The room Jiraiya used as a temporary office was quite spacious. As night fell, he lit a mp. The light barely illumihe room, and a cold wind suddenly blew in through a cra the wall, making the papers on the desk rustle noisily.

  Jiraiya gred at the wall with dissatisfa, pressed down on the ers of the paper with his hand, and tinued writing.

  Perhaps the enviro was unsuitable, as he felt that what he had written after much effort was dull and lifeless.

  "Sigh..." he gave up. "This endless warring world... when will it all end?"

  When Masashi arrived, he saw Jiraiya sitting at the desk with a rather forlorn expression.

  "Jiraiya, did you call for me?" Please don't ask me agaihe corpses are.

  "Oh! Masashi, e sit," Jiraiya greeted him warmly.

  The Uchiha walked over and, out of curiosity, g the papers on the desk. Probably arategy dot about Kumo's movements...

  He was shocked.

  He thought Jiraiya was writing something important.

  It turned out to be all dirty jokes?

  "What are you doing?" Masashi's eye twitched slightly as he stared at the pages covered iionable tent.

  "Oh? You mean this?" Jiraiya waved the papers in his hand. "As a writer, I have to seize every opportunity for inspiration."

  This isn't inspiration. This is a waste of your talent. You shouldn't have bee a ninja.

  "I thought you were writing a battle report..."

  "That kind of thing doesn't need me to write it," Jiraiya replied, putting down his brush. "But you, oher hand, should start preparing to write. Now that you've reached this level, you o plete these kinds of materials."

  "Me too?" Masashi was stunned.

  He hadn't written as since being a jonin. Why would a bat-focused jonin have to write suonsense? Shouldn't that be the administrative department's job?

  "For major events like this, the ninja involved has to personally ret the process." Jiraiya leaned back, adopting a more serious tone. "Back during the ails I, you should have written one, but since everyone was there, it was waived."

  He had a smug expression, as if saying, "I'm quite experienced in these matters."

  "Just write down the process and casually mentioeiques used. This is mainly to help the vilge assign you tasks iure."

  Why don't you just admit the vilge wants to routinely gather intel on its ninjas? Masashi smirked. Hoarent they be?

  Big vilges have their drawbacks—plicated bureaucracy. Only someone in the administratioment could e up with sualities.

  What kind of fool would holy detail their methods in these reports? Who knows when there might be a leak?

  "Got it," Masashi said.

  He recalled how the First Hokage used to expin teiques, giving him an idea of the writing style he should use.

  "It doesn't really matter. The administrative department has people stationed in the unit anyway. If you really don't want to write it, just tell them orally ahem write it themselves," Jiraiya said knowingly.

  He was well aware of the nature of the administratioment. They came up with this to avoid hassle for themselves.

  Asking a Kage-level ninja to ret their mission process made sense, but it was also intimidating. Even the "paper-pushers" knew better than to press too hard.

  "More importantly, Masashi, have you thought about which department you'd like to join?" he finally brought up the main topic, his expression growing more focused.

  "After this war, yoing to be one of the vilge's symbolic forces. Unless you pn to take over the Police Force, staying there won't be suitable anymore. You know that, right?"

  "I uand," Masashi nodded. "So, how does the vilge pn te me?"

  "If it were up to me, I'd say the jonin corps would be best for you. But this depends on what Minato and Fugaku iate. After all, you're still part of the Police Force for now, and even transfers have to gh the proper procedures."

  "I don't mind, as long as it's not the ANBU."

  "You don't like the ANBU?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious.

  "It's not that. Work is work, but I just don't like the atmosphere there." Masashi mimicked putting on a mask, his gesture casual but his eyes sharp. "With my personality... It's a bit difficult. The ANBU is too formal for me."

  "Don't worry. Whatever the assig, your preference will be the priority," Jiraiya reassured him.

  Back when the Sannin wandered about, they hardly reported to work. Only Orochimaru briefly served in the ANBU under Danzō's prote.

  Who would've thought that brief stint would lead to major trouble?

  Since Orochimaru's i, Konoha would never again link a Kage-level ninja to the ANBU under any pretense.

  The ily shady nature of ANBU work made it proo f ivity.

  In all the major vilges, Kage-level ninjas were treated simirly: given the best resources and the utmost freedom.

  Aside from the Kage themselves, no one could and them.

  Even the Kage would show great respect to their Kage-level ninjas, as they were treasures of the vilge. Issuing arbitrary orders?

