Naruto: Reborn with the Template System

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, summoned Jiraiya from Konoha and Kitsuchi from Iwagakure.

He knew that if the Sand Village wanted to stand firm in this Third Great Ninja War, it had to take a clear stance.

After intense deliberation among Sunagakure's upper echelon, Rasa ultimately decided to reinforce Konoha.

Despite some friction between the Sand and Rock Villages due to past conflicts, especially those from the Second Great Ninja War, Konoha remained an official ally.

Betraying that alliance now would be tantamount to destroying Sunagakure's reputation.

A lone warrior like Guts could act on personal motives without concern for reputation or diplomacy.

But for a hidden village, prestige meant everything.

Once that's lost, the consequences are dire. No one would trust you.

If two villages join forces against you, who would dare extend help? Any would-be ally would remember your betrayal and think twice.

Considering all this, Rasa decided to back Konoha. A large army was dispatched to attack Iwagakure from the west.

The pressure on the Rock Shinobi increased tremendously. Now, they had to face both Konoha and Sunagakure on two fronts.

Luckily for them, the Sand didn't bring their strongest. Chiyo had already retired, and Rasa wasn't coming to the battlefield personally.

So while Iwagakure wasn't on the verge of defeat, the pressure they were under was unprecedented.

In light of this, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, ordered Jiraiya to head straight to the frontlines near the Land of Earth.

His mission: support Orochimaru and resolve the Rock Shinobi conflict swiftly.

It was early March, and the border of the Land of Earth was still gripped by a lingering chill.

At dawn, Jiraiya arrived at the barracks with a small support unit.

Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya's student, Namikaze Minato, were already waiting at the entrance.

After some quick greetings, Jiraiya suddenly asked,

"Where's Guts? Isn't he here too?"

"Still asleep,"

Tsunade replied nonchalantly.

"He trained like a madman in Konoha, but now that he's on the battlefield, he's gone soft."

She turned and started walking toward the camp.

"I'll go wake him up. You guys talk."

Jiraiya let out a dramatic sigh, puffing up his chest.

"The Great Toad Sage arrives, and the kid doesn't even come out to greet me?"

He chuckled, clearly joking, but then his expression suddenly froze as a thought struck him.

"Wait… Why is Tsunade waking him up?"

"Hm?" Orochimaru glanced back.

"Because Guts is sharing a tent with her."

He said it so casually, it felt like an ambush. Orochimaru turned again and walked off.

"Come. Let's discuss the next strategy."

Jiraiya stood frozen in place, like he'd turned to stone.

"…Sharing… a tent? Tsunade… she actually agreed to that? How...when, why?!"

His voice dropped into a whimper as if something inside him cracked.

Minato looked at his teacher awkwardly, sensing he might break into tears any second.

With a forced smile, Minato tried to change the topic.

"A-Anyway, sensei… we should probably catch up with them. Haha…"

Of course, Guts wasn't actually sleeping with Tsunade. They just shared the same tent, about a meter apart, but that was still far too close for Jiraiya to handle.

Tsunade stepped inside and found Guts still curled up under a thin blanket, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts.

She paused for a moment, then instinctively looked away, her cheeks tinged pink.

Suppressing her flustered expression, she kicked him lightly on the shoulder.

"Wake up! Jiraiya's here."

Guts groggily rubbed his eyes and tossed off the blanket. As he sat up, Tsunade's gaze accidentally fell lower, only to be immediately met with a sight she hadn't meant to see.

A wave of red surged across her face.

With a loud thud, she kicked him again, this time with more force.

"Get up already!!"

Less than two months later, under the combined assault from Konoha and Sunagakure, Iwagakure's forces were stretched thin.

Economically, the Land of Earth was still a powerful nation, second only to the Land of Fire.

They could endure this war for another year or two. But just surviving wasn't enough.

They needed to win.

Onoki sat in his war tent, deeply troubled, when his son Kitsuchi burst in with an ecstatic look on his face.

"Father! Great news!"

Onoki raised an eyebrow. "You look like you've seen a ghost. What happened?"

Kitsuchi took a deep breath, trying to contain his excitement.

"Just now, our Intelligence Division reported that the Third Mizukage has led a 3,000-strong ninja army, headed by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, across the sea."

"They've occupied the ruins of Uzushiogakure and are now launching a full assault on the southern border of the Land of Fire!"

"What!?"

Onoki shot up from his seat, eyes wide. Then he started laughing, wildly, loudly.

"HAHAHAHAHA! The gods favor us, Rock Shinobi! Who would've thought those sea turtles from Kirigakure would actually move!?"

He slammed his hand on the table.

"Perfect! This is our chance. Relay my orders: monitor Konoha's movements closely. If they shift forces south, we strike again. Keep the pressure on!"

"Yes, sir!"

Kitsuchi nodded and rushed off.

Meanwhile, at Konoha's front-line barracks, the mood was the polar opposite.

A heavy silence filled the air.

Guts, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Namikaze Minato gathered around a central table, grim expressions on all their faces.

An Anbu had just arrived, breathless but urgent. He saluted quickly.

"Lord Orochimaru, orders from Lord Hokage: Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato are to immediately take 1,000 troops to the southern border of the Land of Fire to intercept the Mist Shinobi's invasion."

Orochimaru frowned. "A thousand?"

The Anbu nodded, sweat trickling down his face.

"Yes. The situation is dire. Even Genin with some battlefield experience have been dispatched. We're spread thin."

Jiraiya looked at Minato and nodded.

"There's no time. We move immediately."

"Yes, sensei. I'm ready."

As Jiraiya and Minato began preparing to leave, Guts narrowed his eyes.

"This isn't just some coincidence... This reeks of Madara."

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