"Nawaki, are you really Orochimaru-sama's student?"
"Of course!" Nawaki put his hands on his hips, surrounded by seven or eight young girls. "Orochimaru-sensei taught me so many jutsu!"
"Really?"
"Absolutely!"
"I can't wait to meet Orochimaru-sama!"
"Orochimaru-sama is my idol!"
"Isn't your idol Tsunade-sama?"
"Orochimaru-sama and Tsunade-sama are both my idols! They're both my wings!"
"Nawaki is amazing, too. He's Orochimaru-sama's student and Tsunade-sama's little brother."
"And he even knows Seisui-sama!"
Nawaki listened to the praises around him, puffing his chest out with pride.
"That's right! I am Orochimaru-sensei's prized student and my sister's proud little brother!"
"And the lifelong rival of Yuki Seisui!"
Nawaki's smile stretched uncontrollably, chest out, head high.
"Absolutely awesome!"
"Nawaki is so amazing!"
One girl handed Nawaki a pink love letter.
Nawaki took it, his grin widening uncontrollably.
Just as he was about to open it, the girl said, "Can you please give this to Seisui-sama?"
"Seisui-sama is the person I admire and like the most!"
Her eyes sparkled like little stars.
At her words, the other girls began stuffing their letters into Nawaki's arms.
"Mine too!"
"Me too, me too!"
"Don't forget mine!"
Nawaki's movements stiffened as he received the letters, his expression frozen in a mix of pride and helplessness.
"They're all for Seisui?"
"Yes! Please make sure he gets them!"
"With a kind and strong ninja like Nawaki, I'm sure he will," the girls said expectantly.
Tears welled up in Nawaki's heart, but he forced a smiling face.
"Of course, no problem."
"Thank you so much!" The girls breathed a collective sigh of relief and bowed deeply to him.
For these newly graduated genin, a strong, handsome, kind ninja like Yuki Seisui, close to their age, was the ultimate object of admiration.
Now, Konoha wasn't like when the heirs of the past ruled.
The ninja academy graduated students at ten.
These girls were just the right age for admiration.
Yuki Seisui held Uchiha Haru's hand, standing a short distance away with a resigned expression. Minato watched Nawaki as well, his gaze filled with silent judgment.
"Nawaki's been completely taken in," Minato muttered.
"Must be what a pure-hearted boy looks like," he added.
"That's why he's still single. If he had the same resolve as me, he wouldn't be at the mercy of a bunch of girls!"
"I'm steadfast in my feelings for Kushina!" Minato proclaimed, pointing a finger at Nawaki as if reprimanding him.
There was nothing Yuki Seisui could argue with. Minato's dedication was absolute—even willing to die for Kushina.
Anyone less determined wouldn't have survived their childhood hardships.
Haru's smile vanished, her face hardened.
Looking at the seven or eight girls, her mind ran through a hundred ways to kill them.
"Let's go. Nothing to see here," Yuki Seisui said, glancing at Nawaki one last time, shaking his head.
"Poor Nawaki… toyed with by them like this."
As Yuki Seisui turned to leave, Minato reminded him, "Oh, Tsunade-sama said to tell you—what happened last night should only happen once. More than that is impolite."
"Oh," Yuki Seisui nodded casually. He had no intention of repeating last night's mischief.
Actually, if it weren't for Chiyo's unlucky children interrupting his sleep, he never would have thought of raiding them.
Yuki Seisui wandered outside the camp, the sky gradually darkening.
By the time the stars were out, Yuki Seisui, Minato, and Haru sat around a small fire just outside their tent.
Inside Jiraiya's tent, Tsunade and a few jonin gathered.
"The Sand ninjas suffered heavy losses from last night's raid," someone reported.
"What's the next step? Let's hear everyone's thoughts," Jiraiya asked, scanning the room before settling his gaze on Tsunade, sneaking a glance at her chest.
Tsunade ignored his glance and replied, "Let me finish developing an antidote for Chiyo's poison first."
"Raiding them last night and causing some losses won't significantly affect us. The Sand ninjas are tough because of Chiyo's poison. Until the antidote is ready, it's unwise to go to war."
Tsunade leaned on the table, half-crouched, addressing everyone.
"We can certainly defeat the Sand ninjas, but the real question is how many of our own will fall. If we start now, Chiyo's poison could inflict severe casualties. Once the antidote is ready, the poison won't be as dangerous."
The jonin nodded in agreement.
Indeed, the Sand ninjas weren't unbeatable. Their numbers might be larger, but in strength, Konoha and Suna were evenly matched.
What truly prevented war was Chiyo—and more precisely, her poison.
Once battle begins, she could use large-scale poison to inflict massive losses on Konoha.
Since victory was certain, why choose maximum casualties?
"Anyone have a different opinion?" Jiraiya asked, still consulting the others.
Tsunade's plan matched his thoughts, but he was open to better ideas, after all, he was the commander.
"One more thing, Jiraiya-sama, Tsunade-sama," a jonin stood up, bowing first, then asked, "Can Yuki Seisui enter the battlefield directly?"
"If he can, my suggestion is to start the war immediately! Yuki Seisui has tremendous deterrence against the Sand ninjas. First, he killed the Third Kazekage, then threatened the Sand ninjas, showcasing his strength. Now he even raided their camp and returned safely. The title 'Ghost of the Konoha' was given to him by the Sand ninjas themselves. If Yuki Seisui enters, I suggest launching a full assault, eliminating the Sand ninjas, then supporting the other three fronts."
"No!" Jiraiya shook his head. "Seisui can't go! I sent him here to guard, to deter the Sand ninjas. And during last night's raid, he was attacked by Chiyo. He's badly injured and cannot use jutsu or the Mangekyo Sharingan for now."
Tsunade coughed lightly, maintaining her composure.
"It's true. Chiyo's poison is powerful. I haven't fully countered it yet, only suppressed it. He's severely hurt and can't use jutsu or the Mangekyo Sharingan for a while."