bookbashuk Chapter 361 Sasuke, you seem to care quite a bit about Sakura!
Chapter 361 Sasuke, you seem to care quite a bit about Sakura!
News of the four-nation coalition's advance on the border quickly spread throughout the Land of Water.
The once bustling streets are now filled with hurried footsteps. The laughter and chatter that used to fill the air have been replaced by hushed conversations.
Even the shouts of vendors in the market were weaker than usual, and an unconcealable sense of worry permeated the air.
People are afraid that this war will shatter their current peaceful lives and that the happiness they have worked so hard for will be swallowed up by the flames of war.
A large crowd gathered early in the morning in the square in front of the royal palace in the capital of the Water Kingdom.
Among them were farmers who had just immigrated, clutching loose change wrapped in cloth.
There were factory workers holding their saved-up wages.
There were also elderly people who shakily pulled out a small cloth bag from their bosom, containing the retirement money they had saved through frugality.
The crowd spontaneously formed a long queue, their gazes fixed firmly on the direction of the royal palace, intending to donate the money to the nation to support the Water Kingdom's frontline operations.
"My lord, the public's enthusiasm for donations is very high. We have already received 3000 million taels of cash, and many people have also sent food and clothing."
Nara Shikaku stood atop the palace tower, looking at the crowd in the square: "Should we arrange for someone to receive them? It would put the people at ease."
Uchiha Sanfeng stood beside him, dressed in casual clothes, his usual imposing manner replaced by a more approachable one.
He looked at the people in the square, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes.
"Don't accept them, return them all. However, I can't let the people down, so I need to explain things to everyone personally. Just now, the beautiful anchorwoman from the Water Country TV station requested an interview to discuss frontline preparedness, so I'll take this opportunity to explain the situation to the nation."
Lu Jiu paused for a moment, then nodded: "Your Excellency has considered everything carefully. This way, you can both appease the public and avoid the problems that might arise from accepting donations privately."
Half an hour later, the reception room on the west side of the palace was temporarily converted into an interview venue.
Wang Yuyan, the beautiful host of Water Kingdom TV, is wearing a light blue business suit, holding a microphone in her hand, and wearing a professional smile on her face.
The camera was already set up behind her, with the lens pointing directly at the sofa in front of her.
Uchiha Mitsunori sat there calmly, his fingertips lightly resting on the armrest of the sofa.
"Mr. Mitsumine, thank you for taking the time to be interviewed despite your busy schedule."
Wang Yuyan nodded slightly to the camera, then turned to Uchiha Sanfeng: "Recently, the four-nation alliance has been pressing in, and the people of the Land of Water are very worried about the situation on the front lines. They have even spontaneously come to the palace to donate money and supplies. Do you have anything to say about this?"
Uchiha Mitsunori adjusted his posture, his gaze passing through the camera lens as if he were looking directly at the entire nation.
His voice was calm yet powerful, clearly carrying throughout the live broadcast: "First of all, I want to thank every citizen of the Land of Water for their kindness. I am deeply moved by your willingness to dedicate yourselves to the country. But I must make it clear to everyone that the Land of Water's treasury is very well-stocked and can support all the combat needs on the front lines. Whether it is weapons, food supplies, or the treatment of the wounded, there is no need to use the private property of the people."
Wang Yuyan pressed on at the opportune moment, "So, you refused to accept the donations simply because the national treasury is well-stocked? Were there other considerations?"
Uchiha Mitsunori nodded, his tone becoming more serious: "Receiving donations privately is complicated and prone to embezzlement. I cannot allow the people's good intentions to become a tool for some to seek personal gain. Rather than having everyone go through the trouble of raising donations, it's better to let everyone work and live well. As long as the country is stable and the people live and work in peace, that is the greatest support for the front lines of the Land of Water."
These words were transmitted to every corner of the Land of Water via television signals.
People watching the live broadcast at home nodded in agreement when they heard "avoid corruption".
The people who hadn't yet dispersed from the square also heard the interview through the makeshift loudspeakers, and their tense expressions gradually relaxed.
Someone whispered, "Lord Sanfeng is so thoughtful; he neither worries us nor fails to protect our money!"
"Yes, if we work hard and farm, we're helping the country!"
Wang Yuyan looked at the interview outline in her hand and knew that the routine questions had been asked, but she hesitated for a few seconds before gripping the microphone tightly.
A faint blush rose to her cheeks, and her voice softened slightly: "Thank you for agreeing to the interview, Lord Mitsumine. I believe this interview will put the people of the Land of Water at ease. But... may I ask one more personal question?"
Uchiha Mitsunori raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he still nodded gently: "Sure, go ahead and ask."
The staff behind the camera were also taken aback for a moment, then quietly adjusted the lens to focus on the two people.
Wang Yuyan took a deep breath, as if she had made a huge decision: "Lord Sanfeng, I wonder if you will remarry? If you are planning to remarry, then... then could you consider me? I... I have admired you for a long time."
Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke her last sentence, yet every word was clear.
After she finished speaking, she nervously gripped the microphone, waiting for Uchiha Mitsumine's response, her ears turning bright red.
The live stream room fell silent instantly, and the viewers held their breath.
The air in the reception room seemed to freeze.
Looking at Wang Yuyan's shy yet courageous demeanor, Uchiha Mitsunori showed no displeasure, but rather a faint smile: "Anchor Wang Yuyan is very straightforward. However, this is actually two questions: whether to remarry, and whether to consider you. According to our agreement, I can only answer one."
He paused, his tone still calm: "Regarding whether I will remarry, my answer is: if I meet the right person in the future, someone who can walk alongside me and share the responsibilities of the Water Kingdom, I will consider marrying a new queen."
He did not directly answer whether he would consider Wang Yuyan, but he also did not refuse, thus maintaining a sense of propriety and giving Wang Yuyan and the audience room for imagination.
Upon hearing the first part of the sentence, Wang Yuyan's blush deepened. Although she hadn't received a clear answer, she breathed a sigh of relief and quickly bowed in gratitude: "Thank you for your honest answer, Lord Sanfeng. This interview is now concluded."
After the interview, Wang Yuyan's fingertips trembled slightly as she packed up the microphone, her heart pounding for a long time.
Uchiha Mitsunori smiled and nodded to the staff before turning and heading to his study to continue dealing with frontline preparations.
This minor incident did not disrupt his rhythm; the battle at the front was the most important thing at the moment.
Meanwhile, on a street in the capital of the Land of Water, Sasuke, dressed in a black Uchiha clan uniform, was wandering aimlessly.
He was going to the border of the Land of Earth tomorrow to join Shisui in battle. He felt both anticipation for the battlefield and a bit of nervousness about the unknown.
"Sasuke!"
A familiar voice suddenly came from behind.
Sasuke looked up and saw Naruto running towards him in an orange tracksuit, with Sakura Haruno, who had her hair in a pink ponytail, following behind him.
Naruto ran up to Sasuke, panting, and said with a smile, "Sasuke, what a coincidence! Where are you going?"
"Nothing much, just browsing around."
Sasuke's tone was calm, but his eyes softened.
Sakura Haruno stood beside Naruto, looking at Sasuke with a faint blush on her face, and asked softly, "Sasuke, I heard you're going to fight on the front lines in the Land of Water, is that true?"
Sasuke nodded: "Yes, we'll set off tomorrow for the border of the Land of Earth, following Shisui-senpai."
Naruto suddenly shouted excitedly, "Great! We're going to the Land of Earth's border too! Kakashi-sensei will lead the team, and the three of us will be in the same group!"
Sasuke paused, somewhat surprised: "You guys are going too?"
Upon hearing this, Sakura Haruno's eyes lit up instantly, and her previously worried face immediately blossomed into a happy smile.
She excitedly grabbed Sasuke's arm, her voice brimming with joy: "Really? We're on the same team? Then I won't have to be separated from you!"
She had been worried that she would be sent to another battlefield and would not be able to see Sasuke, but now that she heard the news, all her worries vanished, leaving only joy in her heart.
Her pink ponytail swayed gently with her movements, her blush deepened, and her eyes were full of anticipation for the future.
Sasuke looked at Sakura Haruno's happy expression, his ears turning slightly red. He gently withdrew his arm, his tone still calm, yet carrying a hint of tenderness: "Yes, when you get to the front lines, take good care of yourself and don't act on your own."
"I know!"
Sakura Haruno nodded vigorously, her smile growing even brighter.
Naruto, watching the two interact, chuckled and teased, "Hey Sasuke, you seem quite concerned about Sakura! Don't worry, I'll protect you both when we get to the front lines in the Land of Water!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes at him: "Who needs your protection? Just don't be a burden."
"Hey! Sasuke, you've gone too far!" Naruto immediately retorted, and the two started arguing again, just like always.
Sakura Haruno stood to the side, watching the two arguing, a gentle smile on her face. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling warmly and brightly on the three of them.
Although she was about to face war, the thought of fighting alongside her friends filled her with courage.
The army of the Land of Water officially set off early the next morning.
Minato Namikaze led 20000 naval troops toward Thunder Canyon; Shisui Uchiha led 18000 Uchiha clansmen, along with Kakashi, Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura Haruno, and others, toward Rock Pass; Nawaki Senju led 15000 Senju ninjas toward Sandstorm Pass; and Mikado Uchiha led 15000 elite Anbu ninjas toward Misty Swamp.
The army's footsteps were orderly and powerful, echoing through the streets of the capital city of the Water Kingdom.
The people stood on both sides of the street, waving the flag of the Water Kingdom, to see off the army.
Their eyes were filled with trust and expectation, and they shouted, "The Water Kingdom will win!" "Go for it!"