Ninja World.
Ever since the Second Great Ninja War had fallen into a real stalemate, all the villages began to scale back their forces.
Although none had completely withdrawn from the Land of Rain, they were still stationed along its borders.
But everyone knew — as long as no one sparked chaos, the war would simply pass by.
Thus, the highest commanders at the frontlines from every village also returned home, leaving special squads behind to monitor the situation.
However, after Jiraiya returned to the Land of Fire and briefly met with Senju Yukika, he quickly rushed back. The reason wasn't complicated — Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko had all grown up under his guidance.
Yet this time, when teaching Yahiko, he found that he couldn't wholeheartedly support Yahiko's ideals of mutual understanding and peace anymore. Deep inside, a question mark had formed around those beliefs.
This was the influence of Senju Yukika — something that astonished Jiraiya even more.
When he once again entered the familiar cave, planning to guide his three disciples, he was surprised to find a familiar figure sitting by the fire, casually chatting with them:
Senju Yukika.
He was already here.
Land of Earth.
Ohnoki, who had only recently returned to Iwagakure, sat in the Tsuchikage's office, lost in thought as he stared at the reports before him.
Iwagakure was surrounded on all sides by solid rock — a natural fortress — but that also made entry and exit very difficult.
His original intention had been simple: to rest and recover.
But a piece of intelligence he had received recently gave him a new understanding of the Land of Rain.
On the desk lay an urgent report from a spy who had been sent to investigate Kirigakure's surrender.
Due to the difficult terrain and long distance over land and sea, information had arrived slowly.
"So, the Water Country's surrender was not voluntary," Ohnoki muttered.
"Their environment was threatened."
He placed the document down and leaned back in his chair, eyes gleaming.
If that was true, it didn't necessarily mean that the Senju Clan had enough power to threaten five entire nations.
Maybe the Senju's claim about avoiding battles within their own sight was just an excuse.
But… were tsunamis truly caused by ninja?
That seemed a bit exaggerated.
Still, for now, he would treat it as true.
However, with Iwagakure's rocky terrain, there was no space for Water Release techniques to even be used properly.
Still, the fact that the Land of Lightning had complied could explain it: After all, the Land of Lightning was relatively close to the sea and would naturally fear tsunamis.
Thus, they quickly delivered their promised supplies to the Senju.
A reasonable explanation.
In contrast, the Lands of Wind and Earth were short on water, so they had no fear of such threats. Even after over a month of delay, the Senju hadn't retaliated!
Ohnoki smirked coldly, staring at the map.
The Land of Rain, the Land of Fire, and the Senju.
Clearly, their threats were just smoke and mirrors.
In truth, he realized, he had been a little too naive and foolish.
But it didn't matter — if he struck suddenly, none of them would be able to react in time.
"I thought the Second Ninja War was already over?" someone once said.
"Well, I refuse to acknowledge that!" Ohnoki sneered.
Faced with this opportunity, Ohnoki had already made up his mind.
But he needed to be cautious — one strike must be enough to change everything. Dragging it out would only be disadvantageous.
After all, look at how quickly Senju Yukika had taken Amegakure.
That battle had started suddenly and ended even faster — by the time the world realized it, Konoha had already seized control.
This time, Iwagakure needed to act just as swiftly.
At the entrance to Iwagakure, a man in a white robe and carrying a short sword suddenly appeared before the guards.
"Halt! Who are you?" one guard shouted warily.
From his attire, it was impossible to tell which faction he belonged to.
"I represent Las Noches," the man said calmly. "I'm here to collect the rent."
Kakashi Hatake spoke lightly.
Rent?
The guards were stunned.
Was Iwagakure now under siege?
What did he mean?
But that name — "Las Noches" — sounded strangely familiar.
One of the guards remembered: A comrade who had returned from the battlefield in the Land of Rain had mentioned something about it!
"Las Noches... Senju?"
At once, the guards' alertness skyrocketed. Ninjas from all sides rushed to surround the intruder.
Without a doubt, Iwagakure and the Senju were now enemies.
The enemy was at their doorstep!
And this so-called "rent collection" was clearly a provocation.
"You should treat your guests better," said Kakashi Hatake, glancing at the fully armed ninjas.
In the next instant, a flash of white light.
He slipped through the guards with ease.
As he passed, the ninjas' bodies collapsed silently to the ground.
It wasn't until after he had walked past that deep gashes opened on their bodies and blood sprayed out.
Instant kill!
Yet Kakashi Hatake showed no surprise. Calmly, he wiped his short sword — White Fang.
"You're getting excited too, huh?" he whispered to his blade.
The sword gave off a faint hum, as if in response.
In just one month, he had grown much stronger:
Spiritual Pressure, swordsmanship, physical ability — all improved dramatically.
More importantly, his mental fortitude had hardened.
Now, even if the villagers mocked him again, he would never consider suicide.
He was still White Fang, but no longer the broken man he once was.
He would carry his blade forward without hesitation.
War made him stronger.
As one of the Espada of Las Noches, White Fang had finally awakened to his true strength!
He pressed onward.