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"The two of them are the son and daughter-in-law of Chiyo from Sunagakure," Hatake Sakumo explained to Chiba in the hospital ward. "The Third Kazekage has only recently taken office. Real power in Suna still lies with Chiyo. With these two as hostages, Suna will be forced to hesitate!"
"I see."
Chiba nodded. Sakumo's explanation aligned with his own earlier guesses.
Why war? For profit!
Why would Hatake Sakumo go to such lengths to save two enemies? Clearly, their alive status could be exchanged for greater benefits for Konoha—whether that meant forcing Suna to cede territory, pay reparations, or surrender outright.
"You don't need to return to the other sectors for medical duty. I'll have someone escort you back to your previous assignment zone. Just wait there on standby," Sakumo said with a smile.
"Thank you, Lord Sakumo!" Chiba's eyes lit up. Perfect.
His previous post, the sector under Orochimaru's command, was in the rear of the battlefield. The enemy had been mostly cleared out. Staying there on standby was basically a free pass to lay low legitimately!
"Lord Sakumo, does this mean our war with Suna will end soon?" Chiba asked.
"No." Sakumo shook his head, his tone turning cold and sharp. "Suna hasn't lost enough people yet. We need to wait a little longer."
…
One month later.
Inside a private tent in Orochimaru's sector.
"Sigh. I wonder when Team Leader Yano will be back."
Chiba was sprawled on Nawaki's bed, twirling a scalpel in his hand. He watched with bored eyes as Nawaki hobbled around the tent on crutches.
Ever since returning, there'd been no wounded for him to treat. Looking after Nawaki had become his exclusive task.
"Tsk tsk. Gotta say, is this the famous Senju vitality? You were practically charcoal before. And now you're already mobile." Chiba mused idly. "I mean, seriously. Back then, when Hashirama tried to off himself with a kunai, Madara actually bought it? Beauty truly clouds judgment, huh."
"Hey, Chiba. Spacing out again?" Nawaki leaned against the bedpost, panting. He tossed his crutches aside with a clatter and grinned. "Once I'm fully healed, I'll teach you how to fight and train properly."
"Nah." Chiba shook his head without a second thought. "I'm a medic-nin. Why would I need that messy stuff?"
"For self-defense!" Nawaki scoffed. "A wisp of a man like you? When I'm at full strength, I could take on twenty of you."
"Heh." Chiba smirked, not backing down. "If you weren't a patient, I'd have you pinned to the floor getting scuffed up right now."
"Chiba!"
"Nawaki!"
Both were lively by nature. Bound by the tie of a life saved, they'd grown close over this past month. Bickering like this was a regular occurrence.
"OROCHIMARU! GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE, YOU BASTARD!"
A thunderous, feminine roar shook the entire camp just as the two were goofing off.
"…That's my sister's voice."
The two exchanged a glance. A look of pure joy spread across Nawaki's face. "Quick, quick, quick! Chiba, carry me out there!"
Chiba rolled his eyes. "Why don't you just hobble out on your own crutches? Did your arms and legs fall off?"
"I'm tired!" Nawaki declared, utterly shameless. "Is this how you take care of me? Want me to tell my sister? She'll punch you into paste!"
"You little—!"
Chiba was momentarily speechless. Grumbling, he pushed himself off the bed. In one smooth motion, he scooped Nawaki up in a princess carry and charged out of the tent.
Nawaki froze in utter confusion. "Chiba! What—are—you—doing?!"
Chiba said nothing. He just wanted to mess with Nawaki's head a little.
SMACK!
The moment they exited the tent, a heavy impact sounded. Immediately after, a figure sailed past their faces and cratered into the woods not far away.
Nawaki: Σ(°△°|||)︴
Chiba: (*ﾟﾛﾟ)!!
"Did… did Lord Orochimaru just fly past us?" Chiba asked, his voice filled with doubt.
"Holy crap! That really is Sensei!" Nawaki nodded vigorously, staring at the familiar shape now embedded in a tree.
Tap. Tap.
By the time Chiba turned around, a stunning figure was already standing before him, looking down with an appraising gaze.
