Chapter 127: Shinnosuke: I’d Prefer to Keep My Dignity

Ōnoki moved closer. Jiraiya, Kyohiko, and the others maintained considerable distance from their own forces—only those with exceptional hearing could possibly catch their words. However. Ōnoki’s gaze swept the area deliberately. That peculiar water-style jutsu—Jiraiya and the silver-haired kid clearly hadn’t mastered it well enough to disrupt aerial combat. The real threats weren’t them, but rather... Namikaze Minato and Ryōhō Kyohiko. These two again. Ōnoki’s wariness deepened. Initially, he’d assumed Minato was the dominant figure between them. But now, regarding ninjutsu, it seemed the boy was the driving force. Ten years old... Such talent at that age! Unthinkable. Another Senju Tobirama in the making! If left unchecked, this boy would inevitably elevate Konoha above the other villages. Masking his thoughts, Ōnoki approached Jiraiya with a smile. "Privately, Iwagakure can compensate your losses. But publicly..." He left the sentence hanging, though both understood. Iwagakure was no Sunagakure. Ōnoki’s power was formidable—decades of Particle Release mastery meant that if truly pushed, he could annihilate most of Konoha and Kusagakure’s northern forces, even at the cost of his own life. Against a Kekkei Tōta like this, Kyohiko had no perfect counter—only protracted warfare came to mind. Thus. Fighting Ōnoki head-on simply wasn’t worth it. Mutual restraint and avoiding outright hostility served both sides best. Ōnoki and Jiraiya began bargaining. War had instantly transformed into transaction. After lengthy negotiations, Ōnoki departed with the five captured Explosion Corps members in tow. Minato exhaled heavily. "Truly, Ōnoki! Even under these circumstances, he held his ground against us." Long-distance Flying Thunder God drained chakra severely. So. Prolonged combat would have made it nearly impossible to threaten Ōnoki meaningfully. Age had only honed the Third Tsuchikage’s edge! Kyohiko nodded in solemn agreement. Jiraiya, however, scowled. "Why the long faces? Remember how Ōnoki fought before." The group fell silent. Particle Releases devastation had exceeded all expectations. Had Ōnoki opted for mutual destruction, they’d have had no real countermeasure. As Jiraiya reflected, his thoughts drifted to recent days— Back when he’d been strategizing against Ōnoki, Kyohiko had presented that very solution. A water-style technique with extreme adhesion. Created in mere days. "Without this technique, we might not have secured these concessions. It provided both sides an exit." Jiraiya’s analysis suggested Ōnoki himself had been reluctant to fight. Otherwise, prolonged conflict would have crippled both villages. "Not necessarily a good thing." Minato, however, seemed troubled. Iwagakure remained largely unscathed, and Ōnoki’s ambitions were vast—future conflicts seemed inevitable. Jiraiya studied Minato briefly. He knew his student. The old Minato would have agreed this was the optimal outcome. But now... Tsk. Jiraiya didn’t reprimand, merely sighed inwardly— Prolonged exposure to Kyohiko’s mindset inevitably influenced people in subtle, unconscious ways. Himself included. --- "Father, why retreat? Even with the Explosion Corps captured, you could’ve prevailed." Kitsuchi seemed perplexed. Ōnoki shot him a sidelong glance. "You focus only on immediate victory, ignoring that Konoha developed that technique in days." After a weighted pause, he exhaled heavily. Less than ten days! It had taken Iwagakure ten days to gather detailed intelligence from Sunagakure’s defeat. Upon learning those specifics, Ōnoki had already decided against war. Today’s "battle" was merely face-saving theater. Even without that water-style, he’d have sought peace—just with better terms. Unlike now... The losses stung! After long contemplation, Kitsuchi ventured, "That sticky water must be a unique nature transformation. If easily replicable, it could indeed neutralize our flight advantage." Then came his "epiphany." "Father! The Kazekage died to this technique, didn’t he?" "Use your brain, Kitsuchi!" Ōnoki looked pained. "Had he known it earlier, he’d have used it against me! This was newly developed. Sunagakure fell to different means!" "Ah. Right." Kitsuchi reconsidered. He’d fixated on the technique’s anti-flight utility, overlooking context. "Governing a village isn’t like leading missions. You must think holistically—how else could I entrust Iwagakure to you?" Ōnoki’s sigh carried the weight of