klisemfg Chapter 537 Get Up
Chapter 537 Get Up
Zhang Hai appeared silently in the center of the office and knelt on one knee: "Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his eyelids, glanced at him, and wearily waved his hand: "Get up."
He looked at Kurenai Yuhi and said in a deep voice, "Kurenai, you go and explain the situation to him."
“Yes.” Yuhi Shinku stepped forward, facing Zhang Hai with a serious expression. “Just yesterday, a battle report came from the front line of Amegakure. Our troops were ambushed by Amegakure leader ‘Salamander’ Hanzo, suffering heavy losses and being forced to retreat.”
Zhang Hai's heart tightened.
"However, it's not all bad news." Shinku's tone softened slightly. "During the retreat, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade fought desperately to cover the rear, confronting Hanzo head-on. Although they were ultimately defeated, their strength was recognized by Hanzo. Hanzo personally bestowed upon them the title of 'Konoha's Legendary Sannin.' This title has now spread throughout the entire ninja world."
The Legendary Sannin of Konoha… Zhang Hai silently recited this name that was destined to resonate throughout the future. Even under the shadow of defeat, these three names still shone brightly like dazzling stars.
“However, the defeat at Amegakure has put our western defenses under immense strain.” Shinku’s expression turned grave again. “And just now, we received an urgent military order from Lord Sakumo from the battlefield at Iwagakure.”
He took a scroll out of his pocket and handed it to Zhang Hai.
"In view of your outstanding performance in the previous mission, the Hokage and the Jonin team have decided that, effective immediately, you will be promoted to Chunin of Konoha."
A promotion? Zhang Hai took the scroll, but felt no joy. He knew that this so-called promotion was nothing more than a ticket to an even more dangerous battlefield.
Sure enough, Shinku's next words confirmed his guess.
"This is your new mission. Lord White Fang's order is for you to immediately organize a four-person squad and rush to Kikyo Mountain as quickly as possible to reinforce the frontline troops fighting against Iwagakure."
The battlefield of Iwagakure! Mount Kikyo! That was the most brutal and devastating battlefield of the entire Second Shinobi World War!
Zhang Hai gripped the scroll tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning white from the force.
"Yes!" he replied without hesitation.
After the task was handed over, everyone else in the office left one after another, leaving only Zhang Hai and Yuhi Makoto.
Kurenai Yuhi, who had always presented a serious and rigid image, stared at the boy before her for a long time. His eyes were complex, containing the scrutiny of a superior, the expectations of a teacher, and a trace of... a deeply hidden, fatherly worry.
After a long while, a very faint smile slowly appeared on his perpetually icy face.
The smile was stiff, even somewhat unsightly, yet incredibly sincere.
“Zhang Hai,” he began, his voice no longer cold as a superior addressing a subordinate, but carrying a rare hint of warmth, “come back alive.”
Emerging from the Hokage's office, Zhang Hai held a Chunin appointment letter and an urgent team formation order. Walking along the heavily guarded streets, he could clearly sense the shadow of war completely enveloping the village. The air was no longer peaceful; instead, it held an invisible chill and heaviness.
"Four-person team system..." Zhang Hai stroked the scroll in his hand, his gaze deep.
He understood that this was a lesson Konoha had learned through bloodshed. In the face of the brutal meat grinder of war, individual strength, while important, was no longer the decisive factor. The traditional model of elite Jonin leading missions proved inadequate on large-scale, organized battlefields. Only a well-defined, coordinated four-person combat team could achieve a higher survival rate and mission completion rate on the brutal battlefield.
War is urging Konoha to undergo self-transformation in the coldest of ways.
In a secluded corner, a figure quietly appeared before him, with short white hair and sharp, piercing eyes—it was none other than "Konoha's White Fang"—Sakumo Hatake.
"Order received?" White Fang's voice was as concise and efficient as ever.
"Yes, Lord White Fang," Zhang Hai replied respectfully.
“My mission is about to change, and I will soon be transferred to the main battlefield of Sunagakure.” White Fang’s gaze fell on Zhang Hai, with a hint of scrutiny and approval. “You must know very well the dangers of Mount Kikyo. I cannot lead the team there myself, so this squad will be entrusted to you to assemble and command. I don’t care about the process, I only care about the result.”
These words were both an order and an expression of trust. Entrusting the formation of a squad about to be deployed to the front lines to a newly promoted Chunin was unprecedented in Konoha's history. White Fang was acknowledging Zhang Hai's strength and intelligence in this way.
"Yes!" Zhang Hai said no more.
White Fang nodded, then vanished in a flash, as if he had never been there.
Standing alone in place, Zhang Hai's mind began to race.
On the battlefield of Kikyo Mountain, they faced the ninjas of Iwagakure, renowned for their Earth Release ninjutsu and group tactics. This meant they would be facing endless Earth Release: Earth Walls and Earth Dragon Bullets, as well as a hidden, lurking explosive units ready to strike.
To survive in this environment, a balanced team composition is the primary condition.
Inside, the atmosphere was warm yet tinged with a sense of helplessness.
"...Those guys are talking about my hair behind my back again! Saying it's a 'red monster'! I'm so angry, I'll beat them to a pulp next time, okay!" Kushina Uzumaki waved her little fists, sitting angrily at the table, her bright red hair like burning flames, showing her extreme displeasure.
Minato Namikaze stood to the side, a gentle and tolerant smile on his face, patiently pouring her a cup of hot tea: "Alright, alright, don't be angry, Kushina. They're just jealous that you have such beautiful hair."
"Pretty? This thing will only bring me trouble!" Kushina said, but the anger on her face had obviously dissipated a lot. She picked up her teacup, took small sips, and secretly glanced at Minato out of the corner of her eye.
Just then, a voice devoid of any emotion suddenly rang out in the room, shattering the tranquility that belonged only to the two of them.
"If you can't even bear these rumors, how will you shoulder a heavier destiny in the future?"
"Who?!"
Kushina and Minato were both shocked. Minato instantly shielded Kushina behind him, a kunai gleaming coldly in his hand, and he looked warily in the direction from which the sound came.
In the shadows by the window, a figure had silently appeared, as if he had been there all along, blending into the darkness. The moonlight outlined his slender profile and austere face.