Eastern Front camp.
The shinobi went about their tasks, but they kept a respectful distance from the central command tent. Still, the way their ears twitched and their eyes kept flicking toward the tent made it obvious they were all listening intently while pretending to work.
Inside the tent.
Jiraiya shrank back under Tsunade's rapid-fire sarcasm. The grin on his face finally collapsed into an awkward, sheepish smile.
He scratched his messy white hair, eyes darting around guiltily.
"Cough— well— Tsunade, it's a misunderstanding! A total misunderstanding! How could I ever forget you? Even if I forgot myself, I could never forget you!"
He squeezed his eyes shut, trying his hardest to force out a few emotional tears.
"I was just— busy, you know? Yeah, busy. Don't look at me running all over the ninja world. I was gathering intelligence!
The second I heard you needed help, I dropped everything and rushed over. I didn't even drink a single drop of water on the way!"
"Oh? Not even a drop of water?"
Tsunade cut him off without mercy. She looked at his suspiciously moist lips and curved her mouth into a sharp, mocking smile.
"Don't think I don't know what's been happening in the Land of Rivers. You were bored out of your mind over there and only rushed here because you heard there was fighting going on, right? You just wanted to join the fun."
"On my honor! Absolutely not!"
Jiraiya immediately raised his hand like he was swearing an oath, wearing an expression that screamed "I did it all for you."
"I came purely out of longing— I mean, concern! Concern for the war situation! Concern that you'd overwork yourself! Look at you, you've gotten thinner—"
As he spoke, he tried to reach out and pat Tsunade's shoulder in a show of comfort and closeness.
BOOM!!!
A thunderous impact shook the ground.
Jiraiya's sinful hand never even touched the edge of her clothes. Tsunade's fist had already slammed into the ground an inch from his foot.
The hard earth instantly split into a spiderweb of cracks. Dirt and gravel sprayed all over Jiraiya's face and clothes.
The violent tremor immediately drew every eye outside the tent. The shinobi stared with open gossip-hungry expressions.
They had all heard the stories about how Lady Tsunade once punched Jiraiya so hard she broke several of his ribs when they were kids. He had spent a month in the hospital.
Would Jiraiya-sama get his ribs broken again this time?
Inside the tent.
Jiraiya remained frozen in his ridiculous outstretched pose, cold sweat pouring down his face.
His awkward smile had completely transformed into pure terror. He looked like a toad that had just been stepped on.
Tsunade slowly pulled her fist out of the crater, blew nonexistent dust off her knuckles, and gave the disheveled Jiraiya a cold sideways glance.
"Don't touch me, Jiraiya. And stay away from me. Just seeing that stupid face of yours pisses me off.
Since you're here, go report to Nara Shikaku and follow his arrangements. If you keep running your mouth or come within three meters of me again—"
She clenched her fist. Her knuckles cracked ominously. She jerked her chin toward the smoking crater in the ground.
"That's your example."
Jiraiya stared at the still-smoking hole and swallowed hard. Every sweet line he had prepared died in his throat.
He reluctantly pulled his hand back, wiped the dirt off his face, and muttered, "Got it, got it— so scary— seriously, no sense of camaraderie at all— I'll go report already—"
He walked away with three steps back for every one forward, wearing the resentful expression of an abandoned Samoyed. But before Tsunade could clench her fist again, he quickly slipped out of the tent.
Tsunade snorted, straightened her slightly messy hair, and the corner of her mouth twitched upward in a tiny, uncontrollable smile.
"Everyone outside, get back in here."
Her sharp command sent the eavesdroppers scurrying back into the tent.
They all stared at the large crater on the ground in silence, but their faces were full of internal commentary as they tried to imagine what had just happened inside.
A while later, Jiraiya and Nara Shikaku entered last. The meeting that had been interrupted earlier resumed.
Things were different now. With Jiraiya's powerful reinforcement on the eastern front, their strength had taken a massive leap forward.
The previously somewhat conservative strategy was no longer suitable. The group shifted to an aggressive offensive plan centered around Jiraiya, forming a sharp combat spearhead.
While the eastern coast began shifting from defense to offense, after seven days of sailing, Taiichi finally set foot on the soil of the Land of Water.
People called the Land of Water an island nation, but more accurately, it was an archipelago. It consisted of one main island and countless smaller ones.
Because of the ocean separating them, each island had developed its own distinct customs over the years.
Taiichi had arrived on the main island, where both Kirigakure and the daimyo's residence were located.
