Chapter 99: Bewilderment
Chapter 99: Bewilderment
"Tsunade-sama...Eh?!"
Jiraiya approached and first looked at Tsunade before recognizing the figure lying on the stretcher. Her face paled as she exclaimed, "This is..."
Without paying attention to Shizune, Tsunade headed straight for her tent with two medics. It was only when she entered her tent and lowered Kakashi onto the ground that she turned to Shizune and said, "He used a forbidden technique and suffered severe side effects. Shizune, step aside and watch from a distance."
Seeing Tsunade's solemn expression, Shizune's face turned pale. This was the first time she had seen Tsunade so serious. Even the severely wounded who were brought to the camp didn't elicit such a reaction from her.
It wasn't that Kakashi's injuries were more severe than those of the other wounded, but those injured shinobi were just patients to Tsunade. Kakashi, on the other hand, was not only a patient but also the son of Sakumo Hatake, whom she had taken care of, and the medic who had cured her hemophobia. He was also the reason she couldn't unleash her full power in her battle against Chiyo on the battlefield.
In Tsunade's eyes, this was her responsibility.
"Cough...Cough...Don't make it sound like I'm about to kick the bucket any moment now. You're scaring Shizune."
Kakashi coughed a couple of times and managed a smile, as if he weren't the one who was badly wounded. He looked at Shizune and said, "Don't worry, there's no danger to my life. It's just that the damage to my meridians is a bit troublesome, but Tsunade-sama is confident she can heal me."
Seeing Kakashi's smile and hearing his words, Shizune's tension eased considerably.
"Shut up!"
Tsunade glared at Kakashi irritably.
What a nerve this kid had!
He made it sound like it was just a minor scratch. If her medical skills were any less formidable, if she were the Tsunade of a decade ago, she wouldn't have been so confident in treating such severe injuries.
Tsunade made a slashing motion with her finger, slicing open Kakashi's shirt. A serious look appeared in her eyes as chakra, thin as silk threads, danced on her fingertips. After confirming that she was in the right state of mind, she lowered her hands and placed them on Kakashi's chest, beginning the treatment.
Not wanting to disturb Tsunade in her focused state, Kakashi closed his eyes and remained silent, letting Tsunade work.
...
Outside the tent.
Not all the ninjas guarding the camp recognized Kakashi, but among them was a ninja specializing in memorizing intelligence reports, who identified the ninja lying on the stretcher. The news quickly spread throughout the camp.
Among those left to guard the camp were a small number of jonin and chunin, as well as ninjas from the interrogation and intelligence departments. The rest were young genin under the age of fifteen.
"Kakashi is severely injured?!"
Upon receiving the news, Kurenai Yuhi was startled and so concerned that she forgot about the water she was boiling. She immediately headed in the direction of Tsunade's tent.
When she arrived at the tent, she was stopped by Shizune, who was standing guard outside.
"Tsunade-sama is treating him. Don't go in."
"Tsunade-sama is inside?"
Kurenai stopped and asked anxiously, "How did Kakashi get hurt? Is it serious? With Tsunade-sama personally treating him, he should be fine, right?"
A string of questions tumbled out of her mouth.
Before Shizune could answer, Lin's figure hurriedly emerged from the tent. She was a member of the medical team and had just delivered some necessary supplies to Tsunade.
Seeing Lin, Kurenai's concern momentarily overwhelmed her, and she directed a questioning glance at her.
"..."
Lin shook her head.
She had only gone in to deliver medical supplies. Tsunade was in the middle of treating Kakashi, and she hadn't dared to interrupt or disturb them, so she wasn't aware of the specifics.
"How's Kakashi? Is he alright?"
Just then, another person ran over. It was Uchiha Obito, who was also among those left behind.
"There's no need to worry too much," Shizune said, noticing the growing crowd. "Feng Ye's condition isn't life-threatening. Lady Tsunade is personally treating him, and there shouldn't be any other issues."
Hearing Shizune's explanation, Kurenai Yuhi and Lin heaved a sigh of relief, their tense and slightly pale faces gradually relaxing.
Obito also breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want to lose a rival so soon, but after all the boasting, Feng Ye would finally have to tone it down. It seemed he had encountered an extremely formidable opponent on the battlefield.
"Well then... I'll leave the task of defeating the enemy who beat Feng Ye to me in the future!" Obito said, clenching his fists in front of him and wearing a spirited and confident expression.
Just then, Kakashi's voice sounded from behind him. "This time, you're finally being realistic about your abilities and not claiming you can take care of it right now."
Having just returned and still worried about Feng Ye's condition, Kakashi couldn't help but glance at Obito and retort.
"Kakashi? When did you get back?" Obito turned to look at the approaching Kakashi, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Is it already over?"
Kakashi walked closer and looked toward the tent. "It's over. The Sand Ninjas have been defeated, and we've won. The others should be returning soon... How's my brother doing now?"
Despite his concern, Kakashi maintained his calm and didn't step inside. Instead, he addressed Shizune, who was standing outside the tent, blocking everyone else.
Shizune recognized Kakashi and once again explained Feng Ye's condition.
"I see..." Kakashi relaxed upon hearing Shizune's explanation and glanced at the Uchiha Obito beside him. "By the way, you were saying that you plan to defeat the enemy who beat Feng Ye. Obito, that's something you couldn't possibly accomplish."
Obito, who was about to leave, heard Kakashi's words and immediately protested, "Hey, don't underestimate me, Kakashi! Once I unlock my Sharingan, I'll show you what I can do!"
Kakashi crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't know if your Sharingan will be of any use, but you're right that you couldn't defeat that enemy because she's already dead."
"Eh?" Obito was taken aback.
Kakashi glanced at Obito. "You don't think Feng Ye was defeated and left the battlefield with serious injuries, do you? He's not a loser; he's a winner. He beat that opponent and killed her on the battlefield."
"To be honest, even if Feng Ye hadn't taken her out, Obito, I doubt you could have beaten her because that person was—Chiyo."
Kakashi looked at Obito intently, not holding back as he dealt a psychological blow.
However, this casually revealed information landed like a thunderbolt for Obito, Kurenai, and the others, causing even the nearby ninja, including Shizune, to widen their eyes in shock.
"Kakashi, are you saying Chiyo? That Chiyo?!" Kurenai asked, incredulous.
Kakashi nodded calmly. "Yes, the elder of Sunagakure and the strongest puppeteer in the ninja world, Chiyo."
(End of Chapter)
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