Shikaku gave a nod toward Orochimaru.
Then, with a serious expression, he spoke:
"Orochimaru-sama, I recommend that you request Tsunade-sama be dispatched to the frontline to oversee the battlefield hospital."
"Because I'm worried."
"No, because I'm certain."
"Sunagakure's advisor, Chiyo, will definitely take action. None of us should forget that besides being a master puppeteer, she is also an expert in poisons."
"That's why I hope Tsunade-sama can come to the frontlines specifically to deal with Chiyo's toxins."
"If, by then, Chiyo's poisons are distributed among all of Sunagakure's puppet masters, we'll find ourselves in a truly dire situation."
"Orochimaru-sama, for the sake of Konoha... I'm begging you."
As soon as Shikaku finished, all the jonin present shared the same grim understanding. What he said was not speculation—it was inevitable. One by one, they bowed their heads respectfully.
"We entrust this to you, Orochimaru-sama."
Orochimaru chuckled dryly, his raspy voice echoing through the room:
"Shikaku's advice... I'll make sure it reaches the village."
"And I'll personally write to Tsunade."
Indeed, Tsunade's medical ninjutsu was unrivaled in the shinobi world—a true miracle worker. With her stationed at the frontline hospital, the threat of Sunagakure's poison-based puppetry would drastically diminish.
Orochimaru then looked at Shikaku again and asked:
"Anything else?"
Shikaku nodded. "Yes."
"Third point, logistics and supply."
...
The pre-battle strategic meeting convened by Orochimaru lasted over two hours. Everyone contributed their perspectives, but Shikaku's proposals stood out as especially critical.
Once the meeting concluded, orders based on the discussion were disseminated to every ninja stationed on Mount Kikyo.
Everyone now knew:
War was imminent.
Immediately after the meeting, Orochimaru sent a formal request to Konoha, urging Tsunade and her team of medical-nin to be dispatched to the frontline medical facility.
The next morning.
A 3,500-strong shinobi force assembled at Konoha's village gates.
The news that Sunagakure had declared war on Konoha had already spread throughout the village. Everyone knew, the peace of recent years was over. War had returned.
Whether shinobi clans or civilian families, those with loved ones serving as ninja silently prayed for their safe return.
They all understood: war meant death. All they could do now was hope, hope, and hope again.
After delivering his farewell speech to the departing troops, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, watched solemnly as the last of their silhouettes vanished into the horizon. Just as he turned to leave, an ANBU operative knelt before him, offering a scroll with both hands.
"Lord Third, urgent frontline intelligence from Orochimaru-sama."
Since Orochimaru had used a high-priority intelligence channel, ANBU's intelligence unit had immediately brought the report to Hiruzen.
He took the scroll and opened it. After reading it in full, his expression turned grave.
"Summon Tsunade to the Hokage Residence."
"Yes, sir."
With that, the ANBU vanished in a blur, using the Teleportation Jutsu.
...
In the Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen sat with a heavy expression, awaiting Tsunade's arrival.
Moments later, she arrived from Konoha Hospital.
Bang!
Another door broken.
Neither Hiruzen nor Tsunade bothered counting how many doors she had already smashed.
Ever since her younger brother, Nawaki, died, Tsunade would destroy a door every time Hiruzen summoned her.
But Hiruzen never scolded her, not because he couldn't, but because he carried the weight of guilt. He knew how deeply she resented him.
After all, the fall of the Senju Clan wasn't something he could distance himself from.
"What do you want?"
"If it's nothing, I'm leaving."
Lately, Tsunade had been dedicating herself to the hospital—Hiruzen knew that well. It was a stark contrast to the past, when she spent her days at the casino or the tavern.
He also understood the reason. Now that Shizune had graduated, Tsunade had taken her on as an apprentice and was using the hospital as her training ground.
"Tsunade. Take a look."
"This is intel Orochimaru sent from the front... and a letter addressed to you."
Expressionless, Tsunade snatched the scroll and read it. Once finished, a scornful smirk tugged at her lips.
"Heh~"
"They want me at the frontline?"
"Has Orochimaru lost his mind? Or have you?"
Her laughter mocked herself, mocked Orochimaru, and mocked Hiruzen.
How ridiculous. A famed medical ninja of the Shinobi World—paralyzed by hemophobia.
How many times had Tsunade privately ridiculed herself?
Her condition had been tightly sealed from the public, only a few top-level Konoha officials and close friends knew.
Hiruzen and Orochimaru were among them.
And now? Orochimaru wanted her on the battlefield?
Was this some kind of joke?
Or was the war itself being treated as a farce?
Hiruzen met her gaze and spoke in a low, heavy tone:
"Tsunade, I know there's a burden you still can't overcome."
"But right now, Konoha, and the frontline, truly needs you."
"Chiyo's toxins… aside from her, you are the only one in the entire shinobi world capable of creating effective antidotes."
"And this time, I'm not asking you to treat the wounded. I'm not asking you to face blood again."
"All you need to do is analyze Chiyo's poison and formulate the corresponding antidotes."
Before he could finish, Tsunade coldly waved him off and turned around.
"No need to say more. I'm not agreeing to this."
"I'm leaving. Don't call me again."
Unless it was something critical, Tsunade wanted nothing to do with Hiruzen.
She came today only to see what "important matter" it was.
Now that she had come and read the report—
It was time to leave.
As her back disappeared through the doorway, Hiruzen stared silently.
And just as she left his field of view—
He murmured, softly, almost meekly—
"I'm sorry."
For the sake of Konoha… for the ninja now fighting at the front…
Hiruzen finally said the words Tsunade had always longed to hear.
The collapse of the Senju Clan.
The death of her younger brother, Nawaki.
The brutal demise of her lover, Dan Katō.
One by one, the memories surged in Tsunade's mind the moment those words left Hiruzen's lips.
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