Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Nara Shikaku arrived belatedly.

Today, the commander also donned his combat uniform, accompanied by two old teammates who had fought alongside him: Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza.

"Feel sorry!"

As soon as Shikaku approached, he immediately apologized to Kakashi, his tone sincere and without a trace of the airs of a commander:

"We're late. Your Shadow Guards had to face the Jinchuriki alone. You've had a tough time!"

As he spoke, he looked around and the stronghold did not seem to be as damaged as he had imagined.

"Where is the Jinchūriki?" A hint of doubt flashed in Shikaku's eyes.

Kakashi looked up at his teammate standing atop the withered tree guard and said slowly, "The Jinchuriki has been repelled."

"what?"

"impossible!"

Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza, who were standing beside Shikaku, were both taken aback and spoke up subconsciously.

Kakashi didn't offer any further explanation, but simply gave a quick recount of the intense battle.

At this moment, Qingwu, who had put away the withered wood guards, also walked over quickly. His face showed no joy at defeating a powerful enemy; instead, his brows were full of urgency.

"How are Tianzang and the fox?"

Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza all turned to look at him.

Qingwu gave a slight bow, disregarding everything else, and continued to look at Kakashi, waiting for the captain's answer.

Kakashi sighed:

"The logistics department's medical team leader checked him over. Tianzang is alright; the wooden wall's defenses are excellent. Only a few of his ribs were broken by the impact. As for Hu..."

"What's wrong with Xiyan?" Concerned, Qingwu even called out Xiyan's real name.

"Her physical strength wasn't that high. She tried to launch a sneak attack, but was countered by the tailed beast's chakra."

Kakashi paused, then said gravely, "Countless bones in his body are broken, and his internal organs are damaged. Although he survived, I'm afraid..."

It's probably ruined. Kakashi didn't finish his sentence, but everyone present understood the meaning behind his words.

The atmosphere was terribly oppressive.

"..."

Lu Jiu was silent for a moment, then walked over and patted Qing Wu on the shoulder. "I'm sorry, we're late."

Yamanaka Inoichi sighed regretfully and explained on behalf of his old friend:

"You must be wondering why we couldn't come to our aid. Just now, Iwagakure's commander, Huang Tu, personally led a large number of Iwagakure ninja to launch a strong attack on our defenses."

Kakashi looked over and realized that Iwagakure was using the same old trick again, still trying to completely cut off Konoha's supply line on the west side.

Choza Akimichi added:

"Huang Tu went all out this time, mobilizing most of Iwagakure's elite forces on the front lines. We expended a great deal of effort to repel the Iwagakure ninja. Shikaku immediately brought us here, fearing that something might have happened to you, but unfortunately, it was too late..."

Qingwu remained frozen in place, without saying a word.

Shikaku, Kakashi, Inoichi, and Choza exchanged glances, a knowing look flashing in their eyes—anyone would find it hard to accept seeing their comrades-in-arms end up like this.

They assumed that Qingwu was overwhelmed by grief and self-blame and couldn't recover for a while.

Shikaku soothed him gently:

"Don't worry too much. Since there's no danger to her life, after the medical team has done their best to treat her, you should take her back to Konoha. There might be a chance for things to turn around."

These words were less to appease Qingwu and more to give Lu Jiu a convenient excuse.

As for a turning point... Shikaku didn't really have much hope.

Having spent so many years on the battlefield as a commander, he had become numb to such things.

Some words of comfort are merely the most powerless yet most necessary form of dignity on the battlefield.

Qingwu felt extremely frustrated; this was the first time he had ever encountered a teammate so seriously injured.

However, contrary to what Lu Jiu and the others thought, his silence was never due to sadness or self-blame, but rather because he was constantly thinking about how to save Xi Yan.

Water-based healing magic is probably not an option. It has been proven time and again that the basic healing magic can only treat superficial wounds and has little effect on broken bones.

And intermediate-level purification is even less reliable.

But then he thought of someone…

"Where is Lady Tsunade? Is there any way to contact her in the village?"

Qingwu snapped out of her daze and asked anxiously, "If it's Lady Tsunade, she can definitely heal Yugao, right?"

Looking at Qingwu's expectant gaze, Lu Jiu remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking:

“You’re right. When it comes to medical ninjutsu, no one in the entire ninja world can compare to Lady Tsunade. If we could get her help, Yugao would indeed have a chance to be cured, but…”

"But what?"

"As you all probably know, Lady Tsunade left the village many years ago, and her whereabouts are unknown. No one can pinpoint her exact location..."

Chapter 129 Jinchūriki's Defection

"Shouldn't the village have Tsunade-sama's contact information?" Qingwu didn't believe it.

"It's not that simple," Shikaku said uncertainly.

"The village does have a code and channel to contact Lady Tsunade, but over the years, no matter how we try to send messages, we have never received any response."

After a pause, Lu Jiu hesitated, then said with difficulty:

"Lady Tsunade is deliberately concealing her whereabouts, clearly indicating that she does not want to be disturbed by Konoha's affairs. Trying to contact her... is practically unrealistic."

Qingwu thought of Jiraiya, whom he had asked the Third Hokage to contact, but now there was still no word from him.

He couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. "What the hell do they think they are? We've shed blood and sweat for the village, and those adults just sit back and do nothing, huh?!"

At this moment, he finally acted like a young man.

Yamanaka Inoichi hurriedly said:

"Qingwu Jonin, please be careful with your words. Lady Tsunade also has her reasons. She has given and sacrificed everything for the village."

Choza Akimichi also said:

"The Third Shinobi World War has lasted for so many years, and Lady Tsunade has not returned to participate. This behavior, which outsiders see as 'ignoring the village,' has no objection. Don't you understand?"

Kakashi patted Qingwu on the back lightly. "I know you're anxious, but this is something no one wants to happen."

Once upon a time... his teammates all died before his eyes. If he could choose, Kakashi felt that it wouldn't be so bad if his teammates could no longer be ninjas, at least... they were still alive.

Qingwu realized he had spoken out of turn and breathed a deep sigh of relief. "No matter how difficult it is, I will try. I will go to Lady Tsunade myself."

For some reason, the image of Xiyan looking at the fiery clouds in the sky at dusk and saying she wanted to go on a picnic with him came to mind.

Qingwu confirmed that he did not have romantic feelings for Xiyan, but... this result still made him feel frustrated.

Seeking revenge on Lao Zi?

If he were strong enough, he would never have let Lao Zi leave.

But he couldn't do it!

He can't do it now!

They could only watch as Roshi, who had slaughtered more than a dozen Konoha ninja and injured his teammates, left.

“Alright,” Nara Shikaku nodded. “I will write a briefing to the Hokage. Your Shadow Guard has made an outstanding contribution and can leave the battlefield.”

Coming and going to the battlefield is not something that can be done casually; regulations must be strictly followed.

Akimichi Choza frowned and said:

"Iwagakure's attack on the eastern defense line failed this time, and their next counterattack might be even stronger. We cannot afford to leave lightly. If the Shadow Guards leave the western front as well, then..."

Shikaku understood his old friend's meaning, but still interrupted, "Don't worry, we will keep Iwagakure outside the border and not let a single soldier into the Land of Fire."

Yamanaka Inoichi pondered, "Even the Jinchuriki have been mobilized, so Iwagakure doesn't have many cards left to play, unless... the Tsuchikage Onoki personally comes."

Shikaku sneered, "If Old Purple really defectes, I think it's Onoki who should take the initiative to negotiate."

After saying that, he earnestly addressed Qingwu and Kakashi:

"Your Shadow Guard can go back and rest without worry. At the next Jonin meeting, I will have someone stand in for me and vouch for you."

Qingwu nodded listlessly, still wondering where to find Tsunade.

He doesn't care about rules or regulations; he only cares when he's in a hurry.

Kakashi bowed to express his gratitude.

He knew Nara Shikaku's status in the village. With the Jonin squad leader speaking up for the Shadow Guard, those rumors could no longer sway them.

"Inoichi," Shikaku turned to his old friend and said, "Does your intelligence department have any news about Lady Tsunade?"

Kakashi and Qingwu both looked over.

Shikaku is indeed a man who makes people feel at ease; even when the Shadow Guard was about to leave the battlefield, he still thought of helping them.

Yamanaka Inoichi replied, "The last news about Lady Tsunade was last autumn when traces of her were found at a casino in the Land of Hot Springs, and there hasn't been any news since."

Shikaku pondered for a moment and said, "Has so much time passed already?"

Inoichi said helplessly, "If Lady Tsunade intends to conceal her whereabouts, even ordinary intelligence ninjas wouldn't be able to detect it, but..."

He turned his head and said, "Qingwu Jonin, you can try looking in the casinos of major towns. If you're lucky, you might run into him."

Qingwu sincerely thanked them: "Thank you, sirs!"

Yugao's condition needs to be stabilized in the medical team for a few more days before she can set off to return to Konoha.

Watching the two shadow guards leave, Yamanaka Inoichi remarked with a sigh:

"I'm afraid it won't be easy. There are so many casinos. If that person doesn't want to, no one can find her."

Akimichi Choza sighed regretfully, "The Uzuki family only has one daughter. If she can't become a ninja, I'm afraid..."

The decline of a family often begins with a certain event.