With the strategic failure of the Land of Earth at Kannabi Bridge and the death of the Earth Daimyo, the most intense front of the Third Shinobi World War had finally reached a turning point.
Technically, this should have been a golden opportunity for Konohagakure to launch a counter-offensive against Iwagakure. However, Hiruzen, the shinobi of Konoha, and the villagers alike were all mired in a deep-seated anti-war sentiment. Consequently, after driving a large number of Iwa shinobi out of the Land of Rain, Konoha halted its external military operations.
Sunagakure also managed to stabilize its situation. Thanks to Konoha securing Kannabi Bridge, Iwagakure was forced into a strategic retreat, preventing the Sand from being completely crushed.
At this point, all five Great Shinobi Nations had entered a state of effective stalemate.
Kumogakure had lost the Third Raikage. Iwagakure had lost its Daimyo. Kirigakure's surprise attack plans had been dismantled, and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were essentially rendered obsolete. As for Sunagakure, they were mere supporting players in this conflict.
Konoha, though geographically surrounded by four nations, held a total advantage in the war, yet they showed no desire for further aggression.
Based on his memories, Diarmuid had initially assumed the war would end quickly once Kirigakure stirred up one last bit of trouble. However, Kakuzu and Sasori, judging by their years of experience in past conflicts, predicted that this stalemate would last at least another year. If things didn't go smoothly, it could even drag on for two or three.
During such periods, the Five Great Nations often clung to their pride. No one wanted to be labeled the "defeated nation." Usually, even when everyone knew who had lost, the final document signed wasn't a surrender treaty, but a so-called "Peace Agreement." This had been the recurring outcome of the previous two Great Wars.
The point of this stalemate was to force that result. It was a game of: "We won't admit defeat; keep fighting if you dare." Since everyone was wary of overextending, no one launched large-scale operations. They simply lingered until everyone was bored and exhausted. Once the war had effectively ended in spirit, they would sit down to discuss the matter of "Peace."
Furthermore, while large-scale battles ceased, the Five Great Nations continued to pull strings and play dirty in the shadows. Kirigakure's upcoming interference was likely born of this calculation.
This assessment caught Diarmuid somewhat off guard. His judgment of shinobi warfare was based on general impressions; he couldn't be certain of the exact date the Third Shinobi World War ended in reality. Thus, he was inclined to believe Kakuzu and Sasori. Perhaps, in the grand scheme, it did end after the Mist's interference, but that "interference" might not happen for another year or two.
Regardless, Diarmuid realized this war had little to do with him. After Kakuzu and Sasori left to attend to their own affairs, he packed his things and headed toward Konoha.
Indeed, Diarmuid had finally decided to visit that famous landmark of the shinobi world. He felt as though he would have come all this way for nothing if he didn't see it. At the same time, he reflected on his own state of mind. Ever since arriving in this world of ninjas, his mentality had been slightly off-balance.
On one hand, there was the excitement of a second transmigration, coupled with a lack of belonging that manifested as a certain "malice" toward this world. On the other hand, his wariness of the "cheaters" (the god-tier powerhouses) of this universe had made him feel rushed and overly focused on quick gains.
The intersection of these two mindsets had made him restless. Restlessness is an enemy of growth. Upon realizing this, Diarmuid decided to adjust his pace.
First, he needed to stop being so profit-driven and hurried. To truly master the strengths and powers of this world, he had to first experience and integrate into it. Only then could he achieve his goal of transcending it.
He hadn't been in the shinobi world for very long, yet he had already acquired the Mangekyō Sharingan and Wood Release, killed the Third Raikage and the Earth Daimyo, and established a mysterious organization with Orochimaru. It was all too rushed. He had a mountain of "loot" that he hadn't truly made his own or digested. What was the point? It felt like he was just satisfying a collection hobby.
With this new mindset, Diarmuid began his journey through the Land of Fire.
As an S-Rank international criminal, Diarmuid didn't bother hiding his identity. He remained as flamboyant as ever, wearing his signature haori-hakama embroidered with a "Descending Tiger" landscape. He carried his exquisite ivory and jade-inlaid tobacco pipe and wore the cursed blade Kokorowatari at his waist, adorned with jade pendants. He looked every bit the noble scion of a warrior house.
He had seen his wanted posters on the gates of several cities along the way. To be honest, the portraits only bore about a thirty percent resemblance to him. Furthermore, while the name "Diarmuid" was a household name, everyone knew an outlaw by that name had killed the Daimyo, most people had no real mental image of him. It was like knowing a famous fugitive's name but not their face; even if they imagined someone, the image was likely influenced by local stories rather than reality.
Consequently, Diarmuid walked the streets openly without being recognized. His journey remained entirely peaceful.
