If the Third Generation Raikage is still on the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water, in a war this huge, he would definitely have shown up.
"Homura, take a Ninja Corps to support Orochimaru. I might need to prepare to head to the Land of Grass battlefield..."
Upon hearing this, Mitokado Homura agreed and said, "There is indeed such a possibility. However, Hiruzen, there's no need for you to go. Let Danzo go to help Namikaze Minato instead."
Utatane Koharu spoke up, "Orochimaru reported that it was Uchiha Yoichi who killed the Four-tailed and Five-tailed Jinchuriki, and he also used Wood Release. Hiruzen, what do you think?"
"Orochimaru... that guy didn't tell me the truth back then!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned dark as he said this, feeling deeply disappointed in his student.
In fact, at that time, Orochimaru said that Wood Release was researched with the help of someone else, changing the story a bit, but Hiruzen didn't fully understand it then.
But now, after learning this information, Sarutobi Hiruzen realized that Orochimaru's words had hidden meanings back then.
He should have thought of it earlier; the Security Team helped Orochimaru transport death-row prisoners to Konoha, so it was likely they collaborated with him to research Wood Release. But Orochimaru's quick promise not to produce too many Wood Release Ninja made him overlook it.
Sarutobi Hiruzen now hopes to see the invading enemies repelled but does not want Uchiha Yoichi, who is strengthened by Wood Release, to be the one to do it.
The two kinds of powers that once stabilized the turbulent times are now appearing in one person... a solution must be found.
"We'll discuss this after the war. Homura, Koharu, both battlefields are extremely dangerous now. As we agreed earlier, Homura will take a Ninja Corps to support Orochimaru... and gather information on Uchiha Yoichi."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "As for me, I'll be ready to head to the Land of Grass battlefield. If it's just the Third Generation Raikage, Danzo can handle it. But if Onoki appears as well, the Land of Grass battlefield will be problematic..."
Onoki is exceptionally experienced with a strong fighting spirit, and if he appears on the battlefield, both Namikaze Minato and Jiraiya would have difficulty dealing with him. That's Sarutobi Hiruzen's assessment.
With two Ninja Villages commanding strong military forces united, it's truly causing a lot of hardship for Konoha. So soon, as Hokage, he must be prepared to go to battle.
"I understand. We'll go with what you said. However, it might be difficult to dispatch more Medical Ninja..."
Speaking of this, Utatane Koharu gets frustrated, as the strongest Medical Ninja of the previous generation left the village due to hemophobia. Fortunately, there's Uzumaki Minami. Her unique constitution and Chakra make people believe Konoha Village might see another Medical Saint.
But she suddenly became pregnant before the war began, and she's the wife of the Uchiha Clan Leader, pregnant with the next Young Clan Leader.
This means even the village's strongest Medical Ninja can't go to the battlefield, further escalating the medical pressure.
"Send out a few more, have the villagers overcome it..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, and with more dispatched, village members might have to wait in line for treatment, leaving possibly only one or two Medical Ninja in the village, and Konoha Hospital almost ceasing operation.
But there's no choice; everything must prioritize the front line because if the front line collapses, Konoha might face invasion.
"I understand."
Utatane Koharu nodded and said she'd go prepare in a moment.
After the trio discussed, they quickly decided on a reinforcement plan, and Sarutobi Hiruzen also summoned the clan leaders of various Ninja Races. Since the Uchiha Race was not present, the remaining Squad Leaders replaced for the meeting.
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"Tsunade, why are you here?"
Orochimaru was interrupted while creating the Summoning Scroll, and upon seeing the visitor, he frowned and asked.
Though wearing a cloak, it couldn't hide her trembling body. The Konoha Camp was filled with wounded; looking around, there were Konoha Ninja drenched in blood everywhere.
Having hemophobia, Tsunade needed someone to look after her upon coming here.
"I... can help too..."
Tsunade stammered with her head down, pale-faced, nearly falling upon seeing the blood as she entered, but Shizune beside her caught her.
The ninja leading Tsunade was unaware of her hemophobia; he only knew that Lady Tsunade came for reinforcements, so he cheerfully brought her to Lord Orochimaru.
"Don't be stubborn. I know your Katsura Jutsu, but this camp is unsafe. You need a long time to recover... I'll have someone send you away soon."
After considering for a while, Orochimaru found he couldn't guarantee Tsunade's safety, especially without knowing whether the Hidden Cloud Ninja would launch a full-scale attack.
If the Hidden Cloud Ninja attacked and Tsunade hadn't begun treatment, she'd become a burden.
"Heal them... and I'll leave."
Tsunade slowly said, keeping her eyes closed to avoid the sight of blood, gradually feeling better. Then she continued, "Send me to that Uchiha kid. Once I recover, I'll use Katsura Jutsu to help treat the wounded ninja."
"Have the current Medical Ninja conserve stamina until then, and I'll provide Mystical Palm Jutsu. They just need to guide the heavily wounded ninja's wounds to recover."
"Uchiha kid? You mean Mr. Yoichi? But knowing him makes no difference, Tsunade, please consider the battlefield here."
Orochimaru advised, thinking Tsunade had overheard about Wood Release and wanted to find out from Uchiha Yoichi. Still, he hoped they wouldn't clash publicly at the front-line camp and would show restraint.
Then, Orochimaru called over a ninja to guide Tsunade and Shizune to Uchiha Yoichi, while he continued crafting the Summoning Giant Snake's Scroll; this scroll could grant a Genin Squad a powerful Summoned Beast, requiring him to release plenty of blood.
"What a mess...."
Leaving, Tsunade thought to herself that she didn't understand Orochimaru's words at all.
But as she was taken to see Uchiha Yoichi, Tsunade kept her eyes closed, letting Shizune lead her.
Otherwise, just as she recovered from trembling legs, she'd be unable to walk if she saw blood again.
"Lady Tsunade, this is Lord Yoichi's tent..."
Before the ninja finished speaking, the tent opened.
Uchiha Yoichi emerged from inside and said to the Konoha ninja, "I'll handle things here. You can go back."
"Yes, Lord Yoichi."
The Konoha ninja, his eyes filled with admiration, replied to the battlefield hero and then strode away.
"Come inside. There are many injured Konoha Ninja nearby."
Uchiha Yoichi said, then he took Tsunade by the hand as instructed and guided her inside the tent.
"Hey, you little brat..."
Even Tsunade, known for her bold personality, understood the significance of holding hands in relationships yet her intended words were interrupted by Uchiha Yoichi.
"Your eyes are closed, and your hand is trembling from hemophobia, right?"
"...No, it's not..."
"Warmth dispels fear's hold over the heart. Now, let me help. Though you should be heading to the Land of Tea, why come here instead?"
Being interrupted by Uchiha Yoichi, Tsunade involuntarily overlooked her current hand-holding, driven by a little rascal's concern, while being tricked about going to the Land of Tea.
Realizing she'd been worried by him, Tsunade opened her eyes and stared at Uchiha Yoichi, unimpressed. "Rascal, don't underestimate my Ninja resolve. Upon learning of the war, how can I not assist? Moreover, your deception was poor. Learn well next time before lying."
"So it was exposed... But you should understand, Lady Tsunade, it's for your good. This battlefield is too perilous. We just suffered a defeat, and the Hidden Cloud Ninja may attack anytime."
"Hence my presence. Even with hemophobia, I can contribute enormously. Stop belittling me, you impetuous brat..."
Beside, Shizune paid no mind to their banter, curious about how long they'd hold hands before letting go.