Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Qingwu's reaction was somewhat unexpected by Zhishui.

He stared blankly at Qingwu.

"I just want to tell you, don't try to carry everything on your own shoulders!"

Qingwu's smile faded, and his tone became serious and gentle:

"Zhishui, how old are you? Like me, only 15 after the New Year, right?"

“Look at Hongdou, a teenager, all he thinks about is eating meatballs and playing pranks.”

“Look at Tianzang again. He was so gloomy when he first came out of the root, but now he’s thinking about going back to the village for barbecue.”

"Shisui, this is what a young man should be like!"

Touched by the concern, Shisui said softly, "Captain..."

Qingwu, intrigued, lay down on the boulder, resting his head on his elbow, and continued:

"I don't know when you awakened your kaleidoscope. Perhaps you carried the expectations of your family, or perhaps you saw the family's predicament."

"Hmm, perhaps you also sensed the undercurrents in the village?!"

"That's good. It shows you've matured and become more responsible. But what I want to say is, don't let things that haven't happened yet crush you."

"Some things are not something you can solve on your own, nor are they things that a young person like you must answer immediately."

"The future of the Uchiha clan, the future of Konoha, is something that many 'adults' should worry about, gamble on, and slowly change."

"You... what's the rush, you little brat?!"

"I..." Shisui opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but felt a lump in his throat.

"You have your own path, your own choices."

Qingwu's voice was not loud, but every word was clear:

"But remember, no matter what you choose or what kind of person you become, first and foremost you have to be yourself, my teammate, and a trusted companion for Hongdou and Tianzang."

Shisui lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.

"Don't turn yourself into a tool that lives only for a certain goal or responsibility. That kind of future is too tiring and not worth it."

Qingwu's words struck Zhishui's heart like a heavy hammer.

Yes, what's wrong with me? Shouldn't having power be a good thing? Why am I even more troubled than before?

Zhi Shui turned his head to the side, his eyes slightly red.

He got up, stood up straight, and his eyes were brighter and clearer than ever before, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

He bowed deeply and solemnly to Qingwu.

"Thank you, Captain, really... thank you!"

He didn't say anything more, but everything was understood without words. Qingwu's words were like a ray of light, dispelling the gloom and confusion that had accumulated in his heart.

Of course, he still worries about the future of the Uchiha clan and still thinks about how to use these eyes to protect everything he cherishes, but his mindset is different now.

He no longer felt like he was groping alone in the dark, and no longer felt he had to find the perfect solution immediately.

He still has time, room to grow, and trustworthy companions to walk alongside him.

"Alright, alright, stop with the nonsense." Qingwu stood up and stretched.

"Let's go get something to eat. Hongdou has been learning to cook lately, and it tastes better than what the logistics department delivers. If we go too late, that girl will eat it all."

"Yes, Captain." Shisui's face showed a genuinely relaxed smile that he hadn't seen in a long time.

From that day on, the atmosphere within the Shadow Guard seemed to return to its former harmony, even becoming closer than before.

Shisui no longer always pondered alone; during training breaks, he would also guide Anko and Tenzo on some difficult problems in ninjutsu.

In this respect... Qingwu is indeed no match for the former captain Kakashi.

Because his power system has already transcended the realm of chakra.

Shisui, born into a prominent family, had a very solid foundation in ninjutsu and taijutsu, making him an absolutely perfect teacher in this regard.

As Hongdou and Tianzang's strength increased, their recognition and respect for Shisui also grew.

Qingwu continued to study his magic and troop combinations, and from time to time, he would pull the three of them together for simulated battles, and everyone was making progress together.

Peaceful and fulfilling days passed by one by one.

With no fighting on the border, it was as if the previous bloodshed was just a distant dream.

But everyone knows that beneath this calm lies a brief respite for various forces to reassess and secretly make their moves.

Two months passed quietly amidst the wind and snow on the border and the sweat of training.

Spring arrived slowly in the 54th year of the Konoha calendar as the ice and snow melted.

3 month.

An urgent battle report shattered the fragile peace like a thunderclap, spreading rapidly throughout Konoha's high command and reaching the border outposts.

The battle report came from the front lines at the border between the Land of Waterfall and the Land of Earth, sent by Shikaku Nara.

"The day before yesterday, Iwagakure suddenly assembled more than two thousand elite troops, plus more than a thousand Kusanagi as the vanguard, led by the Third Tsuchikage Onoki himself, and brazenly crossed the line of actual control between the two sides..."

"..."

Nara Suzaku read the battle report, his tone growing increasingly solemn.

The battle report said:

All the outposts between the Land of Fire and the Land of Waterfall were wiped out in a surprise attack by Iwagakure, severing the connection between Konoha and Takigakure.

