Main Quest

"Lady Tsunade, how is Lord Sheng doing?"

The lights in the operating room went out. The moment Tsunade stepped out, she was met by a crowd of people waiting anxiously for news.

"He’s fine. That kid’s constitution was unexpectedly strong. His hand will recover after he recuperates for a while."

Tsunade wiped the sweat from her forehead. That operation had been quite a challenge even for her.

"The Uchiha Clan thanks you on Lord Sheng’s behalf, Lady Tsunade."

Uchiha Fugaku bowed solemnly to Tsunade. After all, Uchiha Sheng—the vessel through which Gu Sheng had descended—was also his younger brother, so naturally, he was deeply concerned.

"Don’t misunderstand. I treated that kid because of him, not because of your Uchiha."

Although Tsunade had a favorable impression of Gu Sheng, she still had no particular liking for the Uchiha.

"Regardless, thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Fugaku bowed again. How could the clan heir not understand the complicated relationship between the Uchiha and Senju? Still, his gratitude toward Tsunade was sincere. Compared with ordinary Uchiha, his pride was restrained and never displayed in public.

"Sis, can we go in and see Lord Sheng?"

Nawaki spoke from the side. After Tsunade nodded, Chu Xin immediately rushed into the operating room, followed by a crowd of people.

"This kid sure is popular!"

Tsunade glanced behind her. Senju, Uchiha, Hyuga, Aburame, Ino-Shika-Cho… Many of the ninjas Gu Sheng had saved had come to visit him.

"Sigh~"

Tsunade sighed and prepared to leave and get some rest. The operation had taken quite a toll on her. When she turned around, she saw another familiar back. "Sarutobi-sensei!"

"Lord Sheng, be careful!"

In a room within the combat command center, Chu Xin and Mei Daizi carefully helped Gu Sheng lie down on the bed.

The combat command room in Konoha’s camp was located inside a hollowed-out mountain cave carved out by Konoha’s Earth Release experts. There were quite a few rooms inside, which had previously been used by some Jonin and the command staff.

Gu Sheng had made a great contribution this time, and his injuries were serious. Since he could not recuperate properly amid the noise of the Medical Camp, the Hokage had specially approved a room where he could rest for a while.

"How is the situation outside now? Have the Sunagakure Shinobi agreed to negotiate?"

Gu Sheng leaned against the headboard, his body resting against the pillows. Quite some time had passed since the battle two days ago, so there should have been a result by now.

"No~"

Chu Xin, who had been keeping an eye on the situation outside for Gu Sheng, shook her head. "Although you badly injured the Third Kazekage, he still refuses to yield. The Sunagakure Shinobi have resumed their standoff with us at their former camp. Their Jinchuriki is simply too powerful. If they focus entirely on defense, we have no way to break through their camp."

Chu Xin’s words made Gu Sheng frown. Bunpuku, the Jinchuriki of the One-Tail Shukaku, was an extremely perfect Jinchuriki, while Shukaku was one of the strongest Tailed Beasts.

The Sunagakure Shinobi were skilled in Wind Release, and Shukaku’s Magnet Release could whip up countless clouds of sand and dust. An ensuing sandstorm was something ordinary ninjas could not withstand.

Konoha was not lacking in powerful fighters, but only Kage Level shinobi could inflict heavy damage on a Tailed Beast. Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and White Fang were the ones capable of making a real difference. In practice, however, only Tsunade’s and Orochimaru’s Summoning Beasts, Slug and Manda, could truly be effective.

Sarutobi was powerful, but even during the later Nine-Tails incident, he had been unable to stop the rampaging Nine-Tails. Sarutobi was indeed strong, but his combination of techniques did not inflict much damage on Tailed Beasts. He lacked a powerful move specifically suited to dealing with them.

In that regard, the First Hokage, Second Hokage, and Fourth Hokage were all superior to him. The First Hokage’s Wood Release went without saying. The Second Hokage possessed a whole arsenal of forbidden techniques, many of them specifically designed to counter Tailed Beasts. The Fourth Hokage was the son-in-law of the Whirlpool and was exceptionally skilled in sealing techniques.

By comparison, Sarutobi seemed somewhat "middle-of-the-road," like an enlarged version of Ebizo. In this respect, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki’s Dust Release and the Third Raikage’s taijutsu were both more impressive than his. The former could nearly destroy anything, while the latter could fight a Tailed Beast head-on.

"Looks like there’s still quite a fight ahead."

Gu Sheng shook his head. Since the Third Kazekage refused to yield, this war would likely become a protracted stalemate. Still, the situation favored Konoha. Chiyo and the Third Kazekage had both been badly injured by Gu Sheng, so the Sunagakure Shinobi had effectively lost the ability to launch an offensive.

Now, they could only rely on defense to contend with Konoha. It was easy for them to arrange themselves and coordinate their techniques within the camp, but maintaining their formation during an attack would be difficult. It would be extremely hard for the Sunagakure army to coordinate with Shukaku in unleashing a sandstorm.

"Brother Sheng, you mean this war is probably going to continue?"

Chu Xin’s little face fell, and she looked somewhat irritated. Their Main Quest was to participate in and experience the Second Shinobi World War. Lord God’s requirements were very clear: they could not simply lie low. They had to take part.

The past year or so had already been difficult for her. Just when their campaign against the Sunagakure Shinobi seemed about to end, they had never expected… When would these days finally come to an end?

"Haha~~~"

Gu Sheng laughed as he gently scratched Chu Xin’s nose, then pulled her head against him. With his less injured left hand, he slowly stroked her smooth blue hair. "Don’t worry. No matter how long it takes, we’ll stay together. Everyone will be fine."

"Mmph~~"

Chu Xin closed her eyes. As Gu Sheng stroked her head like he was teasing a kitten, an indistinct whimper escaped her throat. Her body relaxed, and she hugged him, narrowing her eyes and refusing to let go.

"Heh~"

Gu Sheng could not help laughing at Chu Xin’s childlike behavior. In their relationship, he and Chu Xin were technically boyfriend and girlfriend, but he was more like a parent. Taking care of the little girl gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.

"Lord Sheng!"

Mei Daizi sat down on Gu Sheng’s other side and carefully rested her head in the hollow of his neck. Unlike Chu Xin, she had only gone through two instances and was a housewife by nature, so she was actually even less accustomed to this. But with Gu Sheng beside her, she felt at ease and secure, as if she had someone to rely on.

Women could be fragile at times. At such moments, what they needed most was a man’s embrace.

"Creak~"

Just as the three of them were cuddling together in tender warmth, the door suddenly opened. Tsunade, who had come looking for them, froze when she saw the three of them embracing. Then she abruptly turned around and slammed the door shut with a "bang~."

"Ah~"

Chu Xin was startled awake by the noise. When she turned her head and saw what had happened, her eyes reddened even further. Her Byakugan revealed the two people outside the door. "It’s Lady Tsunade and Nawaki."

"They must have something to discuss. Mei Daizi, let them in."

Gu Sheng pinched Mei Daizi’s cheek, kissed her lightly on the forehead, and then kissed Chu Xin’s little face. The little girl’s face turned even redder.

Although she already knew that Gu Sheng and Mei Daizi were involved, she still felt a little unable to open up when the three of them were actually this intimate.