The Land of Grass
Jiraiya's typically serious expression finally relaxed into a genuine smile as he handed the intelligence report to Hatake Kakashi, who stood attentively beside him.
"That Naraku certainly works fast," Jiraiya remarked with clear approval. "He's already crushed Cloud Village's forces. A peace treaty will be signed within days!"
Hatake Kakashi felt his own tension ease as he scanned the report's contents.
Fighting a war on two fronts had been straining Konoha's resources, even with their strong foundation. While outright defeat was never a real concern, the prolonged conflict would have consumed terrifying amounts of resources if it had dragged on much longer.
Since the war's outbreak, the number of missions flowing into Konoha had decreased significantly. The reduction in mission income was having a noticeable impact on the village's economy.
Furthermore, after the Konoha Crush incident during the Chunin Exams, daimyo and nobles from various countries had grown concerned about security. Even Konoha Hospital—normally a powerful source of revenue—had seen its profits decline as wealthy patients hesitated to visit.
Fortunately, the Fire Nation had provided timely financial support, preventing any serious damage to Konoha's infrastructure.
The situation hadn't reached a critical point where Shihouin Naraku would need to personally march into Lightning Country to end the war through sheer force—though that option had always been on the table.
Moreover, the war wasn't without its benefits.
Now that news of Konoha's victory over Lightning Country had begun to spread, trade routes were already reopening. Merchants were quick to adapt to changing circumstances.
Since Konoha had emerged victorious, it proved their shinobi were the strongest available. A flood of new mission requests had already begun pouring into the village.
The losses Konoha had suffered during the conflict would soon be recouped.
If Jiraiya could lead their forces to a similar victory over Iwagakure, Konoha's recovery would accelerate even further.
"Naraku really is something else," Kakashi commented, setting down the intelligence report with a thoughtful smile. "To think he's built such a reputation throughout the ninja world in such a short time."
"Previously, Naraku's fame came primarily from his revolutionary medical ninjutsu. But now, the entire ninja world is saying that Konoha has produced another shinobi on par with the First Hokage himself!"
"You can see it in Iwagakure's recent movements—they've begun pulling back their forces. Realizing they can't gain any advantage, they're preparing to retreat."
Jiraiya nodded knowingly. "One decisive victory changes everything—like a stone creating ripples across a pond."
"You need to step up your own training, Kakashi," he added with a meaningful look.
"You and Naraku were both considered geniuses back at the Ninja Academy. Now that Naraku has reached such heights, you can't afford to remain stagnant."
"Think about it—just hearing Naraku's name is enough to make enemy ninja turn pale with fear. That level of deterrence is incredibly powerful."
As he spoke, Jiraiya's mind drifted to another brilliant figure from the past.
The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
Minato had possessed a similar presence to what Naraku now commanded. The mere mention of the "Yellow Flash" had been enough to send enemy ninja into panic.
Foreign villages had even issued standing orders: if you encountered Namikaze Minato during a mission, you were authorized to retreat immediately without penalty, regardless of mission parameters.
What an honor—to be so feared by your enemies that they officially sanctioned running away!
Shihouin Naraku had achieved that same level of prestige and fame. As news of the Lightning Country campaign spread further, his reputation would only grow more formidable.
Hatake Kakashi smiled bitterly at Jiraiya's words. He knew his friends and comrades were all growing stronger—he certainly didn't want to fall behind. But increasing one's power wasn't such a simple matter.
Almost unconsciously, his hand drifted to his forehead protector, beneath which his Sharingan spun silently.
Kakashi found himself deep in thought. Perhaps he could explore the Sharingan's power more deeply. He'd always felt there was something more hidden within this transplanted eye, especially after his encounter with Uchiha Itachi and the devastating Tsukuyomi. Since then, he'd sensed dormant power beginning to stir.
In the past, he'd been reluctant to delve too deeply into the Sharingan's abilities. It was a final gift from his best friend, and every use brought a sharp pang of remembered loss.
"Lord Jiraiya!" a boisterous voice called out.
"Kakashi!"
The energetic Might Guy burst through the door, clearly fresh from intense combat based on his disheveled appearance.
Though slightly puzzled by the heavy atmosphere in the room, Guy's arrival immediately lightened the mood, snapping both men from their contemplation.
"Report," Jiraiya commanded, his expression turning serious.
"Mission accomplished without any problems!" Guy declared, flashing his trademark gleaming smile and enthusiastic thumbs-up.
"Excellent work!"
"Hey, Kakashi! Have you heard about what Naraku did? He—"
After delivering his mission report, Might Guy suddenly remembered something that had him practically vibrating with excitement.
"Of course we know," Kakashi interrupted, gesturing to the scroll. "This intelligence came directly from Naraku. We won the war!"
"No, no, that's not what I mean!"
Might Guy completely ignored the intelligence scroll Kakashi offered, instead continuing his animated gesturing.
"Everyone's talking about how Naraku set an entire mountain on fire near Thunder Gorge in Lightning Country! The flames burned so hot they turned the sky red! The whole mountain is still burning!"
"They're calling it the Flame Mountain now!"
"Naraku is AMAZING!"
Seeing Guy's extreme enthusiasm, Jiraiya and Kakashi exchanged confused glances. What exactly was Guy talking about?
The intelligence report Shihouin Naraku had sent contained only basic information—confirmation of victory and upcoming peace negotiations, along with inquiries about their situation and suggestions for achieving a quick victory against Iwagakure. Naraku had deliberately avoided detailing his personal accomplishments, feeling it would sound boastful.
This explained Jiraiya and Kakashi's confusion about Guy's excited rambling.
As for how Might Guy had heard such specific details about the battle, it simply demonstrated how quickly rumors could spread through the ninja world.
In truth, the "Flame Mountain" story Guy had heard was relatively tame compared to other rumors circulating. Some tales had grown so wildly exaggerated that even Naraku himself wouldn't recognize them.
The rumor mill claimed everything from Cloud Village being completely annihilated, to most of Lightning Country being occupied, to Fire Country planning to absorb Lightning Country entirely. Some insisted Naraku had personally flattened every mountain in Lightning Country, while others swore a massive phoenix made of fire had burned the entire nation to ash. There were even claims that all the Jinchuriki had been killed.
Though actually, that last one about a Jinchuriki dying wasn't entirely false.
Naraku had indeed killed Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki. Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, remained alive, though his current status was unclear.
The rumor-mongers defended their stories with passionate conviction. Anyone who dared question the tales' authenticity would be met with eye rolls and condescending remarks about their "limited worldview" and inability to comprehend a warrior of Shihouin Naraku's caliber.
At the rate these rumors were spreading and growing, it wouldn't be long before people claimed Naraku could destroy the entire ninja world with a single kick.
Intrigued by Guy's enthusiasm, Jiraiya and Kakashi pressed him for more details about this "Flame Mountain."
As they were deep in discussion, Sarutobi Asuma returned from his own mission. His opening words left all three men stunned.
"Whew," Asuma exhaled, lighting his cigarette with practiced ease.
"So I heard the Fourth Raikage died fighting Naraku. That's absolutely incredible."
"When we get back to Konoha, I'm making that guy buy us all drinks!"
"Shihouin Naraku's name is going to be legendary throughout the ninja world after this. I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a little envious."
"CLANG!"
The cigarette nearly fell from Asuma's mouth as he noticed the shocked expressions on his comrades' faces.
"What? What did I say?"
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