In the midst of the first ninja war, fueled by the provocation of a messenger from Kumogakure, the Sand Shinobi took the initiative and declared war on Konoha. The conflict unfolded along the border regions, marked not by the devastation of plagues or fire, but by the clash of two powerful nations.
As the war progressed, two months into the hostilities, the sudden demise of the first Raikage, Ai, occurred. The second Raikage assumed the title of "Ai" and concurrently planned a large-scale invasion of the Land of Fire.
Simultaneously, Iwagakure and Kirigakure found themselves entangled in a war, with both nations dispatching numerous ninja for covert operations, escalating the conflict.
The entire ninja world was immersed in the fog of war. With the exception of the Land of Iron and a few distant nations maintaining absolute neutrality, most smaller countries either became vassals of larger powers, joining the battlefront, or found themselves within war zones, with some facing outright annihilation.
Entering the third month, with attention drawn to the Land of Lightning and the Konoha forces, the Hokage of Konoha made a strategic move. Launching a surprise attack in the Land of Wind, he dealt a severe blow to the elite forces of the Sand Shinobi through his unparalleled strength.
Front-line commanders of the Sand, Chiyo, and Ebizō suffered significant injuries, prompting the arrival of Second Kazekage Shamon, who, in collaboration with One-tail Junchuriki, aimed to provide support. The outcome, however, was astonishing—the Sand Shinobi succumbed to a relentless assault, with casualties mounting. One-tail Shukaku fell, and the Sand's Kazekage suffered grave injuries in a defeat against Tobirama, the Hokage of Konoha. The Sand Shinobi retreated for hundreds of miles, unable to maintain their position.
By the end of April, cornered and desperate, the Sand Shinobi opted for peace negotiations. After a brief dialogue, a peace treaty was signed, promising resolution of past disputes and friendship for generations to come.
Subsequently, Sunagakure withdrew from the first ninja world, embarking on a prolonged period of self-cultivation and recuperation. Meanwhile, the conflict between Konoha and Kumogakure, now with free hands, intensified further.
"Tobirama-sama! You've finally arrived!"
"Sensei!"
Tobirama personally arrived at Konoha's command post in the Land of Wind, marking the conclusion of the war in the Land of Wind. Accompanied by Anbu, Mitokado Homura, and Koharu had already led their troops back to the village.
All eyes on Tobirama reflected either fanaticism or awe. Since his battle with Shamon, Tobirama had risen to fame in the ninja world. Some hailed him as "the strongest Hokage in history" and "the top figure in today's ninja world." Despite this, Tobirama paid no heed to such accolades.
"How's the battle, Sarutobi? Any developments with Ai?" Tobirama inquired.
"Sensei, we've been engaged in frequent skirmishes here, but they've all been minor encounters. Ai has attempted several times to bypass our blockade and attack the Land of Fire, but fortunately, those attempts failed."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exuded a chilling and decisive aura, embodying the demeanor of a seasoned leader.
Sannin remained silent in the corner. Even Tsunade, usually carefree, refrained from approaching Tobirama, sensing his somber mood.
After two months of combat, she and Jiraiya had grown more mature, having faced the challenges of the battlefield under Orochimaru's leadership.
With her golden hair neatly tied into a ponytail, Tsunade's face juxtaposed the softness of a girl with the strength befitting a seasoned medical ninja.
Jiraiya still bore the appearance of a fool, but the harsh realities of the battlefield had intensified the fierceness in his eyes, now adorned with red eyeliner.
"Hmm? It seems our main force has achieved significant success over there. Shukaku has been eliminated," Orochimaru observed Tobirama's expression carefully, contemplating the unfolding events.
"Sunagakure is facing such misery, Konoha can afford to be lenient there. Taking advantage of the Land of Earth and the Land of Water's conflict, we'll strike Kumogakure directly. Things will change later..."
"Sarutobi, what's happening with Danzo?"
Tobirama listened to his subordinate's report with a grave expression.
Unlike Sand shinobi, who merely seeks to profit from robbery and get a piece of the pie, they genuinely have the intention and strength to defeat Konoha.
Whether it's Ai, Ginkaku, Kinkaku or other powerhouses in the Land of Lightning, their overall strength won't be much weaker than Konoha. Even the tailed beast, Eight and Two tails, is qualified to challenge Konoha.
