The battlefield was behind them now, but the tension still clung to their bodies like a second skin. Figures moved swiftly through the darkened terrain, their forms flickering in and out as they covered large distances.
Their armor was stained with dust and blood, their breathing still heavy from exertion.
Hiruzen took the lead, his sharp gaze scanning ahead, ever watchful.
Behind him, Danzo moved with the same deliberate precision as always, his expression unreadable. Kagami, Koharu, Homura, and Torifu trailed slightly behind, their silence only broken by the occasional snap of twigs underfoot.
It was Kagami who finally spoke first, his tone dry but laced with curiosity.
"Alright, I'll ask. Who gave the order to retreat?"
The question hung in the air for a moment before Homura added, "It was abrupt, but well-timed. If we had stayed longer, we might've been forced into an endurance battle."
Torifu grunted in agreement. "A couple more minutes and Ishikawa would've turned me into a rock statue. My arms still feel like they got hit by boulders."
Koharu exhaled. "It had to be someone who had a reason beyond just preserving our forces. We weren't losing, but we weren't winning either."
They all turned their heads slightly toward Danzo, whose face remained impassive.
"It was me," Danzo finally admitted, his voice calm.
Kagami raised an eyebrow. "And you don't feel like telling us why?"
Danzo didn't turn his head. "Now's not the right time."
Hiruzen gave him a sidelong glance, frowning slightly. "Then when is?"
Danzo remained silent, his eyes fixed straight ahead as they neared the edge of Konoha's encampment.
"When we're back at camp," he said at last.
None of them argued further. The battlefield wasn't exactly a place for drawn-out discussions.
…
Konoha War Tent
The war tent was a stark contrast to the open battlefield. Dimly lit by lanterns, its air thick with the scent of parchment, ink, and steel, it served as the command center for Konoha's forces.
Maps and mission reports were scattered across the large wooden table at the center, and surrounding it were some of Konoha's finest—elite Jōnin, seasoned strategists, and battle-hardened veterans.
Among them were Shikakaze Nara, Yasuo Yamanaka, the Yamanaka patriarch, and a handful of others who had survived the bloodshed of the First Shinobi War.
Hiruzen and the others were seated, their expressions grim but disciplined.
Danzo stepped forward immediately, his presence commanding attention.
"Report," one of the older Jōnin prompted, his arms crossed.
Danzo didn't hesitate. "While we were engaged with Ōhnoki and his forces, I intercepted intelligence confirming the death of the Second Tsuchikage, Mū."
The room fell silent.
Hiruzen's sharp gaze darkened slightly. "What happened?"
Danzo exhaled through his nose. "He was killed in battle against Gengetsu Hōzuki, the Second Mizukage. However, it wasn't a simple victory. Gengetsu fell as well."
A murmur spread through the gathered shinobi. Two Kage-level fighters eliminating each other was an event that shifted the balance of the entire war.
Even Hiruzen was stumped. These were individuals, even his Sensei, Tobirama, cautioned them to be wary of if they ever clashed.
In his own words: They're much of more geniuses than I am.
One has to understand that while Tobirama was a genius famed for his various created techniques, it could be said that it was as a result of his bloodline as a Senju.
They were famed for their expertise in Ninjutsu and chakra related arts.
Mū was a formidable shinobi despite being clanless, ascended the ranks through sheer skill and ingenuity, developing his own devastating techniques: the Dust Release and the Fission Technique.
Gengetsu, on the other hand, was a prodigy of unparalleled intellect. Though his affinity for Water Release was extraordinary, he refused to be confined by it, mastering Genjutsu and multiple elemental techniques with a brilliance that set him apart even among the strongest shinobi.
"This changes everything," Koharu muttered, rubbing her temples.
Torifu frowned. "If both of them are gone, that means Iwagakure is without a true leader right now."
"No," Homura corrected. "It means Ōhnoki is now the de-facto Tsuchikage."
Silence settled once more.
Everyone knew what this meant. Ōhnoki had been powerful even before, but with his mentor—his Kage—dead, the weight of the village now fell entirely on his shoulders.
And that made him even more dangerous.
Hiruzen folded his arms, deep in thought. "So that's why you called for the retreat," he finally said, glancing at Danzo.
Danzo gave a small nod. "Had we continued fighting, we would have risked being caught in the fallout of this shift in leadership. It was better to withdraw and reassess than to fight without knowing Iwa's next move."
Kagami let out a slow breath. "Smart call."
Not that he liked retreating, but he could see the logic. This wasn't just a battle between squads anymore, this was the balance of an entire war tipping.
One of the strategists intoned. "If Iwagakure has lost their Kage, they may hesitate, but they also may retaliate with newfound aggression. We need to determine their next course of action."