Gulp.
She was a golden-haired woman in her early twenties. Exquisite features. A fantastic figure. And an utterly captivating… aristocratic air of a major clan heiress.
Without a doubt, this was the "older sister" Nawaki spoke of—Tsunade!
(Cue Track: 'A Friend's (Not So) Old Sister')
"You're Chiba, right?"
Tsunade's eyes flicked to her brother cradled in Chiba's arms, then narrowed as her gaze settled on Chiba's face.
"Y-yes, Lady Tsunade."
Chiba was a bit nervous. Orochimaru had practically grazed his cheek on the way out. Tsunade's aura was… intense.
"Don't be nervous, Chiba. My sister's really nice," Nawaki chirped helpfully.
Tsunade's brow twitched. "Cut the crap, Nawaki! I'll deal with you later!"
"Oh…" Nawaki obediently shut his mouth. A premonition struck him: once he healed from these injuries… he might need to heal from another set soon.
Tsunade's assessing look softened slightly. "I heard about what you did. Thank you for saving my little brother. I owe you one."
"Understood. I'll contact you if I ever need it," Chiba accepted without hesitation.
Sometimes, being overly polite just annoys people. Accepting a favor offered can actually bring people closer.
"Hmph. Not bad, kid. I like your style."
Sure enough, hearing Chiba accept her debt, Tsunade's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
'Yep. As long as you think I can… satisfy your appetite,' Chiba thought privately.
"Alright. Now, tell me about Nawaki's current physical condition."
"Of course, Lady Tsunade."
…
The war between Konoha and Sunagakure had ended. That was why Tsunade was free to leave the front lines.
Sakumo's successive surprise attacks had shattered Suna's morale. Combined with the leverage of the hostages, Suna was forced to capitulate.
The conflict between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind drew to a close. In the end, the Land of Fire came out slightly ahead.
Konohagakure, a certain conference room.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat at the head of the table, puffing leisurely on his pipe. He waited silently for the attendees to assemble.
While the war with Suna was over, the confrontation with Iwagakure's forces continued. Hence, this strategic meeting.
Those qualified to attend were Konoha's core strength: individuals like Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade—the trio Hanzo of the Salamander had mockingly dubbed the "Konoha Sannin."
So, when a youthful, unfamiliar face appeared in the conference room, many present couldn't hide their surprise.
"Chiba-kun. We meet again." Orochimaru offered a thin, amused smile.
"Hey, you made it too, kid!" Tsunade greeted him with her usual bluntness.
"Chiba." Even the typically stoic Sakumo gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
This only deepened the bewilderment of those in the dark. A single thought echoed in many minds:
Just who the hell is this kid? Such a reception…
Indeed, due to his "outstanding contribution" in the war against Suna (saving Sasori's parents), Chiba had also been invited to this strategic meeting.
"Lord Orochimaru. Lady Tsunade. Lord Sakumo."
After returning the greetings, Chiba found an inconspicuous corner seat and settled in. He was just here to make up the numbers, and he knew it.
"Alright. Everyone's here. Let's begin." Hiruzen finally spoke from the podium.
Before the Hokage could finish, Tsunade shot to her feet. "I have a proposal!"
"This war exposed critical flaws! I propose a reform of Konoha's current medical-nin system! We must ensure every squad is assigned a combat-capable medical-nin!"
"Tsunade… we've discussed this before." Hiruzen Sarutobi massaged his temples, a headache clearly forming. "We are currently at war with Iwa. Where do we find the time and resources for systemic reform?"
"WHAT did you say, you old fart?!"
Tsunade's eyes blazed. She slammed a fist on the table. "If we don't reform quickly, it will only lead to more unnecessary deaths!"
"…"
A heavy silence fell over the room.
No one spoke up for Tsunade. Not even her two childhood friends. After all, the other side of the argument was the Third Hokage himself.
"Ahem… I… I support Lady Tsunade's proposal."
Among the crowd, a man with sea-green long hair hesitated, gathering his courage to stand. But before he could, a small, tentative voice piped up from the corner.
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