From undercover in Konoha, to I am the Hokage!

Chapter 26: Team Tsunade in Action

"In the south! The alarm barrier over there has been triggered!"

"Damn Konoha ninja!"

"Go to the front and outflank those little bugs!"

All kinds of noises behind me continued to ring in my ears, and then quickly disappeared in the sound of the wind that filled my ears.

The speed at which their figures leapt between the giant trees became faster and faster, and the growing sense of crisis in their hearts made no one in the team dare to stop.

Tsunade rushed to the front of the entire team, and the ponytails on both sides of her golden hair were pulled into a straight line in the whistling wind.

All kinds of thoughts are mixed together in my mind.

'Damn it, when did the patrol area expand here?'

'hateful. '

A month has passed since they infiltrated the Land of Thunder.

During this period of time, they always maintained a schedule of hiding during the day and moving out at night. According to the intelligence initially given by the village, they prepared to launch an ambush on the Third Raikage in a mountain range in the middle of the front line between the Hidden Cloud Village and the Raito countries.

For this operation, the entire Konoha mobilized its most elite and top-notch personnel.

Tsunade glanced behind her.

She, Kime Kōto, Ando Daisan, Kato Dan.

All four of them are veteran jonin with excellent combat records.

At the same time, there are three Anbu teams as assistance.

In their team, except for the three people besides Kato Dan, all the members are physical training type jonin. Even though Ando Daisan also serves as some of the duties of a sensory ninja, his swordsmanship is also quite famous in the whole village.

As for Kato Dan, he is famous throughout the ninja world for his mysterious soul ninjutsu.

At the same time, he is also the "trump card" in this operation.

Their target this time is the Sandaime Raikage, who is famous among the five major countries for the strongest spear and the strongest shield, and is recognized as the strongest Raikage in the Land of Lightning.

Rumor has it that he was even able to go head-on with the powerful eight-tailed beast and defeat it by force.

Up to now, there has been no news of the Sandaime Raikage being injured by anyone - that strong body of his is undoubtedly the strongest in the entire ninja world.

Because of this, Kato Dan's technique that can directly attack the soul is so important.

The reason why they set up so many powerful physical skills type jonin was to create that instant opportunity for Kato Dan to attack and kill.

However, during this month's covert search, their group of sixteen people had been rapidly reduced to seven people, and they could not even form two teams.

Tsunade's frown deepened.

Although there was no definite information, she still judged based on her instinct and experience that their actions this time were very likely to have been exposed.

The reason is also very simple.

In recent times, the frequency of their attacks has suddenly become more and more frequent.

This phenomenon is very abnormal.

Just as Tsunade was trying to think about what to do next, Ando Daisan on the right wing of the team suddenly stopped, pressed his finger on the ground, quickly spread his chakra perception, and shouted a warning:
"Northwest, three kilometers."

"There are about two teams approaching this side quickly."

As the captain, Tsunade did not hesitate at all and immediately gave the order:

"Charge! Break out towards the designated stronghold."

"Yes!"

The team members behind him responded in unison.

For a ninja, a mere three kilometers is a journey of less than two minutes.

In just a flash, the two Kumogakure ninjas in the front came into Tsunade's sight.

The captain of the Cloud Village on the opposite side seemed to recognize the leader of the Konoha team the moment he saw her. He paused in his steps and said in a sharp voice:

"Yes, it belongs to the Three Ninjas of Konoha!"

The moment they heard this title, the entire team's pace slowed down significantly by half a second.

However, Tsunade did not hesitate at all. She narrowed her eyes and suddenly shot out like lightning.

The seemingly slender beauty twisted her body, and the suddenly refined and burning supernatural chakra gathered at her slender heels in a short moment. The soles of her feet, which were as white and powdery as soft jade, suddenly burst out with terrifying power.

When Tsunade was in mid-air, she used the power of her rotation to spread her legs apart in a straight position with extraordinary resilience.

"Tenshouji!"

Inertia, flexibility, and high speed.

The three reacted violently at this moment, eventually forming a violent blow that shattered the ground within a radius of thirty meters.

"boom!"

Earth, rocks, trees, and human figures.

Countless objects were blown into the air by this recoil.

The Hidden Cloud Ninjas who were standing on the tree trunks and rushing forward just now seemed to be standing on a soft trampoline the next second, and they lost the constraints of gravity without any control.

Just this brief pause.

Following behind him, Mokume Kōdo and Ando Daisan instantly increased their speed to the maximum, and the small swords on their waists bloomed like arcs of light.

Suddenly, several blood flowers bloomed in the air.

Perfect fit.

It was just a brief encounter.

Two standard patrol teams led by Chunins died in the depths of this nameless forest.

The last Anbu member even had time to use earth escape to decorate the battlefield to prevent the enemy from seeing too much information.

Tsunade and her group had no reaction to this and fled even faster.

