Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 428: Splitting Into Two Teams (Part 1)

Over the next few days, Daisuke Nakano didn't dare entertain any ulterior motives.

He obediently followed the main force, focusing solely on traveling.

The Konoha forces marched openly through the Land of Grass without any effort to conceal their movements.

The Kusa ninja didn't even dare to step forward, let alone question them.

They could only watch helplessly as the Konoha forces passed through as if the land were theirs.

Thus, the group made an unimpeded entry into the Land of Earth.

"Daisuke, should we report to Lord Tsuchikage first, or go straight to support the Iwa forces fighting against the Akatsuki?"

As soon as they stepped into the Land of Earth, Nawaki turned to Daisuke with a bright smile, seeking his input.

"This area is closer to the Land of Rain. How about we strike a blow against the Akatsuki first?"

Daisuke tested the waters, sneaking a glance at Minato's expression.

"Sure, we'll follow your lead," Nawaki agreed readily, and Minato raised no objections.

"I'll guide the way then."

Daisuke's face lit up with relief as he quickly moved ahead of Nawaki and Minato, taking the lead.

Still, he couldn't shake his unease.

So much time had passed—who knew what had happened to Rōshi and Kitsuchi?

If they were still holding out against Akatsuki, that would be one thing. But if they had suffered a complete defeat, finding them might not be so simple.

Suppressing his anxiety, Daisuke pushed forward, relying on the latest intelligence reports to lead the way toward Akatsuki's forces.

From sunset to moonrise, the Konoha troops pressed on without stopping.

"Are you sure you can find them?"

Minato furrowed his brows, his dissatisfaction evident.

According to sensei's instructions, Nagato wasn't supposed to wipe out the Iwa forces.

So why was this guy struggling to locate them?

"Lord Minato," Daisuke said, his tone soft yet strained.

"The battlefield shifts constantly, and Nagato is a formidable opponent."

"Our Iwa troops may have gone into hiding. Please give me a little more time."

He picked up the pace, the weight on his chest growing heavier.

At this moment, he wished more than anything for Rōshi and Kitsuchi to appear before them in the next second.

"There are signs of battle ahead."

A Hyūga clan member spotted countless craters and scorch marks in the distance, remnants of a recent clash.

"Let's check it out."

Guided by the Hyūga, Minato was the first to arrive.

Surveying the battlefield, it was clear that a fierce fight had taken place not long ago.

"This is Rōshi's residual chakra," Daisuke noted upon arrival.

He instantly recognized the lingering chakra of Son Gokū, the Four-Tails, and let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"And that means... what, exactly?"

Minato remained unimpressed.

What was the point of finding traces of them if they hadn't actually located anyone yet?

"They must be nearby," Daisuke declared with newfound confidence, standing tall.

"Then it's all on you," Nawaki said, stepping forward to pat him on the shoulder in encouragement.

"Rest assured, my lords!"

With that, Daisuke set off alone, disappearing into the distance.

"You think that old fox is up to something?"

After a long silence, Nawaki glanced in the direction Daisuke had gone, voicing his suspicions to Minato.

"Does it matter?"

Minato met Nawaki's gaze, and the two exchanged knowing smiles.

Even if he is, so what?

Minute by minute, time dragged on.

An hour later, Daisuke finally reappeared, his face filled with barely contained excitement.

"This way!"

He lowered his voice and frantically waved the group forward.

"Let's move."

Nawaki and Minato led the troops after him.

"I've found their special markings—we're close now," Daisuke announced, his joy unmistakable.

"Good," Minato responded coolly.

Nawaki, on the other hand, flashed Daisuke an apologetic smile.

A heavy silence fell over the group once more, the only sound being their footsteps pressing forward.

After an indeterminate amount of time, several Iwa shinobi emerged from a distance.

Faced with such a large force, they had no choice but to intercept them—regardless of the risk to their own lives.

"Who goes there?"

One of the sentries called out sharply.

"It's me, Daisuke Nakano."

Under Nawaki's orders, the Konoha troops halted while Daisuke stepped forward to identify himself.

"Lord Daisuke?"

Even after recognizing him, the Iwa sentries remained on high alert.

"I followed the markers here. This is the reinforcement force I brought from Konoha on Lord Tsuchikage's orders."

To prove his claim, Daisuke tossed over an object confirming his identity.

"It really is Lord Daisuke."

"He actually managed to bring Konoha reinforcements."

The sentries finally relaxed, stepping closer.

"Take me to Rōshi and Kitsuchi."

Daisuke had no patience for further small talk.

"Understood."

The lead sentry agreed, though his eyes lingered warily on the Konoha troops.

"I take full responsibility for the people I brought," Daisuke stated firmly, finally allowing his authoritative presence to show.

"Yes, sir."

The sentry bowed respectfully before making arrangements and leading the Konoha forces toward the Iwa camp.

The sudden arrival of the Konoha troops caused a brief stir in the Iwa camp.

Soon after, under Daisuke's guidance, Nawaki and Minato met with Rōshi and Kitsuchi.

"Thank you for Konoha's assistance."

"I, Kitsuchi, will remember this favor."

His words were polite, but his tone carried genuine gratitude.

After all, he had been suffering under Nagato's relentless attacks for days. His face was pale from exhaustion.

"You don't need to thank us—we're just following orders."

Minato remained distant, his tone indifferent.

"Old fool, always making foolish decisions," Rōshi muttered under his breath from behind Kitsuchi.

His entire body was covered in dirt and grime—he looked utterly disheveled.

"Rōshi!!!"

"You dare question Lord Tsuchikage's judgment?"

Under normal circumstances, Daisuke wouldn't have spoken to Rōshi in such a way.

But after all the risks he had taken to bring reinforcements from Konoha, Rōshi's dismissive attitude was beyond frustrating.

He had nearly lost his life for this mission.

"Let's see how this plays out," Rōshi scoffed, dropping all pretense.

"Enough," Kitsuchi intervened, stepping in as the peacemaker.

"Debating my father's decisions now won't change anything. The priority is defeating Akatsuki as soon as possible."

Nawaki and Minato remained uninvolved—it wasn't as if Rōshi was insulting them.

"This is Nawaki Senju of Konoha, younger brother of the current Hokage."

"And this is Minato Namikaze, a student of Hatake Kawakaze."

Daisuke composed himself and introduced the two to Rōshi and Kitsuchi.

"Kitsuchi of Iwagakure, son of Ōnoki."

"Rōshi of Iwagakure, Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails."

Kitsuchi's introduction was straightforward, devoid of arrogance. His earlier mediating stance had already made it clear he wasn't trying to show off.

As for Rōshi, he knew they'd be fighting together soon anyway, so there was no point in hiding his identity.

However, upon hearing Rōshi's self-introduction, Nawaki and Minato momentarily froze.

Wasn't this guy one of the Uchiha's biggest enemies?