Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 298 Ohnoki: Always have a sister? !

On the border of the Bird Kingdom, in the town of Wind Whisper.

Nestled between the four great kingdoms of Wind, Star, Earth, and Rain, the Bird Kingdom, due to its unique geographical location and neutral status, unexpectedly became a special haven during the turbulent times of the western continent.

This small country, which doesn't even have its own ninja village, has an ordinary town on its border that is now bustling and prosperous, completely out of place with the surrounding war.

Due to the war between the Land of Wind and the Land of Stars, major trade routes were cut off. Although the Land of Stars did not completely close its borders, it significantly strengthened border crossing checks, forcing countless caravans and travelers to remain stranded there.

Astute merchants simply turned this place into a temporary trading hub, where goods from various countries were traded and circulated, awaiting the dawn of the border reopening.

The town's streets were packed with horse-drawn carriages, oxcarts, camel caravans, and bustling crowds. The inns were full, the taverns were noisy, and the air was filled with dust, spices, and a special atmosphere of anxiety and anticipation.

In the wooden loft of a hotel in the center of town, Jiraiya leaned against the window, his signature long white hair casually draped over his shoulders. His gaze, seemingly lost in thought, swept over the bustling crowd below.

The chatter downstairs, mixed with the sounds of carriages and horses, reached his ears clearly.

"Eh? Yamashita-kun? Didn't you take your goods to the Land of Earth? Why are you back so soon?" A slightly shrill merchant's voice rang out.

The man called Yamashita sighed, his tone filled with frustration: "Ugh! Don't even mention it! I just got there and heard that Iwagakure in the Land of Earth has started a war with the Land of Stars without declaring war! Now the entire western part of the ninja world is in chaos, and trade routes are completely cut off!"

"What? Iwagakure has joined the war too?"

"My God! Two major powers are besieging the Star Kingdom?"

"This is terrible! My goods are still stuck in my inventory!"

"Iwagakure! The Land of Stars is in danger now!"

The surrounding merchants immediately erupted in discussion, their voices rising and falling.

Some people were heartbroken and devastated by the unsold goods and disrupted livelihoods; others were worried that the war would spread further and affect this temporary safe haven.

A middle-aged merchant dressed in cotton clothes shook his head and sighed: "Alas, the Land of Stars is such a good place. The taxes are reasonable and the public security is good. I have been doing business there for the past few years and I have never encountered extortion or exploitation. Now that the two great ninja villages are attacking together, such a good business environment is probably all gone."

A businessman with a scarred face, who seemed to have weathered many storms, chimed in: "The Land of Stars has only been established for a few years. How many ninjas can it possibly have? Sunagakure and Iwagakure are the five great ninja villages, with deep roots. I've heard that Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, was a ruthless character who could mobilize tens of thousands of ninjas to wear down the Third Raikage! The Land of Stars this time... I'm afraid it will be very difficult for them to survive."

However, some people held a different view. A burly merchant with a loud voice retorted, "You can't say that! I hired ninjas from the Land of Stars to escort a caravan last time. Their discipline and quality were impeccable! They never took bribes or demanded anything, and their fighting ability was unmatched!"

He gave a thumbs up: "They're much stronger than the Konoha and Sunagakure ninjas I used to hire! I feel like they might not lose!"

Jiraiya, standing by the window, listened to these discussions, his brows gradually furrowing.

He personally experienced the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars and had a deep understanding of the war potential of Sunagakure, especially Iwagakure.

Onoki's Dust Release and command abilities, along with Iwagakure's tenacious and group-based combat style, make them extremely difficult to deal with.

Tens of thousands of Iwa ninja troops...

Just thinking about it makes my head tingle.

Even the mysterious "Shura" of the Star Country, and the Uchiha and Hyuga bloodline clans he absorbed, are in a precarious situation facing the all-out attack of the two major ninja villages.

Even he couldn't predict the course of this war; he felt shrouded in mystery and his heart was heavy.

squeak-

The door was gently pushed open, interrupting Jiraiya's thoughts.

