"Let's go, Kohei. I suppose you're not interested in watching how Iwagakure handles a crisis, defends itself, and restores order?"
"We'll pull back a bit and lay down the same fire trap again. Let's see if Iwa takes the bait a second time."
As a terrifying wave of flames surged downward toward the Iwa squad, Haseo spoke to Kohei Sarutobi beside him.
This scale of [Sage Art: Fire Release] carried a uniquely destructive aura. It didn't dance lightly like ordinary fire; instead, it moved with a peculiar heaviness, almost as if it possessed actual "weight." Indeed, it seemed less like burning and more like surging, rolling water.
Therefore, Iwa's efforts looked less like extinguishing a fire and more like flood prevention.
Naturally, Haseo's attack couldn't wipe out Iwa's forces entirely. Considering how the ninjas had united in defense, the actual casualties his assault could cause were rather limited.
But the most important consequence of this attack was the disruption and breaking of Iwa's formation.
It would definitely take at least an hour or two before the Iwa forces could regain their composure and mount another attack—unless they ignored all strategy and charged forward scattered in fragments. That was unlikely. Although the tactics used by ninja during wars were limited, it didn't mean they were just a disorganized rabble.
The most likely person to pursue and target Haseo—Third Tsuchikage—absolutely wouldn't leave the Iwa squad now. Just imagining what would happen if the Third left and Haseo used his speed advantage to turn around and strike Iwa again... Mu had no choice but to stay behind obediently as a babysitter.
After retreating a short distance with Kohei Sarutobi and setting up the same fiery inferno as before, even Haseo couldn't help but show a trace of weariness on his face. Continuously releasing such massive amounts of Sage Chakra clearly placed some strain on him.
Now, Iwa faced two choices: either charge headstrong into the blaze again, or go around it.
Whichever path they took would only drag this out longer than intended.
"Lord Haseo, I must admit something puzzles me..."
Kohei carefully considered how best to phrase his next words. What confused him was how Haseo was dealing with Iwa differently than he had handled Kumo. At the very least, unlike with Kumo, Haseo had never truly attempted to kill the Third Tsuchikage.
"It's simply about options. Either approach can achieve the goal. As for why I've chosen this path…you might understand when you reach my age.
Though killing may be part of a ninja's craft, we are not mindless butchers."
Haseo seemed to understand Kohei's confusion, yet he offered no detailed explanation.
Still, that final sentence, while perhaps acceptable to the Third Tsuchikage himself, surely wouldn't be accepted by those Iwa ninja caught within the blazing [Sage Art: Fire Release]. Mopping up grunts indiscriminately—wasn't that exactly what butchers did?
Kohei Sarutobi listened with only partial understanding but refrained from asking further questions.
From there, the two simply remained in place in silence.
After waiting for about four hours, the Iwagakure Large Squad still did not reappear. Considering how unlikely it was that the enemy had retreated directly, it was highly probable they had taken a detour instead.
Iwagakure definitely didn't want to experience another round of mass devastation like that.
"Let's go. We've already spent enough time here... My original mission was to stall Iwagakure's advancement and ensure Konoha wouldn't suffer a surprise attack from behind while fighting against Kumo. This task can now be considered accomplished."
Haseo decided it was time to withdraw. He had no intention of being the elephant devoured by ants—or in this case, of falling to a persistent but weaker opponent.
...
The next day arrived. When the Iwagakure Large Squad finally reached the battlefield in the Land of Rice Fields, they were met by the well-organized and determined Northern Front of Konoha.
One night of battle may have left Konoha's ninja exhausted, but the momentum from their great victory was enough to counteract that fatigue—excitement kept them going, and many hadn't even noticed the exhaustion yet.
Compared to the vigor and spirit displayed by Konoha's Northern Front, the Iwagakure forces appeared in a sorry state of despondency.
Because of Haseo's containment efforts, Iwagakure had already missed their optimal opportunity. If they insisted on engaging in battle at this point, achieving their expected results would be difficult, and they would also have to pay a heavy price.
Although Iwagakure was dominated by a militaristic mindset, they would not engage in clearly disadvantageous conflicts. The current situation showed both Konoha and Kumo had suffered heavy losses after their clash.
Of course, as the winning side, Konoha naturally endured fewer casualties.
As for Iwagakure, although they had not entered the battlefield yet, Haseo's attacks had still left them weakened. Furthermore, compared to tangible losses suffered in direct combat, this kind of damage felt far more frustrating.
Therefore, after briefly confronting Konoha's Northern Front, the Iwagakure army ultimately chose to retreat and set up camp elsewhere.
