After parting with Tengen and his team, Yūhi Kurenai sought out his daughter, Yūhi Asuka.
As a father, Kurenai had been fraught with worry for Asuka. Seeing her unharmed brought a wave of relief.
On this battlefield, his fears weren't for himself but for his daughter, who had been fighting on another front.
The thought of hearing news of her death was a blow Kurenai couldn't bear.
Yet, in an era of war, ninja battles were inevitable.
This conflict could already be called the Third Shinobi World War, with at least three of the five great ninja villages locked in combat.
This war engulfed half the ninja continent's forces.
Such a conflict earned the title of a Shinobi World War, the third of its kind.
Before nations and ninja villages existed, battles were fought between clans, on a smaller scale.
Now, it was a clash spanning the might of several great nations.
This was a contest of ninja prowess and resources, where victors could seize their rivals' assets.
The Land of Fire, with its rich resources, was coveted by the other four great ninja villages.
Kurenai soon found Asuka.
"Asuka, come, let's talk." Kurenai said warmly.
"Yes, Father." Asuka nodded obediently, following him to a tent.
"Here, have some water." Kurenai said, pouring a cup from a kettle.
"Thank you, Father." Asuka said.
"So, how have you been? Any close calls?" Kurenai asked, sitting down and smiling at his daughter, content.
Protecting Konoha for his loved ones felt deeply fulfilling.
"I've been great. When I arrived at Kikyo Mountain, I was assigned to Tengen's squad." Asuka said. "He's incredible, outstanding even among the Jōnin there." Her smile radiated pride, as if she'd accomplished his feats herself.
"Oh? Tengen's that impressive?" Kurenai said, intrigued.
"Of course! Our team had the lowest casualty rate but the highest enemy kill count." Asuka boasted. "We were called the elite squad of that battlefield!"
"Tengen's that formidable?" Kurenai said, surprised.
"Naturally!" Asuka said proudly. "And there's even more!"
"More?" Kurenai's eyes lit up, sensing the reason behind the reverence Tengen's team showed him.
"I'd team showed him.
"Then tell me about this kid's exploits." Kurenai said, chuckling.
"Alright, Father, listen up." Asuka said eagerly. "One day, Tengen single-handedly stormed the Suna-nin encampment. There were hundreds of Suna-nins, the Kazekage, and even Shukaku…"
Asuka recounted the battle with fervor, as if she'd lived it herself.
Kurenai's shock grew with each word, his jaw dropping, unable to close. Tengen's deeds were staggering.
Mangekyō Sharingan, Susanoo, slaying hundreds of Suna-nins, defeating the Kazekage, and brutally sealing Shukaku, each feat felt like a legend.
Kurenai couldn't forget Tengen's age: nine, nearly ten.
Whether nine or ten, it was an astonishing age.
The Mangekyō, unseen in the Uchiha clan for generations, had emerged in a child, shattering their understanding of reality.
"That's how Konoha won a great victory." Asuka said, beaming.
"No wonder the Hokage made this decision." Kurenai murmured, beginning to grasp Sarutobi Hiruzen's intent.
In truth, Hiruzen hadn't known of these feats when he'd made the assignment.
"What's wrong, Father?" Asuka asked, puzzled.
"Nothing, nothing." Kurenai said, shaking his head.
Outside, the hundred-plus Konoha-nins Tengen brought were led to rest areas.
Along the way, some local ninjas, noticing their fervent loyalty, inquired about Tengen. Many had friends among Tengen's team, and since the matter wasn't classified, they shared his Kikyo Mountain exploits, the Mangekyō's power and Susanoo's terrifying impact.
Those who heard were as stunned as Kurenai had been.
A nine-year-old child?
This was a figure more terrifying than Uchiha Madara.
The Konoha-nins here were left speechless. According to their comrades, Tengen undoubtedly possessed Kage-level strength.
Such power could be a game-changer on this battlefield.
Hope flickered among them, could Tengen bring victory?
While Konoha reeled from Tengen's feats, far off in Iwagakure's stronghold, a different scene unfolded.
"Loess-sama, we've scouted a Konoha team of dozens, patrolling daily as reconnaissance." a Iwa-nin reported to a stocky man.
This man, Loess, was the son of Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki. In his twenties, he was already a Jōnin.
"Konoha hasn't detected you?" Loess asked gravely.
"No, sir." the ninja replied.
"Good. Tomorrow, have Jōnin Old Purple lead a team to eliminate that Konoha squad." Loess decided.
"Yes, Loess-sama." the ninja nodded.
***
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