Ziyanghua walked in carrying a wooden tray with two steaming bowls of ramen and several side dishes on it.

Her neat short purple hair made her look very capable, and her light purple Chinese-style training clothes were spotless.

"Lord Jiraiya, lunch is ready." Her voice was clear and crisp as she deftly placed the tray on the low table in the center of the room and began setting out the bowls and chopsticks.

Almost ten days have passed since they left Amegakure.

Based on their speed, they had actually reached the border between the Bird Kingdom and the Star Kingdom seven days ago.

However, the Land of Stars was engulfed in war and the border was under martial law. Jiraiya considered that it was too risky to rashly enter a country that was at war and had no connection with him, especially since he was accompanied by a girl from Amegakure with a sensitive identity. Therefore, he decided to stay in this border town for the time being and observe.

On the surface, Ziyanghua had no objection to this, since all the expenses along the way were covered by this supposedly famous "writer".

She quietly fulfilled her duties as a "guardian" and "temporary assistant," taking care of Jiraiya's injuries.

Although this guy has amazing recovery ability, he was lively and energetic just a few days ago, and one night she even caught him sneaking out to drink with prostitutes, which made her both angry and amused.

Watching the hydrangea carefully arrange the tableware, Jiraiya couldn't help but sigh, "Ah, having a woman to take care of me makes all the difference; the journey becomes so much more comfortable."

"Hmm? Lord Jiraiya, what did you just say?" Hydrangea looked up, her eyes asking.

"Ahaha, it's nothing, it's nothing!" Jiraiya quickly laughed it off and changed the subject, saying, "I mean, aren't you worried about that kid from the Land of Stars? They're fighting fiercely over there right now."

He was referring to the mysterious boy he had met once in Amegakure, who had left a deep impression on Hydrangea.

Ziyanghua paused slightly before resuming her actions, her tone calm: "What's the use of worrying? As a ninja, dying on a mission or on the battlefield is a common occurrence, isn't it? He should have been prepared for that from the moment he chose to walk that path."

Her words carried the indifference and acceptance of life and death that was unique to orphans of Amegakure.

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya pondered for a moment.

He understood the perspective of someone who grew up amidst war on the impermanence of life, but still said, "That's true... but after all, she's someone you care about, right? If something really happened to her on the battlefield, wouldn't you be heartbroken?"

"I...I didn't care about him at all!" Ziyanghua blushed slightly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Her voice rose involuntarily, revealing obvious unease.

"He...he's so powerful, how could he die so easily! I just...I just..."

Seeing her obvious attempt to cover up her blunder, Jiraiya couldn't help but chuckle. He stroked his beard, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Oh? Is that so? I see~"

Teasing such an innocent yet stubborn young girl always brought him inexplicable pleasure.

Jiraiya picked up his chopsticks and tapped the rim of his bowl: "Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. Let's eat, or the noodles won't taste good when they get cold."

Ziyanghua puffed out her cheeks, seemingly wanting to argue, but in the end she angrily picked up her chopsticks and buried her head in her food. However, the lingering blush on her ears betrayed her inner turmoil.

Just as the two were eating in silence, the originally noisy street below suddenly changed its tone, like cold water splashed with boiling oil, and exploded violently!
A shrill voice, heightened by extreme excitement, pierced through all the noise, clearly echoing throughout the street and reaching the attic:

"Great news! Great news from the Star Kingdom! We've won!"

"The Land of Stars has won! Sunagakure and Iwagakure have been defeated! The main forces of both villages have been wiped out! The Kazekage has been captured, and the Tsuchikage has surrendered!!"

"Wow——!"

The entire town seemed to be ignited by the news, and an even bigger wave of noise erupted, with exclamations, doubts, and shouts of ecstasy intertwined, deafeningly loud.

"what?!"

"How is this possible? It's only been a few days!"

"The Hidden Sand Village and the Hidden Stone Village... were defeated at the same time?"

"Is the news true? Who sent the message?"

"It's absolutely true! It came from the Star Kingdom! It's an official announcement from the Star Kingdom! They've even relaxed border controls!"

