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Chapter 645: The Influence of the Second Ninja God
Chapter 645: The Influence of the Second Ninja God
"We were originally engaged in battle with the Iwagakure forces led by Oomizu, but suddenly a mysterious figure clad in black and possessing the three-tomoe Sharingan appeared..."
Muyu briefly recounted the encounter he and his disciples had earlier that day.
He did not go into detail about the battle, only mentioning that the suspected Uchiha Madara was adept in fire-style jutsu and then giving a simple description of the colossal Susanoo.
"Uchiha Madara, could it really be him?" Even though Mu Yue was the one reporting, Jiraiya's first reaction was still skepticism.
Because this news defied common sense.
The one who had brought news of Uchiha Madara's death was no other than the Ninja God, the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. It was Hashirama himself who declared that he had killed Madara.
Could Hashirama have lied? As a Konoha ninja, Jiraiya found it hard to believe that the First Hokage would have any reason to deceive them.
Hashirama's reputation and achievements needed no embellishment; he stood at the very pinnacle.
So, could it be that Hashirama deliberately let Madara go, not wanting him to be pursued and killed by Konoha, and thus claimed to have ended his life?
That didn't seem likely either. Madara had vowed to destroy Konoha, and for Hashirama, who was the Hokage, this was an unforgivable crime.
Take Jiraiya himself as an example; even if Tsunade declared her intention to destroy Konoha and stood against the village, when the mission to eliminate her reached his hands, he would still carry it out despite the pain it caused him.
Not because Tsunade was unimportant to him, but because Konoha meant more to him than anything else.
Jiraiya couldn't believe that Hashirama, the founder of Konoha, would fall short of him in their love for the village.
However, Jiraiya thought carefully, and if this Uchiha wasn't Madara, then he really couldn't think of anyone else it could be.
Even without Mu Yue describing the battle in detail, Jiraiya could tell from his somewhat disheveled appearance that his opponent had been no ordinary foe.
There was definitely no one in the Uchiha clan of Konoha who possessed such strength at present.
"Mu Yue, let me take a look at the body," Jiraiya said after some thought.
He had never seen Uchiha Madara in person, but he had seen his portrait.
Mu Yue nodded and unfurled a scroll, releasing Madara's body from it. He had already removed Afi's corpse beforehand.
Looking at the wrinkled and sagging face, Jiraiya paused for a moment.
This person looked too old; he couldn't reconcile this image with that of the formidable Uchiha Madara who had once rivaled the Ninja God.
However, Jiraiya did not immediately dismiss the body's identity. The fact that this seemingly aged individual had managed to push Mu Yue to such limits was a testament to his strength.
"I'll report this to the higher-ups," Jiraiya said, turning his gaze from the body to Mu Yue. "In the meantime, it's best if you refrain from leading any more missions for now."
Regardless of who this body was, one thing was certain: there were still hidden forces keeping an eye on Konoha.
Mu Yue nodded in agreement.
Both he and his disciples had reaped considerable benefits from this encounter; taking some time to organize their gains and readjust their mental states would be advantageous.
...
Ten minutes after Mu Yue and his group had left, several Iwa-nin quietly arrived at the battlefield, which was now unrecognizable due to the extent of the destruction.
They were the squad left behind by Oomizu to gather intelligence. After witnessing the disappearance of the blue giant from a distance, they believed the battle had likely concluded and thus came to investigate.
When the Iwa-nin laid eyes on the state of the battlefield, they couldn't help but draw in sharp breaths.
The ground was riddled with pits and craters of various sizes and depths, some exceeding a hundred meters in width, resembling the footprints of a colossal beast.
The Iwa-nin navigated this startling landscape, where rocks and soil were intermixed, forming a treacherous path of obstacles. Scorched vegetation was scattered everywhere, and thick layers of ash covered the withered branches and leaves, bearing witness to the relentless wrath of the flames.
Soon, they came across charred, narrow trenches and patches of bluish flames still burning on the ground, yet to be extinguished.
"Could humans have caused such destruction? Those two really went overboard," the Iwa-nin couldn't help but exclaim as they took in the battle's aftermath.
