Naruto: Binding Uchiha Sasuke, Hundredfold Return

As Konoha continued its path toward peace and development, some restless individuals could no longer hold back their ambitions.

On June 8th, the shinobi from the Kumogakure launched a dual assault on the Iwagakure, attacking by both sea and land. Thus, a war between the two countries erupted.

On June 11th, due to the Iwagakure's weakened defenses, the Cloud shinobi exploited the opportunity, catching the Iwagakure off guard and breaching their gates within three days. Iwagakure shinobi fought back fiercely, and the battle turned into a prolonged and bloody conflict.

By June 12th, the Fourth Tsuchikage, led Iwagakure shinobi to push back the Kumogakure attackers, temporarily securing their village. However, the cost was severe—hundreds of Iwagakure shinobi were killed, leaving the village in a dire state.

On June 14th Iwagakure launched a counterattack against the Cloud forces, only to fall into a trap. They were ambushed by the Raikage and Yugito. The Tsuchikage, despite his followers' protection, was ultimately captured. Refusing to accept defeat, he took his own life that very night.

(T/N: Yugito Nii was a jōnin from Kumogakure and the jinchūriki of the Two-Tails, Matatabi.)

On June 15th, after Tsuchikage's death, the morale of Iwagakure shinobi plummeted, and the Cloud forces overran their defenses, taking control of the entire village.

On June 16th, the Cloud shinobi fully occupied the Iwagakure, erasing it from history.

On June 17th, the Land of Earth surrendered, with its daimyo calling out to the Land of Lightning for negotiations regarding the terms of surrender.

On June 18th, during the peace talks between the two nations, the Raikage grew furious and assassinated the daimyo of the Land of Earth on the spot.

On June 19th, the daimyo of the Land of Lightning declared the Land of Earth as conquered territory under his rule. The entire world was shaken by the news.

...

Konoha Village - Kazuki's Residence

Kazuki, recently married and blissfully enjoying his newlywed life, was unaware of the turbulent events unfolding in the ninja world. However, the gravity of the situation brought Yūgao to his doorstep once again.

Opening the door and seeing Yūgao's serious expression, Kazuki didn't blame him for interrupting. "Come in," he said, making his way to the living room.

Yūgao quickly removed his shoes and took a seat across from Kazuki, his face still tense and hesitant to speak.

"Would you like some tea?" Kazuki offered, handing Yūgao a cup filled with tea.

"Thank you." Yūgao gulped it down, the refreshing liquid soothing his dry throat and granting him the courage to finally speak up. "The Land of Earth… it has fallen."

"Fallen?" Kazuki, unsure if he heard correctly, asked again, "Are you saying Iwagakure was destroyed?"

Yūgao shook his head. "Just yesterday, the daimyo of the Land of Earth was killed by the Raikage. The daimyo of the Land of Lightning announced the annexation of the Land of Earth!"

"Even killed the daimyo?" Kazuki clicked his tongue in disbelief. "Kumogakure has truly gone rogue."

Kazuki had assumed that the kages of this world were mere puppets to their respective daimyo. It seemed that the Raikage shared some independent ambitions of his own.

"Aren't you shocked?" Yūgao pressed. "This is outrageous! Aren't they worried about retaliation from the other villages?"

"The other villages?" Kazuki scoffed. "The Land of Earth has fallen, the Land of Wind's shinobi aren't even as strong as some of the smaller villages, and the Hidden Mist in the Land of Water is still recovering. Apart from us in the Land of Fire, who else has the power to stand against the Land of Lightning?"

"Even so, the other daimyo have come to us," Yūgao sighed, retrieving a sealed scroll from his clothing. "The Fire Daimyo has received a message from the other leaders. The Land of Wind and the Land of Water, though weakened, are suggesting we form an allied army to take down the Land of Lightning."

Kazuki didn't take the scroll but instead sipped his tea thoughtfully. "So, you're asking for my opinion on the matter?"

"Exactly," Yūgao replied with a wry smile. "Do we get involved or stay out of it?"

"Well… which do you lean toward?"

"I'd prefer not to get involved," Yūgao admitted, sighing again. "I've been committed to maintaining Konoha's policy of peace, but it's no longer up to us alone."

The ambition of the Raikage and the Land of Lightning's daimyo was unmistakable. If they allowed the Land of Lightning to digest the resources of the Land of Earth, the next target would undoubtedly be the Land of Fire.

"Since you already know what you need to do, why come to me?" Kazuki shook his head.

"I'm concerned this war might disrupt your plans." Yūgao scratched his head sheepishly.

Kazuki chuckled. "It's rare for you to think of me."

After Yūgao left, Kazuki sat in deep thought. Yūgao wasn't wrong—ignoring the ambitions of the Land of Lightning today would invite them as enemies tomorrow. But only if the Land of Lightning had the strength to sustain this conquest.

If Kazuki dealt with the Raikage and the daimyo, their ambitions would be crushed. But if Konoha joined the conflict, the village and the entire Land of Fire would be plunged into turmoil once more, shattering the peace Kazuki had worked so hard to build.

"Do I really have to step in?" Kazuki murmured, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed at the leaves swaying outside his window. All things must come to an end.

In the end, Kazuki instructed Yūgao not to engage. Konoha would maintain its current state, upholding peace and stability.

As for the Land of Lightning, Kazuki decided, "I'll handle it."

The Fire Daimyo, bound to Kazuki's decisions, echoed this sentiment and declined the proposal to form an alliance with the Lands of Wind and Water. Enraged by the refusal, the daimyo of the Land of Wind and the Land of Water smashed their chairs in frustration. They couldn't fathom the reasoning of the Fire Daimyo. Did he truly believe the old man in the Land of Lightning would stop there?

Unbeknownst to them, Kazuki had a different vision in mind. Warring between great nations was exhausting. In the end, one village, one country—that was all he envisioned for the future.

Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning

The Fourth Raikage, A, had anticipated an attack from the allied forces of the Sand, Leaf, and Mist Villages. He had prepared meticulously for their assault.

Yet, his efforts were in vain, as no one attacked.

Konoha had declined to participate, and the Lands of Wind and Water were separated by the massive territory of the Land of Fire, making it impossible to unite forces. While the Land of Water bordered the Land of Lightning, the Mist Village was not yet strong enough to challenge Kumogakure.

Realizing this, the Raikage laughed uproariously, mocking the Fire Daimyo as witless and the Water Daimyo as naive—unworthy to stand alongside him as kages.

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg