The red hair and the exquisite sealing technique did increase the three children's trust in him.However, despite this, they did not completely lower their guard and remained highly vigilant.
Seeing this, the woman did not become impatient, but instead showed great patience.
She smiled and explained, "Alright, friends from Konoha, you don't need to be so nervous.We actually have some Konoha comrades here too.You'll meet them in a little while, and then you'll understand that we mean you no harm."
Before she could finish speaking, several swishing sounds came from behind her.Immediately afterward, a voice that Hatake Kaede knew all too well rang out: "Reina-neesan, you're so fast!"
With that voice, several figures appeared and landed steadily on the ground.These newcomers wore Konoha headbands, indicating their identity as Konoha ninja.Among them was someone Hatake Kaede recognized—Nawaki.
The appearance of the Nawaki caused the three little ones to put away their ninja tools, and their previous state of alert was quickly dispelled.
Nawaki walked up to Hatake and the others with a smile, about to speak, but Hatake interrupted him.Hatake looked at Nawaki with a suspicious expression and blurted out, "Nawaki, what are you doing here?"
Nawaki smiled and replied, "Hey, this is just visiting relatives!"
Seeing the red-haired members of the Uzumaki clan behind him, Hatake Kaede gave Nawaki a meaningful look.
Seeing this, Nawaki changed the subject, saying, "Let's not talk about me anymore.What are you all doing here?"
Kaede rolled his eyes at Nawaki and replied irritably, "Of course it's a mission.Our team has received an important mission, but the specific details are classified, so I can't tell you."
"We had just finished our mission and were preparing to return to the village.Who would have thought that something like this would happen on the way?"
Hatake Kaede paused for a moment, then introduced Nawaki, "Oh, by the way, let me introduce you to my two companions.This is Haruyu Yuhi, he's a very trustworthy partner.This one looks a bit more mature, this is Shota Sarutobi, he's a very reliable partner."
Hatake Kaede then turned to Shota and Haru and said, "This is Nawaki, Tsunade's younger brother.You've both heard of Tsunade, right?"
Once the alarm was lifted, the tense atmosphere instantly dissipated.Sarutobi Shota jumped up suddenly, just like a child.He grabbed Hatake Kaede by the neck with both hands, shaking him violently while yelling, "Who are you calling mature?"
Seeing this, Yuhi Haru rushed forward and stopped Sarutobi Shota.While calming the impulsive Sarutobi Shota, he said to Nawaki, "Hello Nawaki, I am Yuhi Haru!"
Shota Sarutobi also raised his hand in response: "Shota Sarutobi!"
Looking at these two people with such different personalities, Nawaki couldn't help but smile slightly.He first politely greeted Shota and Haru, then took out a mission scroll from his pocket.
Nawaki handed the scroll to Hatake Kaede and said, "I have a mission assigned to you here.It was personally assigned to you by my grandmother through the Hokage's office.Don't worry, my grandmother said that if you complete it, the reward will be very generous."
"Assigned to me?" Hatake Kaede looked at the scroll in Nawaki's hand with suspicion, wondering what the old lady's intentions were.
Hatake Kaede slowly unfurled the scroll and then carefully read the text on it.
The scroll contained a vast amount of information, nearly causing Hatake Kaede's brain to crash.
[He truly is an ancient relic who survived the Warring States period!His strategic planning and analytical skills are something I really need to learn from!]
Hatake Kaede wrote down his speculations in a letter through the Ninja Cat Clan and gave it to Mito Uzumaki.
After reading the letter, the old woman made a few deductions and understood the sinister intentions of Kirigakure.Furthermore, the Uzumaki clan's festival was about to be held, and all members of the Uzumaki clan who were away were required to return to the Land of Whirlpools.
It is easy to destroy a country, but difficult to exterminate a clan.Therefore, this sacrificial ceremony will be the best opportunity for Kirigakure to make its move.
The old lady immediately devised a countermeasure plan, a plan that could deal a heavy blow to Kirigakure.
In short, the plan was to use the Land of Whirlpools as bait, with elite troops on the southeastern front surrounding and annihilating the invading Kirigakure forces.
Since they intend to attack Uzushiogakure in the Land of Whirlpools, Kirigakure must be deploying their elite forces.Once they wipe out this elite force, Kirigakure will be severely weakened.
With Mito Uzumaki putting pressure on them, the Konoha leadership certainly wouldn't dare to remain indifferent as they did in the original timeline.The only question now is whether the Uchiha clan in the southeast camp will obediently follow orders.
If the Uchiha clan delays even slightly, this plan could turn into inviting trouble.
Hatake Kaede raised his head, looked at Nawaki standing in front of him, and asked, "Nawaki, have you seen this scroll before?"
Nawaki quickly shook his head and replied with a serious expression, "No, before I left, Grandma specifically told me to personally hand this scroll to you."
Upon hearing this, Hatake Kaede understood immediately.He knew, of course, that the so-called "chance encounter" was just a pretext; Nawaki was definitely waiting for him on the only road back to the village.
However, he did not press the matter further, because some things are better left unsaid.
After a moment of silence, Hatake Kaede nodded and said, "Alright, I'll take this mission."
After saying that, he took out the task receipt that he had prepared in advance from his pocket and handed it to Yuhi Haru.
"You and Shota go back to the village tomorrow.I suddenly have an important mission to undertake.""I need to do this, so I'll have to separate from you all for now."
Yuhi Haru took the mission confirmation slip without saying anything, but simply patted Hatake Kaede on the shoulder.
Sarutobi Shotai said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, don't worry, Haru and I will be back in the village soon.The most important thing is you.You're going on a secret mission, so you must come back safely!Don't forget we're going to have a celebratory dinner together!"
Upon hearing Sarutobi Shota's words, Hatake Kaede's eye twitched slightly.
He thought to himself, "Damn it, don't set a bad example for me now!You bastard!"
......
The next day, Hatake Kaede saw Sarutobi Shota and Yuhi Haru off.Then, he led Nawaki and a group of Konoha ninjas south to their border camp.The Uzumaki clan ninjas, led by a woman named Reina, returned to the Land of Whirlpools.
On the way south, Hatake Kaede explained everything to Nawaki.Nawaki and the Senju members were shocked; they never expected it to be such a big deal.
Nawaki asked worriedly, "Maple, do you think the Southeast Camp will provide assistance?"
Hatake Kaede sighed and said, "It's difficult!The Southeast Camp is mainly composed of the Uchiha clan, and the relationship between the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans is truly complicated!"
"The decision to have the Uchiha clan stationed in the southeastern part of the Land of Fire seems like a great honor for the clan to guard the village.But will the village's leadership really entrust this honor to the Uchiha clan?"
Still unwilling to give up, Nawaki continued to ask, "Kaede, what if the Hokage himself issues orders to the front lines?"
Hatake Kaede sneered, "Nawaki, you're oversimplifying things.Perhaps if the Third Hokage gave the order personally, the other camp commanders might obey.But the Uchiha."
Nawaki exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that they dare to disobey orders?"
Hatake Kaede remained expressionless and continued, "Disobeying orders isn't necessary.I can stall for time.Or I can simply pretend I didn't receive the order."
Nawaki looked surprised and muttered, "Is this even possible?What should we do now?"
Hatake Kaede said, "Let's take it one step at a time!If the camp agrees to send troops, then we'll just wipe out these invaders from Kirigakure.If things don't go as planned, then we can only try to save as many as we can!"
"Napaki, prepare for the worst!"
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.If you're enjoying the fic, even a little, supporting me would mean a lot. It helps a student stay independent .
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