Naruto: My version is ahead of the ninja world

Late at night, in the Hokage's office.

Besides the Hokage, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Koharu Utatane, and several clan leaders are also here.

"The Sand Village's actions have caused immense damage within the village. Compared to the ninjas, the civilians have suffered even more... The daily operations of the village and the supply of materials to the front lines will inevitably be affected."

The casualty figures are still being tallied, and the Third Hokage is unable to summarize the losses suffered by Konoha in the short term. However, in terms of the impact, the Sand Village's operation can be considered a success.

Even disregarding the fact that so many Sand Village ninjas died, to be more objective, the losses on both sides were roughly equal.

"No matter what, the supply of materials to the front lines cannot be lost, and the battle in the Land of Rain cannot be lost," said Koharu Utatane.

Everyone present nodded in agreement. On this matter, everyone shared the same interests, and there was no way anyone could object... Even the ninja clan leader had to consider the clansmen on the battlefield.

All eyes turned to the Third Hokage, who sighed helplessly, "I understand. I will seek help from the Daimyo."

This is something only the Hokage can do, and that's exactly what everyone wants from the Hokage... Since there's a problem with the village's resource allocation, we can only ask the Daimyo for help; there's nothing shameful about that.

No, it should be said that we don't need to worry too much about dealing with people other than the Hokage. Even if the Daimyo of the Land of Fire has opinions or gets angry, the only one who will suffer will be the Hokage.

Koharu nodded. The Hokage and Daimyo would handle Konoha's urgent matters, that was good.

"The village has well-established procedures for treating the wounded, restoring order, and maintaining operations. No matter how anxious we are, it won't help. Wounds need time to heal... Now we need to discuss another matter, which is whether or not to take reciprocal revenge against Sunagakure."

"This is inevitable; Sunagakure will pay the price for what they have done."

"The Sand Village has been making frequent moves lately, first attempting to storm the frontline command post, and now invading the village... We must do something."

"Lord Hokage, we cannot keep backing down."

"Does reciprocal retaliation mean taking the same approach as Sunagakure? We send a group of ninjas to infiltrate Sunagakure? Doesn't that mean sacrificing hundreds of ninjas? Without a strategic objective, just for momentary gratification, it's too irrational. I don't approve of this approach."

"Yes, if we're going to put our resources into retaliation, I'd prefer to fight on the front lines and crush Sunagakure in the Land of Rain."

"To remain indifferent to the Sand Village's invasion? Isn't this demonstrating Konoha's weakness to the other ninja villages? What about Konoha's reputation as one of the Five Great Ninja Villages?"

"Which is more important, appearances or substance?"

"you……"

Amidst the rising and falling of arguments, the Third Hokage sighed inwardly. First, it was certain that they would target Sunagakure next; even a clay figure has some fire, and they couldn't let Sunagakure ride roughshod over them. Second, the Third Hokage preferred to take action against Sunagakure on the front lines rather than blindly invading the depths of the Land of Wind.

"Everyone..." The Hokage's words silenced the surrounding argument. He looked around and continued, "Ninjas cannot avoid sacrifice, but they can at least choose the manner and value of their sacrifice..."

The Sand Village's actions were too extreme; they were willing to go all out and launch a desperate, isolated invasion, but Konoha had no need to do the same.

…………

While the Konoha leadership was discussing their next strategy against Sunagakure, Hagen was butchering snake meat.

"Let's cut off a small piece and try it first."

Saying it's a small piece is relative to the size of the snake. Yu Xian took out his short sword, cut a square piece of meat from the snake's tail, put it in an iron pot, and then began to simmer it over low heat.

As she persevered, Yu Xian came to understand a few things.

The first thing is that the snake meat smells very good, and the snake tail meat looks quite good. It seems that it is delicious without any seasoning. Yu Xian is getting a little hungry just looking at it.

Why don't you try it and see what it tastes like? No, no, it's not necessary. It's not that Yu Xian is picky about food, but rather that he has a psychological barrier to it.

The Manda is, after all, an intelligent being; it can even talk. More importantly, it has a habit of eating people… Yu Xian has plenty of food, so there’s no need for her to try and push her limits.

Secondly, snake oil is easy to make, but although the resulting oil cannot be considered ordinary oil, it does not contain the qualities that Yu Xian had envisioned.

"As expected, no wonder Manda has never used natural energy... not that it doesn't use it, but that it doesn't have it."

In this respect, Manda and Hagen's summoned white snake are different; the summoned white snake is able to use natural energy.

All indications suggest that Ryuchi Cave contains two worlds, an inner and an outer one. The White Snake Sage, hidden deeper within, and the snakes surrounding him are more likely to control natural energy, while other snakes may not have this opportunity.

Then Yu Xian tried to ignite the snake oil, and it burst into flames.

"That's more like it. The oil extracted from a chakra creature is still useful after all."

Snake oil can at least be used as "fuel," and if it is used, it is actually the same as the way he uses toad oil from Mount Myoboku.

"As long as it's useful, at least it's not trash that we picked up."

There was no need to make any more attempts. Too much had happened today. After Yu Xian resealed the snake tail, he went to rest... This was the first time he had rested at home.

The next morning, Yu Xian was woken up by someone.

"Lord Yugen, Lord Yugen, please wake up..."

Yu Xian was very perceptive and lacked a sense of security even in Konoha, so he instantly snapped to attention the moment he heard his own name called.

The title "Lord Yugen" was too strange. Yugen looked towards the window and saw a white worm... uh, a slug, which was Tsunade's summoning beast.

"Is there anything I can help you with? Just call me Yu Xian." Yu Xian got up, went to the window, opened it, and spoke to the slug.

"Yes, Lord Yugen, Lady Tsunade requests that you go to Konoha Hospital this morning."

The slug was clearly different from the other two summoned beasts in the trio; at least it was very polite.

"Konoha Hospital? I understand."

Going to Konoha Hospital? That can only be because of Nawaki. Could it be that something happened to Nawaki?

Yu Xian didn't even have time to think about how the slug found him. He quickly tidied himself up and headed to Konoha Hospital.

When Hagen saw Nawaki again, he discovered that Nawaki only had one leg left.

After noticing Yu Xian's gaze, Nawaki, who was in the ward, explained, "My sister said that rather than waiting until it starts to necrotize before taking action, it's better to make a decision sooner rather than later... It's just a leg, it's nothing."

Yu Xian nodded, thinking that this kid was quite open-minded.

"Indeed, there are many ways to make up for it, and some can even be put to immediate use, such as puppet prosthetics."

"After a few more years of advancements in medical technology, more suitable prosthetics will be available."