Tsunade didn't choose an A-rank mission on a whim—it was a well-considered decision.
On the surface, Shizune was a chunin, while Kabuto Yakushi and Natsume were genin.
But in reality? Kabuto and Natsume were also chunin.
Especially Natsume—after revealing his Wood Release, he was almost at jonin level.
Plus, with Tsunade as their team leader, an average mission wouldn't be challenging enough for them.
An A-rank mission was just right.
The four of them became shadows, leaping away and soon disappearing into the distance.
They didn't travel too fast.
As chunin, their stamina couldn't compare to jonin.
Tsunade understood this well.
If they went too fast, Natsume and the others would tire easily.
If they encountered enemies on the way, it could put them in a tough spot.
"After more than two years of extended war, both Konoha and the Hidden Cloud are exhausted. The front lines now are mostly small-scale raids," Tsunade explained as they traveled. "Our mission is to eliminate Hidden Cloud's outposts and, if possible, rescue Shitō Akimichi's squad."
"Shitō Akimichi?"
Natsume vaguely recognized the name—seemed like a minor character from his previous life's memories.
"Yeah. Their mission was the same as ours, but now they've lost contact." Tsunade glanced at him. "Shitō Akimichi is a jonin. If they're in trouble, their opponents must be jonin too, so our mission could become S-rank at any time."
Natsume wasn't worried.
Whether they'd run into trouble was uncertain.
Even if they did, there usually weren't many jonin.
Tsunade could handle it—unless they ran into someone like the Fourth Raikage A.
"Medical ninja won't fight unless absolutely necessary," Tsunade continued. "But Shizune and Kabuto are different—they can fight. If we meet enemies, Natsume will take the lead; the other two will assist as needed."
"Understood," the three replied in unison.
"One more thing," Tsunade said, turning to Natsume with a hint of worry in her eyes. "For all three of you, especially Natsume, this might be your first time on the battlefield, maybe even your first time killing. If you feel uncomfortable, don't force yourself."
Killing can often cause psychological issues.
Some people feel sick or nauseous; some barely react; some get traumatized.
Shizune and Kabuto, as medical ninja, were used to blood.
But Natsume wasn't.
That worried Tsunade most.
If he had a bad reaction, it would be dangerous on the battlefield.
"I understand," Natsume replied with a reassuring glance.
Tsunade nodded.
If needed, she'd step in herself.
Honestly, if it were anyone else, she wouldn't have cared.
A ninja who can't handle this should just go home and raise pigs, not be a ninja.
But for Natsume, she was worried.
Double standards—everyone has them.
Natsume, though, couldn't help but want to jump into her arms to thank her.
After a dozen minutes, the four entered a small grove.
Tsunade stopped. "The supply convoys to our Konoha base often pass through here. There are many Hidden Cloud outposts nearby. We'll head north until we reach where Shitō Akimichi's squad disappeared."
Outposts were fixed small bases.
Usually staffed by three to ten ninja, they were well-hidden.
They'd monitor the area and provide support if there was a fight.
Konoha would eliminate them; Hidden Cloud would set them up.
This had been the norm for over two years.
In some areas, it was the opposite—Hidden Cloud would clear out Konoha's outposts.
Konoha, being wealthier, used more sealing and barrier techniques, making their outposts stronger and more durable.
"Kabuto, scout ahead," Tsunade ordered. "Natsume and Shizune, protect him."
None of the three were specialized scouts, but Kabuto knew quite a few scouting jutsu—thanks to Tsunade, at Natsume's suggestion.
In the original story, Kabuto was an excellent spy, skilled at stealth and reconnaissance.
He wasn't as good as the Hyuga clan's Byakugan, but good enough.
Tsunade wouldn't let him scout alone—it was for Kabuto's training. She'd scout herself too, to make sure nothing slipped by.
"Three o'clock ahead, four chakra signatures, not moving," Kabuto reported after a moment, opening his eyes.
His sensing jutsu required him to close his eyes to focus—risky, but detailed.
Natsume nodded, taking the lead.
Soon, he spotted an outpost.
It looked like a small fortress.
Ordinary ninja would have a tough time taking it out.
"Kabuto, help mask my chakra," Natsume said, then began forming hand seals.
Kabuto's main focus was medical ninjutsu, but he'd picked up a bit of everything—a true all-rounder.
He quickly set up a temporary barrier. It would only last three seconds, but that was enough.
Water Style: Great Waterfall Jutsu!
An A-rank water technique.
Even most chunin couldn't use it, let alone genin.
But with his various boosts, Natsume's chakra was already at jonin level.
A huge surge of chakra gathered in his throat, then turned into a waterfall, engulfing the outpost.
…
A Hidden Cloud ninja on duty snapped to attention.
What the hell was that noise?
He turned, and his hair stood on end.
"Enem—!"
He didn't finish—he was drowned.
He was just a chunin, so he didn't put up much of a fight before succumbing.
The waterfall crashed over the outpost.
It was sturdy, but not airtight.
Water rushed in.
The three other Cloud ninja inside, startled awake, panicked and tried to run.
Natsume was waiting for them.
As soon as they appeared, the trees on both sides shot out thick vines.
What the—? The trees are alive? And attacking?
The Cloud ninja were completely unprepared and were quickly immobilized.
Natsume returned the trees to normal.
"Well done," Tsunade appeared at his side. She checked his expression to make sure he was fine, then breathed a sigh of relief.
"Kabuto, collect anything useful—if you find intel, give it to me," she said, turning to the dead Cloud ninja.
Kabuto immediately began searching the outpost.
"I'll go too," Natsume volunteered, feeling Tsunade was being too partial to him—a bit awkward in front of the others.
Tsunade was surprised, then smiled.
Natsume was different for her.
It was inevitable that she'd favor him unconsciously.
But this kid was really thoughtful.
After searching, they found nothing valuable.
The four continued on.
…
Meanwhile, at the Hidden Cloud main camp—
Tsunade and Hiashi's participation in the war hadn't gone unnoticed. They weren't even trying to hide it.
The Fourth Raikage looked at the intel in front of him and sighed, "Konoha really is blessed."
Even after the Nine-Tails incident and the death of a Hokage, their strength hadn't diminished much.
Ridiculous.
Hidden Cloud had been building up its strength.
The Third Raikage even sacrificed himself against ten thousand enemies to preserve their forces.
Yet Konoha, with all its weird tricks, managed to stay even with them.
No wonder the Fourth Raikage felt this way.
"If we keep fighting, we may have to send out our jinchuriki to stand a chance," said Dodai, a trusted one-eyed jonin.
"No need. We've fought long enough. Time to let our geniuses grow—C, Yugito, Darui, Mabui—they're all in their teens. In a few years, they'll be the pillars of Hidden Cloud," the Fourth Raikage said.
But how to stop the war was another question.
If they asked for peace, it would look weak and encourage Konoha to push harder.
The Fourth Raikage fell silent, deep in thought.