Chapter 72

The war between Sunagakure and Konoha has been ongoing for two years, but the anti-war sentiment in Konoha is much stronger compared to Sunagakure.

Before engaging in battle with Sunagakure, Konoha had already fought against the Rain Hidden Village in the Land of Rain. Many ninja were already physically and mentally exhausted, and the prospect of being dragged into another war by Sunagakure made it clear how weary they were of the conflict.

Therefore, when the Third Kazekage submitted a peace proposal, according to Hakuishi's estimation, Konoha was very likely to agree.

After all, this was the primary strategy Konoha had always adopted.

Continuing to exhaust resources with Sunagakure would only benefit other ninja villages.

"Really, we've already fought to this extent. We should finish off Sunagakure with one final push. Submitting a peace proposal at this point will only lead to them coming back stronger in the future."

Ruri sat on a rock, her face showing dissatisfaction.

It had only been a little over a month since they left the village, and she hadn't had enough of fighting the Suna ninja. If the war ended now, the Shomu team's mission would also come to an end.

"But we can't say that. Many of the ninja in the camp have developed anti-war sentiments, and Sunagakure is no different. Ending the conflict peacefully at this time would benefit both sides. As for the future... we'll deal with it then."

As a Konoha ninja, Hakuishi believed this was indeed the best solution.

"That's great. I thought I wouldn't be able to return to the village for the New Year's festival this year. After all, I was really looking forward to it."

Ayane said with a smile.

Hakuishi turned his head away, pretending not to hear her.

"You're right. The sooner the war ends, the sooner we can return to participate in the New Year's festival... and I also want to visit Kakashi."

Shomu, hearing the three of them talking, also said with a smile.

"Kakashi?"

Hakuishi and the others were drawn to this name.

"Ah, haven't I told you about him?"

Shomu blinked in confusion.

"No, I've never heard of this person. By the way, who is he?"

Hakuishi shook his head.

"He is my son, Hatake Kakashi. Although he is only two years old this year, I believe he will become an excellent ninja in the future."

Shomu said.

"Son!?"

Hakuishi and the others were stunned, exclaiming loudly.

This was more than just surprise; they had no idea Shomu had a son.

"What's wrong?"

Shomu looked at the three of them strangely.

"It's not that... I thought you were still single, Shomu-sensei. I didn't expect you to be married and have a son..."

Ayane quickly explained.

Hakuishi and Ruri also nodded; in their eyes, Shomu indeed had that image.

"I'm sorry, I thought I had mentioned this before."

"It's fine, it's just a bit of a shock to hear it suddenly. After all, this is a personal matter. Before graduating from the Ninja Academy, we didn't have much contact with you. By the way, your son is already two years old... Hatake Kakashi, that's a good name."

Ayane smiled.

But in her mind, she was thinking: What kind of name should our future child have with Hakuishi-kun?

"Speaking of which, I feel a bit guilty as a father. I couldn't return to the village to celebrate my son's birthday in September. Now it's already November."

"Next year, there will be another chance. When the time comes, Shomu-sensei, you can treat us."

Hakuishi laughed.

Shomu's mouth twitched. Mentioning a treat, he suddenly recalled some unpleasant memories.

He didn't want to be on the brink of bankruptcy on his son's birthday, a mix of joy and sorrow.

"Really? That's great. I'll come with an empty stomach. Get ready, Shomu-sensei."

Ayane laughed, confirming the matter.

Shomu sighed. His wallet was probably not going to survive, and then he looked at Ruri.

"Don't look at me like that. It's your son's birthday party. If I pay, wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate? After all, you are the White Fang."

No, I don't care about the face. Shomu inwardly complained at Ruri's cold rejection.

◎

Two days later, it was the day for Konoha and Sunagakure to officially sign the peace agreement and cease-fire protocol.

The weather was clear, and the sun was shining brightly.

Shomu's team set off to return to the Konoha camp on the border of the Land of Fire.

The cease-fire agreement was signed at 9:00 AM.

It was now 4:00 PM.

In other words, the cease-fire agreement with Sunagakure had already been signed, and this news should have already reached the camp and been quickly relayed back to the village.

However, when the four members of Shomu's team returned to the camp at 5:00 PM, they sensed something was wrong.

It was too somber.

Or rather, it was filled with sorrow.

The four of them looked at each other, unsure of what had happened.

Although they knew that the end of the war would bring sorrow to some, it shouldn't be this somber.

Amidst the somber atmosphere, there was a burning anger and killing intent.

"What's going on?"

"I don't know, what happened?"

Hakuishi rubbed his chin, starting to think.

Was there a problem with the agreement?

Could it be that Sunagakure didn't intend to honor the agreement?

Otherwise, it couldn't explain everything.

"You're a medical ninja, right? Quickly go to the medical unit; they are short of hands!"

At that moment, a Konoha ninja ran over, urgently telling Hakuishi.

Hakuishi looked at Shomu, who nodded, and Hakuishi followed the ninja to the medical unit.

