Inside the Hokage Office.
When Takuno's figure appeared at the doorway, a trace of gravity involuntarily flashed across Minato's azure eyes.
It wasn't that he disliked seeing this highly experienced senior, but the appearance of this senior usually brought urgent news—something must have happened at the border again.
Worry surfaced in Minato's heart. Master Jiraiya had not returned, and he himself had to stay in Konoha to guard against the "Man in Black" who might still be lurking in the shadows.
This was definitely not a good time to start a war.
"Hokage-sama," Takuno's voice broke the silence, "Most of the intelligence regarding the border is now usually delivered directly to you. As the Deputy Commander managing the Intelligence Department, staying in the Anbu seems somewhat unjustified."
His tone was calm, betraying no emotional fluctuation.
"You are mistaken, Senpai," Minato immediately replied, his tone sincere and reassuring. "Your experience and judgment anchoring Anbu's intelligence analysis are a vital part of the Village. How could they be useless?"
"Minato," Takuno's address suddenly changed, becoming more intimate, which caused Minato to momentarily freeze.
In this space representing authority, this form of address seemed subtle. In the past, even if Minato had wanted the other party to call him that, he would have been rejected. Now—
Immediately afterward, Takuno made an even more surprising move.
He slowly raised his hand and removed the Anbu mask that concealed his face.
Revealing his familiar face, which was currently set with determination.
"I have decided to go to the northern border, to the front lines adjoining the Land of Lightning, to help out," he clearly stated the purpose of his visit.
"What?!" Minato stood up abruptly, his face etched with astonishment.
The surprise of Takuno calling him by name had not yet subsided before he was shaken by the decision to voluntarily head to the crucible of war.
"Although the border situation is tense, it is far from requiring you to go personally! Senpai, you don't need to—" Minato's voice was anxious.
In his heart, Takuno-senpai was skilled in Sealing Jutsu, an invaluable treasure to the Village, but direct combat capability was not his specialty.
If such an important figure were lost on the front lines, it would be an incalculable major loss for the entirety of Konoha!
"Relax," a gentle smile appeared on Takuno's face, carrying the composure of someone who had weathered great storms. "I am a man who crawled out of the smoke of the Second Great Ninja War and survived the Third Great Ninja War. I won't fall down so easily."
He took a small step forward, attempting to reassure the young Hokage who bore heavy responsibilities.
"Besides, I'm not going there to charge into battle. The front line needs logistical support. I can set up stronger defensive Barriers and reinforce the camp's defenses; I can use Medical Ninjutsu to save the lives of more injured comrades. A logistical position is relatively much safer."
Finally, Takuno's gaze rested gently and firmly on Minato's face, the curve of his lips holding a deep trust in the Village.
"Furthermore, I have faith in Konoha's Ninja. I believe their abilities are sufficient to hold the enemy outside the defensive line, ensuring the safety of the rear and preventing enemy weapons from endangering the logistical personnel who provide our support."
Minato opened his mouth, his throat feeling constricted as if blocked by something, and all words of dissuasion froze on his tongue.
The other party's reasons were so sound, his resolve so firm, and the trust in his eyes was like a mirror reflecting Minato's own self.
Facing a senior who was stepping forward like this, repeating phrases like "danger" or "unnecessary" seemed so weak and powerless.
A complicated warmth surged within him at this moment.
The shadow of Danzo, the defection of Orochimaru—
The wavering faith and disappointment in human nature had been plaguing Minato these past days.
He had never shown it to anyone, but the weight was real.
In this very moment, Takuno-senpai's simple yet incredibly powerful request quietly dispelled some of the confusion deep in his heart.
It turned out that besides the chilling betrayals and schemes, Konoha's soil still deeply held people like this senior.
He had the right to choose safety and avoidance, yet he was willing to leave the comfortable rear, and on the eve of impending war, resolutely walk toward the front lines interwoven with blood and fire.
All for the Will of Fire in his heart, and to dedicate his strength to protecting their shared home.
Minato looked deeply at Takuno before him, the gravity in his eyes gradually replaced by a profound respect and warmth.
The office lights fell upon the two men, one young and resolute, the other steady and reliable. The air was silent, yet it felt as if something named the "Will of Fire" was resonating soundlessly.
The atmosphere inside Minato's office was slightly solemn.
As the one bearing the heavy responsibility of the Hokage, after careful deliberation, he finally gave Takuno a steady nod of confirmation: "I understand, Senpai."
He elaborated on his considerations in detail, his voice filled with concern: "Since you are personally heading to the front lines, I hope you will primarily take on logistical and Medical Ninjutsu duties. As for Sealing Jutsu—its effectiveness is often limited during phases of protracted warfare."
Unless Sealing Jutsu reaches the peak of mastery, the prerequisite for successful execution is that the target must be completely incapable of resistance.
On the battlefield, the work of the Sealing Squad is usually limited to recovering the remains of fallen Ninja who possessed special Kekkei Genkai.
If the target is still resisting, the situation is entirely different.