The Takigakure ninja suffered heavy losses and have retreated to their secluded Takigakure village.

Meanwhile, the Konoha side, caught off guard, also suffered heavy losses. Hakumo, a Jonin, was killed in action by Onoki, who personally intervened.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio, working together, managed to hold off Onoki.

However, there is still a gap in the high-end combat power between the two sides. Onoki's son, Jitsuchi, is someone that Konoha has no one who can match. As for the number of ninjas, Konoha has never had the advantage in fighting on two fronts.

Lacking effective countermeasures, Konoha's defenses have collapsed, with three lines of defense breached in succession.

Currently, Nara Shikaku has been pushed back into the Land of Fire by Onoki, and his northwest direction is in grave danger.

...After Nara Suzaku finished reading the battle report, the expressions of Akimichi Toudou, Aburame Shiguro, and the others all changed drastically.

Onoki actually took action himself!?

Moreover, the move was swift and decisive, completely shattering the delicate balance that had been maintained by all parties in recent months!

"That old fox, Onoki, the Tsuchikage! He must have seen how badly we damaged Kumogakure and doesn't want Konoha to end the war as soon as possible!"

Akimichi Tangdong slammed his fist on the table, angrily shouting, "Could he be joining forces with the Raikage?!"

Suzaku Nara frowned: "Probably not. Even if Onoki wanted to form an alliance, the Fourth Raikage would definitely not agree."

Aburame Shiro nodded in agreement: "Mm!"

The Third Raikage died in an attack by 10,000 Iwagakure ninja. It would be good enough if the Fourth Raikage didn't seek revenge on Iwagakure, let alone join forces with them.

"Then how do you explain the timing of Tsuchikage Onoki's attack this time?" Akimichi Toudou's expression was extremely grim.

Originally, after the Cloud Village retreated, they were waiting for the peace talks that might occur at any time, but the Iwa Village's move completely ruined everything.

Nara Suzaku quickly analyzed:

"With the Cloud Village recently defeated, the Raikage severely injured and unable to attend to other matters, the Mist Village in internal strife, and the Sand Village weak, even without joining forces with the Cloud Village, this is indeed a good time for the Iwagakure to expand."

"Of course, Lord Tangdong is right. The most important reason is probably that Onoki doesn't want the war between Konoha and Kumogakure to end!"

Aburame Shiki said in a deep voice, "The Fourth Shinobi World War... is about to begin?"

Akimichi Tangdong's heart trembled. If the Tsuchikage made a move, the Hokage would definitely follow suit. At that point, the situation would be completely out of control.

If the Hidden Cloud Village makes a comeback at that time, will the Hidden Mist Village, which has been in seclusion, also appear?

What about Sunagakure?

Although they are allies with Konoha, if Konoha makes a mistake in focusing on one thing while neglecting another, it may be unable to resist the lure of the Land of Fire, just like in previous wars.

Silence fell inside the military tent.

Faced with this situation, all three were somewhat at a loss.

"You lot, are you scared?"

Just then, a burly figure lifted the curtain and entered the military tent, a chicken leg still munching on his mouth.

"Pooh!"

He spat out a bone and scolded, "You guys feel pressured? What about Shikaku? Shouldn't he just surrender?"

"Uncle..." Qiu Daotang Dong breathed a sigh of relief, swallowing back the word "uncle" in time. "Lord Qufeng, you're finally back!"

Akimichi Torifu squinted, scrutinizing everyone around him. "Going back several decades, when has Konoha ever failed to fight against overwhelming odds? What's there to be afraid of!?"

He was truly the only one in the room qualified to say that.

As a ninja from the same era as the Third Hokage, he participated in both the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars.

Nara Suzaku felt somewhat ashamed. Lord Torifu was right. He felt immense pressure, and his cousin Shikaku was probably beyond saving.

Aburame Shiro bowed respectfully: "My lord!"

The topic of the "Four Battles" just now was started because of him. As expected... Aburame shouldn't have said so much.

Akimichi Torifu devoured the chicken leg in a few bites, discarded the bone, wiped the grease from his graying beard, and said:

"Isn't Hiruzen's Shadow Guard there? I heard about those kids; they defeated the Raikage?!"

"With them around, there's nothing to be afraid of in the Land of Fields, right?"

"The most urgent task is to think of a way to support Shikaku."

Qiu Daotang looked troubled: "But the Hokage has ordered the Shadow Guard to hold this place!"

Akimichi Torifu held up a thick finger. "Then, how about we hand this over to the Shadow Guard? We'll go support Shikaku."

"!!" Qiu Daotang looked up in astonishment.

……