Chapter 64: Behold the Greatest Medical Ninja, Emiya Shiyuan!
Inside the tent of the Rock Village camp, Emiya Shihara received the treatment of an honored guest.
Even his accompanying companion was the Second Mizukage of the Mist Village.
However, the attitudes of both the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, and the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Mangetsu, were exceptionally clear: they were ready to grant Lord Emiya any request he desired, save for bringing an end to the war.
"We also wish to seek justice for Lord Emiya," the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Mangetsu, said with a genial smile, looking for all the world like a benevolent man. "That fellow, the Second Hokage, actually dared to desecrate the souls of the dead—especially one as great a medical ninja as Lord Emiya. No matter what, the sense of justice within our hearts simply cannot tolerate such an outrage!"
"..."
What utterly high-sounding rhetoric!
Ohnoki, standing by to serve, was utterly astounded by the mustache-wearing man's shamelessness. How could he manage to utter such brazen hypocrisy right to the victim's face with such effortless fluidity?
"I will persuade Tobirama to cease his use of that forbidden jutsu."
Emiya Shihara frowned slightly, speaking with what seemed like a touch of diffidence. "As for myself, whether my soul is desecrated matters little. Bringing this war to an end, ensuring that innocent lives are no longer spilled in sacrifice—that is what is truly necessary..."
"Ah, so it really was that sinister Hokage who employed a forbidden jutsu?"
Hozuki Mangetsu instantly seized the opening, leaping upon it as though he had discovered a vulnerability. "Such a forbidden art is entirely too base and shameless!"
"..."
Emiya Shihara cast a peculiar glance at the man.
Why do your words sound so suspiciously rehearsed?
"Lord Emiya."
"We are well aware of your noble character."
"However, we have already jointly launched this righteous war under this banner. The supplies of the Rock Village have already begun dispatching to the front lines, and the ninja of the Mist Village are endlessly streaming across the seas. Even if we return now, we could not halt it all."
The expression of the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, turned somewhat hesitant, as though he himself were not the very instigator of the war. "The situation in the Land of Earth is complicated; the Tsuchikage and the Daimyo of the Rock Village govern the nation jointly. This was the result of consultations between myself and the Daimyo, so I cannot simply consent..."
"The Land of Water is even more complex," Hozuki Mangetsu stroked his little mustache, airing his own difficulties. "If we were to simply cease our troops and return just like that, it is quite possible that certain ninja clans in the Land of Water would perceive the village as cowardly, and who knows—they might even instigate a rebellion..."
"..."
Ohnoki listened from the sidelines with a faint sense of shame.
Yet the Tsuchikage's young disciple was also studying earnestly.
While the situation in the Land of Water was somewhat obscure to him, Ohnoki knew the situation within the Land of Earth all too well. Because the dual-system granted the Tsuchikage immense domestic authority, he held absolute sway not only over military affairs but also wielded considerable influence in governance.
If one truly wished to end the war...
The Second Tsuchikage alone possessed the power to end it.
Even though the village and the Land of Earth might harbor dissatisfaction, the Second Tsuchikage had governed with tireless diligence since taking office, possessing enough prestige to suppress domestic dissent.
Moreover...
His teacher had become profoundly different!
When he spoke now, he wasn't choking people with his words at all!
"Is there truly no other way?"
Emiya Shihara knitted his brows, acting as though he failed to recognize that the two Kage before him were merely stalling. A look of dejection even crept onto his face, as if he were completely at his wit's end. "Must you truly cause blood to flow like rivers across the battlefield?"
"Unless the First Hokage were to live again."
The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, immediately brought up an impossible condition, maintaining a thoroughly objective tone. "Only someone of the First Hokage's caliber—possessing strength vast enough and a heart so devoted to peace that everyone from top to bottom in both the Land of Earth and the Land of Water would submit wholeheartedly—might perhaps be able to quell this war..."
"It is a pity Hashirama is already dead..."
Emiya Shihara let out a long sigh, sounding rather helpless. "My current power falls short of Hashirama's. While I am not particularly adept at combat, I can at least attempt to quiet this unnecessary conflict. Must I defeat everyone here in order to bring this war to an end?"
"..."
A flash of astonishment crossed the Second Tsuchikage's face.
