This was a victory that belonged to Konoha.
It was also a lavish feast for the Uchiha Clan.
War was the most profitable means of plundering wealth. Even a monopoly could not make money as quickly as war.
The Stone Ninja's defeat had all but become inevitable. Even Ōnoki could not withstand the combined assault of the three great ninja villages.
Meanwhile, on the Cloud Ninja battlefield under Jiraiya's command—
The Raikage's offensive grew fiercer and fiercer. The defensive line had been captured several times, only for Jiraiya to lead counterattacks and take it back.
The Raikage seemed to know this war was destined to end in defeat. Before it ended, he wanted to seize Land of Fire territory and use it to extort a fortune from Konoha in the final negotiations.
Though the Raikage looked like a hulking brute, his mind was far less simple than outsiders imagined.
"Any news from Minato?"
Jiraiya panted heavily, forcing himself to remain standing as he swallowed two more Soldier Pills.
"Lord Jiraiya, Lord Minato should wrap things up within the next couple of days. Ōnoki can barely hold on any longer."
The intelligence ninja responsible for keeping in contact with the village answered respectfully.
"Two more days, huh."
"Old man, I'll be back to see you soon."
Jiraiya looked up at the sky, impatient to return to the village and pay his respects to the old man.
He had been dead for so long, yet Jiraiya still had not gone back. How tragic.
This damn world.
Jiraiya had never considered overthrowing Uchiha Kyu and becoming Hokage himself.
Going with the flow seemed to have been carved into his bones since childhood.
Even if the position of Hokage were handed to him, he would find it troublesome and toss it away.
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