Chapter 132: Chapter 132
Chapter 132
At the Konoha Hospital at the rear of the River Country battlefield, late at night, Haneda released his right hand, charged with Yang-style chakra, and looked away from a patient whose wound was now healing.
"That's the last patient for today, Haneda," Kakashi approached with a small smile, noticing the weariness in Haneda's eyes.
"It's already over, huh…" Haneda glanced at Kakashi and then walked to the sink to wash his hands.
"Let's go find Obito for dinner, Kakashi," Haneda said, drying his hands. He couldn't help but smile at the thought of a meal with both Obito and Kakashi; it had been a while.
He wondered if Obito would burn his mouth as usual on barbecue. It would be even better if Uncle Sakumo could join them too.
Rin and Obito worked in the Third Medical Area, not far from where Haneda and Kakashi were. They hadn't walked far before spotting Rin and Obito.
"Obito, you didn't give Rin any trouble, did you?" Haneda called out, smiling.
Hearing his voice, Obito turned around, grinning upon seeing Haneda. But he quickly put on a pout and replied, "Hmph, Haneda! I was actually helping Rin with a lot!"
Just as Obito was about to insult Haneda, he thought of Haneda's medical skills and shifted his target to Kakashi. "At least I did more than you, Kakashi!"
"Heh—Even lying in bed, I'd still be more useful than you, dead last," Kakashi retorted with his classic disinterested look.
"Shut it, Kakashi!" Obito shouted, unable to fully grasp the insult but annoyed all the same.
Haneda and Rin sighed simultaneously; no matter when or where, Obito and Kakashi always found reasons to argue.
Haneda put a hand on Kakashi's shoulder and called to Obito, "Let's go eat, Obito. How about a group dinner tonight?"
"A group dinner? You're paying, Haneda?" Obito's eyes lit up, momentarily forgetting his usual grudge.
"Let's just split it," Rin suggested, pulling Obito along. "Haneda's treated enough times. Besides, the cafeteria's the only option here anyway."
"Alright, I'll let you off this time, Haneda!" Obito conceded and moved beside him, his stomach already growling.
Kakashi watched this with an amused smile, seeing Haneda's description of Obito as "stubborn but loyal" proven yet again.
But then—
Rapid footsteps echoed down the hallway as Asuma and Kurenai rushed in.
"Bad news, Haneda!" Asuma said, panting, leaning against the door frame.
"Lady Tsunade got word from the ANBU that the Sand Shinobi plan to raid the hospital tonight!"
Everyone in the Third Medical Area fell silent at the announcement.
"What?! Sand Shinobi raiding tonight? Are you serious?" Obito asked, eyes wide.
Some patients paled, asking, "How close are they? What's Lady Tsunade's plan?"
Others grew angry, "How did they get this close? What is Command even doing?"
The gravity of the situation weighed on everyone—half the people here were patients, while the other half were medical staff. If the Sand Shinobi reached them, the results could be disastrous.
Haneda and Kakashi weren't overly worried about the attack, knowing they could defend themselves. But the patients…
Kakashi instinctively looked to Haneda, who, with Minato-sensei away, had become their leader.
"Did the Sand launch a major offensive at the front lines as well?" Haneda asked. "What's Tsunade's plan?"
Asuma nodded, "Yes, Sakumo-sensei's forces faced a massive Sand attack. The Sand took advantage of our defense shift to break through."
Asuma then whispered a few details to Haneda about Tsunade's intentions—setting up an ambush perimeter around the hospital to intercept the Sand forces before they reached the patients.
But Haneda was skeptical. This strategy might have worked if it were the Tsunade of the Second Shinobi War, but she now suffered from hemophobia, which would limit her strength.
Furthermore, the Sand was led by Rasa, the future Fourth Kazekage, a skilled Kage-level fighter.
As he headed to Tsunade's office, Haneda opened his system panel, a light-blue screen appearing in front of him.
**[Uchiha Haneda]**
- **Rank:** Jonin (99/100)
- **Chakra:** 16.1 (Attributes: Water, Earth, Wind, Fire, Lightning, Yin, Yang)
- **Kekkei Genkai:** Three-Tomoe Sharingan (Mangekyo 83%), Basic Sage Body (Intermediate Sage Body 30%), Wood Release
- **Special Abilities:** Eight Gates - Injury Gate (78/100), Mastery of the Hatake Sword Techniques (80/100), Flying Thunder God (3/100)
As he moved, he reviewed his abilities, considering how his S-rank Lightning Style technique, Kirin, was a reliable trump card. But Kirin's setup time still held him back from reaching true Kage level.
As he neared Tsunade's office, a smirk crept across his face at the thought of testing his strength against Rasa's Magnet Release.
Behind him, Obito popped a ration pill into his mouth, grumbling, "Curse those Sand Shinobi! We were supposed to have a meal together!"
Kakashi heard him, tempted to mock him, but with dinner plans dashed, he instead found himself sympathizing with Obito.
…
Once in Tsunade's office, she got straight to the point. "Haneda, Sakumo mentioned your Lightning Style can counter Magnet Release to some degree, correct?"
"Yes," Haneda replied. Given the interaction between electric fields and magnetic forces, Lightning Style could indeed disrupt Magnet Release if used effectively.
Satisfied, Tsunade instructed, "When the Sand's assault unit arrives, I need you and Kakashi to focus on stopping Rasa. His Magnet Release will be a major obstacle."
Obito piped up, "And me, auntie Tsunade? What's my mission?"