The moment his feet touched solid ground again, he felt an unexpected sense of familiarity.
Humans really were land creatures. No matter how much they liked the water, they still needed the feeling of earth beneath their feet.
Behind him, Swim gave a grateful farewell. Taiichi didn't turn around. He simply raised a hand and waved goodbye.
As an island nation, the Land of Water had an unusually large number of port cities. The one Taiichi had landed in was Ira City, the largest port on the main island.
Taiichi walked through the streets like a curious child. Everything around him felt fresh and new.
Masts stood like a forest, blocking parts of the view. Cargo ships and fishing boats rose and fell with the waves.
On land, people bustled about loading and unloading goods. Workers shouted rhythmic chants as ropes and cranes swung between ship and shore.
On the other side, fishermen unloaded their catch. Carts piled high with ice-packed or live seafood were wheeled toward the city center. A faint fishy smell constantly hung in the air.
Leaving the harbor behind, Taiichi walked on foot along the road leading into the city.
Ira City truly lived up to its reputation as the Land of Water's largest port city. All along the way, caravans and pedestrians streamed past him in an endless flow.
It was no less lively than the outskirts of some of the more prosperous cities in the Land of Fire.
There was just one downside.
Taiichi rubbed his nose. From the moment he got off the ship until now, the persistent fishy smell had never left his nostrils. It looked like he would just have to get used to it.
Once inside Ira City, Taiichi did something rare—he strolled leisurely through the streets.
He had come all this way to the Land of Water. He didn't want to spend every second training. He wanted to properly experience the local customs and culture.
Unlike the Land of Fire, where buildings were mostly made of wood, the structures here were built primarily from stone.
Looking at the tall, tower-like and cylindrical buildings lining both sides of the street, Taiichi couldn't help but marvel. In the ninja world, besides Konoha, the architecture of the other four great nations each had its own unique style.
The Land of Wind used rammed-earth buildings, all in the same dusty yellow.
The Land of Lightning built on cliffside platforms and loved using glass as curtain walls.
The Land of Earth carved homes directly into rock faces, with entire houses embedded into the mountainsides.
It was no wonder the other four nations always wanted to attack the Land of Fire. You could tell a lot just from their living environments.
Who wouldn't prefer a spacious, comfortable house when the alternative was struggling to build on cliffs, sand, or sheer rock?
And they actually thought those places were easy to build in and comfortable to live in.
They had been forced into it.
After wandering for half the day, Taiichi figured it was about lunchtime. He deliberately picked a popular izakaya with plenty of customers and ordered a table full of local specialties.
Tender sea bream paired with the local special sea salt, tied with dried seaweed and slow-roasted over charcoal on reef stones. The meat was firm yet springy, with a pure, sweet ocean flavor.
Freshly caught scallops and abalone, each one large and plump. They needed almost no cooking—just a bit of green onion and ginger, steamed over water. The ultimate smooth texture was the best part.
Paired with the local special seaweed cheese jelly, the rich milky aroma blended with the unique ocean scent. It was refreshing and not greasy at all—the perfect complement to a seafood meal.
Taiichi was happily devouring the feast when he had no idea his figure had already entered the line of sight of two people not far away.
Ever since Uchiha Madara had taken control of the Third Mizukage and issued the order to attack Konoha, he had continued hiding in Kirigakure for a while.
First, to strengthen the genjutsu control over the Third Mizukage. No matter how weak the man was, he was still a Kage. If he broke free of the illusion, things would get complicated.
Second, to observe the changes inside Kirigakure and prevent any unexpected events from derailing the plan they had already set in motion.
After this period of consolidation, the genjutsu had stabilized and events had progressed smoothly. Madara decided it was time to leave Kirigakure and continue with the next phase of his plans.
Today, Madara and Zetsu had come to Ira City to catch a ship back to the mainland.
Even though Madara's life was running out, his lifestyle remained very healthy. He ate when he should eat and drank when he should drink.
Right now, the two of them had come to this popular-looking izakaya and ordered a large table of food.
Of course, the only one actually eating was Madara. Zetsu simply sat quietly beside him, occasionally answering Madara's questions.
Just as they were finishing the meal and Madara was about to pay and leave, a leisurely figure entered Zetsu's line of sight.
He recognized the person immediately. Aside from not wearing a Konoha forehead protector, there was no attempt at disguise whatsoever.
Zetsu's pupils shrank. He had been about to stand up and pay, but instead he sat back down firmly.
His sudden movement naturally caught Madara's attention. Madara slowly put down his chopsticks and sat up straight, though he didn't turn around. He simply looked at Zetsu across the table.
