After Dawn

The future Third Kazekage would die in this way, just as silently as he was assassinated by Chiyo's grandson, Sasori, decades later—hiding out for a long time to show his strength, only for it to end like this.

Fumori Masaki confirmed that he was truly dead, then slowly let out a sigh of relief. This was, after all, the second time since the battle in the hoarding fields that he had nearly pushed himself beyond the limits of using Sage Mode. His body now had a faint feeling of paralysis. However, he felt it was worth it, as the trade was the death of the strongest Kazekage.

Looking back, Masaki saw that the condensed iron sand slowly collapsed. Soon, everyone else would know what had happened here. Without the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release to further break down their defenses, Masaki believed that the frontlines could quickly consolidate. Unless Sunagakure could deploy stronger forces, they would be forced to retreat.

Masaki glanced into the distance. In his vision, waves seemed to roll towards him—that was the Land of Wind's regular samurai unit. It was clear that Sunagakure didn't believe they could break through alone. Their plan seemed to be to throw the Fire Nation's defenses into chaos, allowing the samurai troops to break through in one decisive strike.

The next step is to buy time, Masaki thought silently to himself. He adjusted his breathing slightly to alleviate the faint numbness, then his figure vanished in a flash.

At this time, the first person to notice the death of Shōmei was the Second Kazekage. Being the closest, he felt a wave of dizziness, panic gripping his heart. Someone had killed Shōmei, and at such a speed. While he lamented Shōmei's death, other thoughts began to fill his mind, and the feeling of failure started to spread.

Seeing this, Tobirama thought, Well done. When the Second Kazekage was momentarily distracted, Tobirama condensed a water arrow and rushed forward, leaping out of the water and thrusting a kunai towards the Kazekage.

The Kazekage, sensing the danger, narrowly dodged the kunai. Tobirama released his grip, letting the kunai fall. As they prepared for the next duel, the kunai behind the Kazekage suddenly disappeared from sight.

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The Second Kazekage's eyes widened as he sensed a dangerous aura behind him. He quickly released a gust of wind from his hands, propelling himself to the side, narrowly avoiding a lethal strike.

The kunai slashed across Kazekage waist, sending blood flying. This situation reminded Tobirama of his battle with Uchiha Izuna, who had been seriously wounded by the same technique during a surprise attack.

The Second Kazekage considered himself lucky. He had experienced enough of Flying Thunder God's teleportation techniques to react in time. Though wounded, the cut was shallow and not fatal.

"Damn it," the Kazekage muttered, clutching the wound at his waist. After landing, he quickly formed hand seals. A fierce wind whipped up dirt from the ground, forming a sandstorm to temporarily block Tobirama. Hidden in the sandstorm was a flare that, once ignited, exploded in the air as the sandstorm dissipated.

At night, a bright flash of white light streaked through the sky. All the Sunagakure ninjas engaged in battle saw the signal. This was a pre-arranged sign that the battle had changed—an order to retreat immediately.

The moment they saw the iron sand collapse, the Sunagakure ninjas had felt an ominous premonition. But without a direct order from the Second Kazekage, they continued fighting Konoha's forces. With the signal, however, some breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to retreat. Though others were unwilling, they had no choice but to withdraw.

Konoha's ninjas, unaware of the exact situation, still recognized the meaning of the flare. Mitokado Homura, always quick-witted and strategic, immediately gave orders to launch a powerful offensive against the retreating Sunagakure forces.

Utatane Koharu, ever direct and bold, taunted Chiyo. "Running away already?" she called, charging after her.

Meanwhile, Monzaemon, who had seen the order from the Second Kazekage, knew he had no strength left to retreat. Compared to his younger counterparts, Shimura Danzō and Uchiha Kagami, he was older and less physically capable, despite being a seasoned and experienced ninja.

If Monzaemon still had the body of his youth, even with just five puppets, he might have stood a chance of escaping, if not defeating his foes. But now, his aged body could no longer muster the necessary chakra, and his reaction time had slowed. He stood at a clear disadvantage against these younger opponents.

Over the course of the battle, Monzaemon had already lost two of his puppets. Taking the opportunity, he activated Puppet Number Three's sealing item, hoping to bind one of his opponents' chakra. But—

"An illusion from the Sharingan?" Monzaemon sighed as the figure of Uchiha Kagami, bound by the seal, faded away.

"Indeed," said the real Uchiha Kagami, appearing beside Monzaemon. "You may control many puppets, creating the illusion of having numerous enemies, but…"

"You're only one person in the end," Kagami finished.

Monzaemon recited to himself a tactic used in Sunagakure against the Uchiha clan, When facing the Sharingan, always prepare for an escape route. At least two must survive.

"I thought my experience would protect me from illusions, but in the end… sigh."

"I've learned a few things about illusions," Uchiha Kagami said, his Sharingan narrowing slightly.

Monzaemon smiled, acknowledging Uchiha Kagami's power. He realized Puppet Number Three had lost its sealing item and was now only capable of normal combat. For opponents like Shimura Danzō and Uchiha Kagami, this was meaningless.

It seemed his time had come. Though Monzaemon felt no regret. He had done his best. The design plans for his ten puppet technique were safely in Sunagakure, and his successor, Chiyo, would be able to continue his legacy. As a ninja, dying here was not something to fear.

His only remaining goal was simple, go all out and take one of them with him!

Monzaemon controlled his remaining three puppets and charged. Danzō and Kagami met him head-on. Though Monzaemon's attack was fiercer than before, his opponents had already analyzed his movements and patterns.

Uchiha Kagami pinned down two of the puppets while Danzō tricked the last one with a shadow clone, approaching Monzaemon and decapitating him in one swift strike.

The first puppet master of Sunagakure had fallen.

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"It's tough dealing with experienced old ninjas," Uchiha Kagami said, extinguishing the remaining puppets with his flame fan.

"True, but in the end, he's dead," Danzō said. "Masaki should have finished the job too. The iron sand has collapsed, and Sunagakure's forces are retreating. Let's catch up and leave them a parting gift."

"Wait," Kagami interrupted. "There may be more enemies than just Sunagakure. If they've pinned their hopes on this battle, there could be other reinforcements. You go ahead; I'll stay and secure the fortress."

"Fair enough," Danzō agreed. "Take care of things, Kagami. I'll head out first."

Danzō sped off to pursue the retreating Sunagakure ninjas, while Uchiha Kagami reorganized the castle's defense, which had been unsettled by the raid. After contacting the leader of the samurai army, they discovered that the regular army of the Wind Nation was approaching. The Fire Nation's samurai leader agreed to mobilize and clash with them head-on.

When dawn came, the Land of Wind's regular army and Sunagakure's ninjas were defeated. Though they managed to survive, the failure of their raid plan had crippled their strength. After discussion, they decided to withdraw from the Land of River and return to the Land of Wind's territory.

Perhaps they would now have to consider peace with the Land of Fire. With their current power, it might be the only way to secure a respectable outcome.