I am the new Hokage of Konoha.

“Should we leave it to Lord Jiraiya? We can certainly trust his abilities,” Choza agreed.

The work is now complete.

Before setting off, Minato looked at Choza one last time and said softly, "Let's focus on dealing with the Iwa ninja, just like you and I did before."

"The old us?" A hint of reminiscence flashed across Choza's face as he said, "It's a pity that Shikaku and Inoichi aren't by my side this time."

Minato: "Although the veterans are no longer around, they have been replaced by many newcomers. With successors in place, this is undoubtedly what Konoha most wants to see."

"That's true." Upon hearing this, Ding nodded in agreement.

"Therefore, for Konoha, for peace, for the future, it's time to contribute all our strength!"

"Haha! That's exactly right!"

......

Just as the Iwa ninja and Konoha were taking action.

at the same time,

Inside Amegakure Village, which is being watched by both sides.

The continuous heavy rain did not decrease as it had in the past when the man who used the Rain Tiger Freedom Technique died.

The people of the Rain Country, where it rains for at least 300 days a year, are already used to it.

The only one who felt uncomfortable was Jiraiya, who was an outsider.

After being sent to Amegakure by Yunting, Jiraiya met Konan, who had grown into a beautiful young woman, and paid his respects to Yahiko and Nagato. After that, he stayed in Amegakure.

Normally, given his style, he would definitely visit the local area to gather inspiration and leave his own mark wherever he goes.

However, the current leader of the village is Xiao Nan.

In order to maintain his last shred of dignity as a teacher in front of his disciples, Jiraiya resisted the temptation and, unusually, did not rescue the fallen women. Instead, he devoted himself to preparing for the upcoming operations of the Rain Village.

As a result, the sound of frogs croaking could be heard from time to time in Jiraiya's residence during this period.

Those were various intelligence reports relayed back by the toads of Mount Myōboku.

"Iwa ninja are going all out so quickly? This is really not like Onoki's usual style."

At this moment, Jiraiya, having received the latest news from Minato, stroked his chin and pondered.

"You want me to do things my way? Minato really thinks too highly of me!"

Later, when Jiraiya saw Minato's last message that he would take charge of the Rain Ninja's actions, he chuckled.

Having experienced both World War II and World War III, he naturally felt no pressure about this; he was simply pleased that his disciple, whom he hadn't seen for many years, trusted him so much.

"It's been many years since I last saw Minato. And Naruto, I only held him once when he was little, I wonder what he looks like now." Jiraiya sighed softly, thinking of the ban on him.

However, he quickly regained his fighting spirit and encouraged himself:

"This is it! As long as I make a contribution, the Hokage will let me go back."

"Then I'll see Minato, Naruto, Kushina, the Third Hokage, Tsunade... and her daughter again. It's unbelievable! The former female tyrant actually has a daughter. Senju Maki? I really want to meet her! And then there's Konoha now; I've heard it's undergone a complete transformation compared to the past..."

Jiraiya thought to himself, his eyes filled with longing.

It must be said that Yun Ting's punishment really hit him where it hurt.

Being unable to return for five years was undoubtedly torture for him, who had devoted his entire life to Konoha.

After all, while traveling for inspiration may be enjoyable in the short term, home, as a safe haven, holds an extremely important place in the heart of a wanderer like him.

One emperor and one courtier.

Jiraiya now understands the true meaning of those words.

Having learned his lesson over the past five years, he never dared to act recklessly again when he returned home.

I'll stop talking about things like "the chosen one" anymore.

After all, the Great Toad Sage had a new dream two years ago, and summoned him to tell him that the Child of Destiny was no longer there.

If it's gone, then it's gone.

Just as Master Shima said, the Great Toad is becoming increasingly muddle-headed.

If there truly is a chosen one, then judging from the current state of the ninja world, our Fourth Hokage is undoubtedly the most qualified.

Thinking of this, Jiraiya couldn't help but shake his head.

Just then, Konan's cold voice rang out from outside: "Jiraiya-sensei."

"Oh, it's Konan. Come in quickly." Jiraiya quickly straightened his expression and said.

The next second, Konan, dressed in a black trench coat from the Akatsuki era, walked in and got straight to the point: "Jiraiya-sensei, an envoy from Iwagakure has just arrived in the Land of Rain, requesting Hanzo to send troops to Konoha as soon as possible."

Konan, who had completely sided with Konoha in her quest for revenge, actively involved Jiraiya in the affairs of the Land of Rain after his arrival. She even entrusted him with command of the Rain Ninja in subsequent operations.

After all, although she was a powerful ninja, she had no experience in commanding an army.

Entrusting it to a renowned teacher is undoubtedly the best choice.

As for power, she naturally wouldn't care since she had already decided to hand over the entire Land of Rain to Konoha.

Upon hearing Konan's words, Jiraiya was slightly taken aback and said, "Hanzo? Do the Iwa ninja still think that Hanzo is the leader of Amegakure?"

