Naruto: Escape From Konoha

Chapter 142: 138: The Turning Point Of The war

Upon Ruri's return to the Land of Demons, Shiraishi naturally learned of the identity of the mastermind behind White Zetsu's control – Uchiha Madara.

He was the legendary Uchiha ancestor who had once clashed with the first Hokage, Senju Hashirama, at the Valley of the End. This name, both in the past and present eras, was synonymous with unparalleled power, commanding respect from all who heard it.

"Are you certain it's him?" Shiraishi, seated and clearly troubled, massaged his temples.

To be honest, when Ruri had suddenly presented him with such shocking information, it had left him momentarily dumbfounded.

The gravity of this revelation was overwhelming.

The news of Madara, the legendary ninja who supposedly met his death but had secretly been plotting something evil, would undoubtedly send shockwaves throughout the entire ninja world.

"I don't believe we can challenge such power. Even if we all joined forces, it would likely be useless."

Ruri spoke, her tone carrying the utmost respect and acknowledgment of Madara's powerful might.

Honestly, Ruri believed that the level of power was beyond their capacity to fight. Such overwhelming power had the potential to bring about catastrophic despair and destruction in an instant.

The ancient battles between such formidable figures must have been both terrifying and shocking.

If Uchiha Madara possessed such strength, one could only imagine the might of the first Hokage, Hashirama, who had defeated him.

"Isn't that evaluation a bit exaggerated?" Shiraishi voiced his doubts.

Setting aside Ruri's abilities, Ayane, while slightly less powerful, was still a powerful force.

Ruri's individual strength was on par with the Five Kage, and even Ayane's relative weakness could be compensated for by her unique bloodline.

With the three of them teaming up, they could likely hold their own even against the power of one of the Five Great Nations' ninja. Defeating one of the Five Kage wouldn't be an big challenge.

Could such powers still be unable to compare with Madara?

"I can only say that Madara's power is unimaginably terrifying and formidable. We have a long way to go before we can compare to our ancestors."

Ruri sighed when she noticed Shiraishi's doubts.

In all honesty, she wouldn't have believed it herself if she hadn't witnessed Madara's power firsthand. Experiencing it had given her a newfound appreciation for the concept that some individuals stood above others, reaching heights that were seemingly unattainable.

In the past, she had regarded the Five Kage as the pinnacle of the ninja world. Confronting a kagr,

even for a ninja at the Five Kage level, was considered a lofty achievement.

However, witnessing Madara's majestic Susanoo had shattered her preconceptions. It was clear that even a ninja of Five Kage caliber would find such a level of power daunting.

Unable to understand the level of terror that Ruri described, Shiraishi decided to use his advanced secret jutsu to probe Ruri's memories and replay the moment when Madara had revealed his strength.

After watching the entire sequence, Shiraishi reclined in his seat, his initial shock giving way to composure. He had finally grasped the extent of the horror Ruri had been speaking about.

"Is that the level humans can hope to reach?"

He inquired, his expression reflecting the profound oppression he had felt when Madara had locked eyes with him, as if his very blood had threatened to freeze.

"Absolutely. Madara's power serves as the prime example. If he can reach that level, then it's only natural that I can attain such heights in the future."

Ruri replied confidently, undeterred by Madara's strength.

"Then, in the future, you should pay more attention when dealing with such people." Shiraishi advised.

"Are you suggesting we hide?" Ruri asked.

"No, not necessarily. If Madara's power could always remain at that level, he wouldn't need to resort to these small schemes or dispatching White Zetsu to gather intelligence. There must be limits – location, time, or usage restrictions – that prevent him from using his power casually." Shiraishi analyzed.

If Madara could use his power freely, there would be no need for conspiracies; he could simply obliterate all opposition.

No one would dare to stand against him, and even if someone dared, it would only lead to more corpses.

However, Madara hadn't chosen this path, showing that his ability to release such power was restricted by special limitations.

Nevertheless, obtaining this information was of immense significance. The fact that Madara had been pushed to such an extent suggested that he had nearly exhausted his resources. To feign indifference even when his weapon was taken away by Ruri indicated a desperate situation.

