The progress of Konoha's temporary Medical Ninja training class was even smoother than expected.
Under the joint efforts of Lady Tsunade and Uchiha Akira ,
the students studied medical theory during the day and conducted practical simulations at night.
In just one week, seven or eight experienced Medical Ninja completed their training and successfully graduated, being transferred to the front lines, bringing hope to the tense battlefield in the Land of Rain.
In the training ground at dusk,
the setting sun cast long shadows of the two.
Akiralooked at the latest assessment results in his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"It seems our method is very effective; this batch of students has progressed much faster than anticipated."
Tsunade crossed her arms, her gaze sweeping over the students who were training, and let out a soft snort.
"It's still far from enough. On the battlefield, there isn't so much time for them to slowly adjust their Chakra."
Despite saying so, a hint of satisfaction flashed in her eyes.
Among these students, there were a few with good talent.
Given time, they might truly become independent Medical Ninja.
Akiraturned his head to look at Tsunade, the afterglow of the setting sun casting a soft golden glow on her profile.
He, as if by a sudden impulse, reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
"You've worked hard, Lady Tsunade."
"Hey!"
Tsunade turned sharply, her eyes wide, her fair cheeks instantly tinged with a blush.
"You brat, you're getting more and more presumptuous! Who allowed you to touch my hair?!"
She made a move as if to hit him, and Akiraquickly retreated two steps, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Sorry, sorry, I couldn't resist for a moment."
Tsunade bit her lower lip, a hint of annoyance flashing in her bright brown eyes, but in the end, she only let out a soft snort and turned her face away.
"Next time you do that, I'll throw you onto the farthest training post!"
Akiralooked at her slightly reddened earlobes, secretly amused.
He knew she was fierce with her words, but she wasn't truly angry.
Their time together had gradually allowed him to understand Tsunade's temper.
Beneath her tsundere exterior lay a soft heart.
"Yes, yes, Lady Tsunade is the best."
Akiraresponded with a smile, a hint of indulgence in his eyes.
Tsunade glanced at him, her lips unconsciously curving into a slight smile, but she quickly put on a stern face again.
"Less of your glib talk! There will be new students coming tomorrow, prepare for them. The Ninja who failed before will also be given another chance to be assessed."
"Understood."
Akirasaluted with feigned seriousness, which made Tsunade unable to help but laugh.
Their interaction fell into the eyes of the students training in the distance, and many showed surprised expressions.
Could the terrifyingly strict Lady Tsunade on the training ground actually have such a side?
Just as the medical training class was gradually getting on track, an urgent intelligence report broke the calm.
Anbu Ninja moved swiftly and continuously.
That afternoon,
in the Hokage Tower's conference room, all the members of the Konoha Hokage lineage were present.
The atmosphere was so heavy it was almost suffocating.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the main seat, his brows tightly furrowed, his pipe long extinguished but he was oblivious.
"The Eight-Tailed Jinchuriki of Hidden Cloud Village has appeared on the border of the Land of Rain, and our defenses in Hidden Rain Village have been torn open."
Homura Mitokado pushed up his glasses, his voice low.
"Hidden Cloud Village? Are they also going to participate in this war?"
"That's still unclear for now; Hidden Cloud Village's stance is still somewhat ambiguous."
"The situation in Hidden Cloud Village is not something we can control. Currently, the front line is tense and urgently needs reinforcements."
"The Jinchuriki suddenly appearing on the battlefield is no small matter. Ordinary Ninja going there would only be courting death."
The others in the conference room looked at each other, the air seemingly solidified.
Facing a strategic weapon like a Tailed Beast, even experienced Jonin would have little chance of winning.
Hidden Cloud Village actually put a Jinchuriki here. Aren't they afraid of the Tailed Beast losing control?
Or rather, was Hidden Cloud Village doing this on purpose?
Just then, a hoarse voice broke the silence.
"Let me go."
Orochimaru slowly stood up, dangerous light flickering in his golden vertical pupils.
His gaze swept over everyone, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"However, I need a helper, and that is Uchiha Akira ."
"What?"
Tsunade slammed her hand on the table, anger flaring in her bright brown eyes.
"Orochimaru, are you crazy? How could Akira , an ordinary Ninja, possibly deal with a Jinchuriki!"
Orochimaru said unhurriedly,
"Sensei said before that the First Hokage's initial strategy for establishing the Village was essentially to rely on the abilities of the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan to counterbalance the Tailed Beasts."
"Now that no one can awaken Wood Release, we can only rely on the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan."
"As far as I know, Akira 's genjutsu skills are among the best in the entire Uchiha, especially in the application of Sharingan genjutsu. This is enough to temporarily control a Tailed Beast, and besides..."
