The torrent of time surged onward, unstoppable.
The Third Shinobi World War, which had lasted for years and swept across the entire shinobi world, finally drew to a close amid exhaustion on all sides and a new balance.
The war's ending had already diverged from the course of the original story.
Konoha had withstood immense pressure thanks to the outstanding performances of a new generation of prodigies: Lin Ze, who had emerged seemingly from nowhere; Minato Namikaze, the "Yellow Flash" who shone on the battlefield; and Night Owl, who possessed the giant summoning beast Mountain Lord.
After suffering a setback in its decisive battle against Konoha, Kumogakure had turned its forces against Iwagakure under the Third Raikage's leadership.
After the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, Ōnoki had keenly felt the threat of enemies on two fronts. He had no choice but to pull his main forces out of their entanglement with Konoha and commit everything to resisting the frenzied assault from the Land of Lightning.
Konoha's high command, whether Hiruzen Sarutobi or Shimura Danzō, was happy to sit back and watch the two sides fight.
After nearly five years of war, Konoha desperately needed to recuperate, so it naturally would not intervene in the two great ninja villages' fight to the death.
In the end, Kumogakure and Iwagakure had both suffered heavy losses, leaving neither with the strength to open a second front.
The Third Shinobi World War came to an end.
Konoha emerged as the winner, having sustained relatively fewer losses and even raised its prestige further through its wartime achievements.
Near Kikyo Mountain, deep in the forest.
Wearing his Suzaku mask, Lin Ze appeared near Orochimaru's underground base.
According to the information his shadow clone had sent back, Orochimaru himself was inside this base at that moment.
Lin