Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 119: Tsunade Reaction
SUNAGAKURE BORDER - KONOHA CAMP
There were casualties in the war against Sunagakure, but most of the deaths occurred on the enemy side. Thanks to the widespread use of Level Three Healing Scrolls, Konoha managed to save a large number of their injured shinobi. Wounds that would normally be fatal were stabilized within minutes and many fighters returned to the battle far sooner than expected.
In addition to the healing scrolls, Senju Tsunade and nearly thirty Senju elite shinobi were stationed at this front. Their presence alone made it nearly impossible for Sunagakure forces to break through Konoha defensive formations.
Tsunade herself was a nightmare for the enemy, sunagakure's greatest weapon had always been poison because it is subtle, lethal and nearly impossible to counter without specialized knowledge. But against Tsunade, their toxins were rendered meaningless. No matter what venom or chemical compound they unleashed, she could analyze and neutralize it with frightening speed.
On average, she detoxified complex poisons within ten minutes. There was even a recorded instance where she neutralized a rare toxin in just three minutes and twenty seconds.
That feat alone shattered the morale of Sunagakure poison Shinobi like Chiyo and her son and daughter in law.
However, the battle was not without danger because other than poison there were shinobi who capable dealing with them for example the Third Kazekage, with his iron sand.
His unique metal-based kekkei genkai, posed a significant threat. His magnetic control over metallic particles turned the war into a deadly storm of piercing projectiles. Entire sections of terrain were shredded by his attacks.
Worse still, Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, was unleashed during the height of the clash.
For a brief moment, it seemed like the tide might turn but the Uzumaki Clan had prepared for this as well.
They had supplied specialized sealing formations designed specifically to restrain tailed beasts. With coordinated effort and precise timing, the seal was activated, suppressing Shukaku destructive rampage and forcing Sunagakure forces into retreat.
After suffering heavy losses among their elite shinobi, Sunagakure had no choice but to fall back.
Inside the Konoha forward camp, Tsunade sat in a command tent, reviewing war reports and casualty lists. The lantern light flickered against her tense expression as she read the newest dispatch from the village.
Her eyes froze when reading the letter.
"What?" she whispered, then her voice rose sharply. "What do you mean the Third Hokage is missing?"
Shock rippled through the tent.
It wasn't just Tsunade, everyone inside stiffened in disbelief.
"Tsunade…" Jiraiya said, stunned.
Even Orochimaru, who rarely displayed emotion, had a thin line of sweat on his forehead.
"Tsunade-sama, is it true?" one of the shinobi asked anxiously.
Tsunade exhaled heavily, lowering the report.
"The message says the Third Hokage has not returned from the battlefield. Search and rescue teams have already been dispatched."
The tent fell silent.
"They're calling me back to the village," Tsunade added, frustration clear in her voice. "There will be a vote for a new Hokage."
"That means…" one shinobi murmured.
"We don't know yet," Tsunade cut in firmly. "He's missing... not confirmed dead."
"I should return as well," Jiraiya said immediately.
Tsunade shook her head.
"No, both of you stay here."
She looked directly at Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
"The border is still unstable. We cannot leave this front undefended. If Sunagakure regroups or another village attacks, Konoha will be vulnerable."
Jiraiya clenched his fist but eventually nodded.
"…You're right."
The war was not over and now with the news of third Hokage went missing, the future of Konoha itself hung in uncertainty.
.........
1 JUNE, KONOHA YEAR 46
CLAN MEETING - UZUMAKI RESIDENCE
The atmosphere inside the Uzumaki residence are gloom and bit serious because they are currently talking about the war reports. No one can smile hearing about the report of the dead of their own people.
"What is the status report of our clan members?" Raiken asked calmly, ready to accept what ever happen though his sharp gaze showed he was prepared for bad news.
Hiroki stepped forward, holding a scroll in his hands. "None have been fatally wounded, Clan Leader," he reported firmly. "Several were critically injured, but all were saved using Level Three Healing Scrolls and now their conditions are stable."
Hearing this, Raiken could heard a murmur of relief spread across the room.
"Good," Raiken said, exhaling softly. "I'm glad to know none of our clan members died in this war."
The Uzumaki Clan had chosen a different role in this war. Rather than acting as reckless front-line attackers, they had positioned themselves as the backbone of Konoha defense, sealing experts, medical support, battlefield stabilizers. Their contribution did not come with glory killing the enemy but it saved many people who are brutally wounded.
Hiroki hesitated a bit before continuing to read other report.
"It was different for the Uchiha Clan," he added carefully.
Raiken expression tightened slightly.
The Uchiha fought differently than them, they were filled with pride and honor, they are warrior ran deep in their blood. Unlike the Uzumaki, who approached war strategically, the Uchiha often sought direct confrontation. They had been deployed to face one of the most dangerous opponents in this conflict other than third Raikage.
That person is Hanzō of the Salamander, raiken still remembered the meeting from a few days ago. He had personally handed over specialized sealing tools to the Uchiha strike team assigned to confront Hanzō. Among them was an air-filtration seal developed by the Uzumaki Clan, designed to purify the air within a thirty-centimeter radius of the user body, rendering airborne toxins useless.
It was a direct counter to Hanzō infamous poison but poison was not Hanzō true strength. His greatest weapon was his swordsmanship. The poison had built his reputation because his enemy are weak enough against him, while the sword are the one of his strongest power.
"The Uchiha Clan leader survived," Hiroki continued. "However, sixteen Uchiha shinobi were killed in the battle."
The room fell silent, they had grown close with Uchiha Clan and the loses of the Uchiha directly hurting them too.
"According to the report," Hiroki added, "the Clan Leader and several Uchiha awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan during the fight. With that power, they forced Hanzō to retreat back to his village."
This time, Raiken did not look surprised.
He understood too well how the Mangekyō Sharingan awakened, through extreme emotional trauma and loss. Sixteen deaths… that was more than enough to trigger such evolution.
Most likely, his grandfather-in-law had awakened his Mangekyō long ago, perhaps even during the era of Uchiha Madara. But unlike Madara, he had never felt the need to reveal that power until now.
Raiken leaned back slightly, the war was accelerating change. Uchiha clans were evolving under pressure and Konoha was becoming stronger through blood and sacrifice.
But at what cost?
He tapped the table lightly.
"We must strengthen cooperation with the Uchiha," Raiken said calmly. "Prioritize healing scroll to them."
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There is 30 advanced chapter on my patreon.
Chapter 145: Political Reform
Chapter 146: Democracy?
Chapter 147: Minato Feeling
Chapter 148: Disciple
Chapter 149: Senju Dilemma
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