When Iwagakure relayed the news of Senju Touka's squad to the Konoha camp, the weight that had been pressing on Tobirama's heart was finally lifted. It wasn't just that the mission was a success; what was even more gratifying was that none of the squad members had fallen in battle. Of course, the news of Senju Touka's serious injuries still made him sigh, but it was better than them being killed.
Upon learning that the squad would return once Senju Touka's condition stabilized, Tobirama began monitoring the movements of Kumogakure. As soon as they showed signs of retreating, he would immediately lead a force to attack, reclaim all the lost territory, and rebuild the defensive line, which would allow them to divert some troops to support other areas.
In fact, Tobirama was already preparing to reorganize some of his troops with a portion of the Fourth Division and had ordered the Uchiha Clan, who were stationed in Konohagakure, to mobilize. Although sending the Uchiha Clan, who excelled in Fire Release, to deal with Kirigakure was not the best choice, there was no other way. After all, they were short on manpower, and he couldn't ask Iwagakure to defend against Kirigakure on the other side.
As for Sunagakure, they could have Iwagakure send troops to threaten the border, making the Land of Wind afraid to invade in large numbers. With the Land of Earth being guarded against, the number of troops they could use to invade the Land of Fire would be limited.
However, what Tobirama didn't expect was that, despite facing a food shortage, Kumogakure still launched an attack, and it was even fiercer than any offensive since the start of the Ninja World War. Fortunately, Tobirama had been prepared and blocked this attack by the Kumogakure Ninja. He had almost thought that Kumogakure had another supply route, but he soon learned there was another reason.
From new prisoners, Tobirama learned that it was actually because Ginkaku had been severely injured by Fūmori Masaki, even losing an arm. Kinkaku, leading the war faction within the Village, had forced the Raikage to send troops to take revenge on Konohagakure, which led to this attack.
Tobirama knew that Senju Touka's squad had captured the disciple of an important Kumogakure figure, but he did not yet know that Ginkaku had been severely injured. This was mainly because Fūmori Masaki and the others hadn't specifically mentioned it at the time, and the Iwagakure Ninja, being completely unaware, naturally hadn't relayed the intelligence.
Tobirama was secretly amazed that Ginkaku, one of the "Two Lights of Kumogakure," had actually been severely injured by Fūmori Masaki. This person had caused a lot of trouble for Konohagakure on the battlefield, yet now he had been disarmed by his own student.
"This kid Masaki is getting more and more impressive," Tobirama muttered to himself.
This attack by Kumogakure was only a momentary outburst of anger. Since the Raikage refused to continue fighting under any circumstances, and given the actual food shortage, the war faction had to bow their heads. Consequently, the Kumogakure Ninja and the samurai troops of the Land of Lightning began to retreat toward the Land of Rice Fields.
The Land of Fire troops easily occupied all the lost territory. Even so, almost everything in these lost lands had been destroyed. Even as the Land of Lightning retreated, they were unwilling to leave anything usable for the Land of Fire. It looked like it would take some time to restore everything.
At this time, because Senju Touka's injuries had improved, Fūmori Masaki and the others, escorted by the Iwagakure troops, returned to the territory of the Land of Fire, where they were met by Konoha Ninja sent by Tobirama and brought back to the camp.
Returning to the familiar camp, Fūmori Masaki and the others felt like they had finally come home. Even though the Iwagakure camp was safe, they weren't their own people, and staying there meant they could never fully relax, unlike in the Konoha camp.
Although Senju Touka had woken up, she still needed someone to support her while walking. Fūmori Masaki heard Senju Touka chuckle and say, "I didn't expect to be able to come back."
"Masaki!"
Before Fūmori Masaki could say anything, he heard a joyful voice. Then he saw Satomi running over. She had been waiting there the whole time. She gave Fūmori Masaki a hug, then immediately looked at Senju Touka with a worried face and said, "Lady Momoka, your injuries..."
"I'm not dead yet," Senju Touka smiled and patted Fūmori Masaki's hand gently. "See, I told you I'd bring this kid back."
Satomi was certainly happy for Fūmori Masaki's safe return, but she was also worried about Senju Touka's injuries. She trusted Senju Touka's strength, just as she trusted her character, but she hadn't expected such a high price to be paid. The only thing to be thankful for was that Senju Touka had not been killed.
At this moment, other Medical Ninja came up and took Senju Touka from Fūmori Masaki's side, preparing to provide better treatment. Tobirama had already ordered them to do everything in their power to heal Senju Touka's injuries.
"You two lovebirds go and talk; I'm going to get treated," Senju Touka said, looking at Fūmori Masaki. "Masaki, you performed really well this time. I'm planning to recommend you for promotion to Jonin, so just wait for the good news."
