Escape from Konoha.

"There must be a sensory ninja in this team. He sensed our presence, but he didn't run away or prepare for battle..."

Upon hearing Ayane's words, the other three frowned slightly.

"It was as if they were deliberately waiting for us to come over."

Ayane said, not entirely sure.

"Are there any traps lying in ambush around?" Sakumo asked.

Ayane looked at it carefully and shook her head.

Not to mention traps, these Sand Ninja didn't even use chakra, showing no intention of using ranged ninjutsu to attack.

Just as they were about to get close, one of the Sand Ninja broke away from the group and charged towards them.

At Ayane's signal, Sakumo stopped, and Shiraishi and Ruri also stopped.

Not long after, the Sand Ninja appeared before them using the Body Flicker Technique.

He didn't do anything, but simply took out a series of good letters from his ninja tool bag.

"Lord White Fang, this is a letter from our Lord Kazekage. Please take a look."

The other party acted as if it were a business matter.

Ayane nodded to Sakumo. There was no poison or chakra flow in the letter; it was just a normal letter.

Sakumo walked over, took the letter from the Sand Ninja, opened it, glanced at it, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I understand. I will personally verify this."

The Sand Ninja nodded and disappeared from Sakumo's sight.

"Mr. Sakumo, this letter is..."

Shiraishi and the others gathered around, curious about the contents of the letter.

Shuo Mao didn't hide anything and showed the letter to Bai Shi and the others.

At the very top of the letter were only three words: "Letter of Reconciliation".

This is the signal from the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure, indicating that he is preparing to end the war with Konoha.

Is this letter credible?

"I don't know, let's see what Orochimaru says. If he agrees, the war ends here; if he doesn't, we continue our mission. The mission is temporarily suspended until we receive official orders, and we don't need to attack the Sand Village anymore."

After Shuo Mao finished speaking, he looked into the distance with his deep gaze.

Chapter 71 The Scheme of the Wind Shadow

The war between Sunagakure and Konoha has lasted for two years, but compared to Sunagakure, Konoha's war-weariness is much stronger.

Before engaging in battle with Sunagakure, Konoha had already fought against Amegakure ninja in the Land of Rain. Many ninja were already exhausted, both physically and mentally. Under these circumstances, being dragged into the war rhythm by Sunagakure again shows just how tired Konoha was of war.

Therefore, when the Third Kazekage submitted the reconciliation agreement, Shiraishi estimated that Konoha was very likely to agree.

After all, this has always been Konoha's main strategy.

Continuing to wear down Sunagakure will only allow other ninja villages to reap the benefits.

"Seriously, we've already fought to this extent. We should just finish off Sunagakure in one fell swoop. This half-hearted reconciliation agreement will only lead to them coming back for more."

Liuli sat on a rock, her face showing dissatisfaction.

It had only been a little over a month since she left the village, and she hadn't had enough of fighting the Sand Ninja. If the war ended now, Sakumo's squad's mission would be over.

"That's not entirely true, because many ninjas from various villages near the camp have developed a war-weariness, and the same goes for Sunagakure. A peaceful resolution at this point would benefit both sides. As for the future... let's talk about that later."

Out of consideration for a Konoha ninja, Shiraishi believed that this was indeed the best solution.

"That's great! I thought I wouldn't be able to go back to the village for the New Year this year. I was really looking forward to the festival this year."

Ayane chuckled as she spoke from the side.

Shiraishi turned his head to the other side, pretending not to have heard those words.

“That’s true. The sooner the war ends, the better, so we can go back and participate in the New Year’s festival… Besides, I also want to go back and visit Kakashi.”

Hearing the three of them talking, Sakumo smiled and said something.

"Kakashi?"

The three members of the Shiraishi trio were drawn to the name.

"Oh, didn't I tell you?"

Sakumo blinked in confusion.

"No, I've never heard of this person before. By the way... who is he?"

Shiraishi shook his head.

"He is my son, Kakashi Hatake. Although he is only two years old this year, I believe he will become an excellent ninja in the future."

Shuo Mao said this.

"son!?"

The three of them, including Shiraishi, were stunned and then shouted out loud.

Surprise is an understatement when it comes to this matter; they had no idea that Sakumo had a son.

"What's wrong? Is something the problem?"

Sakumo looked at the three of them with a puzzled expression.

"No... I thought you were still single, Professor Sakumo. I didn't expect you to be married and have a son..."

Ayane quickly offered an explanation.

Shiraishi and Ruri nodded in agreement; in their eyes, Sakumo was indeed that kind of person.

"Sorry, I thought I had already mentioned this."

"It's alright, I was just a little surprised to hear that. After all, it's a personal matter. We had no contact with Sakumo-sensei before graduating from the Ninja Academy. So, Sakumo-sensei's son is already two years old... Hatake Kakashi, what a nice name."

Ayane smiled.

But in my heart I was thinking: What kind of name should I give my future child with Shiraishi-kun?

"To be honest, I've been a bit negligent as a father. I couldn't even go back to the village to celebrate my child's birthday in September. Now it's November."

"There will be another chance next year. Professor Sakumo will treat us then."

Bai Shi laughed.

Sakumo's lips twitched slightly. When it came to treating people, he seemed to suddenly recall some unpleasant memories.

He didn't want to be on the verge of bankruptcy on his son's birthday, a bittersweet moment.

"Really? That's great. I'll go on an empty stomach that day. Get ready, Sakumo-sensei."

Ayane smiled and confirmed the matter.

Sakumo sighed; it seemed his wallet was doomed. Then he looked at Ruri.

"Don't look at me like that. That's your son's birthday party. It would be so rude of me to pay for it. After all, you are Lord White Fang."

No, I don't care about saving face. Hearing Ruri's heartless rejection, Sakumo thought to himself.

◎

Two days later, it was the day when Konoha and Sunagakure officially concluded their peace treaty and signed a ceasefire agreement.

The weather was sunny and clear.

Sakumo's squad set off back to Konoha's camp on the border of the Land of Fire.

The ceasefire agreement was signed at nine o'clock in the morning.

It is 4 PM now.

In other words, the ceasefire agreement with Sunagakure has already been signed, and this news should have already been sent back to the camp and will be sent back to the village as quickly as possible.

However, when the four members of Sakumo's team returned to camp at 5 p.m., they sensed that something was wrong.

It's too dull.

It's more accurate to say it's grief.

The four looked at each other, bewildered, wondering what had happened.

Although I know that some people will grieve when the war ends, it doesn't have to be this somber.

Beneath this oppressive atmosphere lay a burning rage and murderous intent that seemed intent on devouring everything.

"What's going on here?"

"I don't know, what happened?"

Shiraishi stroked his chin and began to ponder.

Is there a problem with the agreement?

Does this mean that Sunagakure has no intention of fulfilling the terms of the agreement?

Otherwise, none of this can be explained.

"You're a medical ninja too, right? Hurry up and get to the medical department; they're desperately short-staffed!"

Just then, a Konoha ninja ran over quickly and said anxiously to Shiraishi.

Shiraishi glanced at Sakumo, who nodded. Shiraishi then followed the ninja to the camp where the medical unit was located.

"You all rest here for a bit, I'll go find Orochimaru and find out what's going on."

Ruri and Ayane nodded and obeyed Sakumo's instructions.

—The camp where the medical unit is located.

Terrible!

The only word to describe it is "horrific".

Dozens of Konoha ninja lay mangled and bloodied in the camp, their agonizing screams like those of vengeful ghosts, causing Shiraishi to momentarily lose his composure.