Chapter 245: Victory in Battle

After Jiraiya and the others returned to the camp, the Jonin at the camp immediately approached to inquire about the outcome of the battle.

"We achieved a minor victory in the battle against the Jinchuriki. The Five-Tails Jinchuriki is heavily injured, but the Four-Tails Jinchuriki is unharmed," Jiraiya reported the results of the high-level battlefield without exaggeration.

"Overall, though, we've won decisively!" Jiraiya continued with a smile, aiming to boost morale.

Upon hearing that the Five-Tails Jinchuriki was injured, the Jonin visibly relaxed. If they had suffered losses at the high-level battlefield, it would have nullified the advantage they had gained earlier.

The news of Jiraiya and the others gaining the upper hand in the battle against the Jinchuriki quickly spread throughout the entire Konoha camp. The Konoha ninjas who received the news were all very excited, feeling like they could see the dawn of victory in the war.

The enemy dispatched two S-ranked Jinchuriki, but they gained no advantage against Konoha, giving them the impression that even a slight effort from Konoha is the limit for Hidden Rock.

Of course, such optimism is generally held by Genin or young Chunin. Jonin and experienced Chunin know that neither Hidden Rock nor Konoha has yet to show their full strength.

Among the Konoha Sannin, only Jiraiya has arrived on the battlefield, and no other renowned strong individuals have been dispatched.

On the side of Hidden Rock, despite sending out two S-ranked Jinchuriki, they have no other notable force apart from Gari, the Jonin proficient in Explosion Release. They have not deployed many ordinary ninjas either.

Those familiar with the plot, like Mutsuki, understand that Hidden Rock is likely holding back something major. The military strength they are currently displaying is probably a feint.

Mutsuki, seeing things from the perspective of the higher-ups and Onoki, can easily comprehend everything.

This war has seen the deployment of two Jinchuriki, which from the perspective of other ninja villages, indicates that Hidden Rock is taking this very seriously, sending both Jinchuriki into battle together.

However, in reality, Hidden Rock also harbors a large number of ninjas internally—over tens of thousands of ninja troops—and a group of elite ninjas like Kitsuchi.

If this battle fails, Onoki can make other ninja villages underestimate Hidden Rock's strength. This would make them more vigilant and maintain a strong position against Konoha in the war. For example, Hidden Cloud, which is also at war with Konoha, may lower its guard against Hidden Rock and use more force against Konoha.

If the battle is successful, even better. It would demonstrate Konoha's weakness. Onoki could then mobilize a large army directly into the Land of Fire, seize Konoha, and take the title of the number one ninja village, proving their own strength to gain more contracts and military funds from Daimyo.

Onoki won't lose either way. With two Jinchuriki in action together, even if they don't win, they won't be captured by force.

"Yumi-sensei, are you hurt?" When Mutsuki found his disciples, Obito immediately asked with concern.

Although he didn't know the strength of the Jinchuriki, the commotion caused by the Tailed Beast Bomb was too great. Obito could feel the terrifying power of the Jinchuriki just by looking at the dazzling explosion from afar.

Kakashi and Guy also looked towards Mutsuki.

"Do I look like I'm injured?" Mutsuki asked with a smile.

"Not at all," Obito honestly replied. Apart from some dust, Mutsuki's clothes weren't even torn.

"It could also be internal injuries that aren't visible," Obito explained.

"I'm not injured. Come with me, I'll treat you first," Mutsuki said, patting Obito's head.

Except for Guy's injured fist, Kakashi and Obito had minor injuries, though not as serious as Guy's.

Mutsuki led them to an empty place and began using Medical Ninjutsu to treat them.

Currently, his Medical Ninjutsu was not widely known, so he couldn't use it openly in front of other ninjas.

The powerful Ninjutsu could be explained through training, but neither Sarutobi Hiruzen nor Danzo had taught him Medical Ninjutsu. Could it be that he discovered it on his own, like the Mystical Palm Jutsu?

"Yumi-sensei, between the Jinchuriki and the candidate Raikage, which one is stronger?" Obito curiously asked.

"Comparing them is difficult, but overall strength-wise, the Jinchuriki are currently stronger," Mutsuki pondered and replied.

Actually, if the Fourth Generation A and the Five-Tails Jinchuriki were to duel, Mutsuki couldn't predict the outcome.

Aside from the Tailed Beast Bomb, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki's main combat method is Taijutsu. However, the Tailed Beast Bomb cannot hit the high-speed Fourth Generation A. Fourth Generation A has the advantage in speed, while the Five-Tails Jinchuriki has more raw chakra.

Compared to Fourth Generation A, Minato at this stage is slightly lacking when dealing with tailed beasts or Jinchuriki because he lacks powerful offensive capabilities.

However, in terms of human combat, Minato's efficiency would be faster, and he would be more adept at dealing with strong opponents.

"I wonder when I'll become as strong as you, Yumi-sensei," Obito expressed with an admiring look.

"Then let's start training now. The passionate youth needs to seize every moment to strengthen themselves!" After treating them, Guy immediately began doing handstand running exercises.

"I mainly feel that if the three of us were as strong as Yumi-sensei, we could probably end the war and prevent so many deaths," Obito expressed his heartfelt thoughts.

