On the other side, the battlefield stretched across the vast grassy plains.
Akimichi Daisuke's massive form moved like a wrecking ball, his enlarged fists swatting Rain shinobi like insects. Each strike sent a dozen enemy soldiers flying, bones snapping on impact. Blood painted the battlefield as he laughed heartily, enjoying the chaos of war.
Nara Kaito's hands weaved a series of seals, and in an instant, his shadow slithered like serpents, catching enemy shinobi in its inky grasp. The shadows climbed their bodies, constricting around their necks until—snap!—they crumpled lifelessly to the ground.
Meanwhile, Yamanaka Kazu focused on the opposing commander. With a single hand sign, his mind surged into the enemy leader's consciousness. The man's face twisted in confusion as his own body betrayed him, forcing him to charge straight into his own forces, cutting down allies before anyone realized what had happened.
The Rain shinobi lines crumbled. It was slaughter.
Every second, more bodies hit the ground. The raw brutality of war was in full display, the air thick with the iron scent of blood.
Then, suddenly—
"Retreat!" Sarutobi Shigeru's voice thundered over the battlefield. Instantly, Konoha's forces began to pull back. Even the ordinary foot soldiers followed without hesitation, vanishing into the approaching dusk.
That evening, in Konoha's war camp, high-ranking officers gathered under the flickering glow of lanterns.
Shigeru's lips curled into a smug grin as he addressed the room. "The Land of Wind and the Land of Earth have declared war on Amegakure simultaneously. Hanzō had no choice but to surrender to Konoha. They've agreed to pay tribute and allow our forces to pass through their territory." He leaned back, triumphant. "This war is ours. Next, we march with Amegakure to crush the Wind Daimyo."
A moment of stunned silence—then cheers erupted throughout the room. Faces beamed with satisfaction. This victory meant more than just honor—it meant promotions, wealth, and power. If the Land of Fire successfully expanded its territory, their futures would be set in stone.
Shigeru continued, "Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru—you three performed remarkably. Hanzō himself has dubbed you the 'Legendary Sannin.' The title is spreading across the ninja world."
A wave of approval rippled through the room. However, as his gaze settled on one person, his brow furrowed slightly. "Naruto, I haven't heard much about your achievements."
Naruto Uzumaki twitched at the remark. Damn it, that bastard Hanzō kept his word after all. Now I'm stuck looking like some useless extra. He let out a resigned sigh, suppressing his irritation.
Shigeru clapped his hands together. "That said, the Hokage has personally approved some time off for your squad. You'll return to Konoha immediately for rest. The next phase will be led by Hatake Sakumo and Hyōga Tenshin." He grinned, eyes gleaming. "The Land of Wind is ripe for the taking."
Naruto stiffened. Something's off. Why pull us back now? But he said nothing, merely nodding.
The next day, Naruto and the Sannin found themselves walking the ruined streets of Amegakure. The devastation was overwhelming—rubble-strewn roads, burned-out homes, corpses rotting in the gutters. The acrid stench of death clung to the air.
The group moved in silence, until—
BOOM!
An explosion rang out. Immediately, the Sannin tensed, hands ready to form seals.
When the dust cleared, two children lay sprawled on the ground. A stray explosive tag had been triggered, their small forms tossed aside like broken dolls.
Orochimaru regarded them impassively. "Should we just put them out of their misery? War orphans don't tend to last long."
"Orochimaru!" Jiraiya and Tsunade shot him disgusted looks.
Ignoring them, Orochimaru's golden eyes flickered to Naruto. "What do you think?"
Naruto studied the children—Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan. His future enemies. Or my future allies?
"I'll take care of them," he said finally. "To atone for what this war has done to them."
Totally not because of Konan, of course. Definitely not because this was a chance to mess up Madara's long-term schemes.
Tsunade hesitated. "Naruto-kun…"
Jiraiya opened his mouth, but then closed it. He had been planning to stay himself, but Naruto had beaten him to it.
In the end, the three left for Konoha.
Naruto turned to the trio. "Come with me."
Yahiko hesitated. "We… we wanted to train under the Sannin."
Naruto sighed. "…"
Minutes later, he was dragging a bruised Yahiko and Nagato by their collars, Konan following cautiously behind. "You two are stronger than you think. I'll train you myself."
Meanwhile, back in Konoha—
Tsunade stormed into the village, only to be met with horrifying news.
"Nawaki…"
She ran to the hospital, where her younger brother's cold body lay. His lifeless face was still, peaceful in death.
"Nawaki—Get Up! Nawaki Get Up!" Over and over, she tried to heal him. Again and again, her jutsu failed.
"Tsunade!" Jiraiya caught her by the shoulders, shaking his head.
"Why?" she sobbed. "Why did the Senju give up everything for Konoha, only to end up like this?!"
Jiraiya remained silent.
Orochimaru spoke coldly. "Because this is war."
He held up a necklace—her brother's last possession. "A child who just received a birthday gift… always dies first."
"Orochimaru!" Jiraiya growled.
Tsunade collapsed to the floor, shaking.
Somewhere in Amegakure, Naruto remained oblivious to Nawaki's fate.
For years, he had worked behind the scenes—encouraging the dissolution of the Senju clan, speeding up the war to keep Nawaki out of it. He had even warned him countless times.
But in the end, the moment Nawaki received the First Hokage's necklace, he was sent to the battlefield to die.
Even Minato Namikaze, a genius, had only been used for logistics. A Genin from the Senju being sent to the frontlines? There was only one reason for that.
Tsunade stood abruptly. "I'm going to find Hiruzen."
Orochimaru blocked her path. "Pointless. He's Hokage. Even with Naruto backing you, Konoha still belongs to him." His gaze was unwavering. "You want revenge? Become Hokage yourself."
Tsunade clenched her fists. "I'm going to the battlefield!"
Orochimaru smirked. "Hiruzen won't allow it. You're too valuable now."
That night, within the Hokage's office, a secret Jōnin meeting was held.
Tsunade stood before the Third Hokage. "We need to assign medical-nin to every squad. It will increase mission success rates and survival rates."
Hiruzen regarded her coldly. "A medical system would take too long to implement. And knowledge of advanced healing techniques is still too limited."
"Bullshit!" Tsunade slammed the desk.
Jiraiya grabbed her wrist before she could strike their leader.
At that moment, a young Jōnin stood. "I agree with Tsunade. We should learn from this war."
Hiruzen didn't respond. If Tsunade succeeded, her reputation would overshadow his.
The proposal was dismissed.
That night, in the shadows of Konoha, ANBU knelt before their leader.
"After his next mission… ensure Kato Dan dies."
"Understood."
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