Hearing this, Tsunade sneered. "As expected! Exactly as that kid predicted! That old fox, Onoki, is clearly showing his stance; he plans to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, waiting to reap the benefits!"
The Village Hidden in the Stones' intention couldn't be clearer. By actively pulling back and showing goodwill to the Village Hidden in the Sand, it was almost equivalent to saying, "Go ahead and fight Konoha as you please. We absolutely won't interfere."
They encouraged the Village Hidden in the Sand to intensify their offensive and weaken Konoha.
"That's right."
Jiraiya nodded, moving his finger toward the northeast of the Land of Wind, and said in a deep voice, "The Village Hidden in the Stones easing pressure on the northeastern border means that the Village Hidden in the Sand can redeploy the troops originally stationed there to guard against the Village Hidden in the Stones. Especially Chiyo, who has been stationed there all along, along with her elite force skilled in poison techniques and puppet warfare, they'll likely be freed up soon to fully commit to the front against us, Konoha."
In the war against Konoha, Elder Chiyo had not participated at the very beginning. Instead, this master, renowned across the Shinobi World for poison and puppet techniques, personally led the defense force to guard the northeastern border of the Land of Wind during the early stage of the war.
The reason was simple: The Village Hidden in the Sand was also wary of its old rival, the Village Hidden in the Stones.
The two sides had formed deep grudges during the last Shinobi World War, and their missions often clashed, leading to the accumulation of resentment. The Village Hidden in the Sand absolutely did not dare to leave its northern rear exposed while going all out against Konoha.
"Then let her come."
Tsunade said coldly.
…
"So it's Pakura with the Scorch Style and Quick Style…"
At night, Shinichi sat in the tent assigned to him while looking at the fine snow being blown diagonally by the cold wind outside, and fell into deep thought.
Shinichi had never assumed that just because this was a world from a work he was familiar with in his previous life, he knew everything. Nor had he stubbornly believed that everything in this world would follow the main storyline from his memories, while all side stories did not exist.
On the contrary, from very early on, he had consciously and systematically collected, organized, and verified all information about this world.
Verifying whether the traces of the past and the future development of this world belonged to the main storyline or to side stories.
And then Shinichi discovered it was both.
This is a comprehensive, mixed world that blends main storyline, side stories, and even spin-offs.
So, in such a world, Pakura, a character who first appeared in side stories (Movie) in his previous life, later entered the main storyline (manga), possessing Quick Style in the side stories and Scorch Style in the main storyline.
In this complex and eclectic world, what kind of existence would she be?
Shinichi had once been curious about this.
And now, reality gave him the answer.
She has both.
"No wonder her speed was so fast during last year's Chunin exam finals…"
Shinichi thought for a moment, his brows slightly furrowing.
Wait.
If Pakura is like this, then what about the others? Are their situations the same as hers?
Forget it, no need to think about it.
However, speaking of side-story characters, Konoha actually has the most, and quite a few of them are powerful. It's just that many of them appear in later times.
He wondered if he would have the chance to meet a few of them in the future, especially that girl who could shift between illusion and reality, turning the false into the real.
Shinichi shook his head, casting aside these chaotic thoughts.
Seizing the opportunity to become a Jonin was the proper path.
…
On the battlefield, Medical Ninjas are usually divided into two types. One type mixes into various squads on the front line, providing treatment to injured comrades at any time.
The other type stays in field hospitals in the rear, treating wounded transported down from the battlefield.
In the first few days after the war broke out, the frontline Medical Ninja had been operating under overload conditions.
Now, with the arrival of Konoha's first sizable batch of logistical, medical, and supply support troops, along with the replenishment of a large number of medicines and equipment, the field medical system on the southwestern front was greatly strengthened, and the first batch of exhausted Medical Ninja could finally relax a bit.
Over the next few days, the entire field hospital area entered a state of high-speed operation.
As the tug-of-war battle between Konoha and the Village Hidden in the Sand on the front lines intensified, large numbers of wounded were transported down from various positions every day.
But if one were to name the busiest person among them, everyone would mention one name: Shinichi Higashino.
Although Shinichi had only arrived at the frontline not long ago, his figure could be seen in almost every corner of the field hospital.
Sometimes it was his main body, sometimes his Shadow Clones.
Those with minor injuries and who weren't in life-threatening conditions were handled by his Shadow Clones, while those in critical condition, whom others did not dare to operate on easily, were personally treated by his main body.
Not only did he personally save people, but he also personally brewed and prepared various medicines.
Common medicines such as hemostatic powder, blood-replenishing agents, nutrient solutions, and antibiotics, after being recombined in his hands, always seemed to produce different effects.
Those who had used the medicines he prepared all noticed the clear difference.
The same hemostatic powder and antibiotics, after being prepared by him, stopped the bleeding more quickly, and the probability of postoperative infection was significantly lower.
This most dazzling new star of Konoha in recent years seemed to possess not only top-tier talent in Medical Ninjutsu but also astonishing insight and creativity in pharmacology.
In intensive care unit two, Shinichi completed another major surgery. The injured person on the bed was breathing steadily, and the necrotic tissue caused by Scorch Style had been successfully removed; the wound was treated cleanly and efficiently.
Another ninja injured by Scorch Style had survived.
However, the one who performed all this was clearly not in good condition.
His black hair on his forehead was soaked with sweat, his face noticeably pale, and his usually clear and lively eyes were now bloodshot.
"Shinichi, that's enough."
Nono Yakushi looked at his pale face and bloodshot eyes, her heart aching so much she could barely speak. She stepped forward, handed him a clean, wet towel, and urged, "You should go rest for a while."
As soon as she finished speaking, it was as if something had ignited in the entire tent.
"Yeah, Shinichi, go rest!"
"You've been busy for how long today? Almost twenty hours, right? It's been like this for several days now. Go rest for a bit!"
"We can hold things here. You should rest first!"
"Shinichi… you should go rest… we… we can still manage…"
"That's right, you've saved so many of us, don't wear yourself out."
"Go sleep for a while, we promise not to move around and will lie still obediently!"