Chapter 114

"Damn it!"

Tsunade felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. Despite her strong objections during the meeting, the Third Hokage and the elders stood united. Her dissent, no matter how forceful, carried no weight.

Akimichi Tofu had become little more than a figurehead, offering no support. Unless the council's opinion could be swayed, her protests were useless.

Fuming, Tsunade stormed out of the meeting before it concluded.

As she stepped outside the Hokage office building, a cool late autumn breeze met her face. The biting wind took the edge off her anger, bringing her some clarity.

Back at home, after reflecting on the day's meeting, Tsunade realized she needed to visit the front-line camp. A direct conversation with Shinki was essential.

Relying on puppet-transmitted messages across half the Fire Country was slow, and many details couldn't be conveyed properly.

Without informing anyone, Tsunade arranged for an additional Anbu team to protect Kushina and left the village discreetly, accompanied by her guards. Following her specific orders, even the Hokage's office remained unaware of her departure.

Tsunade planned to come and go without drawing attention, not even notifying Nara Shukako. Upon arriving in the Rain Country, she sent a puppet to inform Shinki of her arrival.

Receiving the message, Shinki donned his gear and slipped out of the camp under the cover of night. He met Tsunade in a concealed cave near the border between the Fire Country and the Rain Country. Gesturing to the Anbu hidden in the shadows, Shinki removed his raincoat and stepped inside.

The cave was dimly lit by a single oil lamp, devoid of any warmth.

"Why haven't you lit a fire? It's freezing—it feels like freezing rain is about to start," Shinki remarked, placing his raincoat at the cave's entrance.

Tsunade tossed him a set of padded clothes. "I don't want anyone to know I came out here to see you."

"Fair enough."

Shinki put on the padded clothes and approached Tsunade, wrapping her in a brief embrace. "Have you gained weight?"

"Get lost!"

As if she had a choice. Tsunade couldn't help but feel conflicted. As a child, she had longed for her chest to grow so she could prove Jiraiya wrong when he mocked her. Now, it seemed there was no end to its growth, a development that annoyed her. Growing up, it had been an insecurity; now, it was an inconvenience.

Seeing her frustration, Shinki stopped teasing. He sat down on a clean rock and got to the point. "Is this about the war?"

"Yes," Tsunade replied, her face darkening. "The old man and the council refuse to withdraw from the Rain Country. My objections have fallen on deaf ears, and it's infuriating."

"Then let them fight," Shinki said, raising an eyebrow. He'd thought it was something more urgent.

Tsunade frowned. "You're saying I should just let them keep fighting the Rain Village?"

"It's not ideal, but what else can we do?" Shinki shrugged. "You and I both think the village should focus its efforts on the Land of Rivers, but others don't see it that way. With the Rock and Sand Villages pulling out, the council believes Konoha can claim victory over the Rain Village. Why abandon the chance for glory?"

"Who wouldn't want to bask in victory?"

"But..." Tsunade trailed off, realizing that any argument she made sounded weak in comparison.

Yes, who doesn't crave glory? The Third Hokage was no different. He wouldn't let an opportunity like this slip by, even if it meant bleeding Konoha dry.

The Rain Village might seem like an easy target, but Hanzo the Salamander was not. Winning against a man dubbed a "demigod" wouldn't come without heavy losses.

"That's why trying to block or argue with them is pointless," Shinki continued. "If they want glory, let them go for it. Our job is to make sure it doesn't affect us or our plans. My priority is to ensure victory in the larger war. That's all I care about."

He wrapped his arms around her in comfort.

The Third Hokage might be willing to sacrifice lives for the village's honor, but Shinki wasn't. If the leaders wanted to fight for personal glory, let them. It didn't concern him as long as he could manage his part.

He wondered, once Konoha faced significant losses, would the Third Hokage and the elders still chase after their supposed glory? Reality had a way of striking back hard.

Leaning against Shinki's shoulder, Tsunade sighed. "Alright. I'll follow your lead. If they want to chase their glory, let them."

"Exactly. Just do what you need to do. Anbu must have taken some hits recently. Make sure to replenish their numbers carefully and gradually replace the older members."

Focusing on their duties was paramount. Shinki's responsibility was managing the medical station at camp; Tsunade's was solidifying her hold over Anbu. The rest was out of their control. If Konoha succeeded, they'd share in a bit of the credit, but if things went poorly, the blame wouldn't be theirs to bear.

"I'll make sure to do that," Tsunade agreed, leaning into him. Suddenly, she noticed his hand slipping under her clothes. Annoyed, she grabbed it and pulled it out, glaring at him.

"Are you serious right now? Anbu are right outside!"

Shinki chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. The benefits of... comfort were apparent, even amidst the cold.

Tsunade scowled, barely resisting the urge to smack him. "You're impossible. I should head back before anyone realizes I've been gone."

"Safe travels."

Now was not the time for indulgence. Tsunade needed to return to the village, and Shinki had to head back to camp before his absence was noticed.

As predicted, the pressure from the Cloud Village on the Rock Village continued to mount. Ohnoki, realizing he could no longer afford to focus on the Rain Country, ordered a full withdrawal of his forces back to the Land of Earth.

In simple terms: the Rock Village was done playing.

The Rock Village's retreat was a turning point.

Following their withdrawal, the Sand Village quickly followed suit. Chiyo was not pleased, but circumstances left her with no choice.

With the Rock Village no longer there to share the burden, the Sand Village had no option but to step back, focusing instead on the new battlefront that loomed in the Land of Rivers.

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