Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Mitomon En tacitly approved of the Shadow Guard's actions.

Negotiations require Thousand Hands Green Willow to exert its deterrent effect on Cloud Hidden.

……

The Land of Lightning, Hidden Cloud Village.

After months of emergency treatment and recuperation, the Fourth Raikage A's condition has finally stabilized.

At the site of the severed leg, a high-end metal prosthesis was installed, crafted by combining the secret techniques of Cloud Concealment with the latest technology.

Although its agility is far inferior to the original, thanks to its strong physique and the drive of lightning chakra, it is already able to walk with difficulty and even conduct some combat training.

However, losing a leg is undoubtedly a huge blow to the Raikage, who is known for his speed and explosiveness.

He became more silent and more irritable.

On the training ground.

Raikage was shirtless, revealing his well-defined muscles from training.

He is getting used to his new "legs".

boom--!

The prosthetic limb, crackling with lightning, slammed into a specially made iron stake with a dull thud, sending sparks flying.

The movements remained swift, but at the subtle transitions, there was always a hint of indescribable sluggishness and disharmony.

Kirabi stood to the side, his usual rapping absent today, watching silently, his eyes behind his sunglasses filled with worry.

"Brother, take your time, don't rush."

"Urgent?" Lei Ying stopped moving, panting heavily, sweat streaming down his face and dripping onto his cold metal prosthetic arm.

"How can we not be anxious?! Those bastards from Konoha are still pushing their luck at the negotiating table, that damned brat—Senju Seigo!!"

He growled, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

"Brother, you need time to get used to this prosthetic leg, and the village... also needs time."

Killer Bee comforted him, "Lord Tsuchidae won't let us suffer losses, and... Iwagakure is still holding Konoha back on the western front, so we still have a chance."

"An opportunity?" Raikage raised his head, his eyes flashing with a fierce light:

"Once my legs have fully adapted... Konoha, and that brat, I will make them pay! This war is not over yet!"

……

Chapter 228 Kakashi and the Uchiha

Country of Fields.

Konoha's forward base.

Compared to the tension and gloom of a few months ago, the atmosphere at the stronghold is much more relaxed now.

Although vigilance remained high, the ninjas' faces showed less of the resolute determination to face death at any moment and more of an expectation that the war might be coming to an end.

When Qingwu and the three members of the Shadow Guard landed on the open ground of the stronghold on silver winged horses, it immediately caused a small commotion and cheers.

Today, "Cataclysmic" Qingwu and his Shadow Guard are enjoying immense prestige on the Eastern Front, and are regarded as heroes who bring victory and peace.

The four had just returned from the Land of Hot Springs and hadn't even had a chance to report to Suzaku Nara when a slightly lazy voice came from the side:

"Oh, the imposing Shadow Guard, I heard they're having such a blast soaking in the hot springs of the Land of Hot Springs that they've forgotten all about home?"

Qingwu looked in the direction of the sound and saw a tall, thin figure wearing a mask, a headband tilted to cover his left eye, and his hands in his pockets, leaning against the shadow of a barracks.

His right eye, which was exposed, curved into a crescent shape, revealing a familiar languor and teasing.

"Kakashi-senpai!" Qingwu was surprised and delighted.

Tenzo smiled and bowed respectfully, saying, "Kakashi-senpai."

Shisui nodded slightly in greeting; Kakashi was the former captain of the Shadow Guard.

Red Bean, ever the "friendly one," ran over in a few steps: "Kakashi-senpai, you look so relaxed, it seems like the Anbu's mission is quite easy."

"Easy?" Kakashi sighed dramatically.

"Don't even mention it. The Hokage was worried about the safety of the peace negotiation representatives, so he brought in our elite Anbu squad as bodyguards."

"I'm so tired of listening to those old men arguing at the negotiating table all day long, it's so annoying! You guys have it so much more fun on the battlefield."

Shisui looked at Kakashi with slight surprise. Was this still the "cold-blooded Kakashi" who was famous in the Anbu?

Qingwu smiled.

This is Kakashi's true nature. He has probably gradually emerged from the shadows through his interactions with Naruto. That's a good thing!

"So you were escorting Elder Mitokado Homura?" Qingwu nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Have you dealt with the Cloud Village that went deep into the Land of Fire?"

"A rootless duckweed can't stay afloat for long," Kakashi said lazily. "After the peace talks began, those Cloud Ninja were sent back."

"They got off too easily," Hongdou muttered, then asked, "Senior, how's it going on the western front? Is the Hokage alright?"

"I haven't seen the Hokage for a long time either," Kakashi shook his head slightly, "but he must have been disgusted to death by that old man Onoki."

At this point, Kakashi stopped joking and said in a low voice:

"If Iwagakure doesn't withdraw, they'll just stay there, causing minor skirmishes every now and then. But a large-scale war is unlikely. Both sides are waiting for the outcome of the Eastern Front peace talks. As for you..."