  Not a ce.

  In trast, the Fourth Kazekage of the impoverished Suna had to mine gold to patch up the vilge's finances. Meanwhile, Suna's Kage-level ninjas lounged about, drinking tea and signing tabs.

  The Fourth Kazekage even sidered early retirement but found no suitable successors.

  The root cause? Poverty.

  Konoha wasn't poor, so its elite ninjas were siderate, never burdening the vilge with personal expenses.

  They had their pride.

  "Is that all?" Masashi asked, sensing Jiraiya was being overly optimistic.

  Losing a jinchūriki didn't mean they couldn't fight.

  "Yes, that's all," Jiraiya nodded. "As for Kumo, they'll probably withdraw entirely. They won't fight if they 't gain an advantage. We might even pull back soon."

  "The vilge should profit from this situation," Masashi remarked. "When Kinkaku and Ginkaku became missing-nin, Kumo didn't pensate Konoha. Now that we've captured their Two-Tails jinchūriki, we should demand reparations."

  "Not necessarily," Jiraiya shook his head. Having been in Konoha's deaking circles, he uood the vilge's strategy well. "Kumo shouldn't be weakeoo much. But don't worry—just think about how to spend that 50 million ryo."

  He smiled outwardly but was thinking of something else.

  If Masashi had released the Edo Tensei souls, then the ones who had attacked Kumo in the past might have beeoo.

  Would Kumo think that Muzo might be alive?

  Hopefully, their rea wouldn't be too extreme. All he wanted was to this job quickly a back to his real work. Maybe I find some inspiration for my chapter while I'm at it.

  ---

  Jiraiya's predis were correct.

  On the sed day of Konoha's ninja army stationing in the fortress, the envoys from Kumo arrived.

  They were straightforward and directly proposed the iion to suspend military flict betweewo sides.

  The envoy from Kumo went straight to the point. Through intelligehered by their side, they made it clear to Konoha why halting the war at this time was the optimal solution.

  "We e seeking a cessation of hostilities," the lead envoy stated pinly, his toher submissive nor challenging.

  "Our sources firm unusual movements along both borders. Iwa and Suna are showing signs of restlessness," the envoy expined, his hands folded calmly in his p. "And Rasa hasn't just stopped mining—he's been holding daily meetings with Suna's cil."

  Furthermore, Kumo's envoy presented a reason that was hard for Konoha to reject.

  "The Fourth Raikage will personally attend treaty discussions," the envoy stated firmly.

  "And what guarantee do we have that this isn't just a deying tactic?" Hizashi asked.

  Jiraiya stepped forward. "The Two-Tails Jinchūriki would make food show of faith during these discussions."

  The envoy's expression tightened slightly before smoothing out. "repared to offer substantial pensation. A shipment of resources is already en route—for reg the fortress."

  Of course, this was just a pleasant way of putting it. The fortress had been utterly wrecked by Masashi, leaving little more than a back wall and a few dipidated houses.

  What was there to recim?

  In esse was Kumo's preliminary war reparations to Konoha.

  But Konoha didn't mind.

  Even during wartime, Konoha's spirit could not falter.

  Besides, after this battle, the significe of Kumo to Konoha had ged. It was no longer an enemy. Having lost two jinchūriki and thousands of ninjas, Kumo had transitioned from being a northern threat to Konoha to a nominal enemy but an actual ally, capable of sharing the burden of pressure from Iwa and Suna.

  This was the norm among the Five Great Ninja Vilges.

  As the seost affluent vilge after Konoha, Kumo also attracted nearly as muvy as Konoha.

  The dominance of the militant fa in Kumo was a signifit factor in this dynamic.

  While Konoha's strength was innate, Kumo's power was rgely due to its hard-earned efforts. Kumo had always bee at flexibility and strategic pivots.

  In short, the discussions were amicable.

  Before departing, Kumo's envoy made a point to greet Masashi.

  "Masashi-san, you're wele to visit Kumo if you ever have the opportunity," he said, as if unaware that the man before him had sughtered many of their ninjas aroyed the vilge beh their feet just two days ago.

  "Of course, I would love to visit ahe beautiful sights of Kumo," Masashi replied with a smile. Particurly that one grave I'd like to dan.

  Digging up the grave, though? Nah, not this time around. It wasn't worth the effort in this cycle.

