Chapter 83

Under normal circumstances, the elders did not wield such significant power. However, during the First Ninja World War, the Third Hokage made concessions to other members of the elite council to secure his position, granting them substantial benefits and rights.

Now, reclaiming that power was difficult.

"I will let Shinki inform Senior Shukaku that the proposal was not approved, so he should not dwell on it any further."

Although the elders were opposed, Tsunade could still try to persuade them. The key issue was that the Third Hokage was unwilling to take risks. With both the elders and the Third Hokage opposing her, Tsunade's options were limited.

The news from the village was delivered to the front-line camp that same day.

Shinki wanted to go to the headquarters himself but decided instead to send someone to call Nara Shikaku over.

"It seems that Tsunade-sama was right. You really are a good cook," Shikaku said with a chuckle.

"I'm just lucky," Shinki replied modestly, pouring vegetables into the stewed broth and bringing the pot to the table, inviting Shikaku to sit.

"Haha, then I won't hold back today," Shikaku said, seating himself. He was always busy and not particularly fussy about food. In the limited conditions of the camp, a full stomach was often the priority.

Shinki was one of the few in the camp who cooked for himself, which was something no one opposed but no one else did either.

"This bacon is well-cured, quite tasty," Shikaku noted after savoring a piece. However, he felt something was missing.

Shinki brought out a bottle of sake and handed it to him.

Ah, that was it—he had been missing a drink.

With the addition of sake, the meal was perfect. The two sat, enjoying their food. As the meal wound down, Shikaku spoke up, "Did the village reject it?"

"Yeah," Shinki responded, wiping his mouth after setting down his chopsticks. "The Hokage is hesitant, and the elders believe it's too risky. They fear provoking the Rock Village into allying with the Sand Village, so they opposed it."

Although he had anticipated this, Shikaku couldn't hide a hint of disappointment.

"Then we'll have to proceed cautiously," he said. Without the village's support, even if Shikaku himself met with Hanzo to negotiate, it would be futile. Promising benefits and resources that might not materialize could anger potential allies and put Konoha at risk.

After Shikaku left, Shinki changed into more casual clothes and made his routine rounds at the medical ward.

"Master Shinki," the medical staff greeted him warmly as he entered.

"Thank you for your hard work," Shinki replied with a smile.

After ensuring everything was in order, he returned to the lounge to catch up on much-needed sleep.

Meanwhile, in a remote mountainous area near the battlefield, Jiraiya lay sprawled on the ground, looking battered and beaten.

"Cough... Are we really going to die here?" he muttered, blood trickling from his mouth. He forced a laugh. "I guess Shinki was right. We really are too weak."

Speak for yourself, thought Hatake Sakumo. He wanted to roll his eyes but was too exhausted to move. He rested against a rock, conserving his strength.

Among the three, only Orochimaru was in slightly better condition, not because he was vastly stronger but because he had reacted quickly during their escape.

"Cough... How do we contact the camp?" Sakumo asked, eyes still closed. Orochimaru silently pulled out a scroll and unsealed a crow puppet.

Jiraiya, struggling to keep his eyes open, scoffed, "Orochimaru, this is no time to play with toys."

Ignoring him, Orochimaru held out his arm for the crow to perch. It looked around and cawed.

"Who's looking for me?" a familiar, groggy voice emerged from the puppet. It was Shinki.

Shinki had been napping when he heard the voices, suddenly alert. The puppet, animated by the power of the Tenseigan, acted as both a surveillance device and communicator over short distances.

"...."

What kind of technique is this? Jiraiya and Sakumo stared in disbelief. Orochimaru's thin smile betrayed his amusement.

"Shinki, it's Orochimaru. Our team was ambushed by the Rock Village. Only Jiraiya, Sakumo-senpai, and I survived," Orochimaru summarized. His message was clear: they needed help.

In the camp, Shinki sat up, fully awake. "You were ambushed, the Rock Village's forces are surrounding you, and your condition is dire?"

"Yes."

"Understood."

The crow puppet fell silent, returning to its dormant state.

"Just... what was that?" Jiraiya asked, coughing weakly. Sakumo didn't say a word, but the astonishment on his face spoke volumes.

The idea of a puppet capable of such communication was mind-boggling. If Konoha had more of these, it would change the nature of warfare entirely, allowing them to track enemy movements and issue commands from a distance.

"It's one of Shinki's creations, not a summoned creature," Orochimaru clarified as he sat down, exhaustion catching up with him. While he seemed the least affected, it was more a testament to his quick reactions than his physical state.

"A puppet..." Jiraiya and Sakumo exchanged incredulous looks. Such a tool could redefine the ninja world.

Back in the camp, Shinki threw on his clothes, donned a raincoat, and rushed to the command center.

"Who's there?"

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