After the initial distribution of roles, Minato naturally became the supreme commander of the Allied Forces. Onoki took up the position of Chief Strategist, Terumi Mei was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Coalition, Sasori was put in charge of the Long-Range Combat Division, and Samiu and Mabui jointly led the Strategy Division.
Once the Five Kages had been assigned their respective duties, they moved on to appointing division commanders for each unit.
On the raised platform, countless members of the Ninja Coalition Forces gazed upward at their leaders, ready to obey commands. The combined forces of the major ninja villages numbered nearly sixty thousand—an immense sight stretching as far as the eye could see, making everyone instinctively feel a sense of tension.
As orders were issued one after another, many shinobi below began quarreling among themselves.
The great ninja villages, hardened by war, fundamentally lacked mutual trust. Many had lost loved ones to enemy hands. A few skirmishes even broke out, leaving the entire scene chaotic and disorderly.
Suddenly, Minato threw several shuriken. A yellow flash lit up the sky, and almost simultaneously, all fighting among the ninjas vanished into thin air. At that moment, Minato himself stepped forward to deliver a solemn speech.
Anya listened intently throughout. Minato's experiences were truly legendary—he had lived through both the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars. Now with the Fourth Great Ninja War beginning, he once again took up the heaviest burden upon his shoulders. His moving words quickly captured the full attention of the shinobi below, with some even shedding tears of emotion.
"Now I finally understand where Naruto got his 'Way with Words.'"
Anya let out a soft chuckle and then vanished without a trace.
Underneath a hidden cliff stood an unremarkable five-story building. Inside, the gathered feudal lords from various nations were playing Hana-Fuda while grumbling, "Is there really nothing else to do?"
Another Daimyo replied, "Actually, I brought something—Five Nations Kill. It's a rather interesting card game. Let's play."
"Alright, I'll pick Konoha."
"No way, Konoha is mine."
"I am the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. Of course, Konoha belongs to me."
The Daimyos began arguing over which nation they wanted to choose.
Just then, Anya appeared here, looking at them with a smile. "Hey, playing my specially designed card game. You've got good taste. Since that's the case, I'll wait until you finish this round."
The daimyos glanced oddly at Anya, mistaking her for a newly arrived guard. Unaware of the deeper meaning behind her words, they quickly returned to their game.
Back in Konoha, White Fang looked at Kakashi wearing his new Forehead Protector marked with the kanji for "ninja", and couldn't help sighing, "Never thought another Great Ninja War would begin so soon after my return."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes calmly. "Yes indeed, Father. There has always been no peace in this world, but this time, I've grown fully. For the first time in history, the entire ninja world has united. We will surely win."
White Fang gazed at his now-grown son with pride, patted his shoulder, and asked, "What position have you been given?"
"I'm leading the Mid- to Short-Range Support Unit of the Third Division."
"Hmm, your speed makes you perfectly suited for this role. Go on ahead."
Kakashi hesitated slightly before asking, "Father, may I ask—have you considered going to the battlefield yourself?"
Secondly, very few people in Konoha knew about White Fang's revival. After all, his past deeds weren't exactly honorable. Therefore, technically speaking, White Fang wasn't even a ninja anymore—he was basically an unregistered vagrant. Minato specifically considered this point and didn't conscript White Fang into the Allied Ninja Forces. Kakashi knew his father well; that pair of wise eyes and his war-talent had already been fully demonstrated through numerous battles.
White Fang smiled lightly with great confidence and said, "No need. Not only have you grown, but my students have as well. He is a sharper blade than I've ever been."
"That's true enough," Kakashi also smiled. "I just didn't expect him to take on the mission of protecting the Daimyo."
"What?" When White Fang heard this, his eyebrows suddenly furrowed, and his expression subtly changed.
Kakashi asked puzzled, "Is something wrong?"
White Fang quickly regained his calmness and casually replied, "Nothing. Kakashi, do you know where the Fire Daimyo is located?"
"I do." Kakashi questioned, "Dad, are you worried he won't properly protect the Daimyo? With his strength, there should be very few ninjas capable of defeating him."
White Fang stretched out his hand and said, "Give me one of those forehead protectors. The Fire Daimyo once helped me—I think I'll accompany my student to complete this mission."
Though puzzled for a moment, Kakashi didn't dwell on it. After telling his father the location, he handed over a forehead protector along with the White Fang Blade he always carried with him.
