CH_62

Tōji didn't have the heart to join Neru and Natchi's conversation. He just quietly racked his memory…

Though the original story didn't give specifics on how the Kannabi campaign ended, he could piece together a few things.

He thought about the string of major events that would follow Kannabi… Right now, all he wanted was for them—the genin—to be sent back to Konoha soon.

…

But things didn't seem to be going his way…

They continued rescue operations on the Kannabi front for several more days. Tōji lost count of how many times he'd overheard other Konoha shinobi—resting nearby—talking about Namikaze Minato and Hatake Kakashi.

And whenever Kakashi was mentioned, they often brought up that rule-breaking disgrace—Konoha's White Fang…

Then, on the fourth night after receiving the first notice from command, an urgent redeployment order came in the middle of the night!

Because Kirigakure had suddenly joined the war against Konoha!

Some Kiri-nin were already in the Land of Grass, making contact with another Konoha unit.

Tōji didn't even need to ask to know—Hiruzen Sarutobi had lost the war reparations from Iwa because of this. The ceasefire with Iwa was rushed through, and Konoha—the victor—ended up signing a bunch of unequal treaties proposed by Iwa, as if they'd lost.

But at least Iwa wasn't making things difficult for Konoha anymore. Iwa had its hands full dealing with Kumogakure! So their withdrawal was swift and decisive.

The Konoha forces on the Kannabi front were split into three parts, even though they were reluctant to accept the reality—even the captured Iwa-nin were released unconditionally.

One of those three parts was to head immediately to the Land of Grass front to deal with the Kiri-nin. Kenji's squad—including Tōji and the others—was on that list!

At this point, Tōji began to get a clearer picture.

He knew that Minato, Kakashi, and Rin had already been sent to that front first…

Even if Kakashi hadn't killed Rin yet, he was already on that path.

And the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist would soon infiltrate deep into Konoha's rear—only to be taught a lesson by Might Duy…

Because the Third Hokage had indeed lost popular support in handling the Land of Earth affair, Danzo was moving to impeach him—even pressuring him to step down!

By the time Tōji got back to the village, things would have changed completely.

And this was still only the spring of Konoha Year 47!

Just thinking about all those messes gave Tōji a headache.

But the immediate crisis was just as bad.

Tōji didn't find facing Iwa-nin that terrifying—if things went south, he had a chance to run.

But what were Kiri-nin famous for?

Silent assassination techniques!

Under those conditions, no matter how good you were at running, you couldn't outrun a knife in the dark…

That was what worried Tōji most right now.

The silver lining was that Kiri's offensive was just a short, incoherent strike.

In reality, it was all orchestrated by Uchiha Madara—to make Obito watch Rin die at Kakashi's hands…

After that, the Kiri forces would withdraw in a rushed, anticlimactic fashion. Especially after the Seven Swordsmen were dealt with by Might Duy, Kirigakure's morale would crumble.

Thinking about that gave Tōji some comfort.

It was dangerous, but at least he knew they wouldn't be fighting Kiri for long. With any luck, by the time they reached the front lines, Kiri might already have retreated!

And so, Tōji alternated between scaring himself and calming himself down, following Kenji toward the Land of Grass…

Both Kikyōyama and Kannabi had been on home soil. This would be his first time fighting abroad—even if it was just rescue work.

After daybreak, the four of them crossed into the Land of Grass—but they hadn't yet reached their assigned position.

Tōji never would have guessed that this time, as soon as he left the country, his wish would actually come true—

He'd be going back to the village soon…