The War Ends

On the morning of August 7, 60th year of Konoha, due to the failure of the plans of Sunagakure and Otogakure, Sunagakure of the Land of Wind surrendered to Konoha and requested Konoha to redeem Sunagakure Jonin Baki. Issui also attended this meeting.

Representatives of Sunagakure include Chiyo and some high-ranking figures from Sunagakure.

Representatives from Konoha include: two advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, Issui Kanna, Kakashi, and others.

Chiyo said apologetically, "We are very sorry. We Orochimaru. We deeply regret the damage that Sunagakure has caused to Konoha. We, Sunagakure, formally surrender to Konoha."

Mitokado Homura said calmly, "Sunagakure betrayed the alliance agreement and caused such great harm to Konoha. Is an apology all it takes? Please show some sincerity in Sunagakure's surrender."

A high-ranking member of Sunagakure sneered, "Tch, your village's Third has already died in this battle. The village's strongest fighting force has disappeared. Konoha's situation isn't much Sunagakure than ours. You still want war reparations? That's wishful thinking. Quickly Jonin Baki, and from now on, Sunagakure will never invade Konoha again."

Issui chuckled sinisterly and said, "Your information is really outdated. Orochimaru disguised himself as the Fourth Kazekage, but what about your Kazekage? I've already learned from Orochimaru that he was killed by Orochimaru and his Kazekage on his way to Konoha. His body is probably rotting by now; he's been dead for a long time. Also, Konoha is no Lord Jiraiya to powerful forces. One of the legendary Sannin Sunagakure, is currently in Konoha. If Sunagakure insists on war, I will launch an invasion tonight. I advise you not to provoke my wrath."

What? The Fourth Kazekage is dead? Everyone was shocked. The two Konoha advisors exchanged glances, their confidence in the negotiations growing considerably; they could now ask for some war reparations.

Chiyo asked Issui, "Are you sure?"

Issui nodded. "I suppose you're also looking for the village's Kage, right? You've probably given up hope that the Fourth Kazekage is alive, haven't you? After all, he's Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin. His strength alone is enough to destroy a small ninja village. Although your Fourth Kazekage is powerful, he will still die under Orochimaru's sneak attack. After the negotiations, carefully search the road the Kazekage traveled to Konoha. You should be able to find him. However, you'll have to pay a price, otherwise the Kazekage's body will belong to Konoha. I will have the Anbu retrieve the Fourth's body at any time."

A high-ranking member of the Sunagakure said angrily, "Kid, don't go too far, or the Sand Village won't surrender."

Issui laughed loudly and said, "Is that so? You can try it if you want. You already know roughly what my strength is from the Sunagakure who invaded Konoha, right? If you don't surrender, then from today onwards, you will face the wrath of a powerful ninja. Although my strength isn't very high, I won't be injured when I activate my Secret Technique. As long as my spirit doesn't perish, that war Secret Technique won't disappear. How long can you hold out, my uncles from Sunagakure?"

Chiyo silenced the high-ranking Sunagakure official, saying in a deep voice, "You are the young hero hailed as the rising star of Star of Hope by the Konoha Ninja in this war, aren't you? Konoha's potential far surpasses that of Sunagakure. We, Sunagakure, agree to surrender and compensate Konoha for some of our war losses, but don't make excessive demands. Your situation in Konoha isn't much better either. Don't cross the bottom line of the Land of Wind and Sunagakure, otherwise, we have no choice. Let's fight then. What our two great nations need now is an environment for recuperation and safe development."

Mitokado Homura nodded. "Yes, indeed. The strength of Land of Wind and the Land of Fire has been significantly affected by this war, and they both need a period of relative peace. So, what conditions can Sunagakure offer..."

Chiyo nodded. "It seems that Konoha's advisor is quite reasonable, unlike you, a brat, who acted impulsively. Sunagakure can compensate Konoha for the war losses with 100 million ryo, hoping to offer Konoha some assistance. Also, please Jonin Baki?"

Upon hearing Issui, Ichisui slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "No way! Three billion ryo in war reparations, and half of the annual mission quota for Sunagakure to be given to Konoha..."

Chiyo, not to be outdone, slammed her hand on the table. "No way! Too much food is useless for children. At most, we'll pay 120 million taels in war reparations. As for the workload, forget it! You can't expect an old woman like me to beg for food!"

Issui slammed her hand on the table again. "At my age, I'm still growing, and I'll suffer from malnutrition if I don't eat enough. You can't mistreat minors. At least 2.5 billion taels of war reparations and one-third of the mission workload should be given to Konoha... That's already a lot of reduction. I have great respect for elders, Grandma."

Chiyo was so angry she felt like vomiting blood. She slammed her hand on the table again. "No way! If this continues, children your age in Sunagakure won't survive. And newborn babies will cry from hunger because their mothers haven't had enough to eat. Everyone in Sunagakure will hate you. At most, we'll give you 150 million ryo in war reparations. Not a single mission will be allocated to you. You want to drink my blood? Have some pity on this old woman who's about to die!"

