Chapter 125: Twenty-Three Thousand Souls

The next day, at Konoha Hospital.

The hospital, usually peaceful and serene, now carried an air of tension and anxiety due to the war.

Inside one of the offices.

"Miyoshi Auntie, Koto Onee-san, Yumiko Onee-san, have you all also been chosen to go to the battlefield?" Seiki asked, his tone laced with concern.

"After all, only a small group remains behind in Konoha. However, as medical ninja, even if we head to the battlefield, we'll just be treating the injured from the rear," Miyoshi explained before turning her worried gaze toward Seiki. "Come to think of it, Seiki, aren't you headed to the frontlines?"

Seiki nodded. "I'm currently part of the Seventh Squad on the Eastern Frontline, so naturally I must fight on the frontlines."

"That's too reckless!" Koto said in frustration. "You've only graduated half a year ago!"

Yumiko expressed her worries too. "How about it, Seiki? Would you consider requesting a transfer to our Medical Logistics Team? You were originally trained as a medical ninja—it would make perfect sense for you to join us!"

Faced with their hopeful gazes, Seiki smiled and replied, "Although I've only been a genin for half a year, I'm already a chunin now. As a chunin, there's no way I can avoid my responsibilities!"

Koto mumbled almost to herself, "That's right… Seiki's already a chunin now."

Seiki continued, "Plus, Onee-san, you all watched my Chunin Exams, right?"

All three nodded proudly. That exam had brought together over a dozen Hidden Villages—just passing was already extraordinary. And as for finishing first overall among all those villages, that was something they hadn't even dared imagine!

In fact, an achievement like that could bring honor to the entire village!

Seiki gave a sheepish grin. "[Flying Thunder God Technique] may not sound impressive when I say it myself, but when it comes to survival skills, maybe no one can match me!"

He didn't boast about how strong he'd become; in front of those who cared about him, even the greatest strength would go unnoticed.

So, talking about how good he was at escaping danger worked far better!

Sure enough, after hearing what he said, the three women visibly relaxed their anxious expressions—but still offered him serious warnings:

"If you ever run into danger, don't hesitate to run away!"

"Right, keep up your practice of the [Flying Thunder God Technique] without fail!"

"And above all else, don't try to act tougher than you really are!"

Seiki promised them all, then pulled out several kunai and handed them forward. "If any of you get into trouble, break one of these kunai. I'll sense the disappearance of the technique form and use the remaining kunai to locate and come rescue you… Don't worry, I won't let myself fall into danger!"

Before anyone could protest, he swiftly steered the conversation elsewhere. "By the way, where is Misa Onee-san today? I haven't seen her around."

Koto's attention was successfully diverted, though her expression turned odd. "Misa is probably busy worrying about her troublesome little brother again…"

At the hospital plaza.

"Listen to me—you're not going!"

"Hmph, like I'll just obey just because you say so?"

"You don't realize how serious war truly is!"

"Exactly because war is hard, everyone must step up and do their part!"

"No matter how difficult it is, there's no way you, a rookie who isn't even a Genin yet, should be the one stepping up!"

"Hmph! Just wait until I apply for early graduation and then I'll be a Genin!"

Just as Misa was about to lose her temper, a familiar voice called from behind. "Sis."

Misa brightened immediately, completely dropping her scolding tone. "I'll lecture you later..."

But to her surprise, her younger brother rushed out with even more excitement. "Senior Seiki!"

With his exceptional memory, despite having left the School half a year ago, Seiki gave a slight nod toward the boy. "It's Nobita!"

Seeing Seiki recognize him, Nobita looked on with longing. "You still remember me, senior!"

Seiki smiled gently. "If I can't even recognize my own club members, then I'd truly be failing as a club president."

Misa looked confused. "You two know each other?"

"Of course! Senior Seiki is the pride of our Ninja Academy!" Nobita proudly declared, then suddenly froze. "Wait a second... Sis, how do you know Senior Seiki?"

Misa puffed her chest and laughed maniacally. "Because Seiki is someone I personally mentored!"

Nobita wasn't at all intimidated by her odd behavior, instead he looked stunned. "Wow... that's amazing!"

Misa took the opportunity to press her point. "Now you understand, right? Listen to me and forget this whole idea about graduating early."

Nobita glanced at Seiki, who gave a slight nod toward him, leaving him no choice but to agree. "Alright, I got it."

The three girls who had followed along wore expressions of shock. Only now did they truly realize Seiki's influence.

He didn't even need to say much—just one action was enough to earn obedience from those troublesome kids.

Perhaps when this next generation matured, Seiki might gain his most loyal followers!

Unaware of just how impressed he'd made others, Seiki simply took out a Kunai and handed it to Misa, repeating what he'd said before.

Touched, Misa nodded her head. "Only after a few years, and now Seiki is protecting his older sister!"

Nobita watched longingly from the side. That was a Kunai personally given by his senior—it was so tempting!

If he weren't sure this Kunai was vital for safety, he'd have already tried sneaking it away from his older sister.

"It's almost time for the assembly. Mrs. Miyoshi, Sis Misa, I should head off first."

"Right, then hurry along. Be careful on your way!"

After saying goodbye to Seiki, Miyoshi sighed. "Another war... I hope this one ends soon."

...

At the plaza near the East Gate, as far as the eye could see, was a bustling crowd of Ninja.

"Seiki, over here!" Asuma waved from a distance.

Seiki walked quickly over. "Sorry I'm late."

Kurenai waved him off. "It's fine. We only just arrived ourselves."

Asuma excitedly told Seiki what he'd found out. "Seiki, guess how many Ninja are here?"

Seiki glanced around thoughtfully. "Eight thousand to ten thousand?"

Asuma nodded. "There's ten thousand on the eastern front, another ten thousand on the western front, and additional special units, each consisting of five hundred to eight hundred people. In total, twenty-three thousand Ninja have been mobilized!"

This didn't surprise Seiki in the least. The Allied Ninja Forces during the Fourth Great Ninja War numbered around eighty thousand, but that didn't mean each village contributed equally—Konoha, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure supplied relatively more ninja.

Additionally, their numbers also factored in the losses from earlier wars. For example, during the battle where the Third Raikage faced off against ten thousand ninja from Iwagakure, although the Raikage eventually died of sheer exhaustion, he had taken at least a thousand Iwagakure ninja with him.

Then, Orochimaru strode forward.

"I'm truly sorry to drag everyone into war once again, but we have no choice. The enemy wants to take everything from us, and all we can do is use our own strength to protect the homes behind us!"

"All who stand with me, follow me!"

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