Even the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Mangetsu, standing beside him, looked somewhat startled.
The ninja world had always known of Emiya Shihara's extraordinary medical prowess. Someone who poured such vast time and effort into the medical arts could hardly be expected to maintain any inherent advantage in cultivation and combat.
Coupled with the fact that...
Emiya Shihara rarely ever made a move.
It was inevitable that his choice would catch them somewhat off guard.
"Lord Emiya, your meaning is..."
The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, looked at Emiya Shihara with a trace of hesitation, hoping he hadn't misinterpreted his intent. "Do you truly intend to quell this war by your own strength alone?"
"Mm..."
"If I make a move..."
Emiya Shihara nodded, turning his gaze toward the Second Tsuchikage. "It should not result in too many casualties. When you return, you will at least have an explanation to offer..."
"We have no wish to harm Lord Emiya."
The Second Tsuchikage instinctively sought to refuse, speaking in a deep voice, "To the Rock Village, Lord Emiya is a benefactor to whom we owe a debt too vast to repay. Originally, I ought to have consented to Lord Emiya's request to withdraw our forces; how could I possibly..."
Actually...
The Second Tsuchikage was not a man of many words.
In fact, he possessed a remarkably straightforward temperament.
Yet at this moment, he had no choice but to speak thusly, even casting an extra glance at his disciple Ohnoki, silently hoping the boy was paying close attention to the lesson.
Such words were undeniably verbose.
Yet on certain occasions, they served as useful pretexts to brush others off.
However, the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Mangetsu, found himself growing somewhat impatient with this tedious exchange and hastily opened his mouth to interrupt the Second Tsuchikage's nonsense.
Yet...
Emiya Shihara spoke first.
"Do not worry about injuring me."
"For an Impure World Reincarnation vessel is an undying existence. Only by shattering my body and sealing me away can my actions be halted..."
"..."
The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, felt a wave of helplessness.
"How about this, then."
Hozuki Mangetsu sensed the other man's mood, stroked his mustache, and suddenly proposed, "Since Lord Emiya will not be harmed, let the bandage-man and myself step forward together. If we lose, the war ends right here and now. After all, if the Kage of both villages are defeated, no one on the battlefield will be able to stop Lord Emiya anyway..."
"You truly are a shameless bastard..."
The Second Tsuchikage glanced at Hozuki Mangetsu beside him, fighting down the urge to curse him outright, and muttered under his breath, "And just what makes you think I would lose to Lord Emiya?"
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Hozuki Mangetsu shot Mu a look, compelled to remind him, "The man is a ninja from the ancient era! Even if he is merely a medical ninja, he may possess entirely unique combat methods. I, for one, have no desire for this war to end; we must guard against accidents..."
"We absolutely cannot lose!"
"If two Kage were to lose as well, it would be far too disgraceful."
"Indeed..."
The Second Tsuchikage's composure held up reasonably well, though his gaze darkened slightly. "Just... make sure you don't drag me down..."
***
"..."
Emiya Shihara remained silent, offering no reply.
These two fellows...
Really were rather shameless!
The Second Mizukage wanted to launch a simultaneous attack alongside the Second Tsuchikage.
Emiya Shihara glanced down at his task commission panel. Because the panel did not merely require defeating the two Kage, it had actually refreshed with three separate commission mandates:
[S-rank Commission: Defeat Mu, the Second Tsuchikage of the Rock Village.]
[S-rank Commission: Defeat Hozuki Mangetsu, the Second Mizukage of the Mist Village.]
[SSS-rank Commission: Quell the First Shinobi World War. Defeat Mu (Second Tsuchikage), Shamon (Second Kazekage), and Hozuki Mangetsu (Second Mizukage), the initiators of the First Shinobi World War, and compel them to willingly and wholeheartedly end this conflict.]
Was this...
Derived from an assessment of the overall situation?
Emiya Shihara had previously noticed the system's commission generation mechanics.
For instance, during the Nine-Tails Incident in Konoha, tasks would refresh based on the circumstances; according to the system's judgment, his ability to defeat the three Kage similarly meant he possessed the capacity to end the war.
Emiya Shihara could only accept one commission at a time for the moment, and he prioritized the mission involving the Second Tsuchikage, Mu.
