For a long time afterward, the conflict between Konoha and Sunagakure reached a stalemate.
With Rin not using his true abilities, the overall combat power of both sides was indeed evenly matched.
During this period, it was essentially a battle of wits between Chiyo and Tsunade. Chiyo would develop new types of poisons, poisoning large numbers of Konoha's Ninjas, while Tsunade would quickly research antidotes to counteract them.
After another battle ended, Tsunade looked at Jin, who was lounging in her tent, and said irritably, "You were slacking off in the rear again today, weren't you?"
It had been a long time since the battle at Amegakure where he helped her avenged Nawaki. It was no exaggeration to say that Tsunade was the person in the Naruto World who understood Jin the best.
How could she not see that this guy was slacking off every time he went to battle?
It was strange, though. Every day, Jin trained early in the morning, pushing himself incredibly hard, as if trying to kill himself with the intensity.
Every night, Tsunade had to use Medical Ninjutsu to repair his overworked, damaged muscles. Yet, when it came to actual combat, it was like he was a different person. He just stayed in the rear, killing a few people to get by.
To be honest, if Jin had gone all out even once during these battles, the Konoha's army would probably have already advanced into the Land of Wind.
When Newgate and Ace watched the livestreams, they thought Jin's fighting style was very similar to a certain Marine they had encountered when they were alive.
"What good would an early end to the war do for us?" Jin chuckled, sitting down beside Tsunade and deftly wrapping an arm around her slender waist.
The Senju Princess's face flushed slightly. She tried to struggle but couldn't break free, so she had to let him hold her.
'He's grown quite a bit taller,' Tsunade thought inwardly.
When they first met to avenge Nawaki, Jin only came up to her chest. Now, he was almost up to her nose.
Jin casually explained his thoughts to Tsunade. Firstly, he had no interest in being used as a tool by Hiruzen. More importantly, ending this war early wouldn't benefit him or Tsunade.
As long as Konoha was at war, the old foxes on the Konoha Council had to rely on Tsunade's medical skills and himself.
But once the war ended, they could do whatever they wanted without restraint.
It was the same principle as towards the end of the Third Great Ninja War.
At that time, Konoha still needed the Uchiha Clan's power to fight for them. But once the war ended and peace came, they exterminated the entire Uchiha Clan without batting an eye.
Ultimately, it was the logic of 'when the hares have all been caught, the hunting dogs are cooked'.
Therefore, for Jin, the longer this war dragged on, the better. It gave him more time to grow stronger.
To be honest, Jin even thought about asking Tsunade to slack off a bit too, so they could all take it easy.
Unfortunately, Tsunade's moral standards were clearly higher than his. Even though her relationship with Hiruzen was practically severed, she still diligently dedicated herself.
Mainly, she still held deep feelings for the village her grandfather founded.
"By the way, it seems Amegakure has elected a new leader named Zetsu," Tsunade said, slapping Jin's increasingly unruly paws away and changing the subject.
"Huh?" Hearing the name, Jin was stunned.
'Zetsu? Could it be that Zetsu? The Oreo-looking guy wrapped in what seemed like a hybrid of a pitcher plant and an aloe vera plant?'
'If it really was 'that' Zetsu, then Uchiha Madara, that scheming bastard, was definitely pulling the strings behind the scenes.'
But Jin felt it wasn't surprising. Even Obito managed to control Kirigakure by manipulating the Fourth Mizukage, so what was so strange about the old Madara controlling Amegakure?
He just wondered what would become of Nagato's future.
'Oh well, I had already saved Konan from her suffering. I couldn't be bothered with the rest.'
"Can I sleep here tonight?" After some more conversation, Jin couldn't help but initiate an attack.
"Don't even think about it!" Tsunade refuted without hesitation, 'There are so many people in the camp! What are you trying to do, kid!?'
"I won't do anything," Jin said innocently.
"Then what the hell is that thing poking me!?" Tsunade glared.
…
On the other side, in a dark cavern.
"Madara-sama~ We've taken care of all the uncooperative people in Amegakure," White Zetsu, with only half a face, emerged from the wall and reported to the white-haired old man sitting on a withered tree chair.
From White Zetsu's words, it was clear Jin's guess was correct. Amegakure was already under Madara's control.
"What about the boy I asked you to investigate?" The elderly Madara, with his hands resting on his legs, his temples streaked with white, and even his teeth gone, asked in a low voice.
"Hmm, to be honest, it's really surprising. I never thought someone could awaken an identical Mangekyo Sharingan," White Zetsu's single left half-face showed a rather interested expression as he continued his report, "That boy named Jin possesses a Mangekyo that is exactly the same as your brother's~"
Upon hearing this, the expression of the old Madara, sitting on the withered wood, changed dramatically.