"My God! The Star Kingdom... is it really that strong?!"

Upstairs, Jiraiya's hand holding chopsticks froze in mid-air, he forgot to chew the noodles in his mouth, and his face was full of disbelief.

He abruptly turned his head to look at the bustling street outside the window, muttering to himself, "What a joke... It's understandable that Sunagakure lost, but what about Iwagakure? That old fox Onoki is no simpleton... Only a few days? Seven days? Two defeats in a row? This Land of Stars..."

He was utterly shocked.

This completely overturned his understanding of conventional ninja wars.

Even in the previous three Shinobi World Wars, we have never seen a situation like this, where a ninja village of a major country was defeated after only a few days of fighting!

Unless one possesses absolute power like that of the First Hokage Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha, capable of taking on an entire nation single-handedly, how could one possibly achieve such brilliant and even terrifying results in such a short period of time?

That "Shura," and the hidden power of the Star Kingdom, are far more terrifying than he imagined.

When he recovered slightly from his shock and turned to look at the hydrangea across the table, he saw that the girl had put down her chopsticks at some point, covered her mouth tightly with both hands, her shoulders trembling slightly, and large tears uncontrollably rolled down her smooth cheeks and dripped onto the table in front of her.

It was no longer a feigned calm indifference, but rather the ecstatic joy and relief of someone who had survived a catastrophe.

"He...he's alright...that's great..." she choked up, her voice barely audible, yet filled with genuine emotion.

At this moment, any verbal denial would seem pale and powerless.

She wiped her tears haphazardly with the back of her hand, but the more she wiped, the more tears flowed. Finally, she looked up at Jiraiya, her eyes gleaming with eager anticipation: "Lord Jiraiya! Can...can we go now? Can we go to the Land of Stars right now?"

Seeing her tearful yet hopeful eyes, Jiraiya felt a mix of emotions. He was both wary of the terrifying power of the Land of Stars and relieved for the girl.

He took a deep breath, nodded, and the playful look on his face vanished, replaced by a serious expression.

"Ah, it seems there's no need to wait any longer. Let's pack up and set off immediately. I also want to see with my own eyes what kind of place this 'Land of Stars' is, the one that made Shisui and Hizashi choose to defect from Konoha and was able to defeat two major ninja villages in seven days!"

...On the border between the Land of Stars and the Land of Earth, outside Tottori Castle.

The smoke of war had not completely dissipated, and a faint smell of blood and burnt flesh still lingered in the air.

The once desolate high-altitude Gobi Desert is now filled with temporary tents and simple huts, forming a large-scale camp.

This place is now a temporary shelter for more than 7,000 Iwagakure prisoners of war.

Around the camp, ninjas dressed in dark blue Star Ninja uniforms patrolled or stood guard at regular intervals.

Their expressions were solemn, their eyes sharp, and the kunai in their hands gleamed with a cold light in the sunlight.

Although the sheer number of Iwa ninja made confiscation difficult, and not all of their weapons were forcibly confiscated, an invisible, suffocating pressure enveloped the entire camp.

This oppressive aura did not come solely from the well-equipped and disciplined Star Ninja guards surrounding them.

At a deeper level, it stems from the terrifying battle two days ago, and the towering red giant that easily crushed two tailed beasts and tens of thousands of soldiers.

Uchiha Hikaru's Perfect Susanoo!

That devastating scene had long been etched into the souls of every surviving Iwa ninja like a nightmare, completely destroying their will to fight.

At this moment, upon seeing the Uchiha fan-shaped crests of some Star Ninja, many Iwa Ninja would subconsciously lower their heads and tremble slightly, as if the scarlet pattern itself contained endless fear.

Revolt?

This idea had long since vanished from their minds.

It's a miracle that we survived.

The atmosphere inside the camp was oppressive and somber.

The groans of the wounded rose and fell, but there was more of a deathly silence and numbness.

The medical ninja team dispatched by the Land of Stars moved among the wounded, efficiently cleaning, bandaging, and administering medication.

