Cold War Begins

Holding a notebook, Kakashi walked into a movie theater in the Land of Fire with a watermelon rind.

Ah, not watermelon rind.

It's Maito Gai.

Kakashi doesn't like to perform missions with Gai very much.

This is not to say that Kakashi hates him very much. After all, Gai doesn't have any annoying traits except for being a little hot-blooded.

He is never picky when eating, never lazy when exercising, and always rushes first when fighting.

Seriously, this is actually a pretty good teammate – he's way too enthusiastic.

As if he will die tomorrow, he will do his best no matter what he does, even to the point where people don't know what to say.

The most frightening thing is that this guy also likes to compete with Kakashi.

Everything has to be compared with him.

Whether it's a serious gymnastics competition, the speed of eating, the number of times of exercising, or even the length of the bottom... What a bastard without a sense of boundaries.

Well, this is also one of his rare friends who can survive to this day.

Most of Kakashi's acquaintances died in the brutal war.

In this operation, the reason why Kakashi was willing to take Gai with him was not because he was afraid of Makoto's threat to him. If he didn't take Gai with him, he would arrange a white silk trap, a black silk trap, and a barefoot trap – or all three.

Godaime Hokage is really a scary guy.

But then again, why does the Godaime attach so much importance to Gai?

It's okay to bring Gai along for this operation. As Hokage's secretary, Kakashi has access to many top-secret documents. He knew that in the training list made by Makoto, Gai was ranked third.

This so-called training list can actually be simply regarded as a confidant list.

The first is of course he, Kakashi.

But cultivating Kakashi is human nature.

After all, Kakashi is a disciple of the Yondaime, and the Godaime and the Yondaime are not only fellow students, but also friends.

When Makoto didn't have time to slowly cultivate his direct descendants, taking care of Kakashi was a matter of course. But Gai...

Kakashi didn't want to say that, but Gai is basically an idiot in other aspects except for his physical skills, so he probably won't be able to help the Godaime.

He is a wooden barrel with only one plank.

Although the guy named Yakushi Kabuto who ranked second is also very strange.

Kakashi never understood why Makoto paid so much attention to ordinary orphans in this orphanage.

It is said that Makoto directly increased the orphanage's budget by five times in order to make the director of the orphanage who was a betrayed Root member.

Then the next day the director of the orphanage came with a cane... Well, strictly speaking, she chose her allegiance.

However, even though Makoto was outrageous, he never made mistakes in important matters.

So be it.

Kakashi thought helplessly.

When Kakashi finished his cranky thoughts, the movie theater gradually became quiet.

The movie is starting.

At this time, the cinema where Kakashi is located is not Konoha, but a cinema in a big city in the Land of Fire. Although the war has messed up the economic systems of the five major countries, today's play is full.

Kakashi, who has experienced many battles, noticed that among the people who came to watch the movie in this batch, three were rouge ninjas – although there were only three people in total, considering the embarrassing status of rouge ninjas, this was already an astonishing proportion.

Their situation makes it rare for them to relax, let alone go out to watch a movie leisurely.

But they still came.

...Of course, don't expect them to buy tickets.

Kakashi can more or less guess their mood - because the movie of 'Saving Ninja Mizu-jun' is in the true sense, it was the first war movie to focus on ninjas.

In wars, ninjas who were direct participants suffered the highest proportion of casualties. But because of the unified ideology of the five major countries, no one has ever said anything for ninjas.

Ninjas are tools, and sharp weapons are naturally a good thing. But... that's all.

A weapon is always a weapon.

A ninja is someone who always walks in the shadows.

Even though they have been fighting for decades, the reputation of ninjas has always been mediocre. Even in some small countries, ninjas are synonymous with terror and destruction. It is said that it has been repeatedly prohibited.

The Kages also don't have any good ideas.

Even if they are decent and unwilling to kill innocent people indiscriminately, ninjas fighting in enemy countries are usually tense, and opponent ninjas always don't mind using identities including but not limited to civilians to conduct surprise attacks...

The ninjas have no college education, so they can't directly tell who is the enemy and who is the innocent, so they often choose to fight hard. And their heavy hand is death for civilians.

And if happens to meet some ninjas who are completely blinded by hatred...

The ninja who felt the sorrow could not stop the sorrow, but spread the sorrow further, which has to be said to be the greatest sorrow.

War is a crime.

The escapees came here to watch the movie, and in addition to satisfying their own curiosity, they also want to mock Konoha.

Because they are the ones who know best what war is.

Kakashi could understand this feeling very well.

But having said that... It is understandable for ninjas to come and watch the first war movie from the perspective of ninjas. Why are there so many ordinary people?

That guy Shikaku is really amazing.

Everyone was quietly waiting for the movie to start, and Gai beside Kakashi became more and more excited.

"Kakashi! You also participated in the production of this movie! Tell me quickly, is it because Konoha is killing everyone?"

Kakashi took out a sign that he had already prepared and blocked it in front of him.

The spoiler is a dog.

Gai laughed a few times, but didn't continue to ask.

The movie begins.

Nothing else came up, just a full 30 minutes of high-pressure war scenes.

In terms of time, it is indeed a bit long, even though the movie itself is more than two hours long.

But Aoho still insists on this.

Facts have proved that the master is the master, and his judgment is completely correct.

Because the fighting was so exciting that all audience members were attracted by the incomparably wonderful war scenes, even those who were originally escaped from tolerance were also fascinated by watching.

When jutsu blooms, it is indeed extremely beautiful.

The spark of wisdom that blooms when ninjas fight hand-to-hand can also be said to be a rare beauty.

Regrettably, behind these extremely beautiful things often means the withering of countless lives...

But as far as movies are concerned, if you play well, everyone likes it.

After nearly thirty minutes of fighting, the rhythm slowed down slightly. Because the fight was so exciting, some ignorant audience members couldn't help talking in low voices.

"The ninjas in our Land of Fire are so powerful, the ninjas of other countries are beaten!"

"Yeah, yeah…"

Kakashi was speechless.

From the perspective of the overall plot, this film selects the Fourth Ninja War that has just ended. It's just that Aoho tactfully obscured this point, and even consciously changed the flag of Konoha to the flag of the Land of Fire.

Ninjas would never make such a low-level mistake. If the flag is wrong, the Kages will really kill people.

But in the movie, it can't be counted as a mistake – because you can't separate the Land of Fire and Konoha.

Isn't Konoha also part of the Land of Fire? What is your intention?

Therefore, in the eyes of ordinary Land of Fire citizens, they naturally regard ninjas as warriors defending their homeland.

Although ninjas are essentially doing such a job, many people's concepts are stuck in the past.

Subconsciously, they still regard ninjas as mercenaries who can be used at will as long as they are paid.

But now, after Aoho secretly changed the concept, everything is different.

They saw the cruelty of the war, and saw Konoha ninjas follow each other and finally win.

Psychologically, the audience has brought themselves into the Konoha side – people always subconsciously bring themselves into the winning side.

Especially when the winner is the protagonist of the movie.

A master is a master.

He knows exactly what the audience wants to see, and he knows even more about what Makoto wants to film.

After simple psychology is brought in, it is the stage of literature and drama.

What entered the eyes of the audience were densely packed corpses and countless memorial monuments.

The ninjas in charge of the aftermath dealt with the corpses of the robes with no expression on their faces and indifferently wrote death notices for the families of the deceased in the format they had already drawn up.

"It's so miserable... I knew that the previous Fourth Ninja World War was very miserable, but I didn't expect so many people to die... I haven't heard of it..."

"Yeah, look at their names, many of them belong to the same clan... The death rate is almost extinct right?"

Hearing the soft discussions of the audience in the movie theater, Kakashi didn't show any expression.