"You rest here. I'll go find Orochimaru to understand the situation."

Ruri and Ayane nodded, following Shomu's instructions.

— At the medical unit.

It was gruesome.

Only the word "gruesome" could describe it.

Dozens of Konoha ninja lay in the tents, their bodies mangled, and their agonized screams were like those of ghosts, causing Hakuishi to momentarily lose his composure.

What happened?

These injuries must have been caused recently... no, today?

What happened?

Hakuishi didn't ask but immediately followed a skilled medical ninja to assist. All of these dozens of ninja needed immediate surgery.

During the emergency treatment, some of the critically injured couldn't be attended to and died from the pain.

Sobs and screams mingled together.

Every medical ninja was drenched in sweat, too busy to engage in any extra conversation.

The emergency treatment ended after two hours.

It wasn't that the treatment was successful; it ended early because many couldn't be operated on in time and had already died.

Some who were operated on still died.

Only a dozen or so were pulled back from the brink of death.

"We did our best."

The lead medical ninja patted Hakuishi's shoulder, seemingly worried that the young medical ninja might feel guilty, and comforted him.

"Senior, what exactly happened? Why did it turn out like this?"

Hakuishi finally asked the question he most wanted to know.

The lead medical ninja knew Hakuishi was a medical ninja who followed Shomu and was naturally unaware of the situation.

"We're not entirely sure, but we know that the delegation sent to sign the cease-fire agreement with Sunagakure was ambushed by unknown individuals. By the time they were brought back, they were already in this state."

The lead medical ninja said with a pained expression.

"What about the cease-fire agreement? Were the Suna ninja behind it?"

"I'm not sure. However, we suffered heavy losses. I heard that even Katou, the Jounin, was killed."

"Katou, the Jounin?"

Hakuishi was stunned. This surname, and a Jounin, couldn't be...

"Tsunade-sama is very unstable emotionally. Katou's death has hit her hard."

The lead medical ninja sighed.

"Katou, the Jounin, was so powerful, how could he..."

Hakuishi couldn't understand.

Katou, the Jounin, was Tsunade's current boyfriend, Katou Dan. Although his fame couldn't match Shomu, the White Fang, he was one of the few elite Jounin in Konoha. In a one-on-one situation, he might not be much worse than the Sannin.

After all, the power of the Spirit Transformation technique was extremely terrifying.

Moreover, he had a wide-ranging sensing ability, making it relatively easy to break through and find a weak point to escape.

"To cover the retreat of his comrades, he chose to fight the enemy alone. By the time reinforcements arrived, he was... gone. Tsunade-sama did her best but couldn't save Katou, the Jounin."

"Is that so?"

Hakuishi sighed.

Although he didn't know Katou Dan personally, his selfless act to save his comrades was admirable from any perspective.

In this era, life wasn't a time for joy, and death wasn't a time for sorrow.

This was the current law of the ninja world.

He could understand Tsunade's pain but couldn't personally experience it.

Human joys and sorrows are not shared.

Since he wasn't close to Katou, his sigh was for Tsunade.

The death of her brother, Shizune, and the sacrifice of her boyfriend, Katou Dan... she had fallen into a deep depression...

No, as one of the Sannin, she shouldn't be like that, right?

Hakuishi thought, but he wasn't very confident.

Humans are ultimately emotionally fragile beings.

Seeing that there was nothing more to do at the medical unit, Hakuishi left to meet up with Shomu and the others at their quarters.

Shomu and the others were already there, discussing something.

"Shomu-sensei, I'm back. What's the situation? I heard that unknown individuals attacked the delegation sent to sign the cease-fire agreement with the Suna ninja."

"Indeed. Not only that, but Orochimaru was also severely injured. If Katou, the Jounin, hadn't chosen to stay behind, the entire delegation might have been wiped out in the enemy's encirclement."

Shomu briefly explained what he had learned from Orochimaru.

"Really outrageous. No matter what, we must remain on high alert."

Ruri's face showed anger.

After all, there was a precedent for this. During the First Great Ninja War, the Second Hokage and the Second Raikage of Kumogakure were signing a cease-fire agreement when they were ambushed by the radical leaders of Kumogakure, the brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku, leading a large number of Kumogakure Jounin.

The Second Raikage was killed on the spot at the cease-fire agreement site, and the Second Hokage, to protect his subordinates, ultimately died with the brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku and their forces.

This was due to placing too much trust in the enemy.

With the precedent of the Second Hokage, they should have been more cautious when signing a cease-fire agreement.

Who knew that the commander, Orochimaru, would be severely injured, and out of over a hundred Konoha ninja, only a small fraction returned.

The greatest sacrifice was Katou Dan, who stayed behind to cover the retreat of Orochimaru and the Konoha forces, fighting to the death.

"Now is not the time to blame anyone. Has the identity of the enemy been determined?"

Hakuishi looked at Shomu.

