"Dodai, don't exaggerate things. How could Konoha possibly go all-out against our Cloud Village? You should know—the fiercest attackers are the Sand Village, the ones who caused the most casualties are the Mist Village, and the ones with the deepest grudges against Konoha are the Stone Village. No matter how you look at it, it shouldn't be our turn."
A jōnin from the Yotsuki clan said.
Konoha has far too many enemies. No matter how you rank them, Cloud Village doesn't seem like it should be near the top.
Dodai had already analyzed this before.
There was only one explanation he found far-fetched, yet it seemed to be the only reason Konoha would target Cloud Village so aggressively.
"The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, died in Cloud Village. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was his direct disciple. I've heard that he and many of Konoha's higher-ups only survived because the Second Hokage stayed behind to cover their retreat. And even his position as Hokage was personally designated by the Second Hokage."
"But didn't they already avenge the Second Hokage during the First War?"
The Yotsuki jōnin said.
He still remembered how utterly insane those Senju were during that war.
Today's Konoha ninjas fighting like they had death wishes was already extreme—
But back then, the Senju clan had been dozens of times crazier.
"Maybe that was the Senju clan's revenge—not Konoha's, and certainly not Sarutobi Hiruzen's personal revenge. The bond of teacher and student, the debt of a life saved, and the passing of the Hokage title… that's enough to make him fight us to the bitter end. From a strategic standpoint, going all-out against Cloud Village isn't optimal. But emotionally, Sarutobi Hiruzen has every reason to do so."
The more Dodai spoke, the more confident he became, as if he had grasped the correct answer.
The Yotsuki jōnin fell silent. For some reason, the explanation felt very convincing.
His gaze drifted toward the Third Raikage.
Back when the Second Raikage died, the Third Raikage had also disregarded everything and single-mindedly hunted down the rogue ninja Gold and Silver Brothers for revenge.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen is a real man. I can understand him."
The Third Raikage clearly approved of this reasoning—and indirectly acknowledged Sarutobi Hiruzen as well.
Sarutobi Hiruzen: What do I do? What do I do? Sitting in Konoha, yet my name spreads across the shinobi world—my reputation keeps skyrocketing. Not only am I famous in Konoha, I'll be known throughout the entire shinobi world. Shinobi world, brace yourselves—the "Strongest Hokage" technique!
"Raikage-sama, we've received new intel! Hatake Sakumo has destroyed three of our weapons workshops, and—he's carrying large amounts of potent poison. Our water sources in Cloud Village are now unusable."
An intelligence ninja rushed over to report.
"It seems Dodai was right. Dodai, what should we do next?"
The Third Raikage asked.
"Next, Raikage-sama, you only need to return to Cloud Village and take command. Meanwhile, we'll withdraw to the Land of Lightning. Once another village announces its withdrawal from the war, we'll do the same."
"Why withdraw? We clearly have a strong chance of winning."
The Yotsuki jōnin couldn't understand. Under the Third Raikage's leadership, they hadn't tasted defeat in a long time. If they retreated now…
Dodai immediately saw what he was concerned about—nothing more than reputation.
"It's just a strategic withdrawal to recover and regroup. No one said the Great Ninja War has to be decided in a single battle. We can also continue observing the situation. If Konoha wins decisively, then we can claim we fought them to a standstill—ending in a draw. Who would say Cloud Village actually lost? But if Konoha's other fronts suddenly collapse… then don't blame us. After all, we haven't officially withdrawn from the war yet."
After hearing this analysis, the Yotsuki jōnin immediately stepped away from Dodai.
Damn… people who play with tactics and strategy are all black-hearted.
"Dodai, having you is truly a blessing for Cloud Village."
"You flatter me, Raikage-sama."
"But what if Konoha takes this chance to attack Cloud Village? And Hatake Sakumo's movements are too strange—he's fast too. In a straight line, I'm faster than him, but in turns, he's more agile. I can't catch him."
"Raikage-sama, if you return to Cloud Village, Konoha won't yet understand our intentions. If Hatake Sakumo keeps causing trouble inside the village… Konoha's foundation is much stronger than ours. They're not the only ones with the resolve to fight to mutual destruction."
"Hahaha, Dodai—everything will be as you say."
At this moment, Dodai was silently praying that Konoha's commander would be someone smart. If they ran into a reckless brute, all this political maneuvering and strategic balance would collapse.
Sure, mutual destruction sounds heroic—but the more intense the battle, the more painful the recovery afterward.
While Dodai was making his heartfelt wish…
Someone in Konoha was thinking the exact same thing.
It was Nara Shikaku.
Cloud Village better have someone with a brain. Otherwise, all this setup would be wasted.
Mobilizing the entire army to show Cloud Village they have the power for mutual destruction—that's called flexing strength.
Sending Hatake Sakumo deep into the Land of Lightning to threaten Cloud Village—that's called having no bottom line.
If you don't fight, we don't fight—that's called knowing when to advance or retreat.
Ending in a draw with heavy losses on both sides, yet within acceptable limits—that's called giving each other a way out.
Flexing strength, no bottom line, knowing when to advance or retreat, giving a way out—
Both force and diplomacy.
If you still can't see the situation clearly…
Then we'll just have to fight to the death.
"Perfect. I can avenge my father and my uncles."
Nara Shikaku said calmly.
...
At this point, the war between Konoha and Cloud Village had officially come to a temporary end.
Whether there would be further developments would depend on the situation on other battlefields.
Current war status:
Cloud Village side:
Commander of the First Thousand-Man Unit, Yoru—killed in action.
Commander of the Second Thousand-Man Unit, Magnet Release ninja Toroi—killed in action.
Eight-Tails jinchūriki Blue B—killed in action.
Over three thousand Cloud ninjas dead.
The remaining forces have retreated to the Land of Lightning's border, with Dodai leading over two thousand surviving ninjas stationed there.
The Third Raikage has returned to defend Cloud Village against Hatake Sakumo.
Konoha side:
Nara clan head—killed in action.
Yamanaka clan head—killed in action.
Akimichi clan head—killed in action.
Senju Hideki—severely injured and unconscious.
Over 2,800 ninjas dead.
The Ino–Shika–Chō alliance has suffered nearly half its forces in casualties.
Nara Shikaku now leads over 2,600 remaining ninjas stationed at the Land of Fire's border.
Hatake Sakumo remains hidden in the Land of Lightning, closely watching the Third Raikage.
...
Hatake Sakumo, currently in the Land of Lightning, heard that the Third Raikage had returned to Cloud Village and that their forces were now stationed at the border.
He immediately knew Shikaku's plan had succeeded.
"As expected of you, Shikaku."
After a quiet sigh of admiration, Hatake Sakumo began organizing his ninja tools.
"From here on… this is my fight alone."
"Until the Second War ends—or more precisely, until Cloud Village officially withdraws from this Great Ninja War—I, Hatake Sakumo, will not leave the Land of Lightning for even a single day."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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