Even without witnessing the clash between Mu Yue and the suspected Madara firsthand, the extent of the devastation spoke volumes about the combatants' power. The term "strong" hardly seemed sufficient to describe them; they were monsters.
"It's hard to determine which side emerged victorious based on this alone," the Iwa-nin captain furrowed his brow.
Mu Yue and the suspected Madara were both incredibly powerful, and it was unclear whether Madara was an ally or foe. However, Mu Yue, a Konoha ninja, was undoubtedly an enemy of Iwa.
If Mu Yue had won, then their options were limited to either retreating and awaiting reinforcements or returning directly to the Land of Earth.
With their current numbers in the Land of Grass, they stood no chance against the Konoha ninja forces. Mu Yue alone could surround a thousand-strong ninja squad, and Jiraiya was also a formidable opponent.
On the other hand, if Madara had emerged victorious, it might present an opportune moment for Iwa to strike.
"Captain, we haven't found any Konoha ninja corpses here, but we did discover the bodies of our own Iwa-nin," one of the Iwa-nin reported to his captain after a thorough search of the area.
The captain's brow furrowed even deeper. This was not good news; it essentially confirmed that Konoha had come out on top.
If Madara had won, he wouldn't have had any reason to leave the bodies of the Konoha ninja untouched while ignoring those of Iwa.
"Continue searching," the captain ordered.
Konoha's victory didn't necessarily mean that Mu Yue had won as well. It could have been a mutual destruction, or both sides could have sustained heavy losses and retreated together.
Soon after, they discovered traces of Konoha's evacuation, indicating that a significant number of Konoha ninja had survived.
After half an hour of fruitless searching, the Iwa-nin captain led his squad back to the Iwa forces' camp, where he reported their findings to Oomizu and Retsuseki.
"Was it Yu Han Muyu who won, or the mysterious figure in black?" Huang Tu asked urgently.
"The existing intelligence cannot confirm which side emerged victorious, but the likelihood favors Yu Han Muyu."
The Iwagakure Jonin relayed his firsthand account of the battle.
Huang Tu and Lie Shi each posed several questions to the Iwagakure Jonin, who promptly excused himself after providing satisfactory responses.
"I believe we ought to retreat to the western border," Huang Tu voiced his opinion. "That mysterious figure clad in black, who stood at over eighty meters, left an indelible impression on me."
"Indeed." Lie Shi nodded in agreement. "The sheer magnitude of their combat capabilities, coupled with the vast range of Wood Style ninjutsu at their disposal, is unfathomable."
Previously, Lie Shi had been driven by ambition to ascend the ranks of the Iwagakure hierarchy. However, ever since his near-fatal encounter with Jiraiya, his aspirations had tempered considerably.
"Preserving our lives takes precedence," Lie Shi acknowledged. "I've already attained a respectable level of success and recognition."
Having decided on their course of action, Lie Shi proceeded to communicate their decision to the Iwagakure leadership, requesting authorization from the Tsuchikage.
Retreating to the western border of the Grass Country was within their discretionary powers. However, the decision to withdraw entirely from the Grass Country or to persist in their offensive against the Fire Country's border rested solely with the Tsuchikage and the Iwagakure's upper echelons.
In the Land of Earth, Oonoiki swiftly perused the intelligence report from the frontlines.
Halting midway through the report, Oonoiki set it aside, meticulously verifying its authenticity before concluding that it was, indeed, an urgent missive from the frontlines and not some ninja novel draft.
"Yu Han Muyu wields Wood Style ninjutsu, capable of instantaneously generating a forest. A mysterious figure in black intruded upon the battlefield, unleashing a Susanoo that towered over eighty meters in height... "
Oonoiki's expression reflected astonishment, perplexity, and concern as he tented his fingers and rested his elbows on the desk.
Through a unique experience, he was acquainted with the Susanoo ability, recognizing it as the prowess of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan.
"A Uchiha assails the Leaf forces... Does this signify another Uchiha coup d'etat? Coups, however, ought to target the higher echelons, not the troops on the front lines."
Oonoiki ruminated, struggling to decipher the Leaf Village's enigmatic circumstances.
