vstars Chapter 803 Your Identity?
Chapter 803 Your Identity?
She paused, a sharp glint in her eyes: "As for your identity, I will investigate it thoroughly. If I discover you have deceived Scorpion, I will kill you!"
"I'll be waiting anytime." Zhang Hai smiled slightly. Having achieved his goal, he said no more. His figure gradually became ethereal, leaving Granny Chiyo's spiritual world.
Their conversation in the spiritual world seemed lengthy, but in the real world, it all happened in the blink of an eye.
Just as Zhang Hai rushed into the poisonous fog, and Granny Chiyo's consciousness was pulled into the mental space, the real Zhang Hai suddenly swung the Unintentional Blade, accurately slashing at Granny Chiyo's physical body in the poisonous fog.
"boom!"
Granny Chiyo was struck as if by a heavy blow, falling backward a great distance with a muffled groan. Her eyes regained their clarity, but held a complex expression.
"All Sand Ninja, withdraw from Konoha!" she shouted, issuing her final order. Her voice echoed through the night sky, tinged with weariness.
With the two commanders of Sunagakure simultaneously issuing the order to retreat, the Sunagakure ninja, who were locked in fierce fighting, no longer hesitated and withdrew like a tide towards the outside of Konoha.
The Konoha ninjas, having lost their opponents, were momentarily bewildered. They watched the departing Sand ninjas, seemingly still reeling from the fierce battle.
"We...we won?" a Konoha ninja muttered uncertainly to himself.
"The enemy has escaped! We've won! Konoha has triumphed!"
Soon, more Konoha ninja reacted, erupting in deafening cheers. The joy of victory instantly swept through the entire village, erasing the tension and fear of the previous battle.
However, after the brief joy came the sorrow of the victims. As the smoke of battle gradually dissipated under the night sky, the cold corpses and ruins testified to the cruelty of this war.
Meanwhile, in a valley not far from Konoha Village, the fierce battle between the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the One-Tailed Shukaku continued.
The Third Hokage unleashed his full power without restraint, employing various ninjutsu with effortless grace and fluidity. He utilized the terrain and environment to relentlessly suppress Shukaku, completely gaining the upper hand.
Poor Shukaku possessed immense power, yet it couldn't fully utilize it. Its Wind Release ninjutsu was completely countered by the Third Hokage's Fire Release; every time it used Wind Release, it was instantly neutralized by the Third Hokage's Fire Release. Even more frustrating, it had to fight while simultaneously protecting its eyes to avoid repeating the fate of being sealed away last time. Shukaku was utterly frustrated, only able to let out a powerless roar, but it could never escape the Third Hokage's suppression.
In contrast, the Third Hokage fought with composure and ease. It was as if he wasn't battling a tailed beast, but rather putting on a ninjutsu performance. He skillfully employed various exquisite ninjutsu techniques, even the simplest Three Body Techniques could produce unexpected results.
When Rasa arrived at the valley, the scene before him made his heart tremble. Shukaku had been thoroughly defeated by the Third Hokage, its massive body covered in wounds, panting heavily. The Third Hokage, on the other hand, held a sealing device emanating a mysterious aura, clearly intending to seal Shukaku away.
"Wait!" Rasa shouted, rushing forward to stop the Third Hokage's actions. "Hokage-sama, Sunagakure has lost this battle. I will order a retreat. Let's end it here, shall we?"
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, paused slightly in the sealing artifact in his hand. His deep gaze fell on Rasa, and he asked in a deep voice, "Don't you think it's too late to retreat now?" Although his voice was calm, it contained an undeniable authority.
A resolute glint flashed in Rasa's eyes. He knew the current situation was extremely unfavorable for Sunagakure, but he couldn't let the Third Hokage see his weakness.
"Lord Hokage, Sunagakure is not without the strength to fight," Rasa said in a deep voice, a hint of threat in his tone. "It's just that I don't want too many casualties on both sides, ultimately allowing other villages to benefit. You should know better than me that Konoha cannot allow another village to take Shukaku away." He pointed to the somewhat weakened Shukaku behind him, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "If you don't agree to a reconciliation, I will immediately join the battle. At that time, Shukaku will also be out of control, and Konoha will pay an even greater price!"
The Third Hokage remained silent for a moment, his gaze shifting between Rasa and Shukaku. He knew Rasa was telling the truth. If Rasa truly fought to the death, coupled with the out-of-control Shukaku, Konoha might win, but it would inevitably pay a heavy price. This was not the outcome he wanted to see.
In the end, the Third Hokage smiled faintly and put away the sealing artifact in his hand.
“Alright, I can agree to a settlement and allow you to leave with Shukaku,” the Third Hokage said calmly. “But I have one condition.”
Rasa breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, a huge weight lifted from his heart. He knew the Third Hokage wouldn't let him off easily, but as long as he could protect Shukaku, everything would be fine.
“Yes, please speak,” Luo Sha said respectfully.
The Third Hokage's gaze sharpened: "Give up the Kikyo Mountain stronghold that you have occupied."
Upon hearing this, Rasa frowned deeply. Occupying Kikyo Mountain was originally the best strategic outcome for Sunagakure, and now to force him out would mean all their previous efforts were wasted. He was filled with resentment, but considering Shukaku's importance, after much deliberation, he finally gritted his teeth and uttered a single, gritted "Fine."
"Deal." The Third Hokage smiled faintly, turned around, and left calmly.
With this, the Battle of Konoha officially ended, and both sides entered a truce. Although Konoha won the battle, it paid a heavy price, its weakness evident. Sunagakure suffered even greater losses, with almost all of its puppeteers wiped out. Both sides needed to recuperate and heal their wounds.
A few days later, Konoha held a village-wide memorial ceremony. Almost all the village's ninjas attended to bid farewell to their comrades who had died in the war. A fine drizzle fell from the sky, as if it too were weeping for the departed lives. The entire atmosphere was sorrowful and solemn.
Unlike the other ninjas, Zhang Hai did not stand in the crowd, but sat alone quietly in front of his teacher, White Fang's, grave. He stroked the cold tombstone and murmured to himself.
“Teacher, it will be soon…” His voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable firmness. “When the Third World War ends and all the nations are weakened, that will be my time to step in. I will end this era of ninjas.”
"I couldn't find you anywhere, but I knew you were here."
A gentle and familiar voice rang out, and Tsunade, holding an umbrella, slowly walked to Zhang Hai's side. She was dressed in black mourning clothes, her face showing a hint of weariness, but her eyes remained firm.