Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

Chapter 172 The Power of Protection

In early November, as temperatures dropped, the battle on the front lines between the Land of Grass and the Land of Hot Springs continued.

Perhaps because of her closer relationship with her disciples, Tsunade was full of energy, carrying out both war and reconstruction simultaneously, working until about 1 a.m. every day.

Furukawa Osamu, who was "recovering from his injuries," was content to serve his teacher. He could improve without having to train, and this kind of life was wonderful for him.

In contrast, Minato Namikaze seemed somewhat uneasy.

When war broke out, he should have gone to the front lines, but the injury on his shoulder and his wife's worried gaze forced him to stop.

Fortunately, Konoha temporarily withstood the enemy's attack, allowing Minato to stay in the village and continue to take care of his wife and son.

At Konoha Hospital, the medical team has been increasingly busy lately. Shizune has been so busy that she's fallen asleep here. The girl has taken on more responsibility, and her medical ninjutsu skills have improved rapidly.

After the routine check-up, Shizune smiled and looked at Kushina, who was leaning against the bed, and whispered, "The life force has stopped draining! Xiu's treatment worked."

"Cells are also remodeling, which is not my area of ​​expertise, but I'm sure it's a good thing."

Kushina's face was still somewhat pale. Upon hearing Shizune's words, she showed a hint of guilt, turned to look at her son beside her, and softly replied, "It's all my fault for causing Xiu to lose his life force. I don't know how to repay him."

"I really want to see Naruto grow up healthy. It may sound selfish, but I hope he can have a happy childhood."

Shizune looked at Naruto, who was fast asleep, and nodded understandingly. Parents always want to protect their children, and she understood that feeling: "Rest well! I hope that by the time Naruto grows up, the ninja world will be at peace."

"I don't want to see Xiu return to the battlefield. Tsunade-sensei is getting busier and busier. I want to go back to my old life."

The girl's eyes reddened as she spoke, and the number of deaths seemed to be increasing. The more treatment she received, the more powerless she felt.

"Things will get better!"

Kushina gently comforted him, then stroked her son, a look of happiness returning to her face.

There were some things she didn't tell her husband: getting rid of the Nine-Tails was really great. She no longer had to worry about the tailed beast going berserk at any time, nor did she have to study how to use the tailed beast's power.

Kushina felt somewhat selfish to become an ordinary ninja and spend more time caring for her son as he grew up. Whenever these thoughts arose, feelings of guilt would well up from the bottom of her heart.

When Minato entered the room, Kushina was holding Naruto and whispering to him. Hearing his son's laughter, the father felt his heart melt.

"Minato, promise me, no matter what happens, you'll come back to us!"

"I know you want to go to the front lines, and there's nothing I can do to stop you, but you have to think about Naruto. I really hope he can grow up under the care of his parents."

"Let's protect him together, okay? I feel like I'm becoming so selfish..."

Kushina choked up at the end of her speech. After her son was born, she was not only afraid of dying, but also worried that her husband would never return.

Sometimes she can even see a wonderful future in her dreams, and Kushina really wants to experience everything in her dreams.

Looking at his wife and son, Minato put his original plans aside, went to the bedside, hugged them, and whispered, "I'll go to the front lines after my shoulder injury has healed."

"I will protect you all, and I will protect myself. I want Naruto to grow up healthy in a peaceful environment. This is the best gift a father can give."

Kushina smiled again, and Naruto, perhaps sensing his parents' love, suddenly laughed out loud in his arms.

Minato let out a long breath, turned to look at the rebuilt village outside the window, and said to himself with a sense of guilt, "I'm sorry, I may be able to help you end the war later."

Most Konoha ninjas do not like sudden wars, but for the Uchiha clan, this is the best time to hone their skills.

Taking medicine, fighting, and further enhancing the power of the Sharingan!

The thought of that surging eye power made most Uchiha clan ninjas feel their blood boil.

Unlike the last war, many Uchiha clan ninjas have fallen into a frenzy after witnessing the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan, and they yearn for the legendary power!

The Nanga Shrine's clan territory remained undamaged during the raid; its remote location ironically served as its best shield.

During the clan meeting, many Uchiha members secretly praised Fugaku Uchiha's wise decision, while some conspiracy theorists secretly spread rumors: "The clan head knows the village has been attacked, and the Mangekyou Sharingan user is within the clan..."