“That’s true.” Xiao Nan nodded without changing her expression.

For decades, the Land of Rain has maintained a strict state of isolation. The outside world's knowledge of it has remained based on the earlier understanding of Hanzo, who was known as a "demigod."

"The only people outside who knew the truth about Amegakure were Madara Uchiha and Obito Uchiha," Konan added.

When she finally mentioned the two people's names, her tone became noticeably heavier.

"Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Obito?"

Just like when he heard the news that Orochimaru was still alive, Jiraiya was also extremely shocked when he heard that a legendary figure and someone he knew fairly well were alive.

Of course, once he accepted it, he would no longer be so easily startled.

Jiraiya thought about it and quickly made a decision.

Konoha does not yet know where Madara Uchiha and Obito Uchiha are now.

It was only after Yun Ting returned and informed him of the news he had received from the Cloud Ninja about Madara and the Five Nations Alliance that the truth became clear.

But even so, it doesn't matter.

The fact that Madara and Obito didn't even glance at Konan at the time, completely regarding her as a worthless existence, speaks volumes.

They probably wouldn't even think of the term "Rain Ninja" in their minds.

Since the Iwa ninja still believe Hanzo is still alive, they might as well continue to pretend according to their perception and then catch them off guard.

Anyway, even if it's exposed, there won't be much loss.

"In that case, let's agree to the Iwa ninja's offer to attack Konoha in Hanzo's name, and then..."

Jiraiya revealed a sly smile, and in the following time, he and Konan, who had no objections, quickly devised a plan.

Chapter 254 Great Battle

Just as the battle between Konoha and Iwa ninja was in full swing.

On the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Iron, the first real battle of the Fourth Shinobi World War broke out.

This is thanks to the fact that the Four Shadows Conference was held in the Land of Iron.

Compared to the other four countries, the warriors of the Land of Iron, who were prepared much faster, have now gathered and arrived.

Upon receiving the advance attack order from the commander-in-chief of the five-nation alliance, Mifune, the general of the Land of Iron, a true samurai, drew his katana without hesitation and announced to his warriors:

"Target: The Land of Fire! All samurai, move out!"

No one objected.

Thus, as remnants of the previous era, the samurai, who had long been absent from the ninja world, finally stepped onto the world stage once again.

Fifteen thousand warriors, clad in layered silver armor, wearing helmets and gas masks, and with multiple long swords at their waists, formed a neat military formation and marched with firm steps toward the Land of Fire.

This is the essence of the Samurai Holy Land of the Submarine.

Seeing this scene, Mifune, as the leader, was filled with pride, but also felt a little regret.

To be honest, the original Iron Country at its peak had a warrior population of over 20,000.

However, the despicable Konoha used large sums of money to lure many warriors from the Land of Iron to serve the Land of Fire.

The Land of Iron is a holy land for samurai.

But for the vast majority of ordinary samurai, the allure of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation was undoubtedly more important than that of spiritual totems.

In just a few years, more than five thousand warriors from the Land of Iron went to play in the Land of Fire.

These are not down-on-their-luck figures from the countryside who can call themselves samurai simply by carrying a knife; they are new-era samurai who have cultivated chakra.

Such a massive loss is undoubtedly a major blow to the Land of Iron.

During this period, although the Land of Iron tried various methods to restrict the outflow of talent, it could only suffer repeated defeats because its financial resources were far inferior to those of the Land of Fire.

They themselves cannot achieve the same level of isolationism as the Land of Rain.

Finally, to avoid a slow death, the Land of Iron gritted its teeth and gave up its neutral status, accepting the invitation from the four Kage, including Onoki.

"In the end, this is all the result of your Konoha and the Land of Fire's aggressive behavior. Since you have sown the seeds of this evil, then begin to pay the price today."

"Furthermore, since we have abandoned the status of a neutral nation, let us establish the status of the Land of Iron under the new circumstances through this battle. Let us stand shoulder to shoulder with Earth, Wind, Water, and Lightning, so that samurai will no longer hide in the corners of the ninja world, but truly be on par with ninjas. The highest ideals that our ancestors established to shelter the remnants of the old era's samurai, which you dared not proclaim to the outside world, will be realized by our generation today!"

The Land of Iron is very small. After a rapid march, they soon saw the border of the Land of Fire. Mifune stroked the samurai sword at his waist, full of ambition.

At this moment, Konoha ninjas and samurai who had traveled to the Land of Fire and were now pointing their swords at them had appeared on the border of the Land of Fire.

Mifune, who saw this, didn't take it to heart at all.

As far as he knew, Konoha had only ever had two thousand ninjas on the border of the Land of Iron, and they had no resources left to send more.

Even if you add the number of legions formed by all the surrendered samurai who were specially stationed around the area, the total number of people would not exceed 10,000. How could such a force possibly withstand his 15,000-strong army?

Although in one-on-one combat, samurai are usually no match for ninjas.

But in terms of troop deployment and large-scale battles, samurai, whose history predates that of ninjas, are masters of it.