Simultaneous Transmigration: We Share a Role-Playing System

Inside the makeshift logistics tent set up by Iwagakure, the air was thick with the dry smell of soldier rations and a faint whiff of gunpowder. Two Chunin dressed in Iwagakure uniforms and wearing earth-colored headbands squatted in a corner, having mostly stopped packing the soldier rations.

One of the thin, hunchbacked hunchbacks, his voice trembling but barely concealing his gossipy excitement: "Have you heard? The Third Hokage of Kumogakure is dead. He was killed by Konoha."

Another short, stout Chunin scoffed, throwing the rope in his hand to the ground and curling his lip in disdain: "Huh? You must be kidding, that's a Kage! I haven't heard of any big moves by Konoha. Where did you get this fake news? Are you confused by the rumors about the battlefield?"

The thin, impatient man took a half-step forward, his fingers unconsciously gesturing towards his name, his tone remarkably certain: "My friend's cousin's second aunt's third nephew's mistress's brother is in Yugakure. They said Konoha and Kumogakure exchanged the body of the Third Raikage, A, there. I heard he died a horrible death, not even leaving a complete corpse!"

The short, stout chunin crossed his arms, shaking his head vigorously, his eyes full of mockery: "You're just bragging. How did you come up with such a ridiculous relationship? You can't believe the words of people who are completely unrelated. I'd be a fool to believe you."

"Really!" The thin ninja's face flushed red. He patted his chest, his voice rising several decibels, then quickly lowered it again. "If you don't believe me, let's bet. I'll wager all my money this month. Are you in?"

The short, stout chunin's eyes lit up, and he immediately perked up. He picked up the rope from the ground, shook it, and grinned, "I'll bet! Why wouldn't I take free money? Thank you, now I can send another sum of money home."

As the two were huddled together, finalizing the bet, a deep, cold voice suddenly came from the tent entrance, carrying the oppressive aura characteristic of a Jonin: "What are you two doing? Have you packed your soldier rations yet?! Are you slacking off here?!"

The two Chunin froze, instantly straightening up with their heads bowed low and hands pressed tightly against their trouser seams. Their voices filled with panic as they replied in unison, "We're sorry! Jonin Yamamoto, it won't happen again!"

Yamamoto, a Jonin dressed in a uniform embroidered with the Iwagakure crest, frowned as he glanced at the pile of soldier rations stacked to the side. His tone softened slightly, but remained serious: "Never mind, anyway, this batch of soldier rations probably isn't in a hurry to be sent to the Land of Grass."

The short, stout Chunin secretly glanced at Yamamoto Jonin, then quickly lowered his head and timidly asked, "Huh? Why, Yamamoto Jonin?"

Yamamoto sighed, his tone somewhat strange, and said in a softer voice, "You don't know, do you? Lord Han just received news that the Third Raikage died at the hands of Konoha, and the 10,000 troops sent to raid Kumogakure are being withdrawn."

"ah???"

The short, stout Chunin's eyes widened, his mouth gaped open enough to fit a fist, his face filled with disbelief. The skinny Chunin beside him nudged him with his elbow and teased:

"Thank you, now I can send more money home."

The news of the Third Raikage A's death spread like wildfire throughout the ninja world, and similar scenes of discussion unfolded at borders of various countries and in ninja village camps.

It's important to know that, aside from the Third Kazekage who sparked the war and went missing, the Third Raikage, A, is the only Kage-level shinobi who has died in the Third Shinobi World War up to this point.

Just as the ninja world was abuzz with discussion about A's death, a new problem arose.

Ai, how exactly did she die?

Meanwhile, Yugakure—this tiny ninja village on the border of fire and lightning—was able to survive the Third Shinobi World War only by providing neutral wartime mediation services to the two powerful ninja villages.

At this moment, the entire village of Yugakure was shrouded in an icy heaviness, even the wind that swept through the streets carried a sluggish chill. Inside the official neutral council chamber, the negotiating representatives from Konoha and Kumogakure sat facing each other across a table, the air in the room so heavy and stiff that it seemed to have solidified, and not daring to stir up even the slightest ripple.

A, who has not yet officially succeeded as the Fourth Raikage, already exudes a terrifying aura of thunder. He sits opposite Akimichi Torifu with a gloomy face. Behind him stands Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, as well as several Cloud Village elders with solemn expressions and sharp eyes. Each of them has a tense aura and unfriendly eyes.

On Akimichi Torifusa's side, Hyuga Hiashi beside him also had a solemn expression, and they were in an invisible standoff. On the other side, Locke seemed much more relaxed, leaning against the wall and looking at the other side nonchalantly, not taking the other side seriously at all.

Locke's attitude angered the Cloud Village members, but considering the current situation, they held back and did not explode. However, their already dark faces looked even darker now.

After Akimichi Torifu handed over the authorization letter personally given by the Third Hokage to the Cloud Village side for verification, the agreement concerning the temporary ceasefire at the Fire and Lightning border was subsequently signed without any difficulty.

Having lost the Third Hokage and most of the elite Jonin, the Hidden Cloud Village's fighting strength is severely imbalanced with that of the current Leaf Village, forcing them to withdraw from this game called war.

As the defeated party, Kumogakure was supposed to pay a heavy price by ceding territory and resources, but Konoha was in a hurry to transfer its forces from the Fire and Lightning Border to other front lines, so it agreed to only pay compensation and let Kumogakure go.

Just as Akimichi Torifu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the negotiation was finally over and there were no more complications, Ai, who had always been businesslike and exuded a cold and ruthless aura, suddenly spoke in a deep voice.

"Commander Akimichi, is the guard behind you the Nara Jonin who killed my father?"

Akimichi Torifu's heart, which had just been at ease, suddenly jumped into his throat. He sighed inwardly, but his face remained calm and composed. He replied in a businesslike tone, "Indeed, this is our Konoha's newly promoted Jonin, Nara Rock, who not long ago defeated your father in a direct confrontation on the battlefield."

After saying that, he deliberately emphasized the words "direct confrontation," and looked at Ai with a deep gaze, exerting silent pressure.

Upon hearing this, Ai clenched his fists instantly, his pale knuckles gleaming coldly. In his rage, lightning chakra surged around him, his crimson eyes fixed on Locke, the killing intent surging in his eyes almost solidifying, as if he would tear the man in front of him to pieces in the next second.

Seeing this, Locke suddenly chuckled softly, a casual yet provocative smile curving his lips. When he looked at Ai, his eyes were full of playful mockery, as if to say—I love seeing you annoyed with me but unable to do anything about it.

Ai clearly understood Locke's expression and was completely taken aback that the other party would dare to provoke him like this. For a moment, his mind went blank, leaving only a few words.

He's been...provoking me!!!