The medicine they brought was remarkably effective, and their attitude was highly professional; they did not show any disrespect to the prisoners of war.

This "preferential treatment" only made some Iwa ninja feel more complicated.

On the platform of the train station west of Tottori Castle.

The atmosphere was completely different from that of the prisoner-of-war camp in the distance, yet equally somber.

The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, the "Two Scales" who once dominated the ninja world, seemed to have aged twenty years overnight.

His short frame was wrapped in a dusty earth-shadowing robe, his face etched with weariness, frustration, and a deep-seated sense of powerlessness.

His son, Huang Tu, along with Jonin Wen Ya, Shou, and others, stood to the side, all bearing injuries of varying degrees, their expressions solemn.

Uchiha Hikaru stood opposite them, his posture upright, his long black hair fluttering slightly in the highland wind, his eyes calm and undisturbed.

Behind her stood Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Izumi, Uchiha Inahikazuchi, and Natsumi, among other high-ranking officials from the Land of Stars.

"Huangtu, Wenya." Onoki's voice was hoarse and low, even trembling slightly: "I'm leaving this place to you. Keep an eye on everyone and focus on recovering, especially Rōshi and Han... They are seriously injured, so make sure to cooperate with the medical ninjas of the Star Ninja to do your best to treat them."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over his subordinates who had followed him for many years, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes. "Everything... we'll discuss it when I return from Star City."

Onoki's words carried a sense of tragic loss, like a hero meeting his end.

This trip to the Star Capital is not an equal diplomatic visit, but rather a journey as the defeated to be judged by the victors.

He had almost no bargaining chips. The main force of Iwagakure was crippled, the two Tailed Beast Jinchuriki were seriously injured, and the Land of Earth suffered an unprecedented blow to its national strength.

He could even foresee what harsh terms the Star Kingdom would propose, and even...

Purge the daimyo and noble class of the Land of Earth!
Uchiha Hikaru's cool voice broke the somber atmosphere: "Shisui, Izumi, and Natsumi, proceed according to our army's established policy of treating prisoners of war well. Guarantee their basic survival needs, and do everything possible to treat the wounded. The negotiations will end soon."

Her gaze finally settled on Onoki, with a detached and condescending air.

Onoki nodded, a bitter smile playing on his lips.

He understood that this so-called "preferential treatment" was entirely based on pity for the other party's absolute military strength.

As the train whistle sounded, the group boarded the train.

The interior of the carriage is simple and sturdy, with a purely military style.

In stark contrast to the solemn and silent Onoki and Akatsuchi, Kurotsuchi was quickly drawn to this mode of transportation he had never experienced before.

She walked around the carriage curiously, touching the smooth metal walls, and then pressed her face against the large window, staring intently at the rapidly receding Gobi Desert scenery outside, occasionally letting out a small gasp.

"Grandpa! Grandpa! This metal box is so long! Will it really move by itself?"

"Kurotsuchi! Don't be rude!" Onoki couldn't help but scold him, then turned to Uchiha Hikaru, who was sitting calmly opposite him, and forced an ugly smile: "Sorry, the child is ignorant, please forgive him."

Uchiha Hikaru glanced at the little girl who was full of curiosity about the huge military train. His cold eyes, unusually, did not show any impatience. Instead, he shook his head slightly: "It's alright. It's a good thing for children to be lively."

Upon hearing this, Onoki couldn't help but take another closer look at the girl in front of him.

She was stunningly beautiful, with flawless skin and clear, deep eyes; she looked like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl.

Yet within this seemingly slender body lies a terrifying power capable of overthrowing a nation.

Unable to contain his deepest doubts, Onoki tentatively asked, "Excuse my boldness, but... are you really not a descendant of Madara Uchiha?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Onoki felt the air around him freeze slightly, and Uchiha Hikaru's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

Onoki's heart tightened, and he quickly added, "Please don't misunderstand! It's just... it's really hard to imagine that someone like Uchiha Madara is your junior. After all, you look... so young."