Tsunade at the moment is not yet the "fat sheep of Konoha" who will be famous throughout the ninja world in the future.

Now, she is a young medical saint who is able to fight against the famous senior Chiyo of Sunagakure with poison and win the battle. She is also the direct disciple of the ninja hero Sarutobi Hiruzen, one of the three top young ninjas of Konoha who were able to survive the hands of the demigod Hanzo, and the direct head of the Senju clan of Konoha.

He is in the prime of his life, has achieved fame at a young age and has a bright future.

Even the ninjas from the enemy village would never dare to treat her with disrespect if they met her on the battlefield.

But no one in this era knows this.

Tsunade, who seems to be surrounded by countless halos, honors and reputations, is actually not as resistant to pressure as everyone imagines.

During this entire month of lurking, the team's members were rapidly reduced in number, they were about to face a powerful opponent, and the life of their lover who was also in the team.

The accumulation of various pressures has stretched her nerves to the limit.

"call"

After arriving at a predetermined underground base dug by the spies of the Land of Thunder, they made sure that all traces around it had been cleared and there were no traces of the enemy within a few kilometers.

Tsunade simply set up a warning barrier outside the base, and then returned underground to light a fire in the dark environment.

This small bonfire, with a smoke exhaust stove directing the dust to another preset point, emits a warm light.

Mokume Gongdao quickly used the earth-style ninjutsu to make several clay pots and distributed them to the team members. Kato Dan and an Anbu had already started processing the food they had picked up on the way, while Ando and two other Anbu went out to keep watch.

Everyone is busy with their own things, and they can also take the opportunity to relax their bodies.

They have been on the run for three days and three nights since the last round of pursuit began.

After such a long time without rest, even though most of them were jonin, they could hardly hold on any longer.

Only Tsunade was sitting alone in front of the campfire, wondering what she was thinking about.

"Xiao Gang, drink some water first."

As I was thinking about it, I saw a clay jar being handed to me from the other side.

Tsunade raised her head and saw Kato Dan handing a steaming pottery jar to her, his smile as sunny and gentle as always.

"Well, thank you."

She took the pottery jar, took a sip slowly, and gave him a forced smile.

Perhaps it was because she grew up with Jiraiya, that unreliable bastard and old pervert, she particularly favored a younger herbivore man like Kato Dan, who was gentle and considerate, basically insulated from shyness, and the complete opposite of Jiraiya, and made her feel completely at ease.

However, this lack of initiative can sometimes make people feel helpless.

For example, the two have been dating for almost three months, but their progress has only just reached the level of holding hands, giving each other tokens of love, and kissing each other on the forehead, which takes a long time, just like children.

Or, in a situation like this where a slight mistake could lead to a life-or-death crisis, Tsunade couldn't rely on Kato Dan to help her make a decision. The heavy pressure had to be borne by her as the captain.

The darkness in the underground cave spread silently.

Everyone rested quietly.

Tsunade lowered her eyes slightly and looked at the fire in the middle of the cave. The firewood made a slight crackling sound as it burned.

I do not know how long it has been.

Until Ando Daisan, who was in charge of guard, came back to take over the shift with the Anbu.

Tsunade suddenly raised her head and spoke to everyone:
"I have a suggestion."

The rest of the team turned to look at her.

Tsunade took a deep breath and said in a firm tone:
"Let's give up this mission."

"."

"?!"

Due to long-term fatigue, it took everyone a second or two to understand Tsunade's words, and they all straightened up from the rock wall.

"Tsunade-sama?"

Mumu Gongdao spoke subconsciously, his face full of confusion.

Tsunade patiently explained: "Based on the targeted searches conducted by the Kumogakure patrol forces over the past three days, I can basically conclude that the Kumogakure should have obtained basic information about our team's mission, and there is even a high possibility that they have learned about the composition of our team."

"I judge that under such circumstances, it is basically impossible to assassinate the Sandaime Raikage."

"In order to preserve the team's manpower, I cannot take you on this adventure."

"As the direct leader, I will take full responsibility for this decision."

Her tone was firm.

This judgment was actually correct. After the targeted blockade over the past few days, Mumu Gongdao and his companions also vaguely realized this - after all, they were veteran jonin who had carried out countless missions, not rookies who had just started out.

However, it is still the period of the Second Ninja World War.

The Warring States Period has not been over for long, and many of the iron rules of ninjas are still firmly engraved in the hearts of ninjas of this era.

"In the world of ninja, those who don't follow the rules are trash."

This sentence, which almost forced Kakashi to his death at a certain time period, is still an iron rule that is almost an unspoken rule in today's ninja world, and a rule that is implemented in the life of ninjas.

Anyone who gives up on a mission, regardless of his or her identity or strength, will surely be criticized and cursed by many people.

In this kind of S-level mission that is almost a national war, it goes without saying that there is a lot of responsibility to be shouldered.