He looked at Qingwu, his tone filled with amazement:

"You've grown to this level, kid? You crippled the Raikage? Now, your name shines brighter than the sun in the village."

Having experienced the Third Shinobi World War and witnessed the rise of his teacher Minato Namikaze, Kakashi should have been quite familiar with the rise of such geniuses.

He himself is a genius.

But... Qingwu had been under his "surveillance" since he was penniless, so this transformation shocked him even more!

"There was an element of luck involved." Qingwu didn't take credit, and changed the subject, "Is there any progress in the peace talks with Elder Mitomon En?"

"Still grinding." Kakashi shook his head.

“Those thugs from Kumogakure are incredibly stubborn, and that old fox from Tsuchidai is even more slippery.”

"However, the tide is in our hands, and they won't be able to hold out for long."

"The daimyo of the Land of Lightning has already sent people to Kumogakure to put pressure on them. I heard that the Raikage is furious, but there's nothing he can do. After all, it's the daimyo's money that's being burned in war."

The group chuckled softly; one could imagine Raikage's expression.

That guy is definitely unwilling, but the general trend is such that neither side wants to continue fighting. The pressure from the Daimyo's office in the Land of Lightning should be able to speed up the negotiations.

Old friends reunited, chatting about trivial matters in the village, yet they never tired of talking.

Qingwu inquired about Naruto's recent situation.

Kakashi said that Naruto had already enrolled early and was taking classes with Iruka.

Although there were bound to be some rumors at school, Kakashi believed that it was a good thing to keep Naruto from falling behind his peers.

……

In the evening, Qingwu was summoned by Nara Suzaku to discuss some details of defense adjustments.

Hongdou and Tianzang went to rest.

Shisui said he wanted to patrol the outer perimeter of the base and practice his newly acquired ninjutsu.

Kakashi leaned against the outside of the barracks, watching Shisui's departing figure, his right eye slightly narrowed as if deep in thought.

Late at night, most of the base was asleep, with only the footsteps of patrolling ninjas and the flickering lights of distant watchtowers in the darkness.

Kakashi's figure appeared silently at the edge of a secluded grove of trees outside the base.

He leaned against a large tree, his breathing and heartbeat almost at their lowest, and he slightly pulled down his headband to reveal his Sharingan.

In a small clearing in the woods, Zhishui stood quietly.

Opposite him stood two figures whose faces were hidden in the shadows.

"Zhi Shui, the clan leader and elders have made their meaning very clear."

One of the figures, with a slightly deep voice, spoke, his tone leaving no room for argument:

"The Mangekyou Sharingan is the treasure of the Uchiha clan, and the hope to lead the clan back to its former glory!"

"You must return to your clan immediately and report in detail to the clan leader and elders the process of opening your eyes and the abilities of your pupil technique, and accept the clan's arrangements and guidance."

"This is your responsibility, and also your honor!"

Another ninja with a sharper voice added:

“The village leadership has been suppressing the Uchiha clan. The power of the police department has been repeatedly weakened, and our clan territory has been relegated to a corner.”

"Now that you possess this power, it is time for us Uchiha to demonstrate our strength to the village and fight for our rightful place!"

"Shisui, you are a genius of the Uchiha clan. Always remember that you are first and foremost an Uchiha ninja, and only then a Konoha ninja!"

Kakashi roughly understood; these two were clearly people sent by the Uchiha clan.

Faced with questioning from his clansmen, Uchiha Shisui stood silently, his expression obscured by the darkness.

"The police department's job is to maintain order in the village, and the location of the clan's territory... is due to historical reasons."

The sound of still water rang out, steady and clear, revealing no emotion.

"I am Uchiha Shisui, a ninja from Konoha, and a member of the Shadow Guard. I will decide for myself how to use the Sharingan and for whom to use it."

“I appreciate the kindness of the clan chief and elders, but the war on the front lines is not over yet and peace talks are imminent. As a member of the Shadow Guard, I have a duty to perform and cannot leave my post.”

"Once the situation stabilizes, I will return to the village and explain to the clan chief."

"Nonsense!" the Uchiha ninja said sternly in a deep voice.

"What Shadow Guard! What duty! Is the rise and fall of the family less important than your so-called mission? Shisui, don't forget who trained you, who gave you the power of these eyes!"

"Strength comes from the sacrifice of comrades and the belief in protection, not merely from bloodlines." Shisui's voice remained steady, but with a hint of determination:

"What I'm doing now is protecting Konoha, and also protecting the future of the Uchiha clan. A strong and peaceful Konoha is just as important to the Uchiha clan!"

"Please go back and tell Elder Setsuna that Shisui has never forgotten that he is a member of the Uchiha clan, but he will never betray his comrades and the village."