"Nonetheless, the more pressing concern revolves around this Yu Han Muyu. How did he come to possess Wood Style ninjutsu, and why has his prowess skyrocketed so abruptly?"
Oonoiki didn't dwell excessively on the enigma of the black-clad figure's motives for attacking Muyu. Presently, his priority was to unravel the intricacies of Muyu's persona.
The Muyu of yore was undeniably exceptional, surpassing the bounds of mortal limitations. However, the Muyu before him now exhibited a strength that far exceeded the realm of human comprehension, coupled with the mastery of an overwhelmingly potent Wood Style.
Even Huang Tu, who believed the enigmatic figure in black could effortlessly annihilate a thousand-strong ninja force, might have met his match in Muyu.
"Is the Leaf Village about to birth another Senju Hashirama?" Oonoiki's countenance darkened considerably. "I'd rather witness the emergence of two more Sarutobi Hiruzen than witness the rise of another Senju Hashirama."
Oonoiki harbored no illusions about his own capabilities. Alongside his mentor, the Nidaime Tsuchikage, he stood a chance against Sarutobi Hiruzen. However, if their adversary were to be Senju Hashirama, he could only foresee certain death.
Senju Hashirama was not merely formidable; he was an agent of qualitative change in the balance of power. During his tenure as the Fire Country's leader, the ninja realm experienced an extended epoch of peace due solely to Senju Hashirama's inclinations.
"In light of these circumstances, instruct the Iwagakure forces to temporarily bivouac at the western border." After a contemplative pause, Oonoiki summoned an Iwagakure ANBU and issued directives. "Additionally, dispatch reconnaissance squads to ascertain Yu Han Muyu's status—whether he lives or breathes his last."
Should Muyu be mortally wounded, Oonoiki would willingly exchange the lives of the entire Iwagakure contingent for Muyu's survival.
The emergence of another Senju Hashirama within the Leaf Village would pose a threat that far outstripped the perils of two thousand ninja forces.
"Also, activate our spies within the Fire Country. I require the latest battlefield intelligence and insights into the Leaf Village's internal affairs." Oonoiki continued issuing directives.
He entertained suspicions regarding the Uchiha clan's involvement, and he intended to exploit Muyu's intelligence opportunely to conspire with other major ninja villages in a joint offensive against the Leaf Village.
A solitary strike, irrespective of its magnitude, couldn't be deemed an alliance. However, a formal pact forged through mutual agreements would ensure their collaboration extended beyond mere battlefield convenience.
"I don't wish to gamble on Muyu's temperament. Senju Hashirama is a rarity among ninjas, and in such a scenario, the prudent course of action is to refrain from taking chances."
"Furthermore, I suspect the other prominent ninja villages share our aversion to the prospect of the Leaf Village birthing another Senju Hashirama." Oonoiki's words carried weight. "In the absence of Senju Hashirama, we could consider ourselves peers. However, with his presence, the Leaf Village's might surpasses that of a superior ninja village, not merely a grand one."
In the Land of Fire, within the Hidden Leaf Village...
In the Hokage's office...
"Third Hokage, this is the intelligence that just arrived from the Grass Country battlefield." The reporting ANBU member said.
Hearing that the report was from the Grass Country, where Mu Yue had gone to support Jiraiya not long ago, Sarutobi smiled slightly. He expected that this was good news.
However, after perusing the details of the intelligence, Sarutobi's expression shifted from surprise to grave seriousness.
Technically speaking, it was indeed good news, but not in the way he had envisioned.
Knock knock.
"Uchiha Madara..." Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the wooden desk.
Danzo's message before his death had led him to believe that Uchiha Madara might have an heir. But the intelligence revealed that the Uchiha ninja killed in Grass Country was not an heir, but possibly Uchiha Madara himself.
So, was the "Uchiha Madara" involved in Danzo's death the same person Mu Yue had killed? Sarutobi thought it highly probable.
Given that Uchiha Madara would have had a grudge against Danzo, it was only natural that he would target Mu Yue as well.
The current Mu Yue was truly the "Hope of Konoha," and her loss would deal a severe blow to the entire village.
As for whether the ninja Mu Yue had slain was the authentic Uchiha Madara, Sarutobi had no means of verification.