  Besides, he'd heard that the girls from the Land of Lightning were particurly passionate. He wondered if that was true.

  "That would be excellent," the envoy said calmly, gazing at Masashi. "Although Kumo and Konoha have had misuandings, the future holds great promise."

  "Absolutely. You're wele to visit Konoha as well," Masashi said with an air of hospitality. "We in Konoha always warmly wele guests from afar."

  The Kumo ninjas didn't respond to this with more than a polite smile. They bid farewell to the present Konoha jonin aed.

  Not half an hour after their departure, Kumo's transport team arrived. The caravan, transp resources, formed a long line and was escorted by a Kumo ninja force all the way to the vilge walls.

  "Their 'escort' force sists entirely of elite jonin," one Konoha jonin muttered to another. "They're not taking any ces."

  " you bme them?" came the response. "After what happened here?"

  Anyone believing this to be a simple sed-line unit was clearly out of their mind.

  Who see jonin to escort a transport team?

  Clearly, the Kumo ninjas were prepared for tingencies.

  After receiving and i the resources, Konoha's ninja army spent o night in the fortress. Early the m, they broke camp and began their journey home.

  Their departure irited as their arrival. The troops were in high spirits, overall satisfied with the campaign. Even the jonin had made signifit gains.

  However, due to transp resources, the return journey was slower.

  Masashi used the time on the road to refle what he had gained during the campaign.

  And the gains were signifit.

  In particur, he had learned Kagutsuchi. Though he was still inexperienced in its use due to the short time he had had it, the future held great potential for this teique.

  He had also id the foundation fhtning teiques.

  Masashi leased.

  These moments of joy o be cherished. Who knows when they might disappear entirely?

  After traveling for over half a month, the surroundiation finally became familiar again. One day, he heard the cheers erupting from the front.

  The cheers surged like waves, spreading throughout the entire army.

  Of the more thahousand Konoha ninjas who had set out, nearly eight thousaurhis battle had cost Konoha over two thousand lives, mostly genin, with several hundred in lost, but not a single jonin had fallen.

  It was a decisive victory.

  In parison, Kumo had fared far worse. By the time they retreated to the Land of Frost, they had less than six thousand troops remaining, losing over half their forces.

  Both of their jinchūriki had been lost as well—one killed, and one captured by Konoha.

  This didn't even at for the destru of the fortress.

  As for the current state of Kumo, Masashi didn't know and had no i in finding out. But within Konoha, the atmosphere was as festive as a holiday.

  Still, the loss of over two thousand lives meant many families would mourn. Konoha's leadership was mindful of this and arranged a "Heroes Returning Home" ceremony.

  Regardless, the war was temporarily over.

  The Land of Fire had returo peace, and everyone could resume normal life.

  After returning home, he enjoyed a few peaceful days.

  He got up on time each day, took leisurely walks around the vilge, and practiced diligently at the training grounds as usual.

  Redisc this lifestyle almost moved him to tears.

  Moved by this, he even revisited his long-uea-making skills.

  When he expertly breot of fi a familiar shop, he felt gratified that his skills were still as sharp as ever.

  Maintaining the quality of life—what a blessing.

  However, he couldn't help notig that Fugaku had been visiting the Hokage's office rather frequently tely.

  Something's brewing in the politics agaihought, then snickered. Maybe they should try brewing tea instead.

  Speaking of which, Minato was increasingly looking the part of the Hokage.

  The victainst Kumo had further solidified his prestige and position.

  The reanization of the ANBU seemed to be progressing effectively during this time. Whispers around the vilge suggested signifit ges in their structure and operations.

  Moreover, Minato's w hours had noticeably decreased.

  After returning to the vilge, Masashi also noticed another ge: Mikoto had developed a new hobby.

  She now enjoyed encing Fugaku to take the entire family to visit the Hokage's household.

  Her reasoning? "Childreo build retionships from a young age."

  Admittedly, this was a good thing.

  Perhaps due to these frequent visits, the matter of Masashi's post-transfer was resolved soohan he had expected.

  Fugaku even sought him out for a private discussion.

  "The jonin corps needs capable shinobi like you," he stated, his tone measured as they sat in his office.

  "And the Police Force?" Masashi asked, though he already khe answer.

  "We've discussed this with the Hokage. Your talents would be better utilized outside the vilge."

  Masashi had no objes to the oute.

  He would be leaving the Police Force to join the jonin corps.