Land of Earth.
The short-statured Ōnoki waved the battle report in his hand forcefully and said to Kitsuchi in front of him:
"No matter how I look at this battle report, it feels absurd. A battered and bruised Konoha actually defeated Kumogakure."
"The report even says Kakashi was evenly matched with the Raikage? Or even faintly suppressed him? I'll believe that for now; after all, Kakashi is a recognized genius."
"But finally, it says three thirteen or fourteen-year-old brats defeated the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and Killer Bee's life or death is currently unknown?"
Ōnoki panted heavily, slammed the table hard, and threw the report to the ground. "Who are they trying to fool!"
Kitsuchi, standing before the table, said in a muffled voice: "Old man, according to the news from the spies on both sides, this report is highly credible. Konoha did indeed win."
"Fake! It's all fake! This is Kumogakure's 'Golden Cicada Shedding its Skin' strategy. Kumogakure is deliberately creating an illusion of a major defeat, but in reality, they're contracting their forces to attack the rear of our Iwagakure."
Ōnoki still refused to believe it, then seemed to think of something and said through gritted teeth: "Or they've reached an agreement with Konoha to attack the Land of Earth together."
"Kitsuchi, immediately send word to the front lines to closely monitor the movements of both sides. We must guard against a sneak attack."
"Understood, old man." Looking at his father, who was almost falling into madness, Kitsuchi could only respond helplessly.
"I've told you, address me by my title in public."
Looking at this disappointing son, he felt a bit of frustration that his son wasn't living up to his potential.
If Iwagakure had a successor, he wouldn't be working so hard. If the battle report was true, then Konoha had a new generation of geniuses.
'Damn it, why is Hiruzen Sarutobi's luck so good? New geniuses are always emerging one after another.'
Seeing his father lost in thought, Kitsuchi rolled his eyes. "Yes, Tsuchikage-sama."
Then he turned and left; he still had to arrange the border defenses against sneak attacks.
"Stop, where is that fellow Deidara?" Ōnoki thought of his disappointing disciple.
Hearing this, Kitsuchi turned his head and looked at him: "Didn't you kick him out of the Village? He's currently causing explosions everywhere on the borders of the Land of Earth."
"Bring him back." Ōnoki made up his mind to teach him properly. Iwagakure needed a new generation that could step up.
Kitsuchi nodded and went to handle it.
Sunagakure.
Yellow sand filled the air, and the wild wind blew dust into one's face. The Village loomed indistinctly amidst the dust, appearing desolate and lonely.
The Fourth Kazekage looked at the battle report in his hand with a shocked expression, unable to believe it was true.
"Has Konoha produced new geniuses again?"
He then looked out the window at the swirling sand with a lonely expression. The strong wind carried sand against the window glass, making an irritating sound.
"Why does heaven favor Konoha so much, while our Sunagakure finds even survival difficult?"
Konoha not only possessed the fertile Land of Fire, but geniuses also emerged incessantly. Whenever people thought Konoha was failing, a genius would always appear to turn the tide.
From the Sannin and the White Fang, to the Yellow Flash and Shisui of the Body Flicker, and finally, when it was thought that Konoha was lacking successors due to the Nine-Tails Incident, Kakashi and his three disciples emerged.
He had been happy for a while when he saw the war between Konoha and Kumogakure. If Konoha lost, he wouldn't care about being allies and would directly send troops to occupy a piece of land, securing a place in the sun for Sunagakure.
"Forget it, I'll just honestly remain Konoha's ally."
The Fourth Kazekage stood quietly by the window, looking at the Village enveloped in sand, and murmured to himself:
"Funds are insufficient again. I need to go pan for some more gold dust."
Hidden Mist Village.
Mei Terumī, who had just become the Fifth Mizukage, looked at the intel handed over by the Anbu Commander, Ao, and said indifferently:
"I didn't expect Konoha to be quite capable! Hatake Kakashi and his disciples, huh? They must taste wonderful." She said, licking her lips.
She then tossed the battle report aside and continued to bury herself in documents.
The 'Blood Mist' policy implemented after the Fourth Mizukage was controlled had caused too many after-effects. Regardless of which of the two countries won or lost, the Hidden Mist Village had no capacity to gain any benefits.
Now they could only isolate themselves and develop steadily for ten years to recover their strength. Only then would it be time for the Hidden Mist Village to show its strength.
Land of Rice Fields.
Obito stood before a set of ruins with a gloomy expression.
At that moment, the ground beneath his feet bulged slightly, and Black Zetsu emerged from the soil.
"Obito, I have big news for you! Konoha Village repelled Kumogakure. Your teammate Kakashi actually underwent a breakthrough at the last moment and suppressed the Raikage. Also, his three disciples used a very powerful Ninjutsu to defeat the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Are you making fun of me, Zetsu?" Obito glared at him with his Sharingan active.
"Not at all." He then told him about the situation on the battlefield at that time. White Zetsu were monitoring the surroundings of the battlefield, so he was very well-informed.
"Obito, should we take back Kakashi's Sharingan? The value of a Mangekyo is very high."
"Hmph! That trash Kakashi actually awakened the Mangekyo. But it doesn't matter, just leave it with him for now. I'll take it back when I need it."
Hearing Obito's answer, Black Zetsu showed a disappointed expression and then said: "Obito, Kakashi's final state was too abnormal. It looked a lot like he was transplanted with White Zetsu cells. Should we go investigate?"
"Hmph, no need. I know Kakashi's strength. It's impossible for him to take a White Zetsu away without a sound. Isn't his condition just the effect of Natural Energy that Jiraiya mentioned?"
Obito looked gloomily at the ruins in front of him. "It's better to flush out Orochimaru first. He is the most likely. This snake is too good at hiding; he escapes every time I catch his tail."
"Is that so? With the strength of Kakashi and his disciples, they will definitely become obstacles for us in the future."
Obito gave a contemptuous look: "Him? That trash? I am Uchiha Madara. How could I possibly be obstructed?"
"Fine! I'll dispatch more manpower to find Orochimaru first." Seeing that Obito had decided, Black Zetsu shrugged and sank into the ground.
If Aoki Yoru knew about this scene, he would shout how lucky he was. The blame for capturing White Zetsu was pinned on Orochimaru, and Kakashi escaped a disaster because of Obito's feelings.
Meanwhile, in a dark laboratory in the Land of Grass, a disheveled Orochimaru was sitting in a chair, panting.
He didn't know what grudge he had with that masked man, who was hunting him down relentlessly. The masked man's intangibility had caused him to suffer quite a bit.
Poof—
White smoke rose, and a white snake appeared, spitting out a scroll.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. This was just a communication snake he had left for Danzo. Why look for him now?
After opening and reading it, Orochimaru let out a burst of ambiguous, sinister laughter.
"Aoki Yoru, I hope you can give me a surprise!"
...
As time passed.
With Konoha's secret push, the intelligence of this war spread throughout the Ninja World.
The names of Kakashi, Aoki Yoru, Tanaka Kenta, and Shimizu Yui resounded throughout the entire Ninja World.
Kakashi actually underwent a breakthrough at the last moment, even suppressing the Raikage, which made everyone's eyes pop out. This mid-battle breakthrough was just too unfair.
People also talked with great interest about Konoha's three new-generation geniuses, marveling at their age and having infinite expectations for them. Youth meant infinite possibilities.
Some busybodies even called them the 'Little Sannin,' expecting them to dominate the Ninja World just like the original Sannin.
Aoki Yoru even received a unique nickname—thunder prison kirin.