From his conversation with Jiraiya, Shigeo Aburame learned that Konoha's current situation was anything but optimistic.
The Hidden Sand Village (Sunagakure) displayed unexpected resilience, and its puppet master ninja, with their secret techniques, proved to be extraordinarily elusive and troublesome, resulting in significant losses for Konoha.
Of course, the Sand Village was suffering as well.
With a severe shortage of high-level ninjas, Sunagakure was repeatedly infiltrated by Konoha's forces. Numerous decapitation operations sent chills down the spines of the village's leaders.
The upper echelons struggled to protect themselves, leaving the lower-ranking ninjas to fend for their lives.
Especially after Tsunade managed to neutralize the poison that Chiyo prided herself on, the ninjas of Sunagakure, having lost their trump card, could only fight with their lives on the line.
The Land of Rivers, situated between Konoha and the Sand Village, became a virtual "meat grinder" that consumed countless young lives.
The worst news was that the Hidden Stone Village (Iwagakure) also declared war on Konoha around the same time.
These ninjas from the Land of Earth fought with a resolve as unyielding as the rocks of their homeland, displaying a fearlessness in battle that was truly daunting.
Even Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade, the legendary Sannin, were pushed to the brink multiple times in their encounters with the Stone Village ninjas.
Although the Hidden Cloud Village (Kumogakure) and Hidden Rain Village (Amegakure) hadn't formally declared war on Konoha, their movements hinted at looming aggression.
Even smaller villages like the Hidden Grass Village (Kusagakure) and Hidden Waterfall Village (Takigakure) were itching to exploit Konoha's vulnerability and claim a piece of the Land of Fire.
Konoha was surrounded by enemies on all sides.
Upon hearing this news, Shigeo Aburame felt even more assured that his decision to remain in the Hidden Rain Village was the right one.
Of course, he wouldn't say this to Jiraiya.
Instead, he reassured him that he had been taking good care of Konan and that Yahiko and Nagato were working hard for the peace of the Hidden Rain Village.
This was precisely the kind of news Jiraiya wanted to hear.
Having spent three years in the Hidden Rain Village mentoring Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato with painstaking care, Jiraiya naturally wished for their well-being.
Now, knowing they were safe and sound, he relaxed a little, his face showing more smiles.
After chatting with Shigeo for a while longer, Jiraiya, upon noticing that the Great Toad Sage Shima had prepared an all-insect feast, hastily excused himself, claiming his injuries required treatment at the Konoha Hospital, thus ending the reverse summoning.
Meanwhile, Shigeo remained in Mount Myoboku.
He joined the elder toads, Fukasaku and Shima, for the insect feast, then spent the evening drinking and chatting with the toad brothers Gamabunta, Gamaken, and Gamahiro to strengthen their bond.
Before leaving, he didn't forget to offer a large batch of synthesized insect-based ingredients, earning Fukasaku and Shima's praise for his thoughtfulness.
Shigeo modestly credited his peers for making him look good.
In the following years, he frequently found excuses to visit Mount Myoboku, drinking and conversing with the toad brothers.
As their relationship deepened, their vigilance diminished.
Through these conversations, Shigeo learned about Jiraiya's movements over the years and the major battles involving Konoha.
As he had anticipated, Konoha became embroiled in a prolonged stalemate with the Sand and Stone Villages, with the war dragging on for several years.
Seeing Konoha falter, the Cloud and Mist Villages also made their moves.
The Cloud Village attempted to kidnap Kushina Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but their plan was thwarted by Minato Namikaze.
The Mist Village engaged in frequent skirmishes along the Land of Fire's borders, keeping tensions high.
Fortunately, Konoha's strength was formidable.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was in his prime, earning his title of "Ninja Hero."
Konoha's prominent clans, especially the Hyuga and Uchiha, bolstered its defenses with their powerful Kekkei Genkai: the Byakugan and Sharingan.
The Byakugan countered the Mist Village's Hidden Mist Jutsu effectively, while the Sharingan disrupted the Cloud Village's lightning techniques and kenjutsu, neutralizing their speed and skill.
Thanks to these clans, the Mist and Cloud Villages gained little ground, forcing them to bide their time.
---
Years flew by, and in the 39th year of Konoha, the Sand, Stone, and Leaf Villages finally sat down for peace talks. After much negotiation, they reached an agreement, bringing the Second Great Ninja War to an end.
Though the war had concluded, the scars it left behind were far from healed.
Each village's memorial stone bore countless new names, representing a multitude of broken families.
Even the mighty Tsunade of the Sannin suffered devastating losses, losing both her beloved younger brother Nawaki and her lover Dan Kato.
Traumatized, she developed a fear of blood, leaving Konoha with Dan's niece Shizune and descending into a life of gambling and drinking.
---
The respite was brief. The ninja world faced new upheaval when the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure mysteriously vanished.
Following their defeat in the war, the Wind Daimyo reduced the Sand Village's funding, exacerbating internal strife.
Seizing the chaos, the hawkish faction in Sunagakure aligned with the Stone Village, reigniting war against Konoha.
The Cloud Village, always eager for expansion, attacked the Wind Country, forcing Sunagakure to defend its borders.
Meanwhile, the Mist Village launched a series of covert raids, targeting Konoha with the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
With all five great nations embroiled in conflict, the Third Great Ninja War had officially begun.
(End of Chapter)