The next day.
Hokage Tower — Conference Room.
A good number of shinobi had already gathered here.
Jonin and special jonin stood in small clusters, speaking in low voices. The atmosphere was heavy.
Word of the emergency dispatch from the border had already spread in a limited circle, and everyone wore a different shade of seriousness.
By the time Tsunade and Kiyohara arrived, the meeting was about to begin.
Tsunade was dressed in formal shinobi gear today: a green flak jacket over a dark, tight combat suit, her golden hair tied into a sharp high ponytail.
Kiyohara was dressed much the same, also wearing a green flak jacket.
They moved through the crowd toward the main entrance. Along the way, shinobi greeted Tsunade with respectful bows. When their eyes swept over Kiyohara, the looks carried varying degrees of curiosity and appraisal.
Kiyohara's name was no longer unfamiliar among Konoha's upper ranks and elite circles: Tsunade's student, a rising Anbu star, the hard case who had single-handedly wiped out an enemy's secret base.
But among all those gazes, two felt distinctly different.
One came from Orochimaru.
He stood in the shadow of a pillar, golden slit pupils—snake-like—settling on Kiyohara. That look held scrutiny, amusement, and a kind of hard-to-describe interest.
As Kiyohara passed, Orochimaru's lips curled faintly, like he'd found an intriguing specimen.
The other came from Shimura Danzō.
The Root leader stood just inside the doorway, his right eye wrapped in bandages, his remaining left eye cold as a blade.
His gaze lingered on Kiyohara for a full three seconds. Thinking of what happened last time, Danzō's grip on his cane tightened slightly, veins rising on the back of his hand.
Mitokado Homura, standing beside him, noticed his old friend's change and asked in a low voice, "Danzō, what is it?"
Danzō withdrew his gaze. His face returned to its usual blank chill, and he slowly shook his head. "Nothing."
If there weren't so many people here, his expression would have been storm-dark.
Kiyohara felt Danzō's stare too, but his face didn't change.
Danzō's current strength didn't compare to his future self.
Even if he was more than a decade younger now, that couldn't make up for the massive advantage of multiple Sharingan enabling Izanagi.
One Izanagi meant a full minute of "invincibility."
Truthfully, Danzō was strong—but his combat instincts weren't that great.
With that kit, he could probably still "play the game" even in the Boruto era.
Take Uchiha Shin—covered in Sharingan—except he didn't know Izanagi, so all those eyes were basically decoration.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the main seat, taking all of this in.
He drew on his pipe. Smoke curled as his eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing.
Once Tsunade and Kiyohara sat down, the meeting began.
"Everyone."
Hiruzen's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly through the room.
All conversation stopped at once. Every face turned to the Third Hokage.
"Late last night, we received urgent military intelligence from the Kikyo Pass front."
He picked up a document from the table.
"Suna has assembled over two thousand shinobi. Under direct command of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, they launched a full-scale offensive against the Kikyo Pass line. The ferocity of this assault is the greatest we have seen since this conflict with Sunagakure began."
A restrained intake of breath spread across the room.
Two thousand shinobi—nearly half of what Suna could mobilize on the Land of Fire border right now.
The rest had to remain to guard against other villages.
And with the Kazekage himself commanding, Suna's resolve was obvious.
They meant to break Kikyo Pass and threaten the Land of Fire heartland.
"This is bad," Tsunade muttered.
"Or put another way," Kiyohara said, "it's a sign this war is nearing its end."
"Hm?" Tsunade's attention snapped to him. "Why do you say that?"
"Suna's probably going all-in," Kiyohara replied calmly. "Their land is barren. Their shinobi numbers are thinner. This kind of offensive is exactly what you do when you're trying to force a decisive result in one blow. If they let it drag into a prolonged war, they don't have any real advantage."
It was basic logic.
Suna had even sold off Pakura—their "hero"—to Kirigakure just to secure peace. That alone showed how desperate they were.
Because if something like that ever got exposed, it would be catastrophic for Rasa and Suna's leadership.
Every village preaches "comrades."
Even Kiri forbids killing or selling out comrades in normal circumstances—their system was just brutal enough that candidates could kill each other during selection.
Outside of that? Anyone who did it would be arrested immediately.
"Fair point," Tsunade said after a moment, nodding.
One hand rested on her hip; her full silhouette shifted slightly in Kiyohara's peripheral vision.
"But that also means a lot more people are going to die."
Tsunade nodded again.
In this Third War, she'd mostly been stationed behind the lines—not like the Second War, where she fought and killed on the front herself.
But even so, just watching the medical corps scrambling daily was enough to tell how vicious this war had become.
"What's the front situation right now?" a jonin asked urgently.
"Not good," Hiruzen said, setting the file down, his expression heavy.
