Chapter 101: Stalemate!

Underground.

The curled White Zetsu helplessly told Uchiha Madara: “The plan was ruined by that Fujinaka Genma.”

Another White Zetsu immediately said: “We underestimated him. How did he even manage it?”

“Did he plant a mark on Uchiha Obito beforehand?”

The curled White Zetsu feigned shock: “Has our plan already been discovered?”

Uchiha Madara ignored the two actors and said calmly: “Then choose another target.”

The White Zetsu shrugged: “There aren’t many who meet your criteria.”

“That Uchiha Obito was quite impressive—though he awakened his Sharingan late, he directly unlocked the double tomoe.”

The curled White Zetsu stroked his chin: “Perhaps we could try again?”

“No.”

“Choose another target.”

Uchiha Madara was firm.

…

When Fujinaka Genma’s group met with Mura Kami Yajuu, Konoha was advancing steadily.

With the memories of his three Shadow Clones returning, Fujinaka Genma immediately knew the situation in the Land of Rain was likely dire.

He explained the situation, but Minato said: “The Land of Rain won’t be a problem—don’t underestimate Danzo.”

Mura Kami Yajuu nodded in agreement: “With Danzo-sama present, the Iwa ninja cannot break through the Land of Rain into the Land of Fire unless they commit all their forces toward Rain.”

“But right now, Rain will likely need to evacuate its people from the Land of Grass first.”

Ninja are still human—they’ll starve without logistics.

And.

At this moment, Iwa is simultaneously facing three enemies.

Konoha, Suna, and Kumogakure.

In their battle with Kumogakure, Iwa won decisively—but lost the Third Raikage, and that hatred runs deep.

Will Kumogakure watch Iwa feast on Konoha’s flesh?

They won’t allow it!

Suddenly, Fujinaka Genma understood why the Five Great Nations and their ninja villages fought so chaotically.

“Genma, Itachi’ll need to hold back Oonoki.”

Mura Kami Yajuu said.

“No problem!”

Fujinaka Genma nodded.

Mura Kami Yajuu then turned to Minato: “Minato, the breakthrough is yours.”

“Understood!”

Minato nodded without objection.

Before the Hokage’s orders arrived, he would remain on the Land of Grass battlefield.

Still, given the current situation and Hiruzen Sarutobi’s policy, large-scale fighting with Iwa seems unlikely to resume.

Hearing Minato’s analysis, Fujinaka Genma thought for a moment: “Iwa is now trapped—between me and my teacher Minato, their cost to break into the Land of Fire would be too high.”

“Though reluctant, if the Third Hokage chooses negotiation, Oonoki will likely go along with it.”

Fujinaka Genma sighed: “This war will end with no true victor.”

Minato and Mura Kami Yajuu both nodded, deeply agreeing.

Konoha won its battle against Suna.

But what did they gain?

So far, Konoha has demanded no war reparations from Suna.

Thus, after fighting and losing so many lives, their only gain was an increase in mission assignments.

More missions mean steady, long-term benefits—not insignificant—but insufficient to offset Konoha’s losses.

Not in the short term, at least.

Only the Land of Fire has such wealth.

Why did the Fourth Kazekage become a miner, hailed as supporting his entire village by himself? Precisely because he had no money!

After this war, Suna’s mission assignments plummeted, the Lord of the Land of Wind slashed the budget, and they were forced to raise funds themselves.

Konoha, by contrast, has far more money.

Just look at what Danzo did with human experiments.

The subsequent situation unfolded exactly as Mura Kami Yajuu and Minato predicted.

Oonoki remained on the front line, facing off against Fujinaka Genma; Iwa showed zero defiance when confronting Minato.

One-on-one? Impossible.

Group battle? Also impossible.

Even with the Five-Tails Jinchuriki present, they couldn’t contain Minato’s mobility.

So.

Iwa rapidly withdrew its forces, retreating finally to the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain.

Stalemate reemerged.

On the other front.

Iwa and Danzo’s forces clashed repeatedly in the Land of Rain—small team versus small team, skirmishes never ceased.

On the surface, they seemed minor, but casualties were heavy.

And on the Land of Rain battlefield, it wasn’t only Iwa and Konoha active—there were also local Rain ninja factions.

For example: Akatsuki!

This was not the first time Fujinaka Genma had heard of Akatsuki.

According to intelligence, the group’s power was rising rapidly.

“I wonder if Danzo has discovered the Rinnegan yet.”

After hearing Mura Kami Yajuu’s intelligence report, Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help but think.

Will the fate of Akatsuki’s trio— Miyan , Nagato, Konan—change because of my presence?

“Probably not…”

“I can save Uchiha Obito—but I can’t save them.”

Saving someone isn’t just about wanting to—it depends on whether they’ll let Itachi save them.

Fujinaka Genma had also considered finding Uchiha Madara and sealing him away.

But though Madara is now dormant and the Rinnegan resides on Nagato’s body, if Fujinaka Genma went now, he might not achieve his goal.

He might even be instantly killed by Madara’s last move.

“Besides, another large-scale war… suits my interests…”

Unconsciously, Fujinaka Genma hadn’t noticed his own mindset had changed.

Mura Kami Yajuu, seeing him lost in thought, asked: “Genma, what’s wrong?”

“Is there a problem?”

Fujinaka Genma snapped back: “Akatsuki benefits us, but Danzo won’t let this war end so easily.”

Mura Kami Yajuu nodded, then said: “What the Third Hokage decides, Danzo-sama cannot change.”

Cannot change!

Fujinaka Genma pondered this, then nodded.

Even if Danzo destroyed Akatsuki, he couldn’t stop Konoha and Iwa from negotiating.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was resolute on this—and Fujinaka Genma agreed it was right.

With Konoha’s current strength, continuing the war serves no purpose.

So preserve strength.

Protecting the next generation is key.

This was especially clear after the Nine-Tails incident.

Fujinaka Genma supported Hiruzen Sarutobi.

People like Danzo are reckless, with no regard for consequences or long-term planning.

“Genma, prepare yourself.”

“Itachi’ll likely need to hold this position for a long time.”

Mura Kami Yajuu said.

Oonoki dared not leave the front line, fearing that if he did, Fujinaka Genma might go berserk like the Third Raikage.

Though Iwa killed the Third Raikage, their own losses were severe.

Now, Fujinaka Genma—with his powerful Body Flicker Technique—is even harder to contain than the Third Raikage.

Even if they eventually killed him, it wouldn’t be worth it.

And Konoha couldn’t afford to let Fujinaka Genma leave.

If Fujinaka Genma left, Iwa’s forces, combined with Oonoki, would overwhelm Mura Kami Yajuu.

So.

Next, Fujinaka Genma began a leisurely life at the front line.

Truly leisurely.

He stared at Onoki, and Onoki stared at him.

Minato had gone to the Hidden Cloud battlefield, while Kakashi’s team returned to the Hidden Leaf Village.