The returning team initially moved slowly; although the severely injured shinobi had been healed, they were still not suitable for a forced march.
It took four or five days for everyone to finally leave the Land of Rain. As the sky gradually brightened, the spirits of the team members also lifted visibly.
Upon entering the Land of Fire, the people in the towns they encountered along the way offered their sincerest respect, praising them as heroes who had quelled the war.
As the news slowly spread, especially regarding those referred to as "Konoha's Legendary Sannin" and "Little Hashirama" by Hanzo, they received even more enthusiastic cheers.
Although Kyuushin himself disliked this nickname, it had to be said that Senju Hashirama was incredibly well-known in the Land of Fire, so much so that this nickname seemed to spread even wider than the Sannin's title.
Later, due to their eagerness to return home, the team's speed naturally increased. Kyuushin, carrying Nagato, and Jiraiya, each carrying one, quickly moved through the forest.
Around noon, everyone took a short break in the shade. They had departed Konoha in early summer, and after more than a month, it was now mid-summer.
Previously, in the Land of Rain, it felt relatively cool due to the daily rain, but after entering the Land of Fire, the sun was bright, and the temperature was much higher.
However, it is worth noting that the three—Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan—really liked this weather. Kyuushin often saw them standing in open areas, basking in the sun, closing their eyes, and quietly enjoying it.
"You three, don't get heatstroke!" During the break, Kyuushin saw the three sunbathing again and couldn't help but remind them kindly.
However, Kyuushin understood them perfectly. After all, no one could stand that dreadful weather in the Land of Rain forever. Even he himself, after entering the Land of Fire, had spent a few days in the sun just to dry out completely.
But he had only stayed in the Land of Rain for a short time and adapted within a few days. Nagato and the other two had truly grown up in the Land of Rain and probably rarely saw such bright, warm sunshine.
Konan opened her eyes and smiled at Kyuushin, while Yahiko said with genuine emotion, "After a few days in the sun, I feel like I've lost several pounds."
Nagato also smiled without speaking. After leaving the Land of Rain, the three of them were in much better spirits. Nagato would sometimes even proactively ask about the Uzumaki Clan's situation.
However, upon learning that the Land of Whirlpools had been attacked and its clansmen were almost annihilated, he fell silent. Kyuushin patted his shoulder gently and said,
"In this world, wars are almost constantly happening and can befall anyone. Even a powerful country like the Land of Fire is no exception to this reality."
After a long silence, Nagato finally asked, "Why are there always wars in this world?"
Kyuushin smiled and said, "That question is still too far for you. Perhaps when you have enough experience, you will have a different perspective. Isn't that your ultimate goal in coming to Konoha?"
Yahiko, beside him, clenched his fists and said, "I will definitely find out the reason. I hope that one day, there will be no more wars, whether in large or small countries, and no more people like us will ever appear again."
Kyuushin said nothing more. Peace was not his ultimate goal, but if he had the ability, he wouldn't mind achieving it incidentally.
Three days later, the returning team finally saw the gates of Konoha, and everyone cheered immediately with relief.
The village had already received the news and announced their victorious return to the villagers. Although the Land of Rain was a small country, this was Konoha's first large-scale operation since the First Ninja World War.
Moreover, they had achieved an almost complete victory. Therefore, the village's higher-ups also hoped to use this to boost the shinobi's morale, and more importantly, to deter other great nations.
The village's populace was naturally overjoyed upon hearing this news. As soon as their team entered the gate, they were welcomed by cheering crowds, and the deafening cheers directly engulfed them.
There were countless people on both sides of the road, their faces beaming with joy and pride. Children waved colorful flags, and their cheerful laughter echoed through the streets.
Adults and elders held various foods in their hands, and upon seeing them, they would stuff them into their hands, regardless of whether they accepted them or not. In just a moment, their bodies were piled high with food gifts.
Kyuushin also saw many acquaintances by the roadside, such as his former Ninja Academy classmates—Makiko and Sachiko were naturally among them, and Kushina, all vigorously waving their arms at him.
In addition, he also saw his grandfather, Uzumaki Masaaki, with some Uzumaki clansmen, happily watching him from the roadside, but it was naturally not appropriate to go up and greet him right now.
After much effort to get through the crowd, the Third Hokage and a group of high-ranking officials were also waiting for them below the Hokage office building. Seeing them approach, the Third Hokage's smile never faded.
After all, Tsunade and the other two were his disciples, and now that his disciples had achieved such battle results, he, as their teacher, naturally felt immensely proud.
As the highest leader of the village, the Third Hokage naturally had to offer condolences to their team. In such an occasion, the condolence effect was naturally the best, as the public was also watching.
However, the Third Hokage did not give a lengthy speech. After finishing his words of praise, he dismissed the team on the spot. Only Tsunade and the other two, as the highest leaders of the war, still had to give a more detailed debriefing.
