Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Kakashi bid farewell to Shikaku and the others who had come to see him off.

His silhouette appeared more somber than usual.

Although the mission was accomplished brilliantly during this trip to the front lines, a teammate who fought alongside them was lost, and the victory brought no joy whatsoever.

Shikaku patted Kakashi on the shoulder: "Be careful on the road. Although Iwagakure has temporarily withdrawn its troops, it may not be completely peaceful."

Bai Yun added from the side earlier: "We've already informed the checkpoints along the way, and they will fully cooperate with your Shadow Guard team. Take care on your journey!"

Chapter 131 The Tsuchikage's Decision

"in addition……"

Shikaku said in a deep voice, "Inoichi's intelligence network will urgently investigate Lady Tsunade's whereabouts, and I will report back to Konoha as soon as I have any news."

As she spoke, Lu Jiu glanced at the closed curtain of the carriage and said, "Tell the young man to take care!"

"Thank you both, sirs." Kakashi nodded slightly. "I'll leave the border in your care!"

"It's our duty!" Nara Shikaku and Shirakumo Hayato said in unison.

Driven by the centaur leader, the carriage began to move slowly. A hint of worry flashed in Baiyun's eyes as he whispered to Kakashi:

"After you see the Hokage, please convey our message in person: Iwagakure, after this battle, is unlikely to launch a large-scale attack in the short term."

However, Huang Tu is a patient and shrewd person. The grudge over the Jinchuriki's defection might also fall on Konoha. Iwagakure will never let this go easily; Konoha needs to prepare early.

Some things can be said in intelligence reports, but the effect may not be as significant as saying them face-to-face.

Kakashi bowed in response and turned to follow the carriage.

The carriage gradually disappeared into the depths of the morning mist. Baiyun spoke up in the morning, "You're sending them back now to protect them, aren't you?"

"It's for protection, and also to avoid trouble."

Shikaku narrowed his eyes. "If the Shadow Guard's whereabouts are exposed, coupled with the grudge of the Jinchuriki's defection... if they stay here, Onoki will definitely come in person."

Baiyun said this morning, "No one wants the war to get out of control, but often they have no choice but to do so."

Shikaku said in a deep voice, "But they used the tailed beasts first. Fortunately... there was Jonin Qingwu there."

"Just how strong do you think he is? He was able to hold off a Jinchuriki all by himself."

"Yes, they're better than us!"

"..."

"..."

The Shadow Guard's return journey was relatively smooth.

They traveled during the day and rested at the Konoha outposts along the way at night.

The outposts and checkpoints along the way would provide them with hot food and medical care.

Qingwu thought this was fine too.

While riding a Pegasus greatly increases mobility, it also means losing many of the journey's experiences.

On the evening of the fifth day, the outline of Konoha Village finally came into view.

The front lines were covered in blood and mud every day, but the village below the Hokage Rock remained quiet and peaceful, with smoke rising from its chimneys.

At this moment, Qingwu gained a new understanding of war...

The guards at the village entrance, seeing that it was the Shadow Guard team, immediately let them pass.

The convoy slowly drove into the village.

The villagers along the way all turned their heads in amazement at the centaur leader pulling the cart.

However, the villagers of Konoha had heard of these strange and psychic creatures, so they quickly shifted their attention away from them.

Judging from the appearance of the group, they were clearly from the battlefield.

Some people whispered among themselves, while others looked worried.

They all consciously made way, their eyes filled with respect for the ninjas returning from the front lines.

They ran right into the medical ninja squad who had been waiting halfway there.

The head of the medical team personally and carefully transferred Xiyan from the carriage to the bed, pushing her all the way to Konoha Hospital.

Qingwu wanted to follow, but was stopped. "My lord, please rest assured to leave your teammates to us."

Kakashi also spoke up:

"Don't worry, the medical ninjas at Konoha Hospital will do their best to stabilize her injuries, and Lord Inoichi will be investigating Lady Tsunade's whereabouts, so there's always hope."

Qingwu nodded, his gaze following Xiyan's stroller until it disappeared around the corner.

He leaned against the carriage, the scene from that night flashing through his mind again and again, the moment when Yugao was "instantly killed" by the tailed beast's chakra cloak, and the frustration in his heart surged up once more.

