Chapter 44: The War Comes to an End
The light of the barrier around the Konoha camp still left a faint, pale-blue shimmer in the air when three familiar figures cut through the wind and hurried over.
"Izumo! You're finally back!" Kōtetsu Hagane's loud voice pierced through the bustle of the camp. In just a few strides, he was already standing in front of Izumo.
His rough palm clamped tightly around Izumo's arm, his knuckles whitening from the strength he put into the grip.
"You're really okay. We were all half-dead with worry!"
Izumo smiled and patted the thick back of Kōtetsu's hand.
"Don't worry. I'm pretty tough. I just ran low on Chakra from using it too much."
Yūhi Kurenai followed a step behind, her eyes slightly red, like cherries soaked in water. Her long black hair clung messily to her cheeks, clearly showing that after hearing the news, she hadn't even had time to fix herself.
She didn't rush forward like Kōtetsu. Instead, she stopped a single step away. Her gaze swept over Izumo like a delicate net—from the dark red bloodstains that had already dried on his ninja clothes, to his pale yet still radiant face, and finally to the burn mark on his left arm that had just closed, still a soft pink in color.
Akimichi Dōto stepped forward with steady strides, a relieved smile spreading across his round face.
His large palm landed on Kamizuki Izumo's shoulder, the force heavy but warm. "Well done, Izumo. The Kannabi Bridge was successfully destroyed, and Iwa's supply route has been completely cut off. In this battle, your contribution was the greatest."
He paused, then when he looked at Kakashi, his voice softened. "Kakashi, about Obito… my condolences."
Kakashi fell silent and only gave a slow nod. Beneath his black mask, his jawline tightened.
At that moment, a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance of the camp. A streak of yellow light split through the air and appeared in the center of the camp.
When the light faded, Namikaze Minato stood there. His green flak jacket was stained with scorch marks from splashes of magma, and his blond hair at his forehead was damp with sweat, clinging to his temples.
Yet his pair of blue eyes remained gentle and clear, showing no sign of fatigue at all—as if what he had just finished wasn't a life-and-death battle against a Bijuu, but merely an ordinary patrol.
"Lord Minato!" The ninja in the camp immediately gathered around him, their faces filled with respect and joy.
Minato raised a hand, signaling for everyone to calm down. The corners of his lips lifted into a reassuring smile. "You've all worked hard. The war is over."
"Minato, did you really manage to drive back the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki?" Akimichi Dōto stepped forward, his tone filled with tension he couldn't quite hide.
The terror of the war machine known as a Jinchūriki was something carved into the soul of every ninja who had ever set foot on a battlefield.
"You could say I managed to push him back fairly smoothly." Minato nodded as he walked over to the stone table in the center of the camp and sat down. He picked up a rough cup of water from the table and took a drink.
His tone was light, as if he were just recounting an ordinary mission. "Rōshi's Bijuu transformation was troublesome. The destructive power of his Lava Release ninjutsu far exceeded my expectations. But the Flying Thunder God Technique happened to be a good counter."
He paused, then added, "I wounded him with a Rasengan and sealed part of his Bijuu's power. He didn't dare continue the fight and chose to retreat."
Hearing that, everyone's hearts pounded.
Watching Minato speak so calmly, their respect for the "Yellow Flash of the Leaf" only deepened.
"And there's more good news." Minato set his cup down. A trace of a smile flashed in his eyes, and his voice grew even lighter. "Right after I drove Rōshi back, the command headquarters sent in a report. It seems something major has happened inside Iwagakure. The exact cause is still under investigation, but they've withdrawn all of their forces. Not only have all their outposts in the Land of Grass been abandoned, even their border troops have been pulled back into Iwa's main territory."
"Really?!" Kōtetsu jumped in excitement, his voice rising several octaves.
His face was filled with joy he could barely believe. He threw his arms around the teammate next to him so hard he almost crushed the poor guy.
"That's right," Minato nodded with a smile. "The war in the Land of Grass is officially over."
The camp instantly exploded into cheers that seemed to shake the sky.
The ninja embraced each other and clapped, some even breaking down in tears as their pent-up emotions overflowed.
Days of battle, exhaustion, and fear vanished into that blazing sea of celebration.
Yūhi Kurenai looked at Izumo beside her, who was smiling brightly. Her own eyes grew misty. But this time, the tears that flowed were tears of happiness—sweet like honey, sliding down her cheeks along with her smile.
Izumo stood in the middle of the crowd, feeling the warmth of his comrades' bodies and laughter around him. A warm current flowed through his chest.
That night, the Konoha camp held a grand victory feast.
The bonfire in the center of the camp crackled and burned, orange flames licking at the night sky, painting every face with a warm glow.
The aroma of grilled meat mixed with the malty scent of drinks, filling the air. The sound of fat sizzling over hot coals, the clear clink of cups tapping together, and the carefree laughter of ninja blended into a single chorus—telling the story of the terror of war and the peace they now enjoyed.
Akimichi Dōto kept dragging Kamizuki Izumo and Kōtetsu Hagane into endless toasts, not caring at all when drinks spilled and soaked their clothes.
Yūhi Kurenai sat to the side, quietly watching Izumo. Every now and then, she let out a small laugh at Kōtetsu's jokes, the corners of her eyes curving like a beautiful crescent moon.
Rin sat beside Kakashi, occasionally lifting her head to look toward Izumo's figure in the distance.
Meanwhile, Minato sat around the stone table with several Jōnin, discussing post-war cleanup and arrangements.
Three days later, in the morning, the massive wooden gates of Konoha, carved with reliefs, slowly opened inward with a heavy "kreeeek."
Beyond the gates, a column of ninja—still carrying the marks of smoke and battle on their bodies—marched home with steady steps.
The clinking of armor, the rustle of ninja gear, and the synchronized rhythm of their footsteps blended together as they returned in a long, unbroken line.
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