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Shin enjoyed his roasted rabbit, ignoring the curious stares from Kushina and Mikoto. He cleared his throat.
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"Kushina, Mikoto, is something wrong with the rabbit? Why are you staring at me like that?"
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"We''re just curious," Mikoto said.
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They were both puzzled by Shin bringing Konan back. They didn''t believe he had done it out of pure compassion.
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"What''s there to be curious about? Finish eating, and let''s head back to camp to report," Shin said.
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They were on a mission to scout for enemy Shinobi in the area.
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"Konan, here''s a rabbit leg for you." Shin offered Konan a leg.
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Konan looked at him timidly, then at the rabbit leg with longing, but she didn''t dare take it.
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"Go on, eat. Don''t be afraid," Mikoto said gently.
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"Yeah, we won''t hurt you," Kushina added.
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Unable to resist the temptation, Konan finally took the rabbit leg and nibbled on it.
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She hadn''t eaten in two days. She had managed to find some mushrooms, but then she encountered the bear and almost died.
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A single rabbit wasn''t enough, so they roasted the mushrooms Konan had found and a bear paw as well.
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"Bear paw is so good! What about the rest?" Kushina looked at the bear carcass. There were three more paws, and they hadn''t even touched the meat.
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"We can''t waste it." Shin sealed the carcass in a scroll.
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"Konan, are you coming with us, or are you going to continue wandering around?"
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Shin asked Konan.
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"Come with us. It''s dangerous for a little girl to be alone," Kushina said.
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"The entire Land of Rain is dangerous right now. You should stay with us," Mikoto added.
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"You... you really want me to come with you?" Konan asked timidly.
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She was young, but the war had forced her to mature quickly. She knew she was a burden.
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"It''s your choice, Konan. If you want to come with us, you can. If you want to leave, we won''t stop you," Shin said.Stolen story; please report.
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He wouldn''t force her either way.
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"I... I want to go with you," Konan said, looking at Shin.
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"Alright, let''s go then."
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Shin smiled and led Konan out of the forest.
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They arrived at a small town. Due to the war, it was practically deserted.
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They bought Konan some new clothes at a clothing store, then found an inn and had Mikoto help Konan wash up and change. She was covered in mud from being chased by the bear.
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They then headed back to the Konoha camp. No one questioned them about the little girl; they were Tsunade''s students, after all.
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This was the battlefield between Konoha and Suna. Orochimaru was the commander, with Tsunade and Jiraiya as his deputies. No one would question them.
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As for the original commander, Sakumo Hatake, he had been transferred to the Iwa front.
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They went to find Tsunade. She was surprised to see Konan.
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"Who''s this little girl?" Tsunade asked Shin.
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"Her name is Konan. I saved her in the forest and brought her back. She can stay with you for now."
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Shin and his team often went on missions. It was better for Konan to stay with Tsunade, who was responsible for treating the injured and developing antidotes for Chiyo''s poison.
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Tsunade rarely participated in direct combat.
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Tsunade frowned. Wasn''t it dangerous to bring a stranger into the camp? She could be a spy.
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"Don''t worry," Shin said, sensing her concern.
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Tsunade trusted Shin. She nodded and said to Konan, "You can stay with me for now."
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Konan took a step back and looked at Shin, clinging to his clothes.
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She was anxious in this unfamiliar environment. Only Shin, her savior, could give her a sense of security.
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"Don''t worry, Konan. If I''m in camp, you can stay with me. But if I''m on a mission, you''ll have to stay with Tsunade. It''s too dangerous to take you with me."
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Shin pinched Konan''s cheek. It was so soft; he couldn''t resist pinching it again.
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Konan blushed and nodded.
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"Tsunade, we have a problem!"
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Jiraiya and Orochimaru suddenly arrived. Their presence meant trouble. Jiraiya looked at Konan curiously.
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"Didn''t you say there was a problem? Tell us what it is."
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"Yeah, yeah, business first." Jiraiya turned serious. He wasn''t interested in some random little girl.
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"I''ll explain. The Third Kazekage is here."
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Orochimaru said. It was better than letting Jiraiya waste time with his rambling.
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"What?!" Tsunade''s eyes widened in alarm.
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The Third Kazekage''s presence meant he was participating in the war.
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The Third Kazekage was considered the strongest Kazekage. Even Hiruzen might not be able to defeat him.
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Tsunade was overestimating him, though. The strongest Kazekage wasn''t the Third. After all, he had been killed and turned into a puppet by Sasori.
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Regardless of whether Sasori used tricks or schemes, it didn''t change the fact that the so-called "strongest Kazekage" had been defeated.
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But to Orochimaru and the others, the Third Kazekage was still a formidable opponent.
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"Do you have a plan?" Tsunade asked Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
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"Orochimaru has already sent someone back to Konoha to inform the Hokage. We have to stall for time," Jiraiya said.
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Tsunade nodded. That was their only option. They had to wait for Hiruzen''s instructions.
------
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