As the Five Kage concluded their discussions regarding appointments and troop assignments, orders were immediately issued.
Before long, shinobi from every village began gathering outside the headquarters.
At a glance, the area resembled a sea of people.
Thousands of shinobi stood in orderly formations, separated into distinct divisions.
The Shinobi Allied Forces had been organized into five main combat divisions and four specialized support departments, each assigned according to its role on the battlefield.
At this moment, the Mid to Long Range Battle Unit was assembling.
Most of the shinobi in this division carried a variety of weapons. Their curious gazes were fixed on the man standing at the front of the formation with a distinctive short sword strapped across his back.
As captain of the division, Sakumo Hatake held a forehead protector engraved with the character for "Shinobi."
It was the official forehead protector of the Shinobi Allied Forces, hastily produced overnight by all Five Great Villages after the alliance had been established.
Without hesitation, Sakumo removed his Konoha forehead protector and tied on the new one.
"I never imagined I would see the Five Great Nations fighting side by side," Sakumo said with a faint smile.
"Neither did I."
The man standing beside him was Dodai of Kumogakure.
Although Kumogakure still harbored resentment toward Konoha, the respect in Dodai's eyes as he looked at Sakumo was unmistakable.
The White Fang of Konoha had become a legend during the Second Great Ninja War.
With Sakumo serving as captain of the Mid to Long Range Battle Unit, no one questioned the decision.
Just then, the crowd parted.
An elderly woman wearing a Sunagakure forehead protector walked directly toward Sakumo.
Chiyo's expression was dark, and her destination was obvious.
Dodai chuckled.
"Looks like your trouble has arrived."
Everyone present knew the history between them.
During the Second Great Ninja War, Sakumo had personally killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law.
It was a blood feud that had never been resolved.
Many shinobi from the other villages quietly turned their attention toward the two, eager to see what would happen.
After all, deep resentment existed among every one of the Five Great Nations.
Although the Kage had strictly forbidden internal conflicts, everyone knew those orders could only suppress emotions for so long.
Someone was bound to lose control eventually.
If Chiyo and Sakumo clashed here, the consequences would be disastrous.
If even figures of their stature openly fought one another, everyone else would likely follow.
Sakumo understood that perfectly.
He remained calm, making no move to draw his White Fang blade as he quietly watched Chiyo approach.
Ebizo attempted several times to stop his sister, but she ignored him.
Chiyo stopped directly in front of Sakumo.
A chilling Killing Intent spread through the air.
Even so, neither of them moved.
They simply looked at one another in silence.
After what felt like an eternity, Chiyo finally spoke.
"Where is Sasori?"
"He and Pakura are currently undergoing labor reform in Konoha," Sakumo answered honestly.
Chiyo frowned.
Having once been imprisoned by Konoha herself, she understood exactly what labor reform meant.
In simple terms, it meant working for Konoha.
Technically there was a salary, but it was barely enough to buy a bowl of ramen.
It was little more than symbolic compensation.
Before she could ask another question, Sakumo continued.
"The village has no intention of executing Sasori or Pakura."
"Hayashi has already decided that once this war ends, both of them will be extradited back to Sunagakure to face judgment as Sunagakure criminals."
Chiyo said nothing.
She stood there silently for a long time.
Finally, she reached into her ninja pouch, removed her Sunagakure forehead protector, and replaced it with the forehead protector of the Shinobi Allied Forces.
Without another word, she turned and walked away.
Dodai watched her leave before giving Sakumo an approving thumbs-up.
The hatred between Chiyo and the White Fang had endured for decades.
Yet now, for the sake of the Shinobi World, both had chosen to set it aside.
Compared to a war that threatened the entire world, personal vengeance had become insignificant.
Meanwhile, smaller confrontations were breaking out elsewhere among the younger generation.
Kakashi led Konoha's shinobi as they faced a group of Kumogakure chūnin.
Standing opposite him was a dark-skinned, white-haired shinobi with bangs covering his left eye. The kanji for "Lightning" and "Water" were tattooed on his shoulders.
It was none other than Darui, the future Fifth Raikage, though he was still somewhat younger than Kakashi.
Beside him stood a blond young man named Shi, who was doing his best to keep both sides from coming to blows.
A short distance away, a blond kunoichi observed the scene with folded arms.
It was Samui.
As everyone exchanged hostile stares, Asuma's attention was focused entirely on the blond kunoichi.
His eyes were practically glued to her.
Even the short sword in his hand nearly slipped from his grasp.
Without exception, everyone nearby silently concluded that Asuma was both a hopeless pervert and a complete scumbag.
Watching the standoff with an amused smile was the captain of Konoha's unit, Senju Nawaki.
"Aren't you going to stop them?" asked the shark-faced young man standing beside him.
Nawaki smiled.
"There's no need."
"They're capable of settling this themselves. If I step in now, I'll probably just make things worse."
He glanced sideways at the unusual-looking youth.
"Kisame?"
Kisame nodded with a grin that looked more frightening than friendly.
"Why aren't you helping?" Nawaki asked. "I just saw someone from your village. If I'm not mistaken, Mei Terumī slipped into Allied Forces Headquarters."
Kisame didn't seem surprised.
"That sounds exactly like something Mei Terumī would do."
"Worried about her?"
"Not really."
Kisame shrugged.
"I'd rather worry about surviving this war."
"You'll survive."
Kisame blinked in surprise before smiling.
"You have that much confidence in me?"
Nawaki folded his arms.
"It's not my confidence."
"It's Hayashi's."
"Before we left, he specifically told me to keep an eye on you. He said you'll become an exceptional shinobi in the future."
Kisame's grin widened as his eyes drifted greedily toward Samehada.
"You really want it that badly?"
Nawaki naturally noticed his gaze, but he made no move to hand over the legendary sword.
"I know about your agreement with Hayashi."
"But if you want Samehada, you'll have to defeat me first."
Kisame could only smile bitterly.
"By the way, Uncle Nawaki, I heard you're getting married after this war."
At the mention of someone special, a trace of warmth appeared in Nawaki's eyes.
A moment later, he flicked Kisame on the forehead.
"Don't call me 'Uncle.'"
"You're a shinobi of Kirigakure, and I'm a shinobi of Konoha."
"We're not close enough for that."
Brushing the dust from his clothes, Nawaki began walking toward Kakashi and the others.
Kisame showed no sign of irritation.
Instead, he smiled knowingly before hurrying after him.
Looking up at the clear sky, Nawaki chuckled softly.
"So... this is the final battle."
He slowed his pace slightly, deliberately waiting for the shark-faced youth to catch up.
...
Many years later, after Kisame had earned a fearsome reputation throughout the Shinobi World with Samehada in hand, he would often remember that morning.
The sun had shone brilliantly.
And his teacher, Senju Nawaki, had been smiling like a complete fool.
=≠=
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