Aoyama Ryuyun, who had already arrived at the Hidden Cloud Village battlefield,
had no idea that he was being dismissed by the infamous Uchiha Madara.
But even if he knew, Aoyama Ryuyun would only smile.
"You can ignore me all you want. When we clash head-on, it'll be a different story if I don't beat you," he thought.
"Liu Yun-sama! This is already the border of the Land of Fire. The Kumogakure ninja led by the Third Raikage are only a few thousand meters away from us!"
"Hmm! Then let's set up camp here."
Aoyama Ryuyun nodded.
This was his first time officially acting as the chief commander and leading the army into battle.
When they faced Sunagakure, it had been Senju Tsunade who served as the commander.
So, Aoyama Ryuyun immediately handed off the complicated logistics to Nara Shikaku.
"Shikaku, I'll leave the details of the camp setup to you."
"Alright, I guess."
What else could he say? Shikaku was helpless.
But with such a straightforward commander, all he could do was sigh and agree.
With someone to handle the details, Aoyama Ryuyun gleefully slipped away.
He originally wanted to check on how Kurenai Yuhi was doing.
Upon arrival, Kurenai Yuhi—like the other ninja—was diligently helping to set up camp.
Don't let her obedient demeanor in front of Aoyama Ryuyun fool you;
deep down, Kurenai Yuhi was strong-willed and proud.
She didn't want others to look down on her just because she came with him.
"Can you stay away from me?"
"Yuhi, we haven't seen each other in so long. I just missed you too much!"
"Sorry, I don't want to see you at all."
Aoyama Ryuyun had just arrived when he overheard the argument.
He tilted his head slightly—and vanished from sight.
At that moment, Kurenai Yuhi stood with an exasperated expression, facing a boy about her age.
Sarutobi Asuma.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had ordered Asuma to stop attending the Ninja Academy.
It was only because of this Shinobi World War that Asuma had the chance to appear on the battlefield.
"Yuhi! I've become stronger. I'll definitely protect you in this war!"
Asuma spoke with a confident look.
Although he hadn't attended the Academy these past few years,
he had received proper training from the Sarutobi Clan.
Now, Asuma's strength was comparable to that of a Chūnin.
After so many years apart, Asuma thought he had forgotten Kurenai Yuhi.
But upon seeing her again, that old affection rekindled stronger than ever.
Unfortunately, Kurenai Yuhi only looked speechless.
"I don't need your protection. Just take care of yourself. I have Liu Yun-gege to protect me!"
What?! You want to protect me? Are we even that close?
"Hmph! Yuhi, you just haven't seen my strength yet. Once you do, you'll—"
"You'll what?"
This time, the voice came from Aoyama Ryuyun.
He casually dropped down from a nearby tree, looking at Asuma Sarutobi with mild amusement.
His eldest son, Shinnosuke, was like this.
And now his youngest son, Asuma, was the same.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was such a hypocrite—yet neither of his sons inherited even that much cunning.
"Liu Yun-gege!"
The moment Aoyama Ryuyun appeared, Kurenai Yuhi's irritation melted away.
She beamed and ran to him.
"Aoyama Ryuyun!"
Asuma's face darkened immediately.
His glare turned sharp, filled with anger.
He had already lost an arm to this man's sword, forcing him to drop out of school.
And now, even Kurenai Yuhi—
Watching her smile so brightly beside Aoyama Ryuyun only made Asuma's rage burn hotter.
"Nice glare. Want to fight?"
Amused by Asuma's defiant eyes, Aoyama Ryuyun chuckled softly.
He raised a hand and rested it on the hilt of his sword, Kureki.
"You…"
Asuma looked fierce, but when truly facing Aoyama Ryuyun,
he couldn't hide the hesitation in his eyes.
He was arrogant, not stupid.
Seeing Aoyama Ryuyun's fingers tighten on his hilt, Asuma froze in place.
"Liu Yun-sama!"
At that moment, the one-armed Sarutobi Shinnosuke quickly stepped between them.
"My younger brother is still young and ignorant. I hope Liu Yun-sama can overlook Asuma's behavior—for Hokage-sama's sake."
"Oh my, oh my! What a smooth talker."
Was Hiruzen Sarutobi supposed to intimidate him with that title?
He'd have to be capable of it first.
"If you'd been this smooth-tongued a few years ago, I wouldn't have just cut off your arm."
I'd have taken your head instead.
"…"
Shinnosuke's face stiffened. He said nothing.
Just then, Nara Shikaku appeared in a flicker of shadow.
Seeing the standoff, he quickly assessed the situation.
But there was no time for this—urgent news had arrived.
"Liu Yun-sama, Hidden Cloud Village has launched their attack!"
"Oh?"
Already?
They really were brutes.
Though surprised, Aoyama Ryuyun remained calm.
After all, the reason he came here was to fight those muscle-headed barbarians from Kumogakure.
What was there to fear?
With a wave of his hand, he ordered Nara Shikaku coolly:
"Assemble the ninja. Go and confront the Kumogakure forces.
They're just a bunch of muscle-brained brutes—nothing to fear."
"Yes!"
The more confident Aoyama Ryuyun appeared, the steadier his subordinates felt.
If even the commander faltered in battle, then the war was already lost.
---
"Raikage-sama, the Konoha side is led by Aoyama Ryuyun—the one they call the Golden Lion. Shouldn't we be cautious?"
At that moment, the Third Raikage—
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