The first rays of dawn peeked through, and a thin mist shrouded the Konoha camp like a light veil.
The air in the Land of Rain was always thick with moisture, filling each breath with a chill, now mixed with a faint scent of blood, making it even more oppressive.
Itoshiki moved his body in his tent, the injury on his arm mostly healed.
Although the medical team ninjas wanted him to stay a few more days for observation, he insisted on moving back to his own tent.
Firstly, the atmosphere in the injured camp was too depressing, always making him feel like he might be carried in next time, and secondly, he wanted to familiarize himself with his newly acquired power as soon as possible.
Of course, there was an even more important reason: the front-line beds were scarce, and as a ninja who had basically recovered, he should give his bed to those who needed it more.
He gently swung his fist, feeling the surging power within his body that far surpassed his previous strength. His muscles were firmer, and his bones were more resilient. This was the transformation brought about by the Super Strength Technique.
The Small Accomplishment realm directly infused by the system made it feel as if he had truly undergone countless trials. His body directly ushered in a transformation, and his strength, speed, and reaction ability were all significantly improved.
"S-rank Ninjutsu, it truly lives up to its name. Just the initial Small Accomplishment has improved my basic physical qualities. If I add chakra to the reaction, this punch will definitely be several times stronger than before," Itoshiki sighed inwardly, feeling the explosive power contained in his muscles.
Strength alone is not enough; he also needs to master the skills of the Super Strength Technique to unleash its true power.
Itoshiki knew clearly that the Super Strength Technique was not only a symbol of brute force but also an embodiment of precise chakra control, requiring the instantaneous concentration of chakra to a certain part of the body to unleash the greatest power.
He needed to practice constantly, integrating the Super Strength Technique into his own fighting style, to play a greater role on the battlefield.
"Itoshiki, you're awake?" A gentle voice came, interrupting itoshiki's thoughts.
Looking up, he saw a young female ninja walking in. She was the medical ninja in charge of taking care of Itoshiki, Haruno Akimi.
"Yes, I feel like I've almost recovered," Itoshiki replied, raising his arm to show the almost-healed wound.
"Your injury has recovered very well. It seems your physical fitness is very good," Haruno Akimi carefully examined Itoshiki's wound, evaluating professionally.
"Maybe it's because I'm lucky," Itoshiki said casually. He couldn't possibly tell her that he had recovered so quickly because he had received a system reward.
"Luck is also part of strength, make good use of it," Haruno Akimi encouraged with a smile, patting him on the shoulder, then said seriously: "Tsunade-sama wants you to go to the central army tent to see her as soon as your injury heals."
"Tsunade-sama is looking for me?" Itoshiki was shocked. Could it be that his conflict last night had angered Tsunade? But she didn't seem angry. Was it something else?
He could only face it as it comes. Itoshiki nodded in response: "Okay, I understand."
Konoha rear camp, central army tent.
Tsunade sat in the main seat, holding a newly received intelligence scroll in her hand, her brow furrowed.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru, who had rushed back from the front line, sat on either side, their faces equally solemn.
"Those guys from Iwagakure are attacking more and more fiercely. It seems they want to swallow the Land of Rain in one gulp!" Jiraiya stroked his chin, saying with a grave tone.
"The Land of Rain has a complex terrain, easy to defend and difficult to attack. It won't be easy to take the Land of Rain. Especially 'Hanzo the Salamander', he's not an easy character to deal with," Orochimaru licked his lips, saying with an icy tone, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes.
"That being said, we can't be careless," Tsunade put down the intelligence scroll in her hand and said, "Iwagakure's Combined Earth Release Ninjutsu is large-scale and amazingly destructive, posing a great threat to us. We must find a way to deal with it."
"Tsunade, what are your plans?" Jiraiya asked.
"I plan to send an elite Jonin squad to the border of the Land of Rain to carry out an infiltration mission, disrupt Iwagakure's supply lines, and contain their actions," Tsunade said.
"At the same time, we need to have a clearer understanding of the situation on the front line. The movements of Iwagakure and Sunagakure, as well as those wandering thieves, are all urgent problems that we need to solve. We can't continue to be passive."
Orochimaru didn't speak, just looked deeply at Tsunade with his cold, serpentine eyes, seemingly guessing her true intentions. Sending a Jonin squad to infiltrate… what was the real purpose?
Jiraiya nodded, agreeing with Tsunade's plan, then looked outside the tent. A figure passed the guards' verification and walked towards this side.
Itoshiki took a deep breath, suppressing the unease in his heart, and walked into the tent. He looked at the three people in the tent and knelt on one knee, "Greetings, Commander-sama, Chunin Itoshiki reporting for duty."
Jiraiya and Orochimaru exchanged glances, both seeing the doubt in each other's eyes: a Chunin, why would he be summoned to the central army tent?
"Yes, you've come," Tsunade raised her head, looking at Itoshiki ,her gaze changing from the previous fortitude to gentleness, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a subtle smile.
"How is your injury?" Tsunade asked.
"It's much better, thank you for your concern, Tsunade-sama," Itoshiki replied.
"That's good," Tsunade nodded and said, "I have a mission for you."
"A mission?" Itoshiki's heart stirred. Could it be because of the conflict and confession last night? Tsunade-sama personally issued a mission, it seems she has expectations for him, then he must go all out to complete it perfectly.
"Yes, an annihilation mission," Tsunade's tone sank, her eyes like torches.
"I need you to go to the rear. There is a band of thieves at the border. There are Iwagakure ninjas involved in this band of thieves, and they may even be under their command. They incited the thieves to take advantage of the chaos to attack our country's borders and plunder supplies. Your mission is to completely eliminate them, leaving no one alive! Can you do it?"
"I guarantee to complete the mission!" Itoshiki said without hesitation, his voice sonorous and forceful.
"Very good, I believe in you," Tsunade nodded with satisfaction, revealing a hint of approving smile, "This is the mission scroll, the detailed content is inside, take it."
Itoshiki took the mission scroll, opened it, and saw that it detailed the content and route of the mission.
"Set off, be careful on the road," Tsunade instructed, her eyes carrying a hint of concern and expectation.
"Yes!" Itoshiki responded and turned to leave the central army tent.
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