The poisons used by the Sand shinobi were constantly changing in formula—easy to administer, nearly impossible to cure.
In all of Konoha, only Tsunade had the skill to concoct antidotes in a short span of time.
During the war in the Land of Rivers, without Tsunade, things simply couldn't move forward. Even if she lost her temper in front of the entire council, the higher-ups had no choice but to endure it and send her to the front lines.
The long list of names was read aloud—forty jōnin in total.If each jōnin were to lead a division, that meant more than two thousand shinobi would be dispatched into the Land of Rivers.
Nara Shikakaku finished reciting the names and turned to Tsunade.Seeing she no longer showed signs of protest, he breathed easier.If Tsunade refused to go to the front, his position as overall commander would become a nightmare.
The Nara clan raised deer for Konoha, and in their forests grew other precious herbs. They had always enjoyed a good relationship with Tsunade.When she was young, she spent an entire year in the Nara forests, studying the medicinal properties of herbs to master medical ninjutsu.
The jōnin whose names had been called looked toward the three commanders, silently weighing their positions.
In that silence, the Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Kagen, slowly rose to his feet.
"Lord Hokage, the Uchiha clan is willing to step onto the battlefield for Konoha.In the Second Shinobi World War, the Uchiha still haven't been called to serve. Why is there not a single Uchiha jōnin on this list?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was already exhausted—trouble from the Senju, now unrest from the Uchiha.He seethed inside, but outwardly he spoke with patience.
"The longer a war drags on, the more hollow Konoha becomes. We must always be wary of other villages striking at us.The Uchiha oversee the Police Force. You are Konoha's final line of defense. Unless it is the direst necessity, the Uchiha should not be sent to the front.
Mist's elder, Gensui, has been stirring restlessly. We've already seen scattered Mist-nin appear in Uzushio Village—it cannot be ignored.If Kirigakure declares war, then the Police Force, as our last strength, will march. But until then, do not be impatient."
Confronted with the Third Hokage's explanation, Uchiha Kagen could only hold his tongue.He cast an envious glance toward Senju Hanaki. The Senju enjoyed far greater leeway than the Uchiha ever could.
In the First Shinobi World War, the village had sent the Uchiha against the Mist.Others were allowed to play to their strengths, but the Uchiha had been forced into their weaknesses.
Uchiha excelled at Fire Release—only to be suppressed by Mist's Water Release. That war had been grueling, costing them many lives.
When no one else spoke, Hatake Sakumo stood.
"Lord Hokage, please believe—in the war for the Land of Rivers, Konoha will prevail!"
Hiruzen's expression softened. Sakumo's strength was something he trusted.Konoha overflowed with talent, but Sakumo was among the brightest.
Sakumo continued:"Lord Hokage, I believe Princess Tsunade's proposal is worth considering.The puppeteers of Sunagakure are masters of poison. Whether our medical corps is fully prepared, whether antidotes can be provided in time—this will decide our casualty rate.
Every Konoha shinobi is our comrade, our family.Princess Tsunade should be allowed to lead trained Senju medical-nin to the front, securing our advantage."
Tsunade blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected Sakumo to extend goodwill toward her.
Back when he served as an ANBU captain under the Second Hokage, Sakumo had been all business, never favoring the Senju.When the Third rose to power and ANBU was reshuffled, Sakumo had cut ties altogether.
To Tsunade, Sakumo was a just, principled, and formidable shinobi—neither close nor hostile, simply distant.
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly turned his head. Danzo straightened in his seat, eyes flicking back and forth between Sakumo and Tsunade.
Sakumo's power was unquestioned, but his actions always seemed naive—unyielding to his own ideals.The elders all fixed their gazes on him, but Sakumo remained forthright. He had spoken only for Konoha's sake, with no selfishness.
Yako thought to himself: Sakumo's political sense and battle sense were inversely proportional. Or perhaps, his principles were simply too unbending. He clung to his values, even when it made him blind.
How could someone like that openly take the Senju's side?
Hiruzen, weary and annoyed, cut the jōnin council short.
"This meeting ends here. Shikakaku, Sakumo, Tsunade—and the forty jōnin called—work together. We must face Sunagakure as one."
And so, the council ended in a strained atmosphere.
The higher-ups had achieved their goals, but stumbled into more surprises along the way.
Back in the Hokage's office, it wasn't long before Captain Yellow Dog delivered Yako a mission.
The Hokage, furious, demanded close surveillance of both the Senju clan and Hatake Sakumo—watching for any sign they were colluding.
Yako accepted and left the tower.To tail someone like Tsunade, numbers would only risk exposure. He would go alone.
Sakumo remained behind with the forty drafted jōnin, studying maps of the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers.
Senju Hanaki, Tsunade, and the Senju jōnin departed. Yako followed them to Konoha Hospital.
In the courtyard, a construction crew was at work on a new outpatient building, No. 2.It would be linked to the old building by a covered corridor.
The old outpatient wing had already been opened at its end—walls and windows torn out, fenced temporarily—ready to connect with the new hall.
With so many Senju medical-nin, the hospital had grown too small.Over 160 medical shinobi now cycled—sent in groups to the front during war, serving in the hospital during peace.
Yako studied the office of the hospital's director, mulling how best to slip inside and glean information.
Hanaki and Tsunade worked tirelessly, from noon until nightfall.
Only by deep night did they finish treating the wounded and arranging the expansion.
Inside the director's office, Tsunade stood by the window, staring blankly into the darkness outside.
"…Tsunade," Hanaki asked, "was it really wise to challenge the Third so directly during the council?"
Tsunade replied:"I know Sarutobi-Sensei. In many ways, he's someone who bullies the weak but fears the strong.Show meekness, show cooperation—he'll push further and further.Stand up fiercely, and he'll retreat, seeking compromise.
He's a man who thrives on compromise.
Don't worry, Aunt. I've always kept ties with Orochimaru. I have my own forces.When the time comes, even Sarutobi-Sensei will have no choice but to yield."
Hanaki pressed, "And Orochimaru—is he trustworthy?"
"Trustworthy. More than that idiot Jiraiya ever was."
Tsunade closed her eyes. Memories surfaced, bitter and unwelcome.
"When Sarutobi-Sensei was our squad leader, he was so gentle, so patient in teaching me.But somewhere along the way, he and Danzo grew darker, more extreme with every step."