Shinnosuke: I Want to Go Out on My Own Terms

Ōnoki moved closer.

Jiraiya, Kyohiko, and the others were quite a distance away from the other ninjas, so it was practically impossible for them to hear each other except for those with exceptional hearing.

but.

Ōnoki searched extensively.

The Water Style Ninjutsu that Jiraiya and the Silver-Haired Kid had clearly not mastered well enough to interfere with their battle in the air.

The real main force is not them, but...

Minato Namikaze, Kyohiko Yoshimine.

It's those two again.

Ōnoki was deeply wary.

Initially, he thought that Minato Namikaze was the dominant force between the two, but now it seems that, in terms of Ninjutsu, it's more like that brat is in control.

Ten years old...

Such talent at such a young age!

Unbelievable.

He's probably going to be another Senju Tobirama!

If this person is not eliminated, the rest of their ninja villages will eventually be overtaken by Konoha.

Ōnoki smiled as he approached Jiraiya and said, "Secretly, our Iwagakure can compensate you for your losses, but publicly..."

He didn't finish speaking, but the two understood each other perfectly.

Iwagakure is not Sunagakure.

Ōnoki is incredibly strong. He has studied Dust Release for decades. If he really fought to the death, he could wipe out most of the people from Konoha and Kusagakure in the north.

Faced with the Kekkei Tōta, Kyohiko didn't have a good way to counter it; the only thing he could think of was a war of attrition.

so.

For someone like Ōnoki, a direct confrontation is completely unwise; the best course of action is for both sides to exercise restraint and avoid turning against each other.

Ōnoki bargained with Jiraiya.

War instantly turned into a transaction.

After a long while, Ōnoki led the five-man Demolition Squad he had captured and turned to leave.

Minato Namikaze was filled with emotion.

"As expected of Ōnoki! Even under these circumstances, he can still hold his own against us."

The Flying Thunder God, used over long distances, consumes a great deal of Chakra.

so.

Even if the fight continued, he would actually find it difficult to pose a threat to Ōnoki.

He remains steadfast with age.

As expected of the Third Tsuchikage!

Kyohiko wholeheartedly agreed.

Jiraiya retorted irritably, "Why do you all look like you've lost? Remember how strong Ōnoki was before?"

Everyone fell silent.

The effect of the Atomic Dismantling Jutsu truly exceeded their expectations.

With such a series of explosions, if Ōnoki were to move, they really wouldn't have a good solution.

Jiraiya sighed for a moment, then couldn't help but think about what had happened a few days ago.

At the time, he was still figuring out how to deal with Ōnoki when Kyohiko sent him a plan.

Water Style with strong adhesion.

Kyohiko created Special Ninjutsu within a few days.

"If it weren't for this technique, we might not have gotten the benefits we have now. This can be considered a step forward for both sides."

Jiraiya analyzed the situation carefully and felt that Ōnoki himself didn't really want to fight.

Otherwise, if they really fight it out, both Konoha and Iwagakure will be in a difficult situation.

"It might not be a good thing."

Minato Namikaze, however, had some concerns.

Iwagakure was not severely damaged, Ōnoki's ambitions are far greater, and a new war will inevitably break out sooner or later.

Jiraiya couldn't help but glance at Minato.

He knows about Minato.

If it were the old Minato Namikaze, he would definitely think the current situation is the best possible outcome, just like him.

But now.

Tsk!

Jiraiya didn't blame her, only sighed slightly.

Spending a lot of time with Kyohiko, you'll inevitably be influenced by his thoughts, eventually leading to changes you won't even realize.

He was like that, and so was Minato Namikaze.

"Father, why are we retreating? Even if the Demolition Squad is captured, you shouldn't be defeated."

Kitsuchi was somewhat puzzled.

Ōnoki glanced at his son and said, "You only think about the immediate victory, without considering that Konoha created that technique in just a few days."

He remained silent for a few seconds, then sighed heavily.

Less than ten days!

Iwagakure spent ten days gathering detailed intelligence on Sunagakure. After learning more about the battle, Ōnoki decided not to fight anymore.

This "battle" was actually just a way to give each other a way out. Even if Konoha hadn't used such Water Style, he would have found a way to facilitate peace talks.

However, if Iwagakure gains the upper hand, he will have more say and can reduce his losses.

Unlike now...

The loss is too great!

After pondering for a long time, Kitsuchi said, "That sticky water must be a special property transformation of Water Style. I wonder how difficult it is to learn. If it's not difficult, it could indeed be fatal to our flight."

Then, he "suddenly realized".

"Father, wasn't Kazekage killed by this technique?"