Unlike Jiraiya, who had only heard tales of him, Sarutobi had even witnessed the devastation at the Valley of the End shortly after the battle. Logically, Uchiha Madara should have perished.
Yet, here they were, and Sarutobi was increasingly inclined to believe that Hashirama might not have truly vanquished him in the past, considering Uchiha Madara's former strength.
"If only I had been present at the battle site."
Sarutobi recognized Uchiha Madara's chakra, and had he been there, he could have confirmed the person's identity.
"Inform Jiraiya to hold his position for now and dispatch a reconnaissance squad to monitor Iwagakure's response." Sarutobi summoned an ANBU member and issued his orders.
He yearned to see Uchiha Madara's body with his own eyes, but the timing was inopportune.
It wasn't safe enough to have the body transported to Konoha, and neither Jiraiya nor Mu Yue could abandon their posts at present.
Recalling Jiraiya would cause Sarutobi to fret over Mu Yue's safety, and if Mu Yue were recalled, it might jeopardize the border defense.
Due to Uchiha Madara's surprise assault, it was highly likely that Iwagakure had already learned about Mu Yue's prowess.
Sarutobi wanted to discern Iwagakure's ensuing move. If they chose to retreat, he would recall Mu Yue. However, if they augmented their forces and persisted with the war, Sarutobi would personally lead a squad to aid Mu Yue, aiming to crush Iwagakure decisively.
Currently, they held a large number of Kiri captives, and it seemed probable that Kirigakure would acquiesce to a peace treaty.
If they faced only Iwagakure and Kumogakure, Konoha wouldn't be at a significant disadvantage.
Day after day, an eerie atmosphere permeated the Ninja World.
On the southeastern battlefield, the Kirigakure forces had been vanquished and taken captive, while the Iwagakure forces had withdrawn to the border near the Earth Country.
The once-fierce battles involving Konoha abruptly ceased, leaving the Sand Hidden Village perplexed about the sudden cessation of hostilities.
Owing to the swiftness of Mu Yue's triumph, not only were other villages oblivious to the situation, but even Kirigakure itself remained unaware that Mugi Yakushi had endured a crushing defeat and been captured until Konoha approached them for peace negotiations.
The Third Mizukage was dumbfounded. He had intended to utilize Wave Country as a staging ground to amass a thousand-strong ninja reinforcement for Yakushi. However, before the reinforcements could fully assemble, Yakushi had been defeated and captured without so much as a whisper.
The Third Mizukage was even ignorant of the cause of Yakushi's defeat, as he had previously bested a Konoha high-level ninja squad led by a Konoha elder.
Even though the Third Mizukage regarded Yakushi as his prospective successor, he still felt a profound sense of dissatisfaction with him on this occasion.
Not only had Yakushi himself been defeated and taken captive, but half of the accompanying ninja forces had shared the same fate, amounting to utter annihilation.
"What are your thoughts on the peace treaty proposed by Konoha?" The Third Mizukage queried the Kirigakure elders, his gaze sweeping across them.
The Kirigakure elders exchanged fleeting glances, and for a moment, no one dared to voice an opinion, not even Genma.
It was a delicate situation. If they consented to the treaty, they wouldn't merely be unable to exact revenge, but they'd also have to compensate Konoha, resulting in a substantial loss of face.
However, if they refused, Konoha held over a thousand Kiri captives.
These captive ninja effectively encompassed the entire web of connections within Kirigakure. If they spurned the treaty and Konoha, out of desperation, decided to execute all the captives, Kirigakure would likely descend into pandemonium, if not outright internal strife.
Even setting aside the other factors, these thousand ninja captives constituted a formidable force in their own right.
The Third Mizukage wore a hint of displeasure, and just as he was about to speak, there was a knock on the door of the meeting room.
"Come in," the Third Mizukage said indifferently.
A Kirigakure ANBU member entered the room and swiftly approached the Third Mizukage, whispering, "Third Mizukage, we've received word that an Iwagakure ninja has arrived in our village."
"An Iwagakure ninja?" The Third Mizukage found this somewhat peculiar.
Although Kirigakure and Iwagakure weren't presently engaged in hostilities, their relationship was far from amicable.
(End of Chapter)
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