Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Battle Against the Sand Village Puppet Masters

Several days later, under the bright sunlight, an elite ninja squad of over 800 appeared outside the gates of Konoha.

"Lady Tsunade, all the ninjas heading to the frontlines have gathered!"

Dressed in armor, Tsunade stood confidently in front of the ninja squad, arms crossed. Upon hearing that everyone was ready, she raised her hand and commanded, "Move out!"

With a powerful shout from Tsunade, nearly a thousand enthusiastic ninjas turned into dark figures leaping toward the forest.

In the crowd, Uchiha Yosuke looked back at the village, contemplating quietly to himself.

"Will my current self be noticed by that ancestor?"

After all, within the clan, no one is more suitable than he is to be molded by Uchiha Madara as a representative.

This had its pros and cons. The advantage was the assurance of life, though it could come with some pain.

The other two dangers were the impending battle with Hanzo, where defeat seemed likely and Konoha’s ninjas were expected to suffer heavy losses. Would this affect him as well?

Also, in the original story, Kato Dan faced issues after the Sannin’s great battle. Would this time put him in the spotlight?

With the Second Great Ninja War centered around the Senju Clan, it couldn’t all just be a coincidence, especially since his presence poses a greater threat than Dan ever did.

"Perhaps I can use Madara's hidden power to navigate these two crises."

Yosuke frowned. Although risky, this seemed like the best solution, and it also gave him a new sense of urgency.

Power! He still lacked power!

If he had a “Gundam” (immense power), there wouldn’t be all these issues!

**Inside the Hokage's Office**

Through a crystal ball, everything outside Konoha’s gates was visible to the Third Hokage. Watching the departing ninjas, each wearing the emblem of their clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Is this the influence of the Senju Clan?"

Even after 20 years, the Senju Clan remains formidable!

Among these 800 ninjas, nearly a hundred were from the Uchiha Clan, not to mention other clans.

Numerous clans, large and small, and even smaller ninja families followed.

"In Konoha, besides the Senju, no one else can rally so many clans."

"Lord Hiruzen, the Senju’s prestige binds these clans together, which is good for now—but who else can ensure that everyone remains this united?"

Turning to face Hiruzen, Koharu Utatane voiced her concerns, although there was an unspoken understanding between them.

These allied clans now posed a threat to the village’s stability.

"Hiruzen, you are the Hokage. However, even in your role, these clans have not deployed their elites until now, while the Senju command, and even the Uchiha send most of their best."

Homura Mitokado frowned and voiced the hard truth, that despite their many sacrifices for the village, and even with Sarutobi as Hokage, it’s the Senju who truly command the respect of the great clans.

Hiruzen pondered his friends' words and then responded solemnly, "With war at hand, winning the battle comes first. We must trust Tsunade and the Senju Clan!"

The Senju Clan carries significant weight in Konoha—unlike the isolated Uchiha, the Senju hold both respect and strength.

After the First Ninja War, the Senju suffered great losses, and many assumed they’d fade away. But among the great clans, the Senju’s influence remains unmatched.

"Hiruzen, I also noticed that Kushina Uzumaki is among them, paired with an Uchiha in her team."

Though the Senju matter was sensitive, Koharu Utatane couldn't help but notice the key detail—the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was in an Uchiha team.

"The pairing is to facilitate stable sealing of the Nine-Tails' chakra and build her trust in her comrades."

Hiruzen’s calm words concealed his emotions, but Homura could read between the lines. He suggested, "Hiruzen, perhaps we should bring Danzo in."

The three exchanged glances, silently understanding each other. As long as Kushina remained unsealed, they still had opportunities.

This mission to the battlefield could be that opportunity.

Even the leaders of other villages had perished in battle; the same could happen to a mere ninja.

But after a moment of thought, Hiruzen shook his head and said firmly, "The priority remains victory on the Rain Country battlefield. If we end the war there, then Iwa, Kumo, and Kiri won’t get involved."

The three great ninja villages, Iwa, Kumo, and Kiri, were sharpening their blades, waiting for Konoha to be bogged down in a war.

**The Senju Clan’s Compound**

"Lady Mito, Jonin Minato Namikaze reporting as ordered!"

The blond Minato Namikaze greeted her respectfully, and as Uzumaki Mito saw the red-haired figure beside him, her heart tightened despite her preparation.

"Lady Mito!"

This unremarkable-looking, almost robotic Uzumaki Chunin stood at Minato’s side, also bowing respectfully.

"Alright, I understand your purpose."

Mito quickly composed herself, looking calmly at them both—especially this Uzumaki, trained to be emotionless by the Root. She no longer had the strength to resist.

"Come with me."

Mito led them to a secret room, where she would seal part of the Nine-Tails' chakra within this Uzumaki, preparing him as Kushina was prepared.

However, deep inside, her heart ached as she sighed to herself.

"Tsunade, perhaps you’re right. The battlefield may indeed be the safest place for Kushina."

Within the village, without becoming the full Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina was still required to take on missions.

No mission was guaranteed to be safe.

On the battlefield, while dangers lurked, she’d also be under Tsunade’s protection, surrounded by many Senju, Uchiha, and other elite clans.

In this way, the battlefield could not only help her grow but also provide protection.

**The Rain Country**

Under the gloomy sky, rain fell like tears, seemingly mourning the land.

Boom!

Explosions from detonating tags and ninjutsu echoed across the battlefield.

"It’s the Uchiha Clan! Don’t look into their eyes!"

On the muddy ground, Uchiha Yosuke and Uchiha Mikoto’s Sharingan eyes glowed, startling the Sand ninjas, who immediately avoided eye contact.

"Attack from behind!"

Creak… creak…

The sound of puppet mechanisms echoed as they launched poisoned needles and other hidden weapons.

"Don’t underestimate us!"

A defiant shout rang out as a red-haired figure sprang from the woods, wielding a chakra blade.

The Sand puppet masters gasped in shock, "Watch out, it’s Konoha’s chakra blade!"

In the next moment, the puppets' chakra strings were severed, and Kushina Uzumaki smiled in victory, as Uchiha Mikoto shouted:

"Kushina!"

"On it!"

With a bond like shared instincts, Kushina formed hand seals while the Sand ninjas yelled:

"Konoha’s ninjas, don’t underestimate us!"

Puppets clanked and creaked as five eerie puppets surrounded her from all sides, spitting various projectiles.

"Kushina!"

Amid the clamor, Kushina’s fearful eyes were locked on the puppets closing in. As the hidden Sand puppet master grinned wickedly, suddenly—

"Got you!"

Kushina, surrounded by puppets, smirked mischievously, revealing it had all been a clever ploy.