The atmosphere in the village was visibly depressed.
When leaving the hospital and returning to the shopping street, Sakura lamented the difficulty of life for ninjas.
The cause of all this probably stems from this war.
Only by observing the large number of injured people transported back from the front line in the hospital, we also know how crazy the so-called war is.
At least according to her observation, among the wounded who were brought back, there were already a few serving ninjas who needed amputations to save their lives. But in that case, disabled ninjas would face the risk of losing their jobs. Although there will be compensation from the village, the quality of life in the future will definitely not be good, and they will need to live on a tight budget.
After all, the economy of the Country of Fire has not been very prosperous in recent years, and many market shares have been seized by the Country of Ghosts.
The defeat in this war will also affect the economic balance between countries, and the fiscal revenue of the Fire Country will be even worse.
In the past, Sakura would not pay attention to this issue, but the situation is different now. As her seniority rises, as a rookie medical ninja and a student of Hokage, it is very difficult for her not to understand these things.
When I passed by the pharmacy branch opened by the Shion Flower Merchant Association, I didn't know when the store that was supposed to be closed had reopened.
There are also more ninjas patrolling here.
Probably to ensure that the pharmacy here can open smoothly.
At the beginning of the war, all the properties of the Oni Country Chamber of Commerce in Konoha were blocked and their staff were detained. However, as time went by, these staff returned to their old jobs like normal people in Konoha.
I believe that if the people above do not send ninjas here to protect them, then the other group of ninjas who lost their lovers, relatives, and friends in the war will probably directly use violence to conflict with the Chamber of Commerce personnel in the Kingdom of Ghosts.
Taking into account the actual situation, the reopening of the Chamber of Commerce's stores was, in Sakura's opinion, an act of compliance with the general trend.
The loser has no right to refute.
Thinking this way, Sakura felt a little unhappy, but she still entered the pharmacy very honestly.
In recent years, the medicines produced in the Kingdom of Ghosts have become more and more useful.
The research institute of the Chamber of Commerce under the government of the Kingdom of Ghosts has never been stingy in funding drug research. Not only the quantity and quality, but also the variety is more complete than the medicines produced by Konoha.
In addition, there are ninja tool shops, and various new types of ninja tools are also rapidly crowding out Konoha's ninja tool market. As a result, the ninja shops in Konoha that sell traditional ninja tools are becoming more and more difficult.
For example, the person she met every day opened a ninja shop in his home. Due to the lack of supply of new ninja tools, the response in the market seemed to be declining.
Entering the drugstore, Sakura saw exquisite counter furnishings, and the glass was filled with medicines.
There are some things that Sakura has never seen before, whether they are for ordinary people or medicines supplied to ninjas, they are all available.
As a medical ninja, there is actually not much need for healing medicine.
Sakura just bought a bag of new military food pills, and there were ten new military food pills in the bag.
The effect is to address fatigue and hunger and focus on faster recovery of chakra used by the ninja.
What Sakura valued was its ability to restore chakra faster. The ability of a ninja was inseparable from the energy of chakra. At critical moments, this kind of military food pill is a life-saving treasure.
"see you next time."
The sales lady is dressed in trendy clothes and has a professional smile. From a sensory perspective, there is nothing wrong with her.
Sakura thought to herself, if those ninjas who had lost their relatives and friends in the war came here, they might feel naked ridicule, and they might make a big fuss here. Then the management of Konoha came forward to compensate the Chamber of Commerce of the Kingdom of Ghosts and imprison the troubled ninjas to resolve this conflict.
Sakura nodded slightly, put the purchased bag of military food pills in her ninja bag, and walked out of the pharmacy.
After leaving the pharmacy, Sakura considered whether to go home for lunch or find a random place to have lunch.
The medical work in the morning has been completed, and in the afternoon, I will go to the training ground to practice my strange powers.
Since the hospital has provided a large number of injured people, the medical experience accumulated during this period has been sufficient, but it is not particularly necessary to focus on accumulating medical experience.
Sakura remembered what Tsunade said to her in the past, that an excellent medical ninja is built on the foundation of countless dead people.
For medical ninjas, medical ninjutsu is important, but equally important is experience.
And experience is accumulated fastest in war!
Thinking of this, Sakura didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing, and her mood was extremely complicated.
Just as she continued walking forward, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
"Sakai?"
Sakura called out the name of the boy hiding next to the telephone pole, slightly surprised.
Sakai, who was hiding there, also turned his head slightly and showed his usual smile.
"It's Sakura, good afternoon."
"Are you waiting for me here? I remember that there are no tasks for a while."
"No, what I said is because..."
Zuo Jing tilted his head and glanced at a flash of yellow not far away.
"Naruto?"
Sakura looked surprised.
