This minor injury, it's nothing to worry about.
"Yes, yes, Lord Tsuchikage, you are a legendary ninja, but you should consider our feelings. We're the ones getting scolded."
A female nurse stood with hands on her hips, sternly lecturing the Tsuchikage, Onoki.
"Hmph, mere little girl."
Onoki grunted in displeasure, but obediently lay on the hospital bed, following the arrangements of these young female nurses.
"Well then, Lord Tsuchikage, please open your mouth, I'll feed you. Ah~"
A female nurse brought a bowl of hot porridge, holding a spoon to Onoki's mouth, prompting him to open up.
"..."
Onoki felt a bit hopeless.
He was the Tsuchikage, known as the 'Both Scales' ninja, and yet... he had fallen to the point where a few young girls could manipulate him at will.
What a disgrace!
Then he opened his mouth and fiercely took a bite.
"Now that's better, respected Lord Tsuchikage. In the hospital, patients need to be obedient."
The female nurses laughed secretly.
These pesky girls! Onoki was frustrated in his heart.
Just then, there was a knock on the door from the outside.
"Come in."
A tall, sturdy young man walked in.
"Father, it's me."
This Hidden Rock Ninja was Onoki's son, Kitsuchi, with top-tier strength among the Hidden Rock Jonin.
Although he was young, his Earth Style skills bore some of his father Onoki's flair.
"Kitsuchi, what brings you back now?"
Onoki was puzzled that Kitsuchi wasn't at the frontlines in the Land of Grass confronting Sannin Jiraiya, and instead returned to Hidden Rock Village.
The nurses in the room understood that Kitsuchi Jonin's visit was definitely for an important matter, so they sensibly left the room, leaving Kitsuchi and Onoki alone.
After the nurses left, Kitsuchi started first: "The front line is temporarily held by Garra, but the medical supplies there are insufficient, and I need to bring some to the front line."
"There's no need for you to attend to these matters personally. Has something happened on Konoha's side?"
"A formidable guy has appeared recently next to Sannin Jiraiya."
Kitsuchi spoke with a serious expression.
"A formidable guy?"
Onoki felt slightly surprised; for Kitsuchi to call someone formidable meant that person's strength was beyond ordinary Jonin.
"He uses rare Space-Time Ninjutsu; if I'm not mistaken, it's the Flying Thunder God Jutsu developed by former Konoha Hokage Senju Tobirama, and his name is Namikaze Minato."
Kitsuchi explained.
"Namikaze Minato? I've heard the name, seems like an emerging Konoha Jonin star of recent years."
"Yes. Moreover, according to the squad that faced Namikaze Minato, there's also another white-haired kid with him who uses Lightning Style Blade Technique. He's the son of the Konoha White Fang."
"The son of the White Fang? Konoha never lacks talent, no matter the era. You returned to the village personally to escort medical supplies to guard against Namikaze Minato, who uses the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, didn't you?"
Onoki deduced Kitsuchi's purpose for returning to the village.
"Correct. He's recently attacked Hidden Rock supply points many times; although no significant damage was done, his strong mobility creates a formidable restraining force, much like the also deceased Konoha White Fang."
"I understand. Recently, many skilled ninjas have emerged in the Underground Black Market. There are plenty of experts there; they'll definitely take up profitable ventures."
Onoki nodded, signifying his understanding.
"So, what about the Hidden Cloud's side? Were there any results from the discussions?"
About the Third Raikage's situation, Kitsuchi heard at the front line and wanted to know how to strategize against the Hidden Cloud.
Killing the Third Raikage meant Hidden Rock and Hidden Cloud Village had completely fallen out.
The Hidden Cloud likely would wage war against Hidden Rock under the pretext of avenging the Third Raikage.
"I've discussed it with the Elder Council; if Hidden Cloud wants to fight, we'll fight them to the end. I'm a ninja called 'Both Scales,' let those barbaric guys know the strength of our Hidden Rock!"
Onoki's eyes gleamed with cold light, snorting coldly.
Onoki's tough stance was no surprise to Kitsuchi.
Since his memory began, the impression of his father Onoki was always one of a hardliner.
Even if a two-front war broke out, Hidden Rock Village would not yield an inch.
◎
In the Land of Demons, Hakushi was thoroughly informed about the recent turbulence in the Ninja Realm.
With the Third Raikage's death and Hidden Cloud's likely furious state, they would almost certainly formally declare war on Hidden Rock.
This meant that the orders for Shion Flower Pharmaceutical Company would increase again.
However, an unforeseen event caught Hakushi off guard.
Upon receiving the scroll sent back by the Earth General, Hakushi found it quite hot to handle.
This scroll was the hard-earned achievement of the Third Raikage's extensive effort in the Land of Earth.
Now it had been stolen by Ayane and sent back to him.
If Hidden Cloud or Hidden Rock found out about this, it wouldn't be a joke.
"Seriously, I sent her to eliminate 'rats,' but she ran off to the Land of Earth? She really can't let people be at ease."
Now that this has happened, Hakushi could only mutter a few complaints, but returning the acquired spoil was impossible.
As long as they're not discovered, there's no problem.
He only feared that Ayane might have left something undone, which could expose clues that lead people back to him.
Then, he looked at another letter, which detailed the battlefield sightseeing Ayane witnessed firsthand.