Human beings are odd creatures.

On the one hand, they can mercilessly let other people die, and on the other hand, they can send their blessings and pity to some people they have never met before.

The audience in the movie theater must know about the Fourth Ninja World War, but they usually don't pay much attention to it. At most, they feel that the tax will be raised again recently.

But when they really saw the corpses of ninjas piled up into mountains, they still couldn't help but feel sorry for the ninjas.

But at this time, in their eyes, ninjas are no longer villains who take money to do things, but warriors who protect them with their lives... Kakashi thought so.

So far, except for the few escaped people present, the emotional preparation of the ordinary audience has been completed.

"Hmph, so many people died, and everything was wiped out, leaving only the wives and children who were starving and poor, and then they were eaten up and swallowed up by the big clan...Only an idiot would do such a thing!"

"That's right, this kind of idiotic thing, whoever likes to do it will do it!"

Gai's five senses are quite sharp. He was originally attracted by the cool and realistic battle scenes before, but he didn't respond much. But when he heard the words of escape, he immediately prepared to go up and fight them desperately.

But was stopped by Kakashi who looked indifferent.

"Gai, we are now on a mission – to observe the reactions of the people around us and write a review. –

"Have you forgotten even the most basic ninja rules?"

Gai had no choice but to sit down.

Not to mention the reaction in the movie theater, the movie is still going on in silence.

A piece of information was sent to the Godaime Hokage wearing a robe – the transformation technique is really a good thing, anyway, there are not many scenes in itself.

As the Godaime slowly recited the contents of the information, the audience began to know that in the previous war, there was really a clan that was about to be beaten to extinction.

A fine lad named Mizu-jun, his brave brothers, died on the same day.

However, Mizu-jun himself was also deeply trapped in the enemy's battle, and his life and death were unknown.

"We can't tell a great mother that your sons were all killed on the same day. She gave us all her sons, even though we couldn't keep them all...something has to be done."

Following the order of the Godaime Hokage, a temporary team was formed.

They accepted this order to save this Mizu-jun.

The complaints from the rouge ninjas immediately came again.

"How could it be possible for such a stupid Kage to kill so many people just for one person...it's impossible."

"Yes, yes, in the eyes of the Jounin, our life is not life at all!"

Gai glared at them, but was held tightly by Kakashi.

The plot is still going on.

When the soldiers of the squad fell into the enemy's territory, various difficulties and dangers came one after another.

Serious shortage of manpower and equipment, unfamiliarity with the terrain, and dangerous enemies lurking in the corner of the road at any time. Facing the comrades around them falling one by one, the ninjas gradually began to doubt the rationality of this task .

Yes, they were beginning to doubt.

This is where Aoho excels.

He didn't intend to create a group of humanoid weapons without emotions, but a group of people.

They will wonder, they will complain, and they will make mistakes.

But... will also resolutely carry out the order.

The journey of salvation is like a one-way street to death.

A handsome and capable ninja just fell down during the search journey.

Aoho is absolutely excellent, he has created excellent characters with character arcs in a short period of time.

And then – in front of the audience, completely destroyed them.

They are so young and so good, some of the more sensitive viewers even shed tears.

After the director's emotional exaggeration, they have forgotten everything else, only knowing that a group of good boys from the Land of Fire fought for them, and then disappeared into the flames of war without a sound.

After going through all sorts of difficulties and dangers, the squad finally found Mizu-jun, a ninja soldier, somewhere in a fierce battle. However, Mizu-jun, who has a strong will and a sense of responsibility, is unwilling to leave...

War, or war.

The enemy is like a shadow, pressing on uninterruptedly, destroying all beauty and goodness.

In the end, Mizu-jun was rescued after all.

However, there were only two of the original great boys left. Other outstanding ninjas fell into the war forever and could never wake up again.

More than two hours is not long, nor is it short. In the beginning, there were some rouge ninjas cursing, but in the end, the rouge ninjas were completely attracted to it.

