Chapter 109

"Ahem."

Nara Shikako's expression turned slightly awkward. "Yes, Tsunade-sama recently seized a batch of supplies..."

"This batch of supplies isn't related to the camp, right?" Shinki interjected.

"Uh... no, it really isn't," Shikako admitted with a strained smile. "But the Hokage authorized funds to acquire these supplies, which were then sent to you, so..."

"I see."

Just when Shikako thought Shinki would relinquish the supplies, he surprised her by raising his hand and gesturing toward her.

Nara Shikako's confusion was evident. "???"

"Where's the money? If you purchased these supplies, hand over the payment," Shinki said.

"The funds have already been given to the Sarutobi clan," Shikako explained, flustered.

"Then, Senior, you should approach the Sarutobi clan for the supplies. Why come to me? The supplies in my possession were sent by Tsunade."

Did they really think it was that simple to shift the responsibility?

"There's no money!" Shikako's face reddened.

Shinki clicked his tongue in disapproval. "No money? Then what supplies are you seeking, Senior? Take it up with the Hokage."

The village had spent money on the Sarutobi clan's supplies. Why approach him?

The supplies Shinki held had come directly from Tsunade and had nothing to do with the Sarutobi clan since their seizure.

"Senior, we're just the messengers in this. Let Tsunade and the Hokage deal with the rest."

It was wise to let the higher-ups handle the confrontation.

Nara Shikako hesitated, then sighed. "I don't want to be seen as challenging the Hokage, but I am concerned about the war effort."

Despite aligning himself with Tsunade, Shikako still hoped for a stable village with minimal distractions during wartime.

But the Third Hokage and his allies seemed intent on complicating matters, regardless of timing.

If the Hokage himself wasn't concerned, why should others be? 

Would the war be impacted? Not in the immediate sense. The Rain Country conflict remained relatively small, with limited forces involved from Konoha, Sand Village, and Rock Village. Only the entirety of the Rain Village was fully mobilized.

Once the Rain Country conflict ended, a broader conflict would likely ensue between Konoha and Sand Village. Rock Village would likely remain uninvolved, as the Third Raikage and the Cloud Village were eager to see other villages deplete their manpower.

The Rain Village, aside from its formidable leader Hanzo, wasn't seen as a major threat.

"Not really, Senior. You're overthinking it."

"I hope you're right. I'll head back and push for the Hokage to deliver the supplies. It's always better to be prepared."

Although the camp still had sufficient resources, it was prudent to stock up whenever possible.

It's only when you're in desperate need that you realize how essential preparation is.

In the original timeline, Konoha had made significant blunders during the Second Ninja World War, leading to a shortage of supplies. This situation had driven some of Konoha's ninjas to raid the Rain Country's civilian population for food, leading to tragic incidents like the death of Nagato's parents.

Now that the timeline of the Second Ninja World War had shifted, Shinki wondered if the destinies of the three young members of the Akatsuki organization would change.

Would Jiraiya still encounter them?

"Nawaki! Keep training! Don't tell me you're already worn out!" Shinki's voice echoed sharply.

Nawaki, who had been about to take a break, shivered, straightened up, and continued his training.

Meanwhile, in the Land of Rain, away from the battlefield, a group of Sand Village ninjas had gathered. Leading them was the formidable elder, Chiyo.

"Spread out and stay vigilant. We can't let Rock Village catch us off guard," Chiyo ordered.

Rock Village was known for its cunning tactics. Konoha had suffered at their hands before, a lesson Chiyo had taken to heart.

Half an hour after Chiyo's arrival, the Rock Village forces emerged, led by Kitsuchi. He observed the forest from a distance and halted, careful not to approach Chiyo too closely.

"Kitsuchi, you asked this old woman to meet you, but now you're hesitating to come closer. Afraid of an ambush?" Chiyo mocked.

Kitsuchi remained unfazed, ignoring her taunts while keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings.

"It's always wise to be cautious. I know you'd seize any opportunity to ambush me, Chiyo," he said, his tone calm and detached.

Chiyo's laugh was harsh, her patience wearing thin.

"Speak your purpose, then. Don't tell me the Rock Village is looking to collaborate with me," she said, recalling how they had previously turned down her invitation.

Kitsuchi remained expressionless and produced a scroll, tossing it to Chiyo. She did not move to catch it, wary of any traps. One of her guards stepped forward, using a puppet to grab the scroll and inspect it.

Kitsuchi watched coldly as the puppet examined the scroll. Ever since Shinki had disrupted his plans and caused the loss of numerous Rock Village elites with explosive puppets, Kitsuchi had developed a strong disdain for puppet users.

"Master Chiyo, it's safe. Just a sealed scroll," the guard reported, handing it to her.

Chiyo accepted the scroll and removed its contents.

Thud!

A half-destroyed puppet fell to the ground. Chiyo recognized it immediately as a puppet crafted from a ninja's corpse, but something about its clothing felt disturbingly familiar.

It was unmistakably the attire of a Sand Village ninja.

"Kitsuchi, is this some kind of sick joke?" Chiyo's voice cracked with fury.

What was Rock Village playing at? Summoning her here only to present a scroll containing a mutilated puppet crafted from one of their own? This was clearly a provocation.

Chiyo's fury spread to her guards, who stood ready to fight. A single command, and they would strike without hesitation.

Remaining composed, Kitsuchi spoke, "You misunderstand, Chiyo. This puppet wasn't made by us. It was crafted by Konoha."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Chiyo snapped. Few outside Sand Village practiced the art of puppetry, least of all Konoha.

But Kitsuchi didn't flinch as he began to recount what had happened earlier. "When the war began, my father devised a plan to eliminate Konoha's rising talents. The operation started smoothly, and Konoha remained unaware of Rock Village's true intent…"

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