Chapter 229
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Kyomu had no intention of accepting the "abdication" from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. As the victor, it was normal for him to display some pomp.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire understood this, carrying the seal representing authority, and escorted by the nation's guardian ninjas, he set out for the Land of Dragons.
At the same time, a team of dragon ninjas led by Kakashi, Might Guy, and Obito set off from Ryugakure to meet the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
The dragon ninjas held their heads high. Although they had once left, they now returned as victors to take over the Land of Fire.
The Land of Fire would become a thing of the past, and the Land of Dragons would rise as the new great nation in the ninja world, and the strongest one at that.
Of course, they understood that this journey wouldn't be smooth, as the Daimyos of the four great nations would surely send their ninjas to obstruct them.
A great battle was inevitable.
However, the Ryunin were fearless, led by "Godly Spear Kakashi," "Blue Beast Might Guy," and "Kamui Obito."
With these three leading the charge, the dragon ninjas could confidently say they could traverse the ninja world unimpeded. Even if they stumbled, they had the strongest man in the ninja world, Kyomu, backing them.
There was no need for fear!
As both teams set out, a white figure suddenly appeared in Kyomu's office.
"Lord Ryukage."
"I thought you'd send a spore clone to deliver the message," Kyomu said, looking at the revealed White Zetsu. "Aren't you afraid?"
"Lord Ryukage, you jest. You said last time that as long as our cooperation remains intact, you wouldn't harm any members of the Akatsuki."
"Heh, you sure have a clear understanding." Kyomu's legs rested on the desk. "Did you get what I asked for?"
"Yes, but the quantity is small." White Zetsu placed a sealing scroll on the desk. "There are only seven pairs of Byakugan."
"Leave it here." Kyomu spoke lightly, as if the Byakugan meant nothing to him. "What is the current state of Konoha?"
"It's in ruins. Even if they are unwilling, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire has already surrendered. What reason do they have to resist?"
The remaining Konoha ninjas wanted to fight to the death, but the Daimyo of the Land of Fire had already capitulated.
Kyomu grinned, "It's amusing to think about, but what choice do they have?"
"Lord Ryukage, we are still gathering intelligence. After all, only four days have passed, and the surviving Konoha ninjas are still conducting rescue operations."
Nodding, Kyomu asked, "How many survived?"
"Not many civilians, less than one in ten. Under our leader's attack, about seven hundred ninjas survived. Stronger than some medium-sized ninja villages, but compared to their former strength, it's a vast difference. Konoha is finished."
"I see. You're dismissed."
"Then Lord Ryukage, I will..."
"Wait." Kyomu stopped White Zetsu. "Tell Nagato to lay low for a while. I'll notify him when it's time to act."
White Zetsu nodded and vanished using the Mayfly Technique.
Once the office was empty, Kyomu sat upright, propping his chin with one hand, a smile playing in his eyes.
"Minato, what will you choose?"
Minato Namikaze had only two choices.
One was to follow Kyomu's example and establish a new faction with the remaining Konoha ninjas.
The other was to obey the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, joining the Land of Dragons and becoming Kyomu's subjects.
Minato leaned towards the latter.
Over the past few years, he had seen many things and realized that Kyomu's path was the right one.
Overthrowing the power structure of the ninja world would bring short-term pain, but the future of the ninja world would be bright. As for failure, Minato had once doubted it, but now, he had no doubts at all.
Kyomu had become very strong, and his comrades had also demonstrated their strength. The Land of Dragons had firmly established itself and would have a stable period of growth.
Years later, when Kyomu and his comrades reached adulthood, who in the ninja world could hold them back? "Shikaku, I plan to integrate us into Ryugakure. What do you think?"
"We..." Shikaku glanced around at the blank eyes of the surrounding Konoha ninjas. "Agree."
What else could they do?
Follow Kyomu's example? Don't joke around; they would die miserably without making a ripple.
The times had changed.
"Chief Hiashi, what about the Hyuga clan?" Minato asked Hiashi.
