"Go somewhere cool and stay there. You're like mud that can't be plastered on the wall (useless)."
Kawaki Hatake rolled his eyes. He thought the Seven-Tailed Beast should act as a support tool only. This so-called 'cheat' didn't work well.
Suddenly, he regretted catching this chatterbox for Tsunade.
"He said there'd be plenty of Chakra. Whether I can win depends on myself."
Tsunade was really fed up with this sly guy. How could he say such a thing?
Where had his arrogance from their first meeting gone?
"Just ignore him and let him choke on his words."
Since they couldn't let it out and beat it up again, Kawaki Hatake could only vent his anger with these words.
"Haha, it's scolding you."
"Anyway, I can't hear it."
Looking at Tsunade's expression, Kawaki Hatake guessed that the scolding from the Seven-Tailed Beast wasn't that harsh, so he didn't want to care about it.
A man should be a bit more magnanimous.
"Don't worry. I've already got the training method of Eight Gates from Dai."
To enhance her own strength, Tsunade had actively approached Dai.
Dai's savior made a request. Dai didn't even frown and readily handed over the training method.
"Don't open the Eight Gates."
Kawaki Hatake's first reaction was that opening the Eight Gates was a death sentence.
"Don't worry. I don't have that level yet."
"Even if I did, I'm not ready to die."
Tsunade looked at Kawaki Hatake with tender eyes. How could she bear to leave him?
"Then I'm relieved."
...
After chatting for a while, they left the meeting room. Tsunade still had things to do.
The next day, led by Tsunade, the Konoha team set off again.
Their target was the heart of the Land of Wind, where Sunagakure was located.
"Lord Third Kazekage, the Konoha army has set out."
In the Kazekage's office, an intelligence agent was reporting the news.
"They're coming so fast, not even giving me a chance to catch my breath."
"Inform everyone. Send the supplies directly to the front line."
"Gather the village ninjas and set off immediately."
The Third Kazekage quickly made a decision. He was determined not to let Konoha penetrate deep into the Land of Wind.
"Yes, Lord Third Kazekage."
The ninja took the order and retreated.
Two hours later, the Third Kazekage led the Sand ninja army out of the village.
By his side stood Bunpuku, Pakura, and Rasa.
"Onee-san Pakura, is that Kawaki Hatake really that strong?"
Rasa had heard people discussing Kawaki Hatake more than once.
There's even a joke going around that if you run into Kawaki Hatake, you can ditch the mission without getting punished.
"He's very strong. If you meet him, just run."
Pakura frowned and paused for a moment.
If Rasa really met Kawaki Hatake, he probably wouldn't have a chance to escape.
She still remembered the look in that man's eyes. In his eyes, she was probably just a bigger rat.
"Is he really that exaggerated?"
As a young man, Rasa had his own confidence. His teacher had already praised him for being very good.
"I'll deal with Kawaki Hatake myself. You don't need to worry."
The Third Kazekage interrupted. Battles at their level were not something Rasa could participate in at present.
"Got it, teacher."
Rasa became a well-behaved boy again and didn't ask any more questions.
The team fell silent again as they marched. Bunpuku always wore a faint smile.
The Shukaku inside him was very obedient.
According to the intelligence on the route of the Konoha team, the Third Kazekage has chosen a location to set up camp.
The Land of Wind is a desert region with flying sand and dust, and the environment is harsh.
Tsunade led the large troop forward. The further they went, the worse the sand and dust became.
Kawaki really didn't know what was worth fighting for in such a place. He hadn't heard that the Hokage planned to develop oil here.
Fortunately, Shinryu Yūhi had made full preparations. Everyone was given a face mask and provided with a large amount of clean water.
Otherwise, they might die in the desert before the battle even started.
"What the hell's the use of taking this godforsaken place?"
Kawaki wasn't sure if he was complaining or thought Tsunade knew more than him.
"I'll tell you when I become the Hokage."
Tsunade thought Kawaki was just daydreaming. She never expected him to ask her such a deep - seated question.
Sakumo silently moved a little farther away from the two. He couldn't answer this question either.
Right now, he just wanted to take off his face mask and go home to be with his wife and children.
"Aniki."
"I don't know."
Before Kawaki could finish speaking, Sakumo cut in and answered quickly.
"I'm not asking you that."
"Giant scorpions will appear at night. Tell everyone to be careful."
Kawaki looked helpless. He was just complaining.
"I've already given the order."
Sakumo had carried out many missions in the Land of Wind and didn't need Kawaki to remind him of this common sense.
After marching in the desert for two days, they didn't see any signs of human habitation.
The Land of Wind was quite large, but what good was that?
One day, Tsunade suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?"
Kawaki stopped beside her.
"The Seven-Tailed Beast senses the aura of Shukaku."
Tsunade's face became serious. This meant they were not far from the Sand ninja army.
"Stop advancing and set up camp here."
Kawaki gave the order, and the Konoha ninjas began to get busy.
They all knew that a great battle was about to begin.
On the other side, Bunpuku interrupted the Third Kazekage's military deployment in the sand - built house.
"Lord Third, Shukaku told me that he senses the power of the Seven-Tailed Beast."
"The Seven-Tailed Beast?"
The Third Kazekage wasn't annoyed. He frowned. Konoha had obtained another Tailed Beast.
"Yes."
Bunpuku answered affirmatively. The connection between Tailed Beasts couldn't be wrong.
"The Konoha troops are not far from us. Any news back?"
The Third Kazekage asked the intelligence officer present.
"Not yet. I'll go and check again."
With that, he walked out of the house, afraid that the Third Kazekage would blame him for the lack of intelligence.
"Let's continue."
Since Konoha is fighting on our home turf, their supply line is long. Once we cut off their supplies, these Konoha ninjas will scurry back with their tails between their legs.
"I'll lead a team to attack the supply line. Can you hold the fort?"
The Third Kazekage had a clear plan. A frontal battle wasn't worth it. Without supplies, the Konoha people wouldn't be able to find anything to grab in the desert.
"We'll defend to the death."
After Pakura took the lead, everyone else replied in unison.
Chiyo's death had hit the Sand ninjas hard, and their morale was quite low at the moment.
"Lord Third, the Konoha ninjas have set up camp. It seems they've also discovered our presence."
The intelligence chief who went out earlier brought back news from Konoha, which was reported to him by the just-returned scouts.
"Yes, find out Konoha's supply lines as soon as possible. I need the most detailed map."
"Can you do it?"
The Third Kazekage stared into his eyes. This task has to be completed by him anyway.
"Yes."
After saying that, he quickly left again. Who knows how many people will have to die to find out Konoha's supply lines.
"Alright, everyone leave. Double the sentry posts for tonight."
"Yes, Lord Third."
The ninjas in the room left, and only Bunpuku stayed by his side.
"Master Bunpuku, I'll leave this place to you after I'm gone."
The Third Kazekage was sincere. Besides Bunpuku, the perfect Jinchūriki, he couldn't find another Kage-level ninja around him.
"I'll do my best."
Bunpuku was very modest when he spoke, while Shukaku inside him was already roaring.
"I'll kill anyone who comes. If two come, I'll kill them both!"
"That winged Seven-Tailed Beast is no match for me at all."
"It would be more challenging if the Nine-Tailed Fox came."
It's really hard to believe how these two personalities can coexist in harmony. Is the power of love really that great?
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