"If we're forming a temporary squad of four and acting as a single combat unit, shouldn't we start practicing how to coordinate with each other?" Jiraiya then asked.
It was rare for him to bring up something so constructive.
Haseo thought about it, then shook his head. "Not yet. The three of you must already have smooth, even systematic coordination. Adding me into the mix might not help—worse, it could disrupt your existing rhythm...
"So if we run into enemies, you three should fight together like normal, while I stay on the periphery and offer support when needed."
Looking at team composition alone, combining Haseo with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru in a four-man squad actually made less sense than Haseo's previous disposable team. After all, his old team had balanced roles: offense, control, scouting, and long-range support.
This current group of four, though, was just the most basic damage-dealing Core Unit imaginable—all four were DPS.
Besides, Tsunade at her current age couldn't really be considered a medic either. No one could expect a girl under ten to have mastered advanced medical techniques.
The three of them thought about what Haseo said, realizing there was some truth to it. If they really wanted to add someone new into their already well-oiled teamwork, it would require major adjustments. By the time they finished training and reached peak efficiency again, it'd probably be months later.
But they simply didn't have that kind of time... The first mission for this temporary team had already been set for three days from now, strongly pushed by the three ambitious Genin.
So in such a short timeframe, expecting seamless four-person coordination was unrealistic.
Though Jiraiya and the others felt slightly anxious, they understood the reality of the battlefield—you couldn't afford to take anything for granted. So even during this brief pre-battle period, they kept training at their usual pace and in their usual way… Even without chasing daily improvement, they knew they needed to maintain top condition through regular training before heading into battle.
And if they didn't need Haseo involved in their training, then they already knew exactly how to improve themselves.
As for Haseo, he stood off to the side of the Training Field for a while, watching the three spar. Soon enough, he realized these kids had no real issues.
In fact, their bodily control abilities surpassed even Haseo's from a month ago. They were orthodox ninja trainees, and more importantly, the Third Hokage's teaching ability regarding his own students was unquestionable. So when it came to these matters, Haseo didn't need to say a single word.
The kids were giving it their all. After watching for a while, Haseo quietly sat down beside the training field and pulled out some paper and a pen. He was going to write a letter to his original teammates—at the very least, let them know he hadn't kicked the bucket yet.
After all, the village's wartime information network wouldn't necessarily bother to inform them of such minor news.
After spending three entire days at the training grounds, Haseo finally had a good grasp of Jiraiya and the others' strength. Though they were mischievous and still quite young, there was no denying their strength. If they could perform on the battlefield as well as they did in training, they would definitely make for capable combatants.
As for their mental fortitude, theoretically speaking, there shouldn't be any issues. Having been raised since childhood under Konoha's most elite educational system, directly mentored by the Hokage, it was hard to imagine them choking under pressure during actual combat. Just look at Orochimaru's already half-numb face—that blank expression said it all.
Three days later, the trio arrived fully equipped and full of energy. When Haseo reappeared at the training ground, Jiraiya couldn't wait to ask, "Haseo, can we depart now?"
"If I could say no..." Haseo shrugged. "You'll have to understand, I've only just returned from the battlefield to this camp not long ago, and haven't even properly rested yet. Now you want me heading back out? That's really exhausting."
Mainly, he just didn't want to bring these three onto the battlefield—it'd just be too emotionally taxing.
But his complaint wasn't fake either. Although he'd spent a whole month in Shikkotsu Forest previously, he hadn't been resting at all—far from it, in fact. Instead, he'd been constantly under intense training pressure, only slightly relaxing after defeating Nagare...
Everyone assumed he'd taken an extended break slacking off, but that wasn't true at all. Over the past month, he'd remained in a high-intensity combat state almost continuously.
"You already took a whole month off, so where's the exhaustion?" Tsunade glanced at him, then said.
She worried slightly that Haseo might actually back out at the last moment.
Haseo shook his head. He was too lazy to explain further, so he finally gave the three of them a final reminder: "Well then, one last thing—this will be our Temporary Team's first step onto the battlefield. Don't go chasing any flashy victories. What matters most is getting into the right headspace and adjusting to the flow and feel of real combat.
Real combat is also cultivation practice. So don't get too tense or slack off either. Keep your cool. Most importantly, during this mission, there's one rule you must burn into your memory:
Listen to what Haseo says, and ensure he doesn't get hurt… Got it?"
Of course, all three understood exactly what Haseo meant, but Tsunade and Jiraiya were getting tired of him hammering the same point home. They understood the need for orders, but Haseo's repetition clearly revealed a strong lack of trust toward them.
It annoyed them, but under the current circumstances, they could only nod along.
Haseo himself didn't want to nag like this either, but he felt he couldn't give these kids an inch of kindness—or else they'd push their luck.
"Very well, let's move out."
After issuing the order to depart, Haseo walked ahead first. The remaining three "youngsters," each carrying a backpack stuffed with all sorts of supplies, closely followed behind him.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Camp just as the four set off,
"Hokage-sama, Haseo Squad has departed."
As soon as Haseo Squad left the Camp, an Anbu immediately reported to the Hokage like this.
"Hmm, I understand."
The Third Hokage set aside his brush, gently stretched his wrist, then shifted his gaze toward the Camp's entrance... Though obviously unable to see anything from this spot.
He found it somewhat ironic—his young disciples had already stepped onto the battlefield, while he, their Hokage and teacher, remained seated, with his hands far more accustomed to holding a brush than forming Hand Seals.
Deep within the Third's eyes flickered a trace of anticipation, but far greater was his concern... He fully understood what he was feeling right now.
There's an old saying: "A mother's heart follows her child wherever he goes," but that didn't quite fit;
"Raise sons for support in your golden years?" No, that wasn't quite right either.
"A thread from a doting mother's hand…" Well, he couldn't make sense of it. Even a Hokage who remained unshaken amidst life-and-death battles had become emotionally unsettled at this moment.
Fortunately, Haseo was a reliable person… Right? Or rather, yes—Haseo was indeed someone dependable.
Regardless of how the Hokage felt, there was one simple truth he clearly knew—no matter how much he worried or cared for his disciples, young ninja must ultimately walk their own paths onto the battlefield.
For there lay death and glory alike—the final resting place of every ninja.
PS1:
Thanks again, big bro "AgainMustValueMatters", for giving me my second Bronze Bloom award!!
Big bro is in a great mood today after successfully signing something, strangely enough this happiness actually passed over to me too. Humans sure do enjoy such simple pleasures—it's seriously bizarre.
Actually managing to push an unpublished book onto the daily sales chart—I could really cry tears of joy.
No more blabbering—I'm gonna go streak! Everyone keep your eyes peeled. If some nut gets busted in a coastal northern province's capital for flashing, remember to bail me out!
PS2:
I'm not angry, I just think those who overestimate themselves are truly boring.
But still…
Why does it feel like every time I get roasted, you all act like front-row viewers munching popcorn and sipping soda, just watching the show unfold? We're supposed to be on the same team, right?
Every writer has a delicate heart—they're either as sensitive as a 14-year-old girl or as temperamental as a 44-year-old menopausal woman. So naturally, some comfort and reassurance are needed.
Dear readers, show me your hands—
Recommendation tickets, collections, donations, likes, compliments—all of these are welcome.
Don't be a freeloader, or you'll go bald.
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