Land of Earth
Inside the Tsuchikage's office, the short-statured Ōnoki waved the battle report in his hand with visible agitation. His brows were tightly furrowed, and his temper was clearly on the verge of exploding.
"No matter how I look at this report, it feels absurd," he said sharply, his voice echoing through the room. "A battered and weakened Konoha actually managed to defeat Kumogakure?"
Standing in front of him, Kitsuchi remained silent, listening patiently.
Ōnoki continued, his tone growing increasingly irritated, "The report claims that Kakashi Hatake fought evenly against the Raikage—and even faintly suppressed him. Fine, I can reluctantly accept that. Kakashi is, after all, a well-known genius."
He paused briefly, then slammed his hand heavily on the table.
"But what is this nonsense at the end? Three thirteen- or fourteen-year-old brats defeated the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki? And Killer Bee's life or death is unknown?" His voice rose in disbelief. "Who are they trying to fool?!"
With a loud thud, he threw the report onto the ground.
Kitsuchi bent slightly and replied in a steady, low voice, "Old man, according to intelligence gathered from spies on both sides, the report is highly credible. Konoha did win this battle."
"Fake! It's all fake!" Ōnoki roared, refusing to accept it.
He paced back and forth, his mind racing, before suddenly stopping as if struck by a thought.
"This is Kumogakure's 'Golden Cicada Shedding its Skin' strategy," he said through gritted teeth. "They're deliberately creating the illusion of a devastating defeat. In reality, they're withdrawing their forces to strike at our rear!"
His expression darkened further.
"Or worse—they've secretly reached an agreement with Konoha to attack the Land of Earth together!"
Kitsuchi sighed inwardly but kept his composure.
"Kitsuchi, immediately send word to the front lines," Ōnoki ordered. "Closely monitor the movements of both sides. We must be prepared for a sneak attack at any time."
"Understood," Kitsuchi replied calmly.
"I've told you to address me properly in public," Ōnoki snapped.
Kitsuchi rolled his eyes slightly but corrected himself, "Yes, Tsuchikage-sama."
He turned and left to carry out the orders.
Left alone, Ōnoki sank into his chair, his face filled with frustration.
"If only Iwagakure had a worthy successor…" he muttered bitterly. "If this report is true, then Konoha has produced yet another generation of terrifying geniuses."
He clenched his fists.
"Damn Hiruzen Sarutobi… why does luck always favor him?"
Just then, another thought crossed his mind.
"Wait—where is that troublemaker, Deidara?"
Kitsuchi paused at the doorway and replied, "Didn't you expel him? He's currently causing explosions along the borders of the Land of Earth."
Ōnoki's expression twitched.
"Bring him back," he said decisively. "I'll personally train him. Iwagakure cannot afford to fall behind."
Kitsuchi nodded and left.
Sunagakure
In the Land of Wind, endless yellow sand stretched across the horizon. Harsh winds carried grains of sand through the air, striking buildings and windows with a constant, irritating hiss.
Inside the Kazekage's office, the Fourth Kazekage stood by the window, holding the battle report.
His expression was one of deep shock.
"Konoha… produced new geniuses again?"
He lowered the report slightly, staring out at the desolate desert beyond.
The wind howled, and sand scraped against the glass like a relentless reminder of his village's harsh reality.
"Why does heaven favor Konoha so much," he murmured bitterly, "while Sunagakure struggles just to survive?"
Konoha possessed fertile land, abundant resources, and, most importantly, a constant stream of prodigies.
From the legendary Sannin and the White Fang… to the Yellow Flash… and even Shisui of the Body Flicker…
Every time the world believed Konoha was weakening, a new genius would emerge and turn the tide.
Now, just when it seemed Konoha might falter after the Nine-Tails Incident, Kakashi and his three disciples had appeared.
The Kazekage clenched the report.
"For a moment, I thought this war would be our opportunity…"
If Konoha had lost, Sunagakure could have taken advantage of the chaos—even if it meant betraying their alliance—to seize territory and secure survival.
