Chapter 12: The War Grows Ever More Intense
"Hahaha!"
Seeing Hatake Sakumo's expression, Aoyama Ryūun couldn't help but laugh aloud.
He had to admit — Sakumo's son, the future Kakashi, clearly inherited a bit of that same personality.
At that moment, Tsunade, acting as the supreme commander, had to step in and speak.
This was supposed to be a serious situation — and yet somehow, they were cracking jokes.
Completely out of place.
Sakumo just shrugged and said nothing more.
Among the older generation of powerful shinobi stood the Third Kazekage — known as the strongest in the history of Sunagakure —
the puppet master Chiyo, her younger brother Ebizō,
and the new rising stars of the Sand Village:
the future Fourth Kazekage, the Gold Dust shinobi Rasa,
and the hero of Sunagakure, the Scorch Release user Pakura.
At that time, Bunpuku, the Jinchūriki of the One-Tail, sat cross-legged nearby in his monk's robes.
Although the Third Kazekage was the official leader,
Chiyo's reputation and her control over the puppet corps rivaled his authority.
Supplies were running dangerously low.
"The old me understands perfectly well," Chiyo said in a deep voice.
No one knew the situation in Sunagakure better than she did.
Her son and daughter-in-law had both died in the previous war.
If not for her grandson Sasori still being alive,
she would have thrown everything away long ago.
That hatred — she would never let it rest.
The Third Kazekage nodded immediately.
If not for that shared purpose, he wouldn't have agreed to continue fighting either.
In the shinobi world, truth was always relative — only one thing was real: interests.
Chiyo knew full well that the Kazekage monopolized most of Sunagakure's power,
but she didn't care.
As long as she could have her revenge, she'd sacrifice anything.
Ebizō, standing beside her, looked at his elder sister with visible pain.
He didn't speak — only sighed softly.
"This time, I'm even bringing the One-Tail's Jinchūriki," said the Third Kazekage,
glancing toward Bunpuku.
"If we win, then fine. But if we lose again,
no matter what happens, this war cannot continue."
If they kept fighting after another loss,
Sunagakure's foundation would be completely exhausted.
The Third Kazekage said no more and turned to leave the council room.
Rasa gave one last look toward Chiyo and followed.
These two represented the future strength of the Sand Village —
Rasa's ambitions were clear: he sought the title of Kazekage.
Compared to him, Chiyo's goal was simple — revenge.
"Grandma Chiyo, I'll definitely win this war," Bunpuku promised.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Taking a slow breath, Chiyo's half-closed eyes sharpened with determination.
"This time," she murmured, "the old woman must win."
Meanwhile, Aoyama Ryūun and the others in Konoha had no idea
that Chiyo on the opposite side was ready to fight to the death.
Inside a temporary command tent, Nara Shikaku was analyzing the situation for Tsunade.
"So, Lady Tsunade," he said, "the outcome of the next battle
might decide whether this entire war continues or not."
He had more or less predicted it —
if Konoha could win the next battle,
the Second Great Ninja War could finally come to an end.
Tsunade nodded slightly from the commander's seat.
To be honest, she had zoned out a little while Shikaku was explaining the details.
But she couldn't let anyone notice that.
Shikaku, of course, saw right through her.
He sighed quietly and summarized:
"To put it simply, Lady Tsunade — we must win the next battle."
Tsunade slammed the table.
"Why didn't you just say that earlier?! If it was that simple,
I would've understood from the start instead of listening to all that nonsense!"
Shikaku could only give a helpless smile.
"...You can't really blame me for trying to be thorough."