Anyone with a sound mind would know the news was fake, but some members of the clan, having taken too many drugs, proudly puffed out their chests upon hearing the news, and became even more enamored with the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan.

It was precisely because Fugaku Uchiha noticed this "unhealthy trend" that he frequently held clan meetings.

Unfortunately, the clansmen's emotions seemed to be getting out of control, with more and more people discussing the Mangekyou Sharingan and fantasizing about the power of Susanoo: "That's the power that could defeat Lord Shu!"

After the news of the battle at the Valley of the End was relayed back to the clan, some Uchiha members were excited. Just by looking at the "remains" of the battle, they knew how powerful the force was!

As the clan meeting was about to end, Uchiha Shisui, sitting in the front row, frowned slightly. The number of Uchiha Madara's followers seemed to have suddenly increased dramatically, and the thoughts of the clan members were becoming dangerous.

Just as he was about to leave the secret chamber, Zhishui suddenly heard the clan leader calling out: "Zhishui, there are still some tasks I need to tell you."

"Yes, Chieftain!"

Uchiha Shisui calmly stopped, and not far away, Uchiha Yatsuho turned around and glanced at the two of them.

He recently joined the "Madara Party" and is trying to change the atmosphere within the clan. Uchiha Hachimoku hopes that the Uchiha clan can gain greater power and further improve its status in the village.

When only the two of them remained in the secret room, Fugaku Uchiha suddenly asked expressionlessly, "Shisui, after the appearance of Susanoo, have the higher-ups become suspicious of the Uchiha clan?"

"What's Xiu's opinion on this matter? Do he and the Fourth Hokage still trust us as always?"

Upon hearing the question, Uchiha Shisui responded respectfully without hesitation: "The higher-ups did not discuss the attacker's identity in much detail, and the Hokage did not ask me about the Mangekyou Sharingan."

"The senior colleague is the same; he has always believed in us."

"The clan leader should have already inquired with the members of the Dark Guard, right? There are currently no surveillance missions reported."

"I think we should now keep pace with the Hokage and end this war as soon as possible. The village needs time to recover to its former prosperity."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded silently, a smile returning to his face, and whispered encouragement: "Very good, Shisui! Continue to maintain this relationship."

"Among you young people, there will surely be someone who possesses the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan. Don't get lost in the power, and even more so, don't worship that intruder!"

"Give my regards to Xiu. I will personally deal with Madara Uchiha's followers."

Uchiha Shisui bowed again in response, then answered a few more questions before turning and leaving.

In the dense forest far from the Naga Shrine, Itachi Uchiha leaped into the air and threw the kunai in his hand. He then quickly pulled out two more kunai from his ninja tool pouch behind him and launched them a second time in mid-air.

"bite...

'

The sounds of impact rang out one after another as the kunai struck the bullseye. In the distance, another kunai was embedded in the center of a wooden target on the ground. Upon landing, Itachi Uchiha shouted joyfully, "Sensei! I did it!"

"Just as you said, observe the position of the wooden target and simulate the trajectory of the kunai in your mind."

"I managed to throw like that even without the Sharingan!"

Uchiha Itachi ran to his teacher's side, his little face beaming with smiles. Furukawa Osamu patted his disciple's head and praised him with a smile, "As expected of Itachi! You mastered this throwing technique even before I did!"

"You must have practiced very hard these past few days. Now that you've achieved your goal, what would you like to eat? How about some three-color dumplings?"

Under his father's tutelage, ninjas were forbidden from eating sweets. Uchiha Itachi blushed, lowered his head, and softly replied, "Thank you, Sensei."

After exchanging some throwing tips, Itachi Uchiha looked hesitant, but seeing Osamu Furukawa's encouraging gaze, he finally asked, "Sensei, were you defeated by Susanoo? What kind of power is that?"

Furukawa Osamu saw through Itachi Uchiha's thoughts. The perceptive disciple had already sensed something. He patted Itachi's head again and chuckled, replying, "You already have the answer, don't you?"

"You've witnessed the power of Susanoo long ago."

Itachi Uchiha's eyes widened as he recalled his experience of jumping off the cliff, and a smile returned to his face: "I knew it! Sensei is the strongest ninja in the world!"

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