I am the new Hokage of Konoha.

For a regime to last, it must establish its own fundamental ideology.

Just like the democracy and freedom of a certain hegemonic power, just like a certain rabbit...

If the mindset changes fundamentally, then the nation will cease to exist.

For example, a certain bear...

Compared to the people in the ninja world, Yun Ting, who stood on the shoulders of giants and could see further, slowed down to first establish Konoha's ideology and promote it, making it deeply rooted in people's hearts, before truly accelerating.

To use an imperfect analogy, even if he were to pass away, countless people would follow in his footsteps to realize the ideals he left behind.

It is even quite possible that, several years later, a powerful figure from outside Konoha will emerge to achieve unification.

Even if Yun Ting carefully explained these principles to Ban, it would probably be like casting pearls before swine.

Ultimately, it's just an old relic abandoned by the times.

Yun Ting shook his head, and with no further interest, said in the end:

"Whether it's useful or not, you'll find out as you watch on."

Madara, not taking it to heart, casually replied:

"Is that so? Then I'll wait and see."

Chapter 267 The First Day of the Fourth War Ends

It's unlikely that the expected outcome will be achieved in the short term.

There was no one like him, or Yun Ting, who could single-handedly overturn the course of the war.

A battle involving tens of thousands of ninjas, a truly massive event, cannot be decided in just one or two days.

Ban, whose war experience was far greater than Yun Ting's, was naturally aware of this.

Even so, by the end of the day, his complexion was rather unpleasant.

As Madara had originally anticipated, with the Iwa ninja's army of 5,000 more men launching a fierce attack, he thought that even if Konoha was not completely destroyed, at least the first line of defense of Konoha would be breached on the first day.

However, to his surprise, even when they were at a disadvantage, all the Konoha ninja fought tenaciously to the death with a fighting spirit that he could not understand.

Although the Iwa ninja's numerous attacks throughout the day had achieved some brief success, they were quickly lost due to the Konoha ninja's fierce counterattack.

This went on and on, and by the end, the entire battle had remained exactly as it had been at the beginning.

"A bunch of useless trash."

Seeing that all the Iwa ninja had withdrawn and returned, Madara coldly said something and was about to turn and leave.

Yun Ting stopped him.

"Ban, if you're going to stall me, then stall me completely. Stay here with me for the rest of the time. As for the war, others will handle that."

Having confidence in his own people, Yun Ting had no intention of letting Ban leave his sight.

Once the war goes smoothly, he will settle accounts with his opponents properly, and he can't let them escape again like before.

Seeing Yun Ting's attitude that he would attack if he didn't agree, Ban was somewhat surprised, but unwilling to be forced into action now, he nodded indifferently and said:

"If that's what you want, then so be it."

Anyway, he can't command those useless Iwa ninjas if he goes back, so staying here won't hurt.

Furthermore, thanks to his Rinnegan's perception, he could clearly detect whether Kumo-tei was still there, even inside the Iwagakure military camp.

But it's never as safe as it is now.

I've done my best for the Iwagakure ninja; I just hope these guys will be of some use tomorrow.

Thinking of this, Ban glanced at the battlefield where the flames and smoke were gradually dissipating, then looked at Yun Ting, whose aura was always directed at him. After shaking his head slightly, he stood motionless opposite Yun Ting in the rising night, like statues.

For ninjas, sleeping in the open and sheltering from the wind has always been the norm.

For a powerful individual like Madara, going without food or water for several days doesn't diminish his condition at all.

The same goes for Yun Ting.

After completing all the necessary tasks, he believed that the people of Konoha would live up to his expectations and be able to focus wholeheartedly on dealing with Madara, who was even more troublesome than the Five Nations.

Time passed little by little.

Under the cover of night, on the silent battlefield where Konoha and Iwa ninja had already retreated, two figures stood in place like the most loyal spectators, quietly waiting for the next great battle to begin soon.

Meanwhile, on the other two sides, the Konoha and Iwa ninja camps remained brightly lit and filled with noise.

Especially inside the medical tents, various noises constantly arose.

In contrast, under Tsunade's strong promotion and after a series of medical reforms, Konoha, which cultivated a large number of medical ninjas and advanced technology, made the treatment of the wounded more efficient and thorough.

Unless it's a fatal injury, they can generally stay alive.

Those whose injuries were not serious recovered quickly after treatment and were able to participate in the battle again the next day.

As for the Iwagakure ninja, they are far inferior in both the number of medical ninjas and the level of medical care.

This has caused many wounded Iwa ninja to suffer greatly.

With this shift in power dynamics, if Konoha can hold out, their chances of winning will only increase due to their significant advantage in healing.

