The two large hands finally parted, but the tension in the air did not ease in the slightest.
Both the forces of Konoha and those of Kumogakure remained on high alert, waiting for the next move from their respective leaders.
The Third Raikage cleared his throat and gestured toward the barely-breathing Yunito lying on the ground. He looked at Fuma and said, "Well then, I'll be on my way."
"Please do," Fuma replied.
Allowing the Third Raikage to take Yunito was a decision Fuma made after careful consideration.
Facing the likes of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, the Third Raikage, Dodai, and the future Fourth Raikage would not be as easy as dealing with the Sand Shinobi.
If a conflict broke out, their side would be at a disadvantage in terms of raw power. Moreover, a near-death Yunito held little value to Fuma.
Extracting the Tailed Beast's chakra by consuming its blood energy was much more difficult than he had anticipated, far from achieving the effectiveness of the Preta Path.
The reason he had been able to absorb so much of Shukaku's chakra was because of the peculiar circumstances.
Shukaku had maintained a physical form, swallowed Fuma whole, and even after its chakra was devoured, it stubbornly tried to expel Fuma from its body instead of disintegrating into sand or returning to the Jinchuriki.
Such opportunities were rare, a stroke of luck one could not count on.
The Third Raikage gave Fuma a deep, contemplative look, then hefted Yunito over his shoulder and led his forces to retreat. As he walked, his mind was racing, analyzing all the information he had on Fuma.
"Konoha has produced another monstrous ninja, and he's from the Uchiha clan. This could be troublesome. Still, it's fortunate he is an Uchiha."
The tension between the Uchiha clan and Konoha's leadership was common knowledge in the shinobi world.
After all, the battle between the Uchiha clan's leader and the First Hokage had been so colossal that it became impossible to ignore, even if one wanted to.
Moreover, the fact that the Third Raikage could lead such a large group deep into the Land of Fire's territory without encountering resistance from Konoha spoke volumes.
Only a few Konoha ANBU had trailed them from a distance, collecting the necessary intelligence.
The Third Raikage chuckled coldly and remarked to the Kumogakure shinobi beside him, "A strong ninja naturally demands more resources and higher status than others."
"This is even more true for those from shinobi clans. When such a ninja rises, the rest of the clan follows. But when these powerful figures clash with the village leadership, it's strength that does the talking."
"If a village's Kage cannot overpower a dissenting ninja, the village is bound to face division."
"We don't have that kind of nonsense in Kumogakure because I am the strongest ninja in the village!"
"So, my son, you better train hard. I'm raising you not to play politics with the village's shinobi but to lead Kumogakure to become the strongest in the ninja world!"
As the Third Raikage spoke, he gave his son a hefty slap, scolding him, "Look at that Uchiha Fuma. He's in his early twenties and already so strong. And look at you, getting complacent after barely making it to jonin!"
"How's your Lightning Release Armor coming along? You still struggle when we use the Double Lariat together!"
"When we get back, you better reflect and train harder!"
The future Fourth Raikage clutched his head, but his eyes burned with both frustration and determination as he responded loudly, "Yes, Father!"
As Fuma watched the Third Raikage's retreating figure, he also had much on his mind.
The Third Raikage, in his forties and at the peak of his power, was undoubtedly a contender for the title of the strongest Kage.
Fuma had only vague memories of the Third Raikage from his Edo Tensei resurrection, where he battled Naruto in his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
The reanimated Third Raikage had performed competently but not exceptionally.
He could withstand the Rasenshuriken but was easily countered when using his "One-Finger Hell Stab," which didn't make him seem as formidable.
However, as a master of taijutsu, Fuma understood how much Edo Tensei limited the Third Raikage.
Under Kabuto's control, the Third Raikage couldn't use his full potential, relying solely on his basic stats for brute-force combat—a waste of his true capabilities.
Moreover, the Edo Tensei version of the Third Raikage was not in his prime. Fuma's eyes narrowed as he tried to recall more details about the Raikage.
"The Eight-Tails mentioned that the Third Raikage severed its tails but collapsed before delivering the final blow. So, the One-Finger Hell Stab didn't actually hit the Eight-Tails."
"That means the true One-Finger Hell Stab could potentially kill the Eight-Tails."
"And the Eight-Tails said the Raikage's wounds weren't caused by a Tailed Beast Bomb."
"That means the Third Raikage either dodged a Tailed Beast Bomb or has the defense to withstand it."
"Clearly, I still have much training to do. The shinobi world is full of mighty warriors."
Fuma put these thoughts aside. The quest to increase his power would require careful planning once he returned to the village.
Walking over to his comrades, he smiled and said, "Well, this war should be coming to an end."
The group had varied expressions. This war between nations had been a crucible, transforming each participating shinobi.
Tsunade said little but clung happily to Fuma's arm, smiling brightly. Jiraiya, however, looked deeply troubled, silently pondering his future. Before the war, he had received a summons from Mount Myoboku.
The Great Toad Sage had given him the task of finding the Child of Prophecy, though the details were vague, only mentioning that the prophecy had changed and that the chosen one was lost in darkness, needing Jiraiya to save them.
Orochimaru maintained a calm exterior, but inside, he was seething with anger.
As the commander of the Rain Village battlefield, he had been ordered by the Third Hokage to launch a forced offensive, leaving him with deep doubts about the village.
"So this is the so-called Will of Fire?"
Minato had a tense expression, while Kushina looked at him with concern.
He was grateful that Fuma had come to his rescue, but he couldn't stop thinking about what would have happened if Fuma had been delayed. What would the outcome have been then?
Minato deeply hated the feeling of being unable to protect those he cherished.
With their minds weighed down by their thoughts, the group began their journey back to Konoha. Such is war. Though it may have ended, its effects are only just beginning.
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