Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic

Chapter 132 Kakashi Resigns

"After Wenya died, Huangtu became too kind to Kusanagi Shinobu." Onoki's eyes darkened.

"What I meant by having Huang Tu reorganize his forces was... to make more use of the Grass Ninja before reinforcements arrive."

Chitu opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

This is the domineering nature of the Great Ninja Village.

Does Kusagakure think that by constantly shifting its allegiance, it can preserve its strength? It would only be possible if it encountered a commander like Huang Tu who adheres to rules and has a bottom line.

As for Onoki... he clearly doesn't follow the rules.

After thinking for a moment, Akatsuchi decided to offer some advice: "My lord, we've been suffering setbacks lately, even our Jinchuriki have run away. Our morale is really worrying. I think we should conserve our strength and make further plans..."

"To conserve energy and build up strength?"

Onoki abruptly turned his head, glaring fiercely at Akatsuchi, unable to contain his anger any longer:

"You want me to swallow this insult? To let the entire ninja world laugh at Iwagakure?"

"A mere fourteen-year-old Konoha brat dares to shit on my Iwagakure's head! Where is the face of Onoki? Where is the face of Iwagakure?"

Chitu dared not speak further and lowered his head.

Onoki started pacing quickly again, his hands behind his back, muttering to himself repeatedly:

"I know that Iwagakure is not in a good position for a major battle right now, and I know that a direct confrontation would result in mutual destruction... but so what?"

Reason told him that Huangtu's decision to retreat and provide a buffer zone for both sides was correct and the optimal solution to preserve Yanyin.

Can……

The pride and stubbornness ingrained in their bones cannot tolerate such humiliation.

Lao Zi's defection is a betrayal;

The defeat on the western front is a disgrace;

A Konoha boy ruining Iwagakure's plans is a provocation.

All of this... made it impossible for him to control the surging anger within him.

"My mind is made up!"

Onoki abruptly stopped. "Iwagakure needs a victory. Order Hidari to regroup and launch another strong attack on Konoha's defenses!"

Akatsuchi knew in his heart that the Tsuchikage's stubbornness had once again triumphed over reason.

But his position gives him a responsibility to dissuade others from doing so.

"No, sir! This will only escalate the war further, and we cannot withstand the bottomless pit of the battlefield..."

"Shut up!" Onoki interrupted Akatsuchi sharply:

"It's none of your business to interfere with what I do. Old Shi's defection will make Konoha pay the price and show the ninja world that Iwagakure is not to be trifled with."

"Furthermore, issue an order to the entire village to conscript all eligible ninjas, intensify their training, and stockpile war supplies!" Onoki's voice carried a resolute determination, as if he had nothing to lose.

"We fought this battle!"

Chitu's face turned pale, but he dared not try to dissuade him any further.

He knew Onoki's personality all too well; once he made up his mind about something, he wouldn't turn back even if he hit a brick wall.

At this moment, the Tsuchikage was blinded by anger and stubbornness and was completely deaf to any advice.

"yes!"

Chitu bowed his head, his voice filled with helplessness and worry, and stepped back.

The command tent fell silent once more.

Onoki stood alone by the window, gazing at the rolling mountains of Iwagakure, his eyes filled with a mixture of ruthlessness and stubbornness.

He knew that this move of his might be detrimental to both Iwagakure and Konoha.

But he had no other choice.

He is Onoki, the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure.

The title "Earth Shadow" allows no retreat, no swallowing of this insult...

……

Land of Fire, Konoha Village

The autumn sunlight streamed obliquely into the Hokage's office through the window.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk, a wisp of smoke rising from his pipe.

His gaze fell on the three people standing with their hands at their sides in front of the desk, and the Third Hokage spoke:

"During this trip to the Northwest, you safeguarded Konoha's lifeline and repelled the Four-Tails Jinchuriki of Iwagakure. Although you suffered losses, you severely damaged Iwagakure's morale. Your contributions are invaluable."

The Third Hokage's voice was calm and steady, "You are the heroes of Konoha!"

"Lord Hokage, the Shadow Guard was able to complete the mission this time entirely thanks to 'Elephant's' summoning beast. We were just doing our best to cooperate."

Kakashi spoke first, without a hint of boasting, and even with a hint of barely concealed self-reproach:

"However... Fox is seriously injured, and Tianzang is also wounded. The Shadow Guard was not completely safe, and I, as its captain, feel ashamed. I request to resign from my position as captain of the Shadow Guard!"

"Um??"

Qingwu and Tianzang suddenly looked up at Kakashi, not understanding why their captain would suddenly say such a thing. There was no warning, nor had they discussed it beforehand.

The Third Hokage sighed, "Kakashi, are you still blaming yourself for what happened in the past?"

"!!" Qingwu was stunned for a moment, then understood Kakashi's position.

On his way back these past few days, Kakashi had remained calm, but the near annihilation of the Shadow Guard had probably brought back some unpleasant memories for him.

Facing the Jinchūriki Rōshi, Kakashi probably felt that... as always, he couldn't do anything.

Back then, the deaths of Obito and Rin made him feel that he "couldn't protect" anything.

That guilt of "not being able to protect" became a thorn etched into my bones.

Just when things were starting to heal as the Shadow Guard spent more time together, this happened again.

"well……"

The third generation leader said in a desolate tone:

"Over the years you've always taken the blame upon yourself, but what I want to say is that it's wrong to blame the captain for being incompetent whenever a teammate is in trouble."

The Third Hokage looked at Kakashi, his eyes filled with a mixture of world-weariness and pity:

"In the world of ninjas, there are victories and defeats, and there are casualties. This is no one's fault, and it is not your responsibility alone."

"Even if I were here, I wouldn't dare say that everyone would be safe from an enemy like the Four-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Ninjas are human too. Don't burden yourself with too much. What happened back then was the helplessness of war and the torment of fate. It was never your fault. You should learn to make peace with yourself."

The office was so quiet you could hear the wind outside the window.

Qingwu sighed softly and quietly lowered her head.

The third generation leader's words were all reasonable, but some deep-seated obsessions cannot be resolved with just a few words. Everyone understands the principles, but truly overcoming that hurdle in one's heart is extremely difficult.

Kakashi stood there, his eyes lowered, the wisps of hair on his forehead obscuring the expression in his eyes, and remained silent.

No one knows that this resignation, which seems "weak" to outsiders, is precisely proof of his most tender feelings.

He is no longer the cold and hard Kakashi who only recognizes the rules.

These teammates of the Shadow Guard had long been secretly placed in his heart, like Obito and Rin back then, becoming bonds he tried his best to protect.

Behind this guilt and self-doubt lies a secret thought that cannot be shared with outsiders.

That night, he tried his best, but in front of the Jinchūriki... he couldn't even get a hand in.

Qingwu, who is younger than him, is able to fight on equal terms with the berserk Jinchūriki.

What genius...

At that moment, the pride that belonged to a genius was once again brutally crushed.

The appearance of Qingwu was like a mirror, starkly reflecting his "incompetence".

He was trapped in the obsession that "I can't protect anything," and he tried his best to do everything he could in this bond and protect everything!

however……

Now he discovers that someone has become a more reliable guardian than him!