"Kazekage!"
Granny Chiyo looked up at the Third Kazekage.
The war had dragged on endlessly, and both her son and daughter-in-law had already fallen in battle.
A weary light flickered in Chiyo's eyes.
"After this war ends, I will resign from my position as head of Sunagakure's Puppet Brigade. I'll no longer involve myself in the village's affairs."
Of course, Chiyo knew exactly what the Third Kazekage was thinking.
The moment she spoke, a glint flashed through his sharp, metallic eyes.
"You said it yourself!" he replied, voice low but edged with satisfaction.
"Absolutely true," Chiyo answered calmly. This was not a decision made out of anger — it was resolve.
"Sister…" Ebizo murmured, looking at her with concern.
But faced with Chiyo's composed expression, he could only sigh. The deaths of her son and daughter-in-law had wounded her deeply — wounds even time could not heal.
Bunpuku, who had been sitting cross-legged nearby in silent meditation, finally opened his eyes.
"Since this is Lady Chiyo's final wish, Bunpuku will lend his full support."
The surrounding elite jōnin said nothing, but each looked at Chiyo with the solemn respect reserved for a living legend.
Such a sight irritated the Third Kazekage.
What's this? I am the Kazekage of Sunagakure — your leader. Yet you all look to Chiyo as if she commands you. Are you rebelling?
Still, part of him welcomed this moment. It was an opportunity to quietly remove Chiyo from the village's political center.
"Then so be it," he said coldly. "After this one last battle — win or lose — Sunagakure will cease all hostilities."
Even Chiyo understood his meaning. If they continued the war any longer, they'd run out of food and resources.
"We will win," she said, her eyes burning with vengeance. "We must. Otherwise, I won't be able to rest — not even in death."
The Third Kazekage regarded her silently for a moment before turning to his subordinates.
"Gather the shinobi," he ordered. "Prepare for the final offensive."
"Yes, sir!"
---
Meanwhile, at Konoha's command tent, silence filled the air.
Even Tsunade couldn't immediately find words.
Her Super Strength made her the perfect counter to Chiyo's puppetry — she could crush any mechanism with one strike.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio — Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza — though all elite jōnin, could only stall one opponent at the Kazekage's level if they coordinated perfectly.
But that still left the One-Tail Jinchūriki — Shukaku — an entirely different threat.
How were they supposed to handle that?
Before anyone could speak, Aoyama Ryuyun stood and stretched lazily, a confident smirk on his face.
"I'll handle the One-Tail Jinchūriki."
Everyone's eyes turned toward him.
"No!" Tsunade snapped immediately. "That's the One-Tail, Ryuyun! You can't—"
"Don't worry," Ryuyun interrupted, flashing his trademark grin. "I'm the Golden Lion. Trust me."
He had waited too long to test the full extent of his swordsmanship and the Float-Float Fruit's power.
A regal, almost overwhelming aura radiated from him — the kind that compelled belief.
And truthfully, among everyone on the front lines, only Ryuyun had even the slightest chance of facing Shukaku head-on.
Tsunade still looked unconvinced, her brow furrowed.
"But—"
Before she could finish, shouts erupted outside the tent.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
"It's Sunagakure!"
"They've begun their assault!"
The camp descended into chaos.
"What are you panicking for, you fools?!" Tsunade's voice thundered, slamming her fist against the table. The sound cracked the wood and silenced the noise instantly.
That's right, she thought grimly. So what if it's an attack? They have me — Senju Tsunade of the Sannin.
"Gather the shinobi! Since Sunagakure wants to fight to the end, we'll grant their wish and send them home in defeat!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Under Tsunade's sharp command, the Konoha forces assembled quickly and began marching to the front lines.
"Ryuyun," she said softly, approaching him. Despite her composed face, her worry showed in her eyes.
The war had begun — there was no turning back.
And Ryuyun was walking toward a monster.
"Don't worry," he said gently, taking Tsunade's hand.
She stiffened but didn't pull away.
"When this is over," he said with a teasing grin, "how about another massage?"
Normally, Tsunade would've smacked him for saying that in the middle of a war.
But this time…
"As long as you come back alive," she said quietly, "you can have one every day."
---
Tsunade was a strong woman, but even strong women could be moved.
To her, Ryuyun had no obligation to fight here. Yet he was risking everything — for her, for Konoha, for this war.
"Don't worry," she said, trying to sound firm. "I'll deal with that old hag Chiyo quickly."
"I told you," Ryuyun replied, smiling helplessly, "believe in my strength."
She still didn't.
At that moment, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio returned, reporting that the troops were in formation.
"Lady Tsunade," Shikaku said seriously, "we're ready."
Tsunade gave a final nod, then turned toward the battlefield — the storm of war already roaring outside.