"Eh… how did Ōnoki, that old fossil, suddenly appear here?"
"Hiss… no, the border troops must've followed him."
Within Uchiha Gen's Soul Perception, a massive cluster of souls flared into view, at least four thousand strong, roughly twenty miles away.
The sight erased any thought of using the Spirit Transformation Technique to finish Kitsuchi. If the pursuit team were caught off guard by a sudden counter-charge from Iwa's border army, the battle could flip into a disaster.
Deploying such troops broke the tacit rules that kept wars between the Five Great Nations small in scope. But Ōnoki wasn't the type to hesitate. He would seize any opening.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's longing for peace was well-known. If Ōnoki later lowered his stance, offered reparations, and signed a treaty, Konoha would likely let it go.
Gen vaulted onto Kyouki's back and sped away, a streak of lightning across the sky. Ōnoki glanced toward his retreating figure but said nothing, descending in front of the battered remnants of Iwa's troops.
"Father, why are you here?"
Kitsuchi, bloodied and disheveled, stared at the small, stooped figure landing before him.
"How many times have I told you formal occasions demand proper titles." Ōnoki rolled his eyes.
Kitsuchi gave a sheepish smile and scratched his head, offering no rebuttal.
"Tsuchikage-sama!"
Every surviving Iwa shinobi straightened and saluted, relief flooding their exhausted faces. Reverence burned in their eyes.
Ōnoki scanned the battlefield, nodding once. Then he turned to his son. "When you act, don't think first of success. Think of the consequences of failure."
"After receiving your report that Konoha sought a decisive battle, I left the village to lead the border forces here, into the Land of Grass. That way, even if Iwagakure lost, our losses would be controlled."
"The main body of the border troops is still twenty miles out. They'll arrive shortly."
"When they do, you'll accompany me to retrieve our surrounded and retreating comrades. We must also bring home the wounded and the bodies of our fallen."
Kitsuchi nodded gravely.
"Where is Han?" Ōnoki asked.
"He transformed into the Five-Tails to cover our retreat. We don't know his current condition."
"What?!"
Ōnoki's expression sharpened. "You'll remain here and wait for the main force. The rest of you come with me immediately. We're going to reinforce Han."
"Won't that be too dangerous?" Kitsuchi's brow furrowed.
"Danger? You're still far inferior to your old man. Move out."
With that, Ōnoki floated upward and surged forward.
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama!"
The defeated troops, weary and chakra-drained, found their morale reborn. With the Tsuchikage himself at their head, hesitation vanished. They followed without question.
But Ōnoki's careful strategy was already compromised. Kyouki's speed far surpassed his own flight, and even the fastest ninja couldn't rival it.
By the time Ōnoki advanced with his army, Gen had already returned to the pursuit lines. Together with Konoha and Suna shinobi, he shredded Iwa's suicide squads and relayed the warning of the oncoming army.
From there, he shifted to a different hunt. Using the Flying Thunder God Technique in combination with Soul Perception, Gen intercepted and slaughtered Iwa and Kusa shinobi breaking out to the north and south. Kitsuchi and Han had split their forces during the assault; fragments of their army were scattering in all directions.
None dared break east toward the Land of Fire's heartland—it was suicide.
North and south, however, were open. But not against Gen. His teleportation and soul-sense made him a predator across the battlefield, culling almost all who tried to escape.
By the time Ōnoki arrived, most of the breakouts were already corpses.
Between Gen's harvest and the slaughter by Konoha and Suna's pursuing forces, the coalition was gutted. Only a handful survived, clinging to Han's rampaging Five-Tails, saved only by Ōnoki's reinforcement arriving in time.
Pressed by overwhelming numbers, Konoha and Suna finally drew back to their camps.
Ōnoki, despite commanding a massive fresh force, showed no desire to continue. Instead, he proposed peace.
Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen reported the matter to the Hokage, and Hiruzen dispatched negotiators immediately. He would not risk another mishap like the last negotiation, where front-line commanders nearly overstepped.
With both sides weary, talks progressed swiftly. Iwa paid reparations to reclaim their wounded, prisoners, and the bodies of their dead.
When Iwa finally withdrew, Konoha's envoys marched straight into Kusagakure.
The message was clear; Kusagakure had chosen poorly. To avoid worse retribution, the small village bent quickly, abandoning Iwa, swearing fealty to Konoha, and paying heavy compensation.
The blow crippled them. Already weak, Kusagakure's losses in battle plus Konoha's extortion ensured they would need at least a decade of austerity just to recover.
Sunagakure, as Konoha's ally, took a share as well, smaller, but free profit nonetheless. They were pleased.
Once Kusagakure was dealt with, the two great armies began preparations to withdraw.
The night before the retreat, Gen and Pakura walked by a river outside camp.
It was late autumn. The grasses by the bank were yellowed and dry, the night air crisp. The moon shone silver across the slow water. Dead leaves drifted down like tired butterflies, sending ripples through the mirrored sky.
Hands clasped behind his back, Gen exhaled softly. "My part in this war is over. I can finally enjoy a little peace. But you'll still be fighting. Be careful."
Pakura tilted her head with a gentle smile. "I will. Don't worry, I'm not some rookie fresh from the Academy."
Her eyes gleamed with quiet fire. "My reputation isn't as dazzling as yours yet, but this war has begun to make my name. Someday, I'll be known across the shinobi world like Elder Chiyo, or your Princess Tsunade."
Her ambition was clear.
Gen chuckled. "Then I hope your dream comes true."
"Thank you." She hesitated, then asked, "Will you come see me again?"
"Of course. With Kyouki, no distance is far."
"Then… will you miss me?"
"Of course. You're my first girlfriend."
Her cheeks warmed. "Then when you return to Konoha… will you look for others?"
"Of course." Gen's tone was matter-of-fact. "I'm the only child in my clan. I need to carry the line forward. And I prefer a lively household."
Pakura froze, then flushed crimson. "You bastard...can't you at least lie to me?"
"I don't want to lie to you." Gen's gaze turned serious.
"And you don't know this, but… if you were my only girlfriend, you'd be in terrible danger."
Her brow furrowed. "Why?"
"You've heard of the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha?"
"Of course. Even your Fourth Hokage died."
"The man behind it tried to ensnare me once before, in the Land of Whirlpools. If I hadn't noticed in time and summoned Orochimaru, I might not be standing here."
"That man invited me to join his organization before he vanished. I refused. But I could tell he hasn't given up. He'll come after me again."
"And if you were my only girlfriend, you'd be the perfect leverage. If captured, I'd face a choice; betray Konoha to save you… or stand by Konoha and watch you die. Either path would break me."
Pakura's lips parted slightly, her chest tight.
"That's why I need many friends. Many girlfriends. If no single person is my sole weakness, then none of you can be used against me. The mastermind can't dangle you as bait."
He looked at her directly. "As long as I spread that risk wide enough, you'll all be safer."
His voice softened. "Tell me...doesn't that make sense?"