"Naruto has been back from Myoboku Mountain for several days, don't you know?"
Sakai asked strangely.
"No, I'm basically busy in the hospital these days, or practicing, and I don't know anything about this."
Sakura shook her head, indicating that she didn't know about Naruto's return.
"Really? Naruto has returned from Myoboku Mountain, and Captain Yamato is not here either. So, the task of keeping an eye on him will naturally be done by me now."
Sakai said this.
"Even so, this is a village, so there's no need to keep an eye on it to this extent, right?"
Sakura said helplessly.
"No, the conflicts between countries are becoming more and more intense now. Under this situation, as a Jinchuuriki, Naruto will be more likely to be targeted. Even in the village, we cannot relax our vigilance. .in addition……"
"in addition?"
Sakura tilted her head.
"Mt. Myoki is gone."
Sakai said expressionlessly.
"?"
Sakura's eyes widened immediately and she stayed where she was.
Mt. Miaomu is gone?
"I also learned about it from Lord Danzo, but it has not been spread yet."
"What's going on? How could Mount Miaomu..."
Sakura asked hurriedly.
She signed a contract with Shigulin and knew the mystery and power of these psychic beasts. How could she just say no to them?
She was busy with medical work and cultivation these days, so she had no idea about these things.
"This war with the Kingdom of Ghosts has affected not only the human world, but also the world of psychic beasts. The original balance of the Three Holy Lands has also been broken, and it is the Kingdom of Ghosts that has broken this balance. .”
Sakai continued, his tone was quite calm, as if the destruction of Miaomu Mountain was nothing but an insignificant matter to him.
"You mean, Miaomushan was..."
Sakura's childhole was filled with shock.
Sawai stared into Sakura's eyes and nodded heavily.
"The Kingdom of Ghosts teamed up with another holy land, Ryūchi Cave, to eliminate Mt. Myoki. The leader of Mt. Miaomu, the Great Toad Immortal, died directly in the battle. Countless toad guards also died in the battle. In addition to the two great Immortals, Mt. Miaomu There are only a handful of toads left... In short, Mt. Myoboku’s reputation as a holy land has been removed.”
"Naruto must be feeling very sad right now."
Sakura said.
The mood is also a bit low.
Sakai did not comment on this. What happened to Miao Mushan was not within the scope of his mission. His mission was to monitor Naruto.
"Then let's go over and cheer him up."
Sakura suggested.
After saying that, without waiting for Sakai's response, he walked towards Naruto.
The place that Naruto went to was the Ichiraku Ramen Shop. Before he entered, he heard Naruto's angry voice: "Uncle Hands, a big bowl of Sosa Char Siu Ramen!"
"It's Naruto, it's been a long time. Wait a minute, a big bowl of Miso Char Siu Ramen will be here soon!"
Uncle Yile's hand slapper responded, feeling quite good.
"Running towards Ichiraku Ramen as soon as you come back is really like your style, Naruto."
"Um?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Naruto glanced back and saw Sakura opening the door curtain and walking in, and he suddenly showed a look of joy.
"Sakura, why are you here?"
"You're talking about me. I've been back for a few days and you still haven't come over to notify me."
Sakura's tone was slightly reproachful.
"Ah, um, I have been busy with things in the past few days, so I forgot about it for a while."
Naruto scratched his head in embarrassment.
"I'll spare you this time."
"Thank you very much. But..." Naruto glanced at Sakura's figure and smiled: "I always feel that you are becoming more and more feminine after the Chinese New Year, Sakura."
Sakura glanced at Naruto with disgust.
This guy is still as out of character as ever.
"Compared to me, Hinata looks more feminine."
Sakura said.
Especially every time I go to the hot springs with Hinata, I become extremely autistic.
Not only her, but Ino also feels autistic.
"Is that so..." Naruto thought carefully, compared the figures of Hinata and Sakura, and said without thinking: "Indeed, Sakura, your breasts..."
boom!
"ah!"
Screaming, his fist landed on Naruto's head without hesitation, causing a big bulge.
"I'm sorry, my hand slipped just now and I couldn't help it. Is it okay, Naruto?"
Sakura smiled without sincerity.
"...Don't keep hitting me on the head, Sakura-chan."
Naruto complained.
"It's not like you're talking nonsense."
Sakura sat down.
At this time, the door curtain opened again, and Zuo Jing walked in from the outside.
"Good afternoon, you two."
He smiled as if he had just arrived.
Sakura was slightly speechless, but did not expose it.
"It's you, Sakai. I saw that your good mood was gone all day long."
Seeing the smile on Sawai's face, Naruto told the truth.
"After all, we are in the same group, can't we be more friendly?"
Sakura smiled bitterly when she saw Naruto going toe-to-toe with Sakai again.
