"How is it going in the Land of Earth?"
Kawakaze sat leisurely on the sofa in the Hokage's office, cracking lon seeds as if he had all the ti in the world.
"Read for yourself."
Tsunade didn't even look up, tossing a few docunts his way before returning to her work.
"Wow, Nagato did a good job."
Kawakaze flipped open the first docunt. The bold letters at the top confird that Akatsuki's Village Head, Nagato, had the upper hand in battle, even while facing two opponents.
As for the unfortunate Rōshi and Kitsuchi, there was only a single comnt: "Difficult to resist, covered in wounds."
No one else might fully understand the strength of Rōshi and Kitsuchi, but Kawakaze did.
One of them he had fought before, while the other was a real powerhouse in the original story—soone who had sent a Tailed Beast-transford Kinkaku flying and had successively suppressed the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and even the Ten-Tails.
"A good job?"
Tsunade's mouth curled into a slight sneer, clearly dissatisfied.
If Kawakaze hadn't insisted on delaying Iwagakure instead of crushing them outright, she would have had Nagato march straight to Iwagakure by now.
What was the point of playing around with those two Iwa ninja?
"You're looking good today."
Kawakaze smoothly changed the subject, knowing that arguing with Tsunade wouldn't get him anywhere.
"Watch your back."
Tsunade rolled her eyes, unimpressed by his attempt at flattery.
"Don't worry, you'll get your chance to vent."
Kawakaze flipped to the next docunt while Shōta, suppressing a chuckle, wisely chose to remain silent.
"You said it."
"If I don't take it out on you—"
Tsunade abruptly realized sothing was off.
"Take it out on you..."
The unintended phrasing made her pause, and a rare blush spread across her face.
Shōta imdiately pretended not to hear anything, burying himself in his paperwork.
"Ahem..."
Kawakaze coughed to regain composure, montarily choking on his own words.
What the hell kind of conversation was this?
The office fell into silence, broken only by the sound of pages turning.
"Ōnoki should be fighting the Third A soon," Kawakaze mused, closing the final docunt.
"I think so too. The latest intelligence hasn't arrived yet."
Shōta finally spoke up, confirming the situation.
"The best outco would be for both sides to fight until they're bleeding out. None of them are good people."
Tsunade scowled, her pen coming to a stop.
"It won't be resolved anyti soon."
"The Third A is underestimating Iwagakure too much."
Kawakaze doubted the divided Iwa forces would fall quickly, but their disadvantaged position was undeniable.
"Let the fools fight first—like a mantis chasing a cicada, unaware of the predator behind."
Shōta's fox-like smirk showed he fully understood Kawakaze's plan.
"Haha, exactly."
Kawakaze set the docunt aside, laughing heartily.
While they sat in the office, making bold predictions, the Land of Earth was already engulfed in full-scale war.
Nagato was battling fiercely with Akatsuki and Iwa ninja, while Rōshi and Kitsuchi remained trapped—unable to advance or retreat.
They still held out hope that Ōnoki would send reinforcents, but the only news they received was of the approaching Kumo forces.
A hope that would never materialize.
anwhile, Ōnoki and his troops had encountered the Kumo ninja thousands of kiloters from the coast.
As if by mutual understanding, neither side made the first move.
Both forces advanced slowly until they were finally within each other's sights.
"Ōnoki, we et again."
The Third A stepped forward, his presence radiating sheer power.
"I didn't want to see you."
Ōnoki hovered at the front of the Iwa ninja formation, his tone frosty.
He didn't waste ti with aningless accusations. There was no point.
"Don't say that, we're old friends."
The Third A grinned, as if he had already won.
"Friends?"
"Don't disgust ."
Ōnoki's voice was laced with contempt.
"Once the Land of Earth is under our rule, I think we can beco friends."
The Third A's smile remained, but his words were utterly ruthless.
"Dream on."
"Don't take another step forward."
Ōnoki surged higher into the air, making his stance clear.
"Don't say I didn't give you a chance."
"There's still ti to surrender."
The Third A advanced at a leisurely pace, his tone almost mocking.
"You must be exhausted."
"If you want to fight, just fight. Enough with the nonsense."
Ōnoki's expression darkened further, and even the Iwa ninja behind him were on the verge of attacking.
The Third A had pushed them too far.
"You don't appreciate the opportunity I've given you."
"Then don't bla for being rude."
Before the Third A could finish speaking, Ōnoki had already launched his attack.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears!"
The ground beneath the Kumo ninja cracked open as countless thick, jagged spikes of earth burst upward.
The range was massive—it encompassed the entire Kumo force.
This was precisely why Ōnoki had flown ahead; he had already planned out his first strike.
A veteran's tactics, executed flawlessly.
"You're asking for death."
The Third A roared as he dodged the rising spears, but behind him ca the agonized screams of his troops.
Not everyone had his reaction speed.
Many Kumo ninja were skewered on the spot, their bodies impaled like helpless insects.
So were fortunate enough to only be pierced through their limbs.
The truly lucky ones—those fast enough to evade—were either Kumo's elite or the rare few blessed by fate.
Ōnoki's first move had inflicted serious damage.
"Attack!"
There was no ti for further strategy. The Third A waved his hand, leading the Kumo ninja forward in a full charge.
Surrounded by a halo of lightning, he took the vanguard—like a living spear, cleaving a path through the Iwa ninja ranks.
"Attack!"
Ōnoki gave the order to counter.
He remained in the air, knowing that if he didn't personally stop the Third A, his forces would be devastated.
Even as much as he despised the Third A, Ōnoki had to acknowledge his strength.
"You're up against ."
Ōnoki dived down from above, directly engaging the Raikage.
"You little runt actually dares to fight head-on?"
"Hell Stab: Piercing Four Fingered Hand."
The Third A didn't know where Ōnoki found the confidence, but this was exactly the kind of challenge he wanted.
A massive amount of lightning gathered at his four fingertips, glowing blindingly bright.
"Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique."
Ōnoki was fully aware of the power behind the Piercing Four Fingered Technique, yet he still chose not to dodge.
"Die."
With a roar, their attacks collided.
Bang!
The massive Rock Fist shattered. Ōnoki's attack had fallen just short.
Taijutsu was never his strength.
The impact sent him flying backward, while the Third A remained standing, barely fazed.
Just as he was about to follow up with Three-Fingered Hell Stab, a sudden heaviness overtook his body.
His speed—his greatest advantage—suddenly plumted.
"Cough, cough..."
"Let's see if you can still run now."
Ōnoki, coughing up blood, rose to his feet with a triumphant smirk.
"You did this..."
The Third A imdiately realized—this was Ōnoki's Overweight Rock Technique.
"Why do you think I fought you directly?"
Ōnoki flew back into the air. His objective had been achieved; he would never engage the Raikage in close combat again.
"Haha~ So what?"
"Even if I'm slowed, we're still winning."
The Third A surveyed the battlefield—Kumo was clearly gaining the upper hand.
Ōnoki clenched his teeth. He had cursed Akatsukigakure more than ten thousand tis in his heart by now.
With neither side backing down, the battle between the two leaders continued—Ōnoki using every trick at his disposal, while the Third A, despite his slowed movents, remained nearly unstoppable.
And as ti passed, just as the Third A had predicted, the tides of war continued tilting in Kumo's favor.
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