I, The New Hokage of Konoha - Chapter 241
“The Fourth Great Ninja War, according to the plan of the Five Nations Alliance, was officially set to begin in three days.
However, under the leadership of the Hidden Cloud Ninjas, the Konoha Village didn’t stick to the usual script. They caught the Five Nations Alliance off guard, and the war officially started on the second day of the three-day deadline.
They moved up the timeline.
As the Hidden Cloud Ninjas forces led by the Raikage attacked the Hidden Mist Village, Konoha Ninjas, in other directions, also took action swiftly, capitalizing on the advantage of timing.
The Land of Waves.
Although it’s another island nation surrounded by the sea, much like the Land of Water, it is significantly smaller in terms of both land area and resources. Being closer to the mainland, it heavily relies on the neighboring Land of Fire.
Especially when the Cross-Sea Bridge, named after the bridge builder Tazuna, connecting the Land of Fire and the Land of Waves was completed, this reliance became even more evident.
After the actual controllers of the Cardo faction, which had previously obstructed the bridge’s construction, were overthrown, the Konoha Village took over as the actual rulers of the Land of Waves.
On the map, the protruding Land of Waves plays a crucial role as a bridgehead for the long coastline of the Land of Fire.
During the Third Great Ninja War, the confrontation between the Konoha Village and the Mist Ninjas happened because the latter preemptively occupied the Land of Waves, a crucial forward base for their offensive. They had ample footholds and supplies, forcing the Konoha Village into a passive defense on their own soil, which was quite challenging for them.
Suppose it weren’t for the extraordinary act of Might Guy, who killed four out of seven members of the Seven Swordsmen and incapacitated three, and the audacious operation of the Mist Ninjas sealing the Six-Tails inside Rin Nohara’s body. In that case, it’s hard to say whether the Konoha Village, engaged in a multi-front war, could have held on until the end.
Learn from your mistakes.
After the war, the Konoha Village, led by the Hidden Cloud, undoubtedly placed a higher value on the Land of Waves.
Hence the construction of the Cross-Sea Bridge.
The bridge’s opening had a significant economic boost for the Land of Waves.
For the Konoha Village, the emphasis was more on its military and political importance.
The Mist Ninjas did consider obstructing the construction of the bridge, but compared to the Land of Fire and the Land of Waves, which were only separated by a short stretch of sea, the Land of Water and the Land of Waves were separated by several times the distance, making it practically impossible to interfere.
Furthermore, due to the turmoil in the Blood Mist Village, they could only watch as the Konoha Village took control of the Land of Waves.
However, today, just like the Hidden Cloud Ninjas, the Mist Ninjas also tasted the bitter fruit of their actions back then.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Receiving an early lockdown order on the already empty Cross-Sea Bridge, a heavily armed army of Konoha Ninjas, under the command of Commander Uchiha Shisui, advanced rapidly toward the Land of Waves.
Previously, to avoid provoking the Mist Ninjas, the Konoha Village didn’t station any troops in the Land of Waves. But now that both sides had revealed their true colors, it was only natural to seize the initiative.
In this regard, the Konoha Village undoubtedly had the upper hand.
“War has finally begun. True peace in the Ninja World is finally achievable.”
At this moment, Shisui, leading the charge atop the bridge, glanced at the thick mist ahead.
It wouldn’t be long before the mist cleared up. But before that, all obstacles had to be cleared with determination.
“They should be making their move now.”
Thinking this, Shisui accelerated once again.
Behind him, the two thousand Konoha Ninjas, acting as the vanguard, followed silently.
…
At the same time.
The Land of Waves, the Village of Ana.
Due to the proximity of the completed Cross-Sea Bridge, the once-impoverished fishing village had become prosperous due to increased trade.
Recently, the village’s officials even prepared to upgrade it to a town.
For these developments, Obito Uchiha, who outwardly appeared as a businessman from the Land of Waves but was, in fact, a spy for the Mist, didn’t care.
Ever since the completion of the Cross-Sea Bridge, he had been assigned to monitor the bridge’s every move in the Land of Waves to prevent Konoha Ninjas from infiltrating.
