In Konoha: Starting by Slapping the White Fang

From the severed left shoulder emerged a thick arm resembling a beast's claw, covered in strange violet patterns.

It was Shukaku's hand!

And Bunpuku's left side was gradually transforming to resemble Shukaku's.

Drool dripped uncontrollably from between his sharp teeth.

Possession Vessel!

It could also be called a Partial Tailed Beast Transformation!

"Not good! Shukaku is trying to break the seal inside Bunpuku!"

As Sunagakure's strategist, Ebizo's expression changed drastically when he saw Bunpuku's condition, and he shouted:

"Sealing Squad! Stop Bunpuku, quickly! If this continues and Shukaku gets out, it will attack indiscriminately, friend and foe alike!"

Although they had deployed a Jinchuriki to the battlefield as a military weapon,

Sunagakure's upper ranks had naturally prepared a Sealing Squad to prevent Bunpuku from going berserk.

They were ready at all times for unexpected situations.

It was not just Sunagakure. Ninja villages such as Rock Village and Kirigakure did the same.

"The enemy has been thrown into disarray by their Tailed Beast losing control."

Orochimaru, who had been fighting a young Sunagakure Shinobi capable of using Magnet Release to control sand, saw this.

He leaped back to Genetsu's side and analyzed:

"Now is the perfect opportunity to launch a full-scale attack."

"No, there's no need."

Yet, to even Orochimaru's surprise, Genetsu poured cold water over the idea.

He continued:

"If Shukaku comes out, it'll attack friend and foe alike. That would cause too many losses for Leaf Village."

Too many losses for Leaf Village.

Hearing Genetsu say that, Orochimaru nearly spat out a mouthful of saliva.

It would have been more believable coming from your brother, Hatake Sakumo.

Coming from you... who are you trying to fool?

Since when had Hatake Genetsu ever cared about Leaf Village's losses?

Orochimaru's guess was entirely correct.

Genetsu naturally had his own ulterior motives.

He had dragged Bunpuku into the Sarutobi Clan's battle zone in the first place.

He wanted to use Bunpuku's large-scale ninjutsu to kill Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the others.

But Genetsu had not known that Sarutobi Shinnosuke could summon Enma.

Now that Enma was protecting him, and more Leaf Ninja were gradually gathering here,

it was no longer very likely that he could use Sunagakure's hands to kill that ungrateful wretch.

Fighting Shukaku would have been quite interesting, but Genetsu was no longer in the mood.

Still, this wave was not a loss. Sarutobi Rie was dead, after all, and Konohamaru once again could not be born.

Huh? Why say "once again"?

Because the dog of an author hadn't let Konohamaru be born in his previous book either. Poor kid~

"Let's go."

With that, Genetsu was the first to turn around and return to Konoha Camp.

Hatake Sakumo, not far away, saw what his younger brother was doing.

After thinking it over, he sheathed his blade as well and signaled everyone to withdraw.

The meaning was already clear when two Kage-level fighters left the battlefield one after another.

Although Orochimaru could not understand what Genetsu was plotting,

at this point in his life, he had already begun to grow obsessed with ninjutsu and did not care about Leaf Village's interests.

He did not object to Genetsu's proposal and ordered a full retreat.

The loss of an arm had caused cracks to form in the seal.

Though Shukaku acknowledged Bunpuku, acknowledgment and willingly staying inside a Jinchuriki like the later Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails were two entirely different things.

At most, Shukaku did not dislike Bunpuku.

Once there was a chance to break through the seal and regain its freedom,

Shukaku would not hesitate to abandon Bunpuku's life.

The people of Sunagakure had to exert tremendous effort before they barely managed to pull Bunpuku back from the brink of berserk death.

The young man with upright black hair, who had fought Orochimaru earlier, let out a long sigh.

If Genetsu had been here, he would certainly have guessed the man's identity—

the future Third Kazekage.

He turned to look at the Leaf Village army, which had long since vanished, and asked in disbelief:

"Th-they just withdrew like that?"

