Mayuri Kurotsuchi Card Game, starting from Naruto

Chapter 78 The Hidden Clouds' Plan

The border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.

The battlefield between Kumogakure and Sunagakure.

"Is this the medical talisman of Konoha?"

An old man with a stern face, bulging muscles, and explosive power, with the character "雷" (thunder) branded on his left arm, held a talisman that looked like an explosive tag in his hand and asked with a solemn expression.

"Yes, according to our intelligence, this talisman is called a healing talisman. It has the ability to heal wounds in place of a medical ninja," replied Tsuchida, a composed Jonin wearing a black eyepatch.

In the recent conflict with Konoha, healing talismans played a crucial role. Unless killed on the spot, ninjas with healing talismans had a high probability of surviving the brutal battlefield and receiving medical treatment.

Conversely, the losses suffered by the Hidden Cloud Village were far greater than those suffered by the Leaf Village ninja.

After the war between the Hidden Cloud Ninja and the Leaf Village Ninja, when collecting spoils from the battlefield, they would also focus on picking up healing talismans, treating them, like explosive tags, as essential spoils to be seized.

Even if they deliberately collected them, the number of healing talismans they accumulated was not large.

"Kumakushi Village must acquire this technology!" The Third Raikage raised the healing talisman between his fingers.

Although he appears rough and acts somewhat aggressively, relying on his own strength, he still possesses the necessary strategic vision and sensitivity as the village's leader.

This healing talisman is clearly similar to the explosive talisman; both were created by someone. Since they were created, there is a possibility that they could be replicated.

The importance of medical ninjas has been increasingly recognized by various ninja villages since the Second Shinobi World War. Whether it was Hanzo and Sunagakure's poisons or Tsunade's medical ninjutsu, they all shone brightly in that war, becoming a significant part of the conflict.

However, to this day, although all villages have been doing their best to train their own medical ninjas, Konoha is still the one that has done the best and most successful in terms of scale and systematization.

Tsunade's existence and her understanding of medical ninjutsu far exceeded everyone's expectations. Most of the renowned and skilled medical ninjas in the entire ninja world came from Konoha.

The reason why Konoha was able to fight against three or four other ninja villages with the strength of a single village was not only because Konoha's ninja training system was outstanding and its ninjas were of high quality, but also because the number of ninja casualties reduced by medical ninjas during wartime.

At least the ninjas who survived the battlefield would become experienced veterans. They were more cautious and more seasoned.

The high number of participants and high survival rate meant that Konoha would produce several exceptionally talented geniuses who could influence the course of the war and the outcome of each Shinobi World War.

During World War I, it was Tobirama Senju who succeeded as the Second Hokage, along with several disciples, including Hiruzen Sarutobi.

During World War II, it was Konoha's White Fang and the Three Legendary Sannin.

In the ongoing Third Shinobi World War, a young Jonin named Minato Namikaze has begun to distinguish himself, causing great trouble for the Hidden Cloud Village.

There's also the Konoha squad that used Wood Release to suppress the rampaging Two-Tails Jinchuriki.

At this time of year, the Kage of the four great ninja villages are filled with envy towards Konoha. The Third Raikage, A, is no exception.

"Was this technology invented in Konoha?" Raikage A's question was direct. His style and personality were so forceful that it even influenced his son, Rui.

As a shadow, he could discern the situation, but this did not diminish his radicalism in the slightest.

Just like this attack on Sunagakure.

"It's Konoha's Technology Development Department, under the jurisdiction of Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin. It's a department dedicated to research and invention. The creator is Nara Shikagure." Tsuchida had clearly gathered information beforehand, and he answered Raikage A's question without hesitation.

"Nara Shikaku?" Raikage A looked at the earthen platform. "Can our people take him to the Land of Lightning?"

"It's difficult. Konoha is currently conducting a thorough investigation into spies, and it will be very difficult for our people inside to take him away from Konoha. Unless he leaves the village on a mission." Tsuchida shook his head.

The intelligence he received included information about Nara Shikano, a person who, aside from going home and training, spent all his time in the technology development department, single-mindedly devoted to research. Given their infiltrated forces within Konoha, it would be difficult to abduct him without alerting the Hidden Leaf Village's Anbu.

"What if we send an elite team of Jonin to Konoha to forge an alliance?" Raikage A asked again.

Of course, he didn't really want to conclude any peace treaty; it was just a cover and a pretext to smoothly project his power into Konoha Village!

As Raikage's assistant, Tsuchida, who was very familiar with the personality and style of his own Kage, immediately understood that this was a scheme of attacking from the inside and outside, a feint to the east while striking in the west.

The last time we captured the remnants of the Uzumaki clan, we used the same method. However, that plan was too rudimentary, and we lacked the manpower and strength, which led to Konoha quickly discovering and catching up with us, causing our efforts to fail.

"It's difficult to fool Konoha." Having learned from past mistakes, Konoha should be on guard. But Tsuchida thought about it seriously and said, "But it's not that we can't try. Even if we can't kidnap anyone, obtaining the technology is the same."

Lei Ying Ai Wenyan nodded.

While Konoha's medical system is undoubtedly unique, Kumogakure is at least on par with Konoha in terms of its emphasis on and research in science and technology.

As bandits in the ninja world, the Cloud Village is known for its tough style and its tendency to steal whatever others have. However, it also possesses technological strength and talent in this area.

Once you acquire the technology, it should be enough time to replicate the technique for making healing talismans.

If that doesn't work, try to steal more healing talismans and slowly research and reverse engineer them.

"Then I'll leave this to you," said Lei Ying Ai, relinquishing his grip.

……

Boo!

An intelligence eagle circled over Konoha Village before landing at the Anbu's base. Soon, the intelligence squad, having deciphered the information, rushed to the Hokage Building and handed it over to the Third Hokage.

After reading the intelligence report, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened slightly, seemingly shocked by its contents.

After reading it, Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the information to Shikakichi Nara, who was standing next to him.

"Kumakumo Village wants to send an envoy to negotiate peace and form an alliance with us?" Nara Shikakichi was somewhat surprised after reading the intelligence.

"Tell me, is it believable?" the Third Hokage asked.

"I don't know. But judging from the intelligence from all sides, Kumogakure does seem to have the will to negotiate peace." Nara Shikakichi recalled the latest intelligence from the border, which stated that the Kumogakure ninjas had suddenly abandoned their invasion and fighting, and were only confronting the Konoha border ninja forces.

The sudden calm and restraint of one of the two fiercely clashing ninja villages is enough to pique anyone's curiosity.

Considering the fate of Iwagakure and its alliance with Sunagakure, it's plausible that Kumogakure didn't want the war with Konoha to continue due to excessive pressure on the front lines.

"Then let's send someone to welcome the Cloud Village delegation. In any case, it would be good if Konoha could delay its involvement in the war even by one day," the Third Hokage nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)