Shinho planned to face Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the ultimate antagonist, only after reaching Rank 6 and achieving absolute strength.
After all, she was bound to trigger an achievement, and the reward would certainly be an Immortal Gu, a prize he had no intention of missing.
Several minutes later, Shinho deactivated his Mystical Palm Technique.
Most of the wounded from both Konoha and Kumogakure had recovered, though a small number of severely injured shinobi would need further surgery at the hospital.
"Set up camp here and rest," Shinho ordered after surveying the area. "We'll return to Konoha tomorrow morning."
The battle had taken place at night, and it was now the dead of night. Everyone was exhausted from fighting for hours, making overnight travel unsuitable. Moreover, there were still injured individuals who needed rest. Staying for the night was the best option.
"Yes!"
Anko quickly began directing the Konoha forces to set up tents.
On the Kumogakure side, Mabui took charge of their arrangements.
The only complication was the battlefield itself. The fierce clashes between Shinho, Killer B, and the others had left the terrain riddled with craters and hazards.
But for shinobi, such obstacles were minor. The Earth Release users from both villages quickly created a flat, stable surface.
"Lord Hokage," Mabui approached Shinho after organizing Kumogakure's forces.
"What is it?"
Shinho's gaze fell on her dark-skinned face. Paired with her white hair, she possessed a unique charm.
"How are Samui and Yugito doing?" Mabui hesitated before asking.
"You've reminded me," Shinho said, raising an eyebrow. "They're in Otogakure. I'll head there now."
"Can I come with you?" Mabui asked quickly.
Nearly two thousand of Kumogakure shinobi were in Otogakure. She wanted to see their current condition.
"Wait here," Shinho replied, walking over to Konan. He extended his hand, holding a Gu worm.
"What's this?" Konan asked, eyeing the insect curiously.
"Hole Earth Gu," Shinho said, lowering his head and leaning close to her ear to explain its function.
Konan froze for a moment.
The proximity made her acutely aware of his breath, something she wasn't used to.
She had never been so physically close to a man before, leaving her momentarily uncomfortable.
However, the shock of the Hole Earth Gu's strategic utility soon diverted her attention.
"This is practically a game-changer," she murmured, astonished.
"I'll activate it later," Shinho said, turning to leave.
He returned to Mabui's side and placed a hand on her shoulder.
A golden light enveloped them.
Mabui gasped as the scenery around her blurred and rapidly receded.
They were flying through the air at incredible speed, and she felt a wave of vertigo.
Instinctively, she clung to Shinho.
Moments later, they landed on solid ground.
Shinho glanced down at Mabui, who was still clutching him.
Her soft suit pressed against his arm, and her slightly open collar revealed a glimpse of her dark-toned skin.
"…"
Mabui quickly came to her senses and released him.
She didn't have time to feel embarrassed, as the blood-soaked scene before her left her in shock.
Hundreds of Kumogakure shinobi lay lifeless in pools of blood, their bodies scattered across the ground.
She opened her mouth but couldn't find the words.
Despite knowing the horrors of war, seeing so many comrades fallen in one place was unbearable.
"Master!"
Ichikishima-hime ran up to Shinho with enthusiasm.
Mabui turned her head instinctively.
Master?
Her gaze shifted, and she spotted Tagitsuhime and Tashihime nearby, both wearing identical maid outfits.
Her pupils constricted.
What… is going on?
The realization hit her. Shinho was not only a powerful Hokage but also a man of peculiar tastes.
Her earlier suspicions about his character seemed increasingly justified.
"Samui?"
Samui raised her head and froze at the sight of Mabui.
There was no joy in seeing an old friend.
Mabui's presence, escorted by Shinho, meant that the Fourth Raikage's offensive had failed.
Samui had been clinging to a faint hope of Kumogakure's victory, believing that even if she and Yugito were captured, it would have been worthwhile if the village succeeded.
Now, there was only despair.
"Samui!"
Mabui rushed over to her and checked on the unconscious Yugito, relieved to confirm she was still alive.
"Did… we lose?" Samui asked hesitantly, her voice trembling.
Mabui remained silent for a few seconds before nodding.
Samui sank to the ground, trembling as waves of emotion surged through her.
She paid no attention to the physical toll on her body as her mind went blank.
"The Raikage and Lord Killer B were both defeated by… Lord Hokage," Mabui corrected herself, swallowing her pride. "Kumogakure has surrendered."
Samui pursed her lips, her expression tight.
