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Shin enjoyed his roasted rabbit, ignoring the curious stares from Kushina and Mikoto. He cleared his throat.
“Kushina, Mikoto, is something wrong with the rabbit? Why are you staring at me like that?”
“We’re just curious,” Mikoto said.
They were both puzzled by Shin bringing Konan back. They didn’t believe he had done it out of pure compassion.
“What’s there to be curious about? Finish eating, and let’s head back to camp to report,” Shin said.
They were on a mission to scout for enemy Shinobi in the area.
“Konan, here’s a rabbit leg for you.” Shin offered Konan a leg.
Konan looked at him timidly, then at the rabbit leg with longing, but she didn’t dare take it.
“Go on, eat. Don’t be afraid,” Mikoto said gently.
“Yeah, we won’t hurt you,” Kushina added.
Unable to resist the temptation, Konan finally took the rabbit leg and nibbled on it.
She hadn’t eaten in two days. She had managed to find some mushrooms, but then she encountered the bear and almost died.
A single rabbit wasn’t enough, so they roasted the mushrooms Konan had found and a bear paw as well.
“Bear paw is so good! What about the rest?” Kushina looked at the bear carcass. There were three more paws, and they hadn’t even touched the meat.
“We can’t waste it.” Shin sealed the carcass in a scroll.
“Konan, are you coming with us, or are you going to continue wandering around?”
Shin asked Konan.
“Come with us. It’s dangerous for a little girl to be alone,” Kushina said.
“The entire Land of Rain is dangerous right now. You should stay with us,” Mikoto added.
“You… you really want me to come with you?” Konan asked timidly.
She was young, but the war had forced her to mature quickly. She knew she was a burden.
“It’s your choice, Konan. If you want to come with us, you can. If you want to leave, we won’t stop you,” Shin said.
He wouldn’t force her either way.
“I… I want to go with you,” Konan said, looking at Shin.
“Alright, let’s go then.”
Shin smiled and led Konan out of the forest.
They arrived at a small town. Due to the war, it was practically deserted.
They bought Konan some new clothes at a clothing store, then found an inn and had Mikoto help Konan wash up and change. She was covered in mud from being chased by the bear.
They then headed back to the Konoha camp. No one questioned them about the little girl; they were Tsunade’s students, after all.
This was the battlefield between Konoha and Suna. Orochimaru was the commander, with Tsunade and Jiraiya as his deputies. No one would question them.
As for the original commander, Sakumo Hatake, he had been transferred to the Iwa front.
They went to find Tsunade. She was surprised to see Konan.
“Who’s this little girl?” Tsunade asked Shin.
“Her name is Konan. I saved her in the forest and brought her back. She can stay with you for now.”
Shin and his team often went on missions. It was better for Konan to stay with Tsunade, who was responsible for treating the injured and developing antidotes for Chiyo’s poison.
Tsunade rarely participated in direct combat.
Tsunade frowned. Wasn’t it dangerous to bring a stranger into the camp? She could be a spy.
“Don’t worry,” Shin said, sensing her concern.
Tsunade trusted Shin. She nodded and said to Konan, “You can stay with me for now.”
Konan took a step back and looked at Shin, clinging to his clothes.
She was anxious in this unfamiliar environment. Only Shin, her savior, could give her a sense of security.
“Don’t worry, Konan. If I’m in camp, you can stay with me. But if I’m on a mission, you’ll have to stay with Tsunade. It’s too dangerous to take you with me.”
Shin pinched Konan’s cheek. It was so soft; he couldn’t resist pinching it again.
Konan blushed and nodded.
“Tsunade, we have a problem!”
Jiraiya and Orochimaru suddenly arrived. Their presence meant trouble. Jiraiya looked at Konan curiously.
“Didn’t you say there was a problem? Tell us what it is.”
“Yeah, yeah, business first.” Jiraiya turned serious. He wasn’t interested in some random little girl.
“I’ll explain. The Third Kazekage is here.”
Orochimaru said. It was better than letting Jiraiya waste time with his rambling.
“What?!” Tsunade’s eyes widened in alarm.
The Third Kazekage’s presence meant he was participating in the war.
The Third Kazekage was considered the strongest Kazekage. Even Hiruzen might not be able to defeat him.
Tsunade was overestimating him, though. The strongest Kazekage wasn’t the Third. After all, he had been killed and turned into a puppet by Sasori.
Regardless of whether Sasori used tricks or schemes, it didn’t change the fact that the so-called “strongest Kazekage” had been defeated.
But to Orochimaru and the others, the Third Kazekage was still a formidable opponent.
“Do you have a plan?” Tsunade asked Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
“Orochimaru has already sent someone back to Konoha to inform the Hokage. We have to stall for time,” Jiraiya said.
Tsunade nodded. That was their only option. They had to wait for Hiruzen’s instructions.
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