After packing up, Kamishiro slung a stuffed bag over his back and left the tent.
Outside the tent, Minato Namikaze, Kakashi, Rin Nohara, and Obito Uchiha were waiting for him.
Obito waved at Kamishiro. "We've been waiting for you, Kamishiro! Hurry up and let's go."
"I'm coming!"
Kamishiro jogged over to Minato Namikaze's side.
Minato Namikaze smiled at Kamishiro and said, "We're always here with you, so don't be scared!"
Kamishiro stared blankly at Minato Namikaze.
Holy shit! These words are way too powerful!
Kamishiro was a little touched by what Minato Namikaze said.
Minato Namikaze took a deep breath and said seriously, "Alright, this journey to the Country of Grass will be our last easy stretch. Kamishiro, I hope you're mentally prepared. The mission in the Country of Grass will most likely involve combat. I hope you can stick together with Obito, Kakashi, and Rin!"
Kamishiro nodded. "I understand what you mean, Lord Minato. I won't hold Kakashi and the others back."
Minato Namikaze gave Kamishiro a helpless look.
Still putting on an act.
What holding back? He wanted Kamishiro to fight side by side with Kakashi and the others!
He'd already shown his true abilities during normal cultivation. Did he think he hadn't been exposed?
Minato Namikaze didn't expose Kamishiro. After all, Kamishiro was just in a good mood. If he exposed him now, Kamishiro would be in a bad mood again.
It will take some time for the swelling on Obito's face to subside, so let's leave it at that for now.
"Alright, it's time to set off. We're probably the only ones left."
Minato Namikaze led the way. He brought Kamishiro, Kakashi, and the others to join the main force and then headed towards the Country of Grass.
...
A week later.
Kamishiro reached the Konoha camp in the Country of Grass with the main force of ninjas from Konoha.
The atmosphere in the camp was extremely tense. Everyone looked extremely serious, walking in a hurry. You could even see injured ninjas missing arms or legs being rushed to the medical ninjas for treatment.
It was obvious that the ninjas from Konoha here had already started combat.
Kamishiro felt nervous too and swallowed hard.
Tsunade had already slipped away using the Body Flicker Technique.
After all, she had hemophobia. She'd accidentally caught a glimpse of blood just now, and her body was already trembling. If she accidentally saw it again, she might just collapse to the ground.
After all, she, Tsunade, was one of the famous Sannin in the ninja world. She still had her pride.
Minato Namikaze frowned and said to Jiraiya, "Teacher Jiraiya, it seems that the war for our Konoha has already begun."
Jiraiya also looked solemn and said, "Yes, let's go to the combat command room to find out the situation."
Jiraiya turned to the ninjas including Kamishiro who had rushed here from the Land of Hot Water and said, "Go to the logistics in an orderly manner to collect supplies, find a place to set up camp and rest! Then we'll arrange the missions!"
Kamishiro followed Kakashi, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara. Along with other ninjas, they went to the logistics supply collection area to get tents and then looked for an open space to start setting up the tents.
Under Kamishiro's command, the tents of Kakashi, Obito, and Rin were set up in a triangular formation.
And Kamishiro's tent was right in the middle of the three of theirs. It was simply for the sake of security.
Although Kakashi and Rin were quite reluctant, under Kamishiro's "putting on a big act (crying, throwing tantrums, and threatening self - harm)", Kakashi and Rin still "happily" agreed.
'You know, I left my hometown and came here. I don't know this place and only know you guys.'
'And you also know that I'm now wanted by Sunagakure. I live in fear every day and feel so insecure.'
"If you guys don't help me, I don't know who else I can turn to. After all, I've got nothing left."
And with Kamishiro putting on that fake sad look...
Of course, Kakashi and Rin weren't deceived. Only Obito was.
After this series of maneuvers, even though they knew Kamishiro was faking it, Kakashi and Rin had no choice but to agree.
...
Inside the combat command room.
The commander wasn't Orochimaru. Orochimaru had gone directly to the Land of Rivers to command the battle.
Now, the one in charge of the combat command here was Shikaku Nara, assisted by Inoichi Yamanaka and Chōza Akimichi.
Minato Namikaze was friends with the Ino - Shika - Chō trio. It had been a long time since they last met, and he was very happy to see the three of them here. However, it was obvious that this wasn't the time to catch up.
Jiraiya asked, "Shikaku, how's the situation here now?"
Shikaku Nara reported, "Lord Jiraiya, the situation is quite bad but has at least stabilized. With both Sunagakure ninjas and Iwagakure ninja troops in the Country of Grass, it's very difficult for our ninjas from Konoha to fight them head - on simultaneously.
Fortunately, the Third Hokage had us come to the Country of Grass early to make arrangements. We've occupied many advantageous terrains in the Country of Grass. Moreover, both the Iwagakure and Sunagakure ninjas have their own agendas. If they unite to attack us, even with the advantageous terrains, it would be very difficult for us. However, they're both reluctant to sacrifice their own ninjas and have been waiting for the other side to make the first move.
That's why our situation has barely stabilized, and we're temporarily evenly matched with them."
Minato Namikaze said seriously, "I've brought all the ninjas from the Land of Hot Water to support here. Shikaku, just arrange whatever you need us to do!"
Shikaku Nara nodded. 'After that, I'll disperse the ninjas you brought among the various ninja forces. This can relieve a great deal of pressure on our comrades at those positions. Moreover, I suspect that the cooperation between Sunagakure and Iwagakure will end soon. After all, they don't share the same goals. A partnership full of mutual suspicion and vigilance won't last long.'
Jiraiya's eyes lit up and he said expectantly, 'If their cooperation ends, will the pressure on our Konoha be much less?'
Shikamaru Nara said solemnly, 'No, in my opinion, it's just the opposite. If the cooperation between Sunagakure and Iwagakure ends, we'll face the fully - committed Iwagakure ninjas head - on, and our pressure will actually increase. Although we occupy many advantageous terrains, the Iwagakure ninjas are good at Earth Release Ninjutsu. Our advantageous terrains will be ineffective against their Earth Release Ninjutsu.'
'Moreover, Sunagakure will still be eyeing our Konoha from the rear. Now, it depends on Cloud Hidden Village. Whether Cloud Hidden Village wants to take action against Iwagakure or our Konoha. Meanwhile, we also need to be on high alert against Kirigakure, which hasn't made any moves yet.'
'It can be said that our Konoha's current situation is not optimistic!'
Hearing Shikamaru Nara's analysis, Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze looked even more solemn.
Shikamaru Nara sighed softly and said, 'Lord Jiraiya, Minato, you've had a long and tiring journey. You must be exhausted. Take a rest first. I'll have special arrangements for you later.'
Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze nodded in agreement at the same time and said, 'Okay!'