Chapter 32: The Spark That Ignited the Fourth Great Ninja War

Just minutes earlier, the tide of battle had turned.

With the opening of the Seventh Gate, Might Guy's Daytime Tiger shattered the Eight-Tails' tentacles. Tsunade followed up with a devastating punch, sending the fully transformed Killer Bee crashing into the mountainside. Jiraiya seized the moment and cast a sealing technique in Sage Mode.

With Guy in the Seventh Gate, Tsunade's monstrous strength, and Jiraiya's sage techniques, the trio finally forced Killer Bee back into his human form. Severely injured, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was now slumped unconscious over Guy's shoulder, completely out of commission.

"The Eight Gates truly are terrifying," Jiraiya muttered, watching the blue steam rise from Guy's body.

Guy wiped the sweat from his brow and grinned. "Kakashi and the others are mopping up the remaining Cloud shinobi in the rear. We're almost ready to move in on the Raikage."

He quickly filled Jiraiya and Tsunade in on Kakashi's mission and their coordinated plan to flank and strike the Raikage.

Tsunade scoffed coldly. "So many years have passed, and the ninja world still hasn't changed."

War. The cycle never ends.

Jiraiya's mind drifted to the war-ravaged streets of the Rain Village, the orphans he once met, and his former students from the original Toad Team.

He fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "It ends here."

With Killer Bee captured, this confrontation could still be categorized as a mere border conflict. The Cloud had suffered heavy losses. The Raikage wouldn't be able to act again anytime soon. Pushing forward might very well trigger a full-blown Fourth Great Ninja War.

If Kakashi or Yamato had been in charge, they might've reasoned with Jiraiya, laid out the risks. But Guy? He wasn't exactly the type to give a diplomatic speech.

Among the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya had always been the one who detested war the most.

Orochimaru, the twisted scientist, didn't even need an explanation. Tsunade only came to hate war after losing her younger brother and her lover if Dan had survived, or if Nawaki had become a hero of the village, her stance might've been different. But Jiraiya? He abhorred meaningless bloodshed to his very core.

For all his tactical mastery and battlefield experience, Jiraiya's heart remained idealistic.

And so, he intended to agree to a prisoner exchange. In his eyes, Shizune and Killer Bee were not equals Shizune's life meant far more.

"Let's do the exchange, Raikage," Jiraiya said gravely.

This mission had already been a complete failure for the Raikage. He grunted, clearly irritated, but prepared to agree.

Keeping Killer Bee alive was now the best outcome he could hope for.

"Fine." The lightning around the Raikage dissipated as he returned to his normal state. He barked, "You Konoha people toss Killer Bee over first!"

Even though he was clearly at a disadvantage, the Raikage spoke as if he still held the upper hand.

Bluster. Nothing more.

"You think this is some street market negotiation?" Tsunade snapped, punching a nearby boulder into dust. "Say one more word and I'll snap his neck!"

Jiraiya sighed in exasperation. "You hand over Shizune first. Otherwise, keep talking and we go right back to fighting, Raikage."

The situation was already tilted, and the Cloud reinforcements hadn't arrived. Something was clearly wrong on their end. The Raikage had already started considering retreat.

He clicked his tongue in frustration and gave a nod to Darui. "Return her."

The two sides exchanged prisoners.

After his temporary seal was undone, Killer Bee groaned and sang with exaggerated regret. "Konoha ninjas, ganging up on me. Little Eight didn't stand a chance~"

"Shut up, Killer Bee," the Raikage snapped.

Shizune stumbled back into Konoha's camp, hugging Tonton tightly. Still shaken, she bowed to Tsunade. "I'm sorry, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade stared at the battlefield, her fists clenched. Her voice trembled slightly, but she forced herself to appear calm. "You did well. You're safe now."

The Raikage crossed his arms and said coldly, "If Konoha no longer wishes to fight, we'll be taking our leave."

Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "Your village will owe Konoha compensation for this incident."

"Hmph. You'll get your compensation," the Raikage snapped. "I'll send an emissary later."

The battle seemed to be winding down. The fighting was over or so it appeared.

But from a hidden vantage point, a pair of blood-red Sharingan eyes observed everything.

"So the battle's ending? That won't do."

A voice echoed in the shadows. "Zetsu. Make your move."

Just as the Raikage began to retreat 

Screams rang out behind the Konoha ranks.

A sudden ambush! Hidden Cloud shinobi emerged from the ground, the trees, attacking the Leaf's rear lines in force. Cold and silent, these shinobi struck down anyone in their path without hesitation.

