Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

At the same time, he felt a sense of shock in his heart. What confidence this was!

"This... Qingwu, there are tens of thousands of Iwagakure ninja, and the Tsuchikage is also in charge. You're all alone..."

The third generation leader couldn't help but worry.

"Who said I'm alone?" Qingwu chuckled.

"Shadow Guard, we are willing to go with the captain!" Three people walked out of the wooden house: Tianzang, Hongdou, and Shisui, who had basically adapted to his new glasses.

The third generation was speechless: "..."

The Shadow Guard is his Hokage's Shadow Guard. When did it become completely independent of him?

Besides, what's the difference between you two?

"Alright, it's settled then."

Qingwu stood up. "We'll set off immediately. Hokage, you don't need to see us off."

This is an invitation to leave.

The third generation leader opened his mouth to speak, but thinking of Qingwu's army of summoned beasts, he ultimately suppressed his worries.

In any case, if Qingwu is willing to go, even if it's just to "exchange pieces" with Onoki, the pressure on Konoha's western front will be relieved.

Moreover, considering the impact Qingwu had on the situation in Yunyin on the eastern front last year, the Third Hokage still harbored some expectations.

Whoosh!

Upon hearing that they were leaving, the hidden goddess Tianxin appeared behind Qingwu, closing her eyes and remaining silent.

The third generation leader breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her.

He had fought this woman in white before and knew how formidable she was.

"Then let's set off."

Qingwu said no more and turned to nod to Tianxin Shenji.

Then summon Mumu.

Although relations with Konoha have improved, one should still be wary. With Mumu and several unicorns guarding the territory, there's nothing to worry about...

Chapter 282 A One-Man War

With the Golden Dragon in hand, and his own strength greatly increased.

Qingwu didn't need to carry Mumu with her, especially since there were still skills and troops in the magic tower that needed upgrading, so she needed to ensure their safety.

"Let's go."

He was the first to mount the silver Pegasus, followed closely by Tianzang, Hongdou, and Zhishui.

The Third Hokage watched their figures soar into the sky, feeling a mix of excitement, trepidation, and a strange sense of loss.

He cared deeply about Qingwu's words: "Not as a Konoha ninja, nor for Konoha's sake."

He knew that Qingwu and Muye were about to enter a completely new relationship pattern, whether it would be a blessing or a curse... remained to be seen.

……

Western Front, Konoha Camp.

In the camp, the groans of the wounded were incessant, and the air was filled with the stench of blood.

Inside the main tent, Nara Shikaku, his arm wrapped in bandages and his face pale, refused to rest and was deep in thought, frowning in front of the map.

Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Choza, Akimichi Touto, and others held an emergency discussion.

Everyone's face bore an inescapable weariness and worry.

The arrival of Onoki was like a boulder weighing on everyone's hearts. The Tsuchikage, who possessed the bloodline limit, was a force to be reckoned with.

During a daytime confrontation, Onoki suddenly made his move.

Even though the combined secret techniques of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio are capable of directly confronting a Tailed Beast, they were all injured during the Dust Release.

"Shikaku, is there still no news from the Hokage?" Akimichi Choza asked in a muffled voice, his body still covered in undried blood.

Shikaku shook his head and looked at Inoichi: "Last time, after you went back to convey your advice, did you meet with Jonin Aogo?"

“No.” Yamanaka Inoichi smiled bitterly: “The Death Forest was closed off at the time, and no one could get in.”

Qiu Daotang said in a deep voice, "I've heard about the half-month agreement. Don't worry, based on my understanding of that kid, he will definitely..."

Just then, a sensory ninja scrambled into the tent: "Report! Lord Shikaku, there's a flying object approaching from the east!"

"What?" Everyone stood up abruptly. Could it be that Iwagakure was going to launch another surprise attack at night?

"Ahem, yes, it's a silver Pegasus, incredibly fast, and there are people on it! It should be... Captain Qingwu, and the Shadow Guard!"

This sensory ninja was one who came with Akimichi Tang to support the western front, and was no stranger to the Silver Pegasus and the Shadow Guard.

"You bastard, talking so loudly!" Qiu Daotangdong's emotions were in turmoil, and he couldn't help but kick him.

The sensory ninja wasn't annoyed; he just chuckled foolishly.

Several people rushed out of the tent and looked up at the eastern sky.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, four silver winged horses were seen traversing the sky at an astonishing speed, heading towards the camp.

“It really is them.” Qiu Daotang grinned, his previous gloom gone.

"They're here." Yamanaka Inoichi couldn't hide his excitement.