"Jiraiya is holding Kikyo Pass, but the Suna offensive is too intense. Multiple points along our line are in danger."
"I think this might be a probe," Tsunade spoke up.
All eyes swung to her.
After hearing Kiyohara's analysis, Tsunade found it increasingly convincing.
Under that logic, Suna's behavior made sense.
"Suna is pressuring both Konoha and Kiri," Tsunade said, "but they don't have the manpower to sustain full-scale operations on two fronts."
"So the smartest play is to concentrate force on one side, test where the line is weaker, and once they find the break point, they shove everything through and try to punch a decisive hole."
She looked at Hiruzen.
"I recommend immediate reinforcements to Kikyo Pass, but we also need to guard against Suna pivoting to the Mist front. If they decide Kiri is the easier target, they'll change their main thrust."
Hiruzen nodded slowly.
"That matches my own assessment. Which is why we must strengthen both fronts."
He scanned the room and began issuing orders.
"Nara Enchū, you will lead one thousand shinobi to Kikyo Pass immediately to reinforce Jiraiya. Tsunade, you will command the medical corps and move with them. Your job is not only treatment, but also analyzing Suna's new tactics and helping develop counters."
"Yes," Enchū replied, nodding.
As a Nara, he often handled battlefield command. Many Nara weren't feared for shadow techniques so much as for their brains.
In Konoha's leadership, Nara served as key strategists.
"I understand," Tsunade answered sharply.
"Orochimaru," Hiruzen said, turning to him.
"You will move toward the Cloud and Mist sectors and monitor other villages. Suna's mass movement could trigger chain reactions. We need to ensure no other front collapses."
Orochimaru bowed slightly, voice rasping. "Understood."
"All other divisions will enter wartime readiness per existing plans," Hiruzen said, rising to his feet. His voice lifted.
"Everyone—Konoha faces another trial. This battle will decide the direction of the war. We must hold."
"Yes!" The response echoed through the room in unison.
When the meeting ended, shinobi dispersed in a hurry to prepare.
Tsunade and Kiyohara walked out together, heading along Konoha's streets toward the Senju district.
Tsunade walked slowly, brows knit—clearly weighed down.
Kiyohara stayed at her side, feeling the heaviness in her presence.
It wasn't fear of battle. It was exhaustion with war itself.
Even in canon, Tsunade was a woman sick of war.
"Remember to notify Kurenai," Tsunade said.
She was now under Tsunade's command.
"I'll go right after this, Sensei," Kiyohara nodded.
"Also… Sensei, if it's like this, I should have time to go to the ruins of Uzushio."
Kiyohara said it casually.
Tsunade froze and turned to him.
"Uzushio's ruins? What for—"
"To find a gravestone," Kiyohara said.
"The promise I made with you. You said I should go see the gravestone there."
Tsunade's body trembled slightly.
She looked at Kiyohara, forcing down something strange rising in her chest. Her face stayed composed.
"You still remember that?"
"Of course," Kiyohara nodded. "I wouldn't dare forget a promise to you."
Uzushio's ruins were where Kato Dan died.
His grave marker was buried there.
Back on the Land of Fire east coast, Kiyohara had made a deal with Tsunade.
She'd given him Pain Nullification and Regeneration, and in exchange, once the Mist shinobi retreated, he would go check that area.
Now, this was the best window.
If Konoha endured this wave, Suna and Kiri would likely tear into each other until they nearly tore their own brains out—only then would both sides start flirting with a ceasefire.
That chaotic stretch was Kiyohara's chance.
Uzushio's ruins wouldn't have many Mist guards, and he could visit Dan's gravestone.
Hearing him say it, Tsunade pressed her lips together.
For a moment, her full figure stood sharply outlined in the morning light—her chest rising with a deep breath, her narrow waist and full hips forming a near S-curve, long legs showing strong lines even through shinobi pants.
But all that outer presence was wrapped in something else—an emotion heavier than beauty.
She stepped closer and reached out.
Kiyohara saw the pale "snow-mountain" curve of her silhouette moving toward him.
He thought she was about to flick his forehead again, and reflexively drew a trace of Steel Release chakra to harden his skin.
But Tsunade didn't flick him.
Her pale hand settled gently on his head instead, ruffling his hair.
"Kiyohara," Tsunade said softly. "There's no need anymore. It's too dangerous."
She shook her head, withdrew her hand, and walked on.
"A gravestone is just a memorial for the living," her voice drifted back on the wind. "What matters is the living."
Kiyohara caught up and walked beside her again.
He was surprised.
Tsunade really had accepted him as her student.
After that, Kiyohara returned home with Tsunade, then went to find Kurenai.
Kurenai was still a chunin, so she had no right to attend the jonin meeting.
"Ah… so something like that happened," Kurenai said, worry clouding her face.
At the same time, she started thinking about whether she should apply for jonin herself.
After taking the "White Snake Power" Kiyohara gave her, her chakra volume and recovery had improved.
And she'd learned Wind Release to diversify her toolkit.
She felt like she might actually be able to apply for jonin now.
"What about Rin and the others?" Kurenai asked curiously.
"They'll probably go too," Kiyohara nodded.
Rin still hadn't truly brought out the Three-Tails' power. Konoha's leadership likely planned to have her begin using it.
Even just a Borrowed Tailed-Beast Chakra Mode would massively boost a jinchūriki—chakra volume, recovery, nerve response speed, and more.
Of course, it came with the constant risk of losing control. If she went berserk, she'd destroy everything without distinguishing friend from foe.
"I see…" Kurenai clenched a small fist, then said with determination, "This time, I'm going to make myself useful. I'm going to earn a big merit!"
Kiyohara couldn't help smiling at her confidence.
After a little more chatting, he took his leave.
Before heading to the battlefield, he still needed to stock supplies.
Once everything was prepared, he returned to Tsunade's house.
…
The next morning, outside Konoha's main gate.
Over a thousand shinobi had assembled—an oppressive black sea.
They wore standardized combat uniforms, carried ninja tools, and looked grim.
Sunlight glinted off metal weapons with a cold shine.
This was the force heading to the Kikyo Pass front.
Nara Enchū stood at the very front, fully geared up. Beside him were several Nara shinobi, along with representatives from the Yamanaka, Akimichi, and more, apparently discussing something.
On the other side, Kiyohara stood next to Tsunade.
The medical corps was only a small branch of the larger army.
Kurenai was in the formation too.
She carried a special marching pack. When she spotted Kiyohara, she nodded from afar and jogged over.
Hiruzen Sarutobi personally came to see them off.
The Third Hokage wore his robes and held his pipe, standing at the front as he looked over the shinobi.
His gaze swept over each face—young and not-so-young—then settled on Tsunade.
"Tsunade," he said, voice low. "Kikyo Pass is in your hands."
"Relax, old man," Tsunade grinned. "I've got it."
"I trust you," Hiruzen nodded, then looked at Kiyohara.
"Kiyohara. You know the state of the medical corps. You'll play a major role. Don't slack."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Kiyohara replied.
Right now, the situation was simple:
The shinobi who could fight weren't as good at healing as he was.
The shinobi who could heal weren't as good at fighting as he was.
At this point, Kiyohara was basically a miniature Tsunade.
"Move out!" Enchū shouted after a few words with Hiruzen.
The thousand-strong force surged out the gate like a black flood and sprinted toward Kikyo Pass.
They raced through the forest.
Tsunade and Kiyohara stayed around the middle of the medical column, coordinating and maintaining vigilance.
Kurenai wasn't far. They exchanged the occasional words, but most of the time they were just pushing forward.
A long-range sprint was brutal on stamina.
Fortunately these were elites—chunin at minimum.
They held a stable high speed, driving toward the front.
They hit a few supply points, took short rests, and continued.
By the second evening, the Kikyo Pass forward camp finally appeared.
A temporary encampment cut into the mountainside—tents stretching in rows, lights blazing.
In the distance, muffled explosions and shouts could be heard. The fighting hadn't stopped.
At the camp entrance, Jiraiya was already waiting.
His tall frame looked tired.
Dust and blood streaked his face, his white hair a bit disheveled—but his eyes were still bright.
When he saw Tsunade, his eyes lit up and he strode over.
"Tsunade! You finally made it!"
"Another few days and I might've cracked."
Tsunade ignored his dramatics and cut straight in.
"How bad is it?"
Jiraiya's smile vanished. His face turned grim.
"Not good. Our line's been compressed three kilometers."
As he led Tsunade toward the command tent, he rattled off details fast.
"Rasa's commanding in person. Pakura is on the line too. Suna's elite puppet masters are basically all deployed. Our casualties… are over three hundred. Over eighty critical. Forty-seven confirmed dead."
Tsunade's face darkened.
Three hundred casualties in just a few days—
If this continued, the numbers would multiply.
"Take me to the medical tents," Tsunade said immediately. "I'm calling a meeting with the medics—tell them what to do."
"Kiyohara, Shizune, you're with me," she added. "Everyone else—follow the camp commander's assignments. Rest, and be ready to rotate onto the line."
"Yes!"
Kiyohara and Shizune followed Tsunade toward the central cluster of the largest tents.
Tsunade yanked aside the main tent flap and went in.
Several medics saw her and looked like they might cry.
"Tsunade-sama! You're finally here!"
"Patient three needs surgery right now, but we're almost out of chakra!"