…
Tanzaku Quarters.
Despite its name, it wasn't just a single street. It was a bustling, historic town that even housed a villa for the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
Its geographical advantage was significant. To the north lay the most famous official temple in the country, the Fire Temple. The temple practiced Buddhism, a faith that held a strong influence over the Land of Fire and the entire shinobi world. Many ninjutsu concepts were derived from Buddhist culture.
The Senju Clan, for instance, had deep ties to the faith, donating regularly to the temples. Even the "God of Shinobi," Hashirama, was fascinated by Buddhist culture. While not exactly a "devout believer," his research into it was so deep that many of his techniques were named after Buddhist deities. The high-ranking nobles of the Land of Fire, including the Daimyo, were largely "general practitioners" of the faith.
As the highest-ranking temple in the country, the Fire Temple boasted immense fame, massive crowds, and a host of powerful monk-warriors. Diarmuid recalled that the temple would later produce a formidable man named Chiriku, a friend of Sarutobi Asuma and a member of the Twelve Guardian Shinobi, though he would eventually be killed by the "immortal duo" of the Akatsuki, Kakuzu and Hidan.
Slightly southwest of Tanzaku Quarters was the largest "village" in the Land of Fire: Konohagakure. To the northwest, one could reach the vicinity of the Land of Fire's Daimyo Castle. Thus, Tanzaku Quarters served as a vital "transfer station." People from all directions passed through in a never-ending stream, including merchant caravans from other nations.
As Jiraiya had mentioned in passing during their chat, Tanzaku Quarters was incredibly prosperous because of this traffic, and its most famous attractions were its numerous gambling dens.
Diarmuid lingered in Tanzaku Quarters for four days, drifting between the casinos. Don't misunderstand, he had no interest in gambling. He was simply checking if "fate" was on his side. If he was lucky, he might run into the legendary "Legendary Sucker."
Among Konoha's "Three Great Treasures" (the Sannin), Diarmuid was already allied with Orochimaru. Jiraiya, that busybody, could be considered a "friend" of sorts. Only Princess Tsunade remained a mystery to him.
Diarmuid was genuinely interested in Tsunade for many reasons. She was of noble birth, incredibly powerful, and most importantly... she was "legendary" in scale.
Moreover, Tsunade was currently in a miserable state. She had lost her brother and her lover, and had developed a severe case of hemophobia. As a "righteous" former Marine Admiral, Diarmuid felt a "kind-hearted" urge to offer her some salvation. Sacrifice the small self to complete the great self, as they say.
Alas, fate was not on his side. After four days of scouring every gambling den in town, there was no sign of the Legendary Sucker.
"Figures. Stories are all lies. Who says you're guaranteed to see a celebrity just because you come to Tanzaku Quarters?" Diarmuid muttered as he headed toward the town's southwest gate. He was ready to leave for Konoha.
As a major hub, and with the war cooling down, Tanzaku Quarters was crawling with shinobi wearing Konoha headbands. Most were escorting merchant caravans or protecting important figures.
The war had taken its toll; many nations, including the Land of Fire, were dealing with an influx of refugees. Since the Land of Fire sat at the center of the continent with long borders touching many small nations, refugees flooded in. Some of these desperate people eventually fell into banditry, preying on passing merchants in the mountains. Consequently, the security environment was poor, and most caravans hired shinobi for protection.
At the southwest gate, most caravans were bound for Konoha. They tended to group together for safety as there are strength in numbers.
Diarmuid had little interest in these groups until he spotted a somewhat familiar figure. Looking at the surrounding wagons, he confirmed it: this was the caravan of the Hyuga Clan, one of the great noble houses of the shinobi world!
The wagons bore the Hyuga crest, a fan-like pattern containing a flame.
The caravan was clearly led by a man who looked relatively young, likely in his late twenties. He had the signature Byakugan, and he wore a simple, old-fashioned haori-hakama in a dull grey-brown, unlike Diarmuid's flashy attire.
Crucially, his exposed forehead bore no Caged Bird seal. From this, Diarmuid deduced that this man had to be the current head of the Hyuga Clan... Hiashi Hyuga.
Wait a minute.
You're the head of one of the Three Great Noble Clans... why are you personally escorting a merchant caravan?!
At this age, Hiashi didn't yet possess the heavy, solemn aura of a clan patriarch seen in the later stories. Perhaps because he hadn't yet experienced the tragedy regarding his brother, Hizashi, his personality seemed quite open. From a distance, he appeared very approachable, chatting amiably with members of other caravans without any "noble" arrogance.
After a moment's thought, Diarmuid walked over. He waved toward the group and said casually, "Are you all heading to Konoha? The roads aren't very safe lately. Mind if I hitch a ride?"