Chapter 86

Fire Country, Konohagakure.

Hokage's Office.

"Third Hokage-sama, we have urgent information. This is a document sent by Kumogakure of the Land of Lightning."

Inside the Hokage's Office, the Third Hokage sat in his chair, his usual calm demeanor unwavering. Surrounding him were his trusted advisors—Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane. Given the ongoing war, every major decision was deliberated among the four of them.

The Intelligence Division had finally cracked the encryption on the document. As the Third Hokage unsealed and opened it, his expression shifted dramatically.

His eyes widened in utter disbelief.

"This... Is this real?"

For the first time in years, Danzo, Homura, and Koharu saw the Third Hokage visibly shaken. It was a sight they had never expected.

"Hiruzen, what is it?" Homura asked, concern lacing his voice.

The Third Hokage took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Then, with a strange smile forming on his usually hardened face, he placed the document in front of them.

"See for yourselves."

The three elders leaned in, their eyes scanning the paper. Within moments, their expressions mirrored the Hokage's.

"This can't be possible…" Koharu whispered, disbelief coloring her tone.

Danzo, though usually composed, let out a quiet chuckle. "Hmph, whether we believe it or not, this is happening."

The document was a formal surrender and alliance treaty from Kumogakure.

In this war, they acknowledged their losses and agreed to shoulder the damages inflicted upon Konoha. Land reparations, financial compensation—whatever Konoha demanded, Kumogakure was willing to provide.

The treaty even bore the official stamp of Kumogakure and the fingerprints of the Third Raikage himself.

This was not a deception. This was a legitimate act of surrender.

Even for the Third Hokage, who had witnessed decades of war and diplomacy, this was unprecedented.

Why now? Why would the ever-proud Cloud shinobi surrender?

They were known for their aggressive military expansion, their belief in the supremacy of power. They had no reason to submit so easily.

More baffling was the fact that, despite their loss at the Battle of Black Cloud Forest, Kumogakure was still strong enough to continue the fight. Their forces were not crippled. Yet, they had willingly withdrawn all their troops back to the Land of Lightning, ceasing all further military aggression.

Danzo narrowed his eyes, his mind already dissecting the situation. "Hiruzen, have you heard the full details of the Third Raikage's battle against Iwagakure's forces?"

"Of course. The reports say he fought through tens of thousands of Iwa shinobi and survived." The Hokage's voice held an undertone of admiration. "A truly legendary feat."

Danzo, however, had access to a different version of the events.

His agents had obtained classified information.

There were rumors that the Third Raikage had not fought alone. That someone else had stood by his side—an Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan.

And as of now, the only confirmed wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan in Konoha was Uchiha Mikoto.

Was it possible that she had fought alongside the Third Raikage against Iwa's overwhelming forces?

Danzo kept this speculation to himself. There was no need to inform the Hokage of the Uchiha clan's secrets. Doing so would only complicate matters and hinder his own plans.

Once this war ended, he would take matters into his own hands.

If Uchiha Mikoto truly possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, then he needed to ensure that those eyes belonged to him.

With those eyes… and the research he had gathered on Hashirama's cells…

Danzo allowed himself a brief smirk while the others were still engrossed in the treaty.

This era would soon belong to him.

The Third Hokage, meanwhile, was lost in thought.

Konoha's position in the war had suddenly shifted.

If Kumogakure had surrendered, then Konoha was already at a massive advantage.

And then, as if fate itself had chosen their victory, more news arrived.

Not long after Kumogakure's surrender, Iwagakure—another major force in the war—also withdrew.

Two of the five great shinobi nations, both retreating from the war?

The Third Hokage exchanged glances with his advisors. The answer was clear:

Konoha was on the verge of absolute victory.

The Uchiha clan, led by Uchiha Mikoto, had crushed Kumogakure's forces at Black Cloud Forest.

The squads under Uzumaki Kushina had obliterated Iwa's front-line battalions.

Even the Hyūga-led forces under Hyūga Hikari had decimated Sunagakure's defenses.

Good news kept pouring in.

For the Third Hokage, it was an affirmation that Konoha was standing at the peak of power.

"Hmph," he mused aloud, "Sunagakure, the weakest of the Five Nations, actually thought they could claim a share of Konoha's power? What a foolish dream."

For the first time in this war, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt truly at ease.

The surrender treaty from Kumogakure had initially seemed like a farce, a formality to buy time. But when they actually followed through—offering reparations, ceding land—it became clear that this was real.

Kumogakure had signed an unequal treaty.

They had given up.

Hiruzen found it difficult to believe.

"Could this truly be the same Kumogakure that once sought to abduct Hyūga clan members? The same village that waged war for nothing but expansion?"

A slow grin spread across his face. "Well then, let's see who else dares to challenge the might of Konoha!"

The war was nearing its end.

Besides the remaining skirmishes with Sunagakure, there were no major conflicts left.

Konoha's victory in the Third Shinobi War was all but secured.

And as the Third Hokage reflected on the battles that had led them to this moment, he felt a growing sense of pride.

The shinobi he had nurtured—his students, their students—had turned Konoha into the strongest military power.

He had once believed that the era of the Sannin and Konoha's White Fang was Konoha's golden age.

But now…

Now, he saw that he had underestimated Konoha's true potential.

Konoha had surpassed its previous limits.

And this, this was truly Konoha's greatest era.

Just as he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction, a sudden knock on the door disrupted his thoughts.

"Hokage-sama! Urgent report from the front lines!"

Hiruzen's smile faded. "Enter."

A shinobi rushed in, panting heavily.

"Bad news, Lord Third! Kirigakure has launched an invasion on our eastern borders!"p

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