With Konoha's reinforcements withdrawn, the Iwa ninja had no choice but to abandon their battle plan.
Whether by design or coincidence, Nawaki and Minato had ensured that the Kumo ninja caught wind of this development.
The Third Raikage wasn't one to let such an opportunity slip by. Without hesitation, he led his forces toward the docks.
Ōnoki, of course, couldn't just stand by and watch them withdraw—allowing the Kumo ninja to retreat unchallenged would be a massive blow to his reputation. Yet, he also knew he couldn't deal a decisive blow to them. If he truly attempted to stop them, it would only lead to unnecessary casualties.
In the end, he could do nothing but put on a show of fighting the Kumo ninja a few times, with both sides claiming their share of victories and losses.
That night, as he watched the Third Raikage successfully lead his forces away from the port, Ōnoki flew into a rage. No one dared approach the building he was in.
Meanwhile, the mastermind behind this entire situation had already returned to Konoha, living a carefree and leisurely life.
"You just strolled back from the Land of Rain like it was nothing?"
Kawakaze wasn't sure whether to laugh or scold, his face full of helplessness.
"What else were we supposed to do?"
"That entire area belongs to Yahiko and his people now."
Nawaki wasn't wrong—there was no way to avoid passing through Akatsuki's territory on the way back.
"Exactly. It's not like we could all just fly back, right?"
Minato had initially thought this route was too conspicuous, but after considering it, he stopped caring.
"Yes, yes, you all have a point."
"It's all Yahiko's fault. Why go and take over so much land?"
Tsunade glanced between her younger brother and her disciple, her smile full of fondness.
"Oh well, it doesn't matter if we were seen."
"The truth will come out eventually."
Kawakaze wasn't blaming anyone—he was just making an offhand comment.
"Sensei, is it time for the next step?"
Minato caught onto Kawakaze's meaning—Konoha was about to take action personally.
"You've only just returned. No need to rush."
"At least give Ōnoki some time to catch his breath."
"Besides, this isn't your fight. I already promised Fugaku."
Kawakaze had planned everything in advance—he was determined to claim the Land of Earth.
Fugaku had been aware of his intentions from the beginning and had personally volunteered. Kawakaze naturally had no reason to refuse.
For the Uchiha clan leader, it was only right that he take revenge with his own hands.
"I know. I was talking about the Land of Lightning."
Minato raised an eyebrow. Compared to this, he was more interested in fighting alongside Yahiko and the others.
"Oh, that?"
"That's a secret."
Kawakaze deliberately left Minato hanging, which only frustrated him further.
"Sensei, how could you do this?"
Minato was full of grievances but had no choice but to look at Kawakaze with a pitiful expression.
"Playing the victim won't work on me. Save it."
"Haha!"
A certain shameless sensei laughed heartily, completely disregarding his dignity.
"Brother-in-law, if you won't tell Minato, you can at least tell me, right?"
Nawaki assumed his status would grant him special treatment, shamelessly inching closer to Kawakaze.
"Who are you?"
"Get away from me."
Kawakaze pushed him aside, acting as if he didn't recognize him.
Minato, who had just been sulking, suddenly burst into laughter. Compared to Nawaki, he actually felt a little better about himself.
It's true—without comparison, there's no real sense of loss. Happiness often comes at someone else's expense.
And today, it was Nawaki who got the short end of the stick.
"Don't look at me, I'm just a puppet Hokage."
Tsunade chuckled, waving her hand as if she had no idea what was going on. Not that anyone believed her.
"Fine, whatever. Who cares?"
Nawaki slumped back into his seat, disappointed but trying to act indifferent.
"Relax, you two will definitely be involved in the Land of Lightning operation."
"Oh? So you're not planning to step in yourself?"
Kawakaze's lips curled into a faint smile. Ever since dealing with Madara, he had no intention of taking action again.
As for Orochimaru and the others, they had even less interest in stepping in. Staying in the village and letting the younger generation prove themselves was a much better option.
"I'm relieved to hear that, Sensei (brother-in-law)."
Both Nawaki and Minato were easily placated—completely in Kawakaze's grasp.
"Two good-for-nothing idiots."
Tsunade rolled her eyes. These two Hokage candidates were exactly like her.
If Kawakaze truly cared about power, Konoha might as well rename itself the Hatake Clan's domain.
Under his sister's intimidating gaze, Nawaki could only respond with an awkward grin.
"Sensei, how are Yahiko and the others doing in the Land of Water?"
Minato let out a couple of dry laughs, attempting to shift the topic.
"They've stabilized things for now."
"But there's still a lot of work to do. Once the shinobi world completely settles, I'll send someone to take over."
Though Kawakaze made it sound simple, his expression gave away his satisfaction with Yahiko and the others' accomplishments.
"I see. Nothing worth mentioning?"
Minato had expected something more interesting—after all, the Land of Water was one of the Five Great Nations.
Strictly speaking, Yahiko and his team had already achieved more than he and Nawaki had.
Regardless of the Land of Water's actual strength, it was still a Great Nation, and this was the first time in history that one had been taken over like this.
"No major incidents, but there was one person…"
"The Great Elder of Kirigakure, Genji, took his own life."
There was a hint of regret in Kawakaze's voice. He held no particular dislike for Genji.
The old man, who had once supported Mei Terumi in the original timeline, had a true sense of duty.
"But he had already surrendered—why would he kill himself?"
Nawaki was confused. The war was over. Wouldn't it be better to live?
"It was precisely because he surrendered that he took his own life."
Tsunade understood Genji's reasoning. To him, the village meant everything, but the lives of its people weighed just as heavily on his heart.
He couldn't bear to watch his people die in a futile resistance, yet surrendering meant the end of Kirigakure's existence in the shinobi world. The guilt was unbearable, and he could not bring himself to live with it.
In the end, there was no perfect solution. He saved his people, but he could never overcome the burden of his decision.
"He didn't have to die."
Minato struggled to understand such a heavy sense of duty, which, in a way, was his blessing in this life.
"There is no absolute right or wrong in this world. Genji was a remarkable man."
He had preserved Kirigakure's people at the cost of his own life, carrying the guilt with him to the grave. Kawakaze held him in high regard.
If it were him, could he have done the same?
Perhaps not. After all, selfishness was human nature.
Even if Kirigakure no longer existed in the future, people would remember an old man named Genji who had saved countless innocent lives.
"Yahiko and the others have already given him a proper burial."
Tsunade sighed. In a way, Genji had died at Konoha's hands.
But such things were inevitable—an unavoidable part of achieving peace.
She could only hope that the future shinobi world would be one where those who had sacrificed could smile in the Pure Land.
Their lives weren't lost in vain. Everything would be repaid in kind.
"It won't be long now."
Kawakaze stood up, walking over to the window. Looking out into the distance, he took a deep breath.
Things had come this far—there was no turning back.
Death and sacrifice were inevitable.
The only thing he could do was ensure that the Third Shinobi World War wouldn't be as devastating as it had been in the original timeline.
Once the shinobi world was unified, he only hoped that peace would last...
A little longer.
A little longer!!!