Chunin, as the most common rank among ninja, form a crucial part of a village's combat forces during wartime.
Jonin, on the other hand, are the key force determining victory or defeat in battles. Ninja of Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Sakumo's caliber can even single-handedly annihilate enemy squads.
The Kage of each nation hold truly central roles in warfare. The leaders of the Five Great Nations rarely engage directly in conflicts themselves.
During the previous Great Ninja World War, the Second Mizukage and the Second Tsuchikage engaged in fierce battle, ultimately resulting in both severely injuring each other and perishing—a conclusion that caused significant losses to their respective villages.
Thus, when the Third Hokage appointed Minato, Yan Uchiha, and Nawaki as Special Chunin, their expressions all turned solemn.
This showed that the Third had truly acknowledged their abilities.
However, being a Chunin required more than just strength. Moreover, Minato and Yan Uchiha had actually graduated merely months ago. Such a direct promotion to Chunin was unprecedented in Konoha's history, even in times of war.
"Since you've all chosen to fight on the battlefield, there is no turning back. If any of you decide to back out—now or later—it'll be treated as desertion during wartime," the Third said seriously. "But if you fall in combat, you shall be buried as heroes in the Hero's Cemetery [a sacred resting place for fallen shinobi]. Should your bodies not be found after the war ends, your names will be engraved upon the Hero's Monument [honoring those who died defending the village]."
Minato and the two others nodded gravely.
"Go prepare yourselves. This afternoon, set off with the main force toward the frontlines!" the Third continued.
"Yes!"
They responded respectfully, bowed, then left the Hokage Office.
After they left, the Third's expression grew heavier as he turned to look at Tsunade. "You should head out and get yourself ready. It won't be easy, so stay sharp. Also, keep a close eye on those three kids—they're promising talents indeed."
"Mm." Tsunade simply replied. Even without his saying so, she would do so naturally anyway.
Nawaki was now her only remaining relative in this world—no matter what, he must not come to harm.
Shortly afterward, Tsunade took her leave. In the empty office, the Third quietly called out, "Come in."
Shun!
Suddenly, an Anbu agent wearing a mask materialized inside.
"Go find Orochimaru for me," the Third ordered.
"At once!" The figure acknowledged, then disappeared instantly.
...
Minato had completed all necessary preparations. Yet his biggest worry right now was how Kushina would react when she found out he'd gone to the frontlines.
He didn't know how to say goodbye to her. She'd probably still be asleep by the time he left that day...
Yet knowing Kushina's character, he understood that if he told her nothing at all, she definitely would do something reckless.
Immediately afterward, Minato pulled open a drawer in his room and retrieved some paper and a brush.
He decided to leave Kushina a letter.
...
Shun!
Before departure, Minato arrived in front of Kushina's residence, holding a sealed letter.
The anbu guards around Kushina's room were already gone.
Minato bit his finger until it bled, then formed hand seals and finally pressed his palm onto the ground.
["Summoning Jutsu!"]
In front of him appeared a summon—a toad nearly half a person's height. It was unmistakably Kai, the same toad he had summoned before.
"Minato, long time no see," Kai laughed. He actually shared a decent friendship with Minato.
"Big Brother Kai, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with," Minato said.
Kai nodded. "Go ahead."
"I'm leaving the village this afternoon for the Land of Rain to participate in the Second Great Ninja World War, but I have a letter that needs to be delivered to that girl named Kushina you met last time. Could you please help me with that?"
Kai's expression immediately changed as he exclaimed loudly, "Letting a ten-year-old child go to the battlefield—has Konoha really run out of ninja?!"
"This was decided by Sensei Jiraiya," Minato replied calmly, then explained everything to him.
Although Kai still didn't fully understand, knowing how serious Jiraiya could be, he wasn't nearly as upset as at first.
"Fine then, but kid, you must be careful on the battlefield. If you die out there, I'll definitely feel heartbroken," Kai teased lightly.
Minato nodded, saying, "Yeah, I will definitely return alive to Konoha. There are still dreams I have yet to fulfill."
Then Minato handed the letter to Kai. He figured the summoning would last long enough for Kushina to wake up and start her patrol duties.
Afterward, he headed directly toward the meeting point.
Hokage Tower—
Outside Hokage Tower, hundreds of ninja had gathered. When Minato arrived, Nawaki and Yan Uchiha were already there.
Yet instead of approaching them immediately, he walked sideways toward the end of the formation, looking for the team leader.
Tsunade.
"Special Chunin—mid-rank ninja—Minato Namikaze reporting in," Minato said to Tsunade. Although they knew each other personally, even Nawaki, her own younger brother, needed to follow formalities in such situations.
"Join the team," Tsunade replied with a nod, her face expressionless.
Minato joined the group and walked toward where Nawaki and Yan Uchiha stood.
He then saw a familiar figure.
It was Junko Watanabe.
The three stuck together, drawing curious looks from the others. The ninja here were mostly around seventeen or eighteen years old, so the three children who looked about ten years old stood out prominently.
"Form ranks!"
At the shout from a Jonin, all side glances and murmurs stopped instantly. Hundreds of ninja quickly formed lines. The three positioned themselves at the very end of the formation.
All eyes turned upward—the Third Hokage stood atop Hokage Tower, gazing down with solemn authority.
"I won't say much more than this—I wish everyone success in driving back the enemy ninjas and returning home safely!"
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
"Everyone, charge forward!"
The shout rang out in unison, echoing throughout Konoha. The determination in their voices burned with an unyielding fire, much like the spirit behind this nation's name.
Tsunade turned around. Standing beside her were Sakumo Hatake and Orochimaru.
"March forth! Our destination is the Land of Rain!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Tsunade and the other two leapt upward, and hundreds of ninja surged forward behind them. To the average eye, it would have looked nothing short of breathtaking.
Minato and his team wore grim expressions. Keeping pace with the main force, the three youths felt none of the strain that such a speed would impose on mere Genin.
Just one minute later, hundreds of ninja had already crossed Konoha's gates, surging forward together, picking up even more speed.
Of course, these few hundred were only the vanguard reinforcement forces. After they departed, countless more Konoha ninja would continue to head toward the battlefield!
...
...(to be continued)
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