"Naruto: My Ninja Skills"Chapter 223: Love Like the Tides (Part 2)
"The Land of Wind declares war on both the Land of Earth and Land of Fire... This doesn't make sense. If Sunagakure's target were Iwagakure, why involve Konoha? From current appearances, Konoha seems to be Sunagakure's primary objective, with Iwagakure merely incidental."
On the bank of a small river in northern Land of Fire, locals had constructed cobblestone embankments along both sides. The tops were paved with blue bricks, and stone slabs placed at intervals served as simple benches for travelers' rest.
Yūshin currently sat on one such stone slab, his eyes fixed on a small bridge not far ahead, feeling everything had descended into chaos.
In the original Second Shinobi World War, the main battlefield was located in the Land of Rain, where Iwagakure, Sunagakure, Konoha, and Amegakure engaged in multi-sided warfare—a classic "Land of Rain grand stage, come if you dare."
But this time was different. Though Amegakure still struck first, Sunagakure followed immediately after, and their target appeared very likely to be the Land of Fire.
"Highly probable. If Sunagakure weren't unable to declare war on Konoha alone, their declaration likely wouldn't mention Iwagakure or the Land of Earth."
Nara Shūji sat on another stone slab nearby.
He had just received intelligence from Konoha. Due to the urgent situation, even the "messenger" had changed—this time the village used summoning beasts for communication instead of ninja.
Sunagakure couldn't declare war on Konoha independently because they'd been routed by Iwagakure last time, fleeing in complete disarray. Sunagakure's high-pressure policies in recent years were theoretically rooted in revenge ideology against Iwagakure.
As fate would have it, under such circumstances, if Sunagakure wanted to initiate war, Iwagakure had to be included among their targets, otherwise their entire rationale would collapse... Ninja participating in war also required theoretical guidance, logical narrative, and emotional support.
By now, Sunagakure's propaganda targeted Iwagakure, while their combat focus aimed at Konoha.
"Sunagakure lacks strategic resolve, though you can't blame them—how could desert dwellers have such patience... What's their stated reason for war?" Yūshin asked with some curiosity.
"All high-sounding rhetoric, things like 'the Land of Fire has stolen wealth belonging to the Land of Wind's people'..."
Nara Shūji's words made Yūshin shudder. Though it sounded absurd, it felt uncomfortably realistic... Yūshin seemed to recall hearing similar war justifications before.
"In any case, Sunagakure's militaristic policies over recent years made war inevitable eventually. I simply didn't expect their primary target to be Konoha."
Nara Shūji's tone carried disappointment toward Sunagakure, as the Sunagakure in his memory wasn't like this.
"They shout about revenge while actually caring only about profit. It feels like they've taken a crooked path—is this really Sunagakure?"
Yūshin understood Sunagakure's reasoning. Nara Shūji found it strange because he didn't understand victory logic, but Yūshin did.
"You don't understand. As long as they can defeat Konoha, the humiliation suffered at Iwagakure's hands can be washed clean... Propaganda narratives can be adjusted. Not only can actual victory be proclaimed, but even defeat can be spun as victory."
Internal propaganda combined with victory logic creates the world's most magical phenomenon.
All this talk of martial spirit was just pleasant-sounding militarism. All of Sunagakure had long been strapped to a war chariot.
"So Sunagakure considers Konoha easier to handle than Iwagakure?"
Nara Shūji was somewhat angry. Konoha and Sunagakure had always been good friends. When Sunagakure was established and the Land of Wind sought independence, the Land of Fire had provided substantial material support. Now their "good friend" looked down on Konoha most of all.
"Apparently so. After all, the Third Hokage doesn't possess bloodline elimination—he's too conventional, a 'balanced ninja' to put it nicely. More importantly, the Land of Fire is more appetizing than the Land of Earth."
Without sufficiently powerful absolute strength, a village appears overall weak—this can't be helped.
Konoha should organize "To revitalize the village, I've decided to debut as an idol" activities.
Actually, Konoha would indeed do this later—the Yellow Flash would become famous throughout the Shinobi World.
"Lord Yūshin, what should we do next? Should we alter our itinerary?"
