What level must a ninja reach to single-handedly end a Great Ninja World War?
Hashirama believed one must at least be able to remain active on the battlefield for over half a month before qualifying.
Madara thought the basic requirement was being able to skillfully use ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, maintaining an advantage even when surrounded by ten thousand enemies.
Shen originally only hoped he could match up to the Third Hokage. Even without dominating the entire shinobi world, that would already make him among the strongest solo fighters.
"Black Zetsu has the Rinnegan."
"And if he wants to revive Kaguya, he needs to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki."
These words instantly shattered his mental defenses.
"Obito wasn't this extreme," Shen thought inwardly. He thought it was pretty amazing that in such a short time, he'd matched Obito's power—when Obito still had both eyes, no less.
Yet these two legends—without being overly ambitious—they still touched upon the realm of fantasy and impracticality.
"First off, I'm not Indra's reincarnation," Shen sat gloomily on the ground in the small space, saying with a frown, "Second, I'm not Asura either."
"You possess the ultimate eye of my Uchiha clan," Madara glanced toward the Uchiha fan symbol salvaged by White Zetsu.
His tone softened slightly, "And your powers extend into time and space."
Impure World Reincarnated Hashirama stepped forward, squatted beside him, and gave his shoulder an encouraging pat, "You also possess the legacy of the Sage of Six Paths. We've already set the lowest possible bar by not asking you to surpass us."
Sighing deeply, Shen accepted his pitiful fate, "Please be gentle with me, esteemed sirs! After all, I'm just a tender young sprout from Konoha!"
In Shen's eyes, both Madara and Impure World Reincarnated Hashirama seemed to give sinister smiles.
Only then did he recall—the age difference between them truly made them old men.
"No way am I getting exploited for free!!!"
After mentally roaring, Shen entered [Sage Mode].
Impure World Reincarnated Hashirama could only teach him how to use [Sage Art].
But Madara, who had lived such a long life, had countless techniques to offer.
At least a month later, having learned all the jutsu Madara had collected throughout the years, Shen could now block attacks from wooden dragons.
Meanwhile, not far from Konoha, a so-called 'domestic incident' was unfolding inside the Hatake household.
Sakumo, who hadn't been home in over half a year, had his ear twisted by his wife, Shi Inuzuka.
"Are you trying to ruin our marriage? You vanished onto the battlefield without a word, and didn't even call me once?"
As a man of Konoha, Sakumo had always understood one truth from childhood: female ninja are extremely terrifying!
To survive, he immediately swore a dire oath, promising he would call home every week to check in.
If broken, he'd hang himself right there!
"One week?" Shi smiled in a particularly intriguing way.
Feeling his ear growing more painful, Sakumo bravely changed his mind, "No, no—it'll be daily!"
Saying the most cowardly things in the fiercest tone—that's just one of the survival tricks for men of Konoha.
This was a proud legacy left behind since Hashirama Senju's time!
Sakumo, a true son of the Hatake clan, wasn't about to let go of such a treasured tradition.
"Good," Shi said with a victorious smile, grabbing his Jonin flak vest. "Darling, I heard you're heading to the Land of Grass tomorrow?"
"Isn't it too early in the day?" Sakumo replied, pulling off his vest.
Shi stretched out her slender hand, running it along his rock-hard stomach. "Sure enough, my man really has a better and better body."
Falling for her charm hook, line and sinker, Sakumo immediately scooped her up into his arms.
"Quickly, go wash up. You're all sweaty."
"Let's go together."
The Hatake household made quite a ruckus that lasted deep into the night.
The next day, Sakumo was definitely not refreshed.
With two large dark circles under his eyes and a tired demeanor, he reluctantly arrived at Konoha's northern gate.
It was normal for the Inuzuka clan, capable of chasing enemies for a thousand miles, to have such endurance.
Sakumo, with a sore back and aching waist, suddenly had the idea of wanting to fight forever.
"No way, Shi definitely won't let me off the hook easily," he quickly dismissed the thought, forcing himself to stand at the front of the squad with renewed vigor.
To boost the village's fighting spirit, the Third Hokage decided to send a few reporters to record everything happening on the Hot Water Country frontlines.
Therefore, in a distant corner, two figures—one short and one tall—holding cameras were having a conversation.
"With Commander Sakumo in this condition, the situation in the Hot Water Country must be grim," the short figure seriously stated his opinion.
The tall figure snorted. "Aburame Fuchuan, you won't get anywhere with that kind of thinking."
Following this, with the intention of educating the younger generation, he gave this matter an appropriate headline: "[Why Is the Konoha's White Fang Going Soft? What Exactly Is So Fascinating About the Hot Water Country?]"
Aburame Fuchuan, an obscure member of Team One, was immediately confused.
The headline-writing ability of the Uchiha News Agency was something even Aburame Fuchuan, as a six-month intern, still hadn't gotten used to.
"The content can be serious, but the headline must be eye-catching."
Fuchuan adjusted his sunglasses on his nose. "Sales come first — after all, unsold papers are just trash."
The tall figure encouragingly patted his back, a look of approval on his face. "You're starting to get the real spirit of this business."
Then he abruptly changed the topic. "Tomorrow, you'll gather the materials by yourself."
Fuchuan understood—this was an opportunity given to him by his senior, an opportunity granted by the Uchiha News Agency itself.
Being able to work independently was the first step on this journalistic career path.
With endless feelings in his heart, Fuchuan silently watched the tall figure walking toward the northern gate.
At this moment, he was certain—his senior was definitely following Commander Sakumo to the Land of Grass to become a war correspondent.
Fuchuan, facing the morning sunlight, decided that in the future, he too would become a war correspondent.
The tall figure approached Sakumo and warmly greeted him, "Hello, Commander Sakumo."
"Who are you?"
"I'm a senior reporter from the Uchiha News Agency. My name is Uchiha Mukai."
"Mu?"
Sakumo Hatake shook hands with him.
"A reporter doesn't need a name at all."
Mukai wore a proud expression. "The content of the report is what truly matters."
Sakumo couldn't quite believe that Mukai genuinely held such lofty ideals.
Everyone in Konoha knew that when it came to outrageous headlines, no organization in the shinobi world could rival the Uchiha News Agency.
When Root's leader Danzō went out for a casual stroll, they might caption the photo: "Konoha's Oldest Living Bachelor Caught Doing the Unthinkable: Walking Like a Commoner!"
When The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, simply visited a video store to buy some regular movies, they'd produce something titled "What Are the Current Hokage's Favorite Movies?"
Even the Legend of the White Fang—Hatake Sakumo himself—couldn't imagine these people heading to the front lines without coming up with some brand-new sensationalism.
Yet this time, he was completely wrong.
The Uchiha reporters dispatched to the Land of Grass were indeed among the most exceptional in both ability and interpersonal skills.
Their mission was to locate their clan head's youngest son, who had mysteriously disappeared nearly two months ago.
"None of you should bother coming back if you can't find him!"
With just those words from Kazushi, the clansmen below scratched their heads desperately trying to come up with ideas—thus giving birth to this operation.
As for the codename? It would likely be something like "The Journey to Find Shen."
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