Chapter 118: War Ends, Nagato and Yahiko
After this war against Konoha completely concluded, Ling Yu's feat of single-handedly annihilating more than ten thousand ninja from four nations earned him a combined bounty of 2 billion ryō placed on the black market by the awakened Third Raikage, Ōnoki, and Chiyo.
Because of this war, Ling Yu proved his strength to the entire ninja world and earned the title "God of Death," placing him on the same level as Hashirama Senju's "God of Shinobi."
Some even claimed he was stronger than Hashirama—after all, he was a demon who killed without blinking.
With victory in the war, Konoha immediately sounded the counterattack. Taking advantage of the momentum, they launched a pursuit against the already severely weakened Land of Earth, Land of Lightning, and Land of Wind.
As for Amegakure, they had lost nearly their entire ninja force in the battle. With Hanzō stepping down from leadership, their new leader surrendered without hesitation.
The other three great nations—fearing another intervention from Ling Yu—avoided direct confrontation for a long time. Only after they somehow learned that Ling Yu would not participate in any further fighting did they begin engaging Konoha in a war of attrition.
After all, unlike tiny Amegakure, they were major villages. The forces they lost in the battle amounted to only about one-third of their total strength. They still had more than enough power to continue dragging things out with Konoha.
Konoha, now fighting on three fronts, found its forces too spread out to achieve decisive victories against any single village. In the end, both sides resorted to a prolonged contest of resources and endurance.
A year and a half later, the Sand Village—having lost the Third Kazekage and thus one of their Kage-level powerhouses—faced mounting pressure. Hiruzen Sarutobi, still bearing a grudge over the Sand's battlefield betrayal, personally took the field.
Unable to withstand Konoha's relentless advance, the Sand forces were pushed back to the very border of the Land of Wind. With no other choice, they finally surrendered.
After the Sand's capitulation, the pressure on the remaining two nations surged. Realizing that Konoha's reserves were far greater than they had imagined and that continued fighting would only increase their losses, they too surrendered after two more weeks of resistance.
Thus, the Second Great Ninja War ended with Konoha's complete victory. The ninja world once again returned to its former uneasy peace.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, smiling broadly, presented formal surrender documents to representatives of the four nations. With deeply reluctant expressions, they signed the agreements. Each nation then withdrew their remaining troops from the Land of Rain and returned home.
Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the mission. Reward: Precious Chest ×3, Exchange Points 3000.
At that moment, while slacking off in the Konoha camp, Ling Yu received the system notification. A pleased smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
In this war, Ling Yu not only completed the mission but also gained substantial rewards. He had copied Ōnoki's Dust Release and the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release.
His system panel had become quite wealthy.
Host: Ling Yu Age: 12 Physique: Sage Body Skills: Rinnegan [Enhanced], Six Powers, Copy & Analysis, Space Power, All series of ninjutsu, Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Observation Haki & Armament Haki, Magnet Release, Dust Release Weapons: Kyōka Suigetsu Strength: Ultra-Kage level (Mid-stage) Exchange Points: 4600 System Inventory: Ordinary Chest ×2, Exquisite Chest ×13, Precious Chest ×3
With so many chests, Ling Yu didn't rush to open them. He decided to wait until he returned to Konoha. Perhaps because of some metaphysical reason, he always felt his luck was better inside the village.
After all, with so many chests and the battlefield soaked in the blood of so many deaths, he didn't want any bad karma. He preferred not to open them all and end up with junk.
…
Konoha Camp At this moment, Konoha's ninja had just received the news. They were busy packing up camp supplies, preparing to leave the great battlefield of the Land of Rain and return to their long-absent home village.
"What? Jiraiya, you're staying here? Just to help those two orphans from the Land of Rain?"
A cold, displeased voice rang out. From the tone alone, it was clear the speaker strongly disapproved of Jiraiya's decision.
"Hm? Orochimaru and Jiraiya?"
Ling Yu—who had been playing with Konan in the camp—turned his head and saw Orochimaru and Jiraiya walking toward him together.
