The Second Stage of War, A Mission for Namikaze Minato!

The Land of Earth's Stone Ninja are skilled in defense, and the Land of Earth doesn't have many resources. What's the point of conquering it?

Ōnoki pondered this for three days and three nights without understanding.

But the Cloud Ninja were pushing their luck, and he couldn't afford not to attack, otherwise what would his reputation in the village be?

Not only did he have to attack, but he had to attack fiercely, even killing the Third Raikage and severely defeating the Cloud Ninja.

He wasn't like that old dog Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Standing by and watching the powerful allied Uzumaki Clan be annihilated and the Land of Eddies fall... it was practically divine politics.

Don't call it pacifism, it's an insult to the word pacifism, it's simply surrenderism.

While Ōnoki was troubled, he still planned to use the Stone Ninja to invade Konoha.

Anyway, the Cloud Ninja were leading the charge.

Although they weren't allied, they still had an advantage.

And at this time.

Younger Raikage died on the battlefield, and the Third Raikage A's hostility towards Konoha greatly increased. The Cloud Ninja invading the Land of Earth all retreated. Although there was no peace treaty, a de facto ceasefire was in place.

Ōnoki grinned.

As expected, luck from heaven was fair.

During Sunagakure's time of crisis, Rasa appeared.

Rasa, with his Magnet Release, maintained peace and prevented the end of Sunagakure when Sunagakure was weak and the Stone Ninja and Cloud Ninja were powerful.

But at this time, Sunagakure could only barely protect itself and could not attack further, only recuperate.

"The Cloud Ninja are enraged, their target is directly at Konoha."

"Coincidentally, the Stone Ninja are skilled in defense and can effectively resist Namikaze Minato!"

"This is a great opportunity for an alliance between our Stone Ninja and Cloud Ninja!"

"Although it took a roundabout way, but..."

"Everything is within the plan!!"

The Stone Ninja, having tasted the benefits of war with the Land of Wind's Sunagakure and having gone through the warm-up of war, now needed a bigger "piece of meat" to grow stronger.

And this piece of meat was Konoha, which was currently experiencing internal strife!

Meanwhile, the Third Raikage A watched the envoy hand over the letter written by Ōnoki himself, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

"Join forces with Iwagakure... against Konoha? This Ōnoki is quite the schemer." Although the Raikage A harbored deep hatred for Konoha, he still had reservations about allying with Iwagakure.

Ōnoki of Iwagakure was an Old Monster, his Dust Release terrifyingly powerful.

Furthermore, during Ōnoki's tenure, Iwagakure's strength had rapidly increased, developing from a small ninja village into a major one.

This was even with the Land of Earth's limited resources...

In truth, the Raikage A considered Ōnoki's political acumen and combat prowess to far surpass those of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage of Konoha.

But because of this, the Raikage A dared not underestimate the Old Monster.

He had to be cautious.

Previously, when Ōnoki had approached him seeking cooperation, the Raikage A had been brimming with confidence and directly refused.

Not only did he refuse cooperation, but he even intended to try and gnaw on Iwagakure, that hard bone.

There was no other reason than absolute confidence in his own strength.

Kumogakure possessed the strength to invade both Konoha and Iwagakure simultaneously.

"Sigh."

"Pass down my order."

"I wish to have an in-depth discussion with Ōnoki!"

The Raikage A sighed, ultimately deciding to deal with a tiger.

In reality, both the Raikage A and the Tsuchikage Ōnoki were wary of each other. The Raikage A believed Ōnoki to be cunning and calculating, while Ōnoki's side viewed the Raikage A as an Idiot, albeit one with terrifying combat power.

"The second phase of the war, is it..."

The Raikage A mused.

The first phase of the Third Shinobi World War: Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Iwagakure.

Early in the first phase: Iwagakure invaded Sunagakure.

Mid-first phase (most intense): Kumogakure launched a large-scale invasion of Sunagakure, and Iwagakure invaded Sunagakure.

End of the first phase: Rasa appeared, Magnet Release rampaged, holding a significant advantage fighting in the desert, repelling Kumogakure and Iwagakure. If not for the sudden appearance of the mighty Rasa, the Land of Wind would have been divided by the two great nations.

As of now.

It was the second stage of the Third Shinobi World War: Cloud, Stone, Leaf.

Early second stage: Cloud invaded Leaf, Cloud invaded Stone.

Mid-second stage: Cloud invaded Leaf, Cloud and Stone negotiated peace, even forming an alliance, Stone invaded Leaf...

This, meaning...

The most heated stage had arrived once more.

And the battlefield was within the Land of Fire!

In Konohagakure!

This was a strategic initiative!

Any tactical success would be unable to salvage Konoha's strategic passivity!

Unless Konoha could once again produce a terrifying existence like Uchiha Madara or Senju Hashirama, who could overturn everything with their own power!!

In Konohagakure, Hyuga Shin and Uchiha Miya finished their meal and walked down the street.

An unprecedented tense atmosphere permeated the village.

Anbu ninjas frequently moved across the rooftops, and the citizens looked panicked, staying indoors.

"It seems the Third Hokage is truly desperate, deploying so many forces to search," Uchiha Miya said in a low voice.

"But they still haven't found anything," Hyuga Shin replied.

At this moment, inside Hyuga Shin's body, within his Inner World.

Su Nuo had successfully analyzed multiple forbidden jutsu from the Scroll of Seals, and his strength was growing by the moment.

Especially since the resentment of the entire Konoha was being Absorbed by Hyuga Shin.

Sorry, this is the Yin Release you haven't seen before, it's completely unrestrained.

Su Nuo's cursed energy was also constantly increasing. At this moment, Su Nuo looked at the jutsu model condensed by cursed energy in his hand and revealed a satisfied smile.

"These forbidden jutsu will become my powerful combat force," Su Nuo said with a Sinister Smile. "However, I still need to continue improving my strength and cannot let my guard down."

After all...

Right now, that Old Monster Uchiha Madara was still alive!

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grew increasingly grim as he listened to the Anbu's report.

The final village-wide search had yielded no progress. It seemed the Scroll of Seals had truly left Konohagakure. Hiruzen Sarutobi was now burning with anxiety, unsure of what to do.

However, there was even worse news.

Danzo kicked open the door.

"Hiruzen."

"The latest intel suggests the Cloud Village is showing signs of allying with the Stone Village."

"What!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened.

"The information is accurate," Danzo stated.

"I understand..." Hiruzen Sarutobi slumped back into the Hokage's chair, his hand trembling as he lit a cigarette.

"Orochimaru, Jiraiya... and Tsunade."

"Konoha needs them right now."

"I'll write the letters myself immediately."

"Good." Danzo nodded. This was exactly what he wanted Hiruzen Sarutobi to do.

It seemed Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't lost his head yet.

"And Namikaze Minato," Danzo reminded him.

"Right, him too..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag of his cigarette.

He didn't understand...

Why, as a pacifist, had the situation devolved to this point?

"Issue Namikaze Minato a mission."

"Disrupt the alliance between the Stone Ninja and Cloud Ninja as much as possible!"