"Hmm!" Nara Shikaku's tightly furrowed brows relaxed.

“Tang Dong, you really understand him,” Qiu Dao Dingza said.

Under the expectant gazes of countless Konoha ninjas, the four silver winged horses landed steadily on the open ground of the camp.

Qingwu leaped off his horse, his gaze sweeping over the demoralized camp before finally settling on Lu Jiu and the others who were coming to greet him.

"senior."

Qingwu bowed slightly, showing respect to Nara Shikaku and the others.

Shikaku suppressed his excitement. "Jonin Aoko, this way please. Let me tell you about the current situation."

Time was of the essence, and without further ado, Shikaku cut straight to the point.

This was exactly what Qingwu wanted.

According to intelligence, since the internal strife in Konoha began, Iwagakure has escalated from minor skirmishes to large-scale conflicts, culminating in Onoki's personal intervention.

They were testing Konoha's strengths and weaknesses step by step.

Today, Onoki's first move has inflicted heavy losses on Konoha.

Nara Shikaku said that if there was no news of reinforcements tonight, he planned to completely withdraw the defensive deployment along the line connecting with the Land of Waterfall and completely retreat back to the Land of Fire.

Once Konoha retreats, Onoki will definitely intensify his efforts and may even join forces with Kumogakure to take advantage of Konoha's weakness and start another major war.

After listening, Qingwu nodded and looked northwest: "The Tsuchikage Onoki is thirty miles away, right?"

Akimichi Tangdong responded, "That's right. That old guy has gathered the main force of Iwagakure on the plains thirty miles away, clearly intending to launch a further attack on us."

“Then… Senior Shikaku, pass down the order that after sunrise tomorrow, all Konoha ninjas retreat to the second line of defense,” said Qingwu.

"!!""What?!"

"What do you mean?"

Inoshikacho, Akimichi Tou, and the others all thought they had misheard.

Reinforcements arrived, but they're retreating instead? What does this mean? Was it an order from the Hokage?

“Hmm,” Qingwu turned around, facing all the doubts, “What I mean is, leave the rest of the battle to me.”

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a convincing and powerful confidence: "You just need to stay here and watch."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Qiu Daotangdong snapped. "Qingwu, are you looking down on us?"

Qingwu responded with action, telling the Shadow Guard behind him, "You too, stay behind and keep watch to prevent any from slipping through the net."

Hongdou hesitated, but Tianzang spoke first: "Yes, Captain!"

"Yes, Captain!" Shisui and Hongdou replied in unison, showing absolute trust in Qingwu no matter what.

Qingwu then looked at Qiudao Tangdong, "Senior, this is also the Hokage's intention to let the 'natural disaster' descend upon the Land of Earth."

"..." To be honest, Akimichi Toudou really falls for this kind of chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) stuff. "Is that so? Then..."

“Execute the order.” Qingwu looked at Nara Shikaku. “Senior, believe me, this is the fastest and least costly way to end the war.”

Nara Shikaku looked at Qingwu's unquestionable gaze, then at the Konoha ninjas who, though puzzled, were clearly intimidated by Qingwu's aura and harboring a faint sense of anticipation.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and nodded emphatically, "Since it's the Hokage's order, fine!"

"Pass on the order!" Nara Shikaku, the true commander of Konoha, turned and commanded: "All troops, rest where you are. After dawn, withdraw to the second line of defense."

"No one is allowed to attack without orders!"

With the Shadow Guard in place, there's no need for intelligence or security forces. That's why Akimichi Tangdong kept mentioning the Shadow Guard after arriving on the western front.

Shikaku also had his own guesses.

Qingwu's actions were likely aimed at completely shattering Iwagakure's confidence.

If he can defeat Iwagakure on the battlefield alone, I believe that Iwagakure will all keep their tails between their legs from now on.

Yes, this will solve the problem once and for all, saving Iwagakure from endless harassment at the border.

The agreement had been reached, but Qingwu had no intention of staying in the camp to rest.

He nodded to Nara Shikaku and then led the Shadow Guard away from the Konoha camp.

He had only said that he would have the Shadow Guards oversee the operation; in reality, he had other plans for them.

He's going to Takigakure Village!!

According to Nara Shikaku, the land of water ripples has now been almost entirely infiltrated and occupied by Iwagakure.

Although the weak Takigakure Village is allied with Konoha, Konoha itself is struggling to survive, and with Iwagakure pressing them relentlessly, they have no time to spare for Takigakure.

However, Qingwu must ensure the safety of Takigakure Village.