Orochimaru paused, his eyes flickering as he continued,
"Akira -kun's recent performance doesn't seem like that of an ordinary Ninja."
"You..."
Tsunade trembled with rage, the heavy necklace on her chest rising and falling with her breathing.
"I don't agree! The medical training class can't do without him!"
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Tsunade, when did you become so emotional? Or rather..."
His voice suddenly turned cold.
"Do you have some special... care... for this Uchiha brat?"
"Orochimaru!"
Tsunade's voice was almost squeezed through her teeth, her fair face flushed with anger.
"If you keep spouting nonsense, I don't mind letting you experience my fist right now!"
Seeing the two at loggerheads, Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed heavily.
"Enough!"
"Homura, what do you think of Orochimaru's suggestion?"
Homura Mitokado was silent for a moment, then glanced at Orochimaru and Tsunade.
"Currently, no one in Konoha can use Wood Release to suppress a Tailed Beast and a Jinchuriki, and Lady Mito is also old. At present, the only thing we can rely on is the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan.
Uchiha Akira 's Sharingan development progress is stronger than that of ordinary Uchiha, so I think what Orochimaru said is not without reason."
Orochimaru showed a cold smile.
Tsunade glared at Orochimaru, her eyes full of anger.
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened intently, then looked at the Anbu by the door.
"Have Uchiha Akiracome here. We still need to ask for his opinion."
"Yes!"
The Anbu at the door instantly disappeared.
A moment later, Uchiha Akiraarrived.
Looking at the room full of people from the Hokage lineage, Uchiha Akiraimmediately became wary.
"Akira , our defenses have been attacked by a Jinchuriki. Orochimaru is leading a team to the front lines for support, and he wants to take you with him. Are you willing?"
Front lines? And facing a Jinchuriki?
Is it because of the Sharingan?
However, a Jinchuriki is like a ticking time bomb; you might just lose your life, the difference is too great!
Uchiha Akirawas about to refuse.
The system prompt sounded.
[Triggered Mission: Slay the Eight-Tailed Jinchuriki.]
[Mission Reward: Obtain one Bloodline Limit (perfectly integrates with the host upon acquisition, no rejection reaction will occur)]
Akirafroze.
A mission triggered at this moment?
The reward is a Bloodline Limit?!
Akiratook a deep breath, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.
He could feel Tsunade's worried gaze, but at this moment, he had no choice.
Bloodline is the most important thing in this world.
This is a Bloodline Limit!
Aside from the slim chance of artificial synthesis through science and forbidden jutsu, all others are passed down from mother to child.
Akiramade up his mind.
He couldn't miss the Bloodline Limit, so he would agree first.
Although a Jinchuriki is strong, there are also many taboos; he would just think of other ways.
His relationship with Tsunade had also gradually warmed up after these past few days of interaction; it was time to advance their progress.
If he could obtain the reward for intercepting Tsunade's mission before leaving the Village,
let alone dealing with a Jinchuriki, even dealing with Hanzō wouldn't be a problem, would it?
"Hokage-sama, I am willing to go to the front lines to support the Village."
His voice was calm.
He looked at Tsunade, his eyes filled with reassurance.
"The medical training class is already on track; I believe Lady Tsunade can handle it alone."
Tsunade opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something.
But in the end, she just glared fiercely at Orochimaru and sat back down.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"Good, then it's settled.
Orochimaru, Akira , prepare yourselves immediately. Aim to depart tomorrow."
After the meeting ended, Tsunade grabbed Akira 's wrist and pulled him into a deserted hallway.
"Are you crazy?"
Her voice was very low, but the anger and worry in it were clearly audible.
"That's a Jinchuriki! A strategic weapon that even Jonin find difficult to deal with!"
Akiralooked at her tightly furrowed brows and slightly reddened eyes, and his heart softened.
He gently squeezed Tsunade's hand.
"Don't worry, I won't fight head-on. With Orochimaru-sama there, it should... be fine."
Be fine?
Nawaki was with Orochimaru, and in the end...
Tsunade immediately extinguished that terrifying thought.
She had already lost Nawaki; she didn't want to lose Akiranow.
"That Orochimaru, he's been acting stranger and stranger lately!"
Tsunade bit her lower lip.
"I always feel like he has some ulterior motive..."
Akiraactually had the same premonition, but he couldn't show it now.
He forced a relaxed smile.
"What, is Lady Tsunade worried about me?"
"Who, who's worried about you!"
Tsunade sharply pulled her hand back.
"I just... I just don't want the medical training class's partner to die for nothing!"
Akiralooked at her contradictory behavior and couldn't help but ruffle her hair again.
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice.
"It's still early, Lady Tsunade, would you like to have a drink with me?"