"Kurenai, why are you suddenly being sent to the frontlines?"
Anko Mitarashi asked in confusion. She had some vague knowledge about the war, but the first deployment list had already been finalized—and Kurenai wasn't on it. Why had she been added later?
Anko lived close to Kurenai, and with their shared misfortunes, the two had quickly become friends.
Kurenai Yuhi shook her head helplessly. "I don't know either. But it's not just me—many squads received the same orders."
Familiar faces like Might Guy and Might Guy's squad had also been abruptly ordered to the frontlines. Once there, they would be reassigned and reorganized based on combat tactics.
Logically, they should have been part of the second wave of reinforcements. Deploying them with the first wave risked prematurely exposing Konoha's military strength.
"Still, it doesn't matter. We're all heading to the battlefield sooner or later. I'm just going ahead."
Kurenai smiled at Anko after a moment of thought. Though there were oddities in the situation, she lacked the information to make any judgments. Given the circumstances, Anko would likely join the next wave of reinforcements.
Because their orders had come late, Kurenai was still packing her ninja tools and supplies.
Anko, who wasn't heading to the frontlines, seemed rather relaxed, holding a plate of red bean dumplings and stuffing them into her mouth one after another. Before long, the plate was nearly empty.
But Anko wasn't just eating. She watched Kurenai intently before suddenly speaking up.
"Kurenai, you've seemed much happier lately. Did something good happen?"
"Huh?"
Kurenai blinked in surprise, then shot Anko a glare with her ruby-like eyes. "I just got out of the hospital, and now I'm heading to war. What 'good thing' could I possibly have encountered?"
"That's exactly it!"
Anko swallowed the last dumpling and raised her voice, grinning at Kurenai.
"Ever since that day, your whole demeanor changed. You went from being an ice-cold training machine to someone who smiles from time to time."
Kurenai's thoughts drifted back to the question she had asked Kushina earlier, then quickly shook her head. "No such thing. Don't talk nonsense, Anko."
"Really? It's pretty obvious."
But no matter how much Anko pressed, Kurenai refused to engage further. Eventually, Anko lost interest and left after a while.
Once alone, Kurenai stood before a mirror, examining herself. There was a noticeable difference—even her mother had commented on it. Now fully grown, her appearance and presence stood out even in Konoha.
Her voluminous long hair, crimson eyes, signature wrappings, and increasingly pronounced curves gave her a distinctly feminine allure—one of the few advantages she had over Kiyo Hyuga.
As for the change Anko mentioned, it was likely the faint smiles that occasionally graced her lips. Unfortunately, those smiles had only encouraged that nuisance Sarutobi to hover around her even more. Without him around, her mood would've been even better.
Shaking her head, Kurenai dismissed the distracting thoughts.
Strength!
Without strength, she wouldn't even have the chance to speak to him. Though Kushina's words were likely just consolation, she was determined to grow stronger—both to close the gap and to refine her genjutsu and taijutsu.
Many others had received similar orders, replacing ANBU and Root operatives.
---
Having learned of the Uchiha's ties to the KeikoTrading Company, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no choice but to keep Root and ANBU on standby in the village.
Their current target was the Land of Rain, which had partnered with the Sand Federation—and the Keiko Trading Company held significant influence there. If Root hadn't uncovered this intelligence, a sudden upheaval from the Uchiha while the frontlines were deadlocked—
Hiruzen and the others couldn't even fathom the consequences. A civil war could very well destroy Konoha.
"Hiruzen, one of us must go to the frontlines. You or me? Let me handle it."
Danzo proposed. While Shikaku Nara was a capable advisor, with the Third Tsuchikage personally leading the enemy forces, they needed a high-ranking presence to make swift battlefield decisions.
"I'll go."
After some deliberation, Hiruzen made his decision. Both the frontlines and the village were critical. But he remembered Danzo's past dealings with Hanzo, and with advisors like Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado—plus his own son and daughter-in-law—still in the village, things should remain stable.
As long as Shisui could sway Fugaku Uchiha's stance, even if the Uchiha showed signs of rebellion, Hiruzen could return instantly via reverse summoning.
Danzo frowned. "As Hokage, you should remain in the village. Let me go instead."
"No need. You'll stay and oversee Root's duties. The Third Tsuchikage is leading from the front—as Third Hokage, I can't cower in the rear."
Hiruzen's refusal only solidified Danzo's suspicions that he was after personal gain.
"Fine. Do as you wish."
With a cold snort, Danzo left the Hokage's office. But the moment he turned, a faint smirk curled his lips.
'Hiruzen, I know you as well as you know me. I expected this.'
Staying in Konoha was Danzo's true objective. After witnessing Shisui Uchiha's Kotoamatsukami, he had become obsessed with claiming those eyes for himself.
If not for the allure of the Mangekyō Sharingan, the frontlines would have held greater appeal. But now, possessing such a power—especially one as absolute as Kotoamatsukami—was non-negotiable.
Leaving it in the hands of an Uchiha, even one like Shisui who supposedly cared for the village, was unacceptable.
---
In the Land of Rain, Keiko Samuki, busy refining reconstruction plans, received a scroll from a subordinate.
Recognizing the mark, he knew it was from Uchiha Tekka—the one secret the latter had kept from Fugaku.
Tekka had lingering questions, and before Samuki left Konoha, they had agreed to communicate via these "letters."
As Samuki picked up the scroll, he felt someone's gaze. Turning, he saw Konan pretending to sort through documents.
"Interested in this, Konan?" He gestured with the scroll.
"Not at all." She denied flatly. "I'm just checking your progress. I'll be leaving soon, so I'd like the plans finalized before then."
"You sound confident in the war's outcome, Konan. It hasn't even started, yet you're already certain reconstruction will proceed smoothly."
Samuki chuckled, though there was no mockery in his tone—something even Konan acknowledged.
"If you're not interested in the scroll, that's fine. It's just a 'pen pal' seeking answers. I'll reply in a bit. As for the plans, I'm nearly done. One more day, and we can begin renovations."
Konan scoffed, making it clear she had zero interest in his so-called 'pen pals.'
(End of Chapter)
===================================
DROP THEM POWER STONES PLEASE
SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS
PAT REON . COM / TurdTranslations (Just remove the space).