After all, when Kushina first arrived in Konoha, she had lived in the Senju clan compound and had been cared for there like a younger sister.
After spending so much time together and being influenced by what she saw and heard, it was only natural that she gradually became similar to Tsunade.
Tsunade still clearly remembered that incident from Kushina's childhood.
Back then, Kushina had been bullied by her classmates at the Ninja Academy. When Tsunade asked what had happened, Kushina stubbornly refused to say a word.
It wasn't until one afternoon after school, when Tsunade secretly followed her, that she noticed a blond boy trailing behind Kushina along the road.
At first, Tsunade thought it was an older brother coming to bully her—some ninja relative, perhaps—but instead, she watched Kushina suddenly turn around and punch him several times without hesitation.
Only then did Tsunade finally relax and quietly slip away.
When Kushina returned home later that day, her hair was messy, yet the smile on her face was impossible to hide.
When Tsunade asked what had happened, Kushina only said she had tripped and fallen.
As for that little blond boy…
That was naturally Minato Namikaze.
"The Jinchūriki have all been settled," someone reported.
"Additionally, the Allied Shinobi Forces have already entered the Land of the Moon and advanced deep into its territory."
"According to reports from the Second Unit, they've encountered small-scale ambushes from White Zetsu and Impure World Reincarnation shinobi. It shouldn't be long before they're forced into a direct confrontation."
Nara Shikaku relayed the latest frontline intelligence.
After hearing this, Uchiha Hikaru immediately ordered all three main forces to accelerate their advance, with the artillery units moving forward and remaining on full combat alert, ready to open fire at any moment.
...
Inside the Jinchūriki residence, everyone was occupied with their own interests.
There were simply too many things here they had never seen before—everything felt fresh and novel.
Although everyone had initially felt somewhat depressed about being unable to go to the front lines, that mood was quickly diluted by the sheer abundance of new distractions.
Rōshi, Gaara, Han, Yukimaru, and Utakata were sitting together, playing a card game called Ninja Kill.
The game hadn't yet been released publicly in the ninja world, but the character cards already included many famous figures known to all shinobi.
They had just finished one round. Although most of them still didn't fully understand the rules, Utakata—the "spy" of the round—ended up winning.
In the second round, Utakata drew the identity card [Shadow] and selected the ninja card Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The skills matched Sarutobi Hiruzen's character perfectly.
Will of Fire — Shadow Skill (usable only when you are the Shadow):
When you need to use a Shuriken Attack, you may request another Konoha ninja to play a Shuriken Attack on your behalf. It is considered as used by you.
Delegation:
During your play phase, you may give any number of cards from your hand to other characters. If the total number of cards given this way is ≥ 2, you recover 1 point of health.
In the first round, no one showed any killing intent toward Utakata, and no one launched a Shuriken Attack at him. He calmly equipped his armor card, Grass Camouflage Uniform.
Its effect allowed a judgment whenever he was attacked:
– Red meant the damage was negated.
– Black meant the judgment failed.
However, if the attack was Fire Style, two points of health would be deducted directly upon a successful judgment.
In the second round, Rōshi equipped himself with the ninja tool Detonating Talisman, which converted all his non-attribute Shuriken Attacks into Fire Style attacks and increased their range by one.
He struck Utakata head-on.
Unfortunately, Utakata had no Substitution Jutsu card in hand. The judgment failed, and his health dropped from five points to three, his face full of regret.
But that wasn't the end.
Rōshi's ninja card was Kakuzu.
Kakuzu's skills were brutally straightforward.
[Sacrifice Your Life]:
By sacrificing any amount of your own health, you may increase the damage dealt by that same amount.
[Earth Grudge Fear] — Shadow Skill:
After dying once, you may activate this skill to avoid death by using the Earth Grudge technique. Your maximum health is reduced by 1, and you can no longer equip equipment cards.
With Kakuzu still at three health, Rōshi directly detonated his own vitality, pushing both himself and Utakata into a near-death state.
Both were left with only one point of health.
Only then did everyone realize that Rōshi's identity card was [Rogue Ninja].
Rōshi scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.
"Ah… I must've clicked the wrong option by accident. Utakata, trust me—I'm really an [Ally]~!"
Utakata silently rolled his eyes.
Next, it was Yukimaru's turn.
Yukimaru's ninja card was Granny Chiyo.
She had two skills—no Shadow Skill, but both were extremely practical.
[Chikamatsu Ten Puppets]:
Each round, you may deploy one puppet to any ninja card area. The puppet can block the next incoming attack, or perform a sneak attack judgment:
– Red: success, deal 1 damage.
– Black: failure.
Each puppet lasts one round. There are ten puppets total per game.
[Old and Frail]:
Due to her age, Granny Chiyo may activate this skill at any time. She takes "paid leave" for one round—her card is flipped face-down and cannot be targeted. She does not draw cards this round, but still retains the benefits of the draw phase.
Yukimaru immediately launched a Shuriken Throw at Rōshi, completely emptying Kakuzu's remaining health.
At the same time, he placed a puppet card in front of Utakata's Sarutobi Hiruzen, putting him into a defensive state.
Rōshi slammed the table.
"No! It's only the second round! Someone save me already!!"
Gaara's expression darkened. Controlling the ninja card Sasori of the Red Sand, he calmly played a Healing Jutsu, reviving Rōshi.
At this point, the identities on the field were mostly clear.
Gaara's Sasori of the Red Sand and Rōshi's Kakuzu were [Rogue Ninjas].
Utakata's Sarutobi Hiruzen was the [Shadow].
Yukimaru's Chiyo and Han's Danzō—one of them was the [Spy].
And honestly, just looking at the ninja cards alone, that Danzō practically screamed spy.
"Senior Utakata, don't worry," Yukimaru said sweetly.
"I'm an [Ally]. I'll definitely protect you."
He flashed an innocent smile.
Utakata immediately felt much better.
Then it was Gaara's turn.
Sasori of the Red Sand was most dependent on ninjutsu cards, since his abilities revolved entirely around them.
[Human Puppet Creation]:
You may use Ninjutsu Cards (any chakra-attribute card) to transform yourself into a living puppet. When the total number of Ninjutsu Cards used equals your maximum health, the transformation is complete and your maximum health is reduced by 1.
When receiving fatal damage, you may attempt a core transfer:
– Red: success, restore a small amount of health.
– Black: failure—death.
[Hundred Puppet Performance]:
You may discard any two non-attribute cards to attack all characters (including yourself). All targets must use Substitution Jutsu to avoid the damage.
...