Bab 81: In the Camp
The first task Fumori Masaki needed to address was to understand the current situation in the camp. Having been away from the front lines for a significant amount of time, his information was mostly limited to general updates. Specific on-the-ground details, critical for effective decision-making, were not relayed back to the village, as they weren't necessary for those who remained behind.
As he and Rimi stepped outside, they noticed a Konoha ninja approaching them with three others in tow. The ninja respectfully addressed Masaki, "Fumori-sama, these individuals mentioned they know you and wish to discuss something. I brought them here; should I…?"
"Yes, I know them," Masaki replied with a nod. "Thank you for bringing them."
The Konoha ninja quickly bowed, replying, "It's nothing," before taking a brief glance at the renowned young leader and departing without further words.
"I'm very sorry for the inconvenience," Uzumaki Toru apologized, bowing slightly. "We're unfamiliar with the situation here and needed to ask some questions. I hope this doesn't trouble you, Fumori-sama."
Konoha's ninja rank structure had been passed on to other villages, including the Uzumaki clan, distant relatives of the Senju. Despite being of similar age to Fumori Masaki, Uzumaki Toru and his companions, due to the strict rank hierarchy, respectfully referred to him as "sama."
"It's no trouble at all," Masaki said warmly. "We're heading that way as well. Let's go together."
Despite recent changes in code words and defensive measures, the basic layout of the camp hadn't changed significantly. As Masaki guided the three Uzumaki clan members around the camp, he familiarized them with the camp's defenses while also reacquainting himself with the layout—medical stations, rest areas, and other essential facilities.
Since his departure, the war had intensified, leading to an increase in casualties. Following Masaki's previous suggestions, medical ninjas had gathered more data and developed a more refined medical system and herbal protocols. The results were promising: Konoha's medical ninjutsu had reached a level of sophistication that significantly reduced mortality rates and accelerated recovery times for the wounded. The medical ninjas, who had begun making a name for themselves early in the Second Shinobi War, now played a crucial role in the battlefield.
At this time, only Konoha was benefiting from this advanced medical system. Other villages hadn't yet recognized the importance of such a system, though the Land of Earth was beginning to take notice, as Konoha's ally. The three Uzumaki clan members were visibly impressed by what they saw, their expressions a mix of awe and envy. This was what a ninja village from a great nation should be like.
Fumori Masaki noticed their reaction and knew they would likely report back to their clan. He wasn't concerned about any information leaks. Without the foundational medical knowledge, simply knowing about the system wouldn't be enough for other villages to replicate it. More importantly, Masaki wanted the Uzumaki clan to understand Konoha's strength.
The future demise of the Uzumaki Kingdom was something Masaki deeply regretted. He wished to change that outcome, but the Uzumaki's desire for independence and their reluctance to be subservient to another village was understandable. However, as a small nation with a unique lineage, the Uzumaki would struggle to adapt to the challenges of the future.
For now, Masaki's influence wasn't strong enough to affect the Uzumaki Kingdom's direction directly. Additionally, the ongoing war meant there was little time to focus on such matters. However, by leaving a good impression on the Uzumaki clan now, he hoped to reduce their resistance to future integration with Konoha.
After touring the camp, Masaki had familiarized himself with the new defensive measures, though he hadn't seen the prisoner of war camp. To prevent rescues, the prisoner camps had been moved further back after his departure. The prisoners were to be transferred one by one to Konoha Village itself, where escape would be virtually impossible. Their chakra had been sealed, and without external intervention, they had no hope of escaping.
"Have you all understood the layout?" Masaki asked.
Still astonished by Konoha's advanced systems, Uzumaki Toru quickly gathered himself and replied, "Yes, I've memorized it. Jun, Takuya, how about you?"
Both Uzumaki Jun and Uzumaki Takuya nodded affirmatively. Masaki then cautioned them, "Good. Make sure you don't forget. In times of war, everyone's on edge. A simple mistake could get you mistaken for an enemy spy."
As ninjas, Uzumaki Toru and his companions were familiar with such risks, but coming from a nation that avoided conflict, their experience was limited. Even though Uzumaki had established a ninja village, they lacked the combat experience that other great nations had. The skirmish with the Mist Ninja had only gone in their favor because the Mist's main forces withdrew quickly. Otherwise, the Uzumaki, despite their strong heritage, would have been hard-pressed to defeat the battle-hardened Mist Ninja.
After completing the tour, Masaki escorted the three to their designated resting area, advising them to get a good rest as they would likely be called upon soon. "Gather your strength," he said before turning to Rimi. "Let's head back. I've seen enough for now."
Returning to his quarters, Masaki prepared to tackle the backlog of reports that had accumulated in his absence. As a jōnin, his responsibilities were vast, and the paperwork seemed never-ending. He sighed as he settled in, ready to dive into the task.
Fumori Masaki felt the weight of the centralized system they had built. The Hokage oversaw everything in the village, which placed an immense burden on them. Masaki couldn't help but think of how taxing it must be for future Hokage like Uzumaki Naruto. Naruto wasn't naturally adept at handling such administrative duties, and despite having a capable assistant in Nara Shikamaru, the workload would still be overwhelming.
Masaki understood that while he could manage the intense workload, his successors might not fare as well. He feared they might struggle under the same system, just as the descendants of emperors in another world did when they inherited the heavy responsibilities of their forebears.
For now, though, Masaki remained focused, finishing his reports and heading to the combat meeting later that night. Unlike before, he was no longer a passive recipient of orders. He was now part of the decision-making process.
When he arrived, he noticed that the number of jōnin he recognized had dwindled, replaced by fresh faces. Although the village was faring well, it was clear that this stability had come at a high cost. During the meeting, they discussed the current state of the war and the next critical objective: forcing the Cloud Ninja Village to abandon the conflict. To achieve this, they needed a decisive victory, and their target was the infamous war-mongers, the Gold and Silver Brothers, Kinkaku and Ginkaku.
Hearing their names, Masaki felt a surge of intuition. As the discussion progressed, his suspicion was confirmed when Tobirama turned to him.
"Masaki," Tobirama said, "we need you to lead a team to lure Kinkaku and Ginkaku into a trap. The Uzumaki clan will then use their sealing techniques to trap them and their forces, allowing us to deliver a decisive blow. Can you handle this?"
Masaki immediately understood Tobirama's reasoning. He had injured Ginkaku in a previous encounter, which meant Ginkaku now harbored a deep grudge against him. Kinkaku, being fiercely loyal to his brother, would also see Masaki as a mortal enemy. If Masaki appeared on the battlefield, the brothers would come after him without hesitation, making them easy to lure. The real concern was whether Masaki could survive the encounter.
"Of course," Masaki replied without hesitation. He knew there was no room for fear or hesitation. This was a crucial moment, one that could shape the future, and Masaki was determined to see it through.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone