Chapter 45: The Eve of Departure
The familiar Warfare Operations Conference Room remained unchanged, the place where Kawakaze had first met Tsunade. This time, Kawakaze stood beside her, the two aligned in quiet anticipation. Nearby, Orochimaru and Sakumo observed, their expressions unreadable. More Jōnin were still on their way, and the Third Hokage had yet to arrive.
"Kawakaze is a master of deduction. I admire you," Orochimaru remarked, his tone grim, reflecting the gravity of the situation. The war had finally begun.
"It was just a bit of speculation," Kawakaze replied modestly, "but I didn't expect Hanzō of the Salamander to be so daring."
Kawakaze's knowledge extended beyond mere observation—he had read the original chronicles. A tiny nation like the Land of Rain, facing three simultaneous wars, was nearly unfathomable. Yet, Hanzō of the Salamander had achieved extraordinary feats. He had held his own against Granny Chiyo of Sunagakure, matched Mifune of the Land of Iron in combat but spared his life, and humiliated the disciples of the Third Hokage, bestowing upon them the infamous title of "Sannin." Truly, the title "Demigod" was no exaggeration for Hanzō.
Kawakaze couldn't help but think, This man embodies the reckless defiance of youth: unyielding, unafraid, determined to topple the great powers.
"The Land of Rain dared to provoke Konoha—Sensei must be furious!" Tsunade commented, glancing toward her office. She had seen the Third Hokage smash his pipe on the table earlier in frustration.
"We shouldn't underestimate Hanzō of the Salamander," Kawakaze cautioned her. He knew the danger well—Tsunade herself had narrowly escaped death at Hanzō's hands, saved only by Jiraiya's intervention.
"You're right, Kawakaze," Orochimaru admitted. "The Demi-God of the Ninja World have earned his reputation."
He believed there was no falsehood behind a name of such renown.
Meanwhile, Sakumo stood silently, his stoic demeanor unshaken. Kawakaze leaned against his elder brother's shoulder, disrupting his stillness.
"Brother, why don't you say something?"