They had clearly been lying in wait. Now they saw their chance.

So much for honor.

"Damn it, Raikage!" Jiraiya's roar thundered across the battlefield. Sage chakra erupted around him like wildfire.

The Raikage's eyes widened in shock. Reinforcements? Finally? But something didn't add up.

He recognized many of the attacking shinobi but he had never given the order to resume the fight.

"Advance!"

Despite his doubts, the Raikage barked out the order. The Lightning Chakra Cloak burst to life around him again. He knew it was useless to try and explain. On the battlefield, blood speaks louder than words.

He'd have to fight first, then deal with the consequences.

He evaded Jiraiya's Rasengan and lunged directly at Tsunade during negotiations, he had noticed she seemed slightly off.

Tsunade barely managed to react in time.

Jiraiya rushed to cover her, his white hair standing on end, transforming into a storm of silver needles that rained down on the Raikage.

The war had reignited.

Leaf and Cloud forces clashed in a full-scale battle.

The peace-loving Jiraiya could no longer hold back.

From a hidden corner of the battlefield, a masked figure smiled, satisfied. The plan was working.

...

In the Hokage's office in Konoha 

Hiruzen Sarutobi received the ANBU's report: the war had begun.

Under Jiraiya's command, the Leaf had defeated the Raikage's forces. The Cloud shinobi had suffered catastrophic losses, with fewer than one in ten escaping. Their remnants retreated toward the Land of Lightning.

Tsunade was reportedly injured, possibly unable to continue fighting. Her apprentice Shizune was gravely wounded. And Naruto Uzumaki was still with the active squad.

Jiraiya had chosen not to pursue the Raikage, instead leading his forces back toward the village.

Might Guy and an ANBU team were continuing the pursuit. Meanwhile, Kakashi and Yamato had set up a massive trap near the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning, ready to intercept any escaping enemies.

Sarutobi tapped the ashes from his pipe and gave a new order to the ANBU: all departments and clans were to prepare for full wartime mobilization.

He opened the next report.

Iwagakure shinobi had been spotted near the borders of the Land of Fire.

At the same time, they were also active on the borders between the Lands of Lightning and Wind.

Clearly, Ōnoki was testing every opportunity to take advantage of the chaos.

"That old bastard," Hiruzen muttered. "Still doesn't believe my intel, even with the Akatsuki breathing down his neck. He'll cry when his tailed beasts get stolen."

He ordered the ANBU to maintain surveillance and stamped approval on funding requests for the border units.

The next document: Sunagakure had agreed to send the children of the former Kazekage to Konoha to learn the Will of Fire. A formal diplomatic gesture basically, they were sending hostages. With Shukaku in tow, it was a powerful message of peace.

Even with open conflict between Leaf and Cloud, the desperate Sand Village wouldn't dare break their agreement. They likely hoped Konoha would protect them from Iwa's aggression.

Now, who to send to receive them? Akatsuki would almost certainly strike during the journey.

Four of Konoha's Five Elite Jonin were deployed. Yamato was also in the field. Orochimaru was currently unfit to lead a squad.

If only Kisame Hoshigaki could be convinced to defect to the Leaf. Sarutobi had tried negotiating with him several times, but the man refused every offer, demanding to see Itachi Uchiha instead.

Guess they'd have to wait for Konoha's ace, Itachi, to return from filming his side mission.

Asuma and Kurenai could lead a team and coordinate with the Hyuga clan. Byakugan was perfect against puppet techniques able to see chakra threads directly but would struggle against long-range fighters like Deidara.

Still, that lineup, plus the Sand siblings' own strength, would do for now.

"Asuma, this is your chance. Don't screw it up. Or I'll have to put my hopes on Konohamaru…"

Next file: budget approval for the Ninja Academy's next phase of development.

Sarutobi stamped it.

Another file.

And another.

In that moment, the Third Hokage was like the supreme commander of a vast strategy game, analyzing intelligence and issuing orders.

By nightfall, the paperwork was finally done.

Sarutobi leaned back and entered the dimensional communication space.

He messaged Ace from the Pirate World: "How's it going? Did Itachi succeed?"

Ace replied with a laughing emoji: "Almost got executed. Sounds like Whitebeard's fleet is about to storm in to save me."

And his intel? Obviously from Grandpa Garp, locked up in the same cell.

Sarutobi asked, "What will you do if you escape?"

Ace replied, "Grind power levels with my cheats, unite my forces, and storm Mariejois with my two brothers!"

Sarutobi replied: "Badass."

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