Iwagakure hadn't moved, but Sunagakure acted first, hence Nara Shūji's question.
Yūshin didn't directly answer this question. He was carefully recalling his last encounter with Kujō Retto... Too much time had passed; he could barely remember.
"I simply didn't expect Kujō Retto to still be alive."
If Retto could pass away peacefully like Lord Shimizu, his life would conclude with a perfect ending. Going to battle at this age would only evoke tragedy.
"Lord Yūshin, what does Sunagakure mean by this? During the First Kazekage's reign, Sunagakure indeed maintained friendship with Konoha. Could they be hoping that sending Retto might soften our attitude?"
This was impossible—too fantastical. Nara Shūji didn't even believe his own words.
Yūshin also shook his head, saying:
"The situation might be exactly opposite. Retto very likely wasn't sent out, but stepped forward himself..."
What Retto specifically intended to do, Yūshin couldn't guess for now, but he knew what to do next.
"Let's go, Shūji."
Yūshin had made his decision.
"Which direction, Lord Yūshin?"
"Southwest... I'm going to write the final chapter of a forty-year friendship."
...
At the Kujō-Fireflies border monument.
Kujō Retto, leaning on his walking stick, led over fifty ninja to this location, then stopped advancing... This was Sunagakure's advance force invading the Land of Fire.
Behind him, over a thousand ninja led by the Second Kazekage had already departed.
"First Lord, the Second has already set out. We must complete preliminary intelligence gathering before the main force begins operations. If you continue stopping here, it will certainly displease the leadership..."
"Remaining stationary? Heh heh..."
Kujō Retto didn't explain what he was laughing about—perhaps that modern ninja dared speak to him this way.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely take action before the main force arrives."
"But..."
The young ninja wanted to say more, but when Retto's wrinkled face turned toward him and his dimmed eyes glanced his way, he instantly felt his neck chill and hair stand on end.
Overwhelmed by the old man's presence, he staggered backward several steps, no longer daring to speak.
Don't underestimate Retto's advanced age—when he truly prepared for battle, he still easily controlled his subordinate unit.
After intimidating the presumptuous youth, he sat cross-legged, closed his eyes to rest, simultaneously accumulating chakra while building momentum and fighting spirit.
After a while, he reached into his ninja tool pouch and withdrew several bottles and vials, swallowing various dosages of pills and secret medicines.
For young ninja, these secret medicines would cause excitement, making their chakra surge temporarily, but for an old man like Retto, these medicines were essentially suicide poison.
His condition had long been unsuitable for combat.
However, Retto remained a ninja—his heart still beat, so he believed he could fight.
After some time, his complexion became somewhat rosier.
While Retto remained motionless, the main force led by the Second Kazekage was gradually approaching, making surrounding Sunagakure ninja increasingly anxious... This was equivalent to abandoning missions during wartime. The consequences of defying the Kazekage's orders were severe, even for a former Kazekage.
Several hours later, just as these ninja were about to lose patience, Retto suddenly opened his eyes.
"They've really come."
He looked upward. Atop the monument, space distorted like a streamer's background wall.
Yūshin stepped out from the spatial passage, hurrying to meet his old friend—he'd even left Nara Shūji behind.
The massive monument below was wrapped in lush vines—another of Yūshin's previous landscaping projects.
"Don't move from here. I'll return shortly."
Retto used his walking stick for leverage, stood up, first issued stay-in-place orders to his subordinates, then walked step by step toward the monument.
The chakra felt somewhat unfamiliar, but the person's appearance and overall aura clearly indicated this was Yūshin.
"Lord Retto, it's truly been a long time."
Yūshin looked down at Retto approaching, immediately seeing through his frail essence... If this were merely a private meeting, Yūshin would never stand so high—too impolite, and he wasn't Uchiha.
This was mutual combat, giving Yūshin reason to show contempt for his enemy.
"Lord Yūshin, every encounter with you brings great surprise... It's hard to believe you're a ninja who survived that era."
Retto had prepared for everything, yet still hadn't expected Yūshin's condition to remain so excellent—he looked exactly like a twenty-year-old.
