In the camp.
Sora, draped in a white haori, was casually inspecting the area. Many Ninjas who saw him bowed from a distance, their attitudes respectful and humble.
"Sora…"
"You're really putting on airs now~"
A pretty girl in a blue long dress blocked Sora's path. Her gaze lingered on the half-Mizukage pattern on Sora's sleeve for a long time before she finally spoke in a resentful tone: "It's only been half a month, and yet everything has turned upside down. You've become the commander of the expeditionary force, while I'm still just a pitiful Jonin…"
Mei suddenly covered her head, Sora had flicked her forehead hard.
"Stop playing around…"
Sora pinched Mei Terumi's fair cheek, smiling lightly: "You don't need to look at me with such resentment. If nothing unexpected happens, the gap between us will remain until you become the village's Mizukage. Besides, what I did was quite simple."
"The difficulty isn't that high either. You just need to find Konoha's Namikaze Minato, or maybe Jiraiya or someone like that, chop off one of their hands and bring it back. That would be enough to make you famous in Kirigakure and renowned throughout the Ninja World."
"Sora, are you talking about that Konoha's Yellow Flash?"
Mei rolled her eyes and said helplessly: "Do you think all the village's Ninjas are peerless geniuses like you? If I were to fight a Ninja like Namikaze Minato, I'd probably be killed by his Flying Thunder God before I could even use my Lava Release."
"This is a conclusion verified by countless Iwagakure's Jonin. It's only under the glow of a monster like you that Namikaze Minato seems a bit ordinary. But for us mere mortals, he's a great killing star who can end your life at any moment!"
There was still a bit of unwillingness in Mei's gaze. Since childhood, she had considered herself a genius Ninja. But when the Third Great Ninja War truly began, she found that both Konoha's Minato and Sora possessed talents far surpassing her own.
For Mei, who had always been the 'child from another family', a paragon of excellence, this was truly a disheartening thing.
"Indeed, Namikaze Minato is an extremely troublesome Ninja."
At this moment, Yagura, who had just finished taking inventory of the provisions warehouse, walked over from afar. He smiled comfortingly: "Mei, you don't need to be too self-deprecating. Although you may be inferior to Konoha's Yellow Flash in terms of potential, talent, and combat power, there is one thing that Namikaze Minato simply cannot compare to you, not even close."
"Really?"
The despondent expression on Mei's face instantly vanished, replaced by a pleased look: "What can't Namikaze Minato compare to me?"
"Having children!"
Yagura said with a serious expression: "No matter how powerful Namikaze Minato is, he's still just a man. He can't bear children for Sora. This is your greatest advantage. And I bet, with Sora's talent, as long as you don't lag too far behind, any child you have would definitely have the makings of a Mizukage! Who knows how much higher that is compared to any child Namikaze Minato might have!"
Hearing this, Sora glanced a few times at Mei's curvaceous figure beneath the blue dress, then nodded with a straight face.
"Indeed."
In Sora's view, this was indeed a fair and correct judgment.
"Ah?"
The sound cut off abruptly. Mei's expression was still dazed. She froze for a moment before her little face visibly reddened.
"Wah ah ah ah!"
"You're all lunatics!"
Shortly after Mei's embarrassed and angry cry rang out, she lifted her leg and kicked Yagura, who was looking at her with a serious expression, sending him flying.
"Indeed?"
"Indeed your big head!"
"Yuki Sora, if I weren't no match for you, I'd definitely teach you a lesson today!"
Mei glared fiercely at Sora, and as if still not satisfied, reached out and pinched his waist.
Sora remained expressionless as he watched the blushing girl flee in disarray with disorderly steps.
"Mei likes you."
Yagura rubbed his reddened thigh and said seriously: "If you like her too, then be together sooner. If you don't like her, reject her sooner. In short, have an answer soon."
"The quagmire of romantic feelings only sinks deeper in the anticipation of the unknown. Mei is my junior sister, I don't want her to get hurt."
"Of course…"
"Sora, you are also my close friend. I equally don't want you to feel awkward or put in a difficult position."
Sora nodded and smiled: "Don't worry. When this war truly ends, there will be an answer."
"That's good."
Yagura knew when to stop and quickly changed the subject: "This time, Konoha's reaction was very fast. When Fuguki-senpai and the others and I arrived at the battlefield, Konoha's main forces began advancing, seemingly wanting to seize the strategic points around the Tenfu Gorge area."
"According to intelligence from scouts, Jiraiya, Namikaze Minato, and the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki are all in the main force. The Uchiha Clan has also participated in this war mobilization. It seems this time, besides dealing with the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, we also have to handle the troublesome Sharingan."
"This is within expectations."
Hearing this, Sora didn't show much surprise and said calmly: "Konoha has also experienced the baptism of two Great Ninja Wars. They have extremely strong war mobilization capabilities. Even if they suffer a setback in one battle, they can definitely quickly readjust their morale."
"This is destined to be a difficult war for both sides. It won't end easily. We need to be prepared for a protracted war."
Yagura nodded with a smile: "Sora, you are still as reliable as ever. Also, the Intelligence Department received news that you have been placed on the Anbu's kill list in Konoha. Furthermore, on the Kumogakure front, Konoha's other Sannin, Orochimaru, has disappeared. We suspect that Orochimaru might be coming for you!"
"Last time…"
"Konoha's aces suffered such a great loss at your hands. Given Sarutobi Hiruzen's personality, he will definitely find a way to get even."
This wasn't surprising, as three of their aces suffering setbacks consecutively.
The last time Konoha encountered such an embarrassing situation was back in the era of Hanzo the Salamander.