There was a very high probability that this task would reward him with the Second Tsuchikage's Bloodline Selection—Dust Release.
This was a bloodline limit Emiya Shihara had never found the time to integrate. The destructive power of Dust Release was terrifyingly immense, and even in the state of the Impure World Reincarnation, it could unleash super-enhanced might. Emiya Shihara certainly hoped to secure this task reward.
Even though he would have to fight them simultaneously, defeating the Second Tsuchikage first might leave him enough time to claim the subsequent commission.
Emiya Shihara pondered for a single second, glanced at the war-ending commission listed on his task board, and offered them a suggestion:
"Shall we invite Lord Shamon, the Second Kazekage of the Hidden Sand Village, as well? Perhaps that would save us further trouble."
"..."
Astonishment flickered simultaneously across the faces of the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, and the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Mangetsu.
Surely it wouldn't... come to that?
Though it actually seemed quite likely.
After all, the Sand Village was hardly known for keeping to itself in the ninja world.
No...
Wait...
Did this ancient medical ninja truly believe he possessed sufficient strength to resolve the Kage of three separate villages?
Or perhaps...
Did the man genuinely wish to bring a complete end to the war?
After all...
Konoha's Second Hokage and the Hidden Cloud Village's Second Raikage desired no continuation of this world war; the Second Raikage was busy in the Land of Lightning preparing an alliance ceremony with the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
The ones truly wishing for this war to continue were solely the Second Tsuchikage Mu of the Rock Village, the Second Mizukage Hozuki Mangetsu of the Mist Village, and the Second Kazekage Shamon of the Sand Village.
Therefore...
When the news reached them...
The Second Kazekage, Shamon, immediately gave his consent.
"Lord Shamon..."
Chiyo, a jounin of the Sand Village, felt compelled to remind him what participation in this wager signified: "Legends of Lord Emiya have been passed down through generations in the Land of Wind. Lord Emiya once helped our ancestors cast off the grips of disease and lethal poison..."
"Even today, the people living in the desert realm continue to use the antidotes left behind by Lord Emiya to treat scorpion venom..."
"Should they learn that Lord Shamon has entered a wager targeting Lord Emiya..."
"The war must continue!"
Shamon, the Second Kazekage, cared little for his own reputation. Possessing a cold and distinct personality, he had no desire whatsoever to see his subordinates question his orders: "If the Rock Village and Mist Village halt their advance, the Sand Village will never again have an opportunity to reap profits from this war!"
"As long as this wager fails..."
"We might even forge an alliance with the Rock and Mist villages, tear up our previous humiliating treaties, and unite to launch an assault on Konoha!"
The Second Kazekage knew that if the Rock and Mist villages withdrew from the conflict, the Sand Village could no longer fish in troubled waters either. He, too, hoped that the Kage side would emerge victorious in this wager that would determine the conclusion of the World War.
"Win or lose alike..."
"If we win, then in order to liberate Lord Emiya's soul, we shall declare war upon that deceitful Second Hokage of Konoha, Senju Tobirama!"
"Should we lose the wager..."
The voice of the Second Kazekage, Shamon, suddenly quieted down, his mindset seemingly turning peaceful. "After all, it is a war that the Lord desires to end. If we submit to his will, the Land of Wind will hold no further grievances against the village, and even the past faults of our defeat will no longer be pursued..."
"To tell the truth."
The Second Kazekage's gaze drifted down to the Kazekage hat in his hands. "In this era, wars between ninja villages claim thousands of casualties. Only Lord Emiya, a figure from the ancient past, commands the prestige to attempt ending a war through such a peaceful method..."
"Whether we lose or win..."
"Neither our village nor our country will harbor any objections..."
"Perhaps..."
"The Mist and Rock villages feel the same..."
The wind grew somewhat turbulent.
Yet within the wind of the Land of Grass lingered a faint scent of blood.
This small nation was a battlefield. For some time, ninja from the major villages had continuously probed and assassinated one another, so the presence of blood in the air was hardly strange.
When the Second Kazekage, Shamon, arrived, expressions of satisfaction appeared on the faces of the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, and the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Mangetsu, for they knew they had gained an ally.