"As for me, I'm really not very good at communicating with people."
Zuo Jing smiled openly.
"I just don't like that fake smile on your face."
Naruto said.
Zuo Jing smiled and said nothing and did not answer.
"So, now that you're back, what are you going to do next?"
Sakura didn't mention the incident at Mt. Myoboku because she was afraid that it would bring back bad memories in Naruto's mind.
Naruto thought for a while and replied: "The next step is of course to continue practicing. I have started to learn the magic of magic. I want to master the application of magic faster and work hard to become stronger."
When he said this, the playful smile on Naruto's face had disappeared, and the profile of his face was extremely determined.
"Yeah?"
Sakura lowered her head and sighed.
"Put it down, Sakura, Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei, I will bring them back. I will definitely!"
Naruto thought Sakura was troubled by Sasuke and Kakashi's affairs, and immediately comforted her.
"No, no need. Actually, if you think about it carefully, it is impossible for Zuosuke and Kakashi-sensei to come back. Naruto, you'd better not indulge in such things too much, otherwise you will only be sad."
Sakura forced a smile on her face and warned Naruto seriously.
"Sakura..."
"That's it. I'm leaving first. If you need help, you can come to me at any time."
After saying that, Sakura stood up and left the Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
"Did I say something unpleasant?"
Seeing Sakura leaving in a hurry, Naruto blinked in confusion.
"I think Sakura just doesn't want you to bear so many things alone. Recently, she has been working hard to become stronger and wants to be someone who can be relied on."
Sakai looked at the direction where Sakura left and said next to him.
He was a little envious of this kind of friendship.
"I don't understand it at all."
Naruto sat in his seat and thought until the ramen came before turning his attention.
◎
night.
Haruno's house is a standard two-story residential house with a small yard and is surrounded by walls.
In the residential streets of Konoha Village, where land is at a premium, they can be considered a small and wealthy family.
The bedrooms of father Haruno Zhao and mother Haruno Meabuki are on the first floor. Sakura's bedroom is on the second floor. Next to it is a study room and a room that was originally a warehouse but was converted into a simple research room by her.
At this time, she was in the research room on the second floor, sitting on the chair in front of the desk. There were various books and scrolls on the desk, recording contents related to medical ninjutsu and sealing techniques.
In addition, there are tools such as paper, pen, scissors, and chakra paper cut into the shape of talisman paper.
Under the desk lamp, Sakura was devouring knowledge related to medical techniques and sealing techniques alone. The semi-finished 'medical talisman' she made was casually placed on the table without having time to put it away.
It wasn't until the alarm rang and she realized that it was already two o'clock in the morning that Sakura came back to her senses. Unknowingly, it was so late.
She had to get to the hospital before eight o'clock in the morning, leaving little time for her to sleep.
It was pitch black outside, the windows were whining, and the wind was freezing.
Sakura yawned.
"That's it for today."
As she said that, she put down the tools in her hands, turned off the desk lamp, and walked very skillfully in the dark. When she went outside and was about to turn on the corridor light, she found that the corner of the stairs was already illuminated by light.
The lights on the first floor were turned on.
Taking advantage of this dim light, Sakura curiously walked towards the turning of the stairs, towards the first floor.
Stopping at the landing between the first and second floors, you could hear whispers coming from the living room on the first floor.
But because the voice was too low, Sakura couldn't hear what the people in the living room were talking about.
"Is there anyone at home?"
Sakura walked out and asked her parents standing in the living room.
"Sakura, I'm sorry, did I disturb you?"
Haruno Zhao turned his head, saw Sakura coming down the stairs, and smiled apologetically.
"No, that's not the case."
Sakura glanced at the person talking to her parents at the door.
He was covered in a black coat and had a mask on his face, so he couldn't see his true appearance.
It was windy and snowy outside, and the other party was probably dressed like this to avoid being beaten by the wind and snow outside.
"This guest is..."
"I'm a customer of the barbecue restaurant. I came over to discuss something."
"It's really hard to come here at night."
Sakura felt strange, but she didn't ask any more questions. Maybe there was something urgent and she had to come over now.
After pouring herself a glass of hot water, Sakura walked upstairs.
◎
Generally speaking, when people go missing, it is not the Hokage's turn to deal with it personally.
If such a trivial matter needs to be handled by herself as the Hokage, then even if the Hokage is given forty-eight hours a day, it will not be enough to handle official business.
Therefore, if the matter is not too serious, this kind of matter will basically be handled by the security force, who will dispatch manpower to find the missing persons.
However, this disappearance is not a trivial matter. The security forces did not dare to take any initiative on their own and could only hand it over to the Hokage to handle it personally.
