The next day, the news spread that the overall person in charge of Konoha's southwestern battlefield medical and logistics unit, or rather, the acting person in charge for the coming period, had been replaced by a young boy.
A ten-year-old boy.
When people heard this news, it wasn't that they had no doubts in their hearts.
But doubts were just doubts; no one expressed dissatisfaction.
Because this young boy's name was Shinichi Higashino.
Shinichi Higashino's performance during this period had already told everyone one fact, just his presence there made people feel at ease.
And over the next three days, Shinichi used his actions to completely dispel the last trace of doubt in everyone's minds.
The entire massive medical and logistics unit under his command did not fall into chaos or stagnate due to the temporary change in command. Instead, it seemed to operate even more smoothly and efficiently.
Some previously overlooked details were optimized, cooperation between departments became closer, and resource allocation appeared more precise and reasonable.
Gradually, people relaxed and even began to feel a strange sense of reliability.
This young acting leader seemed naturally suited to handling such complex situations, always able to grasp the key points, and always so calm that people couldn't help but trust and follow him.
Some people privately couldn't help but sigh: "Is there anything Shinichi can't do?"
No one could answer. They only knew that this unbelievably young genius, Shinichi Higashino, seemed capable of handling anything and doing everything well.
...
At the same time, in the Village Hidden in the Sand's main camp, at the command headquarters.
The fourth Kazekage, Rasa, stood before a massive map on the wall, his gaze heavy as he studied it.
Unlike the usual practice in other ninja villages, where the Kage rarely went to the battlefield personally in the early stages of war, in this war against Konoha, Rasa had been on the front lines from the very beginning.
First, he had just taken the position, and his foundation was not yet stable. He needed to establish authority on the frontlines, letting Sunagakure ninjas personally see their Kazekage leading them in battle.
Second, the Village Hidden in the Sand's top-tier combat force was, frankly, somewhat lacking.
The number of those who could be considered top-tier could be counted on one hand.
Rasa himself, Chiyo, Ebizo, and Pakura, who possessed both the Scorch Style and Quick Style Kekkei Genkais.
And also the one-tailed Jinchuriki stationed in the Village Hidden in the Sand, Priest Bunpuku.
Although Priest Bunpuku disliked conflict, and the Village Hidden in the Sand did not treat him particularly well, with his movements being restricted since becoming a Jinchuriki. They called it protection, but in truth, it was imprisonment. This was something the Village Hidden in the Sand's leadership all knew.
But they also knew that this Priest, who upheld a heart of non-discrimination, was a true High Priest. He had never resented the Village Hidden in the Sand because of it. Instead, he regarded the village as his home and its people as beings he needed to protect.
Asking him to go directly onto the battlefield to fight would be difficult. His nature meant he would not actively engage in killing.
But, asking him to remain in the Village Hidden in the Sand to protect it, he would agree.
That was enough.
At this moment, standing beside the fourth Kazekage was not Ebizo, but Chiyo.
Two days ago, this master, renowned throughout the Shinobi World for her poison techniques and puppet mastery, had quietly transferred here from the northeastern border of the Land of Wind.
Meanwhile, Ebizo had already gone to take command of the northeastern army.
Although the Village Hidden in the Stones had shown goodwill, the Village Hidden in the Sand clearly did not fully trust them.
After all, that old fox's words were not even half trustworthy.
Onoki's greatest strength was adapting to circumstances and reaping benefits as a bystander.
His withdrawal at this moment was simply to watch the Village Hidden in the Sand and Konoha exhaust each other, ready to turn his forces at any time once the opportunity arose.
Therefore, they could spare some personnel and bring over the more intimidating Chiyo, but the northeastern defensive line could not be left empty.
In fact, having Chiyo stationed on the northeastern border from the beginning had been a carefully planned move, a clear signal to the Village Hidden in the Stones.
Even though we are at war with Konoha, we still have Elder Chiyo, a master of poison, stationed opposite you. If you, Village Hidden in the Stones, harbor any ill intentions, you'd better think twice. Even if you do attack, you will suffer heavy losses.
After all, the Village Hidden in the Stones' Medical Ninjutsu was nowhere near Konoha's level.
With Chiyo's poison, even Konoha, with its most advanced medical system and the best Medical Ninja in the Shinobi World, Tsunade, had to treat it with utmost seriousness. Let alone the Village Hidden in the Stones.
At this moment, the tent flap was lifted, and an intelligence officer quickly entered, presenting a document with both hands.
Rasa still stood before the map, his gaze steady, as if deep in thought.
Chiyo glanced at him, reached out to take the document, unfolded it, and scanned the contents before slightly narrowing her eyes and speaking: "Rasa, this is the latest report from Pakura's squad. While continuing to harass and attack the perimeter of Konoha's main camp, they encountered Tsunade and an elite unit under her command. After a brief engagement, Pakura's team withdrew voluntarily."
After speaking, Chiyo handed the document to Rasa.
Pakura!
Hearing this name, Rasa's expression remained calm, as if he had only heard the name of an ordinary subordinate, but a trace of malice flashed deep within his eyes.
Pakura, a genius Jonin from the Village Hidden in the Sand, is only twenty years old this year.
Once upon a time, this woman, who possessed both Scorch Style and Quick Style and whose talent was so extraordinary that it drew the attention of the entire Village Hidden in the Sand, before Rasa ascended to the position of Kazekage through his Magnet Style and favorable circumstances, she had been the brightest, most renowned, and most anticipated genius Jonin of the new generation in the Village Hidden in the Sand.
At that time, although Rasa himself was also strong and well-regarded, and was likewise a top Jonin in the village, he did not match Pakura in fame, prestige, actual battle achievements, or deterrence.
Even in terms of pure strength, Rasa privately assessed that he did not have much confidence in defeating her.
The reason he was ultimately able to become Kazekage was, first, because during the crisis following the disappearance of the third Kazekage and the invasion of the Village Hidden in the Cloud, he demonstrated crucial Magnet Style and leadership, earning the strong support of Eders Chiyo and Ebizo.
Second, it was Pakura's own issue; this woman was too proud.
She disdained winning people over, disdained building influence, and disdained doing things she considered beneath her.
Her world seemed to contain only battle, only becoming stronger, only proving herself through strength time and time again. Matters that required weighing pros and cons or navigating social dynamics were beyond her.
When the Village Hidden in the Sand needed unity and a banner that could unite everyone's consensus, Pakura could not become that banner.
Chiyo and Ebizo supported him not because he was stronger than Pakura, but because he could unite the Village Hidden in the Sand, and Pakura could not.