Kyuushin had also made great contributions this time, so the Third Hokage specially summoned him. Although the battle report had already been sent back, the report only contained a brief narration. Of course, a detailed understanding still required asking in person.
Orochimaru naturally gave the debriefing report. Although the three of them were nominally in command, only Orochimaru understood the overall situation.
Because he already knew the battle results, the Third Hokage's reaction to Orochimaru's report was relatively calm. It was only after hearing that Kyuushin had used Ice Release that the Third Hokage showed a look of genuine surprise.
Helplessly, Kyuushin repeated his previous explanation. The Third Hokage naturally encouraged Kyuushin again. Moreover, Kyuushin had seen through Hanzo's plan and made countermeasures before Hanzo could implement it.
This made the Third Hokage appreciate Kyuushin even more. There were very few shinobi with such foresight. Since Kyuushin possessed this ability, once he matured, he would be capable of serving as the supreme commander of a certain front line.
Furthermore, Kyuushin had previously demonstrated his insight and foresight, combined with this multitasking ability for temporary strategic decision-making, which elevated the Third Hokage's regard for Kyuushin to another level.
Therefore, after Orochimaru finished his debriefing report, the Third Hokage said to Kyuushin:
"Originally, I intended to promote you directly to Jonin. Both your strength and tactical planning ability have met the standards, but your number of missions is a bit low. Once your mission experience meets the requirements, I will immediately promote you to Jonin."
He paused, then the Third Hokage added, "Perhaps you might even become the youngest Jonin in Konoha's history."
One of the criteria for promotion to Jonin was to have a sufficient number of missions; this was a strict rule. Kyuushin, at most, had only been out of the Ninja Academy for a year. In terms of mission count, even with this war, he was still a bit short.
Jonin were, after all, high-ranking officials of the village. When there were important matters in the village, Jonin meetings were almost always convened to make decisions. So, while the Hokage could promote a Jonin, it had to be when all other standards were met.[1][3][5][7]
However, for other Jonin, the mission count was always the first to be met, as this was relatively the easiest to complete. But other aspects involved more subjective factors, and whether one could become a Jonin still depended on the Hokage's will.
However, Kyuushin himself had no obsession with becoming a Jonin. As for the youngest Jonin, Kyuushin remembered that in the original storyline, it was Kakashi, who became a Jonin at twelve years old.
Uchiha Itachi also became an Anbu at eleven, but it was not specifically stated that he became a Jonin, as some Anbu were also Chunin.
Kyuushin was currently ten years old, and his tenth birthday wouldn't even be until November of this year. If he took on more missions later, becoming a Jonin before the age of twelve was very possible.
Since the Third Hokage said so, Kyuushin naturally agreed wholeheartedly. The Third Hokage then said to Orochimaru:
"Orochimaru, I will also trouble you to organize the information about the shinobi who participated in this battle and report the number of completed missions. I can then quickly compile the rewards.
Additionally, there is the list of the deceased. After verification, their names need to be carved on the Memorial Stone, and their funerals should be prepared in advance. However, this matter is not urgent. You have also worked hard, so it's not too late to give it to me in a few days."
When shinobi died for the village, their names would be carved on the Memorial Stone. This was also a tradition of Konoha, signifying that they died for the village and were heroes of the village.
"Yes, Sensei, I have already mostly organized it on the way. I will confirm it once I return and then I can submit it," Orochimaru replied respectfully.
Hearing this, the Third Hokage also showed a satisfied smile. Seeing that there was nothing else, the Third Hokage prepared to let them go back to rest, but Tsunade, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up at this moment:
"Sensei, I also discovered a problem during this battle."
The Third Hokage was quite surprised to hear Tsunade speak up proactively. Previously, whenever there were major decisions in the village that required a Jonin meeting, Tsunade had always appeared very lazy, so he hadn't expected her to speak up on her own one day.
"Tell me," the Third Hokage said.
Tsunade organized her thoughts and said,
"During this battle, due to Hanzo's strategy, we were unable to bring medical personnel into the Land of Rain.
Although from the results, our casualty rate this time was not high, I checked the deceased and found that many only suffered external injuries and lost their lives due to not receiving timely treatment.
This also reminded me of many shinobi who, during missions, also lost their lives due to not receiving timely treatment.
Therefore, I believe that Konoha's current medical system may no longer be able to adapt to the current severe situation.
If we can train a group of shinobi who have both combat power and medical capabilities, then many fewer people should die in each battle, and the survival rate of shinobi on missions will also be higher."
The Third Hokage sat there, puffing on his pipe, carefully considering Tsunade's words. After a while, he said,
"I think you are very right. However, this is a matter of great importance. First, you should develop this idea of yours into a detailed plan. Then, after the next Jonin meeting, we can discuss it together."
Tsunade nodded and said nothing more.