This gave Tsunade a headache. The matters in the medical department were enough to trouble her. Although Asami Masumi's investigation work has made some progress, it is impossible to say that she has obtained decisive evidence to prove that the other party is a mole. of. If the wrong person is wrongly accused in the end, Konoha will not only lose an excellent medical ninja, but also let the real mole go free.
However... one wave after another occurred, and this time the case of missing persons was transferred from the security department to the ANBU, and then from the ANBU to her, the Hokage.
The first disappearance was five days ago.
The family's surname is Doda, and they are a family of five.
The head of the family is the village's Chunin Doda. In addition to Doda Chuunin's wife, the other three are the children of Doda and his wife, two sons and one daughter. All three children are in ninja school and have not yet graduated from the school.
Chuunin Doda is a teacher at the Ninja School, responsible for the practical courses of Class B of the fourth grade and Class C of the fifth grade.
He is twenty-eight years old this year. He got married when he was seventeen. His wife is one year younger than him. He has two sons who are ten years old and a daughter who is eight years old.
Tsunade visited the ninja school, and her impression of Doda Chuunin was that he was an honest man who was also very responsible for the education of the students. Overall, he was an excellent teacher.
The wife of Chunin Doda opened a breakfast shop in the village. Judging from the information provided by neighbors, the couple had a harmonious relationship and there were no quarrels.
They are a very happy and ordinary family of five.
However, on an ordinary morning five days ago, Chunin Doda went to the security department to report that his wife and three children had all disappeared overnight.
The security force that received the news immediately dispatched personnel to search for traces of Doda Chuunin's family.
On that day, Chuunin Doda also asked for a day off from school to join the security force's search mission.
As a result, after searching for a long time, no trace of Doda Chuunin's family was found.
Not only that, at two o'clock in the afternoon, Doda Chunin also mysteriously disappeared from the village.
The security force searchers were left wondering what to do.
However, based on the rules of the police force, extra manpower was deployed to search the village. They even invited ninjas from the Hyuga clan to assist in the investigation. However, they were unable to find the missing Chuunin Doda, and his family members also found nothing.
It wasn't until the next day that someone came to report it again.
However, it was not his family that disappeared this time, but the Takizawa Chuunin in the village, and it was Takizawa Chuunin's family who reported the case.
Although it is strange that there have been missing cases for two consecutive days, in line with the principle, the security force continued to dispatch search teams to carry out investigations.
Immediately during the search process, Takizawa Chuunin's family members also disappeared one after another, and their whereabouts were unknown, which made the security forces aware that something was wrong.
On the fourth day, the disappearances occurred again. And there are two missing pieces, happening together.
Two more families were missing.
No matter how dull the people in the security force are, they still know that the story behind this series of disappearances is very complicated.
In view of this, the security force presented this case to the Hokage's desk, and the ANBU directly under the Hokage launched a more thorough investigation.
At this moment, Tsunade frowned and looked at the report submitted by the security force. Although she had a headache, she still read the report patiently.
From the perspective of interpersonal interactions, there is basically no connection between the missing persons.
If there is any contact, it is only due to work arrangements.
In the family where Doda Chuunin lived, his family members were the first to disappear, followed by him.
Takizawa Chuunin himself disappeared first, and then his family disappeared.
The two missing cases on the fourth day were even more complicated. Traces of fighting were found in the homes of the missing persons, and in addition, there were blood stains.
But no body was found and everyone was missing.
After testing by the medical ninja at the hospital, the blood stains left by the battle were indeed shed from the body of the missing chuunin.
It can be seen that when they disappeared, they had a fierce battle with the enemy.
Looking at this messy report with no trace of any pattern, Tsunade felt dizzy for a moment.
Just when she was puzzled, the office door was pushed open.
Tianzang walked in from outside.
"What's going on? Is there any new progress in the investigation at the hospital?"
Tsuna asked without raising his head.
Tenzou shook his head and said: "No, Hokage-sama, it's from the security force... Well, another missing case was discovered over there. The missing person is Amejima Ninja, and he is in Amejima Ninja's bedroom. , and found traces of tragic battles and a lot of blood stains.”
Tsuna raised his head and saw the same helpless look on Tenzo's face.
Obviously, he was also dizzy by this series of disappearances.
"Ameshima Shinobi?"
Among the missing people in the past few times, the highest level was chuunin, but now even jounin has had an accident?
Tsunade felt a little irritated.
It was no small matter that a jounin disappeared without a trace.
"Yes."
"I'll go to the site to see it myself."
Tsunade put away the investigation report on the table.
So far, more than twenty people have disappeared from the village, including several chuunin and one jounin... This is not something that can be written lightly.
If the situation is allowed to develop, sooner or later it will cause panic in the village. It must be contained before such a serious situation occurs.