"Since Dad has decided to go on this mission, it's time this blade returns to its rightful owner."
White Fang reached out and took it, swung it twice in the air, then returned it to Kakashi: "Now you're its master, Kakashi. I believe in you—you'll make good use of it."
Feeling the tremendous encouragement passed down from his father, Kakashi solemnly accepted it and gave a heavy nod: "Alright, I will."
After saying goodbye, White Fang put on some long-preserved ninja clothing from his closet, wearing it with complex emotions. The familiar half-sleeve bearing the mark of Konoha's elite still remained on his arm. After tying on the forehead protector inscribed with 'Nin', he swiftly rushed toward the address Kakashi mentioned.
Anya sat quietly, watching as several Daimyos played their intense rounds of cards. As the number of cards decreased, three Daimyos had already dropped out, while the remaining two continued battling intensely. It was clear that this game thrilled them way more than regular Hana-Fuda (Japanese flower cards) ever did.
"Haha! I win!"
The Fire Daimyo played his final card and happily announced victory in this round.
At the same time, Anya's eyes snapped open as the Blade of Indifference hummed loudly in his hand, nearly unsheathed.
"A divine blade has a soul of its own, bonded to its wielder, responding not just to hands but to will itself. It seems your swordsmanship really has surpassed mine now." White Fang's voice clearly reached Anya's ears from downstairs.
Anya's gaze shifted, then he vanished instantly from where he stood.
Within the loft, Master and apprentice stood facing each other. Anya spoke first: "Master, not only does your blade possess spirit—it was the same with your White Fang Blade once. Unfortunately, after losing you as its master, it faded into oblivion and even shattered once."
White Fang immediately understood and asked, "So that's why it felt different when I held it just now. Was it you who reforged it?"
"Yeah, the materials may have been upgraded, but the spiritual energy has completely faded. Master, would you like me to forge a new one for you?"
White Fang shook his head and said, "We can discuss that later. Don't you want to know why I'm here?"
Anya smiled and replied, "I'd love to hear it."
White Fang responded expressionlessly, "Because I understand you. You were my student. No matter how much time passes, I believe my students are like blades—when war comes, they charge forward fearlessly, carving their own path, not hiding behind shields as guards in the rear."
Anya couldn't help but praise, "No wonder you're my master—with such sharp eyes, you always know what I'm thinking."
White Fang simply replied with three words: "Why?"
Anya admitted, "The entire Ninja World is now unified. There's no longer any need for Daimyos (feudal lords)."
White Fang frowned slightly, "From the beginning, you've always been complex-minded. Therefore, you shouldn't be this naive. This current unity only exists because there's a common enemy. Everyone has joined together out of self-interest and safety. Once the war is won, the great villages will inevitably return to their former states. You've wiped out all the Daimyos, essentially placing yourself in opposition to the entire Ninja World. What exactly are you planning?"
Anya eased his grip on the sword, let out a sigh, and said, "Master, why don't you sit down? I'll explain everything."
"Fine. I'm also curious to learn how much you've changed in the years I was gone."
"Where do I even start...?" Anya pondered for a moment before reminiscing, "Let's start from when you took your own life. Back then, you abandoned that Mission Scroll. I risked my life and went through hell to retrieve it from Kiri."
These first words struck White Fang's heart deeply, and emotion flickered in his eyes.
"But when I returned, you were already gone. That mission had lost its meaning. I understood why you died. Afterward, I killed Nocturne—he was the one who followed Danzo's orders to go after you. He was the main instigator. Then Sarutobi Hiruzen—had he truly wanted to stop you, he definitely could have. Instead, he chose to watch. I did the same to him—I let him die watching."
Upon hearing this, White Fang sighed silently.
Anya continued, "Then came Danzo. Before your revival, I sent him straight to the Pure Land (Buddhist paradise). Lastly were the ignorant villagers of Konoha and their rumors."
Unable to hold back, White Fang asked, "So, you had the full ability to prevent Konoha's destruction, yet you allowed it to happen simply for revenge on my behalf?"
Anya replied, neither joyful nor sorrowful, "Do you think I did wrong, Master?"
"You were wrong. Deeply wrong. The villagers did nothing wrong."