"Lord Retto, why go to such lengths... Return home. This is young people's war—why must you participate?"
Yūshin saw Retto merely waiting there, never crossing the monument boundary, thus understanding his intentions and attempting to persuade him to leave.
First, he didn't want to assault a nursing home; second, he didn't want to kill a friend.
Retto no longer possessed combat capability—why involve himself in war?
Facing Yūshin's counsel, Retto only shook his head.
"Though no longer Kazekage, I remain a Sunagakure ninja, naturally bearing Sunagakure ninja responsibilities."
"Lord Retto, people like you—who created and ruled villages—ultimately cannot escape being dominated by villages... Return. You cannot decide anything."
Yūshin knew his words would have little effect, but he still hoped Retto would go back and find somewhere to die peacefully. Why die on a battlefield?
Retto continued shaking his head:
"Even embers can burn, Lord Yūshin. At minimum, I can introduce village youth to an old friend who survived the warring era."
Yūshin lowered his head, knowing Retto had embraced certain death, preparing to expend his final strength.
Retto probably opposed war against Konoha, yet couldn't prevent village opinion, essentially becoming hostage to village will. Under such circumstances, he at least wanted the younger generation to witness older generation strength while demonstrating a simple truth... Ignorant arrogance and reckless action lead to death.
This was a death match. If dying could evoke some sympathy from his friend, that would be ideal.
For this era's foreign village ninja, Yūshin was equivalent to an "underground artist"—people wanted to challenge him without knowing his strength. How could Retto tolerate such things?
"Lord Yūshin, it seems I must go first..."
With that, Retto extended his palm toward Yūshin.
Regardless of this battle's outcome, this monument standing forty years would certainly never function again.
So Retto had nothing to be sentimental about.
The monument reverted to iron sand, which condensed into a giant palm, directly grasping Yūshin tightly, then...
Fingers exerted force, suddenly clenching tight.
Distant Sunagakure ninja cried out in alarm, clearly shocked by the First Kazekage's methods... Such strength at his advanced age was indeed worthy of amazement.
However...
Iron sand was contracting, but the next moment, brilliant blue flames ignited, instantly transforming iron sand into countless ice fragments.
Blue flames scattered everywhere, like spring willow catkins.
Yūshin walked step by step from the flames, reaching Retto's vicinity.
"Indeed extraordinary, Lord Yūshin. I've long wanted to compete with you."
As a ninja, Retto naturally desired to compete with same-level ninja, but what meaning did saying this now have?
Retto turned his palm toward the ground, and countless iron sand streams surged from the earth.
Layer upon layer of iron sand condensed, instantly forming a thirty-meter-tall steel giant.
Yūshin, however, closed his eyes with slight pain.
Logically, personal friendship was personal friendship, national war was national war—the former couldn't interfere with the latter. Yūshin had no reason to cooperate with Retto's performance here.
Yet he still softened somewhat, because the current situation was too pitiful...
Retto's "steel giant" wasn't solid—it had only a thin outer shell, and even that shell existed only on the back, the side facing Sunagakure ninja.
The side truly facing Yūshin was completely empty.
The former Shinobi World powerhouse who established Sunagakure had weakened to this extent.
Such... a dying wish—what could Yūshin do besides help fulfill it?
The living are always constrained by the dying. Yūshin ultimately wasn't cold-blooded and heartless.
He reopened his eyes—right eye Mangekyō, left eye merely Three Tomoe... The left eye hadn't recovered, but with his ocular power, single-eye Mangekyō was sufficient.
"Lord Retto, moving a competition that should have occurred thirty-forty years ago to now isn't regrettable. You can also witness the ultimate technique I've just mastered."
Since this was acting, Yūshin would perform.
Inner Wood Human, outer Susanoo—Complete Armored Susanoo rose from the ground.
Susanoo was merely a chakra energy construct, appearing imposing but somewhat lacking substance, but adding Wood Human made it different.
Armored Susanoo's feet touched ground, and a single step caused earth-shaking tremors.
The lifelong weight of First Kazekage Kujō Retto amounted to roughly this much.
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