The arrival of Jiraiya significantly increased the pressure on the Hidden Mist Village.
Especially his summoned creatures, some of which were quite powerful, equivalent to half a tailed beast.
Ordinary ninjas had no effective way to deal with them.
After holding out for a week, the Hidden Mist Village completely withdrew from the Land of Rivers.
Not only that, but they also abandoned their coastal bases and outposts.
Without a doubt, this was a clear admission of defeat.
At the headquarters of the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Sand Villages.
Hanekawa was listening to Jiraiya explain the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Although Jiraiya couldn't perform the Flying Thunder God Technique, his student, Minato Namikaze, could, so he knew quite a few tricks.
"Tsunade really took in a good student."
Jiraiya couldn't help but sigh.
He noticed that Hanekawa's comprehension and insight far surpassed that of ordinary geniuses.
In some aspects, he even surpassed Minato Namikaze.
Jiraiya had thought that the student he took in was already a genius, but he never expected Tsunade to later take in an even more extraordinary student.
Now, Hanekawa's reputation far exceeds that of Minato Namikaze.
"Thank you, Uncle Jiraiya."
Hanekawa said politely.
With Jiraiya's explanation, he saved nearly half a month in learning the Flying Thunder God Technique.
As for his comprehension and insight, these were the effects brought by his unique traits.
"Lord Jiraiya, Lord Hanekawa."
At that moment, a young ninja walked in and said, "Lady Tsunade has asked you to attend a meeting in the main tent."
"Let's go."
Jiraiya and Hanekawa arrived together in the main tent.
Besides them, all the special jōnin and jōnin from the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Sand Villages were present.
This was a jōnin meeting.
Hanekawa suddenly let out a light exclamation.
Because he saw an unexpected figure, a Hidden Mist Village ANBU ninja.
Hanekawa pondered.
The only way this Hidden Mist Village ANBU ninja could stand so calmly in the headquarters of the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Sand Villages was if he was here to seek peace.
"Everyone is here, let's start the meeting."
Tsunade looked at the Hidden Mist Village ANBU ninja standing in the middle of the main tent and asked, "What does the Mizukage want?"
"Lady Tsunade."
The Hidden Mist Village ANBU ninja bowed slightly and said, "The Mizukage wishes to negotiate peace with the Hidden Leaf Village."
Upon hearing this, the jōnin in the main tent couldn't help but show joy.
The war was over, and they had won. Naturally, they couldn't suppress their excitement.
"When?"
Tsunade's lips curled slightly, and her mood relaxed.
"After the New Year, in January, the Hidden Mist Village will send a ninja delegation to negotiate peace."
The Hidden Mist Village ANBU ninja said respectfully.
The three villages had been fighting for so long and needed time to rest, especially since the New Year was approaching.
In addition, the terms of the peace agreement would need to be discussed by each village, so choosing January wasn't too late.
"Very well."
Tsunade waved her hand and said, "We will await your arrival."
The Hidden Mist Village ANBU ninja bowed again and then left.
"We won!"
As soon as he left, someone couldn't help but shout.
"This is a great victory! Even the Third Mizukage died at our hands!"
A member of the Akimichi clan chimed in.
"Not just the Third Mizukage."
Hiashi Hyūga reminded everyone, "But also the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
"Indeed."
A jōnin from the Nara clan said confidently, "This time, we will definitely make the Hidden Mist Village pay dearly!"
Usually, such negotiations were handled by the Nara clan.
Because of their high intelligence, they often held the advantage in negotiations.
Chiyo sighed inwardly.
In this war against the Hidden Mist Village, the Hidden Sand Village's role was quite limited, almost like they were just there to make up the numbers.
Whether it was the Third Mizukage or the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, the main credit went to Tsunade and Hanekawa.
Compared to the Hidden Leaf Village's abundance of talent, the Hidden Sand Village seemed somewhat inferior.
Fortunately, their luck wasn't bad.
By clinging to the Hidden Leaf Village, they reaped a victory. When it came to negotiations, they could also get a share of the spoils.
Tsunade couldn't help but smile.
At such a joyous moment, she naturally wouldn't stop them.
She subconsciously looked at Hanekawa.
In just three years, he had grown so much, which truly amazed Tsunade.
To be honest, when she took Hanekawa as her student, her greatest hope was that he would become an excellent medical ninja in the future.
Who would have thought that the future would come so quickly and far exceed her expectations?
Hanekawa was not just an excellent medical ninja; he was also an excellent taijutsu ninja, genjutsu ninja, and master of all five nature transformations.