Though Emiya Shihara's method of choosing to end the Shinobi World War was somewhat risky, if Emiya Shihara were to lose, the Second Kazekage would inevitably join their wartime alliance. The scale of the war would instantly expand, pitting the wartime alliance of the Rock, Mist, and Sand villages against the peace alliance of Konoha and Cloud!
This wager instantly drew the onlookers of a great crowd of ninja.
Aside from the ninja of the Sand, Rock, and Mist village guard units, even the opposing factions of Konoha and Cloud had dispatched shinobi.
"Cloud has already prepared the alliance ceremony..."
A, the Raikage's bodyguard from the Hidden Cloud Village, stood alongside the Konoha ninja.
This bodyguard possessed no personal name, for he was destined to succeed as the future Third Raikage and would inherit the mantle and name of past Raikage.
Due to his formidable strength—which was already believed by some to have surpassed the Second Raikage—he had been dispatched to the front lines of the war.
The future Raikage stared at the group of figures in the arena, speaking in a deep voice, "If this wager fails, we shall have to commence joint operations..."
"The Hokage-sama has already departed on his way to attend the alliance ceremony."
The Konoha ninja present was Sarutobi Sasuke, whose heart could not help but sigh with emotion: "If peace can be achieved through such a method, nothing could be better..."
"Who do you suppose will win?"
"It should be Lord Emiya."
Sarutobi Sasuke held considerable confidence in Emiya Shihara, having once witnessed with his own eyes how Emiya Shihara had effortlessly pacified the rampaging Nine-Tails.
Though...
There had been an element of clever maneuvering involved.
Still...
Emiya Shihara's combat prowess could hardly be weak.
Because he had spent long years walking the path of healing the sick and saving lives, people always subconsciously overlooked his strength, as if strength—whether great or small—was of no consequence to him.
"However..."
"If those Kage lose..."
The future Third Raikage harbored some skepticism regarding their credibility. "Will they truly honor the agreement? After all, the people of the Rock Village have always cloaked themselves in a reputation of honor while acting craftily and deceitfully..."
"Would they dare break an agreement made with Lord Emiya?"
A surging fighting spirit welled up on Sarutobi Sasuke's face. "If they truly dare to do so, Konoha's ninja will genuinely fight to the death without hesitation to uphold Lord Emiya's honor. Not a soul shall be permitted to trample upon it!"
"..."
The future Third Raikage found himself at a loss for words.
After all, the matter of Konoha desecrating Lord Emiya's soul did not sound particularly righteous, though he knew Emiya Shihara cared little for such trivialities. Ultimately, however, these matters were bound to be weaponized by others.
However...
They would soon have no need to worry about this wager.
For the person truly presiding over the duel had finally made his appearance.
He was someone no one had anticipated, yet someone everyone could have guessed, for he was the one who had accompanied Emiya Shihara all the way to the Land of Grass.
Boom!
An arrogant figure draped in red armor dropped into the center of the arena!
Countless times throughout the ninja world, this figure had appeared; his visage had long since left deep scars and indelible, lingering terror in the hearts of the world!
Uchiha Madara!
Perhaps only Uchiha Madara could guarantee the execution of the promised peace!
Though when Uchiha Madara had been invited by Emiya Shihara to preside over the wager, he had desperately hoped to challenge the three ninja villages himself, caring not a whit how many opponents came forward...
Yet both Emiya Shihara and the Kage of the three villages deemed a wager amongst themselves far more fitting. In fact, Mu and Hozuki Mangetsu both privately felt that Uchiha Madara's proposal was altogether too terrifying...
Compared to the danger posed by Uchiha Mangetsu—no, Uchiha Madara...
The ancient Emiya Shihara seemed remarkably weak and easy to bully.
"Hmph..."
"Your luck is not bad..."
"To actually induce Lord Emiya to end the war through such a method..."
Uchiha Madara looked down with disdain upon the Second Tsuchikage, Second Mizukage, and Second Kazekage, a cold sneer forming at the corner of his mouth. "Aside from the deceased Hashirama, the only person left in this world capable of defeating me is Lord Emiya..."
"!!!"
The Second Tsuchikage's heart sank.