Aoho has never concealed the crime of war. During the filming, he not only used a large number of Konoha ninjas as martial arts and group performances but also accepted many opinions.

For the rouge ninjas, this is not a movie, it is their daily life.

Because it is what they have experienced, it can break into their hearts.

War, slaughter, death, die without honor... No, there is still something different.

After the curtain ended, the audience was silent.

It wasn't until Kakashi was the first to applaud that the others followed suit, ending the viewing of the movie.

Kakashi glanced at the rouge ninjas in the crowd, and saw them sitting in a dazed position, as if caught in some kind of memory.

Little brats on the battlefield are different from those who grew up in a time of peace.

The film can't overcome these stubborn mouths, but that similar emotion can pry open some past memories.

...Who wants to run away as a coward when you can stand up and be a hero?

And the piece of watermelon rind beside Kakashi... He was already in tears.

"Oh... this is youth..."

Youth your head, this is war.

Before those escaped ninjas could react, Kakashi left the hall silently holding the watermelon rind by the back collar.

From the performance of the rouge ninjas, he already knew that Makoto's plan had succeeded.

Although it's just a movie, he has grasped the weakness of all ninjas in the world – ninjas are not tools to be consumed!

No one cares about what ninjas sacrifice?

No, I care about you!

Even if it's just a movie, even if you know it's fake, I just want to tell you one thing – I care about you!

And Konoha did exactly that.

This is not empty talk.

Everyone knows that Konoha's pension is the best.

Even for those ninjas who have been abolished, the pensions they receive can allow them to retire with peace of mind.

Unlike ninjas in some Hidden Villages, even if they are physically disabled or even have injuries on their bodies, they still have to work hard for their families.

The method is very straightforward, but Makoto pointed straight to the point.

Makoto wanted to tell all Konoha ninjas that he cared about them.

He would save them.

For those who are in the dark, even a little bit of light is precious.

No, it's more about reassurance than salvation.

Kakashi remembered what Makoto once said to him.

Everyone is trying to overcome anxiety and fear in order to live with reassurance! Whether it is for fame and fortune, dominating others, or making money, it is all for reassurance!

Getting married or making friends is also for reassurance! Working hard for peace is actually making excuses for your own reassurance!

And he will give them reassurance.

Although the Godaime often has convulsions in his brain, and likes to play with other people's blood pressure monitors the most, but...it's pretty good in the end.

Kakashi thought so, a little in a trance.

He couldn't help but think of the past.

Obito, if you're alive, then how good would that be?

Konoha is no longer the same as before.

We already... don't need to die meaninglessly anymore...

... ...

Ding.

As soon as the movie ended, Makoto's long-awaited task completion reminder finally rang softly in his ears.

The long-planned mission of undead veterans has finally been completed.

Makoto originally thought that this task should be completed after the over-the-counter pension is issued. But it wasn't until then that the mission completion prompt popped up.

Veterans demand respect beyond money.

"However, it's not too late, is it...? This is just the beginning."

... ...

Danzo frowned and finished watching the movie.

After reading it...the frown deepened.

"He is controlling the situation, but I have nothing to do... Maybe it's time to seek some external force..."

... ...

Kumo's two jinchuurikis had very ugly expressions on their faces.

"I was wondering what was going on with Konoha that bastard, our Hidden Village is in such a difficult situation, but he hasn't done anything yet... It turns out that his trump card is hidden here! –

"It's not that he didn't want to tune us in, but he put the tune in the most obvious place – I bet there will be more and more films like this in the future! More and more ruthless! –

"Whether Konoha is telling the truth or not, their benefits are indeed the best. They have a future and a lot of money, and our Chunin and Genin ninjas simply cannot refuse..."

Once again, Yugito felt the fatal crisis brought by Makoto's arrival.

Last time, he took away the Yondaime Raikage.

And this time...

