At the Hokage building, in the Konoha meeting room.
"What? The Third Raikage died of exhaustion? What a joke!"
A Konoha elder's face was filled with disbelief. They, the older generation of ninjas, had all suffered under the Third Raikage.
That was the Third Raikage who could kill a crowd of ninjas with a single punch! And he died of exhaustion?
"The secret report said that the Tsuchikage gathered over ten thousand Iwagakure ninjas to surround A and Killer B. The Third Raikage, to cover their retreat, fought alone for three days and three nights, and finally died of exhaustion."
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused and continued, "What are your thoughts on this matter?"
Everyone present fell silent for a while. The younger generation was the first to recover. Shikaku Nara, who had just taken over as head of the Nara clan, said,
"From Konoha's perspective, this matter is only beneficial and not harmful to Konoha, but..."
"But from the perspective of the Five Great Nations, the original four-against-one situation is likely to evolve into a five-nation chaotic war. This is an opportunity for Konoha!"
Danzō picked up where Shikaku left off, his gaze drifting to Hiruzen Sarutobi. His intentions were obvious!
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a long time and said solemnly, "The facts are indeed as you two have said, but from the perspective of the ninja world, a five-nation chaotic war will gradually engulf the entire ninja world. More and more countries will be affected. Can our Konoha bear the consequences then?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi also had ambitions, but he feared even more that Konoha would perish under his watch. The long-standing four-against-one situation had already left Konoha riddled with holes, and most of the older generation of ninjas had died. Would Konoha definitely win a five-nation chaotic war?
"Hmph! Hiruzen, you are still too conservative. This is an opportunity to subjugate all five great nations and become the number one ninja village in the ninja world!"
Danzō thought Hiruzen Sarutobi was too soft. If it were him, Danzō, he would definitely not miss this opportunity.
What did it matter if more people were sacrificed? As long as Konoha could become the number one ninja village, it could have as many people as it wanted!
Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored Danzō and looked at the others, "Does anyone else have any other opinions?"
The meeting was full of constant debate. Some agreed with Danzō, some were conservative, but more chose peace. Konoha had already sacrificed too much; the war should stop.
...
Half a month later, A, the son of the Third Raikage, succeeded him as the Fourth Raikage. At the same time, the Kumogakure army pressed towards the Land of Earth, demanding that Ōnoki return the Third Raikage's corpse.
Ōnoki had no choice but to return the Third Raikage's corpse. He wasn't afraid of just the Kumogakure, but rather Konoha and the other two nations were eyeing them covetously. He couldn't help but worry that A would lead his army into the Land of Earth in a fit of rage.
There was no need to even consider the outcome of a fight. No matter which country won, the fruits of victory would inevitably be out of reach for the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning.
Not long after, Kirigakure was the first to announce its withdrawal from the war. Kirigakure had suffered heavy losses. Not only had they lost five of their ninja swords, but even the Mizukage had died in front of their own village. If they continued to fight, Kirigakure village might even have to change its name.
Ōnoki was the second to respond. If they continued to fight, he feared that the two stubborn heads of the Land of Lightning, with their brute force, would charge into his Land of Earth and cause wanton destruction, giving other countries an opportunity.
With two major nations withdrawing from the war, the remaining two nations had no point in continuing to fight. Sunagakure was somewhat unwilling, but they could only be forced to cease hostilities. If they continued to fight, and Konoha's other forces were to gather, they feared Sunagakure would be in trouble!
Thus, the Third Great Ninja War came to a preliminary end. As for the subsequent treaty negotiations, prisoner exchanges, resource transfers, and so on, these were not known to outsiders.
Konoha once again shone brightly in the ninja world, revealing its profound strength to the world. Not only did it have the pillars of the older generation, the Legendary Sannin, but it also produced many young prodigies, such as the Yellow Flash Minato Namikaze, the Teleportation User Shisui, and the "Red-Haired Witch" rumored among the Iwagakure ninjas!
As for who it was specifically, Iwagakure did not say. If it were said that hundreds of Iwagakure ninjas had been beaten by a teenage girl, that would be too embarrassing!
Another half a month passed, and the ceasefire agreement was signed. The ninjas who had been on the front lines of the various countries' battles also returned one after another. Jiraiya, Tsunade, Shisui, and others were also on their way back.
Lin Yu and Konan, after over a month of intimacy, also returned to Konoha. Of course, they didn't cross the line, but as for other things...
Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
"Welcome! How many... Huh! Phew, Lin Yu!"
Teuchi's gaze swept over the people who entered, and a flash of red caught his eye. His heart immediately tensed, and his wrist even felt a familiar ache. However, upon seeing that it was Lin Yu, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He had already been targeted by the Red Hair clan. He looked at customers from the top of their heads, fearing to see red! "Looking down on others" was how Teuchi felt now.
"Long time no see, Big Brother Teuchi. Huh? Kakashi, you're here too."
Lin Yu greeted Teuchi and then saw a tuft of white hair in the corner. He walked over, pulled out a chair, and said,
"Have you thought it over?"
Kakashi lowered his head, eating ramen, and said in a muffled voice, "I've decided to join the Anbu."
Lin Yu ordered a miso ramen, his face showing no surprise. To help Obito obtain information, joining the Anbu was the best option. For Kakashi to make such a quick decision, it seemed he had struggled internally many times.
He chose to help Obito, but this did not mean he chose to betray the village. It could be said that Kakashi was now two-faced!
"The Anbu is a good place."
Lin Yu added mentally: You can openly peep!
Kakashi glanced at Lin Yu and said, "Teacher Lin Yu could also go to the Anbu. With your strength, you are qualified to be an Anbu captain. Then for the selection of the Hokage..."
Lin Yu took a bite of his noodles and quickly interrupted, "Stop, stop, stop! I don't want to be the Hokage. I told the old man Sarutobi a few days ago that I have no interest in being the Hokage!"
What's so fun about being the Hokage!
Am I going to ignore Kushina, Konan, Mikoto, Tsunade... and go be some exhausting Hokage? Wouldn't that be an act of a eunuch!
Kakashi gave Lin Yu a dead fish eye glance and continued eating his noodles. He had no remedy for this teacher who was even more laid-back than him.
He didn't know how Teacher Lin Yu cultivated. His strength was so strong even when he was just goofing around, it was infuriating!
*Ding-a-ling!*
"Welcome! How many?"
"Two! Huh? Kakashi and Teacher Lin Yu are here too?"
A figure in a green leotard and a watermelon-shaped hairstyle appeared in the shop. In Konoha, only Might Guy and his son dressed like this.
No, it seemed like they should also include Noah, who had been tricked...
Standing next to Might Guy was a young man who looked "anxious." He was the same age as Guy, in his teens, but his chin already had a little stubble.
"Guy, Asuma, hello."
Kakashi lazily greeted the two, not in high spirits.
"Kakashi, since you're here, accept my challenge!"
Might Guy completely forgot about eating ramen and struck a pose at Kakashi, looking as if he was about to fight right there!
Asuma rubbed his forehead: ...I'm just passing by, I don't know him at all!