Naruto: godly career system-Chapter 112: The Outbreak of War

"What's the matter? Speak up," Tsunade demanded impatiently, noticing the hesitation in Kai's demeanor.

"Tsunade-nee, I... I have to leave," Kai said cautiously.

Tsunade froze, her expression momentarily blank. Then, without any questions, she simply said, "Follow me." She stood and walked out.

Kai followed her silently, and before long, they arrived at a tavern.

As they entered, Tsunade slammed her hand on the table and shouted, "Owner, bring me sake!"

Bottle after bottle of sake was brought to the table. Though the alcohol wasn't particularly strong, Tsunade's face soon turned a deep shade of red. Shaking the empty bottle in her hand, she suddenly yelled angrily, "Owner, more sake! Hurry, bring more!"

Kai, sitting beside her, looked at her with a mix of concern and pity. He said softly, "Tsunade-nee, you shouldn't drink anymore."

"More sake! Hurry up!" Tsunade ignored him and continued to call for the owner.

"Tsunade-nee!" Kai's voice grew firmer.

"You yelled at me!" Tsunade froze, her gaze locking onto Kai's. Tears began to well up in her eyes as she suddenly erupted, "You yelled at me! What gives you the right to yell at me? Who are you to me anyway? Aren't you leaving? Then go! Just go already! Waaaaah!" By the end, Tsunade had broken into sobs.

Kai glanced around, noticing the other patrons staring at them. Feeling helpless, he supported Tsunade as he activated Divine Descent, disappearing from the tavern. The owner, who had just arrived with another bottle of sake, was left staring at the now-empty table, on the verge of tears. The sake hadn't been paid for.

In an open field outside the town.

"Tsunade-nee, I..." Kai began, trying to explain.

"Go! Just go!" Tsunade shoved Kai, refusing to listen to his explanation.

Seeing her like this, Kai made a bold decision. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers.

"Mmph!"

Tsunade's eyes widened in shock. For a moment, she froze, then began to push him away with even more force. But Kai wouldn't give her the chance. Wrapping his arms tightly around her, he showed no intention of ending the kiss.

Gradually, Tsunade stopped resisting. Instead, she began to respond. Kai felt a surge of joy in his heart. In the next instant, they appeared in an inn.

(What happens next is omitted.)

"You're saying that Iwa and Kumo have declared war on Konoha? How do you know that?" Tsunade asked, her gaze suspicious as she stared at Kai. Over the past three years—especially in recent months—Kai had barely left her sight, except when he slept.

"Uh... Tsunade-nee," Kai stammered, unsure how to answer.

"Alright, alright, just go already. The sight of you is annoying me," Tsunade waved him off impatiently, avoiding his gaze, afraid that he might see the reluctance in her eyes.

Parting is only for a better reunion. Without any further words, Kai left with Kimimaro and Haku.

Although Konoha had emerged victorious in the Third Shinobi World War, it was a pyrrhic victory. The ninja forces had suffered devastating losses, with more than half their numbers wiped out. Then came Orochimaru's defection during the Hokage election, followed by Jiraiya's departure and Danzo's disappearance. Next was the Nine-Tails' attack on the village, during which the Fourth Hokage perished, leaving the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in a state where they could not be utilized.

Now, Konoha's remaining high-level combat power consisted of only three individuals: the Third Hokage, Mitarashi Shishio, and Kai. Three people—nothing more.

For the once-undisputed strongest ninja village in the shinobi world to be reduced to only three Kage-level combatants, and none of them casualties from the war itself, was nothing short of a joke.

Over the past three years, Kai, the most feared figure in Konoha, seemed to have vanished. This absence stirred dangerous thoughts among the other ninja villages, especially Kumogakure and Iwagakure, the two villages whose strength was second only to Konoha. Both coveted the Land of Fire's abundant resources.

It wasn't long before the two villages reached a tacit understanding and formed a joint ninja force. They even attempted to draw Kirigakure and Sunagakure into their plans, aiming to ignite another great ninja war.

However, Sunagakure, still recovering from the wounds of the Third Shinobi World War, refrained from joining. The Fourth Kazekage understood that even if they defeated Konoha, Sunagakure would gain little from the victory. Thus, they chose to stay out of the conflict.

As for Kirigakure, Mei Terumi had officially been elected as the Fifth Mizukage. With the village still dealing with its own internal chaos, she had no time to involve herself in external conflicts.

In the end, only Kumogakure and Iwagakure joined forces, launching a war against Konoha.

The allied forces of Kumo and Iwa bypassed the Land of Rain and invaded the borders of the Land of Fire. The two villages were determined, mobilizing nearly 30,000 ninja in total, aiming to crush Konoha in one decisive strike.

What Kai didn't realize was that this war was closely tied to his actions.

Firstly, Kai's killing of the Third Raikage had fueled the Fourth Raikage's hatred for Konoha.

Secondly, in the absence of the original conflict where Iwa used nearly ten thousand ninja to kill the Third Raikage, Iwagakure's ninja forces had been significantly preserved. This, combined with the reduced animosity between Kumo and Iwa, paved the way for their joint forces.

At the border of the Land of Fire.

Iwagakure had deployed the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, along with his assistant, Iwagate.

Kumogakure had sent the Fourth Raikage, A, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee, and the Raikage's personal guards. Compared to Iwa, Kumo had practically emptied its entire village.

Faced with such a formidable force, Konoha had no choice but to respond with everything it had. The village left no one behind to maintain internal security; every ninja was sent to the battlefield. Yet, even then, their forces numbered less than 10,000. As for Kage-level combatants, only the Third Hokage and Mitarashi Shishio were available.

Looking at the overwhelming strength of the Kumo-Iwa alliance, the Third Hokage felt a bitter taste in his mouth and an ever-growing sense of urgency. Ever since learning of the impending attack, he had ordered the ANBU to search for Jiraiya and Kai, but neither had been found. Now, the enemy was already at their doorstep.

Raising his head to look at Onoki, who hovered in the air, the Third Hokage shouted sternly, "Onoki! The shinobi world has only just seen a few years of peace, and now you want to start another war?"

"War?" Onoki chuckled from above. "This is no war. This is merely a reckoning—a punishment for Konoha."

Earth Release: Rock Golem Jutsu!

A colossal rock golem materialized, charging toward Konoha's defenses.

The Third Hokage hadn't expected Onoki to attack so suddenly. However, he couldn't allow such a massive golem to rampage through Konoha's ranks, as it would result in catastrophic losses among the lower-ranked ninja—Konoha's vital future.

Earth Release: Iron Prison!

A massive rocky cage rose from the ground, trapping the golem within.

Summoning Jutsu!

Enma, the Monkey King, appeared, transforming into the indestructible Adamantine Staff in an instant. Leaping into the air, the Third Hokage grasped the staff and brought it crashing down onto the rock golem with all his might!

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