Kumo absolutely cannot afford to lose.

"We have to do something... If this continues, Kumo will only be completely destroyed! –

"We can no longer follow the old rules!"

... ...

Sandaime and Onoki watched the movie together.

"It's a bit fake. I don't know how many people should scold Makoto for such a thing."

The Sandaime said with a smile.

Onoki's face was full of bitterness.

"People are the city, people are the country..."

... ...

The Yondaime Kazekage finished his day of exploration and returned to Suna with a little gold dust.

Although they won the previous war, Suna almost lost its underwear.

Of course, that in itself is a reasonable deal, nothing to complain about.

Suna sent out people and uses the current ninjas to provide more possibilities for future generations.

Fortunately, the war is over now, and Konoha's side's son-in-law has also generously sent a large amount of funds to Suna, so Suna's situation is still stable.

Unlike the other two Great Hidden Villages, people run away almost every day, no matter how harsh the punishment is, they can't stop it.

But now Suna doesn't care much about the outside world anymore. In addition to working hard to restore itself, Suna was studying one thing – how to plant trees.

Makoto's words sounded useless, but the Yonndaime Kazekage actually listened to them in his heart.

How do you know if you don't try it?

If it succeeds, it will benefit not only the present, but also the future generations of the Land of Winds.

It's never too late to start doing it now.

"Kazekage-sama, here is a videotape sent from Konoha, it seems to be the latest movie..."

"Put it there, I'll watch it when I have time."

After collecting gold dust routinely, the Fourth Kazekage, regardless of the hard work along the way, called together the strong men in the village to continue to study how to plant trees.

The environment of the Land of Wind and Suna is too harsh, and ordinary trees are useless. Even if it is barely planted, it will not last long.

When ordinary people encounter this situation, they will definitely be numb immediately. But they are ninjas...

Others didn't dare to think about Mokuton (Wood Release), but can Doton (Earth Release) and Suiton (Water Release) be used to achieve a similar effect?

Tonight is destined to be another sleepless night.

... ...

After watching the whole movie, the expressions of the three people in Mizukage's office were very heavy.

Because they probably already realized what Makoto was going to do.

But they couldn't stop it.

"Kisame, what do you think?"

"Although it is an enemy nation, they are also real ninjas who can carry out the mission to the end!"

"I didn't ask you this... well, let me sum it up."

Mizukage Yagura began to summarize.

"The Godaime Hokage, he is really a difficult opponent. –

"In terms of strength, he is definitely not the strongest Hokage. But when it comes to using people's hearts...he just wants to use the richest Land of Fire and the most powerful Konoha to strangle us spiritually. –

"You don't need a knife or a gun, but the knife saw blood. –

T/N: 'knife saw blood', it's a metaphor that means every action will result in harm

"It is foreseeable that within ten years, the Five Great Hidden Villages will not go to war. But Konoha's spiritual offensive will never stop. They have this material basis, and even if everything they used is all a conspiracy, we cannot stop it. –

"Our Kirigakure's strategy will also change. –

"Actually, I discovered a long time ago that the village is too strict in some aspects. Although during the war years, some things can indeed be said to be unavoidable... But since the world has calmed down, there is no need to maintain it all the time. The rules of the past. –

"Our Land of Water is different from the Land of Wind, which is barren. Fishing resources are still very rich. We have been excluded from the continental trade system before. Now that the war has subsided, we have to find a way to go back. –

"What's the shame in selling fish? It's a shame to have no money and be a failure! –

"I know that our fish transportation was very difficult in the past, but I remember that there is a Hyoton (Ice Release) kekkei genkai clan in the Land of Water. Although they basically left the ninja world a few years ago, as long as the money is in place, I don't think they would mind returning. If you use their power... –

"Hah? The Yuki Clan been exterminated? When?!"

... ...

The man in the swirl mask finishes watching the tape.

He watched it again.

Then came the third time.

The forth time.

The fifth...