The ninja army assembled at Konoha's gate began to move out towards the border from the back to the front. The villagers used this short time to bid farewell to their relatives and friends heading to the front lines.
"Dosuke! Dosuke! Over here!"
Dosuke was about to leave when he heard his name. He turned and saw Minato, with Kushina, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin next to him. It was Obito calling him, waving his arms wildly as if afraid Dosuke would not see him.
Dosuke briefly spoke to Shikaku and then walked over to them.
"Brother Minato, Sister Kushina, Kakashi, Obito, Rin. When did you get here?" Dosuke said with a relaxed expression.
Minato showed his usual smile. "Today is the day the ninja army leaves for the front. Of course we came to see it off. And I heard you are going too; Kushina was very worried about you."
While learning the Flying Thunder God, Dosuke often visited Minato's house and had gradually become familiar with Kushina. When he was improving the technique, Kushina had discussed the Uzumaki clan's sealing arts with him bit by bit. Without her help, he might not have perfected his Flying Thunder God.
"I was not worried about your safety! With the Flying Thunder God you learned, protecting yourself is no problem!" Kushina slapped Minato's shoulder arrogantly, cutting off anything else he might say.
Seeing their interaction, Dosuke said, "Brother Minato, you and Sister Kushina are a perfect match. I think you two should get married when we get back."
"Ah! You brat! Who's going to marry this blockhead!" Kushina swatted Dosuke on the head.
"Dosuke, you have to be careful. I heard about what happened with those Hyuga bastards. It is a pity I am still a Genin. When I become the patriarch of the Uchiha clan, I will help you get revenge," Obito said excitedly. News of Dosuke's conflict with the Hyuga had spread among Konoha's clans.
"Dosuke, you must protect yourself," Rin said softly.
Finally, Dosuke looked at Kakashi, who remained expressionless. Seeing Dosuke's gaze, Kakashi was unmoved.
"Kakashi, do not you have anything to say to Dosuke?" Obito put his arm around Kakashi's shoulders and asked in a demanding tone.
Kakashi looked at Dosuke, said nothing, but silently extended his right hand.
Seeing the hand, Dosuke was momentarily stunned. Then he also extended his right hand, and the two gripped each other's firmly.
"Come back alive. I am waiting to fight you again."
"Okay."
Obito's hand reached in. "Yeah!"
Rin's hand joined too.
Far away, in the Hyuga Clan compound, Tachie, still grounded and unable to leave the house, had the veins around her temples bulging, her Byakugan pushed to its limit. Seeing Dosuke, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin with their hands together, she silently placed her own hand in front of her, mimicking the gesture.
"Dosuke, do your best!!"
Dosuke, far away in front of the Hokage Tower, seemed to sense something and placed his left hand on top of the pile. "Do your best!" x6.
Minato and Kushina shouted along, their arms linked. With a final, vigorous shake, the hands separated. Everyone laughed heartily.
"Let's go," Dosuke said. He turned and took one last look at his friends, as if to sear their laughter into his memory. I will do my best to protect your smiles.
Blue light flickered under Dosuke's feet as he flashed away, catching up with the advancing troops.
Orochimaru, walking at the front, sensed the movement and glanced back at Dosuke rejoining the formation. He slowed his pace.
"Dosuke-kun, this war will require your full effort," Orochimaru said. He was no longer in his usual flaxen robes; his long hair was tied back. He wore a standard Konoha flak jacket, gray pants, and a ninja tool pouch strapped to his thigh for easy access.
"Lord Orochimaru, I will do my best," Dosuke replied, slightly lowering his head.
"Then let us work together." With that, Orochimaru quickly walked ahead to confer with Shikaku.
Dosuke watched Orochimaru's pale, exposed skin from behind. For now, Orochimaru is still normal, far from the madness that would consume him later. He is still the most popular candidate for the Fourth Hokage among the Sannin.
The mighty Konoha Ninja Army marched for the border of the Land of Fire. Thanks to the reconnaissance troops' efforts, they reached the territory of the Land of Rivers by evening.
It was ironic that the battlefield between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire was to be in the Land of Rivers, which had nothing to do with either. It was always the small nations that suffered in the wars between great powers.
The Land of Rain, sandwiched between Fire, Wind, and Earth, was why its civilians lived in such dire straits. This was also the reason Nagato would become so extreme in the future. Living constantly in the shadow of war, it would be a miracle not to become twisted.
Dosuke recalled a saying from his previous life: Shisui's Kotoamatsukami must have been used on Naruto, which was why he could always fight so cheerfully and happily for Konoha.
Once the troops arrived at the designated location, specialized logistics personnel began setting up camp. As the medical department was part of the logistics unit, Dosuke searched for a suitable location to arrange their camp.
On this battlefield, Shikaku was only the nominal head of the medical department. He was primarily responsible for strategic decisions for the entire front. Dosuke only needed to consult him on major decisions.
The medical department's daily operations were handled by Dosuke and two other medical Jonin as deputy directors. Most matters were decided by the three of them in discussion.
If Tsunade were here, she would not only lead the medical department but also act as a check on Orochimaru. But now it was her disciple, and that was different. Tsunade could command respect; Dosuke could not. The main issue was his youth and his rank of Chunin. Although Tsunade had repeatedly assured the Third Hokage and other Konoha elders that his abilities were Jonin-level, it was hard for others to see past his age and rank.
After discussing with the two medical Jonin, they decided to place the medical department in the middle and rear of the ninja army. This would allow them to care for retreating ninja from the front lines while providing enough time and distance to evacuate if necessary.
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