Hiruzen nodded. "Agreed. We need scouts watching Ōhnoki's movements immediately. We can't assume he will crumble under the pressure—if anything, he might become even more ruthless."
This was what Hiruzen dreaded.
Like Konoha and its Will of Fire that advocated protecting the younger generation, Iwa had its own Will. The Will of Stone.
This Will embodies endurance, resilience, and unwavering loyalty to the village, no matter the cost.
Ōhnoki wasn't just any shinobi—he was raised under the Will of Stone, trained to never falter, never surrender, and never forget. His master, the Second Tsuchikage, had just fallen.
That meant he wouldn't crumble. He would become harder, sharper—more ruthless.
And that made Iwagakure even more dangerous.
Danzo's voice was cold. "Then we do the same. If Iwa is weak, we strike."
Some of the Jōnin nodded at that. Others remained silent, clearly considering the weight of the decision.
Hiruzen, however, didn't immediately agree. His mind was already moving ahead, thinking of the long-term consequences.
"Before we rush into anything, we need more information. We don't know how Kiri will react to losing their Mizukage either. This war just became even more unpredictable."
Koharu crossed her arms. "Then we gather intelligence first."
Danzo's gaze flickered toward Hiruzen. There was a brief moment of unspoken debate between them. They had always been opposites in their approach, Hiruzen sought patience, Danzo sought preemptive strikes.
But for now, Danzo didn't push the issue. Not yet.
"Fine," he said simply. "But if we see an opportunity, we should take it."
Hiruzen didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned to the gathered commanders. "Double the watch on Iwa's borders. Send a team to confirm the deaths of the Tsuchikage and Mizukage with absolute certainty. Until we know what we're dealing with, we hold our ground."
The meeting continued, plans forming, strategies shifting. The war was far from over.
But in today's clash, they had survived. And in war, that was sometimes the greatest victory of all.
…
The atmosphere in Iwagakure's camp was heavy. Tension pressed down, suffocating the gathered shinobi.
Word had spread. The Second Tsuchikage, Mū, was dead.
Inside the largest tent at the center of the encampment, Ōhnoki stood before a war table, his hands clenched into fists. The usual confidence in his stance was replaced with something far more dangerous—a cold, calculating fury.
Around him, Iwa's highest-ranking commanders were gathered. Some were seasoned Jōnin with years of battlefield experience, others were younger but had proven their worth through raw strength and strategy.
Silence stretched between them all as they waited for someone to speak first.
Finally, Ishikawa exhaled heavily, his aged face betraying nothing. "So… it has finally happened."
Ōhnoki gritted his teeth. "He shouldn't have died. Not like this. Not to that damn Mizukage."
A sharp silence followed. None of them had expected Mū to fall so soon. He had been their pillar, the shadow that moved unseen, the legend that made Iwagakure's enemies fear the very air they breathed.
But now, he was gone.
One of the senior Jōnin, a broad-shouldered man with scars lining his face, leaned forward. "What proof do we have?"
Ōhnoki forced himself to take a deep breath before answering. "Our scouts returned with firsthand accounts. His chakra signature vanished. There was no sign of his Dust Release after the battle. And Kirigakure… they're not celebrating. Gengetsu died too."
Some of the shinobi exchanged glances. A Pyrrhic victory for Kirigakure. They had taken Mū down, but their leader had followed him into death.
Ishikawa tapped his fingers against the war table, his expression unreadable. "That means Kirigakure is weakened as well. They lost their Mizukage, just as we lost our Tsuchikage."
Ōhnoki's hands curled into fists. "That doesn't change the fact that we are now vulnerable."
The room grew still.
Everyone knew what he meant.
Konoha had already been pressuring them on the western front. If the Hidden Leaf learned about Mū's death before they could stabilize their ranks, they would strike.
And if they did, Iwagakure could lose this war.
One of the younger Jonin frowned. "What are our options?"
Ishikawa was the first to answer. "First, we ensure that news of Mū's death does not spread too quickly. If our forces lose morale, it will cripple us. Second, we must consolidate our forces. Until a new Tsuchikage is officially appointed, there can be no disorder."
Ōhnoki nodded, his expression dark. "Which means I must take command."
A murmur rippled through the room. They had all known it would come to this, but hearing it aloud made it real. Ōhnoki was young, ambitious, and powerful—but would the troops accept him as their leader so soon?
Ishikawa studied him for a moment before nodding. "You are the only one who can."
Ōhnoki looked around the room, meeting each shinobi's gaze one by one. "Then as of this moment, I take control of Iwagakure's military forces. Until the village appoints me as the Third Tsuchikage, I will act in Mū's place. If any of you object, speak now."
Silence.
Then, Ishikawa gave him a nod of approval. "Then we prepare for war."
Ōnoki's eyes burned with determination. He would not allow Iwagakure to crumble.
.