Konoha Village.
Three years have passed, and Konoha Village has not changed much, with its brightly colored houses and bustling streets remaining the same.
The pace of the war seems to have stalled. Iwagakure and Kumogakure have developed conflicts and are engaged in a civil war, giving Konoha a much-needed breather. This allows them to deploy more troops to the Sunagakure and Kirigakure battlefields.
After so many years of war, the warring nations have a general understanding of the situation. Further fighting would only lead to increased casualties. Perhaps a single major battle could end the Third Great Ninja War.
"Kakashi, don't run! Accept my challenge!"
"Guy, I'm really busy today, but next time for sure!"
Kakashi nimbly leaped over a wall and then used it for momentum to jump onto a rooftop. His masked expression was somewhat helpless. Why do they still bother me even though I'm wearing a mask!
Do I really need to be wrapped up like a mummy?!
"Hmph! You told me 'next time for sure' yesterday, and the day before that too!"
Chasing Kakashi was a green-clad, watermelon-headed youth, Might Guy.
He had long since graduated from the Ninja Academy and was now a Chunin.
"Guy, I'm really busy today. I'm going on a mission with Obito!"
Might Guy stopped, sounding uncertain, "Kakashi, are you telling the truth? You're not lying to me?"
"It's true! Guy, I'm definitely not lying to you this time. Don't worry, I'll definitely accept your challenge when I get back from this mission!"
Kakashi waved goodbye to Might Guy and then fled as if escaping.
Might Guy shouted at Kakashi's retreating figure, "Kakashi, I'll be waiting for you to return!"
Watching Kakashi disappear, Might Guy muttered, "I really want to have a thrilling battle of men with Kakashi!"
...
Training Ground 417. A figure was idly throwing kunai.
*Clang!* Directly hitting the bullseye!
"Why is Kakashi so slow! Even the old lady I helped cross the street has arrived by now. Is he sleeping in again?"
Obito was throwing kunai listlessly. He had been waiting here for two hours, and his legs were numb!
Lin Yu, on the other hand, was spacing out beside him, or rather, he was playing with Kurama...
Behind the seal, Lin Yu was playing Dou Dizhu with Kurama. Yes, Dou Dizhu!
A clone condensed from Kurama's chakra and poker cards materialized from Lin Yu's chakra. Both sides considered it fair.
Kurama secretly rejoiced, "Two against one, I shouldn't lose, right!"
"Four twos!"
"Pass! Four threes!"
Kurama roared, "Why can your four threes beat my four twos?"
Lin Yu didn't even look up and casually said, "Three is bigger than two! It's normal for my four threes to beat your four twos, isn't it?"
Kurama was momentarily speechless. It seemed to be true. "Then why could your four twos beat my four aces earlier?"
Lin Yu was a bit speechless, "Your ace is one point, so my two is naturally bigger than one! You stupid fox!"
"You!"
Kurama bared its teeth, but it wasn't familiar with the rules and could only endure it. "Hurry up and play!"
"A four. I'm out of cards! Reporting single!" Lin Yu dangled the cards in his hand.
Kurama's clone grinned, "Bomb! Heh heh, what do you do now!"
Kurama also chuckled and tapped the ground with its claw, "Pass!"
Lin Yu, expressionless, threw down four cards: "Double bomb! Game over! I won again!"
Kurama, enraged, swatted its clone away and roared, "You're cheating! Reporting single can still have a double bomb?! And what double bomb in Dou Dizhu?"
Lin Yu shrugged and spread his hands, "Even foxes know how to play cards. Is it too much for me to have a double bomb in Dou Dizhu?"
"You damn Uzumaki Lin Yu, eat my… Hmm?"
"Hmm?"
Lin Yu and Kurama frowned simultaneously. Just now, they had sensed a malicious intent heading their way. Lin Yu stood up, symbolically dusted off his pants, and said, "It seems we'll have to settle our score next time!"
"Hmph! Just the boring love-hate entanglements between humans!"
Kurama lay down again and closed its eyes. It wasn't interested in these things; sleeping was more practical.
...
Lin Yu opened his eyes and looked towards the forest behind him. His figure flashed, and he disappeared from his spot.
Obito had just pulled out his kunai and was about to tell Lin Yu that he was going to wake Kakashi up when he turned around and found that Lin Yu was nowhere to be seen. He was the only one left in the training ground.
"Huh? Where did he go?"
Obito thought, "So, does love really disappear?"
Deep in the forest, Lin Yu was gripping a Zetsu's neck with one hand, his voice cold, "You dare come again? Do you really think I can't destroy your main body?"
The Zetsu clone didn't seem to care about Lin Yu's grip on its neck and chuckled, "I'm just here to deliver a message. I hope you'll pay close attention to the Land of Water. Nagato seems to have caused a massacre!"
"Is that all?"
The Zetsu's expression froze. It didn't understand why Uzumaki Lin Yu looked scornful. Shouldn't he be surprised, angry, or regretful at this moment?
*Crack!*
Before the Zetsu could voice its question, Lin Yu twisted its neck and threw it aside.
Massacre? Have I, Uzumaki Lin Yu, killed few people?
However, Nagato's immense rage... did Yahiko meet with misfortune? Although this was an expected outcome, Lin Yu couldn't help but feel a little sad. After all, he had taught him for over a month.
Given Yahiko's personality, Lin Yu had long foreseen this ending. If anyone knew about it, they would surely ask: Then why didn't you go save Yahiko?
Lin Yu's expression was unreadable. He might be able to save Yahiko once, twice, or thrice, but he couldn't stay by Yahiko's side all the time. He wasn't Nagato! Moreover, he had already found a way to make Yahiko change his mind back then, but he didn't expect him to fall back into the old ways.
This could only be said to be fate's tribulation for Nagato. But it's alright, when the ninja world is pacified, it won't be too late to revive Yahiko and let that kid be a diplomatic ambassador, promoting peaceful coexistence between nations.
What? You disagree with peaceful coexistence? Fine! Seal him up, and release Nagato!
Nagato: "Feel the pain! Shinra Tensei!"
Oh! Right, and Nawaki too!
Lin Yu slapped his forehead. He had forgotten that Nawaki hadn't been revived yet. Now it's all good! He'll have Nawaki and Yahiko be diplomatic ambassadors together. Well, then Nawaki can be put aside for now.
Lin Yu swore that he definitely wasn't forgetting Nawaki, but rather had this plan all along! Yes!
Returning to Training Ground 417, Kakashi had already arrived and was arguing with Obito about something.
"You idiot Obito, I just encountered a lost kitten and was taking it back to its owner. Did you think I would be late otherwise?"
Obito said unhappily, "I don't believe you! Kakashi, you must have overslept!"
"Ahem, excuse me for interrupting the young couple. This mission might require both of you to complete it. Teacher has something to attend to."
Lin Yu still planned to go to the Land of Water. If his guess was correct, someone would be waiting for him in the Land of Water.
"Ah! Teacher Lin Yu, do you have something important to do? Then Obito and I will go. It's just a simple reconnaissance mission anyway."
"I can complete this kind of mission by myself. Obito, maybe you should stay in the village too."
Obito retorted angrily, "I won't! Even that brat Shisui has gone to the battlefield. I don't want to stay in the village alone!"
Lin Yu scratched his head. It wasn't the Qixi Festival today; why were these two showing off?
"Obito, I'm leaving Kakashi to you!"
Obito stood at attention and bowed, "Yes! Teacher Lin Yu, I will definitely protect Kakashi!"