"A formal sparring match will have to wait another two years."
Why wait another two years?
"We'll have to wait until I've fully grown before we talk about it."
"But you've already grown up!"
"No, I think I can still grow taller. If I do it too early, I'm afraid it will affect my peak performance. Let's wait a couple of years until we're both old enough to talk about it."
"What age?" Hyuga Kaede persisted, unwilling to give up. "You really take the village's age rules seriously? Among the major ninja villages, Konoha has the latest age limit. People from the other villages graduate not long ago..."
“Maple Flower!” Shingetsu Seiun interrupted Hyuga Maple Flower, saying, “Other villages do this because they urgently need more people.”
"The fact that our village sets the latest time actually proves the superiority of Konoha's system and demonstrates the village's care for its young people. How can you think like that?"
"Let's not bring this up again; let's talk about it in two years."
Hinata Kaede pouted, knowing that this was just an excuse her boyfriend was making up, but seeing his resolute attitude, she had no choice but to give in.
"OK then."
"But you have to be serious today..."
Knowing that their time together was limited, the two cherished their time together even more. So much so that when Hinata Kaede returned to the tent, her extreme exhaustion was obvious to Hinata Rinko, who happened to be passing by.
The latter clenched his fists, his body trembling with jealousy.
"I will definitely get him!"
"must!"
Faced with Hinata Rinko's declaration, Hinata Kaede simply smiled lightly, with a languid air after the excitement had subsided.
"you?"
"Give up."
"Even if Nebula is brought to the ground, it won't be easy for you."
Hinata Rinko: "!!!~"
……
Not long after, the ninjas stationed at the Sanwa defense line received a notification from the front and quickly returned to the defense line.
After saying goodbye to Hyuga Kaede, the three of them, along with Uchiha Itachi, began their retreat. The enemies from Iwagakure had all withdrawn, making the journey back much smoother.
---The headquarters camp, which has been temporarily restored.
The atmosphere was heavy and somber.
Orochimaru stood in front of the map, surrounded by Jonin from headquarters, many of whom were injured.
Fugaku Uchiha stood before Orochimaru and said in a deep voice, "Lord Orochimaru."
"If there's nothing else, I'll head out now."
Orochimaru nodded: "Okay."
"It is important to clear out the remaining Iwagakure forces quickly, but security cannot be compromised."
"Caution is the best policy."
Fugaku Uchiha nodded. "Don't worry."
Orochimaru was silent for a moment, then said, "I will send someone to find Itachi Uchiha."
"No matter what happens, we can always find it."
A flicker of sadness crossed Fugaku Uchiha's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
"Lord Orochimaru, the battle is of utmost importance."
"Whether Weakling can be found or not depends on fate. I'm taking my men and leaving now." With that, he turned and left the main tent.
A very faint "click" sound.
The main tent was filled with powerful ninjas, who would not miss even the slightest sound. Upon hearing this soft sound, they looked over and then revealed complicated expressions.
"Plop, plop..." Tears fell to the ground, shattered, and seeped into the earth.
Uchiha Mikoto.
She was a Jonin of the Uchiha clan, and also the clan leader's wife. Within the main tent, she was one of the strongest individuals. However, at this moment, she stood frozen in place, tears streaming down her reddened eyes, but the person in question seemed oblivious.
The ninjas sighed inwardly, and even Orochimaru's eyes flickered with a hint of emotion.
Although death and injury are inevitable for ninjas, this time is different.
Uchiha Itachi.
The only son of Fugaku Uchiha and Mikoto Uchiha, who was not even old enough to go to school, was taken to the battlefield by Fugaku Uchiha and went missing!
Such a blow is indeed too great for a mother.
Fugaku Uchiha, why rush to take such a young child to the battlefield!
When they first received the news, Fugaku Uchiha was alright, but Mikoto Uchiha couldn't withstand the blow and still hasn't recovered.
