When the wounded were taken to the Konoha First National Hospital, the only conscious survivor reported the situation on the battlefield to Tsunade.
All Tsunade could do was offer words of comfort and administer medicine to suppress the salamander's poison, temporarily keeping the injured alive.
Blood samples containing the toxin were immediately sent to the laboratory.
But the Fire Salamander's venom was anything but simple. Even Hanzō himself would be poisoned if he inhaled that toxic mist.
It would take Tsunade a long time to develop an antidote. For now, she could only rely on supporting medicines to keep those Shinobi alive.
All she could do was hope their conditions wouldn't worsen.
While Tsunade worked in exhaustion, the Hatake household remained calm and quiet.
News of the defeat had not yet spread.
Kawaze, Sakumo, and Duy were drinking tea together.
Naoyuki sat quietly holding Kakashi in her arms, listening.
The ghostly wolfhound was still being a responsible father, teaching the white little pup how to interact with humans.
Nawaki and Minato were also taking a rare break, happily playing with the two dogs.
No matter how strong they were, deep down they were still teenagers at heart.
"We leave tomorrow."
Sakumo said this casually while drinking his tea.
"Your belongings have already been packed."
Naoyuki looked down at Kakashi. "For the days ahead, you'll be the only one by your mother's side."
"I don't know whether the frontlines are still fighting."
Kawaze was still trying to understand the situation at the front, unaware that Orochimaru's patience had already run out—and that he had been defeated.
"We may have already pushed deep into the Rain Country."
Duy, ever the optimist, spoke with a bright smile on his face.
The last war had made him underestimate the Rain ninja.
"Haha, that couldn't be better."
Sakumo laughed and agreed with his friend.
"We still—"
Kawaze hadn't finished saying "shouldn't be too optimistic" when the butler and Orochimaru appeared at the training grounds.
"Kawaze-kun."
Orochimaru called out to Kawaze, Sakumo, and Duy, nodding in greeting.
"Orochimaru-kun, why have you returned?"
Kawaze already felt a bad premonition. Victory would not come so easily.
"Heh… I brought only eleven people back."
Orochimaru wore a self-deprecating smile as he walked toward Kawaze. Naoyuki stood up and offered her seat out of respect.
"Thank you."
Orochimaru actually thanked her. His condition had already improved somewhat—at least his snake-like eyes had regained a bit of brightness.
"How could this happen?"
Sakumo's expression changed instantly, his tone tense.
Kawaze still poured Orochimaru tea; anything he said now would be pointless. He suspected Hanzō had fought personally—otherwise, with Orochimaru's ability, even defeat wouldn't have left him with only eleven survivors.
Duy's usually cheerful face had gone completely serious. He waited quietly for Orochimaru to continue.
Looking at Kawaze, Orochimaru saw genuine concern in his eyes. He truly regarded him as a friend.
Taking a sip of tea, Orochimaru began to speak slowly.
"The day after we received supplies, I led a large force deep into the Rain Country."
"We fought Hanzō of the Salamander and his Rain ninja."
"We were utterly defeated. The monster he summoned was too strong. Its poisonous mist killed most of us—and left even us gravely injured."
Orochimaru summarized the terrible battle in just a few sentences.
"Half of Salamander Hanzō's strength comes from his summoned beast. On the battlefield, it's overwhelmingly powerful."
Kawaze evaluated Hanzō based on the original timeline. Without the salamander, Hanzō might only be Kage-level at best.
"Kawaze-kun is correct."
Orochimaru agreed. But a summoned beast was still part of Hanzō's power—an undeniable fact.
What was the Third Hokage planning to do next?
Sakumo was quick to realize that Orochimaru must have gone to the Hokage Tower before coming here.
"The teacher didn't give me a clear answer."
"But the war must go on. It's only a matter of time."
No matter how strong or weak the Third was now, Orochimaru understood him deeply.
If he didn't respond after such a crushing defeat, his prestige in Konoha would collapse.
"Prepare yourselves. I don't think the next battle will take long to begin."
Kawaze also believed the Third would send reinforcements soon—whether to preserve his reputation or satisfy the ambitions of the daimyo's military faction.
"I will avenge everyone."
Though Duy was now a father, he was still the passionate young man he had always been.
…
They continued discussing the heavy topic of war, and even Nawaki and Minato came over to listen.
That evening, Orochimaru stayed for dinner at Kawaze's invitation. Tsunade also arrived at the Hatake home, looking completely exhausted.
The scent of simmering sauce was her only relief from the weight on her mind.
That night, Orochimaru drank himself unconscious.
Once the matter with Orochimaru settled, Kawaze and Tsunade finally had a moment alone.
As it turned out, neither of them was actually drunk.
"You might have to go to the battlefield this time."
Under the moonlight, Kawaze gazed gently at Tsunade.
Fruit and yogurt sat on the stone table of the dojo.
"I should go. At least then I'll be able to save more people."
Tsunade still looked tired. Hanzō's poison troubled her deeply.
"I believe you can."
Kawaze wrapped an arm around her shoulders, letting her lean against him.
"The teacher must take responsibility for this loss as well. He truly has grown old."
"When the war ends, I believe he should lay down that burden."
This was the first time Tsunade revealed her true ambition in front of Kawaze.
Kawaze didn't believe his subtle persuasion had influenced her—this was Tsunade's own resolve.
"I'll support you forever."
"Mm."
Tsunade replied softly, closing her eyes and enjoying the warmth of the man beside her.
They stayed like that without speaking, leaning into each other until deep into the night.
—The next morning—
The Third Hokage summoned all the jōnin again.
This time, the Third arrived early along with his two advisors.
He first recounted Orochimaru's devastating defeat.
All eyes turned to Orochimaru, but he remained calm.
He didn't care about their stares.
Then the Third announced the next expedition.
Tsunade and Orochimaru would be the main force, with Jiraiya as support.
Jiraiya had returned to Konoha months ago, but he hadn't gone to meet Orochimaru when the latter came home.
Once supplies arrived from the daimyo, the main forces would march toward the Rain Country border.
The meeting was short and efficient. After assigning missions, the Third left with his two advisors.
The room immediately filled with chatter.
"Hanzō of the Salamander lives up to his reputation."
"Orochimaru isn't that impressive after all."
"This time I'll make a name for myself."
…
Kawaze and his group heard all kinds of remarks.
He exchanged a smile with Orochimaru before they left the room.
The outcome of war couldn't be decided by words.
"Hello, Jiraiya. I'm Hatake Kaze."
Kawaze greeted Jiraiya warmly as they stepped outside. He had a good impression of the lecherous sage.
After all, aside from being a pervert, Jiraiya really had no flaws—he was kind, trustworthy, and strong.
Even without Tsunade, Kawaze believed he'd still be able to help Jiraiya find his steel hand, aluminum hand, and even titanium-alloy hand.
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All the fanfiction is 30-chapter ahead but this "Naruto: Tsunade the Fugitive Healer" is 30 chapters ahead there