What could very well have escalated into the Fourth Shinobi World War was now, with the withdrawals of Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure, reduced to a conflict between only Sunagakure and Konohagakure.
When Konoha learned of this news, the entire village was overjoyed.
Inside the Hokage's office—
"Good! Good! Good!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his desk three times as he spoke, making his excitement unmistakably clear.
A long-unseen smile appeared on his face.
"To think that Kirigakure was also attacked… Heaven itself is truly watching over Konoha!"
Nara Shikaku said,
"Iwagakure has also withdrawn back to the Land of Earth, Hokage-sama. Now would be the right time."
Hiruzen nodded.
"Recall all shinobi stationed on the fronts against Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure. Have them all redeploy to the front against Sunagakure. Prepare for the final decisive battle. This war must be ended as quickly as possible!"
While Konoha celebrated, Sunagakure fell into despair.
A heavy shadow seemed to loom over the village.
Kazekage Rasa clenched his fist in rage and smashed it onto the desk in front of him. The table collapsed instantly.
"Damn it! Kumogakure and Kirigakure are supposed to be among the Five Great Nations, yet they were thrown into chaos by surprise attacks from two organizations! And Iwagakure—those wolves saw things going bad and fled without hesitation! What a complete joke!"
A Suna advisor reported carefully,
"Kazekage-sama, the villagers have learned that Yashamaru—no, Pakura—is still alive, and rumors are spreading that it was you who betrayed her. Public opinion is turning strongly against you, and morale among the frontline shinobi is extremely low."
A cold glint flashed in Rasa's eyes.
"Make an announcement. Pakura, once a hero of Sunagakure, has openly betrayed the village, joined a rogue organization, and recklessly attacked Kirigakure, causing hostility between Kirigakure and Sunagakure. From this day forward, declare Pakura a missing-nin of Sunagakure!"
"Also—
I, Kazekage Rasa, will personally head to the front lines and fight alongside our people!"
The advisor hurriedly objected,
"Kazekage-sama! Please reconsider. If the village's Kage enters the battlefield, the nature of this war will change completely!"
Rasa did not retract his order.
"This is the only chance we have. Konoha's forces are still scattered and have yet to regroup. We must strike now. Once Konoha's troops fully converge, the war will turn decisively against us!"
Seeing that Rasa had made up his mind, the advisors stopped arguing and left the office to carry out his commands.
Rasa sat silently for a moment before calling out,
"Maki!"
A shinobi wearing a headscarf that covered half his face appeared instantly.
"Kazekage-sama!"
Rasa asked,
"How is Gaara's condition?"
Maki replied,
"Everything is stable for now."
"Good. This time, when I go to the front, Gaara will come with me."
Maki immediately understood Rasa's intentions and urged caution.
"But Kazekage-sama, Gaara still cannot control the power of the One-Tail. Sending him into battle carries too many uncertainties—he could easily cause friendly casualties."
Rasa said coldly,
"It doesn't matter. Gaara is not meant to fight on the front lines. When I arrive at the battlefield, the majority of Konoha's forces will be drawn there to face me. At that moment, Konoha Village itself will be at its weakest. You will lead a team and release Gaara directly inside the village—to destroy it from within."
"Yes!"
At the frontline between Konoha and Sunagakure, shinobi from both sides faced each other in a tense standoff, neither daring to initiate an assault.
Konoha was waiting for reinforcements.
Sunagakure was waiting for their Kazekage.
Meanwhile, Naruto was in training.
Through his superb acting, Naruto had earned Jiraiya's complete trust.
By now, Naruto had successfully signed the contract with Mount Myōboku, gaining access to the Toad Summoning Technique.
As for other jutsu—Naruto possessed Wind Nature chakra, but Jiraiya was not proficient in Wind Release. Naruto had also already mastered the Rasengan, leaving Jiraiya with little else to teach him.
Naruto was growing increasingly anxious. So many days had passed, yet Jiraiya had not mentioned Senjutsu Chakra even once.
"Jiraiya-sensei," Naruto asked, trying to probe indirectly, "could you tell me about Mount Myōboku?"
Jiraiya nodded.
"If you travel there from the Land of Fire, it takes about a month. It's known as the Mountain of Lost Paths, and also as a sacred land. Without knowing the secret route, it's absolutely impossible to reach."
"It's home to countless toads. And don't underestimate them—those toads can all use a special power known as Senjutsu."
A sharp gleam flashed in Naruto's eyes.
Here it comes!
Scratching his head as if confused, Naruto asked,
"Senjutsu? Jiraiya-sensei, what is Senjutsu?"
Jiraiya explained,
"Besides the chakra refined from our own bodies, there exists a special kind of energy in nature. When natural energy is mixed into chakra, it becomes Senjutsu Chakra."
Naruto immediately seized the opportunity.
"Jiraiya-sensei, can you teach me Senjutsu Chakra?"
Jiraiya's expression turned serious.
"It's not time yet. If you absorb too much natural energy and the balance is disrupted, your body will be swallowed by nature itself. It's extremely dangerous."
"Jiraiya-sensei," Naruto said earnestly,
"Other than summoning, I can't learn any of your jutsu. I want to become stronger."
"Your strength already surpasses everyone your age," Jiraiya said.
"Why are you so fixated on Senjutsu Chakra?"
Naruto replied with a look of quiet resolve,
"I entered the battlefield as a jinchūriki. My existence is that of a weapon of war."
"But my strength isn't enough yet. I can't fully control the Nine-Tails' chakra. When I enter a tailed-beast state, my consciousness becomes blurred, and I'm afraid I might hurt my comrades."
"So I don't want to rely on the Nine-Tails' power. I want another strength—one that can make up for my weaknesses."
Jiraiya fell silent.
Hearing Naruto describe himself as a weapon of war made Jiraiya's heart ache. Yet Naruto's concern for his comrades filled him with relief.
Jiraiya had already made his decision.
"Naruto… you've truly grown. You've become a shinobi with responsibility and resolve."
"Since you've already made up your mind, I won't stop you. I am your teacher, and it is my duty to make you stronger."
"Alright! I'll take you back to Mount Myōboku—to learn Senjutsu Chakra!"
Naruto could no longer suppress the smile spreading across his face.