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The commotion at the Kiri camp couldn’t be ignored. Homura and Koharu immediately sent Shinobi to investigate.
The Konoha Shinobi who arrived were stunned by the sight. A massive chasm split the earth, the ground stained with blood.
“What happened here?”
One of them asked in a daze.
“How should I know? But remember that black warrior we saw earlier? I think it’s related.”
They had seen Shin’s Perfect Susanoo from the Konoha camp.
“Regardless, this is good news for us. Let’s report back.”
The scouts returned to Homura and Koharu.
The two elders were silent. They had seen the black Susanoo; they knew what it meant.
The other Konoha Shinobi might not know, but they did. It was the Susanoo.
And it had appeared in the Kiri camp. They could imagine what had happened to Kiri.
“Homura, do you think it’s related to Uzumaki Shin?”
Koharu asked.
Hiruzen and the other Konoha higher-ups knew Shin had the Sharingan. After all, he had used it to control Shukaku. News traveled fast.
“That’s impossible. Uzumaki Shin couldn’t be that strong,” Homura frowned.
They didn’t want to believe Shin was that powerful.
They couldn’t accept that an eleven-year-old could be so strong. They were jealous.
“Regardless of whether it was Uzumaki Shin, the threat of Kiri is gone, isn’t it?” Homura said.
He was relieved.
“We should still send someone to investigate,” Koharu said, unconvinced.
Homura agreed. They had to make sure Kiri had truly retreated.
…
Three days later, they confirmed Kiri’s withdrawal. And they received another piece of news: the Third Mizukage was dead.
Even Homura and Koharu were shocked. The Mizukage, killed? The news spread throughout the Shinobi world.
No one knew exactly how he died or who killed him, but it was undoubtedly related to Konoha.
Some had already guessed the culprit, such as the Third Kazekage, Chiyo, and Hanzō.
Others scoffed at the Mizukage’s death, claiming he was simply too weak.
And some saw it as an opportunity. Kumo, for example, considered taking advantage of the chaos in Kirigakure.
But the Third Raikage ultimately decided against it.
The Land of Water was overseas. Kumo didn’t have much information on Kirigakure. A rash attack could be costly.
“Shin, you killed the Mizukage, but no one seems to know.” Kushina said.
“Why would I want them to know? What’s the point?” Shin didn’t care. It might be a claim to fame, but he wasn’t interested in fame.
“Let’s pack up and head back to Konoha,” Shin said.
“Return to Konoha?”
Kushina and Mikoto were surprised. They thought he would say they were going to the Amegakure front.
“Yes, back to Konoha. It’s the Sandaime Hokage’s order.”
Shin showed them a letter from Hiruzen, ordering him to return to Konoha for a break.
“The Sandaime Hokage is being kind?” Kushina said, surprised.
“He probably has ulterior motives. But whatever. If he wants me back, I’ll go back.”
Shin was tired of the battlefield. The living conditions weren’t exactly pleasant.
The remaining Kiri Shinobi fled back to the Land of Water. Homura and Koharu led the Konoha forces back to Konoha, and Shin and his team followed, bringing Shukaku with them.
Shin couldn’t just leave Shukaku behind. He was planning to use it as leverage to gain something from Hiruzen.
Perhaps he could use Shukaku to gain access to Konoha’s Forbidden Scroll. Hiruzen probably wouldn’t refuse.
Shukaku was useless to Shin, but it was valuable to Hiruzen.
It took them a few hours to reach Konoha. The battlefield had been close to the village.
“Finally back. But Konoha seems a bit deserted.”
Shin observed the streets. The village was much quieter than before.
The villagers’ faces were grim. Their loved ones were fighting on the battlefield; how could they be happy?
“Yeah, the atmosphere is heavy,” Kushina agreed.
“Konan, what do you think of Konoha?” Mikoto asked.
Konan had been looking around curiously since they arrived. Kushina found her behavior familiar. She had been the same when she first came to Konoha.
“It’s much better than the Land of Rain,” Konan said.
Konoha might be a bit gloomy now, but compared to the war-torn Land of Rain, it was paradise.
“Let’s go home, Konan.” Shin smiled and led Konan towards the Senju compound.
The Senju compound was even quieter than before. Shin didn’t see a single Senju.
They must all be on the battlefield.
They arrived at their small courtyard. It was overgrown with weeds, and the house was covered in dust. They would have to clean up before they could settle in.
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