Return to Konoha, The Second Ninja World War!

Qi Luna, Hayama, and Nonou moved like ghosts in the dark night, silently executing their established plan. Their goal was clear: wipe out the bandits and rescue the hostages.

Nonou relied on her exceptional stealth skills to navigate the complex architecture with caution, each step placed with such precision that not a single unnecessary sound was made.

While Hayama was clearing the outer perimeter, he accidentally triggered a minor trap set by the enemy. The noise instantly alerted a sentry, who blew a whistle, rousing every bandit within the stronghold.

Enemy patrols immediately swarmed toward Hayama's position. Hayama cursed inwardly, but he quickly steadied himself and muttered, "Since I've been exposed, there's no need to hide anymore!"

With those words, Hayama gripped his longsword with a reverse hold and began weaving hand seals at high speed.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

A powerful gust of air erupted from Hayama's mouth, sending the approaching bandits tumbling and creating an immediate commotion that successfully drew their full attention.

Meanwhile, Nonou remained undisturbed by the chaos Hayama had caused, staying focused on locating the hostages. In a hidden basement, she finally discovered the captives. She quickly stepped forward to untie them, offered soft words of comfort to the terrified people, and led them toward the extraction point.

Qi Luna observed the situation from a distance. He knew Hayama was in a dangerous position, but he also understood that he couldn't lose his composure. Seizing the moment, he launched a surprise attack on the enemy's rear. Several golden chains sprouted from his back, rapidly reaping the lives of the bandits, ending their wicked existences while disrupting the formation they were using to surround Hayama.

Hayama took the opportunity to break free and rendezvous with Nonou and the hostages. Under the cover of Qi Luna, the two led the captives away from the battlefield, providing Qi Luna with the space to unleash his power freely.

Qi Luna rapidly formed seven seals and roared:

"Water Style: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

Qi Luna spat out a massive volume of water, instantly transforming the battlefield into a small lake. The bandits were swept away by the force of the torrent; those with poorer luck made intimate contact or had "in-depth exchanges" with protruding rocks or sharp tree branches as they were carried along by the current.

However, Qi Luna did not intend to let them off so easily. He fired a signal flare, recalled Hayama and Nonou, and began clearing out the remaining bandits.

Hayama harvested lives with his longsword, while Nonou pierced heart after heart with her kunai. Qi Luna used his Kagura Mind's Eye to track the bandits' positions, moving rapidly across the lake with "Water Style: Wave Riding Strike" and using his Adamantine Sealing Chains to extinguish the last vestiges of the bandits' lives.

Only after confirming that not a single bandit remained alive did Qi Luna deactivate his Kagura Mind's Eye and retract his chains.

"Mission accomplished well."

Hatake Sakumo appeared once again.

"I have already submitted the proof of mission completion to the client and received the confirmation. Now, take five minutes to rest. In five minutes, we depart immediately for Konoha. War... is coming."

The three of them looked at each other, not daring to waste a single moment. Hayama and Nonou each swallowed a Military Ration Pill and began a new round of "meditation to recover mana."

The members of Team Sakumo dragged their exhausted bodies through the gates of Konoha at dawn the next day. The sunlight spilled over their dust-covered forms, carrying a warmth that made them feel they could finally retire from their duties.

The group hurried to the mission assignment office and solemnly handed over the mission scroll. The ninja in charge of processing carefully verified it and nodded at them.

Hatake Sakumo stood at the front of the team, his voice low but firm: "Dismissed."

Qi Luna and his companions felt a weight lift off their shoulders. They exchanged glances and dragged their feet toward their respective homes. Their only thought now was to get a good night's sleep and wash away the exhaustion of the journey.

Hatake Sakumo, however, turned and walked briskly toward the Hokage Building. He knew war was imminent, and there were too many matters that required discussion and delegation.

Stepping into the conference room, he found many Jonin already seated. Their eyes met in silent greeting. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat at the head of the table and signaled for Hatake Sakumo to take his seat.

Once seated, Sakumo gathered his thoughts and began a serious analysis of the intelligence brought back by the Anbu, assessing Konoha's current situation and the potential future developments on the Land of Rain front.

Just as the discussion grew heated, an Anbu ninja rushed in and knelt on one knee: "Report, Lord Hokage! A large number of Iwagakure ninja have been spotted gathering at the border of the Land of Rain. It appears they intend to invade."

The conference room fell silent, the atmosphere turning exceptionally heavy. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, furrowed his brows and scanned the room: "It seems the war has arrived faster than we anticipated. Sakumo, you just returned from the border. Give us your assessment."

Hatake Sakumo stood up, his expression grave: "Iwagakure's move is clearly premeditated; we cannot afford to be careless. I suggest we first dispatch reconnaissance teams to determine their troop deployment and operational plans. At the same time, we must reinforce the border defenses. As for Sunagakure, we should take the initiative to strike and crush their arrogance! Lord Hokage, I request to lead the charge—I am willing to be the first blade thrust into Sunagakure!"

The other Jonin nodded in agreement, each offering their own suggestions and plans. Many even volunteered to make Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Amegakure realize the true power of Konoha.

After listening carefully, the Third Hokage began to issue orders methodically. A great war seemed to be on the verge of breaking out.

Meanwhile, Kushina, Minato, and the other newly graduated ninja of this year were still lost in their dreams, completely unaware of the storm about to descend.

Only one person stared at the starry sky, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

The Second Ninja World War. Nawaki will die in battle, Tsunade will develop hemophobia, Nagato will become an orphan because of this, and Uchiha Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan will take its first step... With my current strength, which is at most that of a Jonin, what can I actually do?

Qi Luna recalled the information from his past life regarding the Second Ninja World War, a deep sense of powerlessness and frustration rising in his heart.

"What should I do?"

"When Konoha was first established, the goal was to provide an environment where children could grow up happy and healthy. So, little Killua doesn't need to worry about this. Even if the sky falls, there are adults like your Grandma Mito here to hold it up. You just need to grow up safe and sound."

Uzumaki Mito walked over slowly and sat beside Qi Luna, gently stroking his hair as she spoke softly.

Qi Luna looked up, his eyes filled with stubbornness: "But Grandma Mito, I don't want to be just a bystander. I want to protect everyone in the village, and I want to contribute to guarding Konoha."

Uzumaki Mito looked at his determined eyes and smiled slightly: "I know you have the heart for it, little Killua. But war is not a game; you still need to grow. However, I can give you an opportunity."

Qi Luna's eyes lit up, and he sat up straight.

"You have already learned most of the Water Style ninjutsu left behind by Tobirama, and you have awakened our Uzumaki Clan's unique Kagura Mind's Eye and Adamantine Sealing Chains. So, for the next period of time, I will personally teach you some new things. Don't come crying to me and saying you want to give up."

Qi Luna nodded heavily and laughed: "Alright! I want to see just how painful it can be. I won't give up easily—Grandma Mito, don't underestimate me!"

"Hahaha, fine, our little Killua is the best. Then let's do a fist bump, Grandma!" Hearing this, Uzumaki Mito smiled warmly, then made a fist with her right hand and extended it toward Qi Luna.

Qi Luna's eyes widened in disbelief, but he slowly raised his own clenched right hand and finally touched it gently against Uzumaki Mito's.

In early August of Konoha Year 37, the Second Ninja World War broke out in full force, and Konoha Village, under the command of the Third Hokage, began intensive preparations to face the coming war...