It was the same familiar war council room.The last time I had seen Tsunade here was when we first met.
This time, Kawakaze was already standing beside her, the two of them shoulder to shoulder.
Next to them were Orochimaru and Sakumo.
More jōnin were still on their way, but the Third Hokage had not yet arrived.
"Kawakaze-kun really does have an impressive ability to predict things. I must say, I'm quite impressed."
Orochimaru's face was gloomy—the war had finally begun.
"It was only a guess. I never expected that salamander Hanzō would actually be so bold."
If Kawakaze hadn't read the original story, he could never have imagined such a small, weak country daring to wage war on three fronts at once.
First, he attacked Chiyo of the Sand, making their forces roughly equal.
Then he crushed Mifune of the Land of Iron—but mercifully spared his life.
Finally, he defeated the three disciples of the Third Hokage and mockingly named them The Three Legendary Ninja.
Hanzō the Salamander was now known as a demi-god—an exaggeration, perhaps, but not by much. He was immensely powerful.
In Kawakaze's mind, this guy was the embodiment of those arrogant young men who knew nothing.I can't stand that type. So yes—I'm going to beat you up.
He didn't care what the Five Great Nations thought.
"This time, sensei is definitely angry. The people of the Rain dare tug the whiskers of the Leaf's tiger!"
Tsunade had witnessed everything in the Hokage office earlier—she saw clearly that the pipe on the desk had been smashed by the Third.
"Don't underestimate Hanzō the Salamander."
Kawakaze reminded her—he remembered that if not for Jiraiya protecting her, Tsunade would have died by Hanzō's hands.
If not dead, then crippled.
"Kawakaze-kun is right—this demi-god of the ninja world isn't just a man with an inflated reputation."
Orochimaru was equally cautious. He believed reputations meant nothing—only strength was real.
Sakumo stood quietly like a blank gourd, listening to the three chatters, motionless like a carved statue.
"Big brother, why aren't you saying anything?"
Kawakaze leaned on his brother's shoulder, breaking Sakumo's cold, aloof façade.
"If the Rain wants war, then we'll fight."
Sakumo's words were concise. His expression didn't change, not even a narrowing of the eyes.
"You're insane."
Seeing Sakumo like this, Kawakaze couldn't help but think the phrase.
He had successfully cracked his brother's emotional armor.
"You—"
"The Third is here."
Kawakaze suddenly stood up, completely cutting off Sakumo's unfinished response.Sakumo swallowed his words, furious.
Tsunade watched the two brothers and felt a headache forming—but Natsuki had it easier; she was at home taking care of her pregnancy.
Orochimaru observed the pair with amusement. Watching siblings bicker so openly was a kind of happiness he had never experienced.
The Third Hokage entered the room accompanied by Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
Instantly, the room fell silent.A heavy, suffocating pressure spread through the air.
The Third waited a moment before speaking.
"The Land of Rain has declared war on the Hidden Leaf."
"War has begun."
"We are gathered here today for only one reason."
"To let Hanzō the Salamander understand that the dignity of Konoha is not to be trifled with."
"Orochimaru will lead the forces departing for the Rain tomorrow."
"This battle must be won. It cannot be lost."
"Is that clear?"
This was not a discussion.It was an order—issued unilaterally.
At the last sentence, his voice suddenly thundered across the room.
All the jōnin straightened, shouting in unison:
"We swear to complete the mission!"
Emotions surged through the crowd—fired up by the Will of Fire.
"Orochimaru, prepare a list of the deployment team and those who will remain in the village."
"You may submit it later."
"Yes, sensei."
After Orochimaru responded, the Third Hokage left with his two silent advisors.
He was gone.
Sakumo immediately began signing up.
Kawakaze could only smile bitterly—there was nothing he could do with such a hot-blooded older brother.
"Tsunade-chan, please stay in the village for now."
"The war is only beginning. There shouldn't be any major operations yet."
"We'll call you when you're needed."
Kawakaze knew Tsunade needed time before implanting Hashirama's newly obtained cells.There was no reason for her to go to the battlefield so soon.
"Kawakaze-kun, if Tsunade stays off the battlefield… perhaps the war will end even sooner."
Even Orochimaru tried to ease the depressive atmosphere.
"I hope so."
Kawakaze forced a smile. But he knew the truth—this war would drag on for years.
"All right. I'll listen to you."
Tsunade's beautiful eyes flickered, lingering on Kawakaze for a long moment before agreeing.
"I'll get to work then."
Orochimaru said a few more words before leaving—the rest was his responsibility.Fortunately, it was only a list of jōnin. Otherwise he wouldn't have finished today.
Kawakaze left with his brother and Tsunade. They needed to go home and pack for tomorrow's departure.
"I'm heading to the hospital. See you tonight."
After leaving the Hokage building, Tsunade said her goodbyes.
"That's fine."
Kawakaze nodded, watching her leave before continuing toward home with Sakumo.
"Brother, why are you in such a hurry?"
Kawakaze still didn't understand—why was Sakumo so eager to go to war, when his wife had just become pregnant?
"If we don't fight with everything we have now… how can the next generation live a peaceful life?"
Sakumo's eyes turned deep and distant.He probably only revealed this side of himself to his younger brother.
Everyone had their own beliefs—Sakumo was no exception.
Hearing this, Kawakaze finally understood why his brother would one day take his own life.Sakumo's love for this village was profound and overwhelming.
When darkness encircled him and the village abandoned him… he fell into despair.
But now Danzō was dead.Only he, Natsuki, and unborn Kakashi remained.
That tragedy would never happen again.
"I never thought someone as mediocre as you would have such lofty ideals."
Kawakaze joked intentionally to lighten the heavy mood.
"I have nothing to say to you."
Sakumo shot him a look, then strode ahead until he vanished from Kawakaze's sight.
Kawakaze shook his head with a smile. His brother truly couldn't take a joke.
When they got home, Nawaki and Minato had returned from Orochimaru's mission and were training in the dojo.
"Nawaki, Minato—come here."
"Yes, brother! / Yes, sensei!"
The two boys sheathed their blades and ran over.
"How's your training lately?"
"Our ninjutsu research hasn't gone anywhere… sensei is disappointed."
Minato looked embarrassed.He and Orochimaru had gone through every bit of research recently—yet found nothing useful.
"Haha, it's fine. You're still young. You have plenty of time."
Kawakaze no longer expected Minato to master the jutsu immediately.Mastering ninjutsu at ten years old was absurd.
"Sensei said my combat ability is still too low—I haven't even reached chūnin level yet."
Nawaki puffed out his chest proudly. His strength had skyrocketed ever since meeting Kawakaze.
"Not bad."
"Konoha is at war with the Land of Rain. Did you know?"
The two children shook their heads—the news hadn't spread yet.
"I'm going to the front lines tomorrow."
"And I'm taking you both with me."
"A shinobi who has never seen blood… isn't a real shinobi."
Kawakaze's expression hardened.The battlefield was no joke.
He couldn't guarantee he would always be beside them to protect them.
"Understood."
Both boys replied simultaneously, their young enthusiasm burning.
Kawakaze wondered silently:
After you see the cruelty of war… will you still be able to smile?
"That's all. Go home and pack your things. Come meet me tomorrow morning."
"Nawaki, stay for dinner tonight. Your sister will be coming over."
After saying that, Kawakaze stood and left—the two youngsters still buzzing with excitement.
When he was gone, they continued talking enthusiastically.
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All the fanfiction is 30-chapter ahead but this "Naruto: Tsunade the Fugitive Healer" is 30 chapters ahead there