Compared to the brutal war on the front lines between Konoha and the Dawn Hidden Village, Iwagakure, situated at sea, seemed as though no war had ever taken place. Large numbers of ninja had gathered in the rear to rest and recuperate. Because of Kirigakure's defensive measures, they had given up much of the surrounding sea, leaving not even battlefield missions nearby. This leisurely fishing life felt more like a vacation.
A group of Iwagakure ninja sat aboard a ship, holding fishing rods as they lined up to pass the boring afternoon. Yawning, they chatted among themselves.
"Another boring day. Are we fighting a fake Shinobi World War? This is even more comfortable than staying in the village. Without that fossil of a Tsuchikage bossing us around, this is the life I want."
"You dare slander Lord Tsuchikage behind his back? Lord Tsuchikage secured our current life for us. The focus of the Fourth Shinobi World War isn't on us."
"Thank goodness it isn't. I heard that many people have already died at the heart of the war. Even the powerful Dawn Hidden Village has suffered plenty of ninja casualties."
Quite a few of the ninja present had experienced the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars. Every war had inflicted grievous losses on their villages, and many friends and family members had died in battle. At the mere mention of war, disgust and fear rose in their hearts.
With the alliance formed for the Fourth Shinobi World War, they had expected it to become even more brutal. Yet their opponent, Kirigakure, had no intention of fighting at all, while Iwagakure followed Ōnoki's orders and slacked off in the rear. The Fourth Shinobi World War seemed more like a war between the Dawn Hidden Village and Konoha.
Just as everyone was