At the coastal border of the Land of Fire.
Countless large ships lined the shore, with Kiri-nin slowly boarding them, preparing to leave the Land of Fire temporarily.
Once they were far enough away, Konoha's ninja would be unable to pursue.
"Mizukage-sama, the main force has assembled and is aboard the ships. Shall we depart?" A Kiri-nin asked, approaching Yagura.
"Yes, set sail." Yagura said calmly.
"What about the other Kiri-nin, Mizukage-sama?" Another ninja asked.
"The remaining Kiri-nin." Yagura said evenly, "will be part of our negotiations with Konoha for reparations. That won't change. For now, we return to the Kirigakure and begin discussions with Konoha."
"Yes, understood, Mizukage-sama." The ninja replied.
The ships gradually left the shore, heading toward their homeland, the Land of Water. Their strategy to invade Konoha had failed completely.
Not long after the Kiri-nin departed, countless Konoha ninja arrived at the coast, watching the ships fade into specks on the horizon.
"They're really fleeing." Tengen said, observing the distant vessels.
"But Tengen, this is a great victory for us. We've captured hundreds of Kiri-nin. I believe the Kirigakure won't let them go easily." Minato said with a smile.
In this campaign, Konoha had taken at least several hundred Kiri-nin prisoners, a devastating number for any ninja village.
Some of them were even Jonin.
"I'm sure Yagura and the others will soon come to Konoha to negotiate peace." Tengen said with a faint smile.
"I believe so too." Minato nodded.
If Yagura and the returning ninja saw the devastation Tengen had wrought, they'd likely rush to make peace, unwilling to risk another attack from him.
"Then let's clean up the battlefield and send word of this to Hokage-sama." Minato said.
"Alright, Minato, you handle that." Tengen replied.
"Haha, why do you always push everything onto me?" Minato laughed.
"Minato, you know I'm still a kid." Tengen said.
"A kid now, huh? You don't act like one normally." Minato teased.
"Kushina, let's go tidy up the battlefield." Tengen said, stretching lazily before heading off.
"That kid." Minato said with a wry smile, left to handle the aftermath. After all, by actual age, Tengen was indeed a child.
Several hours later.
The main cleanup of the battlefield was nearly complete. Kiri-nin who had been hiding were captured by Konoha's forces.
While further searches would continue, the major tasks were done.
From the captured Mist Jonin, Konoha confirmed that the Kirigakure's retreat was indeed tied to Tengen's actions.
Tengen had single-handedly destroyed the Kirigakure.
The Konoha Jonin grew more shocked as they learned the details.
Tengen hadn't spoken of how he destroyed the Kirigakure, so this was their first time hearing the full story.
What stunned them was that Tengen hadn't used the Mangekyō Sharingan or Wood Release but instead wielded some form of Fire Release and swordsmanship.
With Fire Release, he summoned dozens of sky-piercing fire pillars, which, upon erupting, reduced the Kirigakure to ruins.
Such Fire Release ninjutsu surpassed even the capabilities of Wood Release.
Could this Fire Release be a new Kekkei Genkai? Konoha's ninja wouldn't be surprised if Tengen had developed another one.
After all, he already possessed two legendary Kekkei Genkai: the First Hokage's Wood Release and the Uchiha clan's Mangekyō Sharingan.
Another Kekkei Genkai wouldn't be far-fetched.
But a Fire Release of this magnitude, nothing like it had ever been seen in their minds.
Even if it wasn't a Kekkei Genkai, it was an extraordinarily powerful ninjutsu.
Then there was the single strike that killed the manifested Six-Tails, equally shocking. Tengen's swordsmanship must have reached the level of his full-powered Susano'o to achieve such a feat.
Otherwise, obliterating a Tailed Beast in one blow would be impossible.
The killing of the Hōzuki clan member caused less surprise, as it was "just" A single ninja.
But for some Konoha Jonin, it was still astonishing. The Hōzuki clan's Hydrification Technique made them notoriously hard to kill, yet Tengen's single thrust left no trace of the body, not even water remained, only dissipated ash.
The final revelation was equally staggering: Tengen could revive the dead, summoning them like monsters from hell to attack the Kiri-nin.
Each deed added to the growing halo around Tengen's name.
Word of how Tengen destroyed the Kirigakure spread quietly.
The Konoha ninja's gazes toward Tengen grew increasingly reverent.
As Tengen walked the battlefield, the Konoha ninja cleaning up addressed him respectfully as "Tengen-sama."
Many began calling him the Black Emperor of Konoha, a title that evolved into "Black Emperor Tengen." The Emperor of Konoha.
For now, this was merely a nickname circulating on this battlefield.
"Tengen-sama destroyed the Kirigakure with a single move!"
"That's nothing. Tengen-sama slew the Six-Tails with one strike, that's the real feat!"
"You call that impressive? The Hōzuki clan, said to be immortal, was wiped out by Tengen-sama with one slash!"
"That's not even the best part. Tengen-sama can summon the dead to fight for him!"
On the ruined battlefield, Konoha ninja buzzed with discussion.
Tengen wasn't just Konoha's pride, he was their pride.
Meanwhile, an urgent report reached Konoha, arriving at the Hokage's office.
***
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