Once a war begins, it does not end just because someone wants it to.
For example, the war between Kumogakure and Iwagakure...
At first, it was you who wanted to start the war, and now you're talking about cooperating to attack Konoha's home front?
Ōnoki had some words in his heart that he wasn't sure he should say. No matter what, Iwagakure was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, upholding the stubborn and unyielding Will of Stone. Did the Raijin think he could just order them around as he pleased?
Cooperation?
Cooperate your ass!
If it weren't for Kumo suddenly interfering, Iwagakure would have already won the war by now. And now you're telling me that Konoha possesses legendary weapons, and we can't let them develop further?
Are you joking?
Even if Konoha obtained some legendary sword, so what?
The Mangekyō Sharingan is gone. The Wood Release is gone. What does Konoha even have left?
The "Strongest Hokage," the Third?
That's probably just a joke!
Meanwhile, Iwagakure possesses the strongest kekkei genkai—Dust Release!
They weren't afraid of anyone.
Not to mention, whether that sword was real or not, without proper recognition, it was just an ordinary blade.
So...
When a stubborn temper meets a violent temper...
The feud between Iwagakure and Kumogakure was set in stone.
There was simply no possibility of reconciliation...
End of Year 35, Konoha.
"Cough, cough... I'm finally getting old," Uzumaki Mito said, looking at the red-haired boy before her, sighing. "I'm sorry for making you come see an old woman like me."
"Grandma Mito, you..." Uzumaki Jun looked at the increasingly frail Uzumaki Mito, opening his mouth but not knowing what to say.
Today, he had sensed the special kunai he had given Mito being activated, so he came immediately. But he hadn't expected...
To see Uzumaki Mito struggling even to sit up.
He sighed inwardly.
The legendary kunoichi who had once dominated the shinobi world and safeguarded the legacy of the God of Shinobi was ultimately unable to withstand the erosion of time.
Even Madara, who had taken health supplements and integrated Hashirama's cells, was now barely hanging on, no longer at risk of imminent death, but...
He could barely move, gasping for breath after just a few steps, mostly relying on Mikoto to push him around in a wheelchair.
No matter how strong you were in life, you would eventually die.
Hadn't everyone besides Kaguya and Black Zetsu already perished?
Even the Sage of Six Paths only remained as chakra, silently watching over the shinobi world.
But...
When he remembered the Pure Land and the fact that the dead could be summoned back via Edo Tensei to chat, drink tea, and reminisce, Jun's sadness lessened slightly.
This world was messed up!!
"Cough, cough." Uzumaki Mito covered her mouth, coughing twice, then stopped Jun from speaking. "I've fulfilled my promise to you."
"I will take the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques with me. Aside from Kushina, I haven't taught them to anyone else."
"Of course, I will leave the Yin Seal behind." Uzumaki Mito looked at Jun. "That is Konoha's jutsu."
"Understood." Jun nodded. "That was a technique you created, Grandma Mito. Uzushiogakure won't interfere."
After all, Uzushiogakure already had the Yin Seal. It didn't matter.
"Now..." Uzumaki Mito stared intently into Jun's eyes. "I want you to promise me one thing."
"..."
Jun fell silent for a moment, then asked calmly, "What is it?"
He was, after all, the leader of Uzushiogakure. Without knowing the specifics of the request, he couldn't just agree blindly. What if it caused problems later?
"Don't worry, child." Uzumaki Mito shook her head, sighing. "This is just an old woman's final small request."
"It won't trouble you." Uzumaki Mito's eyes held a trace of pleading. "Consider it my last wish."
"I..." Jun hesitated, then finally relented. "Alright, Grandma Mito. Tell me."
No matter what, Mito had helped during Uzushiogakure's war, provided tailed beast sealing techniques, and now the Uzumaki Clan's sealing arts. She...
Had contributed greatly to Uzushiogakure's stability!
"Take care of Kushina for me." Uzumaki Mito spoke with regret. "I've wronged that child."
"If Kushina is ever in danger..."
"I hope you will intervene."
"Let Kushina..."
"Live a happy life."
"..."
Jun fell silent for a long moment before finally nodding. "I'll keep an eye out."
Truthfully, he didn't want to get too involved with Konoha. Once Mito passed, the last connection between Uzushiogakure and Konoha would be severed.
And that was for the best.
Because...
Whenever Konoha started talking about life, the future, bonds, or the Will of Fire, it usually meant they wanted you to die for them.
Looking at Konoha's history, its rise was built on betraying allies!
But now...
He would treat this as helping an elderly woman in her final days.
At her age, her husband was dead, her son was dead, her daughter-in-law was dead, her grandson was dead, and nearly the entire Senju Clan was gone except for Tsunade...
Mito had probably been very lonely these past few years, with only Kushina for company.
Because once Kushina became a jinchūriki...
She was the village's property. A weapon of the village.
But...
With Minato, the ultimate wife-protector, by her side, Kushina would probably be happy. After all, Madara had become a top-tier instructor in Uzushiogakure, and Obito would likely be born soon. With Uzushiogakure's ideological education, his inherently pure heart would probably make him an outstanding successor to their ideals.
So as long as Zetsu didn't stir up trouble, the Third Hokage retired peacefully, and Minato didn't go around recklessly but instead obediently served as a figurehead, everything should work out fine.
"Then..." Hearing Jun's words, Mito smiled faintly and nodded. "Thank you."
With this...
She could finally rest in peace.
Hashirama...
I'm sorry.
I can no longer watch over Konoha for you.
"Tsunade, what's on your mind?" Jiraiya grinned, leaning in to look at her gloomy expression. "With the great Toad Sage's help, the situation is looking great. The war will probably end soon."
"Get lost. Don't annoy me." Tsunade shoved Jiraiya's annoying face away, scowling. "Or else I'll punch you."
Why did that stupid grin always piss her off?
So damn irritating!
"Fine, fine. You do you." Jiraiya sighed and walked over to sit beside Orochimaru, who was studying a battle map. "Everyone's busy."
"You..." Orochimaru licked his lips, sighing. "We're in the middle of a war. You're the only one slacking off."
"Minato went back to the village," Jiraiya grumbled. "There's nothing to do here."
There wasn't even a place to drink and be surrounded by pretty girls to soothe his soul.
So...
"When will this war end?" Jiraiya sighed, his eyes distant. "Why do we even have wars?"
Everyone was so gloomy and depressed. So...
If even he became like them, wouldn't things get even more boring?
Though Orochimaru and Tsunade didn't say anything, seemingly having moved on from Nawaki's death, Jiraiya knew...
It was just a facade.
They were still grieving inside, especially in this war, facing death every day. How could they recover so easily?
So, as the strongest, handsomest, and richest member of the team—the great Toad Sage—he absolutely couldn't be like them!
At the very least...
In these dark times, he could still bring a little joy to others.
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