White Fang let out a long sigh. "You know, in any era, villagers tend to go with the crowd. The majority's thoughts or actions often influence events, determining whether they succeed or fail. This herd mentality mainly comes from the sense of security everyone needs internally. Humans are social creatures by nature; we fear being different and making wrong decisions alone. So when most people say you're wrong, you end up joining in and blaming yourself. This happens in every village — it just so happened that they were in Konoha."
Anya was quiet for a beat before giving a reluctant nod. "On this point, you're right, Master. But I've always acted recklessly, and you weren't around to guide me. It makes sense that I'd make mistakes. In the end, the root of all my mistakes is you."
This sly move to shift blame left White Fang speechless, unable to respond.
After a long pause, he finally smiled bitterly. "Well then, since I'm here now to teach and guide you, could you possibly spare those few daimyos?"
"No," Anya firmly replied. "Master, your death made me realize how cruel the ninja world can be. I've decided to change this world, and the Fourth Great Ninja War will be where it begins."
White Fang recoiled in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief. "So tell me, what role have you been playing in this war?"
"The puppet master behind the scenes."
The Konoha army quickly set off under their respective captains. Tsunade separately arrived at the meeting room and found Minato.
"Has Anya come here? Where did he go?"
"He's responsible for guarding the safety of the daimyos from the Five Great Countries. He should have already arrived there."
Tsunade looked surprised. With strength like his, clearly he would be more effective on the front lines, not to mention his battlefield command abilities were at the top level.
Minato smiled bitterly. "That was his own request."
Something wasn't right. Tsunade frowned. "Where exactly are these daimyos? I'll go check on them myself."
"Tsunade-sama, I've assigned you a separate task. With Anya there, that will provide sufficient protection."
Minato seriously continued, "Currently, we've detected about ten thousand enemy troops, and we're still unsure if reinforcements are coming. Our number of ninja is far smaller than theirs, so each fighter is extremely important. I need you to lead the medical logistics support unit to minimize our casualties as much as possible."
"Ten thousand?" Tsunade's expression darkened slightly as she nodded and agreed. "Fine."
White Fang remained silent for a long time before speaking. "So you intend to completely unify the ninja world and carry out reforms? If the other Kages disagree, what will you do? Will you kill them all?"
"Minato is on board, the Kazekage is my brother who's always had my back, and the Raikage and Mizukage are both close to me. Onoki is the only one left — and he's not a fool. If he chooses to be foolish, I won't hesitate."
Hearing the tone of Anya's final words, White Fang already knew there was no avoiding this matter. After a long pause, he simply said, "The Fire Daimyo is my friend. Spare his life."
Anya looked surprised and asked, "You two actually had such a relationship."
Looking at the short sleeve on White Fang's arm, Anya had a rough idea of his identity and grinned as she agreed, "He can stage a fake death. I'll set him up so he can live out his days in peace. That work for you?"
White Fang waved his hand, saying, "Go ahead."
Overjoyed, Anya said, "Thank you, Master, for understanding."
Returning to the loft once more, several Daimyos were deeply immersed in their power struggles.
Anya gave a light smile and said, "Enough. You've all had your time in the sun. None of you will feel any pain when you die—I promise my hand will be quick. Truthfully, I'm even a little envious."
Before the Daimyos could figure out what was happening, four razor-sharp blades pierced through their hearts like brilliant shooting stars. Aside from the Fire Daimyo, the other four were utterly devoid of life.
"Look at me."
Before he could panic, the Fire Daimyo saw a pair of Sharingan eyes appear in his mind.
Anya had taken control of the souls of the other four Daimyos using the Spirit Control Technique.
Shortly afterward, the Five Great Countries no longer held any secrets from her.
When the Fire Daimyo regained consciousness, he found himself seated in a horse-drawn carriage, and the coachman turned out to be an old familiar face.
"Hatake Sakumo... It's really you? Am I hallucinating, or am I already dead?"
White Fang replied gently, "Neither. I'm going to take you to a peaceful village where you can spend your remaining years. How does Hot Springs Country sound?"
The Daimyo instantly understood. Remembering how the other four Daimyos had died, he realized he must have been spared thanks to White Fang's intervention. He simply nodded and said, "I've heard it has beautiful scenery and natural hot springs year-round—let's go there."
A day later, an intelligence report arrived from the loft—every last one of the Five Great Country Daimyos was dead. The world reeled in shock.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>