Before departure, Kakashi and Ginji finally got the signatures sorted out.
After tossing the documents to Kawaki, the two joined the expeditionary force along with their companions.
"These little brats really don't want to stay home, huh?"
Muttering a playful curse, Kawaki didn't even glance at the papers before shoving them carelessly into his shirt.
"Let them do as they please."
"There probably won't be many chances like this again anyway."
Tsunade knew only after witnessing the brutality of war firsthand would Kakashi and the others truly cherish the hard-won peace.
There's no doubt these kids will be the future pillars of Konoha.
"You're not wrong about that."
"They should be setting out soon too."
Kawaki saw that Nawaki and Minato had already verified the deployment numbers. It was time to move out.
"Yeah."
Nodding silently, Tsunade decided against giving another pep talk, simply watching quietly.
In her eyes, there was no doubt about the outcome of this war.
Konoha will win!!
"Move out."
At Nawaki and Minato's command, the massive army divided into two groups and moved in opposite directions.
Nawaki led Kakashi and the rest toward the Land of Rivers. Once they crossed through it, they could enter the Land of Wind.
Minato, on the other hand, led Ginji's group of junior recruits along with Yahiko and company toward the Land of Hot Water.
Konoha's full-scale military force would meet up with Akatsuki ninja there and then launch an attack on the Land of Lightning.
"Uncle, I heard you once fought against the Fourth Kazekage?"
Approaching Nawaki, Kakashi wasn't sure where he'd heard it from.
"That was ages ago."
Recalling the scene during the Second Shinobi World War when he and Minato teamed up against Rasa, Nawaki's eyes gleamed with battle spirit.
Back then I couldn't beat you. Now let's see if you can handle me.
"Just how strong was he?"
Kakashi pressed on, clearly determined to learn every last detail.
"Nothing special."
"That guy acted all arrogant just because he was a few years older."
"If Sunagakure hadn't been short on candidates, he never would've become Kazekage."
"This time I'll make him see my strength."
Nawaki still harbored some bitterness from that old battle. That fight was brutal.
The Third Kazekage died and Konoha suffered heavy casualties.
Still, the fact that Rasa overpowered both him and Minato was undeniable.
"He didn't gain much ground either."
Like a cat with its tail stepped on, Nawaki immediately became excited.
"Haha~ I knew it."
Seeing Nawaki's reaction, Kakashi became even more convinced he was right.
Rasa's threat level in Kakashi's mind shot up dramatically.
Though he didn't know exactly how that battle went, Kakashi knew it was Nawaki and Minato working together.
Not even mentioning defeating them, just managing to restrain both Nawaki and Minato was something no ordinary expert could achieve.
Even within Konoha, the number of people who could suppress both Nawaki and Minato at the same time could be counted on one hand.
As for Nawaki's comment about being a few years older, it served as strong evidence of Rasa's extraordinary talent.
After all these years, he had no doubt that Rasa's strength had grown.
"You don't know a thing about it."
"Scram, already!"
Nawaki waved an arm impatiently. This kid was such a pain.
"Uncle~"
"I still have a question."
Kakashi wasn't one to be brushed off easily. He called out sweetly, sending chills down Nawaki's spine.
"Out with it already. Don't start getting creepy."
Nawaki shuddered in disgust and shot Kakashi a fierce glare.
"The One-Tail Jinchūriki is a monk?"
"Is he really strong?"
Kakashi wisely avoided mentioning Rasa again.
"Yeah, he is a monk."
"And yeah, he's definitely powerful."
When talking about Bunpuku, Nawaki's expression became serious as well.
To him, Bunpuku was even more dangerous than Rasa.
By fully mastering the Tailed Beast's power, he could effortlessly overpower even ordinary Kage-level fighters.
"How strong is he, really?"
Kakashi had only heard about perfect Jinchūriki before but had never actually seen one.
Although he knew Aunt Tsunade was also one, she'd never put on a show for him.
So far, he'd only witnessed Old Man Rōshi's half-Tailed Beast form.
But unfortunately, Rōshi had been completely outmatched by Nagato.
That left Kakashi unsure of just how powerful a perfect Jinchūriki could be.
"How can I explain it to you..."
Nawaki paused briefly, trying to make it easier to understand.
Kakashi stared intently without blinking, waiting for the explanation.
"When Bunpuku fully transforms into the Tailed Beast, he can go toe-to-toe with my sister."
By directly comparing with Tsunade, Kakashi immediately understood.
What he didn't know, however, was that back then, Tsunade hadn't yet mastered Wood Release.
If Tsunade were to fight Bunpuku now, it would be a clear three-seven matchup.
Tsunade could tear Bunpuku apart within three minutes.
"Woah, so powerful!"
"So... Do you think we can handle this?"
"Isn't this kind of reckless?"
A flicker of unease stirred in Kakashi's chest. He hadn't grown enough yet to confidently face anyone in a fifty-fifty battle.
"Why should you worry about this?"
"There are still others who haven't arrived yet."
"That Bounty Hunter Kakuzu isn't some nobody either."
"He and I can handle it."
Saying this, Nawaki felt absolutely no hesitation. He fully believed in his own strength.
He didn't expect Kakuzu to land the killing blow; as long as he could stall either Rasa or Bunpuku, Nawaki could finish off the other.
This confidence came from countless battles.
Without that kind of skill, how could he ever hope to challenge Minato for the Fifth Hokage position?
"If you say so, Uncle, then I feel better."
"But when you guys start fighting, please stay far away from me. Don't drag me into it."
Kakashi knew Nawaki wasn't the kind to talk nonsense.
Since he dared to say this, even if not a hundred percent certain, he must at least be capable of handling both Rasa and Bunpuku.
The lingering unease in Kakashi's chest finally faded away completely.
He wasn't worried about himself in the least. He was just afraid the Konoha ninja would take heavy casualties.
"Kid, you got no legs or what?"
"You think I'll be holding back for you mid-fight?"
"Just hurry up and run already."
Nawaki gave Kakashi a playful pat on the head, knowing the kid was just messing around.
"Got it, got it."
Kakashi shrugged, slowed down, and rejoined his friends. He quickly passed along the news he'd just gotten from Nawaki.
The topic lit up the entire group. They became lively and engaged in conversation.
On Ginji's end, things weren't nearly as lively. Minato and Yahiko were chatting happily together, leaving no room for others to join in.
The mood within the team stayed pretty relaxed throughout the journey. Everyone knew they were clearly in the lead.
Put simply, with those senior ninja leading the way, this mission was practically a guaranteed win against the Land of Lightning.
Given that confidence, how could they feel even slightly nervous?
"Feels less like heading into battle," Ginji grumbled sarcastically. He couldn't feel any sign of an impending battle.
It felt like their last mock battle with the Akatsuki. He'd even begged Kakashi for ages just to get permission to join this trip to the Land of Lightning.
"Feels more like a field trip."
"Look, some of them are already snacking."
Aoi Tsukigami pointed toward several hefty figures ahead—members of the Akimichi clan.
"Don't every Leaf ninja know the Akimichi eat everywhere they go?" Naruto rolled his eyes. Wasn't that common knowledge?
"Hahaha~"
"I've got snacks."
Kinoto somehow produced a massive stash of snacks out of nowhere and started handing them out to the others.
"Just leave it like that."
Ginji spoke while violently ripping open a bag of chips, then casually passed it to Aoi Tsukigami.
Who'd have guessed he was such a sweet little gentleman?
...
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