In the northeast border of the Land of Fire, within the territory of the Land of Yuno, tens of thousands of Konoha and Kumogakure (Yunyin) shinobi clashed violently. The blood soaked the earth crimson, corpses littered the ground, and the once-beautiful landscape nature's masterpiece was utterly destroyed by unleashed ninjutsu. The cries of battle echoed across the sky.
Shinobi formed makeshift squads on the fly. Whenever they spotted someone wearing a different village's forehead protector, they would charge without hesitation either to kill or be killed.
War is always cruel. No matter the scale, the very occurrence of war signifies bloodshed and sacrifice.
Shinobi fight for different factions. For the honor and interests of their villages and nations, they risk everything on the battlefield.
Yet, even after the war, these shinobi rarely gain much for themselves. The fallen receive death benefits for their families, while the survivors carry on fighting in the name of an elusive honor.
Still, in the face of national interest and village loyalty, no one except the cowardly questions this cycle. What they protect is their home and their loved ones.
Screams and roars engulfed the battlefield. The terror in a dying shinobi's eyes would stir both comrades and enemies alike.
Some would reflect during the chaos questioning the point of it all. Why must shinobi kill each other? Why can't the nations live in peace? Others would forever remember the moment their comrade was slain, that image burning deep into their soul, fanning the flames of hatred.
Perhaps this is war's meaning for shinobi, war forces the evolution of thought. It compels them to ask: what does war truly bring?
At the heart of the battlefield between Konoha and Kumogakure, two tall, dark-skinned, muscular middle-aged men were engaged in combat with a short, elderly shinobi.
Despite their physical and generational advantage, the old man held his ground against their combined assault. Ninjutsu clashed in bursts of power and technique.
Fifty meters away, a ring of Konoha and Kumogakure ANBU observed in tense silence. Neither side moved to intervene the level of this battle was beyond their ability to assist. Any interference would only add to the chaos.
Konoha Camp, Command Headquarters.
When Chao Yanqian finally returned, Nara Shikaku immediately stood, eyes sharp with urgency. "chao Yanqian, you're finally back. Just in time!"
"Oh? What's going on?" Chao Yanqian frowned. "Didn't I say, if we can't hold off the Cloud ninja, just tell them I've gone to attack Kumogakure directly? That would force them to retreat."
"No… It's the Third Hokage. He's here personally," Shikaku said with hesitation.
"The Third?" Chao Yanqian's eyes narrowed. The implications were clear.
Chao Yanqian had gained too much fame in this war. If he led Konoha to victory, his prestige might surpass even the Hokage's.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would never allow that. In his eyes, Chao Yanqian was already a dangerous element akin to Orochimaru. Especially now, when there was no young shinobi in Konoha capable of matching his strength or reputation.
If Chao Yanqian led Konoha to repel Kumogakure, once the Third retired, the people and shinobi might push Chao Yanqian onto the Hokage's seat.
Worse still, the Raikage himself had arrived at the frontlines. The presence of a village's Kage often elevates their side's morale to new heights. Without the Hokage present, Konoha could have been overpowered.
Had it been Shimura Danzō in charge, he would have let the battle play out sending no reinforcements to Chao Yanqian and then blaming him for the loss, just like with Sakumo Hatake. It would destroy Chao Yanqian's standing.
But the Third Hokage wasn't Danzō. He would never stand by and watch Konoha's shinobi be slaughtered. That's why he went to the battlefield himself to preserve the village, and his authority.
An aging Hokage, risking everything on the front lines such a scene could inspire the troops and strengthen their belief in him.
However, reality was cruel. The Fourth Raikage and Killer B,the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki were both in their prime. The Third Hokage, though a master of ninjutsu with decades of experience, was physically past his prime.
In terms of chakra and stamina, the Raikage and B had overwhelming advantages. The Raikage's body could contend with tailed beasts, and Killer B had access to the immense chakra of the Hachibi. They could fight endlessly.
The Third Hokage, though brilliant, could only hold out for so long. The longer the fight dragged on, the more inevitable his defeat became.
Shikaku had scoured the AB combo for a weakness, but no amount of strategy could overcome the raw disparity in power.
"I understand." Chao Yanqian nodded and prepared to rush out, but Shikaku grabbed his sleeve.
"Sorry… the Third asked me to keep this confidential. The fewer people who know, the better," Shikaku said earnestly.
"I don't mind. Winning the war is the only thing that matters," Chao replied.
"Thank you," Shikaku said.
"What's more, we've already won. Kumogakure is in ruins." With those words, Chao Yanqian slipped from Shikaku's grip and bolted from the command room.
Shikaku stood in stunned silence, staring at the door.
He hadn't expected it Chao Yanqian had actually succeeded in destroying Kumogakure. If that were true, then this war no longer had a purpose.
Kumogakure had sought the Land of Fire's resources, Konoha's secret techniques, and the prestige of victory. But if their village was truly razed, all of those goals became meaningless.
Now, Shikaku's only concern was: how many people did Chao Yanqian kill?
If the loss was too great, Kumogakure might abandon all restraint and launch a desperate counterattack especially if their families had perished.
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