The expressions of both the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Mangetsu, and the Second Kazekage, Shamon, altered instantly, for they had been completely unaware of this intelligence!
Though during the conflict when Emiya Shihara was resurrected via the Impure World Reincarnation in Konoha, a clash had erupted that left Uchiha Madara's retreat looking somewhat less than graceful, Emiya Shihara's identity had remained a closely guarded secret at the time...
Disaster...
Had they perhaps...
Picked an opponent even more troublesome than Uchiha Madara?
"It is not as you think."
Emiya Shihara took the initiative to halt their wild speculations, explaining, "At that time, your condition was simply overly depleted; your power naturally surpasses mine..."
"Hmph..."
Uchiha Madara let out a satisfied chuckle, his gaze remaining haughty as he looked toward the Second Tsuchikage and the others, while offering a completely heartfelt praise of Emiya Shihara: "While I would dearly love to accept Lord Emiya's compliment without modesty, I still lack sufficient confidence to do battle with him. I am not nearly as blindly confident as these three..."
Indeed.
Uchiha Madara truly lacked confidence.
Although Emiya Shihara's Impure World body fell far short of his peak strength, whenever Uchiha Madara recalled the vast soul dwelling dormant within that vessel, he still felt uncertain of victory against Emiya Shihara.
Still...
There was no need for them to fight.
Emiya Shihara's desire for combat was far too low, and his demeanor and words failed to stir any fighting spirit in Uchiha Madara anyway; defeating him would bring no joy.
To challenge a medical ninja...
Especially a medical ninja possessing only a fraction of his lingering power...
If word got out...
Would such an act not be utterly disgraceful!
Especially when some people had actually joined forces to challenge such a medical ninja!
"This wager..."
"Is waged for the sake of a fleeting peace in the ninja world."
Uchiha Madara held little fondness for the Kage of the three villages, his opening words instantly causing their veins to bulge in irritation. Yet he remained entirely oblivious, continuing on at his own leisure.
"Should Lord Emiya emerge victorious over the Kage of the three villages, the Rock, Mist, and Sand villages shall withdraw from the war. Should any break that promise, it shall be a direct challenge to my honor..."
"In the name of the Tsuchikage, the Rock Village will not break its promise."
The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, immediately gave his consent.
Though this Second Tsuchikage cared little for deceit and falsehoods, he could not afford to violate an agreement made with Emiya Shihara—not to mention the presence of the god of slaughter, Uchiha Madara, supervising right here...
"In the name of the Mizukage, the Mist Village will not break its promise."
The Second Mizukage, Hozuki Mangetsu, raised his finger, shedding his usual unruly demeanor.
"In the name of the Kazekage, the Sand Village will not break its promise."
The Second Kazekage, Shamon, raised his finger as well, his voice exceptionally solemn.
"In the name of Emiya Shihara."
Emiya Shihara raised his finger, gazing calmly upon his three opponents across the field.
"Likewise."
Uchiha Madara looked down at the three Kage, his voice chilling. "Should Lord Emiya fall in defeat during this battle, he shall no longer interfere in this war, nor shall he side with any faction. However, Lord Emiya shall establish a medical camp outside the battlefield to provide medical treatment and care to all severely wounded soldiers who can no longer fight..."
"..."
A flash of astonishment swept across the faces of all the ninja present.
At this very moment, the ninja gathered in the Land of Grass numbered over ten thousand strong, with shinobi from all five great nations having arrived successively.
When the Rock Village announced that Emiya Shihara had been resurrected and exploited via Impure World Reincarnation, they had merely learned of the ancient ninja's return as if it were a bedtime story.
At this moment...
They all heard Uchiha Madara's words.
A murmur of discussion rippled through the assembled ninja, for such a deed seemed thoroughly thankless, and they simply could not fathom why a person would constantly seek out such arduous acts of salvation.
The medical ninja among them, however, held a crystal-clear attitude toward Emiya Shihara. They understood his character better than anyone else—those traces of his existence crossing millennia that still lingered across the world, those medical ninjutsu still actively in use.
"Because..."
"He is a medical ninja."
"Enduring the sufferings the world cannot bear, delivering those trapped in endless agony—this is the will of a medical ninja, this is the shinobi way of a healer!"