The battle between Konoha and the Mist Village can basically be considered settled, with only some minor skirmishes remaining.
Both sides retreated to their national borders, and the war was essentially declared over.
Yagura Karatachi became the Fourth Mizukage, and the Land of Water closed itself off again, not making contact with the outside world. They focused on rectifying the internal problems of the village and once again started the self - destructive cycle...
The news of Kiyosuke single - handedly overpowering the Three - Tails spread, and his terrifying strength proved that Konoha was inviolable. That battle was called the Battle of the Three - Tails, which, like the Kannabi Bridge Battle that Minato participated in, was a crucial battle that ended the Third Shinobi World War.
Now, the only village still at war with Konoha was Kumogakure of the Land of Lightning.
At the end of the 47th year of Konoha
The Third Shinobi World War was basically declared over. Ordered by the Third Hokage, a large number of Konoha ninjas were withdrawn from the front line. Only a small number remained stationed at the border to prevent attacks from enemy countries, while most of the others returned to Konoha.
The battlefield shifted to the negotiation table. First, there were negotiations between Konoha and Sunagakure.
Sunagakure acknowledged Konoha's dominance and dared not act rashly.
As for the Land of Earth, Konoha and Iwagakure had a candid exchange, fully exchanged their opinions, and enhanced mutual understanding. The talks were considered beneficial, but both sides maintained a reserved attitude.
In other words, each side stuck to its own views, nothing was really agreed upon. They knew the other side was talking nonsense, and they almost got into a fight. Anyway, they didn't agree to each other's conditions.
However, Iwagakure couldn't hold on for much longer. Kumogakure was still at war with them. The Third Raikage was killed by Iwagakure, and the future Fourth Raikage, A, wouldn't let it go. The battle with the Third Raikage had caused heavy losses, and Minato had also killed many Iwagakure ninjas in the Kannabi Bridge Battle. Continuing to stalemate with Konoha was of no benefit to them. In due time, they would naturally agree to Konoha's conditions.
As for Kumogakure... a bunch of hot - heads!
These guys were still going all - out against Iwagakure.
But they wouldn't fight for long either. The citizens of various countries were already tired of the war. Due to the war, the economic situations of their countries had changed, and the population had decreased significantly. In addition, a large amount of land had been destroyed, and many farmers had lost their land, making it impossible for them to grow food, which was also a burden on the country. In the long run, the citizens of the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning would demand an end to the war.
At that time, even if Kumogakure and Iwagakure still wanted to fight, the war wouldn't be able to continue.
Konoha Cemetery
Many deceased ninjas were buried here, in front of the huge statue of the Will of Fire.
Numerous Konoha ninjas gathered here, wearing black mourning clothes, each bowing their heads to mourn the dead in the war.
Kiyosuke stood beside Mahiru Hiuchi, who hadn't appeared for a long time, very close to the Uchiha clan on one side. He heard the clan members suggesting to the clan leader, Fugaku Uchiha, to take back the eye that belonged to Obito, but Fugaku Uchiha scolded them away.
Kiyosuke sneered. If they dared to do it, he dared to wipe out the whole clan...
Whether Obito was dead or not, his eye belonged to Kakashi, and no one could take it back.
After a while, the crowd dispersed. Kiyosuke came to Orochimaru, who was standing in front of a tombstone. He glanced at the name written on the tombstone in front of him: "Nawaki", Tsunade's younger brother and the grandson of the First Hokage, who died in a battle.
At this time, Orochimaru said, "Kiyosuke - kun, if death has meaning, it only exists when it can be utilized."
Just then, a black - haired boy walked over. After hearing his words, he asked, "What is the meaning of life?"
Orochimaru glanced at him and said, "There is no meaning."
"If life has meaning, it only exists when life is eternal." After saying that, he turned and left.
"Life... has no meaning?" The boy seemed lost in thought.
Kiyosuke looked at him and asked, "Are you from the Uchiha clan?"
"Yes, my name is Itachi Uchiha."
"Oh, Mr. Fugaku's son?" Looking at the future Itachi, the God of Shinobi, Kiyosuke asked, "Why do you want to understand the meaning of life?"
Itachi said, "My father took me to the battlefield. I don't understand why they wage war. Life is full of strife, life will end in death. Is the meaning of life really nothing?"
There was confusion in his eyes. This overly mature child was considering a topic that was beyond his age.
"No, it can't be said that there is no meaning. Orochimaru - sensei's values and worldview are different from those of normal people. You don't have to take his words as a reference."
Kiyosuke led Itachi out of the cemetery and said as they walked, "Once there was a king who said that life is something that comes to an end, a journey of accumulating pain, but it is by no means a story of death and severance."
"Eternity is definitely not the meaning of life."
"Then what is the meaning of life?"
"I don't know." Kiyosuke shook his head.
"But it definitely isn't meaningless." He looked at Itachi. "It's too early for you at your age to think about these things."
He seemed to be answering Itachi, and also talking to himself. "No one wants to die. Eternal life is also a form of fear of death. People form relationships and bonds with each other. They gather together, thus forming families, tribes, villages, towns, and countries."
"Life is born, life dies, life contends, but life also saves?"
"This is a complex philosophical question, and I can't answer it precisely. You need to experience it for yourself. Perhaps, at the end of your life, you will understand the meaning of life. But don't think about committing suicide. At your age, even if you die, you won't understand."
He tapped Itachi on the head and said, "Come on, I'll treat you to a meal. What do you want to eat?"
"San - daifuku." Itachi thought for a moment and said.
"I don't know if they have it at this time."
The teenager and the boy walked one after the other on the streets of Konoha and came to the San - daifuku shop. Because the village was holding a mourning ceremony, there were not many customers, so they were able to buy quite a lot.
Drinking tea and eating the rice cakes, Itachi asked, "Mr. Kiyosuke, why do you say that Lord Orochimaru's thoughts are different from ours?"
"Well, he's special. You'll know in the future." Picking his teeth with a used skewer, showing no signs of being a proper senior, Kiyosuke said, "Speaking of which, you have a rare good temper among the Uchiha clan. You're not like those guys."
Itachi also knew that the personality of his clansmen wasn't very popular in the village. He smiled bitterly and said, "They just... aren't good at communicating with others."
"No, they're arrogant. They're so obsessed with the glory of the clan that they'll end up reaping what they sow sooner or later."
Itachi fell silent. Although he was young, he could understand the warning in Kiyosuke's words. But he also had no way to deal with his clansmen. Even his father was constantly compromising.
The relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village had never been very good.