When Tsunade made this judgment, it basically meant the end of her political career in Konoha - if she was not the current leader of the Senju clan, the granddaughter of the first Hokage, the granddaughter of the second Hokage, and the disciple of the third Hokage.

"I disagree."

Ando Daishan said in a cold voice: "The village is now under great pressure from the Fuu-Tsuchi Ryokan front, and Kumogakure may launch a surprise attack on both fronts at any time. The son of the Third Raikage is not yet grown up, and there is no candidate in the village who is qualified enough to succeed the Fourth Raikage."

"Killing him now will most likely stop the war. Even if we all die, it will be worth it."

Although he is a ninja, his father was an immigrant from the Land of Iron in his early years. He also has a typical samurai character and will not retreat from anything he has determined.

Stubborn and stubborn.

Tsunade was still patient, but her voice was gradually getting angry: "The question is, can we kill them? The Third Raikage must be on guard now, and even if he goes to the battlefield, he must bring a lot of guards! What about us? We have been circling for a whole month, and only seven of us are left! Could it be..."

She suddenly stopped talking halfway and didn't continue.

——Are we going to gamble all of our lives on the tiny chance of the Third Raikage’s death?
Tsunade lowered her head slightly, pursed her lips tightly, and held the second half of the sentence in her mouth.

Because she knew that whether it was Mumu Kōdo or Ando Daisan, their answers would be the same.

"Yes."

This is their awareness as a ninja.

Long before they set out, they had already prepared themselves to never return, right?
Even Tsunade herself is the same, isn't it?

Tsunade has been at the forefront of the battlefield with her companions since she graduated from the ninja school at the age of six and went to the battlefield. She has been more than just a veteran. When has she ever been afraid of death?

But
Just thinking about the high possibility that Duan would die in the action, she could hardly stop thinking about the lifeless eyes looking towards the sky when Sheng Shu died.

There were waves of pain in my heart.

Tsunade subconsciously raised her head and looked in the direction of Kato Dan who remained silent. She bit her lips unconsciously and a hint of blood came out.

The silent gaze reflecting the firelight was almost begging.

If the ambush was carried out according to the original plan, there would be nothing to say if it was done with care.

However, if they forcefully attacked the large and well-defended Raikage guard troop as they were doing now, it would almost certainly be a death situation for Kato Dan, who was supposed to be standing at the back and delivering the fatal blow with the spirit transformation technique.

This was because his body would be unable to move once he released the ninjutsu.

Everyone present was aware of this.

Including Kato himself.

The trump card is a disposable tool.

That's why everyone is waiting for his decision.

"Xiao Tsuna."

Kato Dan was silent for a long time, then suddenly raised his head.

On his face, he still had the same gentle smile as before, and even his tone was very light: "If you want to become Hokage, you can't back down at this time."

"Besides, I am also willing to sacrifice everything for the village."

Wherever the leaves are flying, the fire is endless.

The reason why Konoha has been able to thrive despite the infestation of countless flies, dogs, and termites is because there are countless people like them who stick to this responsibility even when facing death.

They who ignite fire with their lives are the true inheritors of the will of fire.

"break"

Tsunade wanted to say something else.

But his hand had already been grabbed by Kato Dan.

"trust me."

He took a deep breath and smiled as gently as always: "Even if it's for you, I will survive."

"."

Crack, crackle.

In the underground stronghold, the only sound left was the slight crackling sound of burning firewood.

Even the sound of people's breathing was almost inaudible.

"Three days."

In the end, it was Tsunade who gritted her teeth and made the final decision, looking at her companions with a fierce look that was almost like a mother wolf: "Search for another three days, this is the deadline!"

"If there is still no sign of the Third Raikage at the designated location within three days, it means that the intelligence for this mission is completely invalid. The team must immediately break through the encirclement and abandon the mission."

"Otherwise, under the siege of the Cloud Hidden Army, even we won't be able to escape like before."

"As for any subsequent consequences, I will bear them all."

"Any other objections?"

Under that cold and eager gaze, Mu Mu Gong Dao and Ando Daishan finally agreed to her request.

Even they would not commit a meaningless death.

The underground base returned to silence.

Tsunade leaned the back of her head tiredly against the hard stone wall, unconsciously playing with two dice she carried with her in her palms, turning them silently.

Is it really okay?

Just as she was thinking this worriedly, a dice in her palm accidentally slipped out and fell to the ground.

Tsunade didn't pick it up, but just leaned against the stone wall tiredly and closed her eyes to take a nap.

The dice spun and fell far away until it hit a stone in the corner and suddenly stopped.

Six o'clock facing up.

(There aren't many good-looking pictures of Tsunade in the original anime, but there are many worth appreciating in the games, P-sites, and various fan works - but Yukiko is too big to post ┑(-Д-)┍)
　This chapter is nearly 5k words, so I won’t break it up for the sake of continuity.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)