Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for only $7 to get early access to upcoming chapters!
> > Patreon.com/inkshield <<
----------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 46
"I reported the situation to Sensei as soon as I returned to Konoha. Half the ninja in the squad I was leading were lost due to Hanzō's ambush from the Land of Rain."
"With a situation like that, Sensei can't possibly stay inactive. It won't be long before Konoha declares war on the Land of Rain."
Tsunade's face grew heavy as she spoke.
The word "war" hadn't reached her ears in a long time. It had only been a little over a decade since the last Great Ninja War.
Every war in the ninja world came with parting and death—countless lives lost, countless families left homeless.
She still remembered the First Great Ninja War. Though Konoha won, the cost was devastating.
Even the Second Hokage died in that conflict. Many of the survivors returned maimed—missing limbs, or so badly wounded they wouldn't live much longer.
The Konoha cemetery had been filled with row after row of gravestones for ninja fallen in battle. Every day, villagers and surviving shinobi dressed in black mournfully visited the graves of their loved ones. The brutality of that war was etched in her memory.
Hanzō… the guy they call the demigod of the ninja world? He dared attack Tsunade? When I meet him, I'll beat him senseless.
Thinking of the treacherous Hanzō targeting Tsunade filled Ling Yu with rage. He silently vowed to give him a proper thrashing someday.
"But since war is coming… should I apply for early graduation?"
The thought crossed Ling Yu's mind—he no longer wanted to waste time idling in the academy. Graduating early made sense.
With his current strength, he could thrive in the Second War. If he encountered useful techniques, he could copy them to grow even stronger.
With luck, he might even visit the Land of Rain and bring back little Konan. He had big plans for that angelic girl.
"Early graduation? No way! You're still too young. Stay in school and behave. What do you need to graduate early for?"
Hearing Ling Yu's murmur, Tsunade's expression instantly turned serious. She pressed down on his shoulders, stopping the dangerous idea.
She knew that if war really broke out, Konoha would mobilize massive numbers of ninja. With uncertainty about whether other nations might join, academy graduates could very well be sent straight to the battlefield the moment they left school.
If Ling Yu graduated early, he'd almost certainly be among the first wave.
War wasn't a game. Death was final—no second chances.
"It's fine, Sis. Are you really worried about my strength? I'm already quasi-Kage level."
Seeing Tsunade's worried face, Ling Yu quickly tried to reassure her, speaking with confidence.
"But you have almost no real combat experience. How could I possibly feel at ease letting you go?"
Tsunade's brows knitted tightly, worry practically spilling from her eyes.
Even though Ling Yu's strength was quasi-Kage, he had never been tempered by true war. His combat experience was lacking. If something unexpected happened on the battlefield, she would truly lose everything.
"Then how about this—when the war starts, I stay right by your side and never wander off. Please? I really don't want to waste time in the academy anymore."
Ling Yu offered a compromise, widening his eyes and looking at Tsunade pleadingly.
If you're worried, just keep me in your line of sight. That should be fine, right?
"Besides, I still have Space Power. If danger comes, I'll escape immediately. I promise I'll come back safe."
Seeing Tsunade still hesitant, Ling Yu quickly added.
"Sigh… fine. But you have to stay right beside me—no running off."
Tsunade let out a helpless sigh. Since Ling Yu was so determined, she had no choice but to agree.
"Don't worry, Sis. I promise I'll stay safe."
With Tsunade's approval, Ling Yu happily dove into her arms, pressing close to enjoy the softness beneath her thin nightgown, face filled with comfort.
Tsunade hugged him back naturally. The two leaned against each other in silence, watching TV together.
Knock knock knock!
Just as they were enjoying the peaceful moment, knocking came from the door.
Tsunade reluctantly set Ling Yu aside, threw on a large coat to cover herself, and walked to the door.
"Who is it?"
Opening the door, she found an ANBU kneeling respectfully outside, holding up a sealed envelope.
"Lady Tsunade, an urgent letter from the Third Hokage. Please review it."
The ANBU personally handed the envelope to Tsunade and quickly departed. From his hurried back, it was clear he still had other letters to deliver.
Tsunade took the envelope, returned to the living room, and opened it in front of Ling Yu.
"War really is starting."
After reading the contents quickly, Ling Yu wore an expression that said as expected.
Just as Tsunade had said, the conflict between Konoha and the Land of Rain had escalated beyond control. The letter detailed the current situation in the ninja world.
The Land of Rain sat awkwardly between the Lands of Fire, Wind, and Earth—every major nation's ninja had to pass through it on missions.
Now, Wind and Earth had already begun fighting over resources, turning the Land of Rain into their battlefield.
Unable to endure it any longer, Hanzō—the self-proclaimed leader of the Land of Rain—declared war on both countries and dragged the Land of Fire into the conflict. Unable to hold back, Hiruzen Sarutobi began assembling ninja forces to prepare for war against the Land of Rain.
That was why Hiruzen was calling an emergency meeting tonight, gathering Konoha's jonin to discuss strategy against the Land of Rain.
"I still don't understand how a tiny country like the Land of Rain dares take on three major powers at once."
Looking at Hanzō's declaration of war against all three great nations, Ling Yu couldn't help but admire the boldness.
"That's just the fate of small nations. When two great powers fight, the small country caught in the middle has no choice but to become a battlefield. Acting first might give them a slim chance of survival."
Tsunade folded the letter and explained.
Then she stood up and headed toward her room.
"I'm heading out. You should sleep early too."
Not long after, Tsunade returned in fresh clothes, kissed Ling Yu on the forehead, and left the Senju residence.
She was now on her way to the Hokage Tower to attend the war council that would decide Konoha's next move.
Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for only $7 to get early access to upcoming chapters!
> > Patreon.com/inkshield <<
----------------------------------------------------------