Having packed, Shindai left the tent with a full bag on his back.
Outside the tent, Minato Namikaze, Kakashi, Rin Nohara, and Obito were waiting for him.
Obito waved at Shindai: "We're just waiting for you, Shindai! Hurry up and let's go."
"Coming."
Shindai jogged over to Minato Namikaze's side.
Minato Namikaze smiled and said to Shindai: "We're always here, so don't be afraid."
Shindai stared blankly at Minato Namikaze.
Holy cow, those words were a bit too powerful.
Shindai was even a little moved by what Minato Namikaze said.
Minato Namikaze took a deep breath, his expression serious: "Alright, this journey to the Land of Grass is our last period of ease. Shindai, I hope you're mentally prepared. The upcoming mission in the Land of Grass will very likely involve combat. I hope you can advance and retreat together with Obito, Kakashi, and Rin!"
Shindai nodded: "I understand what you mean, Lord Minato. I won't hold Kakashi and the others back."
Minato Namikaze looked at Shindai helplessly.
Still pretending.
What holding back? He wanted Shindai to fight alongside Kakashi and the others!
He had already exposed himself so much during training, yet he still thought he hadn't been exposed!
Minato Namikaze didn't expose Shindai. After all, Shindai had just started feeling good, and if he exposed him now, he would feel bad again.
The swelling on Obito's face would take some time to subside, so it was better not to now.
"Alright, it's time to set off. We should be the only ones left."
Minato Namikaze led the team, taking Shindai, Kakashi, and the other two to rendezvous with the main force and head towards the Land of Grass.
...
A week later.
Shindai followed the main force of Konoha Ninja and arrived at the Konoha Garrison in the Land of Grass.
The atmosphere within the garrison was very tense. Everyone's expressions were extremely serious, and they walked hurriedly. One could even see injured individuals with missing limbs being rushed to the Medical Ninja for treatment.
It was clear that the Konoha Ninja here had already begun combat operations.
Shindai also became nervous, swallowing hard.
Tsunade had already slipped away using the Instantaneous Body Technique.
After all, she had hemophobia, and just accidentally caught a glimpse of blood, her body was already trembling. If she accidentally caught another glimpse, her legs might give out and she would collapse.
No matter what, Tsunade was one of the legendary Sannin of the Ninja World, and she still had her pride.
Minato Namikaze frowned and said to Jiraiya: "Lord Jiraiya, it seems our Konoha's war has already begun."
Jiraiya also said with a solemn expression: "Indeed, let's go to the combat command room to inquire about the situation."
Jiraiya turned to Shindai and the other Ninja who had arrived from the Land of Hot Springs and said: "Orderly go to logistics to collect supplies and find a place to set up camp and rest! Mission assignments will follow!"
Shindai followed Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara, and went with other Ninja to the logistics supply point to collect tents, then found an open space to start setting them up.
Under Shindai's direction, the positions where Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara set up their tents formed a triangle.
And Shindai's tent was in the middle of Kakashi's three tents, for no other reason than a sense of security.
Although Kakashi and Rin Nohara were very reluctant, under Shindai's 'reasoned arguments' (crying, making a fuss, and threatening suicide), Kakashi and Rin Nohara still 'happily' agreed.
'You know, I'm all alone, away from home, in a strange place where I only know you.'
'And you also know that I'm currently wanted by the Hidden Sand Village, living in fear every day, with no sense of security.'
"If you don't help me, I don't know who else I can ask for help, since I've lost everything."
Coupled with Shindai's exaggeratedly sad expression...
Of course, Kakashi and Rin Nohara weren't fooled; only Obito was.
After this series of small tricks, even though they knew Shindai was faking it, Kakashi and Rin Nohara had no choice but to agree.
...
Inside the combat command room.
The commander was not Orochimaru; Orochimaru had gone directly to the Land of Rivers to command the battle.
Currently, the combat command here was being handled by Nara Shikaku, with Inoichi Yamanaka and Akimichi Choza assisting Nara Shikaku.
Minato Namikaze and the Ino–Shika–Chō were friends and hadn't seen each other in a long time. He was happy to see them here, but it was clearly not the time for reminiscing.
Jiraiya inquired: "Shikaku, what's the situation like here now?"
Nara Shikaku reported: "Lord Jiraiya, the situation is very bad, but it has at least stabilized. Currently, there are both Sunagakure and Iwagakure forces in the Land of Grass. It's very difficult for our Konoha Ninja to fight both Sunagakure and Iwagakure head-on simultaneously.
Fortunately, the Sandaime had us come to the Land of Grass early to set up, occupying many advantageous terrains. Moreover, Iwagakure and Sunagakure each have their own hidden agendas. If they were to unite and attack us, even with advantageous terrain, it would be very difficult for us to fight. However, they are both unwilling for their own Ninja to sacrifice themselves and are waiting for the other to make the first move.
Because of this, our situation has barely stabilized, and we are temporarily evenly matched with them."
Minato Namikaze said seriously: "I have brought all the Ninja from the Land of Hot Springs here as reinforcements, Shikaku. Just tell us what you need us to do!"
Nara Shikaku nodded: "I will then disperse the Ninja you brought into various Ninja units, which will greatly relieve the pressure on our comrades at those fronts. Moreover, I suspect that the cooperation between Hidden Sand Village and Iwagakure will end soon, as they are not united, and cooperation based on mutual suspicion and vigilance cannot last long."
Jiraiya's eyes lit up, and he said with some anticipation: "If their cooperation ends, will our Konoha's pressure be much lighter?"
Nara Shikamaru said gravely: "No, in my opinion, it's the opposite. If the cooperation between Hidden Sand Village and Iwagakure ends, then we will face a full-strength Iwagakure head-on, and our pressure will actually increase. Although we occupy many advantageous terrains, Iwagakure excels in Earth Release Ninjutsu, and our advantageous terrains are effectively useless against their Earth Release Ninjutsu.
Furthermore, Hidden Sand Village will also be eyeing our Konoha from the rear. Now, it depends on Kumogakure, whether Kumogakure wants to move against Iwagakure or our Konoha. At the same time, we must also be cautious and wary of the Hidden Mist Village, which has not yet acted.
It can be said that our Konoha's current situation is not optimistic!"
Hearing Nara Shikamaru's analysis, Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze's expressions became even more solemn.
Nara Shikamaru exhaled lightly and said: "Lord Jiraiya, Minato, you've had a long and tiring journey. Please rest for a while. I will make special arrangements for you later."
Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze both nodded and agreed: "Alright!"
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