They looked at Uchiha Mikoto, who was crying uncontrollably, and wanted to comfort her but didn't know how to start. Continuing the discussion would seem too heartless.
Some people turned their attention to Orochimaru.
In times like these, the commander-in-chief has to step up.
Orochimaru sighed softly, "Mikoto, the Jonin."
Mikoto Uchiha remained frozen in place, clearly not having heard.
Orochimaru raised his voice slightly.
"Jonin Mikoto!"
Mikoto Uchiha finally heard Orochimaru's voice.
She turned her head blankly, as if there was a not-so-smooth part installed in her neck.
Orochimaru~
His tone was ambiguous, and he didn't use any honorifics when addressing Orochimaru, of course, didn't care. He tried to use a gentle and soothing tone to say, "Go and rest first."
"Uchiha Itachi, I'll send someone to find him right away."
Two seconds later, Mikoto Uchiha understood what Orochimaru was saying. But no hope rose in her heart because of it.
Itachi has gone missing.
That bastard Fugaku actually had Itachi Uchiha brought to the second line of defense without her knowledge! The Iwagakure all-out attack caused the defense line to fall, and the Uchiha clan members who were originally stationed on the second line of defense were all killed or wounded.
How can a child who hasn't even reached school age survive in a time like this!
On the battlefield, no one cares whether you're an adult or a child; there are only two kinds of people... comrades or enemies.
Therefore, Itachi Uchiha is probably gone forever.
She knew, Fugaku Uchiha knew, and Orochimaru knew too. The suggestion of sending someone to search was merely a consolation prize.
What kind of people should we send? How many should we send? Where should we find them?
She almost asked aloud, but she knew it would be pointless.
Orochimaru is a calm and rational commander, the overall person in charge of the Northwest front, and his attitude will not change anything.
She shook her head gently, wiped away her tears, and turned to walk towards the entrance of the main tent.
She didn't want to stay here.
War, people, achievements... she was tired of it all.
She grew even more tired of her nominal husband, Uchiha Fugaku.
She disagreed with the other party bringing Itachi to the battlefield, but they did.
Now that Itachi has 'disappeared,' he doesn't even have time to grieve before he's once again working towards Orochimaru's strategic goals.
She knew that Orochimaru was one of the most likely candidates to become the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, and that Fugaku Uchiha was making a gamble, hoping to gain the favor of the future Fourth Hokage through the strong support of the Uchiha clan.
She doesn't care.
All she knew was that it was over between them.
Chapter 132 The Persistent Muto Saika
In fact, she had a premonition long ago, but she just didn't want to face it.
Whether Fugaku Uchiha never went home, was busy networking with his clan members and befriending Jonin, or was preoccupied with how to elevate the clan's status and strive for the future Hokage position, she could tolerate it.
She could even endure the cold, desolate nights.
But when the other party ignored her objections and brought Itachi to the battlefield, she couldn't stand it anymore.
When she learned that the second front had fallen, Itachi was missing, and the other side was rushing to continue investing in Orochimaru, she finally despaired.
Fugaku Uchiha was no longer her husband, or rather, from the very beginning, the person she married was never a husband; he was merely the head of the Uchiha clan, always had been.
He staggered outwards.
As he walked, his legs gave way and he collapsed to his knees before even reaching the door.
Orochimaru frowned, and was about to have someone help him up when there was a voice at the door.
"Lord Orochimaru, the special Jonin Shingetsu Seiun has something to report."
An excessively handsome face flashed through his mind, and Orochimaru casually said, "Let him in."
"Someone, help Mikoto Jonin back."
Before anyone could help Uchiha Mikoto up, someone walked in through the entrance of the tent. Immediately afterward, Shingetsu Seiun's exclamation rang out.
"Mikoto-sensei!"
"What’s wrong with you!?"
Shingetsu Seiun was startled. As soon as he entered the room, he found Uchiha Mikoto kneeling in front of him.
He quickly stepped forward, supporting the other person's elbows, where the armor was thicker, and gently lifted the person up.
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