Entering the Land of Water, the moist sea breeze carried a salty scent, washing away some of the lingering smell of gunpowder from the battlefield.
Asuka did not continue toward the front lines. Just as the unit crossed into the border of the Land of Water, a Ninja wearing the Hidden Mist ANBU insignia rushed over and respectfully handed him a sealed scroll.
It was an order from the Third Mizukage. The message was simple: rotate the front lines and rest—Asuka was to lead his unit back to recuperate.
He selected the veterans who had fought the longest, those with unhealed injuries, or those suffering from severe exhaustion. Leading this group, he began the journey back to the Hidden Mist Village.
The atmosphere on the return trip was completely different from before.
Without the constant tension of the battlefield, the veterans spoke in low voices, chatting about their wives and children or small matters back home. Long-lost smiles gradually returned to their faces.
After several days of travel, the Hidden Mist Village finally came into view.
The moment they saw it, the veterans completely relaxed. Their steps grew lighter, and many even quickened their pace, eyes filled with the eagerness of returning home.
---
At the village entrance, the guards immediately came forward to greet them.
But when their gazes fell on Pakura, their expressions instantly turned wary.
Several Hidden Mist Ninjas, already prepared, stepped forward and bowed to Asuka.
"Lord Asuka, by order of the Mizukage, we are to escort Pakura to a designated residence for supervision."
Asuka nodded calmly.
"Keep a close watch. Do not be careless."
"Yes!"
The Ninjas responded and gestured for Pakura to follow.
She glanced at Asuka, and seeing no intention to interfere, silently followed them without resistance.
---
After entering the village, Asuka went directly to the Mizukage's office to report on the Sunagakure battlefield.
This time, the Third Mizukage's attitude was noticeably more enthusiastic—clearly acknowledging Asuka's strength and rising status.
---
Over the following days, Asuka finally enjoyed a rare period of peace.
Of course, he didn't forget about Pakura. On the second day, he personally went to her residence and brought her back to live at his home.
Pakura did not object.
As usual, she remained quiet and reserved.
Living under the same roof, the two rarely spoke, yet a strange, unspoken understanding gradually formed between them.
---
Early one morning, after finishing his routine, Asuka headed toward the ANBU Intelligence Room.
As one of Hidden Mist's core combat forces, he had access to the latest intelligence from across the Ninja World.
The facility was heavily guarded, but once the guards confirmed his identity, they immediately allowed him inside.
Several ANBU members were organizing scrolls within.
"Provide me with the latest intelligence on all major factions," Asuka said.
"Yes, Lord Asuka."
An ANBU member quickly handed over a stack of compiled reports.
---
Now, as the second year of the Third Great Ninja War drew to a close, the entire Ninja World had undergone major changes.
First was the Hidden Mist Village.
After two years of warfare, it had gained significantly from its clashes with the Land of Fire—seizing fertile land and vast resources. Combined with the reparations from Sunagakure, it had profited immensely, becoming the only one among the Five Great Ninja Villages to consistently benefit during the war.
---
Meanwhile, on the battlefield between Iwagakure and Kumogakure, a shocking event had occurred:
The Third Raikage, to cover his troops' retreat after falling into an Iwagakure trap, faced ten thousand enemies alone—and died from exhaustion.
This feat ranked among the greatest in Ninja World history.
---
Yet surprisingly, Kumogakure did not retreat.
Instead, they shifted their focus toward Konoha.
Led by the Fourth Raikage A and Killer Bee—the famed "A-B Brothers"—their offensive became even more ferocious.
The death of the Third Raikage had ignited their fury. They sought victory as a tribute to him.
---
As for Sunagakure, its situation had worsened dramatically.
After paying heavy reparations to Hidden Mist, its national strength declined sharply. On the Mount Kikyo battlefield, they suffered a crushing defeat.
With Rasa gone, Chiyo struggled alone. Jiraiya seized the opportunity, driving Sunagakure forces out of Mount Kikyo, reclaiming lost territory and inflicting heavy casualties.
What was already a bad situation became even worse.
---
Finally, there was Konoha.
Despite being attacked on multiple fronts, it still stood firm—fully demonstrating why it was considered the strongest Ninja Village.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally led the war, clashing repeatedly with the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki.
At this stage, Hiruzen had not yet declined with age and still retained most of his peak strength.
He excelled in all areas—Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu—able to unleash large-scale techniques like a living artillery unit or move swiftly across the battlefield to suppress enemies.
Against Ōnoki's flight ability, Hiruzen used his adamantine staff, transformed from his summon Enma, to restrict his movement.
Even if he couldn't strike him directly, he prevented Ōnoki from gathering Chakra for his Dust Release.
---
Dust Release, the only known Kekkei Tōta, could disintegrate targets at the atomic level—leaving nothing behind.
Yet Hiruzen could counter it effectively, even matching it with his own ultimate technique:
Five Release: Great Combo Jutsu.
---
Reading this, Asuka sighed inwardly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi becoming Hokage was no accident. He was far from the "weak" figure some might assume.
Even in his old age, he remained a top-tier all-rounder.
In his battle against Orochimaru, he had sealed the First and Second Hokage—despite them being reanimated—and crippled Orochimaru's hands.
Even if the reanimations weren't perfect, they still possessed Kage-level strength.
In other words, an elderly Hiruzen faced three Kage-level opponents and still managed to defeat two while crippling the third.
That alone proved his strength.
---
Now, in his prime, he was even more formidable—a true pillar of Konoha.
---
On the Kumogakure front, Minato Namikaze had risen to fame as the "Yellow Flash."
With his unmatched speed and mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique, he repeatedly clashed with the A-B Brothers, striking fear into Kumogakure forces.
---
Meanwhile, at Mount Kikyo, Jiraiya displayed the strength worthy of a Sannin.
His calm and calculated tactics allowed him to exploit Sunagakure's weaknesses and seize full control of the battlefield.
---
Surrounded by enemies on all sides, Konoha still stood strong—
fully showcasing the power, depth, and resilience of the greatest Ninja Village in the world.
ing like vines.
--------------Author---------------
Read 50 advanced chapter on
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic
U can read 10 chapters ahead just for 5$