Naruto: I Survived Two Wars Without You, System!

New Year's Day.

The joyous festive atmosphere among Konoha's residents was suddenly doused, as if by a bucket of cold water.

A procession of nearly one thousand ninja, escorting massive supplies, rushed to the front lines.

Everyone understood exactly what this meant.

The streets, previously filled with pedestrians chatting and playing around, were now suddenly missing more than half their usual crowd.

Even though the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, publicly delivered an impassioned speech atop the Hokage Tower,

most villagers still firmly believed that, under this "Strongest Hokage," they would ultimately triumph—even if war were to break out.

Yet the shadow of war still loomed over everyone's hearts.

Time passed swiftly in this tense, stifling atmosphere.

Within half a month,

Konoha had already secretly dispatched, in batches, a total of three thousand ninja via various means.

Meanwhile, within the village, two thousand shinobi who had received mobilization orders began extensive team-building exercises and drills.

The long-undecided supreme commander for the front lines

was finally decided after repeated back-and-forth arguments between Kei Yamanaka—who was controlling White Zetsu impersonating Danzo—and the Third.

"The Third really does love Danzo unconditionally!"

Kei Yamanaka looked at the transfer notice in his hand, his expression somewhat complicated.

Indeed, from the Third's perspective,

Danzo's age practically eliminated any chance he had of ever becoming Hokage.

Plus, Root's brutal methods over the years had made it clear that even if Danzo achieved great accomplishments, most of Konoha's ninja would never fully accept him.

Yet the supreme command authority over the battlefield was directly handed to Danzo.

It was obvious—compared to Jiraiya or Orochimaru—the Third trusted his old friend far more!

"Hei," Kei said, tucking the notice away and turning to Hei, captain of Combat Unit Squad Three. "How is the person your squad has been monitoring lately?"

"Five days ago, he was taken in by Gan'uan, owner of the Sansui Bathhouse, and brought home. One day ago, he began giving back massages to male customers at the bathhouse."

Hei's tone remained flat and emotionless, as always.

"So the Sansui Bathhouse owner is quite the generous soul too?"

"According to our investigation, ten years ago, Gan'uan divorced his wife and has since been involved with multiple men..."

"Stop!"

Kei cut him off immediately.

There was no way he'd let such information taint his pure mind.

Knock knock knock~

Someone rapped on the door.

After being granted permission, a Root operative from the Intelligence Division quickly entered and handed over the latest report.

Kei glanced at the scroll's title: "Afflicted with Cupping."

Raising an eyebrow slightly, he unfurled the scroll.

(January 7th: Over five thousand elite Sunagakure ninja will depart Sunagakure in two waves, hidden beneath small-scale sandstorms.)

(The first wave, over three thousand strong, will be led by Rasa and other Sunagakure leadership to rendezvous with Iwagakure forces inside Rain Country, jointly launching an attack on Konoha's frontline camp.)

(The second wave of two thousand troops, led by Chiyo, would depart three days later as reinforcements for Rasa and others.)

(If this battle yields results, Rasa will become the Fourth Kazekage.)

"This woman..."

After reading the report, Kei Yamanaka's expression turned pensive and strange, as he found himself endlessly speculating about Pakura's thoughts.

Recently, Root had also received intelligence from Sunagakure through other channels.

Though not as detailed as the intelligence provided by Pakura, it still confirmed its authenticity.

Yet both times this woman sent reports, she focused heavily on Rasa...

Restricted by environmental factors and lack of support from the Daimyo, Sunagakure had few notable talents within its younger generation.

Should anything happen to Rasa,

In the current talent-starved Sand Village, according to his knowledge, the only one capable of rising to that position was Pakura.

Both possessors of Kekkei Genkai,

Compared to Rasa, Pakura only lacked Rasa's talent for generating revenue for the village; her skills were definitely acknowledged by the leadership.

But even if she became Kazekage by borrowing Konoha's blade, what good would it bring?

Unless she was willing to be Konoha's puppet forever, which would only delay the inevitable—a far grimmer fate awaited her once exposed!

Pakura wasn't stupid.

Kei Yamanaka had seen her memories—he knew she wasn't some thoughtless girl.

So, was it because of what was mentioned in the previous intelligence—that Chiyo had asked her to protect Rasa and help him earn battle achievements?

She was betrayed!

Already mentally confused from memory tampering, and mistreated in Sunagakure—was that why she fully defected to Konoha?

And influenced by long-held beliefs, she still insists on pursuing the position of Kazekage?

