Chapter 283 Konoha Surrenders

Nara Shikaku stood in the center of the hall of the temporary headquarters, staring at everything in front of him. His eyes stayed on the blood-stained Anbu ninja. The once familiar and resolute face now looked so haggard and tired. The atmosphere in the hall was heavy and depressing, the air was filled with the smell of blood and gunpowder, and traces of fighting could be seen everywhere. After countless fierce battles, there were only a few people left, and every survivor's face was filled with sadness and despair.

The ANBU ninja reported the situation intermittently, "The Sarutobi clan... the Yuhi clan... the Shimura clan... the Mito clan... the Utane clan... all wiped out."

These familiar names were spoken one by one from the ninja's mouth, like heavy hammers hitting Nara Shikaku's heart. His eyes gradually became deep, and countless memories with these families emerged in his mind. He knew that the enemy's attack this time was not only to destroy Konoha's defense line, but also to destroy Konoha's core strength - those ninja families who once followed the Third Hokage.

Another voice whispered in his ear. It was a Nara clan ninja who entered the Anbu and reported in a low voice: "Clan leader, we, the Yamanaka, Akimichi, Hyuga... these clans did not encounter too many attacks."

Nara Shikaku felt bitter in his heart, and finally understood the enemy's strategy. The enemy was using the means of division to win over a group of families on the one hand, and completely eliminate the families close to the Third Hokage on the other. A deep sense of powerlessness surged in his heart. The ninjas of the Third Hokage's line must die, and the rest can only be allowed to surrender and survive.

He looked at the injured ninjas in the hall. Akimichi Choza stood silently by the side, his face full of grief and anger, his clenched fists showing that he was trying to suppress his inner emotions. Choza's eyes revealed an undisguised disappointment and resentment. He whispered to Shikaku: "We can't just give up like this, we have to keep fighting."

Yamanaka Inoichi paced angrily, his eyes full of helpless anger. His voice was low and firm, "Shikaku, we can't bow to the enemy. The will of the Third Hokage and Konoha is still there. We can't abandon him and Konoha."

Nara Shikaku was struggling in his heart. He knew that the price of continuing to fight would be the sacrifice of more people. But surrendering was also a betrayal. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. The decision in his heart was like a war without the smoke of gunpowder.

At this time, another Anbu ninja hurried over and brought even more desperate news: "The Third Hokage is dead, and Master Jiraiya has been captured."

The hall suddenly fell into silence. Everyone stopped their actions and focused their eyes on the ANBU ninja. Akimichi Choza's face turned pale in an instant, his fists clenched, and he said in a trembling voice: "No... Impossible..."

Yamanaka Inoichi pounded the wall angrily, tears flashing in his eyes. He growled, "This can't be true... How could the Third Hokage..."

The injured ninjas also showed expressions of shock and grief, and the whole hall was filled with a deep sense of despair and powerlessness. Kakashi, who was lying on a stretcher, had a blank look in his eyes after hearing the news, and muttered to himself: "Third-generation... Hokage... Lord Jiraiya..."

Nara Shikaku closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew he needed to make a decision at this moment. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at everyone in the hall with a determined gaze, finally stopping at Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi.

“Zuo Ding, Haiyi…” His voice was low but full of power, “We must admit that the enemy’s strength is far beyond our expectations. Continuing to fight will only lead to more unnecessary sacrifices.”

There was a flash of pain in Akimichi Choza's eyes, but he did not refute, but just lowered his head and remained silent. Yamanaka Inoichi's face was still full of anger and unwillingness, but he also understood that the current situation was not optimistic.

"For the sake of Konoha Village and those innocent villagers, we can't blindly sacrifice any more lives." There was a hint of sadness in Nara Shikaku's voice. "I, Nara Shikaku, have decided to surrender."

The entire hall fell into a dead silence, and everyone looked at Nara Shikaku silently. No one objected, and no one agreed, they all knew that this might be the best option at the moment.

Kakashi lay on the stretcher, with a complex look in his eyes. He clenched his fists and whispered to himself: "We...will have a chance..."

Nara Shikaku walked to the center of the hall, took a deep breath, and announced loudly: "In order to protect the future of Konoha, we have decided to surrender. Everyone, lay down your weapons and stop resisting in vain."

The injured ninjas put down their weapons one after another, their eyes showing deep helplessness and despair. Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi also slowly loosened their clenched fists. They knew that at this moment, Konoha Village had reached a turning point in its fate.

