Konoha's Know-It-All

Shinobi World.

The war between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning had fully erupted.

Although the Raikage had gained the upper hand at first with a surprise attack, successfully breaking through two of Konoha's defensive lines, as the front stretched longer and Konoha came to its senses and began to counterattack, progress on the main battlefield naturally slowed.

Even though the Raikage himself had sworn to drink victory wine in Konoha ten days later, and his bold spirit had infected Kumogakure's ninja, Konoha's resistance still exceeded their expectations.

The battle had shifted from a one-sided rout into a stalemate on the main battlefield.

Overall, however, Kumogakure, as the attacking side, still held the initiative.

Failing to take down Konoha in one wave did not discourage the Raikage. He advanced steadily, step by step, never rushing recklessly. This strategy made Konoha's side extremely uncomfortable, and the entire battlefield became a massive meat grinder through clash after clash. The brutal war had fully escalated.

Now, it was time to compare the endurance and foundations of the two villages!

Whoever broke first would lose!

Both the Raikage and the Old Village Chief understood this.

But Kumogakure could afford to drag things out. Konoha, having already gone through full-scale warfare and the Nine-Tails Attack, was truly being put through the wringer.

So while Hitoshi Clan Head was building his career in the sky, their Old Village Chief had begun Sweating Profusely as well, worrying himself sick over the front-line situation.

There was no other reason.

The pressure on Konoha was simply too great!

As the Flames of War spread, report after report and corpse after corpse of Konoha ninja were sent back to the village. The oppressive atmosphere hanging over Konoha grew heavier by the day.

Every day, villagers stood at the Village Entrance, Eagerly Awaiting their loved ones' return, only to receive the bodies of friends and family.

The cruel war made one thing clear: those whose intact bodies could be sent back were the lucky ones on the battlefield.

Most fallen ninja could not be recovered at all.

"War..."

In a corner by Konoha's Village Entrance.

Uchiha Itachi looked sorrowfully at the familiar faces being brought back one after another, as well as the wounded being sent home on stretchers, missing arms and legs.

Even though he had been Fortunate Enough to visit the Front Line with his father once during the previous war, he had been younger then and had thought far less.

Besides, he had been In His Arms.

The impact was nowhere near as great as this time.

His overly developed little brain could not understand what war could bring besides death to both sides.

Kumogakure had Underestimated Konoha.

Konoha had also Underestimated Kumogakure's tenacity and fighting spirit.

If the war tilted toward a War of Attrition, it would likely be fatal for Konoha.

The still-young Itachi God had analyzed from the village's atmosphere and the casualties at the Front Line alone that this war was extremely unfavorable for Konoha, but he was not proud of it.

His brow was tightly furrowed as he considered how, if he were Hokage, he should extinguish the Flames of War, bring peace to the Shinobi World, and make everyone happy. For This, sacrificing his own Parents would not be much of a problem. As a saint, he had to do so.

But just as he Fell into Thought, a stream of Cursing from the distance interrupted his Thoughts.

When he looked up, a trace of relief appeared on Itachi's face.

Fine, he was not the only one worrying about the village.

But...

God Knows how these two had ended up together!

"This isn't a healthy Will of Fire. If my dad had personally gone to the Front Line, so many people wouldn't have died!"

"Itachi, don't you agree?"

Itachi God's Brother Asuma muttered as he plopped down beside him, then Pulled Out One cigarette, lit it for himself, and took a hard drag.

"Hokage-sama... should have his own difficulties."

Itachi fell silent for a moment. Although he somewhat agreed with Asuma, he didn't Know what Hokage-sama was truly thinking and did not dare speak recklessly.

As Uchiha Fugaku's Big-headed Son and the Uchiha Clan's Young Master, he seemed able to understand some of the conflict between his clansmen's ideals and the village's.

There were things he did not dare think too deeply about yet, nor could he understand them. He Only Felt that his clansmen were too selfish.