Zetsu didn't want to alert the other party either. He dipped his finger in water and wrote on the table:
Matsushita Taiichi.
When Madara read the name, his eyebrows twitched. Unlike Zetsu, however, he wasn't particularly cautious.
He trusted in his own overwhelming strength, and he believed very few people in the current ninja world could recognize him.
Besides, he was quite curious about this junior named Matsushita Taiichi.
From the reports Zetsu had given him, Matsushita Taiichi's current strength was definitely a notch above the controlled Third Mizukage.
To possess that kind of power at such a young age—even Uchiha Madara himself hadn't reached that level back then. A young genius like this… he really wanted to have a conversation with him.
Madara stood up without any attempt at stealth. The moment he turned around, he spotted the young man with his back to him, sitting not far away.
Just from the back view, Madara could tell this was someone with excellent self-discipline.
Eating was usually when people were most relaxed. From a person's posture and small movements at the table, it was easy to read their daily habits.
Right now, Taiichi sat with perfect posture. One hand steadied the bowl, the other held his chopsticks. His movements were steady and light. He didn't speed up or slow down based on how good the food was.
Most people like that came from good families, lived disciplined lives, had stable emotions, acted with restraint, and didn't rush.
At least in this moment, Madara's first impression of Taiichi was quite good. Seeing a junior like this at his age—even if the boy was technically an enemy—still brought him a sense of satisfaction.
Such an openly staring gaze naturally triggered Taiichi's vigilance immediately. However, there was no hostility in it, so Taiichi didn't pay it much mind at first.
Still, there was a limit to how long he could ignore it. Feeling the gaze continue to size him up without end, he finally couldn't take it anymore.
He set down his bowl and chopsticks and was about to turn around when he heard the person observing him actually walking toward his table.
Could he have run into someone he knew here in the Land of Water?
Curious, Taiichi turned halfway. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the approaching figure first.
His pupils shrank once. Twice. Three times, until they were the size of pinpoints.
It was a good thing he had only turned halfway. The other person didn't notice his reaction.
Uchiha Madara. This guy is actually in the Land of Water. No wonder Kirigakure suddenly went crazy and attacked Konoha again. He's probably the one pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Taiichi's thoughts raced, but his expression returned to normal in an instant.
He watched as Madara swaggered over and sat down at his table like they were old friends.
At Madara's original table, another person was quietly watching them.
Given the timing, that had to be Black Zetsu. Taiichi just didn't know if he was using a transformation technique or possessing someone.
"May I ask who you are?"
Taiichi turned his gaze back and lightly furrowed his brows, pretending to be confused.
"I simply saw a famous shinobi of the ninja world here and came over to make your acquaintance."
Madara acted completely at ease. He picked up a fresh pair of chopsticks and actually started eating from Taiichi's dishes.
"You've got quite a bit of courage. Most people wouldn't dare act this way in front of a shinobi."
Taiichi was probing, trying to figure out what identity Madara was using to talk to him.
"Haha." Madara didn't answer directly. "The White Death God struck such fear into Kirigakure on the battlefield that even they probably never imagined you'd show up in the Land of Water like this."
Madara gave Taiichi a thumbs-up. "Just based on that kind of guts, your title is well deserved."
Taiichi remained silent. He quietly watched Madara's performance while continuing to eat at his own steady pace, completely unbothered.
Seeing that Taiichi had no interest in engaging, Madara didn't mind. He simply continued on his own.
"Young man, I've traveled the ninja world for many years. Whether it was the Warring States period or now, war has never truly stopped for even a moment.
Today you hit me, tomorrow I hit you. Tell me, what's the point of a world like this?"
Taiichi looked up in surprise and studied the man sitting beside him.
What was this old bastard getting at? Coming over to discuss war with him. Was he trying to recruit him?
"Where there are people, there will be war. As long as human desire never stops, war will never disappear.
But this world isn't only made of war. There are plenty of good things too—family, friendship.
Society is developing. From the Warring States period, when people lived day to day in constant fear, to now, when war is limited to certain areas during the era of the Five Great Nations—this is actually a positive change.
Uncle, you're generalizing. You only see the bad side and ignore the good. That's not a good habit."
The corner of Madara's mouth curled in mockery, but he didn't get angry at Taiichi's words.
"Young man, you only say that because you haven't yet felt the malice of this world. When your loved ones are killed, your friends die tragically, and even your dreams are destroyed… only then will you understand that kind of pain."