here..."

Seeing that everyone had calmed down, Nara Shikanin spoke in a low voice, drawing everyone’s attention.

...

After the meeting.

"Ah, you’re still as unpredictable as ever."

Only Tsunade, Nara Shikanin, and Uchiha Xuan remained in the now-empty command room. Looking at Tsunade, Nara Shikanin spoke with a tone of resignation.

"Uncle Shikanin, you know me. I have the same temperament as my grandmother—I always protect my own."

Although Nara Shikanin was not a disciple of the Second Hokage, as the "Deer" of the previous generation’s Ino-Shika-Cho trio and with his connection to Akimichi Torikaze, he was quite familiar with Uzumaki Mito.

He regarded Tsunade as a junior.

"Your temper really needs to change. Are you confident in that technique? Even though you’ve assured me once, this is a decisive battle, so I need to confirm it again."

Hearing this, Nara Shikanin shook his head slightly, then his expression turned serious as he looked at Tsunade and spoke softly.

"I have mastered the Slug: Tsunade’s Healing Technique. With the Chakra stored in my Yin Seal, as long as the Konohagakure ninja in battle can ensure that the slugs attached to them don’t suffer fatal damage, I can continue providing long-distance healing."

Tsunade spoke confidently, her tone filled with absolute assurance in this regard.

"That’s good. I’ll entrust the safety of our warriors to you."

Receiving Tsunade’s confident reply, Nara Shikanin nodded in relief.

Then, his gaze shifted to Uchiha Xuan, who was quietly cultivating Qi nearby. Looking at the clan emblem on Uchiha Xuan’s clothing, a flicker of unreadable emotion passed through Nara Shikanin’s eyes.

"You must be Xuan, right? May I call you that?"

A smile spread across Nara Shikanin’s face as he looked at Uchiha Xuan and spoke softly. Recently, Uchiha Xuan’s reputation had spread widely throughout the Konohagakure rear camp. As the overall commander, it was impossible for him not to have heard of it.

"The overall commander may address me as you wish."

"Xuan, regarding what happened earlier, please don’t take it to heart. Tsuki... he has his reasons. The Hyuga clan... sigh~"

Nara Shikanin spoke with a hint of regret. As the overall commander, he had spent a lot of time with Hyuga Tsuki and had come to understand him quite well.

Hyuga Tsuki was usually quiet and reserved, but he was fiercely protective of his comrades and often worked diligently without seeking recognition.

However, his behavior today was unusual. Even without thinking too deeply, Nara Shikanin could guess the reason behind it.

"The Caged Bird... Hah, how pitiful it is to have your fate controlled by such worthless things."

Uchiha Xuan curled his lip. Although the Caged Bird did protect the Byakugan Bloodline Limit, it also restricted far too much.

If such a technique were used in the Uchiha clan, it would have long since led to rivers of blood. Trying to control the Uchiha? Then you’d better be prepared to face the Sharingan.

"Ahem, in that case, try not to say such things outside, Xuan. Tsunade has already told me about your situation, and although your abilities are vouched for by her, this is still a battlefield. Your medical talents are crucial to Konohagakure, so I still want to advise you: don’t lose your head on the battlefield. I know it’s impossible to keep you off the front lines and safely in the medical division at the rear—after all, you are an Uchiha ninja. So, please, be sure to protect yourself. Also, what I said earlier about you being exceptionally promoted to jonin was made up. The Hokage has issued no such order. Therefore, you need to quickly demonstrate the strength Tsunade guaranteed. Do you understand?"

Uchiha Xuan’s words immediately made Nara Shikanin glance around nervously. After confirming no one had overheard, he spoke to Uchiha Xuan with stern seriousness.

He knew all too well the temperament of the Hyuga Main Family. If Uchiha Xuan’s words today reached their ears, Konohagakure would likely be thrown into chaos for some time. At the thought of this, Nara Shikanin swiftly changed the subject, his expression still grave as he addressed Uchiha Xuan.

"You will see my strength for yourself."

Hearing this, Uchiha Xuan responded with a faint smile.

...

Sand and dust swirled.

Killing intent rose.

Hidden within the blowing sands, Sunagakure ninja watched the Konohagakure forces ahead with malice.

At this moment, the entire battlefield was eerily silent, save for the howling wind—a quiet filled with an unsettling tension.

Until...

"Konohagakure, hand over Hatake Sakumo, and we of Sunagakure will withdraw immediately! That damned bastard actually dared to kill Hirotomo and Mia! How dare he!"

From among the Sunagakure ninja ranks, Ebizo stepped forward, his eyes bloodshot, radiating intense hatred as he shouted toward the Konohagakure side.

Upon learning of the deaths of Sasori’s parents, Ebizo had been consumed by guilt. It was he who had assigned them to infiltrate and attack Konohagakure’s rear, only for them to end up in the Pure Land. This outcome filled him with panic and self-blame—he... could not face his sister, nor little Sasori, who was still waiting for his parents to return home.

So... he had to bring back Hatake Sakumo, the murderer of Sasori’s parents, and deliver him to Chiyo for judgment.

"Ebizo, spare us the pointless talk. What Jonin Sakumo eliminated was merely an enemy force attempting to ambush Konohagakure’s rear. As for their identities or names, such details hold no importance to us. Their deaths were deserved."

Nara Shikanin, as the overall commander, immediately responded to Ebizo’s demand.

"Hmph! If you won’t hand over Hatake Sakumo, then rest forever in this sandstorm! Attack!"

Ebizo’s eyes reddened as he waved his hand. The Sunagakure ninja beside him immediately charged toward the Konohagakure forces.

"For Konohagakure!!"

Seeing this, Nara Shikanin also raised his hand, shouting loudly as he led the charge.

Standing at the rear, Tsunade simultaneously activated her Yin Seal. Vast amounts of Chakra surged through her body and swiftly flowed into the slugs attached to the Konohagakure ninja.

"Lady Slug, I leave it to you."

"Mmm, leave it to me~"

"Slug: Tsunade’s Healing Partnership!"

For a moment, all Konohagakure ninjas’ chests glowed with green light.

.....

On the battlefield, a Konohagakure ninja locked in fierce combat glanced at the wound on his hand, which had been slashed by a ninja blade. Seeing it quickly stop bleeding and even begin to heal gradually, a fierce expression immediately rose on his face as he glared at the one who had inflicted the cut.

"Sunagakure brat, you’d better hope you have Lady Tsunade’s healing too."

As soon as the words fell, the Konohagakure ninja immediately charged toward the Sunagakure ninja.