Upon hearing the word "young," the displeasure in Uchiha Hikari's eyes subsided slightly. She gave a light snort, and said with a hint of arrogance, "I was active in the Warring States period, so naturally I am older than Uchiha Madara, by about three hundred years."

"Three hundred years old?!" Onoki gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief. Even Akatsuchi and Kito, who were standing next to him, looked on incredulously!
A man over three hundred years old?

Does she still have the appearance of a young girl?
Just then, Black Earth, who had been pulled back by Red Earth, also heard this. Blinking her big eyes, she innocently asked, "Sister! Do you have some secret to staying young forever? Can you teach Black Earth?"

Being sweetly called "older sister" by an innocent little girl seemed to improve Uchiha Hikaru's mood a bit, and a very faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth: "Secret? That's a secret."

With a long whistle, the special military train slowly started and sped south along the railway that runs through the northern border of the Star Kingdom.

Inside the carriage, Onoki and Akatsuchi sat on one side, their faces solemn and silent.

The shadow of failure and the uncertainty of the future weighed on my heart like a boulder.

Heitu excitedly pressed his face against the car window, his little face pressed against the glass, his eyes fixed on the scenery rushing past outside.

As the train passed through the treacherous mountain tunnels to the north, a vast and vibrant plain suddenly opened up before him, and Onoki's pupils contracted sharply!
"This...this is the Youhe Plain?!" He stared out the window in disbelief.

In my memory, this place used to be a vast expanse of unusable swamps and flooded riverbanks, with barren land and sparse population.

However, what comes into view at this moment is a vast expanse of golden rice fields and neat farmland with crisscrossing paths!

What shocked him even more was that in the fields, some farmers were operating a small metal machine that he had never seen before, emitting a faint glow, and were working with extremely high efficiency!
"Such fertile land...such farming tools...no wonder the Land of Stars has such abundant food supplies, and can even export large quantities..." Onoki's heart was filled with shock.

He finally understood that the strength of the Star Kingdom lay not only in its ninjas, but also in its revolutionary agricultural productivity and technology that he could not comprehend!

The technological and organizational capabilities behind transforming a vast swamp into fertile land filled him with far more fear and powerlessness than the victories in a few battles.

The train continued south, and the scenery outside the window became increasingly prosperous. Towns and villages were scattered like stars, the roads were wide, and there was a constant flow of carriages and horses, presenting a thriving scene that was in stark contrast to the barren plateau of the Land of Earth.

Onoki gazed out the window, remaining silent for a long time before finally letting out a soft sigh. He then said to Uchiha Hikaru, who was sitting opposite him, "I have nothing to say about this defeat. I only hope that after we arrive in the Star Capital, Lord Shura... can grant me, and the Land of Earth, a little bit of... final dignity."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Hikaru glanced at him and replied in a calm tone, "Lord Shura has more important matters to attend to and is not in the Star Capital at the moment."

"Not in the Star Capital?" Onoki was taken aback, his doubts growing.

What could be more important than defeating two great powers, reaping the spoils of victory, and determining the post-war landscape?
that……

Who will preside over this negotiation that concerns the fate of the Land of Earth?

Filled with questions and heavy hearts, the train finally slowly pulled into the magnificent central train station of Star City.

On the platform, officials and ninjas from the Land of Stars were already lined up and waiting.

The car door opened, and Onoki took a deep breath, straightened his robes, and tried his best to maintain the last dignity of a Kage. He followed Uchiha Hikaru and stepped out of the car, with Akatsuchi and Kyoto following behind him.

Onoki's gaze swept across the crowd on the platform, finally settling on the figure at the head of the group.

His short, golden hair shimmered under the platform lights, while his grey eyes seemed to reflect a clear sky. His handsome face wore a gentle yet dignified smile…

In an instant, Onoki was struck as if by a bolt of lightning!
He froze on the spot, his eyes wide open like saucers, his mouth agape as if he could fit an egg in it, his face filled with extreme shock, bewilderment and incomprehensible horror!
Onoki instinctively took a step back, extended a trembling finger, and let out a gasp that was almost distorted in tone:

"Namikaze Minato?!"

(End of this chapter)