Chapter 130
Chapter 130
In the main command tent of the River Country battlefield, Sakumo sat calmly, reviewing various reports and documents.
At that moment, Haneda entered with Asuma and Kurenai.
"Uncle Sakumo, is there a mission?" Haneda asked straightforwardly.
Asuma, hearing the word "mission," immediately clenched his fists in excitement and said to Sakumo, "Finally, a mission, Sakumo-sensei! We've been stuck in the camp for nearly half a month; I feel like I'm rusting away!"
Sakumo chuckled at their eagerness, pulled out a document from the table, and said, "Yes, there's an important task I'd like to assign to you. It concerns the hospital in the rear."
"You're all aware of Tsunade's hemophobia, correct?"
Haneda nodded, understanding immediately. "Uncle Sakumo, are you worried that the Sand might send a strike force to attack the hospital in the rear?"
Sakumo looked at Haneda approvingly and nodded with a smile. "Thanks to you, Haneda, Tsunade was persuaded to join. Now, the situation on the battlefields of both the River Country and Rain Country is more favorable."
"The Sand has suffered significant losses and hasn't seen much success. With the ongoing stalemate and casualty rates, the Sand can only manage one last large-scale offensive before they're forced into exhaustion."
"Chiyo might have no choice but to consider a peace agreement with Konoha to restore their strength. The war between the Sand and Konoha is nearing its end."
"This means, however, that the Sand might attempt a final counterattack."
Sakumo paused to let Haneda and his teammates process the information.
After a few seconds, he continued, "According to intelligence from both the ANBU and Root, the Sand seems to be planning a strike on the hospital in the rear."
"This is why I'm assigning you to the hospital—to protect Tsunade and the medical ninja stationed there."
Protect Tsunade?
Haneda couldn't help but think of Tsunade's incredible strength, enough to shatter entire buildings with a single punch. Even with her hemophobia, her combat instincts would make her at least a half-Kage-level fighter, even if she fought with her eyes closed.
Haneda guessed that Uncle Sakumo was likely more concerned about his safety and that of Asuma and Kurenai.
If the Sand wanted to launch a surprise attack on the rear, they'd either have to go through the Earth Country or tie up Konoha's forces on the front lines. Otherwise, they'd only be able to attempt assassinations rather than a full-blown assault.
It was clear that Sakumo didn't want his students embroiled in the most intense battles at the front.
Haneda saw no reason to reject Sakumo's kindness and nodded. "Understood. I'll make sure to protect Lady Tsunade with Asuma and Kurenai."
"Uncle Sakumo… you take care as well."
Sakumo understood Haneda's implicit concern. He smiled and said, "Unless we suffer a total defeat, a commander won't be the one to fall in battle."
…
The hospital in the rear of the River Country battlefield was relatively close to the frontlines; a Chunin could reach it within an hour or two.
Haneda's team received the mission in the morning and arrived at the hospital by noon.
Haneda handed the signed mission scroll from Sakumo, along with the required ID, to the guards at the entrance.
After the check, they proceeded into the hospital.
Unlike the main command area, the rear hospital was clean and untouched by the signs of war. The housing was wooden or brick structures instead of the portable tents on the front lines.
There were even decorative trees and flowers throughout the hospital.
Haneda led his team directly toward Tsunade's office.
Just as they entered the corridor, he heard a familiar voice—one that sounded like Obito's.
Haneda quickened his pace and entered the office, where he indeed found Obito, along with Minato, Kakashi, and others.
"Hey! Haneda, you're here too!"
"Long time no see, Haneda," greeted Obito and Kakashi as they approached him.
It had been nearly two months since the Chunin Exams, and they hadn't seen each other since.
"Long time no see, Obito, Kakashi," Haneda replied with a smile. He noticed Tsunade and Minato glancing over and asked with a grin, "You're not here to protect Lady Tsunade, too, are you?"
"How'd you guess, Haneda?!" Obito asked in amazement.
He remembered Minato-sensei saying this was a classified mission, not to be shared!
Asuma walked in and remarked, "Of course, it's because Haneda is incredibly smart and can foresee anything!"
Seeing Asuma, Obito pointed at him and said, "Why is it you again? Hmph, just Haneda's brainless fan."
"Who are you calling 'brainless'? I'm Sarutobi Asuma! Haneda's close comrade and long-time classmate!"
"Whatever, you're just his brainless fan. Nice try," Obito replied dismissively.
"Alright, Obito," Kakashi cut in with his usual deadpan stare. "Haneda probably got the same mission as us."
"And how do you know that, Kakashi?" Obito asked curiously.
"Same."
"Same what?"
"Quiet, you little brats! This is my office!" Tsunade suddenly slammed her desk, and the surface instantly shattered.
She couldn't take it anymore. As one of the legendary Sannin, when had she ever needed a bunch of kids to protect her?
Especially with those two little Uchiha brats—one with his smart mouth and the other calling her "Aunt Tsunade."
Minato scratched his head and said apologetically, "Sorry for bothering you, Tsunade-senpai."
"You be quiet, too!"
"Huh?" Minato, recalling Jiraiya's previous misadventures, wisely shut his mouth.
Haneda then spoke up, "Lady Tsunade, here's the mission scroll from Sakumo-sensei. Could you please sign it?"
Tsunade took Haneda's mission scroll, noticing the blank spot for mission completion verification, and couldn't help but frown.
The mission hadn't even started, and he was already thinking about closing it out.
Typical Uchiha, she thought to herself!
She tossed the scroll back to him and said, "Aren't you trained in medical ninjutsu? Go work with Rin in the third medical area to take care of patients!"
"That'll keep you from daydreaming all day."
"And me? Lady Tsunade!" Obito asked excitedly.
"You're going with Haneda to the third medical area as a nurse!" Tsunade replied through gritted teeth.
"Yes! Finally, I get to be away from dumb Kakashi and be with Rin and Haneda!" Obito cheered, practically dancing.
Tsunade frowned, then quickly added, "And Kakashi, you go with them too."
"What? No way, Lady Tsunade!"
"You brat! I've put up with enough from you!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
After leaving the office, Obito had three large bumps on his head, and a grin was now spread across Haneda and Kakashi's faces.
Obito muttered under his breath, "Just like Kushina-sensei—violent woman!"
"No wonder she's in her thirties and still hasn't found a husba—"
Suddenly, he felt a chilling presence behind him.
Obito turned around to see Tsunade!
Terrified, he quickly backpedaled, saying, "Lady Tsunade! Young, beautiful, and incredibly powerful. Finding a boyfriend would be easy for you!"
Haneda, understanding that Obito had hit Tsunade's sore spot, quickly interjected, "Ahem, Lady Tsunade, he didn't mean any harm. He's just a kid."
"In that case, I'll spare him for your and Minato's sake," Tsunade said, letting her terrifying aura dissipate.
She hadn't intended to harm anyone; she just wanted to teach Obito a little lesson.
Tsunade was well aware of Obito's personality, so she treated him like a mischievous child.