Deep in a Kirigakure cave, Madara stared north with his one functioning eye.
(The other—gray, dead—saw nothing.)
Beside him, two White Zetsu bickered.
"If his eye's blind, what's he staring at?"
"Maybe he's—ow!"
They'd started wrestling. Poking. Slapping. Like children.
Madara's jaw tightened.
Both Zetsu snapped to attention. Comically rigid.
Madara sighed. (I'm dying. And these idiots are all I have left.)
"How long has the boy been gone? With Black Zetsu?"
The thin one's hand shot up. "Twenty days!"
"Ten sunrises! Ten moonrises! That's—"
"Ten days, you moron!"
Veins pulsed on Madara's forehead.
"Oh! Right!" The thin Zetsu looked delighted by this revelation.
"And the Kiri strike team?"
"Nine days." The fat one's voice was flat.
Madara's expression softened. Barely.
"Good. Black Zetsu will time it perfectly. The boy will see exactly what I need him to see." His smile was cold. "And his will—forged in loss—will be unbreakable."
The fat Zetsu hesitated. "Master... if he wavers—"
"He won't." Madara's tone was absolute. "Grief is stronger than steel. And Black Zetsu is my will incarnate. Nothing will go wrong."
"But Sunagakure's intelligence network—"
"I know." Madara's voice cracked with frustration. "That brat Jinghang has been dismantling my bases for months. He's closing in." A pause. "But I'm out of time."
"Out of time?" The thin Zetsu tilted his head. "You mean you're gonna—"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball!"
Screams. Flames. Smoke.
(Some questions don't deserve answers.)
Tsunade's hand shot up. The escort froze.
"What is it?" Kakashi's blade was already drawn.
"That dune." Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "It wasn't there yesterday."
Kakashi scanned the horizon. "...You're sure?"
"I've lived in this desert for ten years." Her voice was ice. "And my gut's never wrong." She raised her voice. "Defensive formation! Wounded and supplies in the center! Now!"
"Lady Tsunade—" Rin struggled to sit up. "What's—"
The dune exploded.
A hundred white-clad figures poured out like ants from a kicked nest.
"KIRIGAKURE SAIZŌ IRON-BLOOD YOUTH CORPS!" Their voices were synchronized. Drilled. "Draw steel and die!"
They formed a perfect line. Shoulders locked.
A tall figure—graceful, confident—ran across those shoulders. Using them like stepping stones.
He landed at the front. Ripped off his veil.
Handsome. Young. Dangerous.
"You're late." His smile was pleasant. "I was getting bored."
"Kirigakure." Tsunade's voice was flat.
Kakashi moved beside her. "That's Utakata. Six-Tails jinchuriki. Leader of their youth corps."
"Elite forces, huh?" Tsunade's laugh was harsh. "Guess Kiri's civil war left them desperate if they're sending kids."
Utakata's smile didn't waver. He bowed—formal, respectful.
"Lady Tsunade. Legendary Sannin. Wife of the Kazekage." His tone was warm. "I'm honored."
"Honored?" Tsunade's eyes were cold. "Your village is burning, kid. And you're out here playing soldier?"
"I'm here on business." Utakata's gaze flicked to Rin. Then back. "One simple request, and we leave. No one gets hurt."
Tsunade crossed her arms. "Let me guess. You want—"
"Wait, I know this one." Her voice turned mocking. "You're gonna confess your love, right? Sorry, kid. You're cute, but I'm married. And my husband's hotter."
Utakata's face went crimson.
"I—what?! No! I meant—" He stammered. Recovered. "I want her." He pointed at Rin.
Tsunade's expression didn't change. "So you're not in love with me?"
"Wow. Rejected twice in one conversation." She shook her head. "Harsh."
"Lady Tsunade, please." Utakata pulled out a steel blowpipe. His voice hardened. "The Three-Tails belongs to Kirigakure. Konoha stole her during our civil war. I'm here to bring her home." He paused. "Hand her over. Everyone else walks away. Refuse..." He left the threat hanging.
Tsunade's smile vanished.
"...Excuse me?"
"I said no." Her voice was steel. "This is between Kiri and Konoha. Not my problem." She stepped forward. "But that girl is my patient. And until she's healthy—until I say she's ready—no one touches her."
Utakata's jaw tightened. "You'd risk forty lives for one girl?"
"I'm a medic." Tsunade's eyes blazed. "I don't abandon patients. Ever."
The desert wind howled.
A hundred Kiri ninja. Forty Konoha escorts.
And one legendary Sannin standing between them.
[Strategic Layers: Madara's desperation = accelerating plans despite risk (Jinghang's intelligence network forcing his hand). Black Zetsu manipulation = ensuring "the boy" (likely Obito) sees "what he needs to see" (Rin's death?). Trap timing = nine days for Kiri team to get in position, perfect intercept point. Tsunade's choice = doctor's oath vs. political expediency (choosing principle over pragmatism).]
[Character Dynamics: Madara = dying god racing against time (mortality making him reckless). Utakata = professional soldier with personal honor (polite, but mission-focused). Tsunade = immovable object (will die before breaking healer's oath). Kakashi = injured protector (wants to fight but knows they're outnumbered). Rin = helpless catalyst (her existence creates impossible situation).]
[Foreshadowing: Madara's "the boy will see what he needs to see" = Obito watching from shadows? Black Zetsu present = manipulation in progress. Tsunade's refusal = guarantees battle (no diplomatic out). 100 vs. 40 = massacre math unless Tsunade goes full Sannin mode.]
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