As Minato and Mikoto landed before the group, many eyes turned toward them.
"Glad you two are okay."
Sakumo gave a slight chuckle, naturally understanding what Tsunade had meant by "a month."
The next war would be the true decisive battle.
Minato was an indispensable figure in this coming war.
At the moment, Minato felt somewhat at a loss—because he and Mikoto had missed out on a war. Though there were special circumstances, facing so many comrades who had just fought bloodily, Minato felt a hint of guilt inside.
"Your chakra is very weak now," Junko Watanabe said, stepping up to Minato.
Everyone from Konoha was taken aback upon hearing this—after all, Minato's strength had been clearly demonstrated in previous wars.
Even if he hadn't participated in this particular battle, no one would think he had run away.
But Junko's words now gave Minato an easy way out.
Beside him, Mikoto caught on immediately, smiling as she added, "This guy was training in ninjutsu in the forest so hard that he couldn't even move his body anymore. If I hadn't gone back to check on him, he probably wouldn't have made it."
Only then did everyone understand the situation. Although they didn't know the specifics, they generally realized Minato's training must have been for victory in the war.
Earlier, many people had combined Tsunade's words with their own guesses, quietly speculating about possible connections.
Even some relatively simple-minded individuals silently murmured among themselves, suspecting there was definitely something behind it all.
Minato scratched his head awkwardly and shot Junko and Mikoto a thankful look.
At that moment, within the group, a short figure suddenly collapsed forward—directly facing Minato. However, though his condition had improved somewhat, he still couldn't display any speed.
Still, another figure immediately supported the falling one—it was Yan Uchiha.
And the person helping him up was Hiashi Hyuga.
Meeting Minato's gaze, Hiashi—who was well aware of the past between Yan and himself—smiled lightly and said, "This fellow nearly gave his life cutting down an enemy Jonin from Sunagakure."
Instantly, knowing glances turned their way, with Nawaki, Hizashi, and several other Konoha ninja among those watching.
They all seemed to pick up on the hidden meaning behind Hiashi's words.
After all, earlier during the conflict in the Land of Rain, they had already spoken quite a bit regarding Minato, Yan Uchiha, and Nawaki.
Hearing Hiashi's words, Minato's expression paused slightly, a flicker of shock briefly passing through his clear blue eyes.
It wasn't because Yan had killed a Jonin from the opposing nation—Minato wasn't surprised that a Uchiha ninja could accomplish such a feat, especially knowing Yan's talent well.
What stunned Minato was that Yan Uchiha, who should've died long ago during a supply run in the Second Great Ninja War, had somehow defied fate at this point.
His strength was clearly far greater than what Minato had known, now strong enough to match a Jonin.
Such a change brought both joy and concern to Minato.
Because no one knew what the distant future would become.
Yan Uchiha, exhausted, also lifted his gaze to look at him. Yet in Minato's eyes, the expression he had hoped for never appeared.
That subtle emotion made the joy of defeating a jonin vanish instantly.
Because in this guy's eyes, he seemed exactly the same as before—nothing had truly changed.
Enraged, Yan Uchiha's Sharingan instinctively activated, its single tomoe spinning rapidly, almost as if attempting to give birth to a second.
But ultimately, the second tomoe did not appear.
Watching this, Fugaku Uchiha slightly furrowed his brows.
At this time, Konoha ninja had already placed Orochimaru and Tsunade, who had lost consciousness, onto medical stretchers.
"You heard what Tsunade-sama and Chiyo were saying earlier?" Hatake Sakumo looked at Minato and asked.
"Yeah," Minato softly replied, their eyes meeting with mutual understanding.
"I won't let Tsunade-sama's words go to waste!" Minato declared firmly. Upon hearing this, Sakumo gave a faint smile.
Minato pulled out a hairpin from his pocket and gazed at it, murmuring, "It's been so long... I should return to her side now."
This was the hairpin Minato had originally bought for Kushina when they were in the Land of Hot Springs. Mikoto later enhanced it, and Kushina eventually returned it to him.
Minato never wanted to disappoint anyone—especially her.
When she smiled, he felt happiness.
When she wept, he felt her pain as his own.
If anyone ever dared harm her… Minato would end them—no matter who they were.
He wanted Kushina to see Naruto grow up with her own eyes—not just gaze upon the adult he'd become with regret.
Minato wanted the three of them—father, mother, and son—to live together happily!
Nearby, Mikoto Uchiha watched Minato in this state with a gentle smile.
"We can't stay here any longer. Let's move somewhere else."
With Tsunade unconscious, Sakumo Hatake naturally became the temporary commander of the Konoha forces. They could no longer remain in this valley.
Whether to advance or retreat was his decision to make.
Without hesitation, Sakumo chose to advance.
Though the battle results showed Konoha and Suna were evenly matched, morale on their side had finally shaken off the gloom that had plagued them since entering the Land of Wind.
Clearly, everything Tsunade had done and said during the battle had inspired them greatly.
They wouldn't hide along the border of the Land of Wind anymore; the tide of war had already turned.
Now, all they needed was the perfect moment for the final showdown!
...
Meanwhile, the Suna ninja who had withdrawn from the valley wore solemn expressions. After all, Chiyo held absolute authority in their minds.
Chiyo belonged to the same generation of powerful figures as Hanzo and the Third Hokage.
As for Konoha's commander, he was the disciple of the Third.
Yet now, Chiyo and two disciples of the Third had fought each other to a mutual standstill—even if Konoha had gained slight upper hand, they still struggled to accept this reality.
"What are you all sulking about?!" Unable to bear their gloomy attitudes any longer, Chiyo barked out in anger.
But the moment she snapped in anger, her breath caught, and Chiyo broke into a violent cough.
"My lady, there's no need to get angry."
At that moment, Liufei spoke and turned her gaze. On that beautiful face, a peculiar smile now formed.
"Anyone who dares to show such an expression again will be carved into a human urn by me."
Her voice was soft, yet it carried a chilling coldness that made many Suna ninjas shudder.
Liufei appeared delicate and graceful on the surface, but someone who held such a high rank among the Suna ninja could never be as fragile as she seemed.
While Sunagakure's structure is broadly similar to Konoha's, its way of governance is strikingly different...
...
...
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