Return to the Village

The war involving three nations finally ended with the Land of Lightning's defeat and the victory of Konoha and Iwagakure.

Dust Release and Susanoo had decided a victory that was not truly a victory.

Ōnoki's fighting spirit, Chakra, and stamina had completely exceeded Guo Wang's expectations. The two fought until they were utterly exhausted.

The Dojutsu Power stored within both Mangekyo had been depleted. In the end, he had no choice but to burn through his life force to maintain Susanoo's third stage. Only the War God clad in armor and a cape could avoid being turned to dust beneath Dust Release's white light.

Compared to Susanoo, Dust Release was also a supreme Ninjutsu that combined offense and defense.

Beneath the shroud of white light, even the "Yasakani Magatama" could not break through the four-sided crystal.

His ability to fly also put Ōnoki in an invincible position from the start.

In the end, Danzo, his eyes bloodshot, and the two commanders whose old backs were nearly broken had no choice but to rein in their tempers and shake hands under their subordinates' persuasion.

Shikaku Nara and Kitsuchi conducted the negotiations, agreeing to split the Land of Lightning's spoils evenly between Konoha and Iwagakure. Then, the territories that had originally belonged to Kumogakure were divided: future missions in the Land of Hot Water would go to Konoha, while the Land of Frost would belong to Iwagakure. It was a supplementary clause that barely satisfied everyone's needs, added to the ceasefire agreement they had already signed.

As for the Land of Lightning, with its commanding general defeated, it could only swallow its broken teeth in the face of threats from Danzo and Ōnoki.

Still, it was better than having the village destroyed. Because of his strategic blunder, Third A was already preparing to step down and yield the position of Raikage.

But before that, he still had one thing to do.

"Wonderful. We're one step closer to ending the war."

Inside Konoha's camp, Danzo sat at the head of the table. Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato sat to his left and right, followed by Shikaku Nara and the other Jonin. They were celebrating the signing of the agreement with Iwagakure. With the Shinobi World's two strongest nations ceasing hostilities, they could see the dawn of the end of the Third Shinobi World War.

"What a childish thought. As long as the Five Great Nations exist, war can never truly end."

Namikaze Minato froze at those words, his cheerful expression fading as he lowered his head in disappointment.

Jiraiya, on the other hand, had been in a foul mood ever since receiving some news two days earlier. His face was dark, nearly rivaling Danzo's.

His disciple in the Land of Rain had died, making him hate war even more.

"I wonder how Nagato and Konan are doing. Damn it, what a damned world."

Guo Wang could somewhat understand Jiraiya's feelings. After all, he was Konoha's greatest intelligence chief. According to village rules, concealing information about the Rinnegan should have warranted severe punishment. But considering Sarutobi Hiruzen's temperament, Guo Wang knew that was impossible.

"After discovering a disciple with something like an Immortal Root, he should have brought him back to the sect for training immediately instead of leaving him to fend for himself outside."

The Shinobi of this world had rather peculiar ways of thinking. As a Cultivator born and raised in the Dao Realm, Guo Wang felt that if he discovered such an Immortal Seed and had the power to protect it, he would certainly safeguard and nurture it properly. If he lacked the strength, he would send it to a major sect and sell it for a handsome price.

"When Root moved against the Rinnegan, we disguised ourselves as Hanzo's subordinates. But I still left traces of my whereabouts in the Land of Rain. Most importantly, there was that woman..."

Several upper-ranking figures in the Land of Rain knew about Danzo's meeting with Hanzo.

With the Rinnegan's power, it likely would not be long before he replaced Hanzo and became that nation's leader.

"I didn't clean up properly. I'll definitely have to face the Rinnegan in the future. Before then, I need a deeper understanding of Chakra."

When Danzo picked up the Five-Colored Stone, Guo Wang had considered seizing his body. But his keen Primordial Spirit had sensed a pair of terrifying eyes in this world, eyes that held life and death in their palms.

Thinking back now, he could vaguely sense a trace of that feeling from the Rinnegan.

"Could there be eyes even stronger than the Rinnegan? Or perhaps a Rinnegan that had truly unleashed its power?"

Having brushed against part of the truth, Guo Wang recalled the Demonic Statue he had seen.

That red-haired youth possessed at least ten times Danzo's Chakra. Yet after Summoning that statue, he had been drained alive until nothing but skin and bones remained.

"I need to investigate the power hidden deep within this world. But Konoha is already the strongest force, isn't it?"

This was what deeply puzzled Guo Wang. He was now a genuine Kage-level expert and controlled Konoha's dark side. He could be considered one of the big players. Yet according to Konoha's intelligence, there could not be any individuals or factions stronger than them anywhere in the world.

"Sunagakure in the Land of Wind has been infiltrated by me until it's riddled with holes. The Land of Lightning suffered such a crushing defeat that it cannot possibly have any trump cards left. In the Land of Earth, Ōnoki the Three-Inch Nail is quite formidable, but nothing more. Nonō hasn't discovered anything else either. That leaves only Kirigakure in the Land of Water."

Among the ninja villages of the Five Great Nations, Kirigakure was the most closed off. This was not only because it lay overseas, but also because of its long-standing policy of secrecy. They did not keep prisoners. Once someone was captured, they would be interrogated for everything of value, then killed. Their own people were rarely captured as well, because they would be executed by their comrades before they could be taken prisoner.

The Third Mizukage's name was unknown, and his abilities were unknown. Only his great strength was known, but exactly how strong he was remained a mystery. Even Root had no intelligence on him.

The only thing Kirigakure was known for throughout the Shinobi World was probably the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, a group selected through ancient rites.

Beyond that, it was known for having many Kekkei Genkai clans.

"Danzo seemed to have made some sort of deal with that person before. It looks like I need to send Ryoma to Kirigakure to obtain some intelligence I need."

After searching through his memories, Guo Wang found that Danzo truly deserved to be called Konoha's intelligence chief. Even in an isolated overseas nation like the Land of Water, he had planted several spies. He had even turned a high-ranking Kirigakure official, obtaining much useful intelligence from him with money and Ninjutsu.

Within Root, aside from the Wandering Miko, Aburame Torune possessed the most extensive infiltration skills. He was Danzo's most capable subordinate.

"It's about time to recall Nonō as well. This body needs proper care."

Orochimaru was actually more skilled in human-body research, but compared to a snake, a human was still more trustworthy. Especially a woman whose weakness was in his grasp, leaving her with no choice but to submit.

At this time, Shikaku Nara had also finished arranging the withdrawal during the meeting.

Aside from Jiraiya, who would remain behind to guard the area, Danzo, as commander, needed to bring all the Shinobi he had led out from the village back with him. This included the Uchiha clan, who had forcibly joined the war to pad their war records.

Among the frontline Shinobi, only one person was granted permission to return to the village.

That person was Namikaze Minato.

Perhaps fearing that Danzo would interfere, the order had been personally written by the Hokage and delivered to the front lines.

"Before returning, I need to find someone to secure this war's gains. That idiot Jiraiya can't be trusted."