In Tsunade's heart, while she could never truly forgive Hiruzen, she still deeply cared about the village.
To Tsunade, Konoha was irreplaceable.
She paused briefly in her stride, but then resolutely moved forward again, never once looking back at Hiruzen, nor offering him a single word.
...
Konoha Hospital.
After leaving the Hokage Residence, Tsunade headed directly to the hospital and called for Shizune. Her voice was calm but resolute:
"Shizune, get ready."
"We're heading to the front lines."
Though Tsunade spoke with an unwavering composure, Shizune was visibly startled.
But after the surprise passed, Shizune quickly bowed and answered with utmost respect:
"Yes, Tsunade-sama."
The village was now in a state of war. Shizune, who had always idolized Tsunade and now served as her apprentice, naturally understood the gravity of her decision.
It felt inevitable, yet it filled her with silent worry.
"Tsunade-sama's illness…?"
As Shizune respectfully stepped out, Tsunade looked up toward the window.
Even though the Senju Clan had all but vanished, Konoha remained a part of her heart she could never abandon.
Noon.
Tsunade and Shizune departed the village together. Back in the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in silence, unmoving, long after he received the news.
"Tsunade…"
...
The Front Lines.
Atop Mount Kikyo, Veigar, who had been researching the Flying Raijin Technique, abruptly ceased his studies upon receiving a new assignment from Orochimaru.
Shuriken. Kunai. Explosive tags. Medical bandages. Rations.
Veigar meticulously checked every piece of gear, then looked down and adjusted his outfit.
At nine years old, standing just over 140 cm tall, his stature was average for his age, a sign of healthy development.
Blue trousers and a short-sleeved blue shirt. His Konoha forehead protector tied firmly around his head. Weapon pouches secured at both thighs for easy access. A newly forged short blade strapped horizontally across his lower back.
All preparations were complete. The road ahead was uncertain. The return even more so. He was about to witness the true face of war—a path paved in blood and fire.
"Haa…"
Veigar took a deep breath. His gaze hardened. And he stepped outside.
"Let's move."
Without hesitation, he left his quarters and made his way to the Frontline Command Post.
He wasn't alone—Shikatsu Aburame, Jun Inuzuka, and Nanaki Hyuga arrived soon after. Together, the four of them formed a standard four-man squad.
Two additional ninja squads were also gathered on-site.
Altogether, twelve shinobi stood in the command post—three teams poised to carry out high-risk assignments. It wasn't a large force, but it was highly specialized.
Looking around, Veigar didn't find anything particularly remarkable about the post. To him, it was just a standard office.
But in reality, this modest location was the nerve center commanding the entire front.
Veigar remained calm.
Only a few minutes later, Orochimaru stepped forward. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he quickly issued the mission briefing—without embellishment or ceremony.
His hoarse voice echoed through the room:
"Everyone… depart."
No grand speech. No inspirational talk.
Just cold, iron-clad orders.
With Orochimaru's hand-sealed command scroll in hand, the twelve shinobi left Mount Kikyo in formation.
Before long, the three teams split up, each heading to different zones. The missions were similar in nature but geographically distinct.
Mount Kikyo was close to the border—no more than a half-day's march. Veigar's squad was assigned to patrol the frontier and conduct surveillance.
The Sunagakure had officially declared war. A large-scale assault could come at any time. Intelligence was the first line of defense.
Veigar and his team moved with urgency. No idle chatter. No unnecessary words.
Half a day later.
They reached the border.
Towering green trees loomed before them. This tranquil forest was about to become a battlefield.
In Veigar's eyes, the future unfolded—a landscape marred by destruction and death. Countless lives would be lost here.
"This is the place."
"From now on, we stay alert. Sand shinobi ambushes are a real threat."
Standing atop the treetops, Veigar gazed beyond the border, into the Land of Rivers.
"What's the plan of action?" Shikatsu asked calmly.
Though Veigar was the youngest, he was unquestionably the strongest, and thus, the squad's captain. All tactical decisions rested with him.
"No splitting up. Even if we encounter Sand shinobi, avoid conflict if possible. If battle becomes unavoidable, your priority is to preserve intel."
"Remember, our mission is surveillance and reconnaissance. Be ready to transmit information back to Command at a moment's notice."
The other three nodded in unison.
"Understood."
Swish. Swish. Swish. Swish.
The four ninjas concealed their movements along the border. At each checkpoint, they paused briefly to set traps, then vanished into the night.
Nightfall.
Sleeping under the stars in hostile territory wasn't new to Veigar, but something about this night set him on edge.
His instincts were screaming. Something wasn't right.
Across the border, in the Land of Rivers, a Sand shinobi squad was cautiously infiltrating the Land of Fire.
Their leader, Ishigami, a seasoned jōnin, spoke in a low voice:
"We must be extra cautious. Konoha will have patrols stationed here."
"If we encounter them, make it quick—strike hard and fast."
The shinobi behind him nodded with solemn discipline.
"Yes, Captain."
With that, Ishigami led his team toward Mount Kikyo.
Despite their training, every Sand shinobi in that squad was tense.
And rightfully so.
Anyone with a shred of sanity would feel the pressure of sneaking into enemy territory with war looming.
The only difference was how each of them handled that tension.
Back at the border, Veigar's senses were razor-sharp. His brows furrowed, and his chakra perception extended in a five-hundred-meter radius around him.
His eyes darted, scanning for anything amiss.
Ten minutes.
Still nothing.
"Was I just overthinking it…?"
At that moment, Nanaki Hyuga spoke softly:
"Captain, let me take over the perimeter sweep."
Veigar nodded.
"Alright."
Only recently had the team learned of Veigar's extraordinary sensory ability, and it had stunned all three of them: Shikatsu, Jun, and Nanaki.
And for good reason.
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