He had never realized the importance of strength so clearly.

If his withered wood guards were not only evenly matched with Lao Zi, and if he had more powerful healing magic, Xi Yan would not have been so badly injured.

This battle made him realize his shortcomings and strengthened his resolve—no matter the cost, he had to find Tsunade to heal Yugao.

At the same time, he also needs to become stronger!

We must be strong enough to prevent such regrets from happening again.

……

Land of Earth, Hidden Stone Village

Onoki was holding the battle report that had been sent back by Huang Tu.

The defeat on the western front... Lao Zi's defection... the retreat of the main battlefield defense line... every word was like a sharp knife, stabbing deeply into his heart.

Chitu, who was standing by, lowered his head and dared not utter a sound.

Onoki's face went from gloomy to ashen, then to almost ferocious, as he crushed the secret report to dust with his fingertips.

"waste!"

Onoki gritted his teeth, "They're all useless!"

"Time and time again, that bastard son couldn't even secure a single supply line. All my high hopes for him have been in vain."

"And that ungrateful old Zi, what did he mean by 'I won't argue with you anymore'?"

"Isn't it normal to argue when people have different ideas? The village has invested decades of effort in nurturing him, and all he got in return was his desertion at the last minute. It's an utter disgrace!"

"Issue the order to designate Old Purple as an S-rank rogue ninja. I want him to taste the bitterness of defection!!"

Akatsuki shuddered, but steeled himself and stepped forward:

"My lord, Lord Huangtu had no choice. Who would have thought that the Konoha boy who escaped from your grasp last time would appear on the battlefield?"

He only mentioned Huang Tu; as for Lao Zi… well, let’s just say he openly defected, so he dared not mention him.

"..." Onoki hesitated.

In any case, it is a fact that Senju Seigo survived his Dust Release last time.

A stain on one's life can never be washed away.

Ohnoki understood what Akado meant—you've already suffered a setback, so don't be too harsh on your son.

"Konoha brat... Senju... Wood Release..."

Onoki snorted coldly, his eyes surging with ruthlessness and apprehension:

"Back then, it was one thing for Hashirama Senju to suppress the entire ninja world, but now a mere brat dares to be so insolent in front of Iwagakure?!"

Chitu quickly replied:

"That kid is no good. Relying on external forces is ultimately a minor approach. Master Huangtu only suffered from a lack of intelligence."

"It's a pity that kid has already left." Onoki said regretfully, "Information has been sent back along the way, so he should have already entered the Land of Fire by now."

Akatsuchi remained silent: "..."

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If that Senju kid were still on the front lines, the Tsuchikage would have been even more furious and gone straight to find him.

"..."

The office fell silent for a moment.

After mentioning that kid from Konoha, Onoki became restless, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back.

After a long silence, he finally spoke: "Pass on the order!"

"Yes!" Chitu hurriedly prepared to take notes.

"While ordering Huangtu to defend the area, we will reorganize our forces and wait for an opportunity to advance on Konoha's defenses. I will continue to reinforce the border with troops."

"Huh?" Akatsuchi was confused. He thought that after this battle, Iwagakure would take advantage of the buffer zone to rest and recuperate.

What's that saying again? Isn't the ultimate goal of war politics?

Shouldn't we start peace talks?

Konoha is in a bad situation, but Iwagakure is doing well?

After the Third Shinobi World War—a catastrophe that affected the entire shinobi world—both sides needed time to recover and rebuild, right...?

Chapter 132 Kakashi Resigns

"After Wenya died, Huangtu became too kind to Kusanagi Shinobu." Onoki's eyes darkened.

"What I meant by having Huang Tu reorganize his forces was... that he should make more use of the Grass Ninja before reinforcements arrive."

Chitu opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

This is the domineering nature of the Great Ninja Village.

The Grass Village thinks it can preserve its strength by constantly shifting its allegiance? It would have to encounter a commander like Huang Tu who adheres to rules and has a bottom line.

As for Onoki... he clearly doesn't follow the rules.

After thinking for a moment, Akatsuchi decided to offer some advice: "My lord, we've been suffering setbacks lately, even our Jinchuriki have run away. Our morale is really worrying. I think we should conserve our strength and make further plans..."