The morning sunlight fell over the southwest battlefield camp. A faint smell of herbs drifted through the air.
Chiya stood outside Tsunade's tent.
He watched the busy figure inside, a trace of warmth passing through his eyes.
Tsunade seemed to sense it. She raised her head and looked over.
"What are you staring at?"
She walked to Chiya's side. Her long golden hair swayed gently in the morning breeze.
Chiya turned his head and reached out to ruffle her hair.
The soft golden strands were fluffy and pleasant to the touch.
"At you."
Tsunade gave a light snort, but the corners of her mouth could not help curving upward.
Chiya reached out and pulled her into his arms, speaking quietly.
"I am heading back to the northern front."
Tsunade leaned against his chest, thinking about the plan Chiya had mentioned yesterday, the one about attacking the Land of Lightning.
It was truly madness.
Tsunade said nothing more in opposition. She knew.
Once Chiya had made up his mind about something, he rarely changed it.
After a moment of silence, Tsunade spoke.
"Be careful. Kumogakure is not easy to deal with."
"Relax, I will."
Chiya gently kissed her forehead.
"Wait for me to come back."
Tsunade raised her head, her gaze steady.
"If you dare get yourself killed, I will not forgive you."
Chiya laughed and pinched her cheek.
"Understood, Tsunade-sama."
The two looked at each other and smiled. Chiya released her and turned to walk toward Nono's tent.
Watching Chiya's departing figure.
Tsunade opened her fist, then clenched it again.
'Have I been too comfortable during this time?'
Her gaze shifted to the medical ninjutsu scrolls on the desk. Her eyes grew quiet and distant.
'Medical ninja today have the ability to heal and help teammates recover. But the same holds true. Medical ninja are generally lacking in combat ability. If they are left alone or surrounded by enemies, they have very little power to fight back.'
Tsunade's brow furrowed slightly as she sank into thought.
'If there were a technique that could finely control chakra to achieve instant healing while also strengthening attacks and raising speed.'
'Would that not mean it is possible to change one's own fighting style, or break free from the difficult situation medical ninja are facing right now?'
Thinking this, Tsunade took a deep breath.
She began to study the medical ninjutsu scrolls on the desk with full focus.
"Chiya, you push yourself this hard for Konoha. I will absolutely not hold you back. On top of that, this village is Grandfather's life work. I will work hard to grow stronger and protect it too."
On the other side.
Nono was preparing breakfast for the children. When she saw Chiya come in, a flash of happy surprise crossed her eyes.
"Chiya-kun."
"I am leaving."
Chiya said it directly.
Nono's hands paused for a moment, then she smiled gently.
"Take care on the road."
Chiya stepped forward and held her in a quiet embrace.
"Take care of yourself. Don't push too hard."
Nono leaned against his shoulder and answered softly.
"I will. You too."
Kabuto watched the two of them quietly from the side. He had naturally taken in the conversation between them.
Kabuto looked up at Chiya. He seemed about to say something.
But he opened his mouth and said nothing. Only his eyes carried a trace of something complicated.
Chiya noticed his gaze and crouched down to meet him at eye level.
"Kabuto, stay with Nono. She will protect you. In the next day or two, Nono should be heading back to Konoha. Once you get to Konoha, you will be safe."
Kabuto nodded. His voice was faint but steady.
"Yes, Chiya-sama."
Kabuto's voice trembled slightly.
Chiya knew he was nervous.
He reached out and ruffled his hair to comfort him, then stood and said to Nono.
"Wait until I come back. I will come see you both."
Nono watched him leave, until his figure disappeared into the morning light.
By noon.
Northern front, Konoha camp.
Chiya's figure appeared at the edge of the camp. The Uchiha ninja on guard immediately bowed.
"Clan Head."
"Where is Tekkai?"
Chiya asked without any preamble.
"Tekkai-sama is in the command tent."
Chiya nodded and walked quickly toward the command tent.