Madara was likely buying time, preparing something in secret, possibly using the "Izanagi" or sacrificing the Sharingan to resurrect himself. Such tactics were typically use by those in dire circumstances.

If Madara had showcased his immense power from the beginning, these tactics would have been unnecessary.

Given Madara's personality, he wouldn't have displayed weakness without reason. Thus, Shiraishi had every reason to believe that this was Madara's last and biggest trump card.

To overcome this challenge, they had two options: become stronger than Madara or match his strength and use persistent tactics to slow him down.

However, even with their combined strength, there was a high likelihood they would be annihilated if they attempted to face Madara head-on.

Therefore, the best approach was to avoid Madara, limit his movements, eliminate White Zetsu, sever all his covert tentacles, and render Madara, lurking in the shadows, powerless and blind.

For Madara, intelligence gathering is a very important part tast. Even if they don't face Madara directly, they can weaken Madara's power by eliminating the white zetsu.

"But is our current manpower sufficient?" Ruri asked.

"Yes, considering the newly established academy, I also have responsibilities in teaching medical ninjutsu and other courses, along with my usual tasks, research, and consultation..."

Shiraishi contemplated the multiple roles he held. Since Ruri's departure, he had never left his office, he basically lived in his office.

This was unavoidable, especially regarding the urgent need to train medical ninjas. While Konoha provided some support, these resources were limited and would take years to replenish.

The Land of Demons required medical ninjas promptly. Medical ninjas were in high demand in the current ninja world, and recruiting them from the wild was a challenge. Therefore, they had to invest heavily in training their own medical ninja.

Konoha was currently the benchmark in medical ninjutsu, while the Land of Demons had just begun its investment. Shiraishi believed they could eventually catch up, but it would be a long journey.

The Land of Demons had made achievements in the development of drugs and medical equipment but faced a shortage of medical doctors.

These professions were essential for a thriving nation. Shiraishi recognized that without a self-sustained industrial system, their future would be influenced or controlled by others.

Thus, the Third Ninja World War was of paramount importance. In times of war, arms and medical care became lucrative industries.

Purple Rose Medical Company had amassed a huge fortune within months of the war's outbreak. Recently, even Kumogakure had placed significant orders, indicating its intention to join the war.

The four major ninja villages—Konoha, Suna, Iwa, and Kumo—engaged in fierce battles, with Kirigakure abstaining from direct involvement. However, Kirigakure had established some cooperation with local medical companies, although it wasn't as extensive as other villages, due to their closed policy, especially concerning the Blood Mist's history.

Purple Rose had encountered resistance when establishing its presence, finally securing various treaties with Kirigakure through the daimyo's influence.

These agreements included restrictions on inquiries about Kirigakure, unauthorized village entry, and access to news. As a result, Shiraishi remained ignorant about Kirigakure's internal affairs, owing to its strict policy of isolation.

After Ruri left, Shiraishi found himself handling matters alone. Normally, Ruri was a high-ranking executive who didn't need to concern herself with day-to-day affairs. Shiraishi could surmise that she had likely returned to seclude herself for further training.

The appearance of Uchiha Madara had ignited Ruri's competitive spirit.

Shiraishi couldn't help but wish for a capable secretary to assist him.

"I really wish I could find a secretary who can handle things."

Shiraishi poured himself a cup of hot tea and drank it, and sighed with emotion after relaxing.

To his surprise, a familiar voice chimed in, "What kind of secretary are you looking for Shiraishi-kun? Can I do it?"

Shiraishi instantly recognized the speaker. "As long as you don't cause me trouble, you would be a tremendous help."

However, Ayane had a mischievous smile. "But i can give Shiraishi-kun various services, you know."

"You're almost twenty years old; you're not a child anymore."

Shiraishi couldn't help but retort with a snort. He meant to discourage her from acting cute. it wasn't cute at all.

"Nonsense, I won't be turning eighteen until next year."

"Are you aging backwards?"