This is one of the reasons why, in the past Ninja World Wars, Konoha, often outnumbered and outgunned, was always able to hold out and ultimately achieve victory.

At this moment, after a day of fierce fighting, Onoki, who had just finished explaining tomorrow's battle plan to a group of Iwa ninja leaders in the main tent, took a break and, dragging his tired body, lifted the curtain of a medical tent to visit his disciple Deidara.

Although the medical skills of the Iwa ninja are average, they are more than capable of treating the Tsuchikage's disciple if they concentrate their efforts on it.

Soon, upon seeing his disciple lying on the bed with his back wrapped in thick bandages, idly kneading clay with his hands, Onoki breathed a slight sigh of relief and asked, "Deidara, how are you feeling now?"

“Young? Old man, you’re here.” Deidara turned his head and shrugged. “A grumpy old nurse once said I had to lie like this for a week. But I think a day or two will be enough.”

"One week is fine." Upon hearing this, Onoki said sternly, "Deidara, from now on you listen to the doctor. If you dare run away halfway through, I'll break your legs!"

Onoki was well aware that the injuries sustained by his disciple who had narrowly escaped Minato's clutches were quite severe.

Even if there are medical ninjutsu that can heal wounds, the severely depleted vital energy cannot be replenished in a short time.

Therefore, Onoki's attitude was very firm.

Seeing this, Deidara, whose face was still deathly pale, could only nod helplessly.

If your own teacher shows such an expression, then they really mean it.

After accepting reality, Deidara, as if remembering something, asked curiously, "By the way, old man, how did your fight with that Gilgamesh go?"

"Minato Namikaze?" As the events of the past flashed through his mind, Onoki subconsciously rubbed his aching lower back and sighed softly, "It's a draw, I suppose."

To be honest, a draw is a stretch.

In his fight against Minato Namikaze, especially after the latter used Sage Mode, he was constantly at a disadvantage.

The reason he was able to persist was not only because the opponent was somewhat wary of his dust escape technique, but also because of his greater experience in aerial combat.

Aerial combat and ground combat are very different.

Even though Minato also learned the Light-Heavy Rock Technique, he still lacked the skill and experience of Onoki, who had been studying this technique for decades.

'If I were on land, I probably wouldn't have escaped unscathed from Minato Namikaze like I have now,' Onoki thought to himself with a slight sigh.

He had previously thought that the power of the Four Shadows was enough to restrain Thousand Hands Cloud Court.

It now seems that Minato Namikaze, under the latter's command, alone is enough to make him risk his life.

Konoha... truly has a wealth of talent!

Onoki shook his head with a self-deprecating smile.

Regardless of Madara Uchiha's intentions, fortunately he is now on our side.

Otherwise, the five nations attacking Konoha together would truly become a joke.

And himself and the Iwa ninja....

"Hey~ old man! What are you thinking about?"

Suddenly, Deidara's voice interrupted, trying to wake up his teacher who seemed to be spacing out for no apparent reason.

"nothing."

Ōnoki, regaining his senses, shook his head and did not tell Deidara.

Some pressure is best borne by oneself.

The younger generation simply needs to grow up as quickly as possible.

"Take good care of yourself, Deidara. The future of Iwagakure depends on you."

At this moment, Onoki, who had placed high hopes on Deidara, looked at Deidara with utmost seriousness.

"I...I understand." Deidara, who wasn't used to Onoki's current demeanor, replied somewhat awkwardly.

"have a good rest."

Finally, Ōnoki gave one last, earnest instruction before turning and leaving.

After taking the time to visit Deidara, he still had many things to take care of.

Latest intelligence indicates that 2,000 Konoha reinforcements are on their way to the battlefield in the Land of Grass.

In order to maintain the numerical advantage of the Iwa ninja, he had to send reinforcements from within the country.

There are also Sand Ninja and Mist Ninja.

Especially the former.

After the Iwa ninja he led had already made their stance clear at the cost of blood, he realized that his own forces had already demonstrated their resolve.

Well then, they should set off now.

Chapter 268 Responses from All Sides

Just as Onoki had thought, when they received the intelligence that the Iwa ninja army had launched a full-scale attack without hesitation and regardless of casualties on the same day, resulting in considerable losses for themselves, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa and the Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei, after their initial surprise, abandoned any thought that their allies were in trouble and remained unmoved.

This is not the Fourth Shinobi World War in the original story where everyone had to get involved, or else they would be turned into nutrients for the Divine Tree.

Although everyone is aware of the dangers that Konoha would face if it won, in practice, especially considering the post-war landscape, there are always those who inevitably engage in underhanded tactics to benefit their own side.