In the entire Hidden Leaf Village, apart from Hiruzen Sarutobi, he was the second all-around ninja.
The jōnin meeting ended amidst laughter and joy.
"Tsunade, congratulations."
Jiraiya said with a smile, "Now, no one in the Hidden Leaf Village has more achievements than you."
"..."
Tsunade was momentarily speechless.
She had already guessed what Jiraiya wanted to say.
"How about it?"
As she expected, Jiraiya asked, "Any thoughts on the position of the Fourth Hokage?"
Due to the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, Jiraiya spent most of his time searching for the Child of Prophecy, so he had no interest in becoming Hokage.
Besides him, Orochimaru and Tsunade were the most likely candidates.
But now that Orochimaru was involved in the Wood Release experiments, he was disqualified in Jiraiya's eyes.
"We'll talk about it later."
Tsunade shook her head and said.
"I thought you would refuse the Hokage position outright like before."
Jiraiya said, somewhat surprised.
Tsunade was momentarily stunned.
Indeed.
If it were the old her, she would have refused immediately, but now she had the thought that she could either accept or refuse the position.
"I haven't agreed yet."
Tsunade glanced at Hanekawa and said, "Prepare yourselves, we're returning to the Hidden Leaf Village tomorrow."
"I won't be going back with you."
Jiraiya paused and said, "I'll return after Orochimaru and Danzō Shimura go back."
"Is the Child of Prophecy really that important?"
Tsunade couldn't help but frown and ask.
"He is crucial to the peace of the ninja world, I must find him."
Jiraiya said seriously.
"..."
Tsunade hesitated but ultimately said, "Then go."
"See you next time."
Jiraiya walked to the entrance of the main tent, then suddenly turned back and said, "If you decide to become Hokage, let me know, I'll support you."
Tsunade couldn't help but twitch her mouth.
She felt that the position of Fourth Hokage was already hers, and there was no escaping it.
"It's all your fault, brat!"
Tsunade glared at Hanekawa and said discontentedly.
"Me?"
Hanekawa blinked, somewhat innocently, "I didn't do anything."
"You've done plenty!"
Tsunade stepped forward and stomped on his foot, asking.
"Sensei, I think you're the one acting like a child."
Hanekawa couldn't help but retort.
"Who are you calling a child?"
Tsunade's gaze sharpened, her arms crossed, her tone threatening.
"Certainly not you, teacher!"
Hanekawa looked at the curve between her arms and couldn't help but say.
Tsunade noticed his gaze and subconsciously lowered her arms.
For some reason, she felt quite pleased, perhaps because her charm was still intact.
But she didn't show it.
Tsunade snorted lightly and left the main tent.
Hanekawa quickly followed.
"Are we going back?"
Kurenai Yūhi and Rin Nohara saw them and approached.
"Yes."
Hanekawa looked at their expectant expressions and smiled, "We're leaving tomorrow."
"Great!"
Kurenai Yūhi happily jumped and grabbed Hanekawa's hand, spinning halfway.
Rin Nohara subconsciously showed an envious expression.
"Talk amongst yourselves."
Tsunade glanced at them and walked away.
Hanekawa was slightly stunned.
What was that reaction?
The next day arrived.
After breakfast, Hanekawa began dismantling the tents and packing up.
At nine in the morning, everyone gathered at the entrance of the headquarters.
The Hidden Leaf ninja left first, followed by the Hidden Sand ninja.
"Granny Chiyo, remember to send a ninja delegation to the Hidden Leaf Village in January for negotiations."
Tsunade reminded before leaving.
In this war, both the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Sand Villages were victors.
Since they had already formed an alliance, the Hidden Sand Village would also participate.
Of course, the Hidden Leaf Village would take the lion's share.
"The Hidden Leaf Village."
Chiyo thought of Sakumo Hatake.
It was this White Fang of the Leaf who killed her son and daughter-in-law.
Due to Hanekawa's butterfly effect, Sakumo Hatake was still alive, which now became a thorn in her side.
But with the Hidden Leaf Village growing stronger, Chiyo could only suppress her hatred for now.
After some thought, she decided to send a jōnin to the negotiations.
She certainly wouldn't go herself.
Otherwise, seeing Sakumo Hatake, she might not be able to resist killing him.
The Hidden Leaf Village's group left the Land of Rivers and headed towards the Land of Fire.
Along the way, Hanekawa took the opportunity to teach Rin Nohara the Chakra Scalpel technique.
Two days later, the group safely arrived at the Hidden Leaf Village.
Since this was a major victory and the group was large, Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged for ninjas and villagers to welcome them.
