Naruto: The Teaching System - 282

Chapter 282: That’s Right, Art Is… Patrick Star

Inside the main command tent of the Konoha.

Jiraiya rubbed at his aching shoulder. Not everyone was like Sawada, able to heal up in no time. Even with the Konoha’s medical-nin, who outclassed those of other nations, injuries still lingered. Choza Akimichi and Uchiha Fugaku, who had been on the front line since the war began, were both bandaged as well.

“Alright. We’ll leave it at that for now,” Jiraiya said at last. “Fugaku, you and Sawada take a unit and head back to the village first. Choza and I will stay here and hold the line in case Iwagakure pulls something.”

Iwa had already conceded, and Jiraiya was certain Ōnoki would not act rashly. But certainty and reality were not always the same. Just in case, he and Choza would remain.

As for the Land of Grass’s opinion on the matter?

They didn’t get a say. Either they put up with it, or their village would disappear.

Fugaku nodded without argument. The Uchiha had been dispatched by Hiruzen Sarutobi. Now that the war was over, they should return immediately. Sawada stood off to the side, lost in thought.

When had Karin Uzumaki’s mother…

He slapped his own forehead.

He was being stupid. If he remembered right, it should be sometime in the later stages of the Third Great Ninja War. The “end of the war” ten years ago only referred to the major conflicts. No one really remembered what happened in the small countries.

“Uh, Sawada, what are you doing?” Jiraiya asked from the head seat, stunned by the sudden smack to the forehead.

“Nothing. Just remembered something,” Sawada said, waving it off, mind already turning. A descendant of the Uzumaki Clan absolutely had to be brought back. If nothing else, that would give Naruto at least one blood relative.

And Karin’s talent was no joke. She’d been born with Kagura’s Mind Eye and that physical healing ability of hers. The latter was another story, but her overall potential was very high. It might even be purer than Kushina’s bloodline. She might be comparable to Mito Uzumaki.

And here, both mother and daughter had that kind of talent.

With that thought, his plan firmed. He would bring Karin’s mother back, then Karin herself. Hiruzen-sensei would not object too much. At most, they would have to go through a battery of checks and interrogations.

As for Kusagakure?

If they were sharp enough to catch him, he might as well smash his head into the Hokage Rock.

“Okay then, we’ll go with this arrangement,” Jiraiya said. “I’ve already sent word back about each of your contributions.”

He scratched the back of his head. Truthfully, he wanted to go home and report as soon as possible. He had been stuck in Konoha too long. It was past time for some fieldwork and other… projects.

Sawada gave him a sidelong look and rubbed his chin. Seemed like when they got back, he needed to talk Hiruzen-sensei into giving Jiraiya-senpai more missions. Anything was better than letting him wander off to Amegakure to die.

Speaking of Akatsuki, ever since Sawada had wiped out Black Zetsu’s spores, they hadn’t shown themselves even on the battlefield. Ōnoki liked hiring them, but they hadn’t appeared on Iwa’s front at all. If the remaining Akatsuki had joined the war, Konoha would definitely have felt more pressure.

Too much pressure? That was fine. Fugaku was here. Jiraiya was here. Between the two of them, they could slap it down.

“Alright, Jiraiya-senpai, I’ll head back first,” Sawada said, dropping the thread of thought. Akatsuki could jump around for a while longer. Itachi was probably already moving after them.

—

On Iwagakure’s former front line.

Sasori of the Red Sand landed heavily on the ridge, his expression dark. Deidara came to a stop beside him, using the brief lull as an excuse to scratch at his cheek.

“You really think I’m a child you can fool?” Sasori’s voice was low and angry. “We’ve been in Iwa’s territory this whole time, and you tell me you got lost?”

Deidara spread his hands. “Hey, the war’s over. No point arguing about it now, un.”

At the last moment, he had to admit, he had chickened out a little. He had dragged Sasori along the entire border, wandering up and down until even Sasori’s patience snapped. Only then had he come here.

By that time, Ōnoki had already surrendered. Iwa’s frontline forces had pulled back thirty kilometers. Now the only things left on the field were the stench of blood and the mess they’d made. Nothing else.

“Tell that to the leader yourself when we get back,” Sasori said with a sideways glance, turning and stalking away.

“Hey, Sasori-danna! You can’t do that, we’re partners, un!”

“Go chase your precious exploding art,” Sasori muttered.

“That’s right. Art is… Patrick Star,” Deidara said solemnly.

“Just go away.”

—

Among Konoha’s returning forces, Sawada lounged in a carriage, his gaze drifting toward the Hidden Grass Village beside the road

It was psychological warfare at its finest. Konoha had completely ignored Kusagakure’s protests and marched their troops straight through the Grass territory. The Kusagakure shinobi standing guard could only stand by and watch.

Sawada drew his eyes back, then vaulted off the carriage with a single jump, landing beside Fugaku at the head of the column.

“Fugaku-senpai, I’ll have to trouble you to lead the men back from here. There’s something I need to deal with.”

“Oh? What is it?” Fugaku asked, curious.

“Personal business. Don’t worry. I should be able to catch up with you by tomorrow,” Sawada said, waving a hand.

Fugaku hesitated. On paper, Sawada's leaving the unit was not a problem. At his current status, no one would question it. But if something happened…

He wasn’t sure he could handle the responsibility.

“Relax. You know what I can do. And even if I lose, it’s not like I can’t run,” Sawada said, completely unconcerned, missing the exasperation on Fugaku’s face.

So you admit you’re going to make trouble.

“Fine,” Fugaku said at last. “But if I don’t see you by this time tomorrow, I’m contacting the Third Hokage directly.”

Sawada considered it and nodded. That timeline fits. He had to visit Kusagakure. No way around it.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Fugaku-senpai,” he said. In the next instant, he vanished with a Body Flicker.

Neji, following behind Fugaku, blinked. One thought drifted through his mind.

Sensei… did you forget your student is still here?

In the forest, Sawada’s silhouette moved quietly from branch to branch. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to slip in right away, but strategy and tactics were different beasts. Strategically, you could look down on the enemy. Tactically, you took them very seriously.

An Uzumaki survivor fleeing to Kusagakure might well be carrying the clan’s legacy. That alone was enough to command Sawada’s full attention. Even just their Sealing Techniques made them priceless.

After so many years, even if the Kusagakure shinobi were idiots, they would have managed to learn something.