Shomu sighed and shook his head. "No. Their ninja techniques are very complex. It's said that one of them was extremely powerful and seemed to have an immortal body, able to revive after being killed. Because of this ability, many comrades were caught off guard and were killed by him."

"Who is he?"

"We don't know."

Hakuishi and the others frowned.

Such a powerful individual with an ability like immortality couldn't be unknown in the ninja world.

How could they not know?

"Maybe a bounty hunter from the black market."

Shomu wasn't sure who led the attack on the Konoha delegation but guessed it might be a ninja from the black market.

That was a truly brutal and dark world, where many powerful but not very famous ninjas existed.

The ninja who attacked the Konoha delegation fit the image of a powerful black market ninja.

"The black market? That would make it very difficult to investigate. Could they have been hired by the Suna ninja?"

Hakuishi had also heard of such a dark world.

The dark side of the ninja world, where bounty hunters in the black market were either rogue ninjas or samurai. While there were many worthless ones, there were also truly powerful individuals.

The black market was complex, with bases in every country, deeply rooted in the ninja world.

"There's a possibility, but we have no evidence to prove it. However, before we returned, the Third Kazekage sent a messenger to condemn us for not showing up on time, suggesting that we intended to prolong the war."

This made many Konoha ninja angry.

In the eyes of many Konoha ninja, the ambush on their delegation was orchestrated by the Suna ninja.

If not for Orochimaru's restraint, the Suna messenger might have been torn to pieces by the Konoha ninja.

Hakuishi and the others were somewhat somber, understanding the anger of the Konoha ninja.

From the current situation, it was very likely that Sunagakure had changed its mind and planned to catch Konoha off guard.

However, these were all speculations without concrete evidence to prove that the Suna ninja were responsible.

It was frustrating.

"What does the village say?"

"The village just received the news. Because it's a significant matter, the higher-ups will debate for a few days before making a decision."

This was the most conservative estimate.

Now, whether to fight or make peace depended on the decision of the higher-ups.

Hakuishi had no objections. He wasn't interested in the war, and how the Konoha higher-ups handled the situation was none of his business.

◎

"Peace talks?"

Three days later, the order from the high council arrived.

Peace talks with Sunagakure.

This made many Konoha ninja frown.

But the higher-ups provided an explanation: the ambush on the Konoha delegation, which prevented the cease-fire agreement with Sunagakure, was all a plot by Iwagakure.

The unknown ninja who ambushed the Konoha delegation were hired by Iwagakure from the black market.

Continuing the war with Sunagakure at this time would only lead Konoha and Sunagakure into a trap set by Iwagakure.

Therefore, it was necessary to sign a cease-fire agreement with Sunagakure and be on guard against Iwagakure.

"What's going on, Orochimaru?"

Jiraiya, who was also confused, asked.

Orochimaru took out another piece of intelligence and said, "This is important information gathered by the Anbu. Two days ago, Sunagakure and Iwagakure had a minor conflict in the Land of Bears."

"Sunagakure and Iwagakure... they?"

Jiraiya looked even more puzzled at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru replied, "After Shomu destroyed the Sunagakure supply lines, Sunagakure sought cooperation with Iwagakure, hoping for some supplies. Iwagakure agreed to Sunagakure's request, but when they were transferring the supplies two days ago, Iwagakure only provided one-twentieth of what was promised. This led to a conflict."

Jiraiya still frowned, feeling something was off.

"Whether this is a plot by the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure or the Kazekage of Sunagakure, or if they are working together to deceive Konoha, it doesn't matter anymore."

"How can it not matter? Dan sacrificed himself to—"

"Don't shout here. Too many people have died in this war. Katou Dan was a true ninja, and that's all there is to it."

Orochimaru didn't want to hear Jiraiya shouting in front of him; his mind was already in turmoil.

"Continuing peace talks with Sunagakure is the unanimous decision of the higher-ups. After all, if we continue fighting, we won't just be facing Sunagakure, but also Iwagakure."

Orochimaru didn't say, "It's not worth it to start a war with Sunagakure and Iwagakure over one person, Katou Dan," but that was his true belief.

The mastermind behind the ambush on the delegation was likely Sunagakure.

But Orochimaru wasn't sure why they would ambush Konoha just before the end of the war, and why they would involve the Tsuchikage to stage this act, making Konoha hesitant to act.

"What is the Kazekage thinking?"

◎

"It's like a warm-up before a battle, gradually building up the tension."

"Warm-up?"

Only the two of them were in the tent. Ayane looked at Hakuishi in confusion, not understanding why he would say such a thing.

"The ambush on the Konoha delegation was undoubtedly orchestrated by the Kazekage. Even if he didn't hire them himself, the strategy definitely came from him."

"Do you have any evidence?"

"The warm-up is the evidence. Eliminating a portion of Konoha's elite ninja before the end of the war is equivalent to weakening Konoha's strength."

"But... if the higher-ups decide to continue the war, wouldn't that be counterproductive?"

Ayane countered.

"That's why Iwagakure was brought into it.