As usual, he got up early, left his rented lodging, and discussed trade with a group of businessmen while secretly collecting intelligence.
After all, these well-traveled folks knew more about information exchange.
However, his face changed quickly during the conversation with the merchants.
“Did you hear? The Cross-Sea Bridge is closed today.”
“What? I have a shipment to the Land of Fire today. Why did they suddenly close the bridge?”
“It seems there was a massive wave; they temporarily closed the bridge for safety.”
“That shouldn’t be the case! I’ve lived in the Land of Waves for decades, and this time of year doesn’t usually have large waves!”
Hearing this, Obito Uchiha had no intention of staying any longer.
As a spy, he keenly sensed that there might be a problem with this bridge closure.
Combined with the escalating Ninja World situation recently.
‘I must relay this information back as soon as possible.’
Making this decision, Obito Uchiha immediately used his ninjutsu to bid farewell to the group of people, preparing to transmit the information to the village.
However, on his way, three thin kunai suddenly appeared in front of him at high speed.
“Who’s there?”
Obito Uchiha, who hadn’t forgotten his undercover identity, appeared flustered.
Although the Village of Ana was prosperous, it had a short development history, so it was natural for him to appear anxious when encountering obvious Ninjas in the wilderness.
Now, Obito Uchiha, as he was fleeing, could only hope that these were just wandering Ninjas after money, not interested in taking his life.
But in the next second, as he saw the attire of the intruder, his heart sank.
“Konoha Ninjas? What do you want? I can give you all the money you want! Just spare my life!”
Taking his gaze away from the Konoha headband that was prominently displayed on the newcomer’s forehead, Obito Uchiha, with a look of “panic,” said.
Although the Village of Ana was thriving, the Konoha Ninjas only appeared on this occasion, which had caught Obito Uchiha off guard.
At this moment, he didn’t realize that he had exposed his true identity.
Now, he couldn’t hear the inner thoughts of the bandaged man. He would certainly say that this was the mantra of Zabuza Momochi, the Ninjas he had idolized before.
The latter became a renegade after failing to assassinate the Mizukage, making him unable to idolize him openly.
But secretly, Obito Uchiha still admired this man’s silent killing technique, which was well-known.
In the Mist Village.
Hence, he was enthusiastic about mimicking Zabuza’s catchphrase after performing the Hidden Mist technique and mastering the art of silent assassination.
Moreover, after completing this mission and achieving the specified standards, he would be promoted to a special Jonin, thanks to this skill.
This was where his confidence lay.
After delivering that psychological attack, Obito Uchiha didn’t make another sound.
Like a lurking snake, he was ready to strike at any restless prey.
However, he overlooked one thing.
Although Haku was very young, genius was never to be judged by common standards, especially considering his upbringing under the guidance of Uchiha Shisui since childhood.
Regardless of Obito Uchiha’s verbal attacks earlier or the current covert pressure, Haku’s expression remained unchanged.
With the thick mist obscuring his vision, he closed his eyes and formed hand seals with one hand.
Instantly, small ice mirrors, centered on Haku, silently spread over the ground like a web, even covering the nearby area.
As if casting a net.
Although those who couldn’t see Obito Uchiha couldn’t notice him, with his movements restricted to the ground due to his inability to fly, the mirrors laid on the ground would reveal his location should he make any move.
Crack!
Soon, the sound of breaking mirrors echoed.
With Obito Uchiha’s move, Haku quickly turned back to see him.
“The Water Release: Thousand Killing Water Needles.”
In an instant, numerous sharp needles made of water shot out from the mirrors surrounding Obito Uchiha, piercing various parts of his body at high speed.
Obito Uchiha couldn’t dodge in time, and blood spurted out as he screamed in pain.
Soon, the Hidden Mist technique dissipated.
Covered in blood but intentionally not hitting vital areas, Obito Uchiha collapsed on the ground, unconscious.
“Mission accomplished.”
Clean as a whistle, Haku approached to retrieve the target.
Suddenly, applause rang out from behind.
For the first time, Haku turned pale, quickly turning around.
A man with half his face covered in bandages was applauding him there.
“You’re quite impressive, young one.”
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