Chapter 121: The Salamander

A few weeks passes since the great battle in which Tsunade's name became widespread in the world.

Tsunade sat at her desk as she received information that greatly surprised her.

"Are you sure about the accuracy of this information?" Tsunade asked the ANBU agent before her, as even she had to question such intel.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade. We verified the information multiple times before we decided to present the information to you. Hanzo the Salamander seems to be attempting to invade to forcefully expel us from the Land of Rain." the agent reported.

"Well then, it seems we will need to prepare for a battle with the Demigod." Tsunade said, with her sending the ANBU agent off as she pondered over the information.

'I didn't expect Hanzo to initiate a conflict with us. While it is true that the Land of Rain is being used as a battlefield, I purposely kept my troops from even going near any small villages or towns that might contain citizens in them. I didn't wish to villainize the village that my Grandfather created for peace with such heinous actions.

However, I should have known that a clash with Hanzo was inevitable. But, if it does happen, I must ensure that the titles we would go on to hold are not marked by defeat, but instead by victory.'

Tsunade called for a meeting with the leaders of the camp, with her still somewhat struggling with how to respond to Hanzo's impending attack.

Hanzo's title of Demigod was not for show, with some arguing that he may be the most powerful shinobi on the planet.

Tsunade knew that the only ones that could actually fight against him were her, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru.

Even if the shinobi of Konoha outnumbered the shinobi of the Rain, she had to ensure that Hanzo was properly contained with otherwise their advantage in numbers would be pointless.

Tsunade quickly explained the newfound information, causing many of the people in the room to have changes in their emotions

"How long do we have before he attacks us?" Orochimaru asked as he showed a determined look on his face, even with such a powerful threat looming over him

"We have around 3 days, but we can speed the battle up to two days from now if we meet their army head-on." Tsunade said.

"I believe us meeting them would be a much greater strategy than simply waiting on us to be attacked." Shikai added.

The meeting continued for around another hour, with Tsunade ultimately deciding for them to meet the opposing army head-on.

~

Tsunade sat on a tree near the camp, with her watching the moon while thinking deeply about her family in Konoha.

She knew none of her family would be getting involved in the war, with Mito not being allowed to leave the Village due to her status, Ashina and Kuna not leaving due to Ashina being the Patriarch and Kuna being his successor, with her only being able to act in battle if he gave his permission, Haru being the new Patriarch of the Senju Clan, and Ayako being retired.

However, even then, it did not make Tsunade miss them any less, as she longed for the day when she wouldn't simply have to write letters, but could instead see them in person.

She didn't want to miss important parts of her family's lives, such as Nawaki's first words or steps.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realize that Jiraiya had arrived beside her.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" he asked her, breaking Tsunade out of her thoughts.

Tsunade simply shook her head as Jiraiya sat beside her, they both now focused on the moon.

"Do you think we can beat Hanzo?" Jiraiya said, his worries showing as he looked at Tsunade.

Though his concern didn't seem to be for himself, but something else.

"I know we can. We will definitely win this battle and knock the Land of Rain out of this war." Tsunade said, her usual confidence showing as she patted Jiraiya on the back.

Jiraiya simply stared at the moon, no one knowing what thoughts were raging inside of his head.

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