Ayane, pointing at the huge monsters in her attire, playfully offered, "Yes, this is the only part where the numbers go up in a forward direction. Would you like to touch them?"

Although it was tempting, Shiraishi was too drained to entertain such distractions. Just dealing with Ruri was taxing enough, let alone someone with more energy.

"Did you hear what Ruri said earlier?"

Shiraishi redirected the conversation to the topic at hand.

"While I didn't see her memories, I did hear of the news about Uchiha Madara."

Ayane replied, shifting to a more solemn demeanor.

Acknowledging this, Shiraishi continued, "Madara is a true monster, and Ruri's description only scratches the surface. Just feeling his power through memories put him on a different level from us. In fact, among the ninjas I've met, none can match Madara's strength."

Not even close. What he felt was just a brief glimpse; experiencing it firsthand on the battlefield would be even more shocking. He had the power to destroy the world.

"I don't advocate taking the initiative to meet Madara in the future, at least for the time being. The only good news is that Madara's power has somewhat limit, and it may also be based on the location or timing, so it probably is a small area. Cutting off his protruding 'tentacles' is what we will do next."

"Am I next after Ruri?"

"Given our shortage of manpower, I'm a bit concerned about handing the task to other people. Your reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance skills are top-notch, and your high-speed taijutsu can eliminate the enemy swiftly upon detection."

"What about the Bug Men?"

"They're making a name for themselves in the underground black market and can't have any surface-level contact with us. According to confidential reports, as their reputation as the 'Bug Men' grows, they've attracted Iwagakure's attention."

"Iwa?" Ayane had a strange expression on her face.

Shiraishi chuckled,, "The Third Tsuchikage, ōnoki, is quite an interesting ninja."

ōnoki was well-known among the Five Kages and had a different approach, such as hiring bounty hunters from the underground black market for missions that Iwagakure couldn't openly handle.

He also recruited groups of ninja mercenaries for various missions. Reports from the Lands Of Demons spies in the war indicated that many of Iwa's forces consisted of these black market bounty hunters.

While hiring foreign ninjas might have reduced ōnoki's prestige as a Tsuchikage, it proved effective in reducing Iwa's ninja casualty rate. ōnoki opted to pay funds for similar or better results, making it a sensible choice.

While the other Four Kages disdained to hiring bounty hunters from the black market, ōnoki had established a reliable trade network with the underground black market.

He carefully selected bounty hunters based on their reputation, ability, and the missions they could undertake.

So far, bounty hunters who had worked with Onoki had positive feedback. They found the Tsuchikage to be generous and never experienced any maltreatment.

Both parties placed immense importance on their reputations. Losing credibility would jeopardize the stability of their transaction network.

Bug Man and others had gradually gained fame in the underground black market due to their 100% task completion rate and top-notch credibility placing them at the forefront. After accomplishing challenging and dangerous missions one after another, they had gradually come to ōnoki's attention.

Being hired by a wealthy businessman in the ninja world and being chosen by th Tsuchikage, one of the Five Kages, were two entirely different statuses. Onoki's hired bounty hunters invariably increased their status.

They became "boutique" bounty hunters and were favored by higher-ranking officials and wealthy people. They specialized in serving high-profile clients.

This growth was reflected in the information they gathered and the funds they accumulated, showing steady and huge progress.

Additionally, these bounty hunters had recently excelled and were steadily increasing in value, with more room for growth.

It wouldn't be long before the Tsuchikage was recognized as a provider of "boutique" services.

"What is the Tsuchikage planning to trade?" Ayane asked with curiosity.

"Destroying one of Konoha's supply points." Shiraishi replied.

"That sounds like a highly challenging mission." she remarked.

"It's considered a merit certificate. The Third Tsuchikage is up for grabs. If they succeed, Bug Men can expect more significant cooperations." Shiraishi explained.

The information about Bug Man and his team had not been compromised. Even when they met with Konoha, they only joined a battle involving the team of four Root members.

Consequently, the Root team was entirely eliminated, their corpses retrieved, and data safely secured. Currently, contact with Bug Man remained mostly one-way, primarily to prevent information leaks.

