Qi Luna, Hayama, and Nonō moved like ghosts in the night, quietly carrying out their plan. Their goal was clear: wipe out the bandits and rescue the hostages they had taken prisoner.
With her excellent stealth skills, Nonō carefully made her way through the complex buildings, placing each step with precision and making not a sound.
As Hayama was clearing the outer sentries, he accidentally triggered a minor trap the enemy had set. It immediately alerted a hidden sentry, and the bandit blew his whistle, rousing every bandit in the stronghold.
The enemy patrols immediately surged toward Hayama. He cursed inwardly, but quickly regained his composure and muttered to himself, "Since they've spotted me, there's no point hiding anymore!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Hayama reversed his grip on the long sword in his hand and began forming hand seals at speed.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Hayama exhaled a powerful gust that sent the bandits rushing toward him tumbling. The resulting commotion drew their attention, just as he'd intended.
Meanwhile, Nonō wasn't distracted by the sudden turn of events on Hayama's side. She remained focused on finding the hostages. At last, she found them imprisoned in a hidden basement. She hurried over, freed them, and quietly reassured the terrified hostages before leading them toward the extraction point.
From a distance, Qi Luna watched the situation unfold. She knew Hayama was in danger, but also understood that she couldn't afford to lose her composure. Seizing her chance, she launched a surprise attack on the enemy's rear. Several golden chains sprouted from her back, swiftly cutting down the bandits and ending their wicked lives while disrupting the formation surrounding Hayama.
Hayama took the opportunity to shake off his pursuers and rendezvous with Nonō and the hostages. Under Qi Luna's cover, they quickly withdrew from the battlefield, giving her room to fight without restraint.
Qi Luna swiftly formed seven hand seals and roared:
"Water Style: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
Qi Luna spewed a torrent of water at the ground, instantly turning the battlefield into a small lake. The bandits were swept away by the force of the water. Some of the less fortunate had close encounters with protruding rocks or sharp tree branches as they were carried along by the current.
But Qi Luna had no intention of letting them get away so easily. She launched a signal flare, called Hayama and Nonō back, and began clearing out the remaining bandits.
Hayama cut down bandit after bandit with his long sword, while Nonō drove her kunai into one bandit's heart after another. Qi Luna used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to sense the bandits' positions, then darted across the lake with Water Style: Wave Riding Strike. Using the chains of Adamantine Sealing Chains, she cut off the last bandits' chance of survival.
Only after confirming that not a single bandit was still alive did Qi Luna deactivate the Mind's Eye of the Kagura and withdraw her chains.
"Good work on the mission."
Hatake Sakumo appeared once more.
"I've submitted proof of mission completion to the client and received his confirmation. Rest for five minutes. Then follow me back to Konoha at once. War... is coming..."
Qi Luna and the other two exchanged glances, but didn't dare waste a moment. Hayama and Nonō each swallowed a Military Ration Pill, then began another round of "meditation to replenish their chakra."
The members of Team Sakumo dragged their exhausted bodies through Konoha's gates at last, just after dawn the following day. Sunlight fell on their dust-covered clothes, bringing a warmth that made them feel they could finally put their mission behind them.
They hurried to the mission desk and solemnly handed over the mission scroll. After carefully examining it, the mission desk's shinobi nodded to them.
Hatake Sakumo stood at the head of the group and said in a low but firm voice, "Dismissed."
Qi Luna and the others breathed a sigh of relief. They exchanged glances and trudged off toward their respective homes. All they wanted now was a good night's sleep to wash away the fatigue of the journey.
Hatake Sakumo, meanwhile, turned and strode toward the Hokage Building. He knew war was imminent, and there was much to discuss and arrange.
When he entered the conference room, a number of other jōnin were already seated inside. They exchanged silent greetings, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, seated at the head of the table, gestured for Hatake Sakumo to sit down.
After taking his seat, Sakumo quickly gathered his thoughts and began carefully analyzing the intelligence returned by the Anbu, assessing Konoha's current situation and the possible future course of the war in the Land of Rain.
The discussion was in full swing when an Anbu shinobi suddenly hurried in and dropped to one knee. "Reporting to you, Lord Hokage. A large force of Iwagakure shinobi has gathered near the border of the Land of Rain. It looks as though they're preparing to invade."
The conference room fell silent, the atmosphere suddenly heavy with tension. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, furrowed his brows and surveyed the room. "It seems the war is coming sooner than we expected. Sakumo, you've just returned from the border. What's your assessment?"
Hatake Sakumo rose, his expression grave. "Iwagakure must have come prepared. We can't underestimate them. I suggest we send out reconnaissance teams to learn their troop deployments and battle plans, while reinforcing our border defenses. As for Sunagakure, we should take the initiative and strike first, crushing their arrogance! Lord Hokage, I volunteer for the front lines. I'll be the first blade we drive into Sunagakure!"
The other jōnin nodded in agreement and offered their own suggestions and plans. Many also volunteered to show Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Amegakure the strength of Konoha.
After listening carefully, the Third Hokage began assigning tasks in an orderly fashion. A major battle seemed on the verge of breaking out.
Meanwhile, Kushina, Minato, and the other members of this year's graduating class were still sound asleep, completely unaware of the storm about to descend.
Only one person stared at the stars overhead, unable to fall asleep for a long time.
In the Second Shinobi World War, Nawaki will die in battle, Tsunade will develop hemophobia, Nagato will become an orphan, and Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan will take its first step... With my current strength, at most that of a jōnin, what can I even do?
Qi Luna recalled what she knew about the Second Shinobi World War from her previous life, and a profound sense of helplessness and defeat welled up inside her.
"What should I do?"
"When Konoha was first founded, our goal was to give the children a place where they could grow up happily. So you don't need to worry about this, Xiao Ya. Even if the sky falls, your Grandma Mito and the rest of us adults will hold it up. You just need to grow up safe and sound."
Uzumaki Mito slowly came over and sat beside Qi Luna. She gently stroked her head and spoke softly.
Qi Luna lifted her head, her eyes full of determination. "But Grandma Mito, I don't want to just stand by and watch. I want to protect everyone in the village, too. I want to do my part to defend Konoha."
Uzumaki Mito looked at her determined gaze and smiled faintly. "I know you mean well, Xiao Ya. But war isn't child's play. You still need to grow stronger. Still, I can give you an opportunity."
Qi Luna's eyes lit up, and she quickly sat up straight.
"You've already learned most of the Water Release Ninjutsu Tobirama left behind, and you've awakened the Mind's Eye of the Kagura and Adamantine Sealing Chains unique to our Uzumaki Clan. So, for the next while, I'll personally teach you some new things. Just don't come crying to me and saying you want to give up."
Qi Luna nodded firmly, then grinned. "All right! I want to see just how painful it can be. I won't give up easily. Don't underestimate me, Grandma Mito!"
"Hahaha, all right. Our Xiao Ya is the best! Come on, give Grandma a fist bump!" Uzumaki Mito smiled warmly, then held out her right fist in front of Qi Luna.
Qi Luna widened her eyes in disbelief, but slowly raised her own right fist. At last, she gently bumped it against Uzumaki Mito's.
In early August of Konoha's 37th year, the Second Shinobi World War broke out in full. Under the Third Hokage's command, Konoha made urgent preparations for the coming war...
Additional note:
Qi Luna is pronounced "Kilua." Those familiar with the name may have already recognized it: yes, it's Killua. That's why Uzumaki Mito calls Qi Luna "Xiao Ya."
Before you continue