Chapter 48: Iced Black Tea

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Iced Black Tea

"The meeting’s over. I figured you’d be here, so I came over. This weather really isn’t fit for humans, sigh. If only I could gamble a couple of hands right now to blow off some steam."

Standing on a tree branch, Tsunade stretched lightly and spoke softly.

Hearing this, Uchiha Xuan simply rolled his eyes in silence.

"What’s with that look? You know how long it’s been since I last touched gambling. Let’s get to business. According to reports from the frontline scouts, the Land of Rain is about to collapse. The same prediction as before: Hidden Rain Village will likely launch an all-out attack on our Konohagakure within the next few days.

To counter Hidden Rain Village’s desperate counterattack, Senior Shikarin’s strategy is to take the initiative. All logistics personnel from the entire Land of Rain camp, including the medical division, will withdraw first. Of course, the two of us are excluded."

Tsunade looked seriously toward the curtain of rain, her eyes carrying a hint of unease.

After all, they were about to face the man hailed as a legend in name alone, the pinnacle of the Ninja World. Though this statement might be exaggerated, there was absolutely no denying the strength of Hanzo of the Salamander.

"Another all-out attack? Is the intel accurate this time?"

Uchiha Xuan raised an eyebrow and looked at Tsunade. He remembered that the reason they had come here from the Land of Wind battlefield was precisely because Hidden Rain Village was supposedly launching an all-out attack.

"It’s almost certain. Although the Land of Rain got a breather when the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning started fighting, allowing them to hold off the attacks from various countries for over half a year...

However, the environmental issues in the Land of Rain have completely severed their supply lines. Without self-sufficient food sources, the Land of Rain can’t hold out any longer."

Tsunade nodded slightly and spoke gravely.

"If we clash with Hidden Rain Village, that old hag from Hidden Sand will definitely want to take a bite out of Konohagakure. Hanzo of the Salamander’s Summoning Beast has a huge impact on the battlefield. If Hidden Sand makes a move at that time..."

Uchiha Xuan frowned slightly upon hearing this. Hidden Sand Village was currently acting like a rabid dog, pouncing wherever there was meat. He didn’t believe Chiyo would pass up an opportunity to be the oriole catching the cicada.

"Senior Shikarin said the same thing as you and provided a solution. His idea is to have our logistics troops withdraw first, then have Senior Sakumo from the Land of Wind battlefield come to support us to prevent Hidden Sand from attacking our rear.

As for the battlefield where we’ll face Hidden Rain Village, given Hidden Sand’s current attitude of valuing their own feathers, they probably won’t interfere. But just in case, Senior Shikarin still decided to allocate a unit of ninjas to guard against Hidden Sand."

Tsunade looked at Uchiha Xuan with an expression that said, "You’re pretty smart, huh," as she spoke.

"With Senior Sakumo providing support, that should indeed be enough. Although I’ve never fought him, judging by the sharpness I sensed from him when treating his injuries, his strength must have long reached Kage-level."

A flicker of fighting spirit and excitement flashed in Uchiha Xuan’s eyes. (Again, the author knows that in Naruto, there is no such thing as "Kage-level"; Jonin, Chunin, Genin, and even Kage are just positions. But for the sake of the novel, it’s more intuitive and easier to understand, so please don’t mind.)

Kage-level... also represents S-grade Card Pool draws!

Tsunade also remembered this always gentle senior upon hearing this. Before she became a Jonin, she, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru had undertaken many missions with Hatake Sakumo. That feeling of strength and reliability left a deep impression on her.

Usually, Hatake Sakumo was very gentle, even somewhat goofy. But once on a mission, he would transform into an extremely sharp blade, cutting through all obstacles.

"I’m not entirely sure about Sakumo-senpai’s exact strength. After all, in all our past missions, I’ve never seen him go all out. But one thing is certain: he’s definitely very strong. I even have a feeling he might be able to hold his own against the old man. By the way, what’s your current strength level? I felt you had changed a lot during the Wind Country battlefield."

After speaking, Tsunade looked curiously at Uchiha Xuan. She was also quite curious about his strength.

In just one year, Uchiha Xuan had not only learned most of Uzumaki Mito’s Sealing Arts but also grasped the basics of her second grandfather Senju Tobirama’s water techniques and the Flying Thunder God Technique. Add to that the Senjutsu he was recently studying... and the Three-Tomoe Sharingan this kid had awakened long ago...

Hiss... Could this brat have reached Kage-level too?

For a moment, Tsunade couldn’t help but become even more curious about Uchiha Xuan’s strength.

"I don’t know either."

Looking at Tsunade’s curious gaze, Uchiha Xuan honestly shook his head.

He truly wasn’t sure what stage his strength was at now. After all, what he knew was too varied, and he had never encountered a truly powerful enemy yet.

But one thing was certain: the current Uchiha Xuan could definitely easily kill Elite Jonin. Even some weaker Kage-level opponents would be no match for him.

"Tch, freak. What about that tasty drink from last time? Got any more? Bring some out. It was called... Nutrient Express, right?"

Upon hearing this, Tsunade rolled her eyes. She directly labeled Uchiha Xuan’s rapid strength improvement as freakish.

After all, she knew that even her grandfather, hailed as the God of Shinobi, definitely didn’t have such strength at Uchiha Xuan’s age.

As for the tasty drink Tsunade mentioned, it was one of the items Uchiha Xuan had drawn from his many C-grade Card Pool draws. Its effect was that it could infinitely produce any ordinary drink Uchiha Xuan knew of.

"Try this one. It’s pretty good."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Xuan flicked his wrist, and a bottle of iced tea instantly appeared in his hand.

"Ooh! A new drink!"

Tsunade’s eyes lit up at the sight. She reached out, took the iced tea from Uchiha Xuan’s hand, skillfully twisted open the cap, and took a big gulp.

"A little sweet, tastes a bit strange. But I think it would be really good with some ice."

After smacking her lips, Tsunade gave her evaluation while holding the iced tea, then finished the rest in one go.

"Oh, right. You’ll attend tomorrow’s meeting with me. Given your strength, you should know the details of this operation’s preparations. After all, you definitely won’t pass up the chance to face Hanzo of the Salamander, right?"

After finishing her drink, Tsunade continued, speaking to Uchiha Xuan.

"Of course."

Uchiha Xuan, who had been admiring the moon and cultivating qi nearby, responded softly with a slight curl of his lips.

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