"Kitsuchi, use your brain!"

Ōnoki was heartbroken. "If he knew how before, he would have used it against me last time. Why would he wait until now? He must have a different method for dealing with Sunagakure!"

"Really."

Kitsuchi thought about it and realized that it made sense.

He only considered that this technique could be used against flying beings, without taking everything else into account.

"Kitsuchi, governing a village is not like leading a team to carry out a mission. You need to learn to think comprehensively, otherwise how can I entrust the village to you?"

Ōnoki sighed.

Thinking of Minato Namikaze and Kyohiko Yoshimine's performances, he felt an overwhelming sense of crisis welling up inside him.

Konoha!

"Then what do we do?"

"Compensation, etc."

"Ōnoki said in a low voice."

Kitsuchi nodded, and seeing that his father didn't intend to continue, he stopped asking and pondered on his own.

wait.

What are we waiting for?

We can't wait until Konoha becomes stronger enough to wipe out Iwagakure before turning around and attacking them.

He thought about it for a long time.

With the help of Ōnoki's Ultra-Light-Weight Rock Technique, they flew across the enormous, seemingly insurmountable chasm, only realizing something when they were nearing their Iwagakure...

"Father, are you waiting for everyone to join forces?"

"Looks like you're not beyond redemption after all."

A satisfied smile appeared on Ōnoki's face.

A tree that stands out in the forest will surely be felled by the wind.

The strength of Konoha may not necessarily be a good thing.

"I believe the Third Raikage is not short-sighted; he will surely understand that continuing to cooperate with Konoha will only lead to being crushed by Konoha in the end."

Iwagakure fears Lightning Style and has no good way to deal with high-speed ninjas, but if Iwagakure and Kumogakure join forces, this problem will not exist.

With their complementary strengths and coordinated attacks, they can definitely defeat Konoha!

However, Konoha also understands this, and has recently been getting closer to Kumogakure, while Kumogakure is more interested in dealing with their Land of Earth.

Therefore, Ōnoki needs to wait!

On the eastern front, the coastline was littered with corpses, and the soil along the shore was stained red.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, panting Adamantine Staff, held his Vajra Staff.

Beside him, Danzo a sword in one hand and a severed head in the other.

The head belonged to Kushimaru Kuriarare of Kirigakure.

Ahead, a corpse had been pierced through the chest; judging from its appearance, it seemed to be a Jonin from Kirigakure.

"Unfortunately, the Nuibari and the Kubikiribōchō were sent back by spirits."

He snorted coldly.

Then, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, "What do you plan to do with the Uchiha?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi silent.

Uchiha.

This problem, which has remained unsolved since the First, still has not yielded a perfect solution.

He remained silent for a long time, gazing at the distant sea.

"I am no longer the Hokage; now it's up to the wisdom of the next generation."

"The next generation?"

Danzo sneered, then turned and left. "You don't want to be the villain? Then let me be!"

Don't act impulsively.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.

Danzo did not answer, sheathed his sword, threw his head on the grass by the sea, and left.

"Why!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.

He understands Danzo, but Danzo doesn't understand Tsunade, Jiraiya, and the others as they are now.

Given the current situation, either Konoha or Danzo is bound to fall.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could tolerate many of Danzo tactics, but he absolutely could not forgive anything that was detrimental to Konoha.

"Danzo, don't blame me."

Kirigakure, as always, was somber and desolate, but today, the atmosphere within the village was unusually quiet.

First, two members of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist Village were killed in the Land of Fire.

Second, he graduated from the Hidden Mist Ninja Academy.

but.

The situation is slightly different from what everyone expected.

Inside an office in the Mizukage Building.

"Genji, what do you think? Should we discuss with the Mizukage about abolishing the current Ninja Academy policy next year?"

The Suikazan Fuguki cautiously looked at the old man before him.

Genji held the intelligence report in his hand and remained silent for a long time.

After a while, he put down the report.

The report was very simple.

" In the Ninja Academy graduation exam, Zabuza Momochi killed all the other examinees, leaving only Zabuza graduate."

Previously, Chunin Ninja Exams, the Yugakure suffered significant losses of ninja.

At the time, Genji had hoped that there would be more graduates this year to make up for the lack of new generation ninjas, but he never expected that Zabuza wipe out this year's entire class.

"I will bring it up, but I don't know if Lord Mizukage will agree."

When the Fourth Mizukage was mentioned, everyone fell silent.

The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.

The youngest Mizukage of Kirigakure is very talented and capable, but since taking office, he has been implementing rather cruel policies.

