News spread quickly across the Shinobi World.
As Konoha and Kumogakure officially announced their alliance, the newly formed coalition between Kirigakure and Iwagakure stirred even greater waves.
"The shinobi of Konoha have used forbidden techniques to disturb the peace of the dead, forcing them to fight alongside the living. This is an unforgivable act of evil!"
"The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, has resorted to any means necessary to win this war, even going so far as to resurrect the legendary healer Shigen and exploit his abilities for battle!"
These claims spread like wildfire.
Even Sunagakure, despite its recent defeat, began to stir.
Although they hadn't broken their treaty with Konoha, they quietly sent forces to the Grass Country frontline, waiting for an opportunity to act.
If Konoha were to lose...
Suna would tear up the treaty on the spot!
If Iwa and Kiri were to fall...
Suna would march north and claim Iwagakure's land!
If both sides were to be severely weakened...
Then Suna would celebrate a double victory.
The only good news in all of this was that Kumogakure remained committed to its alliance with Konoha. Out of respect for Hashirama Senju's past assistance in subduing the Eight-Tails, the Second Raikage honored the bond.
Konoha Camp
Tobirama Senju scowled deeply.
With Kirigakure joining forces with Iwagakure, the advantage Konoha had been securing was once again thrown into a deadlock.
"Damn bastards..."
A younger Danzo Shimura clenched his teeth in frustration. He understood the enemy's tactics well enough. "They shamelessly used Lord Shigen's medical techniques in the past, but now they're calling us out for disturbing his rest..."
"Silence."
Tobirama shot Danzo a sharp look, his tone firm. "This excuse is irrelevant. Until victory is secured, anything can be used as a pretext for war."
"In the past..."
"They fought for Fire Country's fertile land."
"Now, they're just using morality to make themselves look justified."
And that false justification...
Was exactly what made things difficult for Konoha.
Against Iwagakure alone, Konoha was already at a disadvantage. Now, with Kirigakure involved, things were getting worse. The Uzumaki clan of Uzushio could only offer defensive support; they wouldn't be enough to shift the war's tide.
Tobirama knew the core issue.
This was the consequence of having used Shigen in warfare. More specifically, it was the backlash from Konoha monopolizing Shigen's abilities for their benefit.
In peacetime, Konoha had been the dominant force.
Hashirama's legacy had kept the world in check. Even though Tobirama had resurrected Shigen with Edo Tensei, the ten years Shigen had spent traveling had ensured that all nations benefited from his presence.
Konoha had merely taken the lion's share of that benefit—his medical advancements, his knowledge, his power.
But wasn't this exactly how Konoha had always operated?
When Konoha was first founded, it had secured the greatest resources while the other villages struggled with less fertile lands. They had always been resentful, but Hashirama's presence had kept them in line.
Now...
Hashirama was dead.
Konoha still held the most territory.
And it still held the exclusive benefits of Shigen's medical genius.
This backlash was inevitable.
The start of the Shinobi World War and the accusations against Konoha both stemmed from the same source—resentment. The enemy simply found an easy excuse to fan the flames.
Tobirama had believed that if Konoha could end the war quickly, none of this would matter. But now, victory was out of reach.
Their only hope was finalizing the alliance with Kumogakure.
He sighed, knowing full well that he was relying on the goodwill his brother had left behind.
"First, we secure the alliance with Kumo."
Tobirama's voice was steady, but there was an underlying weariness.
"Lord Hokage..."
Some were still hesitant.
The treaty signing was to take place in Kumogakure, meaning Tobirama himself would have to travel there. If it was a trap, it would be disastrous.
Though the alliance was crucial, sending the Hokage into enemy territory...
Tobirama, however, was resolute.
Right now, securing this treaty was more important than his own safety. If Konoha backed out now, Kumo would see it as a lack of sincerity and might withdraw.
That would be a catastrophe.
"Though I may be getting older..."
"I still have the courage to take risks."
"Kumogakure has already made their intentions clear. We cannot afford to appear weak or uncommitted."
"This alliance is critical."
Tobirama made his final decision.
"We will discuss matters with Shigen after I return from Kumo. For now, our priority is stabilizing our alliance."
Iwagakure Camp
Kirigakure's Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki, had arrived early. He was fearless, completely unbothered by the risk of assassination.
"I thought you were just going to invade Tsuchi no Kuni..."
The Second Tsuchikage, Mū, shook his head as he clasped Gengetsu's hand in greeting. "I don't trust Kirigakure's lot. You all have no credibility."
"Ahahaha!"
Gengetsu laughed heartily, gripping Mū's hand with a firm shake.
"At least we value honesty when it benefits us!"
"If you had refused to ally with us, I would've just sent my troops to invade your land anyway!"
Mū narrowed his eyes.
He understood Gengetsu's tactics well enough. The Mizukage wasn't here out of goodwill—he was here because Uzushio's defenses were too strong.
Rather than waste resources breaking through, Kirigakure sought an alternative route.
"We had other options, you know."
Gengetsu sighed dramatically.
"First, we considered allying with Sunagakure."
"But those cowards lost too quickly."
"Kumogakure was another option, but they're cozying up to Konoha."
"So that left you."
Mū smirked.
Though Gengetsu's words were brash, he wasn't wrong.
"Still..."
"I wasn't planning on seeking an alliance with you either."
Gengetsu waved a dismissive hand.
"Well, desperate times, desperate measures."
"Uzushio's defenses were a nightmare. We needed another route. So here we are!"
Their casual exchange masked the serious implications.
Despite their history as rivals, Mū and Gengetsu both knew that this alliance—though built on convenience—would decide the war's direction.
Just as they were finalizing plans, an Iwagakure shinobi rushed into the tent.
"Tsuchikage-sama! Mizukage-sama! We have visitors!"
Mū's expression darkened.
"Who?"
"It's Lord Shigen," the shinobi reported. "He's come alone."
"Finally," Mū muttered.
This was the moment he had been waiting for.
"He's probably here to negotiate a ceasefire with us..."
Ōnoki hesitated.
"Can we really refuse him?"
"You don't understand politics, do you?"
Gengetsu smirked and rapped Ōnoki on the head.
"Don't bully my student," Mū growled.
"Listen, Ōnoki."
Mū's voice turned sharp.
"We can't just say no outright."
"But we can stall. There's no way we're withdrawing without getting something in return."
Gengetsu grinned.
"Even if Mū agreed to peace..."
"I, his dear ally, wouldn't."
"If Shigen wants peace..."
Mū's eyes gleamed coldly.
"He'll have to prove it with strength."
The Shinobi World was no longer the utopia of ancient times.
It was an era where only power dictated fate.
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Powerstones?
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