Their expressions were quite different. Orochimaru's brows were slightly furrowed as he spoke quietly to Jiraiya, while Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru with firm determination.
"What's up? Why are you two coming to my place?"
Mikoto, Tsunade, and the others were inside packing for the return to Konoha. With nothing else to do, Ling Yu took Konan's hand and walked over to them.
"Oh? It's Ling Yu and Konan. Sensei asked us to come find Tsunade. There are some things we need to discuss with her."
Seeing Ling Yu approach with Konan, Jiraiya's serious expression softened into his usual lecherous grin. He tried to throw an arm around Ling Yu's shoulder.
"If you're looking for my big sister, she's inside. Just go in—you'll see her."
Slightly sidestepping to avoid Jiraiya's arm, Ling Yu pointed toward the wooden house behind him and spoke to the two.
Ding! Hidden mission discovered: Go to Nagato's location, then complete the meeting with Uchiha Madara. Reward: Exquisite Chest ×2, Exchange Points 200.
"By the way, I overheard earlier—you're planning to stay here? What's that about?"
So when the system issued the mission, Ling Yu called out to the two just as they were about to turn and leave.
He had faintly overheard some of Orochimaru's words earlier. Remembering the original story, he recalled that Jiraiya stayed behind because he met Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan.
Konan was already with him and would never meet the other two again in this life.
So if Jiraiya was choosing to stay this time, it was likely because he had already encountered Nagato and Yahiko. For Nagato—the one chosen by Uchiha Madara as his vessel—Ling Yu wanted to meet him regardless of the hidden mission.
Uchiha Madara should be watching Nagato closely. Perhaps Ling Yu could find traces of Black Zetsu through him. If not, he could also make a move on Nagato and wait for Black Zetsu to come looking for him.
Thinking of this, a sinister smile appeared on Ling Yu's face. This time, Black Zetsu wouldn't escape. Perhaps he might even get to see Uchiha Madara himself.
"Well… the war's over, so I wanted to travel a bit and clear my head. Then I ran into two little boys here—about the same age as Konan. I decided to stay and look after them for a while."
Jiraiya pointed at Konan behind Ling Yu while explaining, using her age as a comparison.
"And just now I was telling Orochimaru about it, but he thinks I'm wasting my time and energy."
Not knowing Ling Yu's true intentions, Jiraiya trusted him completely and explained everything openly—while taking the opportunity to jab at Orochimaru standing beside him.
"Heh, I was just advising you. Teaching your ninjutsu to two orphans from an enemy nation… what are you going to do when they come looking for revenge later?"
Orochimaru calmly explained without any rush.
"Don't say it like that. Sensei already agreed with my decision, and I believe those two boys won't do that."
Jiraiya spoke with full confidence. He thought Orochimaru was simply being overly suspicious—he was certain the two kids would never betray him.
"Oh? Not many people can catch your attention like that. Are those two geniuses or something? Can you take me to see them? I'm pretty bored right now and could use something to do. Konan wants to come along too, right?"
Ling Yu gave a slight smile. He pulled Konan in front of him, held the adorable little girl, and looked at Jiraiya.
"Mm. Wherever Big Brother Ling Yu goes, I go."
Konan wrapped her arms around Ling Yu in return, rubbing her small head against his chest obediently—clearly treating him as her number one.
"What genius could possibly compare to a monster like you? But sure—if you want to come see them, no problem. After we inform Tsunade, I'll take you to meet them."
Jiraiya didn't refuse. He readily agreed. He actually also wanted Ling Yu to take a look at the boy with the Rinnegan—after all, Ling Yu possessed the same eyes.
After notifying Tsunade, Jiraiya led Ling Yu, Konan, and Orochimaru to a rundown little house in the Land of Rain.
"Jiraiya-sensei, you're ba—"
Hearing movement outside, the door was pushed open by two small boys. Seeing unfamiliar faces, they immediately switched to wary, guarded expressions.
"It's fine. They're my friends. No need to be so nervous—they won't hurt you."
Jiraiya waved his hand reassuringly, giving Nagato and Yahiko a calm look before leading Ling Yu and the others inside.
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