章 105: Chapter 105: Powder Keg

In the white-hot phase of the war in Konoha Year 57, all the great nations had committed their full strength to the conflict. With the death of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, the intensity of the war escalated to a new level.

From the perspective of the Land of Fire, there were two main battlefronts:

- The Eastern Land of Hot Water front (Kirigakure, Kumogakure), and The Western Land of Rain front (Sunagakure, Iwagakure).

Though it seemed Konoha was surrounded by enemies, the four great nations had their own agendas and could not cooperate wholeheartedly. They often fought each other, and even if they temporarily allied for some reason, they would part ways or betray each other afterward.

Compared to the Land of Hot Water front, the Land of Rain front was even more brutal.

Geography was the main factor here: Kirigakure was isolated overseas, with dispersed landing points, making it difficult to concentrate forces against Konoha and Kumogakure. Even if they succeeded in gathering forces, it would take time.

The Land of Rain, however, bordered the Land of Fire, Land of Earth, and Land of Wind, creating a natural battleground. Shinobi leaving their homeland could see enemy shinobi's faces after a short march.

The intense battles resulted in the Land of Rain being in perpetual turmoil, with a highly complex situation involving external powers, local forces, and some hidden ambitious individuals. In this country, shrouded in rain year-round, few children survived to adulthood, with corpses strewn everywhere and countless tragedies.

In the Land of Rain, a saying goes:

"Our country has the most fertile soil, capable of blooming the world's most beautiful flowers."

—Because there's too much fertilizer.

In the autumn of Konoha Year 57, Yuto stepped into this powder keg once again.

The command center of Konoha's western front was located twenty kilometers beyond the border of the Land of Fire, with an unobstructed path from Konoha Village.

During wartime, everything was simplified. When Yuto led reinforcements to the main camp, only a team of shinobi came to greet them. The battles in the Land of Rain were so intense that even this turnout showed significant respect.

The person leading the welcome was someone Yuto knew quite well.

"Yo, Kakashi." Yuto smiled lightly. "You've grown taller."

Kakashi rolled his eyes inwardly, feeling like it was an elder speaking to a junior.

However, Yuto was a year older than him, had become the Vice commander on the Land of Rain front, was stronger in combat, and even Tsunade-sama was a generation older than his teacher. It was a complete suppression in every aspect.

"Vice Commander." Kakashi added a subtle emphasis on "Vice" and spoke listlessly, "Sensei isn't at the camp. He went out to fight the Iwagakure forces this morning. He instructed me that if you arrived, you could look at the battle reports and classified documents first, and discuss specifics when he returns."

"Okay, I'll follow the Commander's orders."Yuto agreed readily. "I suppose the Commander also has arrangements for the reinforcements behind me?"

"Yes, the reconnaissance team, defense team, medical team, and frontline combat team... all need more people." Kakashi sighed, "We're currently working as if each person counts as three. I'm acting as the commander's assistant, the leader of the Fourth Assault Team, and an intelligence analyst... Tomorrow, I'll be leading a squad on a mission."

Yuto clicked his tongue, not expecting the battles in the Land of Rain to be so fierce that even Konoha, with its vast population, had to squeeze its manpower this hard.

"You all have it tough... Let's go inside. It's been raining since we entered the Land of Rain."

Due to the dampness of the Land of Rain, Konoha's main camp was built with bamboo structures, with stone pillars supporting the buildings. This setup prevented Iwagakure's Earth Release sneak attacks and kept the food supplies dry.

Yuto's designated office was not far from Minato's, spacious, with an office area in the front and living quarters in the back.

"Vice Commander..."

"Kakashi, when we're alone, just call me by my name. We often sparred in the shinobi academy and were together when we became Jonin. We're not that distant."

"...Yuto-san." Kakashi nodded, "As the Vice Commander, you'll have two guards stationed in front of your room for relaying orders and maintaining security. Do you have any preferences for their selection?"

"No preferences, I'll leave it to Minato-senpai."

"Understood."

War makes people grow. Kakashi, a year younger than Yuto, already handled these tasks well.

"By the way, is Kushina-senpai here?" Yuto lifted the package Tsunade had entrusted to him. "It's a dorayaki from near the Senju clan's grounds, a gift from Sensei to Kushina-senpai."

"She's in the camp, but..." Kakashi hesitated, pondering for a while before choosing his words carefully, "Kushina-senpai is in Sensei's room because he is the commander and she is the head of the sealing team. They have a lot of official business together."

"Why the unnecessary explanations?" Yuto asked, puzzled. "Aren't they together?"

"Huh?!" Kakashi's eyes widened. "How did you..."

"The whole village knows. They're inseparable, even on the battlefield... Kakashi-kun, for truly loving couples, separation is a poison worse than death."

Kakashi clutched his head, feeling incredibly frustrated.

'Ah, Why does he just casually says such things like an adult...'

Ignoring the disheartened Kakashi, Yuto approached a nearby room. Wearing the Vice commander's badge, he could go anywhere, but he still knocked gently before entering.

Inside, a red-haired Kushina saw him and was momentarily stunned before springing up from the table, rubbing the back of her head and laughing, "It's Yuto-kun. I was just looking for a document in Minato's room, haha..."

"Kushina-senpai, if you're going to lie, at least pay attention to the details. That's not a document in your hand, it's a photo of Minato-senpai."

Kushina's face turned crimson, stammering and at a loss for words, her toes curling as if trying to dig a hole.

Despite her fiery and straightforward personality, known as the "Red Hot-Blooded Habanero," being teased about her love life made her heart race.

—The thrill of a secret romance is at its peak when it's about to be exposed!

In the world of shinobi, most men and women were fiercely loyal to their love.

Yuto shook his head inwardly and smiled, "Kushina-senpai, here's what Sensei entrusted me to bring you, dorayaki from near the Senju grounds, all kinds of flavors."

"Ah? Oh, thank you Yuto-kun, and thank Tsunade-senpai for me..."

After a brief chat with Kushina Uzumaki, Yuto didn't linger as they weren't very close, excusing himself after delivering the package.

Leaving Minato's place and returning to his own quarters, Yuto just lay down, pondering how to handle the upcoming "Moon God Encirclement Battle," when he was called again by shouts from outside.

"Sigh... such a hassle." Yuto scratched his head, imagining how busy the coming days would be.

"Vice Commander." A Chunin reported outside, "Someone from Amegakure is here, requesting to meet with our leadership. They refuse to leave without meeting. Since Minato-sama isn't here, do you think..."

'Someone from Amegakure?' Yuto's interest was piqued.

He accepted the matter, got dressed, and followed his subordinate to a room on the edge of the camp.

Opening the door, a beautiful woman in a black high-collared cloak turned around, a white paper flower pinned in her purple hair, swaying gently with her movement.

It was Konan.

(End of Chapter)