"Patient five is bleeding out—no more blood bags!"
Tsunade didn't hesitate. She rolled up her sleeves.
She summoned Katsuyu immediately.
Even with her blood phobia, she could have Katsuyu treat the wounded.
Katsuyu's technique could split and distribute her chakra to every injured shinobi, healing them without Tsunade needing to look at blood or even be physically present.
And Katsuyu's support amplified healing and helped Tsunade recover chakra as well.
"Kiyohara, Shizune—prep for surgery," Tsunade ordered inside the medical command tent.
"Everyone else—report all critical cases. Sort them by urgency."
"Yes!"
Kiyohara and Shizune moved at once, heading to assist the worst cases.
With the Sharingan supporting him, Kiyohara's medical ninjutsu had become even sharper—chakra scalpel slicing cleanly, removing fragments, stitching vessels with precision.
His Yang chakra fed into patients, stimulating their life force.
Rin came to help too—handling bleeding control, debridement, and maintaining vital signs.
Shizune coordinated supplies and instruments while treating lighter cases.
Surgery ran deep into the night.
When Kiyohara finally stepped out, the cold night wind washed away some of the blood stench in his nose.
The camp was still busy. Patrols moved through torchlight; distant detonations hinted at continuing night raids.
Kiyohara followed directions to the medical corps rest area.
"Today was insane, Kiyohara," Rin sighed.
First day on site and they were already working like dogs.
"Yeah," Kiyohara admitted. "That was… a lot."
Rin nodded.
Kiyohara pulled a candy from his pouch and held it out.
"Here. Sugar. You need it."
Rin blinked wide.
She remembered Kiyohara always used to carry candy—she hadn't expected he still did.
"Thanks," she said, taking it and peeling the wrapper.
She touched her pink tongue to it. Sweetness spread through her mouth, and the exhaustion eased a little.
"See you tomorrow, Rin," Kiyohara waved.
"Yeah—tomorrow," Rin waved back, chewing her candy.
After leaving Rin, Kiyohara continued on—and ran into Kurenai.
She was organizing her ninja tools. Hearing footsteps, she looked up, saw him, and smiled.
"Kiyohara, you're done?"
"Yeah. For now I'm not a workhorse," Kiyohara stepped into the tent and sat in the open spot beside her.
"Why aren't you resting yet?"
"I can't sleep," Kurenai said honestly.
"I keep hearing the fighting… and the noise from the medical tents…"
She paused, then asked quietly, "Is it really that bad?"
Kiyohara was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"A lot of wounded. Suna's push is worse than we expected."
Kurenai bit her lip, worry flashing in her eyes.
"They can't keep it up for long," Kiyohara said. "Suna's basically holding their breath and forcing this."
If Suna were truly that strong, they'd have taken Konoha long ago.
They'd just concentrated too much force at once and caught Konoha off guard.
As they talked, a familiar figure entered.
Sarutobi Asuma.
He wore standard Konoha combat gear, an unlit cigarette in his mouth. He looked tired, but when he saw Kurenai his eyes still brightened a little.
"Kurenai. Kiyohara," Asuma greeted.
"Asuma," Kurenai nodded politely.
"You just rotated off the line?" she asked.
"Yeah. Came down to rest," Asuma said, then pulled a small box from inside his jacket.
"Oh—Kurenai. Your birthday, a while back. I was on mission and missed it. This is… to make up for it."
He offered the box.
It was a neatly made wooden case with simple carved patterns.
Kurenai froze, then accepted it.
"Thanks… but Asuma, bringing a gift at a time like this… that's a lot."
"It's not," Asuma smiled. "Open it?"
"No, Asuma… it feels too expensive," Kurenai waved quickly.
Just from the packaging, she could tell it was a necklace.
Konoha had movie theaters now; she'd seen plenty of brands.
But she already had the anklet Kiyohara gave her, and she didn't want to accept this.
"Huh?" Asuma clearly hadn't expected her to refuse.
"Uh… really? You don't want it?"
"It's really too much. I'm a shinobi," Kurenai kept waving her hands.
Asuma's face tightened—he realized he'd picked the wrong gift.
He shouldn't have gone for a branded necklace.
He should've gone with something simpler.
"…Okay," Asuma tried a few more times, but Kurenai still wouldn't take it.
Out of options, he could only leave her with a quiet "Happy birthday," then turned to go.
Kiyohara watched his back and, for some reason, it felt… lonely.
Asuma Sarutobi?
No—Single Asuma.
Once he was far enough away, the smile on Asuma's face vanished.
He took out the cigarette, lit it, and drew in a deep breath.
Why did Kurenai's attitude toward him always feel different from how she was with Kiyohara?
Why?
Smoke drifted into the night.
~~~
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