WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎🔥 30→2ch | 60→5ch | 100→8ch | 200→15ch | 400→25ch⏰ Resets Monday!
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Qianyu took a brief rest, then left Fugaku's tent to resume his rounds of healing—his personal 'shopping trip' for rewards.
By now, however, most of the critically wounded survivors had already been treated. The remaining minor injuries didn't yield anything useful.
Looks like I need to treat more named characters from now on, Qianyu thought to himself.
By the time he finished with all the wounded, the sky was already beginning to lighten. A sliver of dawn tore through the veil of night, spilling forth a brilliant morning.
The medical ninjas were exhausted. They gathered in a tent; some wolfed down food, some grabbed what rest they could, but most just chatted and joked around.
The Leaf Village hadn't reformed its medical corps yet. Most medics were deep specialists and notoriously weak in direct combat.
Everyone felt lucky. Their mission hadn't run into active fighting. The whole team was intact, with no casualties.
"Ah, you youngsters don't know," an older medic reminisced, his voice heavy. "One second, my old buddy and I were laughing. The next… a Fire Style jutsu hit him. Turned him to ash right there. I only escaped by sheer luck."
"…" Qianyu fell silent.
For the strong, war was a stage for glory, a means to fulfill their ambitions.
For the weak, it was a slaughterhouse that could take everything from them at any moment.
Noticing the somber mood, Nohara Hiroshi shifted the topic with a booming laugh. "Hey, Qianyu! Never knew you had this in you, kid. Shame my daughter's only a few years old, or I'd try to recruit you as my son-in-law!"
The tent erupted in laughter, the mood lightening instantly.
"Boss, if I were you, I'd lock that down now! Qianyu's caught the eye of important people. His future's bright!"
"Ah, don't play matchmaker! Everyone in Team Thirteen knows Qianyu only likes pretty older sisters. He's got zero interest in little girls!"
"Qianyu, you're not getting any younger. Still single? Want this big sister to set you up? Fair skin, great looks, long legs~~"
Sigh.
Qianyu sighed internally at their well-meaning teasing. If he had a pretty older sister worrying about him, he wouldn't be so bothered.
But… Team Leader Nohara's daughter?
He'd always assumed the team leader had a son named Nohara Shinnosuke…
"Could Team Leader Nohara's daughter be… Nohara Rin?" The thought struck Qianyu suddenly.
Obito, Rin, Kakashi, Guy—they were all born during the Second Great Ninja War. The war had been dragging on for years now. The age… it actually fit!
(Many readers use Minato as an age reference. In Kishimoto's new work, "The Tale of Minato," Minato is shown during the Second Great Ninja War already facing two Iwa jinchūriki. He is definitely not eight years old.)
The cheerful atmosphere shattered as a figure hurried into the tent.
"Team Thirteen. New orders. You're to proceed to the next combat zone immediately."
The boisterous chatter died instantly.
"…Understood." Nohara Hiroshi took a deep breath and answered solemnly.
The messenger nodded. "Your hard work is appreciated, Team Thirteen."
Groans and sighs filled the air as they reluctantly filed out of the tent, feeling utterly drained. Only Qianyu, his chakra almost fully recovered, felt different.
He was truly beginning to grasp the power of the Senju bloodline.
…
After settling his team, Nohara Hiroshi approached Orochimaru. "Lord Orochimaru, please arrange an escort for us to the next zone."
Orochimaru gave a slight nod. "I've prepared three squads. They will escort you the entire way."
Hiroshi's face tightened. "Only three squads?"
Their journey here had been within the Leaf's controlled territory. Now they were heading deep into active combat zones. The danger level would multiply exponentially.
Three squads might not be enough…
"That is all I can spare. Depart when you are ready," Orochimaru replied calmly.
As the commander of this sector, the local battlefront took priority over the safety of a group of medical ninjas—even if one of them was a promising talent.
Because true talent didn't die easily. It thrived under pressure. Those who died casually… simply weren't talented.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!"
Seeing no room for negotiation, Nohara Hiroshi could only grit his teeth and accept.
…
Under the escort of three Leaf squads, Team Thirteen set out again, moving swiftly through dense forests toward the next war zone.
Hah. I wonder if we'll meet anyone interesting at the next stop.
With the system in hand, Qianyu's initial anxiety had faded. His mindset was quietly changing.
Damn you, Qianyu!
Behind Qianyu, a gaze full of venom was fixed on his back.
Wugang seethed.
Becoming Team Thirteen's deputy leader had been a sure thing. Now, Qianyu's appearance had shattered that hope.
He'd been so careful, walking on eggshells, afraid to offend his superiors, all for that deputy position.
And tonight? Not only did Qianyu steal his spotlight, but he also made Team Leader Nohara and Lord Orochimaru dislike him… Would the deputy position ever come to him now?!
If only Qianyu were dead!
The old medic's story had planted a wicked seed in Wugang's mind.
If Qianyu lived, the deputy role would never be his. But if he died… maybe…
"Hold up!"
A ninja at the front raised a hand, bringing the column to a halt.
"What's wrong?" Nohara Hiroshi asked in a low voice, one hand already on the hilt of the katana at his waist. As a team leader, he possessed some combat ability.
"Something's off. It's too quiet around here," the lead ninja said, his expression grave.
Too quiet?
The warning jolted Hiroshi into awareness. Yes. At some point, all the insect chirps and bird calls had vanished. Only the soft rustle of wind through branches remained.
"Heh. Damn it. It's those Sand bastards again."
A Leaf ninja spotted the thin wires hidden in the undergrowth. He spat on the ground, his voice fierce. "Same trick? I won't fall for it twice! Brothers, prepare for contact!"
The three Leaf squads fanned out instantly, placing the medics of Team Thirteen behind them as they scanned the surroundings.
"Enemy numbers might be significant," the lead ninja assessed quickly before turning to the group. "We'll do our best to protect you. But if we get tied down, we can't watch everyone. Be ready to defend yourselves."
"This…"
The faces of Team Thirteen's medics paled. Even Qianyu's heart sank.
He'd gotten plenty of rewards, but they were all for healing, not killing…
"Don't panic!" Nohara Hiroshi barked. "Follow the drill! Pair up, back-to-back! Watch your front and rear, and stay alert for anyone breaking through the line!"
"Yes, Team Leader!"
Under Hiroshi's direction, they managed a shaky semblance of order. Fumbling, they drew weapons they usually treated as decorations and began pairing off.
…This is my chance!
Wugang's heart hammered against his ribs. Suppressing his excitement, he trotted over to Qianyu, forcing his expression to remain neutral.
"Qianyu, how about you and I pair up?"
Qianyu glanced at Wugang, then nodded with a simple, honest smile. "Sure, Senior Wugang. I'll be counting on you."
Heh. What a fool.
Wugang sneered inwardly at Qianyu's utterly unguarded expression.
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