Inside the tent, everyone else froze in disbelief at Tsunade's words.
"What?"
"Chiyo's poison… is really that powerful?"
"This is terrifying. Even Seisui-sama was affected."
"If Chiyo were to raid us, wouldn't the casualties be huge?!"
Voices overlapped as they shared their concerns with one another.
"All right!" Tsunade exchanged a glance with Jiraiya, clearly satisfied with their reactions.
Jiraiya cleared his throat. "Seisui's injuries have stabilized, so he can move freely."
"But he still can't use his Mangekyo Sharingan or jutsu. So let's wait until Tsunade develops the antidote before engaging in battle!"
"You all have no objections, right?" Jiraiya asked, looking at the jonin inside the tent.
"Jiraiya-sama, the Sand ninjas—"
It was the same jonin as before. Jiraiya knew exactly what he was thinking: if Konoha didn't attack, would Suna make the first move?
"Don't worry," Jiraiya said confidently, a grin spreading across his face. "Last night, under my guidance, we dealt heavy damage to the Sand ninjas.
"They're still licking their wounds and won't start a battle with us. I, Jiraiya, always speak the truth."
Once the jonin left, Tsunade plopped down and asked Jiraiya without any pretense, "Do you really think we can bait them like this?"
Jiraiya ran a hand through his hair and replied confidently, "Relax. The intelligence will definitely get out."
"You're the commander; your confidence is all that matters." Tsunade waved her arm. "It's still more comfortable in Konoha…
"No casinos here, though!"
Jiraiya paused. If this place actually had a casino, that would be the real miracle.
========
Meanwhile, at the Sand ninja camp, tension ran high.
Ebizo sighed heavily as he watched Chiyo's sad expression.
"That brat Yuki Seisui… I told them to eliminate him long ago.
"But the Third didn't listen. Now he's grown strong."
"Not only did he kill Chinzu and Bainai, he even stormed our camp."
Yokura, seated in the main position, looked at Ebizo. "It's too late to dwell on that. Let's focus on dealing with him."
"How should we deploy the One-Tail on the battlefield?" she asked. She didn't fully understand but trusted Ebizo's judgment.
Ebizo was the smartest ninja in Suna.
He glanced at Bunpuku, meditating quietly in his spot.
"We lost so much to Konoha last night. The best time to strike is today.
"Konoha would never expect us to attack them now. Based on their style, and knowing Jiraiya, they'll think we're just recovering from a raid.
"But that's precisely when we should strike."
"Isn't it too soon?" Chiyo frowned at her brother. "Our people haven't rested yet."
"No rush," Ebizo said confidently. "If our ninjas aren't rested, do you think theirs are?"
"Gather the army. Tonight, we strike!"
"Wind Shadow-sama, your thoughts?"
All eyes turned to Yokura. She considered the matter carefully before nodding fiercely.
"Follow Advisor Ebizo's plan! Seisui has always targeted us. A raid tonight is the best move!
"If we wait for Konoha to strike first, it'll be certain death!"
"Then make the arrangements now!" Chiyo nodded firmly at Ebizo, her resolve set.
"Bunpuku, did you hear that?" After Chiyo left with Karura and several jonin, Ebizo turned to Bunpuku.
"This is the village's moment of life or death. Everything depends on you now."
He patted Bunpuku's shoulder with a sigh. "If it weren't for that brat Seisui, we wouldn't have to deploy you and the One-Tail."
"But the world doesn't deal in 'ifs.'"
Bunpuku slowly opened his eyes, revealing clear, sharp pupils.
He spread his hands apart, revealing the kanji for "heart" and "accept" inscribed on his palms, and sighed heavily.
"Advisor-sama, I understand," Bunpuku said. "I won't let you down."
Yokura stared at the kanji on his palms.
"Bunpuku-sama, what are the two characters on your hands?"
"These?" Bunpuku brought his palms toward her. "One is heart, one is receive. Together, they make love.
"Humans need love to connect.
"Beasts need love to connect with humans as well.
"When you have love for everything, love will respond to you."
He clasped his hands together, closing his eyes. Yokura nodded thoughtfully as she watched the kanji align perfectly.
Just like the stories of the Sage of Six Paths…
The tale of the Sage and the founding of the ninja world spread widely. He believed that mutual understanding between people could end all wars—a form of love.
But such thinking was impossible. People cannot truly understand each other.
If two people with opposing ideals do understand one another fully…
They know your plans, your ideals… and will want to kill you even more.
=======
Meanwhile, Yuki Seisui had carried Uchiha Haru into their tent.
"Minato, sweet dreams!" he called, poking his head out to the boy sitting by the fire.
"You're all alone… must be tough.
"Here, let me give your head a pat for comfort."
Minato's eyes went wide in shock. He jumped up as if launched by a spring.
Just as he tried to dodge, a cool sensation brushed his head. A large hand rested on his spiky hair.
"Minato, don't feel lonely. You still have a big hand with you," Seisui teased, withdrawing his hand before Minato could retaliate.
Seisui wasn't in Sage Mode. Minato swatted the hand away.
"You troublesome Seisui! You really deserve to die!"
Ignoring Minato's flustered shouts, Seisui cuddled Haru in the dark tent, speaking softly.
"This is so soft… and it bounces."
"Mmm~"
"This is soft too…"
"Mmm~"
"You smell so nice…"
If not for the Uchiha tent being pitch black, Seisui would've seen Haru's flushed face.
Feeling her pressed against him, he smiled in the dark, tightening his embrace.
Haru leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder.
"The tent is too small; it's not like I wanted to be this close," she murmured softly, like a girl waking up in the morning.
Hearing her soft voice, Seisui couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" she asked.
"Thinking of something happy," he replied, his eyes glowing red in the dark.
Even in the pitch-black tent, his vision seemed unhindered.
Seeing him stare with red eyes, Haru shifted slightly—but with her head still on his shoulder, she couldn't move far.
Feeling her movement, Seisui's right hand drew her closer. His crimson Sharingan fixed on her small face.
Haru's eyes glowed red too, though her body stiffened with tension.
It was their second night sleeping so close together in one tent.
Two pairs of three-tomoe Sharingan locked in the dark.
After a long moment, Seisui looked at her small face and smiled.
"You were very cute just now."
=============
Completed version available on Patreon P@treon(.)com/Veltoria