"Jonin?" Fūmori Masaki was slightly stunned, while Senju Touka was taken away by the Medical Ninja. The Medical Ninja even turned back to look at Fūmori Masaki as they left, clearly shocked by the news.
"Masaki." Satomi turned her head and looked at Fūmori Masaki with an astonished face.
The others in the squad were also a bit surprised, but they immediately came up to offer their congratulations. No one felt that Fūmori Masaki wasn't qualified to be promoted to Jonin. This mission had let them witness Fūmori Masaki's abilities, especially his battle against the crazed Ginkaku, and everyone was genuinely impressed by his strength.
Fūmori Masaki calmed down, but his heart couldn't help but pound. He knew that once he was promoted to Jonin, he would be qualified to participate in the Village's decision-making. Apart from not having his own clan backing him, in terms of status, he could stand on equal footing with a major clan, and some of his own ideas could be formally proposed.
Although Senju Touka said to wait for good news, Fūmori Masaki didn't dare guarantee that he would definitely be promoted to Jonin. A Jonin recommendation was just a threshold; he still needed more than half of the Jonin to agree before he could truly be promoted.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi and their fellow disciples came to visit Fūmori Masaki, they learned about this. Hiruzen Sarutobi stated that he would have his father vote in favor, and Danzo said the same. Fūmori Masaki was their fellow disciple; if they didn't support him, who would they support?
As for Sarutobi Sasuke and the others, they wouldn't disagree either. After all, making things easy for others was making things easy for themselves; in the future, when their own children were promoted to Jonin, they could get Fūmori Masaki's support.
Moreover, because the news of Fūmori Masaki severely injuring Ginkaku had already spread through the camp, his prestige was currently very high, and he would receive respectful gazes from other Konoha Ninja when walking through the camp. With the support of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others among the Jonin, and this aura among the middle and lower ranks, Fūmori Masaki's promotion to Jonin was a sure thing, and there wouldn't be any dissenting voices.
Soon, Tobirama called Fūmori Masaki over and told him that his status as a Jonin had been decided. Fūmori Masaki could be promoted to Jonin immediately and participate in combat decision-making with them. As he said this, Tobirama gazed deeply at Fūmori Masaki and said, "I'm looking forward to your suggestions. That idea of a righteous war is very interesting. You can tell me about it now."
Tobirama actually liked the concept of a righteous war very much. Counterattacking aggression and maintaining peace was a policy that Hashirama had always adopted. However, in Fūmori Masaki's view, it should be promoted in the name of the state, but he didn't think the Daimyo would agree with this statement.
Fūmori Masaki had read some history of the Ninja World; the Warring States Period hadn't existed from the beginning. In the past, there had been a country with a sovereign of the continent, but its structure was very loose, and the feudal system was the foundation of its rule. Later, due to internal strife, the country fell apart, sparking several hundred years of the Warring States Period, which had only ended in the last decade.
The New Ruler, who had always aimed to surpass his father, would certainly agree to raise the banner of the righteousness of the world. This was a right that had previously belonged only to the sovereign of the continent, and it would implicitly indicate that the Land of Fire was the hegemon of the continent. Although the Land of Fire did not truly possess the power of a hegemon, that didn't stop him from wanting to do it.
Fūmori Masaki felt that they could use the trick of pouring new wine into old bottles, using the banner of the righteousness of the world from the past to include the concept of a righteous war. Of course, they couldn't let the Daimyo realize this, which would require careful planning.
Tobirama knew that this was secretly deceiving the New Ruler. As a Ninja, such behavior was really inappropriate. However, Tobirama had already faintly sensed the conflict between the New Ruler and the Ninja Village, and deep down, he also wanted to maintain the peace that his brother dreamed of. Although it was not something a subject should do, Tobirama was willing to do it.
Starting from this way of thinking by Tobirama, the Ninja Village was no longer obedient to the Daimyo and began to have its own ideas, which was seen in later generations as the beginning of opposing the feudal system of the state.
Seeing that Tobirama didn't say anything, Fūmori Masaki knew that Tobirama had taken it to heart. It was precisely because he knew Tobirama's personality that he had said it that way; it seemed the effect was good.
"Masaki, I heard that you left your weapon behind when you were retreating," Tobirama said.
Fūmori Masaki nodded. During that battle, he had been forced to throw his weapon to block Ginkaku for a short while, and he hadn't even had the time to retrieve it before leaving the food storage area with Senju Touka.
"Then take this opportunity to return to the Village first. Bring the refugees who have lost their homes back with you, and replenish your weapons while you're at it. Although it might not make up for your family's heirloom ninja tool, if it can be found, I will have it retrieved for you. If not, I will hire someone to custom-make a new weapon for you," Tobirama said.
"Thank you, Teacher," Fūmori Masaki thanked him.
"Also," Tobirama paused and said, "Go back and see my brother. The news from the Village is that my brother is dying. You... go and see him one last time."