Sakura lowered her gaze, staring at the sweet potato roasting in the flames, as Kakashi spoke beside her, analyzing the current war situation and suggesting countermeasures.
In summary, there was only one word: Defend.
Honestly, it wasn't a bad strategy. The Hidden Cloud Village was currently facing a food shortage. While they sat here roasting sweet potatoes, chances were the enemy commanders over there were gnawing on tree bark.
Right now, it wasn't Konoha that needed to worry—it was the Cloud.
With limited resources, launching a major war effort would have cost them dearly. They needed to produce results quickly to justify the expenditure.
Jiraiya glanced at Kakashi, then at the others before speaking.
"Does anyone have any objections?"
An older, weathered man nodded and replied, "What Kakashi said makes sense."
The others also nodded in agreement.
But Jiraiya didn't pay them much attention. Instead, he turned his gaze back to Sakura and asked, "What do you think, Sakura?"
Before setting off, the Third Hokage had offered him a bit of advice:
"If there's an internal issue, consult Shikaku. If it's an external issue—ask Sakura."
Now that Shikaku was working under Danzo, Sakura was the only one left to ask.
I think the sweet potato is almost overdone… If it goes too far, it won't taste good.
"I think we need to send out a large number of scouts to gather intelligence on the Cloud's movements," Sakura said instead. "They're short on supplies, and it's winter—bitterly cold. There's no reason for them to be so quiet."
"At the same time, we must swiftly locate their supply lines and launch targeted attacks."
Sakura offered this cautious yet tactical suggestion. No matter the era, cutting off the enemy's supply was always a top-tier strategy.
It was a tactic that the famed warlord Cao Cao had favored in his time.
Jiraiya stroked his chin and nodded. It wasn't a particularly brilliant plan, but it was solid.
In military strategy, recklessness was the greatest taboo. Clever tactics were best reserved for situations where you were at a disadvantage.
Right now, Konoha had the edge in terms of resources and logistics. Even in manpower, they were about evenly matched.
Though Konoha was fighting on two fronts, for a village that had already endured three "one-against-four" wars, this pressure wasn't unbearable.
(Granted, the "1v4" was more like taking turns rather than fighting all four at once.)
Even someone like Jiraiya, who wasn't fond of war, agreed: Konoha should always be the one fighting against multiple enemies.
"And also, to prevent them from hitting our own supply lines, we need to deploy heavy guards," Sakura continued. "As long as our logistics remain intact, we can even wear them down into retreat."
"Of course, that's the ideal scenario. Realistically, the enemy has no reason to maintain this standoff in such harsh conditions. Anyone with sense would see how disadvantageous it is."
"They must be scheming something."
Jiraiya nodded. "Well said. As expected of my dear junior."
Kakashi rolled his eyes at that.
"In that case," Jiraiya said, "assign more members of the Hyuga clan to the scouting teams. We need to quickly uncover the Cloud's supply points."
"Our own logistics will be guarded by the Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Nara clans."
"And meanwhile, increase patrol frequency around our encampments."
Jiraiya rattled off a string of orders. Everyone present gave their affirmation.
Just as they were about to disperse and carry out their assignments, Jiraiya called them back.
Everyone paused, puzzled. Was there more?
"Come on, the sweet potatoes are done. One for each of you," Jiraiya said cheerfully, pulling the roasted sweet potatoes from the coals and handing them out.
Everyone smiled wryly, but still each took one before rushing off to their tasks.
"…Where's mine?" Sakura asked, blinking as she noticed even Kakashi had one—but she had none.
"You don't get one," Jiraiya said offhandedly, not even looking at her as he casually peeled the skin off his own sweet potato, revealing the golden flesh inside.
"Tch, stingy. Fine, I didn't want it anyway," Sakura pouted, clearly annoyed.
Just as she turned to leave, Jiraiya extended the sweet potato he had just peeled and offered it to her.
"You don't have one—but I can give you mine."
Jiraiya's gaze was deep as he looked at the pink-haired girl before him.
Sakura frowned slightly, noticing how red and burned Jiraiya's hand was from peeling the steaming-hot sweet potato.
What kind of riddle is this guy playing at?
"Hmph. I'll take it then!" Sakura snatched the sweet potato from him without hesitation and stormed out of the tent.
Kakashi, watching the scene, glanced at Jiraiya's reddened hand and hesitated before speaking.
"Want me to find a medical ninja?"
Sakura was the best medic on the front lines, but from the look of things, Jiraiya wasn't about to ask her.
"You go too," Jiraiya replied with a wave, his tone heavy with melancholy.
As Kakashi left, Jiraiya's gaze once more fell on the flickering embers.
Sakura's actions had indirectly reignited this war. That fact alone made Jiraiya uneasy.
But just as Hiruzen had said—So what?
Sakura was part of the new generation. With her talents, even if she never became Hokage, she would still be a key figure in Konoha's future.
Take her medical skills, for instance. With Tsunade absent, who in the village could surpass her? On that basis alone, the position of head of the Medical Corps was practically hers already.
What Jiraiya had tried to convey with his little gesture was simple:
As long as there are still seniors like him around, she could do whatever she wanted. No matter the consequences, they would shoulder it for her.
But life, aging, illness, and death—eventually, this generation would pass.
When that day came, no one would be there to hand her a peeled sweet potato from the coals.
He wasn't worried that Sakura wouldn't understand. She was far too sharp not to pick up on it.
---
Chomp!
Outside the main tent, Sakura took a vicious bite out of the sweet potato, now cooling in the chilly wind.
She fully understood what Jiraiya was trying to say.
But she had her own burdens to bear.
"Ugh… this is so frustrating!"
"S-Sakura?" a voice called out.
Sasuke had been waiting for her outside the tent. Seeing her like this—eating furiously with no regard for appearance—he was clearly surprised.
Sakura swallowed her mouthful and stared into the black-haired boy's eyes.
Your teacher is Kakashi. Kakashi's teacher was Minato Namikaze. And Minato's teacher was Jiraiya.
"Come. Let's go train."
She tossed the last of the sweet potato aside and looked up at him.
Sasuke's eyes lit up. "Alright!"
It had been six years, but Sakura had finally agreed to a sparring match.
This time, Sasuke would prove how strong he had become.
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(End of Chapter)
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