When he saw Bunpuku on the verge of going berserk, he had broken out in a cold sweat.

Everyone in Sunagakure had thought Leaf Village would seize this heaven-sent opportunity and press forward with their entire army.

Yet they had retreated.

None of the Sunagakure Shinobi could make heads or tails of it. They could not understand what Leaf Village wanted to do.

"No matter what, the fact that they did not continue their attack just now is undoubtedly a good thing."

Ebizo said:

"However, Bunpuku's mental state is no longer suitable for the battlefield. He must be sent back to the village."

The future Third Kazekage frowned and said:

"Then... this war can't continue, can it?"

The Land of Wind had already been at a disadvantage.

Now, not only had White Fang returned to the battlefield, there was also the previously unheard-of "Black Blade."

Meanwhile, Bunpuku, Sunagakure's ultimate weapon, had been severely injured and had no choice but to return to the village.

He could no longer see even the slightest hope of victory.

Ebizo nodded with a heavy expression. "Yes, there's nothing we can do about it..."

"No!"

Suddenly, Chiyo's furious rebuke crashed into the ears of the Sunagakure forces like thunder.

They turned and saw the old woman, her eyes seemingly about to blaze with fire, say:

"We absolutely cannot withdraw until White Fang is dead!"

Seeing the crazed expression on his elder sister's face, Ebizo sighed again. "Sister..."

"We should report this to the Kazekage first."

The Third Kazekage, who had not yet ascended to the position, suggested.

Whether in seniority or rank within Sunagakure, he was far beneath Chiyo and did not dare confront her head-on.

But anyone with eyes could see that Sunagakure no longer had any possibility of victory.

Chiyo was simply using public resources for private vengeance.

At the rear, Konoha Camp.

"Lord Genetsu, why did we retreat? That was the best opportunity to press forward in one push and end the war!"

Akimichi Choza called out to Genetsu in confusion.

Representatives of many great clans, including Hyuga Hiashi and Yamanaka Inoichi, had gathered around and voiced their doubts to Genetsu.

But the way they addressed him had changed to "Lord Genetsu."

Back then, anyone who saw Genetsu would have been doing well if they did not mock him as the Eternal Genin.

That was reality.

"Once Shukaku goes berserk, ninety percent of you won't be able to withstand its attacks. Do you want to die?"

Genetsu asked in return.

"This..."

Akimichi Choza and the others were rendered speechless.

Tsunade, standing in a corner of the camp, heard Genetsu's words.

Like Orochimaru on the battlefield earlier, she wore an expression as if she had seen a ghost.

It was normal for Hatake Sakumo to have such concerns.

But since when had Hatake Genetsu cared whether Leaf Ninja lived or died?

"What the hell is that guy plotting now?"

Tsunade muttered softly to herself.

"Hehe, just wait and see."

Orochimaru gave a strange laugh from the other side.

It had always been like this since they were children. Genetsu always managed to come up with something new.

"Lord Genetsu... makes sense."

Nara Shikaku stroked his chin, already covered in a faint layer of stubble, and analyzed:

"Bunpuku has lost an arm to you. There's an eighty to ninety percent chance he won't remain on the battlefield, and Sunagakure's morale will surely plummet to the extreme.

"The battle was already unfavorable for Sunagakure, and now they've lost the Jinchuriki, their trump card. I'm afraid it won't be long before we receive Sunagakure's Truce Letter."

"What nonsense!?"

No sooner had Nara Shikaku finished speaking than an angry roar rang out, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke's eyes were bloodshot as he waved his arm in fury.

"So many people from the Sarutobi Clan have died. We absolutely cannot end the war like this! Rie is dead! I'll make those Sunagakure bastards pay the price!!"

Hatake Sakumo's heart stirred.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke looked exactly like Chiyo right now.

He had been completely blinded by hatred.

"Mr. Shinnosuke, you..."

Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and the others furrowed their brows.

Anyone could see there was no need to continue this war.

Continuing to fight would only cause more casualties.