Meanwhile.
Chiya had already arrived at the southwestern battlefield with Uzumaki Kushina.
Quite a few people there recognized Kushina.
The surrounding ninjas all looked at her in surprise.
The Nine Tails Jinchuriki appearing on the front lines was no small matter.
"Where's Tsunade?"
"Lord Chiya, Lady Tsunade is in the medical area. I'll take you there!"
A medical ninja respectfully replied before leading the way.
After walking for several minutes, they arrived.
The medical ninja then left.
"Chiya!"
Tsunade spotted them from a distance.
She frowned slightly, quickly walked over, grabbed Chiya's arm, pulled him aside, and lowered her voice.
"Why did you bring Kushina here?!"
Chiya looked at Tsunade.
Her golden hair fluttered gently in the breeze, and her brown eyes were filled with anxiety.
She seemed a little thinner than before.
Her waist had become even slimmer and more graceful.
It seemed that guarding the southwestern battlefield had been exhausting for Tsunade.
Chiya spread his hands helplessly.
"She insisted on coming. I couldn't stop her."
Tsunade glared at him.
"She insisted, and you just agreed? Since when do you listen to her so obediently?"
Chiya smiled before speaking gently.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
Tsunade stared into his eyes.
After a moment, she snorted softly.
"Fine. I won't interfere with this matter, but you must guarantee Kushina's safety."
"Of course."
Although Tsunade did not know what Chiya was planning.
She knew one thing.
Chiya would never harm Kushina.
Not far away, Kushina stood with her hands on her hips.
Her red hair blazed like fire, but her eyes were full of nervousness.
On one side was Lady Tsunade, whom she deeply respected.
On the other side was... Chiya-nii, whom she constantly thought about.
If they started arguing because of her...
When she saw Tsunade glare at Chiya angrily, panic filled her heart.
She hurried over.
She immediately grabbed Chiya's arm and seriously explained to Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade, please don't blame Chiya-nii. I was the one who insisted on coming!
"I just didn't want to stay in the village doing nothing but worry!"
Tsunade glanced at the hand wrapped around Chiya's arm.
She sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"Fine. Since you're already here, stay inside the camp and don't run around."
Kushina looked at Tsunade, her eyes widening.
"Lady Tsunade, you're letting me stay?!"
Joy immediately filled Kushina's face.
If Tsunade had really insisted on sending her back, she truly would not have been able to refuse.
In Kushina's heart.
Lady Tsunade was like an older sister.
Ever since Lady Mito passed away, Tsunade had always looked after her from time to time.
"I'll allow it. But on the battlefield, you must obey my orders. Understood?"
Tsunade looked at Uzumaki Kushina with a serious expression.
"Yes!"
Kushina immediately straightened her posture and put away her smile.
"The wind is strong here. Let's head back to the tent first."
Looking at Kushina, the words of scolding that had reached Tsunade's lips became a gentle pat on the head instead.
"Yes!"
The three left the medical area one after another.
Inside the command tent.
Chiya, Tsunade, Kushina, and several frontline commanders sat around a sand table while discussing the recent situation on the southwestern battlefield.
"The roaming Kirigakure forces on the southwestern battlefield have already been held back by Jonin Minato and Lord Jiraiya.
"We can now focus entirely on Sunagakure, and the pressure has been reduced considerably."
Pointing at the markers on the sand table, Tsunade spoke to Chiya.
"Following your plan, we can now begin pulling back our forces and secretly send elite troops to the northern battlefield."
Chiya nodded.
"Good. Tell me about Minato's situation."
An intelligence ninja quickly gave his report.
"Lord Namikaze Minato previously led a twenty man squad and destroyed eight Iwagakure outposts in one operation.
"That achievement shocked every major village, earning him the title Yellow Flash.
"He successfully attracted the pursuit forces from Iwagakure and Kirigakure. Enemy forces on the northwestern battlefield have been moving frequently, and their main force has already been scattered."
The corner of Chiya's mouth curved upward.
As expected of Minato.
His mobility and tactical execution were enough to give any enemy a headache.
No one wanted to see a second Ninja World's God of Speed appear.
Every ninja like that was a nightmare for the other villages.
Tsunade suddenly frowned.
"However, there's one strange thing. Sunagakure has been unusually quiet recently. They haven't taken advantage of the situation at all."
Chiya's expression became serious.
"Sunagakure hasn't moved?"
"That's right. Logically speaking, Konoha is now surrounded by enemies on every side. They should have been the most eager to attack."
Chiya thought for a moment before standing up.
"I'm going to Sunagakure."
Tsunade froze.
"Now? By yourself?"
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon."
He turned to Uzumaki Kushina.
"You behave yourself and listen to Tsunade during this time."
"I know."
Kushina nodded obediently.
After giving his instructions, Chiya immediately disappeared with the Body Flicker Technique.
At dusk.
On the outskirts of Sunagakure.
Chiya stood atop a sand dune, quietly looking toward the village.
The setting sun dyed the desert golden.
The wind carried fine grains of sand along with the dry desert air.
Suddenly, his eyes locked onto the village gate.
A familiar figure walked out alone.
Pakura!
That smooth and beautifully exposed back was simply too eye catching.
Even in the harsh environment of Sunagakure, she still maintained such flawless skin.
She truly was naturally gifted.
Chiya narrowed his eyes.
Why was Pakura leaving the village alone?
His figure flashed as he silently followed her.
After walking for more than ten minutes.
Pakura stopped.
Without even turning around, she spoke.
"You've been following me for quite a while. Aren't you going to show yourself?"
Chiya walked out from behind a sand dune and chuckled.
When he followed Pakura, he had never intended to hide his chakra.
"What are you leaving the village for?"
Pakura turned around and quietly looked at him.
"Why are you here?"
"Sunagakure has been too quiet lately. I had to come and see."
Chiya shrugged.
"But you. Leaving the village at this hour is rather unusual."
Pakura carefully studied Chiya.
After suppressing the complicated emotions in her heart.
She let out a cold snort.
"Hmph. Are you trying to trick me into revealing my mission?"
"Your mission?"
A thought flashed through Chiya's mind.
"The mission to negotiate peace with Kirigakure?"
Hearing that, Pakura's pupils contracted.
"How... How do you know?"
"Only the village's senior officials should know about this top secret mission."
"Don't tell me you've planted someone among Sunagakure's leadership?"
Chiya's expression became serious.
So his guess had been correct.
This was that trap.
"You've been abandoned."
Pakura looked at him suspiciously.
"What do you mean?"
"That's not funny."
Chiya raised his head, his eyes filled with ridicule.
"The higher ups believe that your existence has become a threat to the village's stability.
"So... they've assigned you a mission that you're guaranteed to die on."
"A mission that's guaranteed to die on?"
Pakura fell silent.
Recently, she had vaguely sensed that something about the village's atmosphere was wrong.
But she had never imagined the village would send her to her death.
Looking at the change in Pakura's expression.
Chiya immediately knew she did not believe a word he had just said.
Then again.
Cases like this were rare.
Giving your own village's hero to an enemy nation...
"If you don't believe me, come with me and see for yourself."
Chiya walked ahead.
After taking only two steps.
He suddenly stopped.
He turned back and looked meaningfully at Pakura.
"Hero of the Sand Ninjas."
"You'll understand soon enough."
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