Once a war begins, it does not end just because someone wants it to.
For example, the conflict between Kumogakure and Iwagakure...
Back then, it was you who wanted to start the war, and now you're talking about teaming up to raid Konoha's homeland?
Ōnoki had some choice words he wasn't sure he should say aloud. After all, Iwagakure was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, upholding the stubborn and unyielding "Will of Stone." Did the Raikage really think he could just summon and dismiss them at will?
Cooperate?
Cooperate my ass!
If Kumo hadn't suddenly interfered, 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 kidding me?
Even if Konoha has obtained some legendary swords, so what?
The Mangekyō Sharingan is gone. Wood Release is gone. What does Konoha even have left?
The "strongest Hokage," the Third?
What a joke!
Meanwhile, Iwagakure possesses the strongest kekkei genkai—Dust Release!
They fear no one.
And even if those swords are real, without proper recognition, they're just ordinary blades.
So...
When a stubborn temper meets a violent temper...
The feud between Iwagakure and Kumogakure was set in stone.
There was no possibility of reconciliation...
...
End of Year 35, Konoha.
"Cough... I really am getting old." Uzumaki Mito looked at the red-haired young man before her and sighed. "I'm sorry for making you come see this old woman."
"Grandma Mito, you..." Uzumaki Jun stared at the increasingly frail Uzumaki Mito, opening his mouth but not knowing what to say.
Today, he had sensed the activation of the special kunai Mito had taken from him before, so he hurried over. Yet, he never expected...
To see Uzumaki Mito struggling even to sit up.
He sighed inwardly.
The legendary kunoichi who once dominated the shinobi world and safeguarded the legacy of the God of Shinobi had ultimately succumbed to the ravages of time.
Even Madara, who had taken health supplements and integrated Hashirama's cells, was now barely mobile, needing Mikoto to push him around in a wheelchair after just a few steps.
No matter how strong you were in life, death comes for everyone.
Aside from Kaguya and Black Zetsu, everyone else was already gone.
Even the Sage of Six Paths only remained as a wisp of chakra, silently watching over the world.
But...
The thought of the Pure Land and the Edo Tensei, which could summon the dead for a chat or tea, made Jun feel a little less sorrowful.
This world was twisted!!
"Cough, cough." Uzumaki Mito covered her mouth, coughing twice, and 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'll leave the Yin Seal behind." Mito looked at Jun. "That belongs to Konoha."
"Understood." Jun nodded. "That was your creation, Mito-sama. Uzushiogakure won't interfere."
Uzushiogakure already had the Yin Seal anyway, so it didn't matter.
"Now..." Mito stared intently into Jun's eyes. "I want you to promise me one thing."
"..."
Jun fell silent for a moment before replying calmly, "What is it?"
As the leader of Uzushiogakure, he couldn't make promises blindly. What if it caused losses later?
"Don't worry, child." Mito shook her head and sighed. "This is just an old woman's last small request."
"It won't trouble you." Mito's eyes held a trace of pleading. "Consider it my final wish."
"I..." Jun hesitated but finally relented. "Alright, Mito-sama. Tell me."
No matter what, Mito had helped Uzushiogakure during the 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." Mito's voice carried regret. "I... I failed her."
"If Kushina is ever in danger..."
"I hope you will intervene."
"Let her..."
"Live a happy life."
"..."
Jun remained 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 thread connecting Uzushiogakure and Konoha would be severed.
And that was for the best.
Because...
Whenever Konoha started talking about life, the future, emotions, or the Will of Fire, it usually meant they were about to exploit you.
Looking back at Konoha's history, it was built on betraying allies!
But now...
He could treat it as helping an elderly woman in her final days.
At her age, her husband was gone, her son was gone, her daughter-in-law was gone, her grandson was gone... Aside from Tsunade, the entire Senju Clan was gone.
Mito must have been terribly lonely these past few years, with only Kushina for company.
Especially since once Kushina became a jinchūriki...
She would be nothing more than the village's property. A weapon.
But...
With Minato, the ultimate wife-protector, by her side, Kushina should be happy. After all, Madara had become a top-tier instructor in Uzushiogakure, and Obito would likely be born soon. With Uzushiogakure's education system, his inherently simple heart would probably make him an outstanding successor to their ideals.
As long as Zetsu didn't stir up trouble, the Third Hokage retired peacefully, and Minato avoided reckless behavior while serving as a figurehead, Kushina should be able to live a happy life.
"Then..." Mito smiled faintly and nodded. "Thank you."
With this...
She could rest in peace.
Hashirama...
I'm sorry.
I can no longer watch over Konoha for you.
...
"Tsunade, what's on your mind?" Jiraiya grinned as he leaned in, looking at her gloomy expression. "With the great Toad Sage's help, the situation is looking great. The war should end soon."
"Get lost. Don't annoy me." Tsunade shoved his annoying face away angrily. "Or I'll punch you."
Why did she always get so irritated whenever she saw that stupid grin?
It was infuriating!
"Fine, fine. You do you." Jiraiya sighed and plopped down next to Orochimaru, who was studying a battle map. "Everyone's busy."
"You..." Orochimaru licked his lips and sighed. "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."
He couldn't even find a place to drink and flirt with women to soothe his soul.
So...
"When will this war end?" Jiraiya muttered, his eyes distant. "Why do we even fight?"
Everyone was so gloomy and depressed. So...
If even he became like them, wouldn't things get even more boring?
Though Orochimaru and Tsunade never said anything and seemed to have moved on from Nawaki's death, Jiraiya knew...
They were still hurting inside. Especially in wartime, facing death every day, how could they truly recover?
So, as the strongest, handsomest, and richest member of the team—the great Toad Sage—he couldn't afford to be like them.
At the very least...
During these dark times, he had to bring a little joy to others.