53. End of the Third Shinobi War

Inside a private room beside Hokage's office,

Hiruzen sits with his former team members, Danzo, Homura, and Koharu. A scroll lies on a table in front of them as Hiruzen opens the scroll and read its contents aloud.

"Iwagakure has agreed to our request of the Peace treaty. The war has officially ended on the Iwagakure battlefront."

"Well done!" Homura praises Hiruzen.

"We can breathe a sigh of relief for a while." Koharu also agrees with the prospect.

Danzo interrupts the conversation as he addresses them,

"Are you satisfied with an agreement like this? We have lost most of our forces in the war to achieve nothing."

"Continuing the war any further would be disastrous for the already exhausted Hidden Leaf. It's a step towards finding common ground. Also, we have yet to deal with Kumogakure and this ceasefire by Iwagakure will spare our forces to engage against Hidden Cloud."

Hiruzen presents his opinion as he debates with Danzo. Danzo slams his hand on the table as he questions Hiruzen,

"How will you take responsibility for this? Your incompetency made Konoha suffer from heavy losses. You need to give a suitable answer to the masses."

"I intend to step down as the Third Hokage and have the Fourth Hokage installed," Hiruzen answers to Danzo's question as he looks out of the window at the sculpted faces of Hashirama and Tobirama.

'Sensei, it's time for me to pass the Will of Fire to the next generation. I hope Konoha will continue to prosper under the rule of the next Hokage. It's time for me to retire.'

Hiruzen sighs as he walks out of the guest room. He enters the Hokage's office as he signals one of the Anbu,

"Pass this message to Shikaku,

'Iwagakure has agreed with the peace treaty. Ask our forces to retreat from Iwa Battlefront and provide backup at Kumo Battlefront. It is time for us to end this battle.'

Also, inform Minato Namikaze to meet me as soon as possible."

Anbu member flickers away to inform Shikaku.

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Inside an underground building,

Danzo sat on his seat as he speaks,

"My time has come. I can finally rule the Village. That Hiruzen has degraded the Village after assuming the position of Hokage. Tobirama-sensei should have nominated me as Hokage instead.

I will upvote Orochimaru for the position and through Orochimaru, I can control the leaf from Shadows and lead Konoha to a better future where Konoha is the only powerful force of the Shinobi World.

I have control over Orochimaru as I know about all of his secrets. Kinoe…Kinoe…"

An anbu with a cat mask covered in green, and red intricate marking appeared before Danzo. The Anbu bowed before Danzo as he awaits his order.

"Kinoe, monitor Orochimaru's whereabouts. I have taught you personally, don't disappoint me."

"Yes, Danzo-sama." Kinoe respectfully replies and flickers away.

"Orochimaru you made a fine clone of First Hokage Hashirama Senju. Too bad, his powers are lack luster compared to the real deal. Now, all I need is a Mangekyo Sharingan and nine-tails will be under my control. Our Village will be unstoppable after that."

Danzo clenches his fist as he thinks about his next plan.

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At Kumo Battlefront,

The situation turns in Konoha's favor once again as reinforcement arrives from the Iwa Battlefront. Konoha's shinobis start to aim for a direct confrontation as they want to eradicate Kumo forces once and for all.

Kumo gets flanked from three sides as they are surrounded and have no chance to retreat.

"I will keep them occupied. All of you retreat." The third Raikage orders his forces as he gets ready to engage Konoha's forces.

"No, Raikage-sama! We can fight together and push back the enemy. You don't have to stall time for our retreat." One of the Jounin commanders advised Third Raikage.

''Raikage-sama, I am sure we will be able to think of a solution. We still have the power of Two-Tails and Eight-Tails with us. With two perfect Jinchuriki on our side, I am sure we will turn the tables against Konoha." Another Jounin commander suggested.

"No! all of you must retreat. I don't want the forces of Kumogakure to die meaninglessly anymore. We still had a chance when Iwagakure kept Konoha occupied on one front.

But with all of Konoha's forces clashing against each other, we no longer have any chance for victory. Konoha has many great shinobis with great powers. There is Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, the White Fang, and the Three Sannins. Also the recently famous Yellow Flash. We have faint hope for victory.

Let me act as the deterrent force to keep them occupied while all of you retreat safely. A will succeed me as the New Raikage. All of you must support him to your fullest to let Kumogakure flourish."

Third Raikage lectured his subordinates as he riled up his Chakra and coated his body in lightning.

'Lightning Release Chakra Mode'

The third Raikage jumps amid Konoha forces as he keeps them occupied. The jounin commanders have tears in his eyes as he looks at the broad back of Third Raikage fighting against enemies.

He wipes away his tears as he orders his forces,

"Retreat! It is Raikage-Sama's order. We have to retreat safely to our village without any casualties. I don't want Raikage-Sama to meaninglessly die for our sake."

'Lightning Release: Lightning Dragon Jutsu'

A large lightning Dragon appears on the battlefield and annihilates numerous Shinobis. The rest of the Shinobis aims their kunai at Raikage as they threw them at him. Thousands of kunai launches in A's direction as he flickers away.

'Lightning Release: Body Flicker'

The third Raikage disappears from their vision as he dodges the kunais.

"Fast! He is too fast for our attacks. We can't even land a single blow on him." Many Shinobis complains as they continue attacking The Third Raikage.

'Lightning Style: Lightning Straight'

Third Raikage charges towards one of the unit as he smashes in them. Dust and debris rise as he starts to slaughter shinobis one after another.

'Wind Style Formation Jutsu: Great Wind Breakthrough'

'Wind Style: Wind Storm'

Many wind style users launch a wide range of co-operation jutsu to counter the lightning style of the Third Raikage. A is pushed back as he maintains his balance. There is no scratch or wound on his body as he shrugs off the jutsu.

"We are doing no damage to him, we need to launch more powerful attacks." One of the Jounin Commander orders his subordinates.

'Black Lightning: Black Panther'

A attacks the shinobis with Black Lightning as he annihilates another Squad of Ninjas.

"Not good, we can't fight him like this. He is desperate to struggle and die here." Another Jounin commander voices his opinion.

The fight with the Third Raikage continues for another two days as he uses himself as a decoy and faced against the Ten thousand shinobis of Konoha.

He eventually falls and dies from overtaxing his body and Chakra. The exhaustion from the continuous fight for three days claimed his life.

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In the Konoha, At the rooftop of Hokage's office,

Minato flickers in front of Hiruzen as he bows down to wait for Hokage's orders.

"I believe that you will carry on the will of fire, Minato. So, I want to entrust you with the future of the Konoha and the Shinobi World.

Minato, do you agree to succeed me as the Next Hokage."

Minato contemplates for a while before he asks,

"Hokage-Sama, do you believe I will be able to shoulder such a heavy responsibility."

"I know you can do it. The Will of Fire burns brighter than anyone within you. There will be a council meeting later with various elders and the Fire Daimyo. I will nominate you for the position of the next Hokage during the meeting."

"Yes, Hokage-sama. I will do my best to live up to your expectations."

Hiruzen nods as he dismisses Minato.

'Now, I have to wait for the news from the Kumo Battlefront. I hope Konoha can score a victory. The third Raikage together with Two-Tails and Eight tails would be a very tough opponent. We would have to sacrifice an arm or leg to take them down.'

Hiruzen sighs as he takes out his pipe and smokes as he gazes at the village.