It's been the seventh day since I came to the border of the Land of Wind, and Suna Shinobi have only made a few tentative attacks, with no major movement.
This time, Sunagakure and Iwagakure have joined forces. It can be said they are ambitious. They want to defeat Konoha and erase the shame of their previous defeat.
Now that Sunagakure has not launched an attack on Konoha for a long time, it is obviously waiting for movement from Iwagakure. It was too difficult to fight Konoha with the power of one village alone. This was fully proven in the last war.
But Ōnoki of Iwagakure is also a scheming man. So how could he help Sunagakure hold off Konoha's main force? Iwagakure is clearly waiting for Sunagakure to sink into the quagmire of war, dragging down most of Konoha's fighting power, and then launch their own offensive to seize the fruits of victory.
It is precisely because the two villages have their own agendas that the original alliance has stalled, giving Konoha a chance to breathe.
Of course, there is also Konoha's intervention at play.
I don't know what methods Konoha's higher-ups used to bring the alliance between Iwagakure and Sunagakure to the verge of collapse, but Konoha must have paid a certain price for it.
And as far as Chao Yanqian knows, Konoha's top officials have sent emissaries to Kirigakure, preparing to form an alliance to counter the threat from Iwagakure and Sunagakure.
However, Asakura is not very optimistic about this.
With the Fourth Mizukage on the rise, Kirigakure is clearly under the control of Uchiha Madara. And Uchiha Madara harbors a deep hatred for Konoha. It's obviously impossible for him to assist Konoha through this crisis.
In the past few days since arriving at the front lines, Chao Yanqian has been stationed at the medical squad's camp, organizing medical-nin to treat the wounded. With his increasing strength and status, the village appointed Chao Yanqian as the squad leader of the medical unit, making him the head of the entire Sunagakure front line medical force.
This appointment made Tsunecho Tsunami very excited.
Although for most people, the Ninja World War means widespread death and destruction, for a different group of capable and ambitious individuals, it means an opportunity for meritorious service, achievement, and recognition.
And Chao Yanqian is obviously such a person.
Since becoming Tsunade's apprentice, Asakura has gained a certain reputation in Konoha. Especially during the last battle with Sunagakure, many shinobi witnessed Asakura's performance. As his medical ninjutsu grew more refined, Asakura became a life-saving talisman for many ninjas.
However, Chao Yanqian is also very self-aware. Although he desires battlefield accomplishments, he understands that in his current state, he won't be a main figure in this war. Perhaps in six to eight years, Chao Yanqian will reach that level.
Therefore, Chao Yanqian has remained diligently in the medical squad's camp, awaiting the final victory of the war.
Of course, in addition to the medical squad, there is one more thing that keeps Chao Yanqian busy assisting Orochimaru with his forbidden jutsu experiments.
After arriving at the Sunagakure front lines, Orochimaru reopened his old laboratory.
Now Orochimaru is obsessively focused on forbidden jutsu experimentation. Although there has been no progress in researching the First Hokage's cells, this only deepens Orochimaru's obsession. He spends nearly every free moment in his lab, studying the cells of the First Hokage.
Orochimaru is no longer particularly concerned with the war. To him, this conflict is merely a source of abundant experimental material.
While assisting Orochimaru in treating these 'experimental materials,' Chao Yanqian discovered subtle changes, gradually deepening his understanding of the First Hokage's cells.
Truthfully, Chao Yanqian's desire for the First Hokage's cells now far surpasses his interest in the Sharingan.
The chakra and vitality within the First Hokage's cells deeply fascinated the once-lost Chao Yanqian.
If the cells of the First Hokage could be successfully transplanted, Chao Yanqian's power would increase tremendously especially his chakra reserves, which would help him overcome his current limitations in one leap.
Compared to the First Hokage's cells, though the Uchiha clan's Sharingan is powerful, the side effects of the Mangekyō Sharingan are too severe. And achieving the Eternal Mangekyō requires transplanting a sibling's eyes. Obtaining a Mangekyō Sharingan alone is already rare, let alone one from a sibling.
Therefore, over the past year, Chao Yanqian has diligently assisted Orochimaru in his experiments. Orochimaru gradually began to trust him slightly. However, Chao Yanqian knows that Orochimaru will never treat him as a true confidant because his goal is power, not personal devotion to Orochimaru.
After inspecting the medical camp, Chao Yanqian left and headed alone to Orochimaru's laboratory.
By now, this path is very familiar to him. After unsealing the door, Chao Yanqian walked through the long corridor to Orochimaru's lab.
"Lord Orochimaru, I'm not late!" he greeted casually upon seeing Orochimaru busy at work.
"Just in time," came Orochimaru's hoarse, emotionless reply.
Without being told, Chao Yanqian walked over to several dying 'experimental materials' and began treatment.
"Chao Yanqian, what do you think of this war?" About half an hour later, Orochimaru, now finished with his tasks, suddenly asked.
"Me? What thoughts could I have? I don't need to think about it. Right now, the most important thing is improving my strength. As for the war, that's the concern of Konoha's leadership," Chao Yanqian replied indifferently.
"You're quite self-aware," Orochimaru said, licking his lips, his hoarse voice carrying a trace of excitement. "But I have another task for you. I hope it's not too much trouble. "What is it, Lord Orochimaru?" Chao Yanqian asked.
Orochimaru smiled. "Do you remember our discussion about suppressing the First Hokage's cells?"
"Of course," Chao Yanqian replied.
Seeing Orochimaru's excited expression, Chao Yanqian couldn't help but think: Is Orochimaru planning to go after the Sharingan now?
"In this war, the Uchiha clan is also on the front lines. As a field commander, I can assign them a few dangerous missions and 'accidents' may happen. But no matter how we handle the bodies, suspicion will arise. That's where you, as the medical squad leader, will need to provide an 'authoritative' explanation," Orochimaru said mockingly.
"I understand, Lord Orochimaru," Chao Yanqian replied.
"But I've never heard that the Sharingan can suppress the First Hokage's cells," Chao Yanqian added, puzzled.
The origins of the Uchiha and Senju clans are among Konoha's deepest secrets ordinary shinobi have no access to that level of knowledge.
Although most Konoha shinobi know that the village was founded by the Senju and Uchiha clans, Uchiha Madara's betrayal is a forbidden topic in Konoha.
And secrets from decades ago aren't something a mere chūnin like Chao Yanqian can understand.
"I've consulted some ancient texts and confirmed a few things," Orochimaru said flatly. "You don't need to worry about those details just do your job."
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Chao Yanqian replied respectfully.