Lifting the tent flap, Uchiha Tekkai and Shisui were discussing the details of the upcoming operation. Seeing him enter, both immediately stood.
"Clan Head."
Tekkai said respectfully.
"How has the situation been here lately?"
Chiya asked directly.
Tekkai produced a stack of documents and handed them over.
"Everything is going smoothly. The recent probing attacks from Iwagakure and Kumogakure were all pushed back. The Kurama Clan has been very cooperative with us as well. Though they are a genjutsu clan, I can sense their genjutsu has its own unique qualities. Their coordination with our Uchiha operation this time has been surprisingly seamless."
Chiya flipped through the documents quickly. A hint of satisfaction passed through his eyes.
"Good work."
Shisui stepped forward, anticipation in his eyes.
"Sensei, what is the plan going forward?"
Chiya closed the documents, his gaze deep.
"Take the initiative and go to the Land of Lightning."
Tekkai was startled.
"Clan Head, that is far too reckless."
Chiya shook his head.
"Kumogakure has taken setbacks on two fronts. This is the moment they are most vulnerable. Shisui and I will infiltrate in secret and give them a surprise."
"Clan Head, just you and Shisui? Not all of us together?"
Tekkai froze.
This.
Two people wanting to raid the Land of Lightning?
Although Uchiha Tekkai had great respect for the Clan Head's strength.
Still, two people going up against the Land of Lightning.
He would not dare dream something like that even in his sleep.
Tekkai wanted to argue further, but seeing Chiya's firm eyes, he could only nod in the end.
"Clan Head, please be extremely careful."
Chiya clapped him on the shoulder.
"I am leaving the northern front to you. Also, launch the offensive strategy against the surrounding areas starting soon. The specific plan is already written in this scroll."
"Yes."
Tekkai understood at once.
This was surely the Clan Head's backup plan all along.
Tekkai's expression turned serious. He answered with full gravity.
"Clan Head, rest assured. Every task you have entrusted to me, I will see it through."
Uchiha Chiya reached out and patted his shoulder.
"Do not be tense. Just treat it like any normal day."
"Let's go, Shisui."
Uchiha Chiya's gaze shifted.
He looked toward Uchiha Shisui standing nearby.
"Yes, Sensei."
Night fell over the forest.
Chiya and Shisui moved through the shadows of the trees, racing in the direction of the Land of Lightning.
"Sensei, can we really pull off a successful surprise attack?"
Shisui could not help asking.
Chiya gave a light laugh.
"Scared?"
Shisui shook his head. The fire of battle burned in his eyes.
"No. Just a little excited."
Chiya was about to speak when suddenly his Sharingan caught an unusual chakra signature.
"Stop."
He said it in a low, sharp voice. The two of them instantly concealed themselves in the tree canopy.
Not far ahead, a squad of Iwa-nin were moving through the forest without a sound. Their direction was straight toward Konoha's northern front.
"It is an Iwagakure reconnaissance squad."
Shisui said quietly.
A trace of cold light passed through Chiya's eyes.
"It seems Iwagakure still has not given up."
"Should we deal with them?"
Shisui asked.
Chiya considered for a moment, then shook his head.
"No. Our target is Kumogakure. We cannot stir up trouble and alert the enemy. Go around them."
The two changed their route and avoided the Iwagakure team.
However, just as they were about to leave the forest, the ground suddenly shook with a violent tremor.
A massive explosion rang out from behind them. Firelight shot up into the sky.
"What is happening?"
Shisui looked back in surprise.
Chiya's expression was calm. His three-tomoe Sharingan rotated slightly as he scanned the surroundings.
"Explosive tags. The Iwagakure people triggered a trap laid by Kumo-nin."
"Interesting. It seems we are not the only ones planning to raid the Land of Lightning."
"Come on, let's go take a look."
Chiya finished speaking and vanished in a flash. Shisui followed right behind.
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