But now…
He sighed deeply.
"Forget it," he said quietly. "We'll remain Konoha's ally."
Turning away from the window, he added with a tired expression:
"Funds are running low again… I'll have to go pan for gold dust."
Hidden Mist Village
In Kirigakure, the newly appointed Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī, sat behind her desk reviewing documents.
She glanced at the battle report handed to her by Ao and spoke casually:
"I didn't expect Konoha to be this capable. Kakashi Hatake and his disciples, huh?"
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"They must taste quite interesting."
She licked her lips slightly before tossing the report aside.
However, her expression soon returned to seriousness.
The aftermath of the "Blood Mist" era still lingered. The village was far from stable, and internal recovery took priority over external ambitions.
"No matter who wins or loses," she murmured, "we don't have the strength to benefit."
She picked up another stack of documents.
"For now, we isolate ourselves and rebuild. Ten years… maybe then we can rise again."
Land of Rice Fields
Amidst ruins, a lone figure stood silently—Obito.
His expression was dark and unreadable.
Suddenly, the ground beneath him shifted, and Black Zetsu emerged.
"Obito, I've got big news," he said. "Konoha defeated Kumogakure. Kakashi broke through at the last moment and even suppressed the Raikage."
Obito's eye narrowed.
"And his three disciples," Zetsu continued, "used a powerful technique to defeat the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki."
Obito turned slowly, his Sharingan glowing ominously.
"Are you mocking me?"
"Not at all," Zetsu replied, before recounting the events in detail.
After a moment of silence, Zetsu added, "Should we retrieve Kakashi's Sharingan? A Mangekyō is extremely valuable."
Obito snorted coldly.
"That trash Kakashi actually awakened the Mangekyō… interesting."
He turned his gaze back to the ruins.
"But it doesn't matter. Let him keep it for now. I'll take it back when I need it."
Zetsu looked slightly disappointed but continued, "His condition seemed abnormal. It resembled the effects of White Zetsu cells. Should we investigate?"
"No need," Obito said dismissively. "Kakashi doesn't have the ability to secretly obtain White Zetsu."
He paused.
"Isn't that state simply the effect of natural energy that Jiraiya mentioned?"
His voice grew colder.
"Instead of chasing shadows, focus on Orochimaru. That snake is far more suspicious."
Zetsu shrugged. "Understood."
He sank back into the ground.
Land of Grass
In a dim laboratory, Orochimaru sat in a chair, breathing heavily.
He looked disheveled—clear signs that he had recently been pursued.
"That masked man…" he muttered. "What grudge does he have against me?"
His expression twisted slightly.
At that moment, a puff of white smoke appeared, and a small snake delivered a scroll.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"A message from Danzo?"
He opened it and read.
Slowly, a sinister smile spread across his face.
"Aoki Yoru…" he whispered.
"I hope you won't disappoint me."
The Spread of Fame
As days passed, Konoha quietly ensured that the news of the battle spread across the entire Ninja World.
The result was explosive.
The names of Kakashi Hatake, Aoki Yoru, Tanaka Kenta, and Shimizu Yui echoed in every corner of the shinobi world.
Kakashi's mid-battle breakthrough shocked countless people. The fact that he not only survived but even suppressed the Raikage left many speechless.
"Breaking through in battle? That's completely unfair…"
Meanwhile, discussions about Konoha's new generation became widespread.
Three teenagers defeating the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki?
It sounded like a myth.
And yet, multiple sources confirmed it.
People were fascinated.
"Thirteen or fourteen years old… and already this strong?"
"That kind of potential is terrifying…"
"Youth means endless possibilities."
Soon, rumors and titles began to spread.
Some even began calling them the "Little Sannin," comparing them to the legendary trio who once dominated the ninja world.
Expectations soared.
Among them, Aoki Yoru gained a particularly striking nickname—
"Thunder Prison Kirin."
A name born from the devastating lightning technique that shook the battlefield.
And just like that…
A new era quietly began.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)