"Tsunade-sama! The medical division is under attack!"
As the battle continued, the slug on Tsunade's shoulder suddenly spoke in a worried tone. "The Anbu are trying to stop the enemy, but their abilities are strange. Their target is Sakura!"
"What?!"
Tsunade's expression changed as she landed on the ground, turning toward the Deva Path, who had just dodged Jiraiya's attack.
"Someone actually made it past the village's surveillance and got inside?"
She had stationed every Chunin and Genin on high alert, with some Jonin assisting in security too!
No, she had misunderstood the situation!
Tsunade smacked her forehead. The Akatsuki had ten members. According to Kakashi's intel, Itachi and Kisame weren't present, leaving eight. The Six Paths of Pain were technically one person, and the paper-user counted as another.
That meant they had confirmed the identities of four enemies, but six were still unaccounted for!
Damn it, someone really managed to bypass the village's barrier and the patrolling ninjas to sneak inside? She had underestimated them.
"Get in touch with Asuma. Have him take a team to assist."
Tsunade made her decision immediately.
"Whoever it is, they must be strong if they infiltrated Konoha like this. Tell Asuma to bring Jonin with him."
"Understood."
The slug nodded.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Konoha, Asuma had a cigarette between his lips, his face still covered in dust from battle. Kurenai stood beside him, and Kakashi was focusing his chakra, his Sharingan ready.
Almost at the same time, the slug on his shoulder lifted its head and spoke urgently.
"Asuma, an enemy has infiltrated the medical division. The Anbu can't stop them. Tsunade-sama wants you to take Jonin and provide backup."
Asuma's expression shifted as he took the cigarette from his mouth.
"Got it."
Beside him, Kurenai's face grew serious.
"I'm coming too."
Behind them, dozens of resting ninjas immediately stood up, their eyes sharpening as they looked toward Asuma.
"Fine. Kakashi stays behind—we need someone here to give orders."
Asuma nodded without hesitation.
When it came to strategy, Kakashi was definitely better suited for command than Kurenai.
Asuma then turned to the nearby ninjas.
"Jonin who have recovered most of their chakra, you have one minute to get ready. Target: the medical division at the Hokage's building. The enemy is alone."
Then, he turned to the slug.
"The enemy is suspected to be from the Uchiha clan, possessing a single Mangekyou Sharingan. We don't know if they have the other eye. Their abilities are unknown, but they can phase through attacks, making them nearly untouchable. No further intel."
At those words, every ninja frowned, but no one spoke.
Silently, they put down what they were doing and started preparing their ninja tools.
There was no time to waste.
At the same time, Kakashi opened his non-Sharingan eye, his face serious.
"I think I know who it is. The Sharingan ability they're using is Kamui—it doesn't let them phase through attacks, but rather shifts parts of their body into another dimension to avoid being hit."
"Kamui? Isn't that…?"
Kurenai started to speak but quickly shut her mouth.
Kakashi understood what she meant and nodded.
"Yes. My eye has the same ability. Which means… that person is most likely Obito."
All the ninjas paused for a moment, glancing at Kakashi for confirmation.
Taking a deep breath, Kakashi lowered his hand from the seal and fully opened both his eyes. One normal, the other revealing the intricate patterns of the Mangekyou Sharingan.
He looked at Asuma, his expression firm.
"I'll go. Kurenai, you stay behind."
Kurenai was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. I'll leave it to you."
"Mm."
Asuma nodded heavily.
He took a deep breath and placed the cigarette back between his lips, then turned his gaze toward the depths of Konoha.
"Everyone, ready?"
The ninjas secured their tool pouches, stepping firmly behind Asuma.
Kakashi moved to stand beside him, his Mangekyou Sharingan slowly spinning as he stared toward the Hokage's building.
"My Sharingan isn't fully charged yet… but Obito—I'm coming."
"Move out!"
No rousing speeches.
With just those two words, Asuma vanished.
A gust of wind blew, and the Jonin behind him disappeared as well.
The remaining Chunin and Genin watched their retreating figures, clenching their fists tightly.
It was a prayer.
In the middle of the battlefield, the slug turned to Tsunade. "Tsunade-sama, Asuma and the others are already on their way to the medical unit headquarters. They should arrive in about five minutes at most."
Jonin were naturally fast, and with their chakra-enhanced body flicker technique, crossing all of Konohagakure in five minutes was no—
problem at all.
Tsunade nodded and shifted her gaze to Jiraiya.
Almost at the same time, Jiraiya was forced back by Tendo, landing beside Tsunade. He was slightly out of breath.
Without looking at Tsunade, he immediately asked, "What happened?"
"The medical unit was attacked." Tsunade clenched her fist, but her face remained calm.
Jiraiya couldn't help but chuckle at her expression. "Anyone who didn't know better would think you don't care at all."
"There's no time for that in a battle," Tsunade said, releasing her clenched fist and locking her eyes on Tendo.
Right now, all she wanted was to finish off Tendo and find Sakura as soon as possible.
Seeing her serious expression, Jiraiya's smile faded slightly.
The two of them stood there, staring at Tendo. After a few seconds, Jiraiya suddenly spoke. "You should go help the medical unit."
"Shut up," Tsunade snapped.
Jiraiya just laughed it off. "I'm one of the Sannin too, and right now, I'm stronger than you."
Tsunade said nothing.
Realizing that argument wouldn't work, Jiraiya dropped his smile and spoke seriously. "Konan's chakra is almost completely drained. She's barely at ten percent of her full strength. Nagato alone isn't enough to beat me. And besides, I have Sage Mode. Even if I can't kill them, they won't be able to take me down either. Sage Mode Jiraiya isn't some weakling who dies just because he doesn't have backup."
"If it weren't for me, you would've lost already," Tsunade said calmly.
"That's only because we were fighting together," Jiraiya shrugged. "I knew you had my back, so I fought more recklessly. Sure, my talent isn't as great as yours or Orochimaru's, but I'm not an idiot."
That was true. With Tsunade around, Jiraiya could go all out in battle. And in this fight, it wasn't Sakura who was keeping them healed—it was Tsunade. Sakura was busy treating the other jonin.
With Tsunade supporting him, Jiraiya didn't have to worry about getting hurt. Trading injuries for an advantage was a completely valid strategy. That's why they had been able to keep Tendo and Konan under pressure the entire fight.
Tsunade understood this, but she still didn't say anything. She just looked at Jiraiya in silence.
Jiraiya sighed, then pulled out his final trick. "Alright then, let's make a bet. You can bet that I'll die. After all, when it comes to gambling, you've never won."
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