Chapter 45: Iwa Village Battlefront

The Iwa Village battlefront camp.

The border outposts had completely transformed into camps designed to defend against Iwa Village. These camps no longer relocated frequently but had become permanent defensive strongholds.

Previously, the outposts were meant to scout and monitor ninjas entering the Land of Fire. Now, their primary purpose was to prevent them from penetrating further into the Land of Fire. The approach to these missions had naturally shifted accordingly.

Uchiha Jin entered the command camp alone. Namikaze Minato and Kushina were still stationed on the frontlines. Jin's primary mission was to handle a task transfer, replacing himself in the Seventh Squad's defensive line with others.

Inside the command tent, a group of jonin was gathered around a map model, discussing various routes and strategies. Some proposed launching a proactive attack, while others advocated for maintaining their defensive positions.

"If we keep defending like this, we'll end up at a disadvantage! We should push Iwa Village back completely!" one jonin urged.

"But do you know how many traps Iwa Village has set along the routes ahead? Do you realize how many casualties we'll suffer if we rush in blindly?" another jonin countered.

The debate grew increasingly heated, and tempers flared. However, the final decision rested with Jiraiya. He stood there, deep in thought, frowning at the map.

His gray armor was scarred and scorched, with patches of dried blood that had turned black. Upon hearing someone enter, he looked up to see Jin walking in.

The other ninjas barely glanced at Uchiha Jin before resuming their argument. Jiraiya approached Jin.

"Jiraiya-sensei, what's the situation on the Sand Village front? Why are they calling for me?" Jin asked in a low voice, observing the jonin nearly on the verge of a brawl.

Jiraiya recalled the orders that had come down from the village. All the strategic orders for the borders were sent directly from the village. Jiraiya had also learned of the unfavorable situation on the Sand Village battlefront.

"Sand Village has developed a highly complex poison. They want you to create a jutsu that can help resist the effects of that poison."

"Isn't that something for Tsunade-sama to handle?" Jin asked, though he was somewhat confident in his ability to develop such a jutsu. He glanced at his Deduction interface, where several new poison-resisting techniques had already appeared. But he wasn't a specialist in the field, and this task seemed better suited to Tsunade.

Though Tsunade's proposal to train more medical ninjas had been rejected, there was no denying that she was the greatest medical ninja in the entire ninja world. No one in the field of medical jutsu could compare to her.

"You're just the backup option. Tsunade is the main one handling it. The village has already sent orders for her to go to the Sand Village frontlines," Jiraiya explained with a smile.

"If you don't want to go, don't feel pressured. I'll help you refuse if you'd rather stay," Jiraiya offered. Deep down, Jiraiya didn't want Jin to be far from his side. If Jin was indeed the child of darkness from the prophecy, he still needed to guide him carefully. Unfortunately, with the war raging, this wasn't the best time to provide that guidance. Keeping Jin close by was the safer option.

Jin rubbed his chin in thought, then asked, "Jiraiya-sensei, if I manage to solve the problem with Sand Village, could I trade that for permission to view the Sealed Jutsu Scroll?"

In Konoha, anyone who used his basic internal energy jutsu had their jutsu added to Jin's collection, except for the ones sealed in the Sealed Jutsu Scroll. Jin suspected that the only relevant technique he had encountered so far was the Soul Separation Jutsu.

Jiraiya considered Jin's request for a moment before replying, "I can help you apply, but to see the Sealed Jutsu Scroll, you'll need Hokage-sama's approval."

"I see…" Jin pondered, knowing that Sarutobi Hiruzen likely wouldn't let him view the Sealed Jutsu Scroll. After all, after Jin had handed over his basic internal energy jutsu to the village, the only recognition Sarutobi had given him was a signature. Nothing more.

Other ninjas might hand over their jutsu without expecting anything in return, but Jin wasn't like that. If he couldn't use his jutsu to access others' techniques, he never would have given it up so easily. Outwardly, he appeared to be at a disadvantage, but he had made a mental note to get back at Sarutobi Hiruzen for that slight.

In fact, his main motivation for accumulating achievements was to gain access to the Sealed Jutsu Scroll's contents. This could be his chance. Jin had coveted the scroll for a long time.

"I'll take care of it, then," Jin agreed.

As the sunlight streamed down from the sky, Jin raised his hand to shield his eyes after leaving the command tent. He looked around the camp. The number of people here was even smaller than at the previous outposts. Most of the people in the camp were gravely injured and no longer able to fight.

Heading towards his tent to pack up and prepare for departure, he unexpectedly ran into a familiar face.

"Hyuga Hizashi," Jin greeted.

"Uchiha Jin," Hizashi responded, lowering his head with a sorrowful expression. He looked terrible, with one eye covered in bandages, his arm in a sling, his neck wrapped in gauze, and a crutch supporting him.

"You…" Jin started.

"Surviving wasn't easy, was it?" Hizashi finished for him, gripping his crutch so tightly that his knuckles turned white and veins bulged. His face remained calm and collected on the surface.

"How's your eye?" Jin asked, shifting the conversation. After all, the Hyuga clan, like the Uchiha, relied heavily on their eyes. Losing one eye would be catastrophic for them.

"It'll be fine after a few days," Hizashi replied, touching his eye. If the enemy hadn't discovered his blind spot, he wouldn't have ended up like this.

The only hand he had left curled into a fist. He was clearly growing more agitated.

After a few polite exchanges, Jin quickly excused himself. The Hyuga clan members always seemed to have their own issues.

That reminded him of the junior Hyuga he had his eye on as a potential subordinate.

"Hyuga Kiyoshi should be stationed at the Rain Country frontlines by now. I wonder if he'll survive," Jin mused before pushing the thought aside.

Arriving at his tent, he realized he didn't have much to pack—just a few necessary ninja tools that he stuffed into a backpack. He used his reverse summoning technique to send the pack to the Ryuchi Cave, where Little White would keep an eye on it for him.

With everything prepared, Jin left the camp.

He glanced at the lush forest surrounding the camp and noticed that he could no longer see the camp itself. It hadn't disappeared, but the illusion barrier made it easy for people to overlook.

In the distance, loud explosions echoed—sounds from the frontline battle. Various jutsu flared across the battlefield, and Jin could see their colorful flashes even from here.

Iwa Village had been relentlessly trying to break through the defense line, but Konoha's forces were holding firm, though many had died in the process. The casualties on the Iwa side were even higher, but Konoha had also lost many lives.

"Could Sand Village be more dangerous than this place?" Jin wondered aloud. The odds of that seemed high.

"With my current strength, it's unlikely I'd face any mortal danger," he thought. Having been in the war for nearly six months, Jin had become familiar with ninja combat tactics. In terms of power, he had already reached the jonin level. While his experience had initially been lacking, it had since improved enough that he wouldn't fall for the same trap repeatedly without the ability to counter.

With a leap, Jin bounded from tree to tree, quickly leaving the camp behind.

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