Nara Shikaku was still struggling in his heart, but he knew that he had made his choice. Perhaps, this was the only chance they could get for Konoha Village. He turned and looked at his companions who had fought alongside him, his eyes full of gratitude and apology.

"We didn't betray Konoha's will." Nara Shikaku whispered, "We just wanted more people to survive."

The hall was silent, and everyone silently accepted this fact. They knew that the road ahead might be more difficult, but as long as there was hope, they would continue to move forward. Even if they surrendered, it did not mean giving up, but to seek a new beginning, so that they could stand up again and fight for Konoha one day in the future.

Nara Shikaku stood in the middle of the hall and took a deep breath, his heart filled with mixed emotions. This moment will be forever engraved in everyone's memory. No matter what the future holds, they will shoulder this heavy responsibility and continue to move forward for the future of Konoha.

"For the future of Konoha, we choose to surrender. But our will will not give in. In the future, we will fight again!" Nara Shikaku's voice echoed in the hall, firm and powerful.

Nara Shikaku stood in the middle of the hall, silent for a while. He knew very well that he had one more thing he hadn't said: in the future, the target of the battle would be other ninja villages.

He was in a heavy mood and motioned everyone to stay here while he prepared to go meet the enemy this time. Everyone wanted to stop him, but Nara Shikaku's majesty and determination made them dare not object.

"You all stay here. This is an order." He scolded sternly, his voice full of unquestionable determination.

Nara Shikaku left the temporary command post and walked into the battlefield. His eyes were calm, but his heart was filled with complicated feelings and thoughts. The scene around him was shocking. The once prosperous streets of Konoha Village were now full of ruins, and the former tranquility was replaced by war and death. The air was filled with a strong smell of blood and gunpowder, and the pungent smell made him frown.

He walked across the battlefield step by step, his eyes scanning the surrounding scene. His former companions fell in a pool of blood, with expressions of pain and unwillingness on their faces. A deep sorrow surged in Nara Shikaku's heart, but he forced himself to remain calm. For the future of Konoha, he had to meet this enemy and understand their true intentions.

Along the way, Nara Shikaku encountered some enemies who were wearing the same uniform and had cold and ruthless eyes. To his surprise, these enemies did not attack him and even ignored his existence. This abnormal behavior made him more convinced that there was a very powerful military strategist in the enemy camp who could accurately control the battle situation and even give precise command to the enemy's behavior.

In Nara Shikaku's heart, vigilance and uneasiness are constantly intertwined. The enemy's strength and strategy are far beyond expectations, and Konoha Village's resistance is almost collapsed.

As he gradually approached the enemy's command center, the enemies around him became more and more numerous, but they still did not take any hostile actions against Nara Shikaku. This scene made him feel even more uneasy, but it also aroused his curiosity deep in his heart. Who is the other party who can control the entire battle situation so accurately?

Finally, Nara Shikaku arrived at the enemy's command center. To his surprise, he was greeted by Orochimaru. The familiar and cold face shocked him. Orochimaru was once one of Konoha's three ninjas, with great talent and wisdom, but he also betrayed Konoha because of his pursuit of power. Now, he stood in the enemy's camp, with a cold and proud light in his eyes.

"Welcome, Shikaku." Orochimaru's voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of sarcasm and teasing, "I didn't expect that we would meet under such circumstances."

Nara Shikaku took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. His eyes were firm and he looked directly at Orochimaru without flinching, "Orochimaru, our Konoha Village has decided to surrender, but I need to know your true intentions."

Orochimaru's smile deepened. He slowly walked towards Nara Shikaku, with a hint of coldness in his eyes, "Real intention? Shikaku, you should understand that everything we do is for a new order. Konoha's decay and decline requires a thorough baptism, and I am the one who will bring you new life."

Nara Shikaku could no longer suppress the anger in his heart, but he tried to suppress his emotions. But now was not the time to act on impulse, "New order? Orochimaru, your so-called new order is just to satisfy your own ambitions and desires. The ninjas of Konoha Village will not give in easily."

Orochimaru smiled slightly, with a hint of coldness in his eyes, "Shikaku, times have changed. You conservative ninjas will never understand the arrival of a new era."

Nara Shikaku clenched his fists, his eyes showing an unyielding spirit, "No matter what you do, Konoha's will will not be destroyed. We will look for light in the darkness and continue to fight for the future of Konoha."

Orochimaru's smile remained the same, and he slowly said, "Your impression of me is still so deep, Shikaku."

But deep down in his heart, he felt a deep sense of loneliness, but fortunately, he, Orochimaru, finally found someone who shared the same ideals as him.