The young Itachi God believed only in what he saw with his own eyes.

He saw his clansmen showing off ostentatiously every day. That was clearly inappropriate when the village was in danger, yet his father was very indulgent of their behavior.

"There's no need for pretty words. You can't make something of rotten mud."

Asuma shook his head with melancholy on his face, then Pulled Out One more cigarette and offered it to Itachi.

"Want one?"

This was really not something he could accept.

Itachi hurriedly shook his head, declining Brother Asuma's kind offer.

The atmosphere fell silent. The two people who did not think much of their fathers had finally come together.

The cause was often simple. One accidental encounter had left the rebellious Brother Asuma amazed by Itachi's ideals, while Itachi was also happy to have a friend willing to listen to his thoughts.

Even though one was the Uchiha Clan's Young Master and the other was the Hokage's Son.

Whenever they talked, they often forgot their identities.

After a few days, both felt they had Benefited Greatly from their conversations.

Of course, Sarutobi Asuma had undoubtedly gained more.

He Didn't Know about anything else, but after spending time with Itachi, he found himself growing increasingly displeased with his own clansmen and his father. That displeasure also resonated with Itachi.

In short.

It was hard to imagine What Kind of outcome these two coming together would ultimately bring about. If Hitoshi Clan Head saw this scene, he would probably silently pray for the Sarutobi Clan.

"Didn't I tell him to stay away from Uchiha Itachi?"

In the distance.

After delivering an impassioned speech that boosted morale and soothed the villagers' emotions.

Sweating Profusely, Sarutobi Hiruzen shook off the sweat on his body and finally had time to light his pipe and take a puff.

But at a glance, his old face darkened, and an inexplicable rage rose in his heart.

His second son was truly not Worry-free!

He simply Didn't Know how much damage his nonsense outside could do to him as the Hokage!

"Have you confirmed the identities of those people who were secretly approaching Asuma?"

With a grim expression, the Old Village Chief looked at Yuhi Shin'en beside him and asked.

"Uh..."

Yuhi Shin'en hesitated for a moment, looking as though he wanted to speak but held back.

"Just say it."

The Old Village Chief waved a hand, signaling him to speak boldly. At most, it would be the Uchiha or Hyuga Clan!

The battle situation was not optimistic, but they could still hold on for now. He believed that as long as they persisted, Kumogakure would withdraw sooner or later. After all, as the attacking side, Kumogakure faced much greater supply pressure and greater losses than Konoha.

As long as they repelled Kumogakure's offensive, it would become the achievement of him, the Third Hokage!

For now, he would note down the Small Actions certain people were taking during wartime. Once the War Ended, it would be time for Settling Scores Later!

"The brothers from the Sixth Team said that the people who contacted Young Master Asuma eventually disappeared near the Root Base."

It was no wonder Yuhi Shin'en had hesitated.

After all, Konoha's Unspoken Rules dictated that once Danzo-sama was involved, there was no need to keep investigating!

"Bullshit!"

But this time, the Old Village Chief could no longer hold it in and immediately began Cursing.

"Danzo has already gone to the Front Line, and you're still pinning the blame On Him?! Do these people think I'm an idiot?!"

Then they think you're an idiot. Why are you getting so angry?

Yuhi Shin'en expressionlessly stepped aside.

At the same time.

At the Land of Fire Border, Konoha's commanders were Gathered together.

Among them was Shimura Danzō, who had previously been a disgraced man!

Suddenly, Danzo seemed to sense something and involuntarily took a sharp breath.

"Ah-choo!"

After sneezing hard into Nara Shikaku's face, the calm Danzo wiped his face, then revealed a confident smile and pointed at the map with the hand he had used to wipe his nose.

"No one understands war better than I do!"

"This battle will definitely be won!"

Thanks to Zero Chen's Time for the reward for Wife Pakura!! Thanks to Emperor of Character for the monthly vote!

Please vote for the new book!! Big shots, please add it to your collections!