A huge camp can be seen across a wasteland. This is the home base of Konoha's ninja forces.
There were many trees around, but all of them had been felled to create walls. Mixed with Earth Release ninjutsu, these walls reinforced the entire defense structure.
A ninja standing guard can be seen every few steps on the towering fence. The security was tight.
Sakumo Hagi motioned for everyone to stop and then walked forward alone, taking out the voucher. After confirming it was correct, he led everyone in.
After bringing the lower-ranked ninjas and the grain supplies to the camp, the rest was not the concern of Orochimaru or Sakumo Hagi. They had completed their task.
Special arrangements would be made for the food and accommodation of the Genin.
In the center of the camp, there is a large tent. This is the combat strategy room. Orochimaru and Sakumo Hagi, who had just returned, walked inside.
Inside the tent, there was a simple wooden table with a few wooden chairs.
"Is there any new intelligence from the main battlefield?" Orochimaru asked, addressing Tsunade, who was dozing off in the tent.
Tsunade was suddenly awakened. "Hmm... about this, what you said makes sense..." she mumbled.
"..." Orochimaru said nothing but was clearly used to Tsunade's sleepiness. Tsunade sighed in relief when she realized it was Orochimaru and Sakumo.
"It's you guys," she yawned.
"What's wrong, haven't you been sleeping well lately?"
"Yeah, I don't know what's going on with Iwa Shinobi. They've attacked us multiple times recently," Tsunade replied. "So I haven't been able to sleep well."
Sakumo nodded. "We just encountered some Iwa Shinobi scouts."
"You ran into Iwa's reconnaissance ninja?" Tsunade asked, sounding neither surprised nor concerned.
"Since we're back, Iwa Shinobi probably won't dare to attack again for a while," Oshemaru said.
"Anything else?" Sakumo inquired.
"Not for now. We have an absolute advantage on the battlefield. But Hanzo's behavior has been a bit strange," Tsunade said after thinking for a moment.
"Oh? How do you mean?" Sakumo asked.
"The three Great Shinobi Nations have been fighting in the Land of Rain, and many people from the Land of Rain have died, but Hanzo hasn't moved at all. From what we know, he should have enough ninjas, but he hasn't sent them out," Tsunade said, pointing at a map in front of her, filled with intricate lines and points. Each line represented a route Konoha's ninja forces had taken through the Land of Rain since the start of the Second Great Ninja War. The points indicated locations where battles had broken out with ninjas from other countries.
"If this continues, we might directly push to their homeland. Based on their previous resistance, this doesn't make sense," Tsunade analyzed.
After listening to Tsunade's information, Oshemaru paused, then nodded. "Hanzo is called the 'Demigod of the Hidden Rain.' Retreating on the frontal battlefield doesn't mean he's conceding defeat. His strategy of retreating while advancing is too obvious. It makes one suspicious."
"I agree. But for the time being, the battlefield should enter a period of relative stability."
Tsunade, Oshemaru, and Sakumo exchanged information here, while at least dozens of ninjas stood guard around the tent.
No one could approach without permission; even those passing by had to take a detour.
"By the way, where's Jiraiya? Why haven't I seen him?" Tsunade asked.
Oshemaru thought for a moment. "He's probably with his apprentice."
"He mentioned that he hadn't seen his precious apprentice in a year. It's strange," Tsunade said.
Oshemaru nodded in acknowledgment.
"How's his apprentice doing? He always brags about how talented they are. Is the apprentice really that much of a genius?" Tsunade asked.
"I don't know, but I doubt they're as good as my apprentice," Oshemaru responded.
"Isn't that my disciple? What are you so proud of?" Tsunade teased.
Speaking of Uchiha Tatsumi, Oshemaru continued, "Actually, I was wondering if there are any tasks that would be suitable for a team like theirs."
"You want them out on a mission? The battlefield is far too dangerous. Shouldn't the three of them stay at the camp to focus on their training?" Tsunade objected, clearly not wanting Tatsumi or his teammates to risk their lives.
"They need actual combat experience, not just training," Oshemaru countered.
"And they can't get that here in the camp? Are we supposed to just throw them into battle at the first sign of danger?" Tsunade said with a frown.
"You know Uchiha Tatsumi's strength. He can handle normal enemies. Nothing will happen to him," Oshemaru argued.
Tsunade muttered, "What's wrong with just throwing a shuriken?" But she was clearly swayed by Oshemaru's reasoning.
"There are plenty of missions. Let me see." Tsunade shuffled through the pile of files and found a few tasks.
"Investigating Sunagakure's military situation? No, that's just a delivery job."
"Cutting off supplies to Iwa Shinobi? No, no, too many risks there."
"Assassinate Hanzo, difficulty level B? Damn, who put that mission on the board?" Tsunade slapped the table in frustration.
After reviewing the files, Tsunade found a task that she considered safer.
"The mission is to scout the peripheral battlefield. It's dangerous but not life-threatening, and it will provide some experience."
"Alright, I'll take this one," Oshemaru said, taking the file and signaling Sakumo to leave with him.
Tsunade sighed. She couldn't shake the feeling that Oshemaru seemed unusually cheerful lately. Watching her teammates leave, she began to think.
Was it because his apprentice was around?
Speaking of his apprentice, Kushina was still in Konoha Village. Tsunade couldn't help but wonder if she had been bullied.
Tsunade sighed again, feeling sorry for her younger sister.
But Tsunade's worries were unnecessary. At that very moment, Kushina was not on the battlefield. Instead, under the influence of a mischievous old fox, she had finally begun to indulge in her wild behavior.
As a result, chaos ensued in Konoha: Hokage's beard was burned, hundreds of slugs wreaked havoc on the streets, Naruto Rock was repeatedly targeted by mysterious hands, comic shops were frequently looted, and the ramen shop's "Bawang meal" case was causing trouble. Behind all of this was the notorious "Blood Red Pepper" – Kushina's mischievous alter ego.