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Time passed relentlessly, and Shin celebrated his twelfth birthday.
Birthdays weren't a big deal, but he did receive another Replication Card, an Advanced one this time.
He wasn't as excited as he used to be. As his strength increased, Advanced Replication Cards became less useful.
He had mastered Sage Mode during this time, able to activate it instantaneously and maintain it indefinitely.
He could even continuously absorb Natural Energy during battle, theoretically maintaining Sage Mode forever.
Kushina had also learned Sage Mode, but Mikoto hadn't yet. Perhaps she would in the future.
"Shin, dinner's ready! Come try my cooking!" Kushina called out.
Shin's face stiffened. "I'm not hungry. You guys eat first," he said without turning around.
Kushina had been acting strangely lately, spending a lot of time in the kitchen with Mikoto, trying to learn how to cook. But all she produced were culinary disasters.
Even with his Perfect Sage Body, Shin couldn't stomach her creations. He'd rather starve.
"Liar! You just said you were hungry and asked Mikoto to make dinner!" Kushina accused.
"Did I? I don't remember."
Shin denied it. He still remembered the taste of the "food" Kushina had forced him to try yesterday. He had thrown up for an hour.
It was that bad. He felt like he had been poisoned.
"Fine, don't eat then. Starve!" Kushina huffed and stormed off.
Mikoto emerged and told Shin that she had thrown away Kushina's "food."
Relieved, Shin finally joined them for dinner.
After lunch, Shin chatted with Mikoto and the others for a while, then went to the courtyard to train.
Training didn't improve his strength much anymore, but even a small increase was worth it. Strength was accumulated gradually.
Shin opened the courtyard door, expecting to see Nawaki. But it was an Anbu agent.
"Uzumaki Shin, the Hokage summons you to the battlefield," the Anbu said.
"The battlefield? I'm not feeling well. Can't I go later?"
Shin had gotten used to his leisurely life in Konoha. He didn't want to go to the battlefield.
"Uzumaki Shin, Konoha is in a critical situation. The Hokage has ordered you to report to the battlefield immediately."
Shin's expression turned serious. Konoha was in danger? Was this true? If so, he had to go. His mission wasn't complete yet.
"Weren't things going well? What happened?" Shin asked.
According to the last report he received, Konoha had stabilized the fronts against Suna, Ame, and Iwa. They were even preparing a counterattack.
Why the sudden emergency?
"Kumogakure has joined the war and is supporting Iwagakure."
Shin was shocked. Kumo joining the war wasn't surprising, but supporting Iwa?
In the original story, the Third Raikage had led Kumo in a surprise attack on Iwa.
This had forced Ōnoki, who was fighting Konoha, to retreat and defend Iwa.
But now, Kumo was targeting Konoha.
"Fine, I'll go." Shin said.
He couldn't stay in Konoha now. He had to go to the battlefield, or he wouldn't get that Divine Replication Card.
The Anbu agent left, and Shin returned to the house. "Pack your things. We're going to the battlefield," he said to Mikoto and Kushina.
"What happened?" Mikoto asked.
"Those Kumo jerks are causing trouble. They joined the war and are attacking Konoha."
Shin was angry. Were they deliberately trying to prevent him from completing his mission?
'System, did Kumo's attack have anything to do with you? Are you trying to sabotage me?'
Shin asked the System.
[Don't wrong me, Master. This has nothing to do with me. All the changes in this world are because of you.]
The System sounded aggrieved.
"Fine, fine. I was just kidding."
Shin packed his things, called Konan, who was refining Chakra in her room, and left for the Land of Rain.
"Why are we taking Konan? The battlefield is dangerous," Mikoto said worriedly.
"The battlefield is dangerous, but Konoha might not be safe either. I'm not comfortable leaving Konan alone. And Konan, you don't want to stay, do you?"
Shin asked Konan, patting her head.
"I'll try my best not to be a burden," Konan said, clenching her fists.
Konan was talented and hardworking. She was already as strong as a Genin.
Of course, Genin were cannon fodder on the battlefield, but Shin could easily protect her.
"Shukaku, run faster!" Shin yelled.
They were riding Shukaku to the battlefield. Shin had returned to Konoha, and Shukaku had been lazing around in the forest for almost a year.
Shukaku was chubby, but it was fast. Within a day, they reached the border of the Land of Fire.
The battlefield wasn't in the Land of Rain anymore. The Konoha forces had been pushed back. The fighting was now at the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire.
And the Konoha Shinobi weren't divided anymore. They had joined forces, as had the enemy Shinobi.
Shukaku's arrival caused a commotion. The Konoha Shinobi were alarmed.
Even Hiruzen came out to see what was happening. But when he saw Shukaku, he relaxed. He knew Shukaku was under Shin's control. Shukaku's presence meant Shin had arrived.
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