**Chapter 41: A Familiar Encounter with Mizusuna**

The Third Kazekage decided to personally take action, not because the timing was genuinely ideal, but because the Hidden Sand Village could wait no longer.

The development of the Hidden Sand Village was similar to that of the Leaf Village: the First Kazekage established the village by uniting clans, the Second expanded its military might, and the Third continued to strengthen it.

The main difference, though, lay in their circumstances. The Leaf Village thrived with fertile land, a prosperous country, and a steady stream of talent, enabling rapid growth.

In contrast, the Hidden Sand Village was set in a barren desert with scarce resources. Although it had made progress over decades, its advancements paled in comparison to those of the other four great nations.

Both the Daimyo of the Land of Wind and the Third Kazekage were dissatisfied with this. Thus began a prolonged, grueling war.

However, this drawn-out war exhausted too many resources, straining the finances and manpower of both the Land of Wind and the Hidden Sand Village, bringing them close to their limits.

If this continued, even if the Sand Village wasn't defeated outright, it would be worn down to the point of collapse.

Recognizing this, the Third Kazekage decided to take matters into his own hands to end the war quickly.

His decision to prioritize the Leaf Village as an opponent was the result of careful consideration.

Firstly, the Leaf Village was the most powerful among the ninja villages. If they didn't address this threat first, any surprise attack from them would be catastrophic.

Secondly, the Leaf Village was already stretched thin by fighting on multiple fronts. If he didn't strike hard now, the Leaf would eventually rally, making things even harder for the Sand Village.

The Third Kazekage didn't harbor ambitions to completely conquer the Leaf. His goal was to secure victory on the eastern front, pressuring the Leaf Village into signing a peace treaty.

If successful, this strategy would bring two major benefits.

The first benefit would be substantial resource compensation, helping to alleviate the Sand Village's prolonged war exhaustion and revitalize its military potential.

The second would allow them to reallocate forces from the eastern front to the southern and northern fronts to defeat the Rock and Mist Villages.

The Third Kazekage had mapped out his plan: first defeat the Leaf, then handle the Rock, and finally deal with the Mist, aiming to end the war within a year.

The newly established Medical Corps and Emergency Response Unit were all part of this strategy.

To ensure the plan went smoothly and to prevent leaks, he hadn't shared the full plan with anyone. Instead, he only selected specific people to execute individual steps, while he maintained control of the overall strategy.

The Third Kazekage was playing a grand game of strategy!

However, to Hattori, this was of little concern; he just wanted to sleep.

"The Hundredfold Yin Seal drains so much MP each day that even without using a single jutsu, I need to sleep twelve hours just to recover. It's almost noon, and if I don't get some sleep soon, I'll run out of MP!"

Just the thought of collapsing from MP depletion made Hattori uneasy. His hand instinctively reached for his pocket.

"If nothing else works, I'll just have to take a soldier pill. I should have held back when I ate so many at Rasa's place; now I might get bloated from taking more…"

Just as he was about to take a pill from his pocket, a familiar voice sounded from behind him.

"Lord Hattori!"

"Huh?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Hattori turned and recognized the familiar face at once.

"Mizusuna? Is that you?"

Hattori realized it was Mizusuna, the one Chiyo had assigned to care for him before.

At that moment, she was walking over with a little girl in tow, smiling warmly.

"Hee hee, long time no see, Lord Hattori! This is my daughter, Yuno. Yuno, say hello to Lord Hattori!"

"Wow!"

The little girl's eyes lit up as she saw Hattori.

"You're the amazing medical ninja! Mama, this is the big brother who saved me when I bled so much and almost died!"

"Ah…"

Hearing the girl's words, Hattori remembered. This was the same little girl he'd bandaged right after arriving in the Sand Village, his first patient!

This little girl had marked many firsts for him: his first bandage, first experience, first level-up, and first unlocked skill…

With these memories, Hattori felt a warm familiarity. His earlier irritation vanished, replaced by genuine joy.

"So it's little Yuno! Long time no see—come here and let me give you a hug!"

"Okay!"

The little girl nodded eagerly, let go of Mizusuna's hand, and leaped into Hattori's arms like a sparrow returning to its nest, giving him a few playful kisses on the cheek.

Watching her daughter clinging affectionately to Hattori, Mizusuna couldn't help but cover her mouth, laughing.

"Hee hee… Looks like Yuno really likes Lord Hattori!"

"Heh, that's because I'm handsome, right, Yuno?"

Hattori chuckled as he gently pinched Yuno's chubby cheeks, making her giggle.

Seeing this, Mizusuna's smile grew even brighter, her gaze warm and admiring.

"Yuno often talks about the kind medical ninja who saved her. I didn't know it was you, Lord Hattori. I'm truly grateful."

"Haha, it was just a little bandage—nothing worth mentioning!"

Hattori waved it off casually, patting Yuno's head before turning to Mizusuna.

"By the way, Mizusuna, where are you taking Yuno? If you're going shopping, this isn't the way; further ahead is the ninja academy."

"I know!"

As soon as Hattori finished, Mizusuna nodded.

"Yuno just turned four and has reached school age. I also received an order from Lord Third Kazekage to choose candidates at the academy to join the new Medical Emergency Response Unit."

At this, she grinned.

"So, starting today, I'll be your assistant, Lord Hattori! Please take care of me from now on!"

"Uh…"

Hattori was momentarily taken aback, but then a smile spread across his face.

"The Third Kazekage really knows how to handle things!"

Hattori had initially assumed the Third Kazekage would assign a loyal follower to monitor him, but to his surprise, he'd sent Mizusuna instead.

From what Hattori understood, Mizusuna was under Chiyo's influence. By making her his assistant, the Third Kazekage was essentially signaling something— 

The Sand Village was united, with no internal factional conflicts.

"The Third Kazekage… truly beloved, it's a pity."

With this thought, Hattori glanced toward the Kazekage building before turning his attention back to Mizusuna, his smile broadening.

"Having Mizusuna-san as my assistant is a big help. I'll only say this once, but from now on, I'm counting on you!"

"Yes, Lord Hattori!"

(End of Chapter)