NahinS77
patreon
Chapter 277: Before Us, No Opponent Stands
🕑 Added 2025-01-20 13:54:47 +0000 UTCChapter 277: Before Us, No Opponent Stands
"Urgent news from the Land of Earth—Akatsuki has seized two Tailed Beasts."
In the Land of Snow, Hyuga Yuki and Senju Tobirama received the information and began discussing it.
"Akatsuki can no longer hold back."
Hyuga Yuki furrowed his brows, a hint of worry in his tone. "We need to prepare further. Tobirama-sensei, when will Lord Fuji return?"
Senju Tobirama, simply staring at the report, remained silent, not immediately answering Yuki's question.
Can they really suppress a foe like Uchiha Madara?
This was truly unexpected. He had thought Onoki intended to fight to the death using Dust Release clones, but it turned out there was such a hidden trump card.
It was conceivable that the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning wouldn’t be much weaker, as both countries had stronger national power compared to the Land of Earth.
Recalling the chakra cannons used by the Land of Lightning, Tobirama let out a soft laugh, causing Hyuga Yuki to look at him in surprise as he said:
"It’s truly fascinating. Once a balance based on destruction is established, no one dares to move, instead they continuously strengthen themselves. It’s quite ironic when you think about it."
Hyuga Yuki was taken aback for a moment, then reflected on the changes over the past two years with some sentiment.
What was the ninja world like before?
Assassinations, poisoning, theft, diplomacy, politics—every method imaginable emerged in an endless stream. Whether through open strategies or sinister schemes, anything beneficial to one’s village was constantly employed.
In the shadows of war, the moral boundaries blurred, as every faction used any means necessary to weaken their enemies and strengthen themselves.
And now?
Compared to two years ago, the number of ninja deaths on the battlefield had significantly decreased. The great nations had unanimously begun retracting their battle lines, focusing on consolidating their territories and engaging in a silent arms race, with only minor skirmishes occurring.
The reason was the external threat and pressure. When the nations neither dared nor were able to eliminate this threat, they could only restrain themselves and develop, hoping to surpass the threat through growth.
Over the past two years, whenever the Land of Snow developed new technology, the other nations would become tense, fearful of falling behind, and thus paid more attention to their own advancements.
This balance didn’t stem from a desire for peace but was a compromise reached under the shadow of deterrence and fear.
External threats were indeed a catalyst for national development.
"Such is human nature." Hyuga Yuki smiled wryly. "But this balance will inevitably be broken one day, just like what Akatsuki is doing now."
Senju Tobirama nodded noncommittally.
The shadow of war still loomed over the ninja world, like a lingering cloud constantly threatening the fragile peace.
While the nations outwardly maintained a fragile balance, in secret they were all bolstering their military strength, enhancing their combat capabilities, stockpiling resources, and secretly developing more powerful jutsu and weapons. Espionage, psychological warfare, and diplomatic maneuvers were all in play, as each faction sought to weaken their opponents and bolster themselves.
In this war without smoke, although ninjas had temporarily avoided life-and-death struggles on the battlefield, their inner tension and pressure had not diminished in the slightest.
Fear could not bring true peace, merely delaying war. When one side faltered, the other would inevitably react.
Akatsuki's attack on the Land of Earth had exposed a weakness in the United Nations. Neither they nor the United Nations would sit idly by.
The balance had been broken, and the ninja world was bound to change.
"Hyuga Fuji, that kid, has received the message. He’ll return today. Don’t worry; gather the high-ranking officials at the daimyo’s residence," Tobirama finally answered Yuki's earlier question and was the first to walk out of the room.
Outside, the cold wind howled, the sky remained overcast, and snow fell heavily.
Snowflakes, as large as goose feathers, filled the sky, blanketing the entire Land of Snow in a thick white layer, silent and still. The fierce wind swept up the accumulated snow, howling through the streets and houses, emitting a low, mournful wail, like an ominous omen.
Yet, amidst such an environment, Senju Tobirama remained composed and serene.
No matter how things changed, it wouldn’t be worse than before. Let’s see where it all leads.
…
With a single step, Hyuga Fuji returned from the moon to the Land of Snow.
This was something he couldn’t do before. Previously, his spatial dojutsu had many limitations, allowing only transfers within the field of view of the Byakugan. Now, he could cross the vast distance between the moon and the ninja world.
He stood on the snowy plains, with thick snow beneath his feet and the familiar cold air and howling wind around him. The sky over the Land of Snow was heavy and oppressive, as if it might collapse at any moment and bury everything beneath it.
Hyuga Fuji oriented himself and began walking toward the heart of the Land of Snow.
With each step, he crossed thousands of meters, traversing half of the Land of Snow in mere seconds.
Along the way, he saw familiar sights: villages blanketed in snow, silent villagers, patrolling soldiers—all seemed peaceful and serene.
But such scenes would soon vanish.
With another step, Hyuga Fuji appeared in the daimyo’s residence of the Land of Snow.
At that moment, everyone had already gathered there.
Hozuki Gengetsu, Senju Tobirama, Mu, Hyuga Shinsetsu, and Hyuga Fuji stood on either side, watching Hyuga Fuji as he walked in.
Their gazes were fixed on Hyuga Fuji as he approached the throne step by step.
The air was thick with tension, as if the weight of the entire nation rested on his shoulders.
Hyuga Fuji walked slowly to the throne, stopped, and turned to sweep his gaze over everyone present, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he sat down.
"Recently, the nations have been probing the moon, and Akatsuki has followed suit, attacking the Land of Earth to seize Tailed Beasts. They can no longer wait; war is imminent."
Upon hearing this, everyone’s expressions grew serious.
"Tobirama, Mu," Hyuga Fuji looked at the two and said calmly, "You will be responsible for formulating battle plans, analyzing the movements of the nations, and devising the most effective strategies."
"Understood!"
Tobirama and Mu exchanged glances, the latter’s eyes filled with complexity.
They understood the implication of these words: the Land of Earth had been dealt a heavy blow and would soon retreat from the stage.
"Fuji, you will oversee domestic defense, ensuring the safety of the Land of Snow’s people."
"Understood!"
"Hozuki Gengetsu, the intelligence reports will be handed over to you by Tobirama for processing..."
"Understood!"
…
After giving his instructions, Hyuga Fuji smiled as he looked at the various expressions—admiration, excitement, complexity—on the faces of those below him:
"The rest of you, conserve your strength and prepare for the upcoming war. The patience of the nations is nearing its limit. War could break out at any moment, even sooner than we expect."
"But the outcome has long been decided."
"Before us, no opponent stands!"
(End of Chapter)