his years. Memories of Minato and Kyohiko’s prowess stirred deep unease. Konoha’s rise seemed unstoppable! "So what now?" "Pay. And wait." Ōnoki’s voice dropped to a murmur. Kitsuchi nodded, though confusion lingered. Wait? Wait for what? Surely not until Konoha grew powerful enough to crush Iwagakure outright? The answer struck him mid-flight, as Ōnoki’s Light-Weight Technique carried them over a massive chasm toward their camp. "Father... you’re waiting for alliances?" "Perhaps you’re not hopeless after all." Ōnoki’s lips curled in grim satisfaction. The tallest tree attracts the fiercest winds. Konoha’s strength might yet prove its undoing. "The Third Raikage is no fool. He’ll realize continued cooperation with Konoha only secures their dominance." Iwagakure feared Lightning Release, struggling against high-speed opponents. But allied with Kumogakure? Their combined strengths could challenge Konoha! Yet Konoha anticipated this—hence their recent overtures to Kumogakure, who currently eyed Iwagakure with greater hostility. Thus, Ōnoki would wait. --- Eastern Front. The shoreline was littered with corpses, the earth stained crimson. Sarutobi Hiruzen leaned on his Adamantine Staff, breathing heavily. Beside him, Danzō clutched a severed head—Kiri’s Kuriarare Kushimaru. Further ahead lay another corpse, its chest pierced—evidently another Kiri jōnin. "Pity. Both the Sewing Needle and Executioner’s Blade were summoned back." Danzō sneered. Then, turning to Hiruzen: "How will you handle the Uchiha?" Hiruzen remained silent. The Uchiha. Here is the complete translation without summarization or shortening: A problem that had persisted since the First Hokage’s era - even now he couldn’t think of a perfect solution. After a long silence, he gazed at the distant sea. "I’m no longer Hokage. This will depend on the wisdom of the next generation." "The next generation?" Danzo sneered, then turned to leave. "If you don’t want to be the villain, then let me do it!" "Don’t act rashly." Hiruzen frowned. Danzo didn’t respond, sheathing his sword and tossing the head onto the grassy beach before leaving. "Ah!" Hiruzen sighed deeply. He understood Danzo, but Danzo didn’t yet fully comprehend Tsunade and Jiraiya as they were now. Given the current situation, either Konoha or Danzo would inevitably fall. Hiruzen could tolerate many of Danzo’s minor schemes, but anything that harmed Konoha was absolutely unforgivable. "Danzo... don’t blame me." ... Kirigakure was as gloomy and murderous as ever, but today the village atmosphere was particularly heavy. First, two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had fallen in the Land of Fire. Second, the Kirigakure Ninja Academy had held its graduation. However. The situation was slightly different from what everyone had imagined. In an office within the Mizukage building: "Lord Gengetsu, do you think we should discuss with the Mizukage about canceling the current academy policies next year?" Kisame Hoshigaki spoke cautiously as he looked at the elderly man before him. Gengetsu held the intelligence report in his hand, remaining silent for quite some time. After a long while, he set down the report. The contents of the report were simple: "Graduation Exam: Momochi Zabuza killed all examinees. Only Zabuza graduated." Previously at the Takigakure Chunin Exams, their ninja had suffered significant losses. At that time, Gengetsu had hoped this graduating class would be larger to make up for the shortage of new generation ninjas. He never expected Zabuza would wipe out the entire class. "I’ll bring it up, but whether the Mizukage will agree, I don’t know." When the Fourth Mizukage was mentioned, everyone fell silent. The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura. The youngest Mizukage in Kirigakure’s history, with exceptional talent and abilities. But since taking office, he had consistently implemented increasingly cruel policies. While these measures made Kirigakure ninja far more resilient in strength and mentality compared to their peers from other villages, their numbers had been declining year by year. This year was even more extreme. "Additionally, according to ANBU intelligence, something seems to have happened in Sunagakure. Sasori of the Red Sand has betrayed and fled the village again, reasons unknown." Kisame Hoshigaki presented another intelligence report. Gengetsu glanced at it before tossing it aside. "This is Sunagakure’s business, we don’t need to concern ourselves. Let’s focus on solving our current problems first." "Yes!" ... "Sasori defected again?" Tsunade looked up. Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded: "Yes, and he stole the Third Kazekage and Elder Chiyo’s corpses." "Rasa is playing quite the clever game." Tsunade sneered coldly. With Rasa’s abilities, how could he not know Sasori would steal the bodies? This was clearly intentional. "Lady Hokage, should we retaliate against Sunagakure?" Shinnosuke looked up. Tsunade shook her head. After carefully reading the intelligence reports and letters in her hands, she smiled: "Spread word about Sasori’s human puppet techniques. Have every village be on guard with their kekkei genkai users." "Yes!" Shinnosuke turned to leave, but after a few steps, he hesitated and returned. "Lady Hokage, there’s one more thing I’d like your permission for." "Speak." Tsunade continued reviewing documents without looking up. Shinnosuke said: "I want to leave ANBU and return to regular ninja life." Tsunade was stunned and immediately looked up. After a long moment, she asked: "Why?" "My father always prioritized the village over family, rarely paying attention to Asuma. Recently I’ve been spending more time with Asuma..." Shinnosuke sighed as he explained his recent experiences. Tsunade fell silent. She had originally thought Shinnosuke had other motives - perhaps thinking she would remove him after Kyohiko returned, so he was resigning first to save face. She had been prepared to persuade him otherwise... But. After hearing his reasons, she knew she had no grounds to make him stay. "Have you really thought this through?" "No need." Shinnosuke smiled and shook his head, then sighed: "Perhaps I simply prefer being in the sunlight, having time to spend with Asuma and the others." "I respect your decision. What about Yoshino?" A smile appeared on Tsunade’s face. "You’ve been together for years. Haven’t thought about marriage and children?" "She...she might still be quite suited to ANBU life. Uh, I respect her choices." Shinnosuke’s face turned red. Fortunately, his dark complexion and mask hid the blush. Tsunade didn’t tease him further, instead offering some encouraging words. As he was about to leave, she suddenly remembered something: "By the way, since you’re returning to normal status, there’s something I need your help with." "Yes, your orders?" "This year’s graduation exams are coming up. Some children want to graduate early, but with the war fronts stabilizing and three battle lines nearly concluded, I don’t think it’s necessary. I’d prefer they continue training for another two years..." Tsunade explained her thoughts. Shinnosuke shook his head like a rattle-drum. "Lady Tsunade, my speaking skills are mediocre at best! Please spare me this task!" "Then how about teaching instead? The village is short on jonin instructors, and you’ll have free time." Tsunade smiled. Shinnosuke felt he’d been tricked. This had been her real goal all along! He had no choice but to accept the assignment. ... In the Land of Grass, Jiraiya, Kyohiko and Minato discussed compensation agreements and future relations with Kusagakure inside their tent. After talking all night, the three reached consensus. Iwagakure paying reparations and providing materials was certain. The harder issue was dealing with Kusagakure. Though the betrayal had been resolved, the seeds of resentment had been sown. Returning to the previous state of seamless cooperation was impossible. Therefore. They would continue cooperating, but maintain some distance. "Teacher, only cleanup remains here. We plan to return to the village tomorrow." "Minato, Kyohiko - you four have worked hard this time, supporting the eastern front before coming to help me. Without you, this wouldn’t have gone so smoothly." Jiraiya clearly understood why Onoki had retreated. This battle was just the trigger - the key was Sunagakure’s collapse in the west, with even their Third Kazekage falling. Anyone with sense would realize Iwagakure no longer had conditions to continue this war. That neither jinchuriki had appeared clearly showed Onoki’s true stance - He hadn’t wanted to fight from the start! "Not at all, I was just helping out." Minato didn’t claim credit. Kyohiko was even less inclined to take credit. Without the Flying Thunder God technique, he couldn’t have captured so many enemies. Minato’s contributions were greater. "Take care. I still need to negotiate with Kusagakure tomorrow, so I won’t see you off." "Mm!"