Kyuushin had planned to rest for a few more days after his breakthrough, but the very next morning, Tsunade summoned the three of them to her tent with an urgent tone.
"I have a mission for you," she announced, her voice steady despite the exhaustion etched into her features. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, hinting at sleepless nights spent refining her medical innovations.
She gestured to a hefty bundle of sealed scrolls stacked nearby. "Escort these supplies to the front-line camp. They're antidotes for the poison we encountered earlier—I poured several days into perfecting them. The shinobi on the front lines need them desperately, so move fast and get back quickly."
Tsunade signed a dispatch order with a flourish and handed it to Kyuushin, her gaze locking onto his for emphasis. "Don't take unnecessary risks. Deliver them and return."
"Understood!" As team captain, Kyuushin saluted crisply, accepting the document. Nawaki and Minato sprang into action, stuffing the scrolls into their packs with efficient teamwork.
"That's all. Dismissed," Tsunade said, stifling a yawn and waving them off. "I finally get to catch some sleep."
The trio wasted no time preparing to leave. The logistics camp sat just ten kilometers from the front lines—a short jaunt for skilled shinobi like them.
Wartime precautions slowed their progress, however. Overt and hidden outposts dotted the route, forcing Kyuushin to present Tsunade's dispatch at each one for meticulous verification. Only after thorough inspections did the guards wave them through.
They couldn't risk speeding past, so the trip stretched to nearly an hour before they arrived at the front-line camp.
Perched on a strategic hill, the camp commanded sweeping views of the endless plains below. In the distance, the silhouette of a border city loomed—the heart of the Rain shinobi's current operations.
No sooner had they entered than Jiraiya spotted them. He directed the delivery of the antidotes to the supply officer, then ushered them into a command tent with a grin.
"Tsunade finally loosened the reins and let you three join the action?"
Orochimaru, bent over a cluttered desk strewn with maps, glanced up as they entered. His lips curved into a smile that carried an ambiguous edge. To Kyuushin, it always seemed laced with hidden schemes, like a predator sizing up intriguing prey.
At this stage, Orochimaru hadn't delved into his infamous experiments yet—he was still very much a conventional shinobi. But first impressions lingered stubbornly, and Kyuushin couldn't muster the same wide-eyed loyalty Nawaki did toward him.
"Orochimaru-sensei," Kyuushin replied evenly, "we're only here to deliver the antidotes. Tsunade instructed us to wrap it up and head back swiftly."
Orochimaru shook his head, his piercing gaze fixing on Kyuushin with unnerving intensity. "Such talent squandered in the rear echelons. Word reached me that you unleashed an S-rank technique just days ago?"
Front-line and logistics camps buzzed with constant traffic, and in wartime, battles were the only currency for conversation. The details of Kyuushin's recent clash had rippled through the ranks, even to Orochimaru's ears.
Before Kyuushin could respond, Jiraiya clapped a firm hand on his shoulder, booming with laughter. "Outstanding work, Kyuushin! A perfect reflection of my guidance—taught by the great Jiraiya himself! Ha ha ha!"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed in disdain. "And what 'impressive feats' have you actually passed on to him?"
Jiraiya loved bragging about his command over all four elements—wind, earth, water, fire—but Orochimaru knew better. His teammate lacked the discipline for elite techniques; S-rank was a fantasy, and even A-rank eluded him.
Jiraiya coughed, his cheeks reddening as he shot back, "Hey, I'm deep into a groundbreaking jutsu right now! Wait till I nail it—I'll blow your mind, you slithering sneak!"
Orochimaru huffed in clear skepticism.
The exchange sparked Kyuushin's curiosity. At this juncture in the war, what "powerful technique" could Jiraiya be hinting at? Sage Mode, perhaps?
Jiraiya's cryptic smirk kept Kyuushin from probing further.
He was deeply intrigued by Sage Mode, of course. The canon tales highlighted it in Mount Myōboku and Ryuchi Cave, but Shikkotsu Forest's involvement remained a mystery. Hashirama Senju wielded Sage Mode's might, yet its origins were debated—some attributed it to Shikkotsu Forest, others to his own ingenuity.
Kyuushin speculated that, regardless of Hashirama's source, Shikkotsu Forest must possess its own Sage Mode legacy. How else could it rank among the Three Great Sage Realms?
Consider the roles: Mount Myōboku's toads offered versatile combat adaptations across environments. Ryuchi Cave mirrored that with snakes, fueling Orochimaru's signature summons.
Shikkotsu Forest, by contrast, centered on Katsuyu, whose direct offensive capabilities were limited. Her healing division technique demanded ongoing chakra from the summoner. Without a Sage Mode tradition, it simply couldn't stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the others.
This was mere theory on Kyuushin's part. If Shikkotsu Forest lacked such a path, acquiring Sage Mode would prove a real challenge.
For now, it wasn't pressing. His chakra reserves were vast but not infinite—plenty of growth lay ahead. Sage Mode could wait until he built a stronger foundation.
Mission complete, Minato and Nawaki exchanged quick greetings with their sensei. Kyuushin turned to leave when urgent footsteps echoed outside, followed by a messenger's shout:
"Orochimaru-sama! Jiraiya-sama! Rain shinobi forces are mobilizing—an attack inbound!"
Jiraiya bolted from the tent without a word. Orochimaru lingered a beat, flashing Kyuushin that enigmatic smile. "Looks like your quick exit just got delayed." He swept the curtain aside and followed.
The three exchanged glances. Nawaki's eyes lit up. "Now what?"
Kyuushin shrugged helplessly. "We wait, of course." Noticing Nawaki's eager fidgeting, he added, "But we'll stay put in camp. Orochimaru-sensei and Jiraiya won't risk us in the fray."
Still, he trailed after them. No fighting for them, but observing from the hill's vantage would be invaluable.
A towering watchtower flanked one side of the camp. Orochimaru and Jiraiya already scanned the horizon from its peak. Kyuushin climbed up to join them.
After assessing the approaching numbers, Orochimaru barked, "Send Mokume Koutou and the First Platoon to intercept."
Spotting Kyuushin, he tilted his head. "Care to head down and test your mettle?"
Kyuushin faltered. He'd just assured the others they'd sit this out, and here Orochimaru upended it. The man truly operated outside conventions.
He shook his head. "I'll observe from here, if that's alright."
Orochimaru merely nodded, turning back to the unfolding scene. Kyuushin exhaled in relief, shifting his focus to the battlefield stirring below.
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