Chapter Eight: Arrival at the Konoha Camp

“That fool Jiraiya actually chose to stay in the Land of Rain. Can’t he see the situation right now?” Tsunade kept grumbling about Jiraiya as she walked. The war between Konoha and the Land of Rain had just ended; the three of them had battled Hanzo barely a day ago, and now Jiraiya had chosen to remain in the Land of Rain to look after a few children.

This behavior was not only unacceptable within Konoha—if Rain ninja caught wind of it, he might be regarded as a spy provoking them, risking the reignition of war between Konoha and the Rain ninja. Moreover, leaving the Konoha camp without permission during wartime could easily warrant being labeled a rogue ninja.

“Orochimaru…”

“Don’t look at me. At best, I’ll say a few words in front of Master Sarutobi with you, but as for anything else, you don’t need to worry about that idiot on my behalf,” Orochimaru interrupted before Tsunade could finish. He shook his head, refusing. Speaking up slightly on Jiraiya’s behalf was the most he’d do for such insubordination; he certainly wouldn’t shoulder the blame for that fool.

Both Tsunade and Orochimaru were thoroughly displeased with Jiraiya’s actions. He would rather care for three orphans he'd met only twice in the Land of Rain than return to the Konoha camp with them. If he truly wanted to care for orphans, there were plenty in the Land of Fire—yet he insisted on staying in the Land of Rain.

“Then I won’t bother either. Let him explain himself to Master Sarutobi,” Tsunade said, slowing her pace and moving to walk beside Karn Pent. She was intrigued by the medicines Karn had produced; they couldn’t possibly be the product of one person’s research. They seemed more like the result of dozens of medical ninja working five or six years to achieve such outcomes.

Earlier, while Tsunade and Orochimaru were speaking, Karn had prudently kept his distance. Before establishing a few successful transactions, he needed to be cautious. Tsunade wanted to discuss the medicines, but Karn had little to say. He had studied some medical skills, but he was no expert in pharmaceutical development. Instead, he steered the conversation toward battlefield first aid—suturing, bandaging, and combining these techniques with his medicines to substitute for ordinary medical ninja.

This was the extent of Karn’s medical training: systematic emergency procedures that any ordinary ninja could learn. Combined with the right medicines, they could save wounded comrades, which only piqued Tsunade’s interest further.

Medical ninjutsu required immense talent—one in a hundred at best—but the first aid techniques and simple suturing Karn described could be widely adopted. They were tailored for battlefield treatment, saving considerable time compared to cultivating medical ninja.

As they neared the Konoha camp, Tsunade praised Karn, “You, despite your odd name, are quite skilled in the medical arts.”

“It’s just something I happen to know well, since I sell medicines…” Karn replied calmly, though inwardly he was thinking that Tsunade’s name was just as strange. What woman would be called Tsunade? It sounded no different from ‘Hammer.’

“If you could perform medical ninjutsu, you’d be quite a profound medical ninja indeed,” Tsunade continued to compliment him. She felt she’d gained a lot; once she returned, she’d organize these emergency treatment methods and ensure every ninja had them at their disposal, saving countless comrades.

Soon, they arrived at the Konoha camp. The gate guards recognized Tsunade and Orochimaru but still questioned them as a matter of routine. They then used sensory ninjutsu to check for signs of transformation or disguise. Once they confirmed everything, the trio was allowed inside. Though Karn had been brought back by Tsunade and Orochimaru, he too underwent standard inspection.

Afterward, Tsunade led Karn to a tent. “This is where I rest. Wait here for now—I need to discuss the medicines with the others,” she said.

“Don’t worry, no one will give you trouble here,” Tsunade assured him, leaving with some of the medicines Karn had given her. Before departing, she had a Hyuga ninja stationed at the entrance—not only to prevent Karn from sneaking out to steal Konoha secrets, but also to protect him. After all, Karn was the most cautious and timid merchant Tsunade had ever met. All along the journey, he’d repeatedly insisted that if danger arose, he’d leave immediately.

No one knew how an ordinary person could leave the Konoha camp; the sensory ninja and Hyuga’s Byakugan had already confirmed that Karn had no chakra in his body—not even any signs of training.

Once Tsunade had settled Karn in, she headed straight to the command tent. By the time she arrived, she was the last one there.

“Tsunade, why didn’t Jiraiya return with you? And who is that person you brought back? It’s wartime—you can’t just bring strangers into the camp…” The commander at the Rain Country frontline was Shimura Danzo, the Hokage’s advisor. He had hoped to use this war to gain military merit for himself, only for Hiruzen Sarutobi’s three disciples to steal the spotlight.

The legendary Sannin of Konoha—the title had been given to them as the defeated, but the one who granted them that name was the demigod of the ninja world. To Konoha’s ninja, the Third Hokage’s three disciples united could stand against the demigod himself.

“I’ve already reported Jiraiya’s situation to Master Sarutobi. As for the man I brought back, he’s exactly who we’ll be discussing shortly,” Tsunade replied.

Tsunade was utterly unfazed by Danzo’s rebuke; she’d always disliked the sinister old man. This time, he had incited the Sand ninja by having his Root operatives impersonate Sand and Rain ninja to massacre civilians at their borders. Though the move benefited Konoha, Tsunade simply couldn’t approve.

“Hmph, very well. Let’s begin discussing the war,” Danzo said, unable to do much about Tsunade. She wasn’t an ordinary jonin; with Lady Mito still alive and Tsunade freshly decorated for her achievements, he couldn’t use Jiraiya’s absence or the stranger she brought to target her.

“The Rain ninja have withdrawn from the field. Their logistics are exhausted—if we keep pressing, they won’t even have shuriken to throw. Only the Sand ninja remain…” The tent then turned to discussing the conclusion of the conflict in the Land of Rain. This time, Konoha had initiated the war, routing both the Rain ninja—who had the demigod of the ninja world—and one of the five great ninja villages, the Sand. It was a resounding victory.

All that remained was for the two ninja villages to sign the defeat treaty, and Konoha would claim a triumphant victory.

A Konoha ninja then reported, “Jonin Sakumo sent word—there’s movement from the Stone ninja, and it’s likely they’ll invade the Land of Grass…”

Danzo pondered for a moment, then said, “Send word to him—the next batch of reinforcements will go to him first. We must not allow the Stone ninja to invade the Land of Grass.”

The Land of Grass was now a vassal of Konoha. If the Stone ninja invaded, it would amount to a declaration of war against Konoha.

After a while, all the issues that needed reporting were covered, and Danzo turned his gaze toward Tsunade.

Noticing the attention of her colleagues, Tsunade took out all the medicines and medical supplies Karn had given her from her bag and addressed them, “The man’s name is Karn Pent. He’s a merchant who lost his way in the Land of Rain, and what he’s selling are these.”