Although the Hidden Mist Village are far more resilient and strong-willed than their peers from other villages, their numbers are declining day by day.

This year it's even more thorough.

"Furthermore, according to intelligence from the Anbu, something seems to have happened in Sunagakure. Sasori of the Red Sands has betrayed the village again and fled, the reason for which is unknown."

Suikazan Fuguki sent over another piece of information.

Genji glanced at it and then tossed it aside.

"This is a matter for Sunagakure, we don't need to worry about it. Let's deal with the immediate problem first."

"Yes!"

"Sasori of the Red Sands has defected again?"

Tsunade looked up.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded. "Yes, they also stole the bodies of the Third Kazekage and Ebizo."

"Rasa has certainly played his cards right."

Tsunade a cold laugh.

Given Rasa's abilities, how could he not know that Sasori would try to steal the corpse?

It was done on purpose, though.

"Lord Hokage, should we then launch an attack on Sunagakure?"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke looked up.

Tsunade.

She carefully examined the intelligence report and letter in her hand, and smiled, "Spread the word that Sasori of the Red Sands has mastered Human Puppet, so everyone will be aware of their own Kekkei Genkai ninjas."

"Yes!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, he hesitated for a moment and turned back.

"Lord Hokage, there's one more thing I hope you can grant me."

"Explain."

Tsunade corrected documents without even looking up.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke said, "I want to leave the Anbu and return to a normal ninja life."

Tsunade was stunned, then immediately looked up.

After a long while, she finally said, "Why?"

"My father prioritizes the village and rarely cares about Asuma, but lately I've been spending more time with Asuma..."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke sighed and recounted his recent experiences.

Tsunade remained silent.

She had initially thought that Sarutobi Shinnosuke, and that she would remove him once Kyohiko returned. She had even considered trying to persuade him to stay out of trouble...

But.

After hearing the reason, she knew she had no reason to keep him.

"Won't you reconsider?"

No, thank you.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke shook his head with a smile, then sighed, "Perhaps I still prefer spending time with Asuma and the others in the sunshine."

"I respect your opinion, what about Kaori?"

Tsunade smiled. "You've been with her for quite a few years now, haven't you considered getting married and having children?"

"She, she might be quite used to life in the Anbu, uh, I respect her decision."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke blushed.

Fortunately, his complexion was dark and he was wearing a mask, so even if he blushed, it wouldn't be noticeable.

Tsunade stopped joking and instead offered some words of encouragement with a smile.

Just then, he suddenly remembered something and said, "By the way, if you want to regain your normal identity, there's something I need your help with."

"Yes, please give your instructions."

"Graduation exams are approaching this year, and some students want to graduate early. However, the workload isn't too heavy right now; it seems like the three-pronged approach to graduation is almost over. I don't think it's necessary. I hope they can study for another two years..."

Tsunade shared her thoughts.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke shook his head vigorously, like a rattle-drum.

"Lady Tsunade, my eloquence is rather poor, please spare me!"

"Then why don't you go teach? There aren't many Jonin the village, and you happen to have some free time."

Tsunade smiled.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke realized he had been tricked.

This is Tsunade's true purpose!

He had no choice but to accept the task.

In the Land of Grass, Jiraiya, Kyohiko, and Minato discussed a compensation agreement and their future relationship with the Kusagakure in a tent.

After talking all night, the three reached a consensus.

It's certain that Iwagakure will have to pay money and provide supplies as compensation; the real challenge lies in dealing with Kusagakure.

Although the matter has been resolved, the seeds of hatred have been sown after the betrayal of the Kusagakure. It is impossible to return to the era when there was no conflict.

so.

Continue to cooperate, but also maintain distance.

"Teacher, we only need to finish up here. We plan to go back to the village tomorrow."

"Minato, Kyohiko, thank you all for your hard work this time. You supported the east and then came to help me. Without you, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

Jiraiya understood perfectly why Ōnoki had retreated.

This battle was just the prelude; the main focus was the collapse of Sunagakure in the west, with even the Third Kazekage falling into the enemy lines.

Anyone with a modicum of sense understands that Iwagakure no longer has the conditions to start this war.

The fact that neither of the two Jinchuriki were seen this time reveals Ōnoki's true attitude.

He'd long since given up on fighting!

"No, I was mostly just helping out."

Minato Namikaze did not take credit for it.

It was even more difficult for Kyohiko to claim credit.

Without the Flying Thunder God, he couldn't have defeated so many enemies; Minato's contribution was significant.

"Take care. I have to talk to the Kusagakure tomorrow, so I won't see you off."

"Um!"