On Holiday

The Third Hokage looked at Tsunade's report, placed prominently on his desk, and slowly exhaled a large puff of smoke.

In the report, Tsunade cited Dosuke's recent mission as an example, outlining the advantages of teams with medical ninjas and listing benefits for the village.

*Tsunade still hasn't moved past Nawaki's death* the Hokage thought, sighing helplessly.

Although Konoha has the most medical ninjas among the five great nations, Tsunade's proposal is too radical. Convincing the village's ninjas to agree poses a significant challenge.

The main issue is that training medical ninjas takes time.

Carefully placing Tsunade's report aside, the Third Hokage frowned as he reviewed the intelligence department's report on Jieren.

Jieren was a minor ninja with no knowledge of the two Sunagakure ghost masters, Erming, whom Dosuke and his team encountered during the mission.

When the Yamanaka clan of the intelligence department retrieved Jieren's memories, they found references to numerous storage scrolls among the goods he had been escorting.

In Jieren's brief memories, the intelligence department learned that Sunagakure's leader, the Third Kazekage, known as the strongest Kazekage, had disappeared and hadn't been seen in the village for months.

This time, the primary purpose of Sunagakure's interrogation unit ambushing Dosuke's team in the Land of Fire was to search for traces of the Third Kazekage.

According to the intelligence department's analysis, the Land of Wind faces harsh conditions with limited resources, making survival difficult for its people. Sunagakure seeks to address these challenges, possibly through conflict, due to its strategic location.

With the Third Kazekage's disappearance, it's highly likely Sunagakure will initiate a war.

*War is inevitable* the Hokage thought. Whether it was the heroes of the Warring States Period standing together or the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, founding the ninja villages to quell conflicts, war has never truly ceased. His teacher, the Second Hokage, died during the Second Ninja War. If Sunagakure wages war against Konoha, what should Konoha do?

Rubbing his throbbing head, the Third Hokage stood and walked to the window. Gazing across the street, he stared intently at the distant Hokage Rock.

The Third Hokage waved his hand.

A figure in a hooded coat, wearing a cat mask, knelt on one knee.

"Lord Hokage, what are your orders?"

"Notify Advisors Mitokado, Utatane, and Elder Danzo to meet in the conference room."

"Yes." *Swish!* The cat-masked ANBU departed immediately.

The nature of high-level meetings wouldn't affect the common people, at least not yet.

Such a significant decision as going to war with Sunagakure couldn't be made by one person.

"Dosuke, come quick! There's a goldfish scooping stall ahead!" Tachie waved at him from five or six meters ahead.

Dosuke looked at the girl bouncing and waving, then quickened his pace to catch up.

Since Tachie had been delivering meals to Dosuke for several days without fail, their relationship had grown closer. Though neither had made promises, their affection was evident.

Dosuke approached and watched Tachie kneel by the pool.

"Boss, how much does this cost?" Tachie held cotton candy in her left hand, chewing it occasionally, while stirring the water with her right hand, causing the goldfish to scatter.

Laughing at the fish she'd scared, Tachie enjoyed the moment.

"This one costs one tale for two tries. Want to play, little girl?" The boss, a dark-skinned middle-aged man with a straw hat, replied from the other side of the pool.

The boss wiped the sweat from his forehead with a towel around his neck and pulled out a few paper nets from a wooden box, handing them to Tachie.

Tachie stood up and shook the water droplets off her hands.

"Dosuke, want to play?" Tachie asked.

"You play; I'll watch you."

"Alright, just watch me show off my skills!" Tachie agreed, paid the boss, took the net, and prepared to scoop.

Tachie slowly dipped the net into the pool, aiming at a small fish, and began to lift it carefully.

*Splash!* The net tore, and the fish escaped.

"Dosuke, come try! Maybe you can catch one," she said.

Dosuke took two nets from Tachie's hands.

On his first attempt, the goldfish broke through the net as he lifted it.

"Hehe, young man, you need to take it slow," the boss said with a smile, watching the two.

Dosuke took the remaining net and carefully lowered it into the water, lifting it slowly, but the rice paper dissolved before reaching the fish.

"Oh, these are made of rice paper you can't be that slow!" the boss complained as Dosuke pulled out the empty, torn net dejectedly.

Seeing the damaged net, Tachie's eyes filled with disappointment.

"Let me try this time." Pushing Dosuke aside, Tachie picked up the last intact net and scooped carefully. Slowly, she lifted it bit by bit.

A small red goldfish was scooped up by Tachie.

The tiny fish jumped restlessly on a small board.

"Congratulations, little girl! You're really skilled. Put it in quickly before it falls!" the boss said, handing her a plastic bag filled with water.

"Tachie, you're amazing!" Dosuke gave her a thumbs-up as he looked at the goldfish she'd caught.

"Dosuke, take it. There's more fun ahead!" Tachie said, running off in her wooden clogs.

Dosuke watched her go and reluctantly took the plastic bag with the goldfish from the boss.

"Young man, chasing girls isn't your strong suit. Be patient, talk more, and smile more. No girl likes a cold face. Come back and support my business sometime I'll help you out!" the boss said with a knowing wink.

*This guy's too bold* Dosuke thought, surprised by the boss's advice, but ignored him and chased after Tachie.

In the afternoon, Tachie and Dosuke played darts, balloons, dodgeball, and hoops at the market, enjoying themselves thoroughly.

As the sun set, they walked toward the Hyuga clan.

Dosuke carried the goldfish in one hand and a man-sized teddy bear on his back. Tachie's hands were full of snacks bought along the way.

"Dosuke, thank you for such a fun day," Tachie said, glancing sideways at him.

"Yeah, me too. I never knew the village had such fun spots," Dosuke replied with a smile.

*Since crossing over, I've focused on training and studying. Today's the first time I've felt this carefree* Dosuke thought.