"So, there aren't many skilled individuals available here. With White Zetsu scattered all over, General Tu and the others are currently overwhelmed." Shiraishi explained.

"You certainly know how to delegate tasks. You'll have to reward me when i return." Ayane said playfully.

"I'll focus on training the next group of fighters as soon as possible." Shiraishi replied with a smile.

As Ayane left, Shiraishi sighed with relief and turned his attention back to his work.

...

A war broke out between Kumogakure and Iwagakure.

Shiraishi had anticipated this outcome based on information provided by Ruri, so he wasn't particularly surprised.

Kumogakure's forces, led by the Third Raikage, had directly attacked over a dozen sentry points in the Land of Earth's territory. They wiped out a significant number of Iwa ninjas, with a clear objective: the precious iron ore being mined in the Land of Earth.

Ayane had left the Land of Demons less than two days ago, and this major event naturally stirred up a commotion in the world.

Compared to Land Of Fire's fertile land, Kumo highly valued the Land of Earth's iron ore for weapon production. Iron ore had the broadest range of applications, and the Land of Earth was the most abundant source, making it a coveted resource among villages.

However, it was surprising that fewer than twenty Kumo ninjas attacked Iwagakure. Although all were Jonin, plus the Third Raikage, it was a bold move to penetrate deep into the Land of Earth's territory.

Upon learning the news, Shiraishi couldn't help but admire the Third Raikage's audacity. This event marked the beginning of the inevitable war between Kumo and Iwa.

While it was a relief for Konoha, residing in the Land of Fire, to be removed from the war, they remained vigilant toward Kumo.

Kumogakure has a long-term objective and wasn't in a rush to engage Konoha.

Their strategy was likely to accumulate powerful forces, primarily by securing precious iron ore from the Land of Earth and strengthening their military might.

Their ultimate goal might be to challenge Konoha after consolidating their power, following a more extended, patient strategy rather than seeking a hasty victory.

From the perspective of the Land of Demons, a remote area, the war didn't affect them directly. Shiraishi analyzed the ongoing war as a bystander, considering its ultimate direction.

About a week later, fresh intelligence arrived from the Land of Earth's battlefield.

It reported that the Third Tsuchikage, after learning of the Third Raikage's presence in the Land of Earth, led Iwagakure's Demolition Unit to confront him. Regrettably, Iwagakure suffered a significant defeat.

Also Onoki sustained severe injuries, including the smashing of his waist by the Third Raikage. Iwagakure's Demolition Unit was nearly wiped out, resulting in huge losses.

Shiraishi couldn't help but feel disbelief, even though he knew his intelligence sources were meticulous. If not for his trust in his intelligence personnel, he might have considered this information fabricated.

"It seems like Kumo is the biggest winner in this war." Ruri said as she entered Shiraishi's office, sensing his reaction to the news.

Recalling her brief encounter with the Raikage, Ruri acknowledged his immense strength, noting that he might have held back during their fight.

Being able to severely injure the Tsuchikage, one of the five kages at the same level, and even severely demolishing Iwa's Demolition Unit, from then on, the prestige of the third Raikage as the strongest shield and mightiest spear may gain even more fame.

Shiraishi's complexion suddenly turned serious, carefully watching the information in his hand.

"What's wrong? Is something wrong?"

Seeing Shiraishi's sudden change of expression, Ruri asked suspiciously.

"Ruri, if you were the Third Raikage, what would be your first move after defeating the enemy's leader?"

"Of course, I will continue to capitalize on the war's momentum, just as he did against Iwa."

Ruri didn't think about it, and answered without hesitation. After all, it would be a pity to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The iron mines in the Land of Earth were very attractive to the third Raikage. They opted to deepen and further expand the results of the battle. This was the style Kumogakure's leader should have.

Shiraishi admired her insight but cautioned her

"While that's a subconscious reaction, it can be dangerous when an overwhelming victory clouds one's judgment."

Understanding his implication, Ruri asked,, "You mean?"

"Iwagakure will likely start tightening the net to catch their prey..." Shiraishi replied, his expression growing grave.

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