So when this campaign ended, the situation became as follows: Third Raikage had died in battle, Kumo's frontline had collapsed and been forced to withdraw from the Land of Rice Fields;
Konoha's Northern Front, having achieved victory, chose not to appear aggressive but also withdrew voluntarily, reestablishing camp along the northern border of the Land of Fire, seemingly preparing to take a defensive stance again;
The Iwagakure army did not return to the Land of Earth either, instead choosing to set up camp in the Land of Frost. In any case, coming into conflict with Haseo meant Iwagakure had officially entered the Great Ninja World War.
Therefore, after each side adjusted their strategies—whether actively or passively—the geographically central Land of Rice Fields unexpectedly became a "vacuum zone."
Judging from the overall strength comparison on the battlefield, Iwagakure held the strongest position, followed by Konoha, while Kumo was currently the weakest before stabilizing again. As for battlefield initiative, Konoha had once again established its advantage.
Next, Kumo Village would definitely need a long period of adjustment unless that village could also produce a ninja like Haseo who could turn the tide of battle.
A week after the battle ended, Haseo was still stationed at Konoha's Northern Front.
At this moment, Haseo was strolling through Konoha's camp alongside Sakumo Hatake. It was called a patrol, but really it was just two guys strolling and shooting the breeze.
"Hatake, for you it's still the same as ever, right? If an enemy stands before you, you don't even think about it—you simply cut them down... Well, I mean, if you can cut them down, then you do. But against someone like Raikage, you'd be powerless."
Some folks just can't open their mouths without taking a jab at someone.
"Haseo, we're ninjas. So is there really a need to consider such situations? Our mission has always been to eliminate enemies." Sakumo Hatake only responded to the part he thought deserved an answer.
"That's true. Actually, this simple mindset is quite good.
Lately though, I've started thinking more deeply about things. In fact, I think I'm starting to get where the First Hokage was coming from...
With the First's strength, completely conquering the Ninjutsu World seemed effortless. Yet the system ended with the Five Great Ninja Villages. Even today small villages still manage to survive. Why is that?"
"..."
Sakumo Hatake was a pure-hearted ninja; he couldn't answer questions like this.
"The First Hokage apparently had a rather down-to-earth nature, or you could say he was a ninja with great vision. He possessed the ability to slaughter all enemies yet chose not to act on it, so establishing the Five Great Ninja Villages became his limit.
Take current Mist as an example—it's already been completely subdued by Konoha. Even over the next three or four generations, for fifty or sixty years, they'll surely hate Konoha intensely. Victory has brought us nothing but hatred and possible retaliation. Thinking this way, we're actually at a disadvantage."
Haseo believed his own limits were merely capable of recreating another "Mist," but such actions would serve no purpose—they'd only harm Konoha itself.
"..."
Hmm, even considering that a victory still counts as a loss? If winning wars means being at a disadvantage, then Sakumo couldn't imagine what psychological state the losers must be in. After all, Konoha had never lost a war—ever.
"Haseo, I don't really understand what you're trying to say."
"What I'm saying is 'eternal peace' is merely an unattainable dream. Although my abilities still significantly lag behind those of the First Hokage, our similar positions might have led both of us to ponder the same question, reaching identical conclusions...
Many people may have considered methods to eliminate war, yet in the end... none of us possess the power to truly end conflict. That's just the limit of what humans can do."
"Haseo, I've never thought about problems like this, but I think you're being too pessimistic. Perhaps someday..."
"It's not pessimism, Hatake—it's reality."
Did the Child of the Prophecy solve the issue of war?
No. The world had simply started its cycle anew.
Ironically, the method that seemed most likely to bring about "eternal peace" was Madara Uchiha's Infinite Tsukuyomi. Yet it still sounded ridiculous—the Infinite Tsukuyomi was basically the approach of not fixing the problem itself, but just getting rid of the people causing it.
To put it bluntly, it didn't solve anything—it just wiped out humanity as the root of the problem.
Haseo himself was such an unsolvable dilemma that even Sakumo Hatake, who used to only need to think about slicing enemies apart, started feeling troubled.
So watching Sakumo with a clear expression of mental anguish, Haseo felt cheerful again.
"Don't overthink it. You've already become the commander of the Northern Front—just focus on figuring out war-related issues… I'll return to Konoha next since things back at the village seem urgent. I'm leaving everything here to you."
Sakumo Hatake took a deep breath before solemnly extending his hand toward Haseo. "No matter what happens, Haseo, I should say congratulations at this moment."
This serious attitude startled Haseo for a moment, before he finally understood: whatever came next really mattered greatly for every ninja in Konoha.
So he extended his hand and shook Sakumo's.
[...]
"It's still hard to say—nobody knows whether that will turn out to be good news or not."
Winter sunsets always had a hint of melancholic beauty, though spring—and a fresh new year—was just around the corner.
Yet all of this changed nothing about one fact—some people just always knew how to rub others the wrong way, no matter the time or place.
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