"My spy... wants to become their Kage?"

Leaning forward, Kei Yamanaka tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. After carefully storing away the scroll, he rose and walked out the door.

Having a village's Kage as an ally

Would bring nothing but benefits.

Having the leader of an entire village as our insider,

Whether we plan to unify later on, or treat them as allies or reservoirs of military strength, everything would be far simpler.

The only problem might be how poor Sunagakure is.

Without Rasa tirelessly extracting resources, Sunagakure would likely be worse off than even in the original timeline.

We'll have to find a way to enrich them.

That could be somewhat troublesome.

Opening the door to the next office over, he temporarily entrusted Root affairs to Nonou Yakushi, who was currently looking after children, and Mikoto Uchiha, who had just joined Root.

Placing a hand on White Zetsu's shoulder—still disguised as Danzō—he vanished in an instant with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Lately, Kirigakure and Kumogakure had entered a deadlock phase.

They seemed locked in fierce battle, but according to intelligence reports, both sides were clearly holding back significantly.

Clearly waiting for Konoha to go head-to-head with Sunagakure and Iwagakure.

Sunagakure's main forces had already departed eight days ago toward Amegakure to meet up with Iwagakure.

Moving over three thousand people stealthily slowed things down—they should be arriving soon enough.

As for Iwagakure, although no precise intelligence had returned,

Since Onoki conspired with Sunagakure to launch an attack,

It was safe to assume they weren't falling behind Suna's pace either.

Speed is the essence of war.

It wouldn't take more than two days after both sides linked up for the Konoha front-line camp to come under direct attack!

Whoosh~

A Flying Thunder God Kunai had already been secretly placed by a Root ninja.

Kei Yamanaka and White Zetsu disguised as Danzo appeared directly inside a watchtower located less than fifty kilometers from the front line after over ten long-distance space transfers.

Otsu, the leader of Squad Two from Root's Combat Unit, along with three other Root ninjas disguised as a regular ninja squad inside the watchtower, quickly rose to salute upon their sudden arrival.

"What's the situation?"

Kei spoke first, addressing Squad Leader Otsu.

"All three hundred ten-man squads have already reached their designated hiding spots. We still haven't detected any large enemy presence near the front."

"And the thousand-man camp at the front lines?"

"It remains on Level Two alert under Master Jiraiya's orders, with regular patrols ongoing."

"Hmm."

Kei slightly nodded.

Each temporary commander among those 300 ten-man squads had been carefully handpicked from Konoha's core shinobi.

Shibi Aburame, Murakumo Kurama, Nagare, Hizashi Hyūga, Ikkaku Umino, Suizanmai, Tsume Inuzuka, Akimichi Tsukasa, Nara Gen'ei, Takadera...

From abilities to strength, every one of them was reliable.

As long as they spotted the prearranged signal, given their positions, they could arrive at the designated location within an hour and surround the enemy.

Now that everything was ready, all that remained was to wait.

Kei and the White Zetsu impersonating Danzo entered the underground bunker beneath the watchtower to rest.

Outside, the sky gradually darkened as time passed.

4:00 AM.

The knock-knock on the door startled Kei Yamanaka awake from his cot.

"Come in."

"Lord Kei! Lord Danzo! Our scouts just reported — forces from Iwagakure and Sunagakure have launched simultaneous attacks from the east and west on the main camp! Master Jiraiya has summoned four giant frogs and is holding them off!"

"How many enemies?"

"At least three thousand!"

"Send the signal immediately!"

Kei rose from his cot, patting wrinkles from his clothing.

Forming a single hand seal, he left behind a Shadow Clone.

He ordered the clone to coordinate command with 'Danzo' and direct the scattered three thousand Konoha shinobi into an encirclement formation.

As for himself, he instantly activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, teleporting straight to the Konoha camp fifty kilometers away.

Whoosh~

Just as Kei followed the Flying Thunder God mark and transferred to a spot less than three kilometers from the camp,

he suddenly froze in disbelief.

Wait… what the hell?

Weren't the Suna and Iwa forces attacking the camp from the east and west?

This place was directly south!

Trying to completely cut off Konoha's retreat route?

Surrounded by numerous Suna shinobi who had frozen mid-step, glaring daggers at him,

Kei clicked his tongue in irritation.

"How about I'm just passing through—buy that?"

"Get him!"

A low growl came from the crowd.

<><><><><><><><>

Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!

~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!

<><><><><><><><>

~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!

~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!

patreon.com/Tansnovel

<><><><><><><><>