Tobirama sighed lightly. Having the tailed beast too strong isn't a good thing. Except for that man, as strong as Mito-sama, who dares not easily mobilize the power of the nine tails, it cannot be considered a calculable combat power.
"This..."
The ninja who reported the information gave Sarutobi a silent look and continued, "The Golden Horn and Silver Horn troops haven't engaged us in large-scale combat yet, but wherever they go, they cause harm to local civilians. They breach even the strongest defenses and act inhumanely.
Due to their power and cunning, along with your previous order not to initiate combat, Danzo-sama had maintained a wait-and-see stance, but—"
"I've ordered them to attack these individuals first, instructing Danzo to crusade against these brazen thieves. I can't tolerate them committing wrongs on our vassal state's land. Otherwise, they'll take an inch, and the Land of Demon will be the first to fall!"
Sarutobi stated his thoughts and orders directly, without hiding or mentioning Orochimaru, staring at Tobirama calmly.
"..."
Tobirama frowned slightly, "Is that so..."
Originally, he might have had some criticisms, but the situation has changed. The most urgent task now is to end the war quickly, consolidate Konoha's forces, resume and expedite the village's development, and nurture new talents to address the many hidden dangers that exist.
There's no time to linger; Tobirama, who has fought with Sand Shinobi, has confirmed each other's approximate strength and becomes more decisive.
"Sarutobi, keep a close eye on Ai. Don't let them find any opportunity. If any issues arise, contact me. I'll use the Flying Thunder God technique to rush over as quickly as possible."
Tobirama patted Sarutobi on the shoulder, then glanced at Uchiha Kagami.
"Please, everyone!"
"Lord Hokage..."
Sarutobi and the others looked at Tobirama, who seemed hurried and anxious.
"The war in the Land of Wind is a bit peculiar, and the outcome surpassed my expectations. I'm going to Danzo now. The abilities of the golden horn and silver horn are said to be very peculiar, and the nine-tailed chakra... ..."
Tobirama's eyes flickered, his thoughts unclear.
"Since the Sand Ninja used the Jinchūriki, the Cloud Ninja might not be able to use it. I need to ask Danzo to confirm the issue of Wood Release's research and see what Danzo can do..."
"When I'm not here, you must be extra careful. Kumogakure is not easy to deal with!"
Tobirama glanced at the Sannin in the corner, feeling that something was about to unfold, and left with a dignified look.
"Second grandpa..."
Tsunade, who was initially excited, saw Tobirama leaving with a lot on his mind, and a shadow fell across her face.
Takeshi marveled at the incredible and potent force before him. The yellow gem nestled in his grasp possessed a mystical ability - it could draw in the ambient natural energy from the surrounding space and transmute it into chakra. Was this the very essence of the boundless power inherent in the chakra of the tailed beasts?
In stark contrast to Tobirama's unease, Takeshi was brimming with excitement as he felt the pulsating energy emanating from the gem within the confines of a concealed base.
This clandestine haven was once the nesting ground of the Shiromari, now repurposed as Takeshi's secret stronghold. Thanks to the financial support from Hiruko, the base had been fortified with basic experimental equipment, robust defenses, and covert functionalities.
In due time, Takeshi envisioned deploying personnel here to conduct activities unsuitable for the village, all in the name of research.
The earth-yellow gem radiated a formidable energy, casting a golden glow. Its pattern resembled that of a copper bell-shaped eyeball, accompanied by a subtle, echoing roar.
This gem was Takeshi's trophy - a fraction of the Shukaku's chakra obtained through the seal had been infused into it using the chakra storage technology from the Book of Gelel. It had undergone meticulous containment procedures.
"The chakra of the tailed beasts is akin to any other chakra, yet why does it possess an unceasing, boundless vitality? Especially the Nine-Tails, whose chakra seems inexhaustible."
Instead of returning to Konoha, Takeshi focused on dissecting the intricacies of tailed beast chakra.
"The tailed beasts are the progeny of the Ten-Tails, stemming from the divine tree's differentiation. The key lies in the birth of the divine tree."
Placing the gem on a scepter-like apparatus, Takeshi observed as a faint light continuously materialized and was then absorbed into a vacant gem prepared for this purpose.
Over time, the gem, originally designed for chakra storage, began exhibiting chakra fluctuations. At this rate, a small piece could be fully charged in a single day!
"The original tailed beast chakra functions like an enormous solar panel!"
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