Tetsu held a bowl, waiting for Natsu to return.
He covered it with a cloth, the bowl containing glistening rice and some side dishes.
Tetsu had personally prepared this meal. He was afraid that Natsu would be hungry when she got back.
After waiting for a long time, Tetsu finally saw the beautiful figure he had been longing for in the distance.
"Natsu, hurry and eat, it'll get cold soon." Tetsu handed the bowl and chopsticks to Natsu.
He had heard others say that to please a girl, you have to be warm.
A boy who can cook is a special bonus.
He had a shy smile on his face. His nose caught a bathing fragrance. It was different from what Natsu usually used.
'Could it be that she changed brands?' Tetsu thought to himself.
"No… no, thank you, Tetsu."
Natsu suddenly covered her mouth, feeling nauseous from being full.
If she had to talk about eating, she was already full. Now, seeing other food, she felt a little uncomfortable.
She just wanted to go home quickly and let her tired body rest.
"Is… is it not to your liking?"
Tetsu thought it was Natsu's girlish reserve.
"Really, no need."
Having said that, Natsu left Tetsu's side.
Tetsu wanted to catch up, but found that Natsu's gait was awkward, but her speed was very fast.
It was clear that she didn't want to stay here long.
A feeling of strangeness and bewilderment surged into his heart.
The two had known each other for more than ten years.
Born in the branch house, eating together, playing together, studying together at the Ninja Academy…
They had too many "togethers."
Natsu had never treated him so coldly before.
"Natsu, Hiashi-sama only asked you to win over Kiyoshi. Even if it doesn't work out, no one will blame you."
Tetsu could only attribute it to Kiyoshi's arrogance, and that he might not get along well with Natsu.
Natsu paused, biting her lip and saying, "This has nothing to do with Kiyoshi-kun, don't think wildly. Tetsu, I'm tired, let's talk about it tomorrow."
Natsu didn't stop, walking all the way to the end and disappearing around the corner, leaving Tetsu alone behind.
The streetlights on both sides were dim and unclear, shining on Tetsu's uncertain face.
…
Several months passed.
The air in the Hokage Building was as heavy as if it had solidified.
The tobacco burning in Hiruzen's pipe occasionally dropped some ashes.
The war had reached this point, and Konoha's forces were already running low.
The same was true for other countries.
The streets outside the window were quieter than usual. Konoha's ninjas were either fighting on distant battlefields or already engraved on the Memorial Stone.
Hiruzen looked at the map, the weariness in his eyes so heavy that it seemed to be able to crush him.
The situation was getting worse and worse.
Not only did the Third Raikage die at the hands of Iwagakure, they also sent Higashi Shinin to lead the Iwagakure army to attack the Land of Fire.
Under Iwagakure's tactic of piling up lives, Konoha could only follow suit and send troops.
In a war, what is being fought in the end is the foundation of each country, whoever has the deeper foundation will win.
"How is the situation on Mimura's side?" Hiruzen asked.
Beside him were all of Konoha's high-rank officials.
"Hmph, a complete mess, being beaten back step by step." Danzo snorted coldly.
Mimura was the front-line commander of Konoha's defense force, a veteran ninja. It was a pity that he still hadn't produced any good results.
Hearing this, Hiruzen sighed. His wrinkles deepened, and several more ravines were added to his forehead.
It wasn't that he wasn't clear about the urgency of the situation. Iwagakure was pressing closer and closer. Konoha was struggling to cope, and if he didn't make a decision, the situation would only worsen.
"Hiruzen, Konoha is now under attack from both sides. Iwagakure is ready to move, and I'm afraid they will invade again soon, so we must take precautions in advance."
The silence was broken by Danzo's low voice.
Hiruzen turned around and looked at the remaining Hokage advisors.
"Kannabi Bridge, we can cut off the supply line here."
After a while, Homura's finger pointed to a place on the local map on the table.
That was Iwagakure's marching route and stronghold, information that many reconnaissance ninjas had gathered.
Among them, the Hyuga clan's Byakugan played a key role, giving Konoha a natural advantage in intelligence over other ninja villages.
Cutting off the enemy's logistics has always been a top priority. It will have a great impact on the front line.
And Kannabi Bridge was one of the key nodes.
"No, Iwagakure's fireguards are stationed there." Koharu denied Homura's suggestion.
If it were that simple, they would have taken it down long ago.
Hearing Koharu say this, Homura also felt that there was some truth to it.
Homura said, "But this is the best method we have right now, continuing to wear down the front line…"
Now even the newly graduated Genin have to go to the battlefield, which is enough to show the shortage of troops.
In addition to Iwagakure, other countries are also consuming Konoha's forces.
If this continues, they will have to pull in that group of reserve students from the Ninja Academy who haven't even graduated yet.
"Hiruzen, this should be left to Minato."
"Iwagakure's supply routes are mainly concentrated here. The weakest point is Kannabi Bridge, but this place is close to the front line, and once we take action, Iwagakure will definitely send reinforcements immediately."
"Hiruzen, Minato has mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique."
Danzo narrowed his one eye slightly, his gaze fixed on the map, his finger slowly moving from the southwest defense line to Kannabi Bridge in Kusagakure, his tone firm.
"With the Flying Thunder God, he can take care of both battlefields."
"The enemy will retreat at the first sight of Minato, and fight a guerrilla war."
The air was silent again for a moment, until Danzo suddenly spoke.
"Hiruzen, don't you understand what I mean?" His voice was low.
The right half of Danzo's face was wrapped in bandages, and only his one exposed eye flickered coldly.
"Let other ninjas carry the Flying Thunder God's kunai, and go deep into the heart of Kannabi Bridge to lure the Iwagakure troops."
Danzo slowly walked to the table and said, "In this way, after Minato completes his mission on the front line, he can use the Flying Thunder God Technique to arrive at the battlefield as soon as possible, and take the opportunity to wipe out the enemy troops."
His voice was unhurried, but carried a certain chill, echoing in the Hokage's office.
"In addition, let Kiyoshi go too, he is the only one who has mastered a Flying Ninjutsu."
Even now, Danzo hadn't forgotten about Kiyoshi.
The room was silent. The high-rank officials looked at each other, but no one spoke out in opposition.
Hiruzen's fingers tapped lightly on the table, his brow furrowed slightly, and a hint of contemplation appeared in his eyes.
Smoke filled the air, and he stared silently at the map, not speaking for a long time.
…
The next day.
Kiyoshi's house.
"I have been promoted to Jonin and given a mission."
Kiyoshi stroked his chin, looking at the Jonin certificate in his hand, and the green ninja vest that had been issued.
He didn't take the exam and was promoted out of the ordinary.
He was promoted from Chunin to Jonin, not a Special Jonin, an existence that was neither up nor down.
"Want to use honor to tie me down."
Kiyoshi casually put the Jonin certificate away at home.