Hiruzen was just about to speak again, intending to persuade Fugaku—
But the moment he opened his mouth…
He was interrupted by the sudden change in Uchiha Fugaku's expression.
"That legendary Golden Lion Lord is coming?"
Fugaku's eyes lit up, surprise flashing across his face, followed quickly by unmistakable anticipation.
Although he had never met Shiki in person, Fugaku had heard far too many rumors about him—stories passed from battlefield to battlefield, spoken with awe and fear alike.
A man who seemed less like a ninja… and more like a legend.
For someone like that, Fugaku couldn't help but feel curious.
What kind of existence was Shiki, really?
"…"
The Third Hokage did not respond immediately.
He simply watched Fugaku's openly excited expression in silence.
And as he did, Hiruzen's face gradually darkened.
…I've been here this long, and I've never once seen you look this pleased.
Yet the moment you hear that Shiki is coming, you're practically smiling.
…Have you forgotten how much effort I put into protecting the Uchiha during this war?
Even though the Uchiha lost more people than the Sarutobi clan, I still showed restraint.
I was still benevolent.
And yet—
…As expected, the Uchiha clan really is ungrateful.
Fugaku, completely unaware of the shift in Hiruzen's thoughts, continued speaking calmly.
"Hokage-sama, when will Lord Shiki arrive?"
"…"
"In a few days."
Hiruzen replied flatly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Fugaku—who now seemed more eager for Shiki's arrival than for the Hokage's presence.
Having said his piece, Sarutobi Hiruzen clearly had no intention of lingering any longer.
He waved his hand dismissively.
"That's enough. You may return."
"I'll also be heading back to Konoha. Make your preparations."
"Understood."
Having learned that Shiki was coming, Fugaku barely paid attention to Hiruzen's departure.
His thoughts were already elsewhere—imagining what it would be like to finally meet the Golden Lion in person.
What kind of man would Shiki be?
What kind of presence would he carry?
"…"
Hiruzen felt a wave of irritation well up inside him.
…So obvious. You don't even try to hide it.
I know my strength is not what it used to be, but do you really have to look at me like I no longer matter?
As expected… the Uchiha truly cannot be trusted.
After giving Fugaku one last glance, the Third Hokage turned away.
Fugaku, meanwhile, noticed nothing at all—his mind already drifting to the future of Shiki commanding the battlefield against Kirigakure.
Elsewhere — Konoha Camp, Iwagakure Front
"Hiashi."
Inside the command tent, Shiki suddenly looked up from the table.
"Gather all the shinobi in the camp."
Hyūga Hiashi froze for a moment.
"L-Lord Shiki?" he asked cautiously. "What's going on? The camp has been quiet for so long…"
Shiki rose from his seat, a faint smile forming on his face.
"This war," he said calmly, "is about to end."
The message from the Third Hokage had already reached him.
As expected, that old fox had finally chosen to compromise.
Since that was the case, there was no reason for the Third Great Ninja War to continue any longer.
"Yes!"
Although Hiashi didn't understand the twists behind the decision, the moment he heard those words, his heart leapt with joy.
He immediately turned and left, passing the order throughout the camp.
Soon, every shinobi understood the meaning behind Lord Shiki's command.
The Golden Lion was no longer remaining silent.
He was preparing to bring this war to its conclusion.
Excited voices spread through the camp.
"Finally going to face Iwagakure head-on?"
"Great! Once this war ends, I can finally go home!"
"If I remember right, my son should be entering the Ninja Academy soon… I really want to be back before then."
"Thank Lord Shiki… otherwise, who knows how long we'd keep dying out here."
There was no fear in their voices.
Only anticipation.
As for defeat?
No one even considered it.
After all...
They were being led by the Golden Lion.
Under the expectant gazes of countless shinobi, Shiki stepped out of the command tent.
Blond hair, sharp eyes, an unrestrained presence.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he faced the thousands of eyes fixed on him.
Shiki laughed freely.
"Everyone," he said, voice carrying effortlessly across the camp,
"follow me—and let's end this ninja war."
"Yes!"
No long speeches.
No exaggerated encouragement.
None of it was needed.
Shiki himself was their confidence.
"Move out."
With a single wave of his hand, over a thousand Konoha shinobi marched forward toward Iwagakure.
Among them, Uchiha Obito stared at Shiki's back, eyes shining with admiration.
"So cool…" he muttered. "One day… I want to become a man like that."
To Obito, a single gesture that could change the course of a battlefield—
That was what a real man looked like.
Beside him, Kakashi rolled his eyes.
"This is serious, Obito. Stop daydreaming," he said lazily.
"You can fantasize after the war's over."
"You bastard!" Obito snapped, glaring at him.
If the situation allowed it, he would've already started arguing.
Iwagakure Camp
Ōnoki had long since adapted to fighting without his legs.
With his Light-Weight Rock Technique, mobility was hardly an issue.
At the moment, the Third Tsuchikage was inside the command tent, issuing orders—
When suddenly, an Iwa shinobi burst inside, face pale with panic.
"Lord Tsuchikage—bad news!"
"The Golden Lion… Shiki… he's leading thousand of Konoha shinobi straight toward us!"
"What?!"
Ōnoki shot up into the air instinctively, eyes widening.
Shock and fury flared but beneath it, a trace of fear flickered unmistakably.
He would never forget the half-year-long stalemate with Shiki.
A man who had single-handedly crushed Konoha's battlefield.
Not only Ōnoki—everyone in the tent froze.
"That's impossible!"
"Didn't Shiki stay in his camp this whole time?!"
"We can't fight him… there's no way!"
"What do we do?!"
"Are we just… waiting here to die?!"
Panic spread rapidly.
For half a year, Shiki had barely moved.
And now he was marching straight toward Iwagakure.
If this wasn't the start of a decisive battle, then what was?
At last, all eyes turned to Ōnoki.
After all—
He was the Third Tsuchikage.
"Damn it!"
Since becoming Tsuchikage, this was the first time Ōnoki had felt so powerless.
Facing a monster like that…
How were they supposed to fight?
Veins bulged on his forehead as anger surged through him.
The room fell silent.
Everyone understood what he was thinking.
Some wanted to suggest surrender—sign a treaty, survive.
But if a Tsuchikage surrendered outright…
What face would he have left in the ninja world?
"Assemble!"
"T-Tsuchikage-sama?"
"I said assemble!" Ōnoki roared.
"Gather every Iwa shinobi in the camp—now!"
"Yes!"
No one dared argue.
They hurried out at once.
Left alone, Ōnoki exhaled slowly, exhaustion heavy in his chest.
"…Haa."
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