In the past, when facing enemies on missions, Obito didn't feel much after killing them because it was either him or them. However, seeing so many unfamiliar people die on the battlefield deeply unsettled him.

In just a few short hours, he had come to despise the existence called war.

Obito's words made Kakashi look at him with some surprise; he hadn't expected Obito to say something like that.

"If we want to end the war, being as strong as I am now isn't enough; we need to be even stronger!" Mutsuki looked up slightly at the sky as he spoke.

To restore peace to the ninja world, either everyone fights until they're exhausted and then retreat to recover their strength, or there's someone like Senju Hashirama who surpasses everyone and keeps others in check so they dare not act.

However, to achieve long-term peace, even the power of someone like Senju Hashirama may not be sufficient because lurking in the shadows are Uchiha Madara, Black Zetsu, and the sealed Kaguya Otsutsuki.

"However, as long as you continue to work hard, you will succeed one day," Mutsuki said with a bright smile.

Encouraged by Mutsuki's words, Obito became as energized as if he had been injected with adrenaline and started training with Guy.

Kakashi naturally couldn't just watch them train without doing anything, so he joined in the training as well.

Because of their significant victory and timely supply deliveries from the rear, the Konoha ninjas indulged in a celebratory feast that evening.

Mutsuki also showcased his skills by quickly preparing several large pots of food.

"Am I imagining things, or is this dish so delicious that I thought I was under a Genjutsu from an enemy surprise attack?" exclaimed a Konoha ninja after tasting Mutsuki's cooking, looking amazed.

"Same here. I thought the victory meal was exceptionally tasty," added another Konoha ninja nearby.

"You're lucky. This was personally cooked by Mutsuki himself, and not many get the chance to taste it," Jiraiya chuckled, in a very good mood and almost feeling like drinking if they weren't on the battlefield.

Minato remained silent, quietly devouring his meal at a rapid pace. Since arriving on the battlefield, he hadn't tasted Mutsuki's cooking again, often dreaming of returning to Konoha to enjoy meals at Mutsuki's home every day.

"Minato, there's no need to eat so quickly at a time like this," Jiraiya remarked after realizing that Minato had already finished two bowls of rice and eaten a lot of dishes in just a few words.

Without further comment, Jiraiya swiftly joined in the eating.

After finishing their meal, the group sat together and chatted. Mutsuki updated Minato on some of Kushina's situation in Konoha.

"Kushina misses you a lot. My disciple, Uchiha Obito, happens to have a camera. How about asking him to take a few photos of you to take back?" Mutsuki suggested with a smile.

Minato's eyes lit up at the idea and he thanked Mutsuki warmly.

"Let me take the photos. I'll make sure to capture you looking as handsome as Yumi-sensei," Obito volunteered eagerly.

"Thank you, Obito. I appreciate it," Minato accepted with a smile and gratitude.

Then Minato stood in place, wearing a serious expression, waiting for Obito to take the photo.

"Why aren't you smiling? You look better when you smile," Obito asked with a puzzled expression, holding the camera.

He noticed that Minato, like Mutsuki, usually smiled a lot, so he was surprised Minato wasn't smiling for the photo.

Minato forced his lips to turn upwards, struggling to maintain a smile.

"Haha, I didn't know Minato, you had such a sense of humor," Jiraiya couldn't help but laugh as he looked at Minato's expression. He swiftly ran to Obito's side and took several photos for Minato.

Minato now gave him the impression of someone with a poker face forcibly pulling up the corners of his mouth to pretend to smile.

"I think Minato is trying too hard. Trying to smile on purpose makes it seem unnatural," Dekai analyzed.

"That darn white-haired old man has such a weird sense of humor," Obito commented as he looked at the photos of Minato.

"You're still young and don't understand. This is how you capture joyful moments," Jiraiya chuckled proudly.

"I'm not that young. I've already completed two A-Rank missions, and today on the battlefield, I've saved several comrades," Obito retorted indignantly.

"A-Rank missions? I've lost count of how many S-Rank missions I've done, and it's more than twenty," Jiraiya mentioned, implying he had undertaken numerous A-Rank missions.

"So strong?" Obito looked surprised, feeling that S-Rank missions were still distant for him.

"Of course! I am Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin, also known as the Toad Sage!" Jiraiya proudly introduced himself, puffing out his chest.

Minato watched as Jiraiya and Mutsuki's students engaged energetically, unable to suppress a smile.

Meanwhile, Obito noticed that Jiraiya wasn't paying attention and took the opportunity to capture this normally smiling face.

"What's a Toad with spots?" Obito turned back and asked.

"You little rascal, it's Toad Sage, not Toad with spots!" Jiraiya corrected him.

As Kakashi observed the legendary Sannin and Obito compete over the number of missions like they were comparing snacks, and hearing Jiraiya proudly proclaim his title, he couldn't help but feel like he was witnessing a celebrity's downfall.

Although Kakashi does not idolize any of the Sannin, the Sannin have a great reputation in Konoha. Kakashi naturally believed that the Sannin were extremely reliable ninjas, but it seems that reality is not as he thought.

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