On one hand, the combat ability of Sealing Squad members is generally weak, making them highly susceptible to danger;
On the other hand, the success rate of forcibly executing a seal is also extremely low.
Minato looked directly at Takuno, "I do not want you, Senpai, to undertake these missions that carry significant risks.
In comparison, logistical and medical strongholds are usually the safest areas on the entire battlefield."
Takuno had no objection to this arrangement and nodded.
"Understood."
This arrangement was also among his ideal positions.
After all, in the medical field, ever since the legendary Tsunade resolutely left Konoha after the Third Great Ninja War, there was virtually no one in the current Konoha Hospital whose status was close to hers or who required his special attention.
However, Minato immediately proposed a new requirement: "Furthermore, please remain in Konoha for a while before departing, Senpai."
This sudden news caused Takuno's handsome eyebrows to raise slightly: "Oh? Could it be that Konoha has decided to formally declare war on Hidden Cloud Village?"
"That is not the case." Minato shook his head decisively, his words revealing confidence in Konoha's strength. "If mere border skirmishes escalate into a war of attrition, with the Land of Fire's geographical advantage and abundant resources, we would definitely hold the upper hand."
This was indeed true. The Land of Fire's unique geographical location granted it material reserves far superior to those of the Land of Lightning.
In the past, resource shortages only occurred when a full-scale Ninja World War erupted and Konoha was forced to open multiple main battlefronts.
Now, merely dealing with a provocation from the Land of Lightning, Konoha's logistical supply line was rock solid.
Therefore, if Hidden Cloud Village truly intended to wage a protracted war of attrition, it would actually play right into Konoha's hands.
"I see." Takuno nodded in understanding, but a new question immediately arose: "Then why do you need me to specifically wait for a few days?"
A genuine smile appeared on Minato's handsome face as he provided the answer: "Senpai, you must know my master, Jiraiya, right?"
"Lord Jiraiya?" Takuno widened his eyes slightly in surprise, instantly connecting it to a possibility: "Could it be—?"
"Exactly!" Minato affirmed, taking the lead. "I have successfully contacted Master Jiraiya. Upon receiving the front-line intelligence, he is rushing back to Konoha without stopping. My idea is that you, Senpai, will depart for the front lines together with Master Jiraiya."
Takuno's eyes returned to calm, and he nodded knowingly.
"Understood."
He had actually vaguely guessed this arrangement, though he hadn't expected Minato to arrange for him to travel with Jiraiya.
Examining Konoha's current core fighting strength, the individuals capable of standing alone and commanding a main battlefront were few and far between.
Besides Minato, the Hokage himself, who must remain in the center, there was only Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin.
The other Sannin, Tsunade, also possessed commanding talent, but her nearly insurmountable hemophobia made it virtually impossible for her to fulfill command duties on the rapidly changing, cruel, and bloody front lines.
Furthermore, while Minato possessed Jiraiya's unique communication method, he had almost no way of knowing the whereabouts of Tsunade, who was wandering outside.
The official return of this Medical Saint would have to wait until the "Konoha Crush Plan" period, when Konoha suffered devastating damage.
Of course, Takuno did not doubt Tsunade's deep attachment to her homeland.
If the situation truly became critical, with the Kumogakure army besieging Konoha, she would certainly return to assist.
However, Kumogakure attacking Konoha's main base? Such a scenario was almost impossible.
Recalling the original story, even without Minato, Konoha only suffered setbacks and was far from being fundamentally crippled.
Now, with Minato, who was in his prime and known as the "Yellow Flash," personally holding the fort, the situation would only be more stable.
Therefore, since Minato, as the Village's supreme leader, could not move lightly, the person currently most suited to go to the Kumogakure front line to coordinate the overall situation was naturally Jiraiya, who was returning from his travels.
However, the variables in war are always hard to predict. If Iwagakure of the Land of Earth, another powerful enemy, also seized the opportunity to intervene in the later stages of the battle, then Minato might have no choice but to take the field himself.
"Finally," Minato put away his smile, his handsome face filled with a serious expression, and he solemnly urged again: "On the battlefield, Senpai, you absolutely must be careful!"
Feeling the Hokage's sincere concern, Takuno raised a composed smile at the corner of his mouth and reminded him once more.
"Rest assured, Minato. I am a veteran who survived two brutal Ninja World Wars; I know a thing or two about staying alive. Besides, I'm only helping out in the logistical and medical area."
"Mm." Minato nodded deeply, feeling slightly relieved.
But at this moment, a decision had quietly formed in his heart.
When he saw Master Jiraiya later, he must privately entrust him to take extra care of Takuno's safety.
If Takuno knew the Hokage's plan right now, he would probably feel amused and annoyed, perhaps even slightly troubled.
Admittedly, Takuno was nominally affiliated with Konoha's Intelligence Department, but Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, was essentially the most pervasive intelligence master in the entire Ninja World.
If he interacted too closely with him, Takuno couldn't be sure that his own secrets wouldn't inadvertently be captured by this incredibly perceptive "Toad Sage."