From the village gates to the Hokage Building, the streets were lined with excited onlookers.
Their cheers echoed throughout the Hidden Leaf Village.
Most were cheering for Tsunade, followed by Hanekawa.
This ninja war had made the teacher-student duo famous throughout the entire ninja world.
"Everyone, disperse!"
Upon reaching the Hokage Building, Tsunade announced loudly.
The crowd slowly dispersed.
Tsunade couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
To her, such a scene was too troublesome.
But she couldn't outright refuse, as everyone needed this victory.
"Hanekawa, come with me to see the old man."
Tsunade instructed, "The rest of you, go home and rest."
"Yes."
Hiashi Hyūga and the others responded in unison.
"Hanekawa, come home early."
Kurenai Yūhi said goodbye and left with Rin Nohara.
"Your little girlfriend seems reluctant to part with you."
Tsunade looked at Kurenai Yūhi and said calmly.
"She's not my little girlfriend."
Hanekawa coughed lightly and corrected.
"Is that so?"
Tsunade didn't press further and turned to enter the Hokage Building.
Bam!
The door to the Hokage's office was kicked open.
"You've worked hard."
Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored the protesting door and said with a smile.
"Remember to hand out the rewards."
Tsunade got straight to the point, "Is there anything else? If not, I'm going back to rest!"
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat helpless.
This student of his was excellent in every way, except for her aversion to trouble.
But as Hokage, trouble was inevitable.
"There is one thing."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a serious expression, "I just received news that the Hidden Cloud Village has sent people to the Hidden Stone Village to negotiate peace."
"What?"
Tsunade couldn't help but show surprise, "They can still negotiate peace?"
In her view, the Hidden Stone Village had killed the Third Raikage.
The current Fourth Raikage was the Third Raikage's son, so it seemed impossible for them to negotiate peace.
Hanekawa's heart stirred.
It sounded absurd.
But in the original story, the Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud Villages did indeed cease hostilities.
However, given the Fourth Raikage's personality, it was unlikely he would make such a decision; it was probably Mabui's doing.
"Is it because of our Hidden Leaf Village?"
Tsunade suddenly thought of something and asked.
"Exactly."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said.
Now that the Hidden Mist Village had admitted defeat and the Hidden Sand Village was an ally, the Hidden Leaf Village no longer had any other villages to contend with.
In other words, the Hidden Leaf Village could now send more ninjas to focus their strength against the Hidden Cloud Village.
Coupled with the Hidden Stone Village, the Hidden Cloud Village was under immense pressure and had to make a choice.
"Will the Hidden Stone Village agree?"
Tsunade frowned slightly and asked.
"Hard to say."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and said, "The Hidden Stone Village suffered heavy losses in killing the Third Raikage, and with the prolonged stalemate, they might agree."
"What a hassle."
Tsunade couldn't help but feel a headache.
She thought that defeating the Hidden Mist Village would bring some peace, but now the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone Villages were causing trouble again.
"Once they reach a decision, we'll act accordingly."
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment and said.
"That's all we can do."
Tsunade sighed inwardly and said.
"Don't worry too much, this might actually be good for our Hidden Leaf Village."
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe and said thoughtfully.
"Aren't you worried they might form an alliance?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and asked.
"The hatred of killing one's father makes an alliance unlikely; at most, they'll negotiate a truce."
Hiruzen Sarutobi analyzed.
Tsunade was momentarily stunned, then understood his meaning.
Once the Hidden Stone Village ceased hostilities, only the Hidden Cloud Village would remain.
If the Hidden Leaf Village could defeat them, it would effectively end this ninja war.
Tsunade thought about it and realized this was indeed a good thing.
But the war between the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Cloud Villages would likely be even more perilous.
"These are just speculations."
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe, ready to light it, "You should go back and rest."
"Smoke less."
Tsunade glanced at him and left.
Hanekawa recalled the original story's plot.
The Hidden Cloud and Hidden Leaf Villages fought the longest and were the last to end their conflict.
This situation was somewhat similar.
But the difference was that the current Hidden Leaf Village was strong and well-staffed, unlike in the original story where Minato Namikaze had to constantly put out fires.
Hanekawa exhaled deeply.
After three years of war, he was mentally and physically exhausted.
If the war could end, that would be for the best.
Time passed slowly.
Back in the Hidden Leaf Village, Hanekawa resumed his previous training routine.
As November ended and December arrived, news came that the Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud Villages had ceased hostilities.
Thus, the only remaining battlefield in the ninja world was the one still ongoing.