The Shadow of Konoha

Sansho's words made Hanyu fall into a long contemplation. There was a very simple truth that Hanyu had always refused to think about and admit before - as an outsider, since he was incompatible with this world, all he could do was to change himself to adapt to and integrate into this world, rather than asking the whole world to cooperate with him.

How is that possible?

Being unwilling to change himself in order to fit in with the world, Hanyu's conservative side is completely exposed. But this is wrong. Hanyu has realized that it may be time for him to make a change... At the very least, he should have more youthful vitality.

"Lord Sansho, the enemy is from Iwagakure. This time they are carrying out the usual infiltration and sabotage operations, including but not limited to harassing the rear, destroying supplies, and smuggling at designated locations. There is no special purpose." Uchiha Kagami quickly finished interrogating the captives. He did not find any information worth paying attention to from the enemy. In a sense, this is good news, indicating that Iwagakure has no special intentions against the Land of Fire for the time being.

No one would ask what happened to the four enemies because everyone knew their fate.

"After Konoha and Kumogakure were badly damaged, Iwagakure seems to have become particularly active." After hearing Uchiha's Kagami report, Sansho said. However, Iwagakure's activeness can be said to be an inevitable result. In war, one side gains while the other loses. When we are weak and the enemy is strong, they will naturally take more frequent actions... Taking advantage of the fact that Konoha and Kumogakure have lost their leaders, Iwagakure, as their old enemy, will of course take the opportunity to gain an advantage in the war.

"Recently, most of the conflicts on our defense line have broken out with Iwagakure. We have to admit that they have now gained the initiative on the battlefield and even in strategy." Mitokado Homura said, and his face showed worry about the current war situation.

"So the purpose of our trip is to minimize the number of our enemies and solve some of our worries." Sansho said.

In the current war situation, Iwagakure's main attack direction is Kumogakure and Konoha, and it adopts a defensive posture in the direction of Sunagakure; Sunagakure is mainly attacking Konoha and Iwagakure; the Hidden Leaf Village of the Fire Country in the center of the continent has begun a comprehensive strategic contraction, and after thwarting the invasion of Kumogakure, it has adopted a defensive posture; Kumogakure's original attack direction was Iwagakure and Konoha, but having just lost the Raikage, they had to learn from Konoha to shrink their forces; the isolated Kirigakure is dealing with Kumogakure and the farther Iwagakure, and they have no intention of starting a war against Konoha in this Ninja World War.

If we add the small ninja villages sandwiched between the big countries, the whole world would have already become a mess, so there are many people like Hanyu whose homes have been destroyed by war.

Of course, Hanyu couldn't get a word in on such topics about the world situation, and after what happened just now, he didn't have much of a heart to talk. But he wasn't sleepy, so he relit the bonfire, hoping to dry his wet clothes before dawn.

There was a ray of light in the night, and then the younger ninja also sat down next to the campfire. He took off the mask on his head and threw it into the fire. Then his white hair, which was particularly conspicuous in the night, was naturally revealed.

Seeing Hanyu looking at him in surprise, he explained, "It can't be used after it's stained with blood. Otherwise, it will be easily discovered by the enemy's reconnaissance ninja."

But he didn't know that what he explained was not the same as what surprised Hanyu.

"Well, thank you for your help just now. I haven't asked...what's your name?" Hanyu retracted his gaze and asked seemingly just out of courtesy.

"Hatake."

"What's the name below?"

"Hatake Sakumo."

"…I understand then."

"What?"

"Nothing." Of course, Hanyu couldn't say that he understood why the other party was so good at chopping people at such a young age.

But... are the so-called geniuses really able to emerge at this age? How do you say this?

Yes, it's called standing out.

"I have a question. How do you do that kind of body movements at your age?" Hanyu asked, perhaps to cover up his attitude problem.

The physical skills and swordsmanship that Hatake Sakumo just demonstrated are clearly practical techniques that can only be acquired through countless life-and-death battles, but where does he get the fighting experience at his age?

Hatake seemed a little uncomfortable with this kind of praise. He touched the back of his head a little embarrassedly, and after thinking seriously for a while, he said, "It's nothing special. I will get it with practice."

"…"

Foreword withdrawn, this person doesn't seem to have any "embarrassment" in mind. Listen, he will get it with practice, is he speaking human language?

"What about you? How come you can suddenly use water-style ninjutsu, and a B-level advanced ninjutsu? I heard that you just awakened your chakra not long ago." Hatake asked back.

Hanyu opened his mouth to speak, but found that he seemed to have no way to explain. After thinking for a while, he could only reluctantly say, "I also learned it through practice."

This answer made Hatake Sakumo clapped his hands, and then he looked at Hanyu with a look that said, "That's exactly the case."

However, can this be the same? Whether it is becoming a ninja or using water jutsu, Hanyu is thanks to the Second Hokage. These are acquired factors and are not the same as someone with extraordinary talents like Hatake Sakumo.

"Maybe if I keep practicing I will soon be able to learn the elemental escape." The child said this without knowing how lucky he was.

Hanyu glanced at the guy, then shook his head slightly. Young people are young people. After all, Hatake is not the later White Fang of Konoha. He is a little greedy.

Hanyu really wanted to ask him why he was learning elemental techniques, what was the use of it? Could any fancy ninjutsu be able to stop his beheading sword?

Amid the elders' worries about the situation and the young people's ignorance of the world, the night passed quickly, and when dawn arrived, the well-rested ninja team set out again.

But Hanyu's fatigue did not go away. His chakra had been in a continuous consumption process since yesterday, especially after releasing a B-level water ninjutsu. His chakra had not recovered much until now, but he still had to grit his teeth and follow the others.

Since they were not undertaking a combat mission this time, but a more significant diplomatic and political mission, the ninja team did not come into contact with Konoha's front-line troops when crossing the border, but deliberately left the country through a secret route where neither their own people nor the enemy would appear.

"Is this... the Land of Rice?" After leaving the Land of Fire, the surrounding geography and scenery became familiar to Hanyu, because he had lived here for a long time... Their current route was very similar to the route Hanyu took when he left the Land of Rice after meeting the Second Hokage, and it could even be said to be the same.

"Does it look familiar to you? This time, we chose a route to the Land of Lightning that goes through the Land of Iron in the south, but we did so in order to pass through here. Now it's your turn to lead the way... You've taken care of the remains of the Second Hokage, but you didn't move the bodies of the enemies, right? I hope they're still there." Sansho said to Hanyu as the forest in front of them grew denser.

"Find them. That's our best bargaining chip in our negotiations with Kumogakure."

Hanyu still remembered this road, even if he only remembered it roughly. As long as he found the burnt tree, the location of everything would become clear.

So, his position was changed to the front of the team.