Issui, expressionless, continued slamming his fist on the table, "Ninjas must learn to endure pain. Hate me, the more you hate me, the better. But I still have a conscience. This is my final concession. At least 2.3 billion ryo in war reparations, and a quarter of the mission's workload must be given to Konoha. I can't go any lower. Any lower and I'll face the wrath of all the villagers in Konoha who have lost loved ones. My conscience will be uneasy. You can't keep me up at night, or I'll curse you even when you die."

Chiyo thought to herself, "What a troublesome brat!" She slammed her hand on the table again. "No way, kid! Don't you have any compassion? For your compensation, all the parents in Sunagakure will have to sell their own children. Countless villagers will starve to death. Just be a kind-hearted ninja this once, and you'll get a maximum of 200 million ryo. Mission impossible."

Watching Issui Chiyo, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu smiled. This child is the hope of Konoha! Another hero who protects the village has grown up! The Will of Fire has been passed down by Sarutobi. He's a genius like the Fourth, a pillar of Konoha's First! Sarutobi, you see? This child has inherited your will. The flame of Konoha will continue to burn.

Kakashi stared at the spittle flying Issui. Was this really a twelve-year-old brat? He was as cunning as a little fox. If it were me, I doubt I could be as shameless as him. Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura were still training hard to improve their strength, while this kid, their age, was already sitting at the negotiating table, clashing with the Sunagakure's higher-ups. What a terrifying brat! If he were a ninja from another village, I would definitely do my best to kill him. Luckily, he's Konoha ninja. However, this brat's strength is no weaker than mine.

In the end, the compensation Konoha received satisfied both advisors. As for the specific details of the compensation, no one outsiders knew. All that was known was that Sunagakure paid an extremely heavy price for it, and Baki was taken back to his village by Sunagakure's people. Of course, they also found the body of the Fourth Kazekage and brought it back with them.

In the afternoon, the two advisors gathered all the Jonin of the village together, each taking charge of their own tasks to restore order to Konoha as quickly as possible, and to organize the villagers to repair the damaged buildings and houses. The Third's remains will be buried tomorrow morning.

During the Konoha Crush Plan, Issui gained immense popularity. His deeds became known to all the ninjas and villagers and spread far and wide. All the children idolized him and tried their best to catch up with him.

In Issui afternoon, Yishui also participated in the work of repairing the villagers' houses. He helped the villagers repair their houses and then organized some ninjas to collect some building materials using Ninjutsu.

The Konoha 12 were also among them, contributing their own strength to the village. The Will of Fire of Konoha inspired everyone to work hard for Konoha shared home.

The next day.

The sky was overcast and gloomy. A cool breeze blew by, but it brought no relief. The Konoha, like the clouds in the sky, was heavy with a deathly silence. An old man had left them and would never return.

"Hinata, let's go. Let's see the Third Hokage off on his final journey. He won't be alone, because the entire Konoha is mourning him." Issui got out of his bed, put on a black outfit. Today was the day of the Third's official burial, and he was going to pay his respects.

"Okay, I'm all dressed too. Let's go." Hinata took Issui's hand and walked out. Haku was waiting quietly there, and the three of them walked together.

When Issui arrived at the Hokage, many people had already arrived, and everyone came with heavy hearts.

Once everyone had arrived, Mitokado Homura said in a deep voice, "We are holding this funeral to mourn the Third Hokage and all the heroic spirits who perished in this battle."

Everyone stepped forward and presented a Little Haku, a symbol of remembrance, to the Third. At that moment, it began to rain.

Hong looked at the sky and asked, "Is it raining?"

Asuma said sadly, "Is the heavens weeping too much?"

Konohamaru sobbed softly, wiping away his tears repeatedly, "Grandpa..."

Issui looked at Konohamaru and said, "Cry your heart out. Don't worry about ninja agreements right now, because we are a group of people full of emotions. Ninjas become strong because they have emotions. But after you've cried, train hard, carry on the legacy of the Third Hokage, and become a useful ninja to protect this village."

Konohamaru hummed in agreement and then burst into loud sobs.

Standing beside Hinata, Issui looked up at the sky and said, "The Third Hokage is not dead. He lives in the hearts of everyone in Konoha. He is the hero of this village, and we, who have inherited Third will, must strive to live on, grow stronger, and become the next hero. One day, Konoha will usher in its era of hope. At that time, everyone will greet the beautiful day with joy. People will no longer weep, but live happily. Such an era requires everyone to follow in our footsteps. The dead will become heroes living in everyone's hearts, and the living will inherit the heroes' will and continue to pass it on to the First."

Iruka smiled and said, "Yes, Third is not dead, but lives on in our hearts. As those who inherit his legacy, we must strive to realize his ideals."

Naruto Uzumaki smiled and said, "I think I understand now."