The word "surrender" was entirely foreign to Kumogakure, which was a bitter pill to swallow.
This was likely the first time in Kumogakure's history since its founding.
"What about Lord Raikage and Lord Killer B… how are they?" Samui couldn't help but ask.
"They're fine," Mabui replied with a shake of her head. "Like us, they've only been captured."
"Can you guess his intentions?" Samui asked hesitantly, glancing at Shinho.
Mabui understood who she was referring to.
She hesitated. Could it be that his intentions were influenced by their appearance?
"I'm not sure," Mabui said with a quiet sigh.
"Time to go. Enough idle chatter," Shinho reminded them.
"Lord Hokage," Mabui stood up, bowed slightly, and requested, "Please give me a few more minutes."
"...Fine," Shinho agreed generously.
He understood her intent, it was simply to save as many of the fallen Kumogakure ninjas as possible.
Now that Kumogakure had become part of Konoha, they were all on the same side. A little time didn't matter.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!" Mabui turned to Samui. "Let's check if any more of the Kumogakure ninjas are still alive."
The two women got to work immediately.
Thanks to their efforts, they discovered over a hundred more injured shinobi.
Shinho used the Hole Earth Gu to transport them all to the Konoha camp.
Mabui and Samui exchanged glances, both visibly stunned.
Konoha had a teleportation formation like this?
It was far superior to Mabui's Heavenly Transfer Technique.
And yet, the bitter truth was that Konoha hadn't even needed to use the Hole Earth Gu to defeat them.
"Mabui, come with me. We need to discuss Kumogakure's future arrangements," Shinho said, turning to walk toward the main tent.
"Mabui," Samui instinctively grabbed her wrist, her face full of concern.
"It's fine," Mabui reassured her. "If he wanted to kill us, he wouldn't have waited this long."
"…" Samui froze, unable to argue.
"Keep an eye on Yugito," Mabui instructed, "I'm worried that when she wakes up, she won't be able to handle the situation and might cause trouble."
"I understand," Samui replied seriously.
She knew Yugito's personality well. Now that Kumogakure had completely surrendered, they couldn't afford any reckless actions.
…
"Lord Hokage," Mabui said as she entered the main tent, bowing slightly.
"This is for you," Shinho said, casually tossing her a scroll.
Mabui opened it and was momentarily stunned.
The contents of the scroll outlined the same conditions previously given to Amegakure:
Kumogakure would remain their autonomy but will be limited to fifty active ninjas serving the village at a time.
Kumogakure would retain the right to voice opinions and accept missions.
The Land of Lightning would fall under Konoha's control, but Kumogakure would receive necessary subsidies.
Mabui fell into deep thought, trying to process the implications.
What was Shinho planning?
She couldn't fully understand his motives, but one thing was clear: this Hokage was no Hashirama Senju.
She could see his greater ambition.
With these terms, it was apparent that all five great nations would eventually fall under Konoha's rule.
Would this mean the unification of the shinobi world?
"Oh, by the wat, you don't have the right to refuse," Shinho said, breaking her thoughts.
"What about the remaining Kumogakure ninjas?" Mabui asked hesitantly.
"They'll become Konoha ninjas," Shinho replied with a faint smile.
Mabui considered this for a moment before nodding in agreement.
As Shinho had said, she didn't have the option to refuse.
From her perspective, the arrangement had its merits for Kumogakure.
It preserved their elite ninjas while integrating the others into Konoha, essentially turning them into spies.
Yes.
In Mabui's mind, she believed the ninjas of Kumogakure wouldn't be assimilated so easily.
Given the chance, they could rise again.
"Good," Shinho nodded. "I'll leave this matter to you. I don't want to hear any dissent."
"Yes!" Mabui's heart trembled as she quickly assured him.
She understood the unspoken warning: disobedience would result in death.
"One last thing," Shinho said with a smile. "I've heard a lot about your intelligence. From now on, you and Samui will serve as my secretaries."
"Secretaries?" Mabui froze, stunned by the unexpected appointment.
As the defeated party, it was unthinkable for them to hold any significant position in Konoha.
And yet, here they were, being appointed as secretaries, a role far from peripheral, one with actual power.
Wait!
Why was Samui included?
Realization dawned on Mabui.
Was this arrangement meant to keep them close to him… for convenience?
"Go get some rest," Shinho said with a dismissive wave and a smile, "You'll officially assume your roles once we return to Konoha."
"…"
Mabui hesitated, then finally said, "Understood."
She didn't dare refuse and could only comply.
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