"Agreed." Hiashi had no hesitation.
If the Hyuga clan didn't join Ryugakure, they would be devoured by others. The Byakugan was not like the Sharingan; it was truly plug-and-play with almost no restrictions.
Minato nodded and continued to ask the other Konoha clans.
Overall, 90% of the surviving Konoha ninjas agreed to join Ryugakure, feeling no pressure, as if they were returning to their roots.
But some chose to refuse.
Those who refused were either former enemies of Kyomu or those tired of the ninja profession.
One thing was certain: those who made this choice would likely live in hiding, leading secluded lives.
Everyone had their own ambitions, and Minato did not force them.
After unifying most opinions, Minato embraced Kushina, "Kushina, I'll go to Ryugakure to find Kyomu. You handle the remaining rescue work."
"Okay." Kushina nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "Jiraiya-sensei and Naruto have been missing for days. Can you go to Mount Myōboku to ask..."
"I can't go." Minato's eyes were cold. "I'm no longer a summoner of Mount Myōboku. I can't go there or summon them.
And...Kushina, don't mention Jiraiya again."
"Minato, what about our child?" Kushina grabbed Minato's sleeves, her tears falling on his hands. "Why did he do this? Why?"
"No matter why he did it, I will find our child, and I'm sure Kyomu will help us." Minato patted Kushina's hair. "After we settle these people, we'll search, okay?"
"Okay."
Kushina nodded, sobbing in Minato's arms.
Minato's heart ached, and he had completely severed ties with Jiraiya. If they met in the future...
Their mentor-disciple relationship could be ignored. They would inevitably be enemies!— The Daimyo of the Land of Fire's convoy did not pass through Konoha.
He was like a clay Bodhisattva crossing a river, no longer concerned with many things.
The Daimyo now only cared about his fate.
In two days, the Ryunin led by Kakashi successfully met with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
"He's really rich." Obito looked at the convoy loaded with gold and cash. "Did he bring everything he could?"
"Good attitude." Kakashi's voice was calm, but the smile under his mask was evident.
"Lord Kakashi, Lord Obito, Lord Guy, I'll leave the rest to you."
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire was very humble, not caring about his dignity.
Could dignity be eaten or save his life?
Kakashi and the others were surprised, raising their eyebrows at this new Daimyo.
Falling from the lofty position of a Daimyo to such a state and still maintaining the right mindset was unexpected.
Nodding, Kakashi signaled, "Let's move out."
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire sighed in relief, lowered the curtain, and sat back in the carriage. Kakashi and the others diligently guarded the carriage, while the remaining Ryunin took over the duty of guarding the convoy carrying the treasures.
During the journey, someone's gaze was restless.
"Sarutobi Asuma." Kakashi naturally recognized him. "What do you want?"
Coldly meeting Asuma's gaze, "If you don't want to, you can leave now. But if you want to continue the feud, I can accommodate you right now."
Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning!
Without a word, Asuma suddenly erupted, spitting out a large amount of high-temperature ash towards Kakashi.
Extend, Yukihime!
The blade in his hand extended, sparkling with lightning, meeting the high-temperature ash head-on.
Eight Gates, Gate of Shock, Open!
Simultaneously, Might Guy entered battle mode, blue steam rising from his body. With a single step, he reached Asuma's side.
Steel Fist!
A straight punch slammed into Asuma's ribs, moving as fast as lightning.
Obito didn't idle either, his eyes turning into Mangekyō Sharingan, a spatial ripple flashing.
But Obito's target wasn't Asuma; it was the other guardian ninjas beside him.
Kamui: Combined Ninja Art: Storm Dance!
Spiraling flames surrounded the remaining guardian ninjas, moving swiftly and covering a wide area. The high temperature could melt steel and even consume the surrounding air, causing suffocation.
Kakashi, Guy, and Obito attacked simultaneously, and the twelve guardian ninjas protecting the Daimyo of the Land of Fire were immediately overwhelmed.
Moreover, Haku, Kimimaro, and Kisame also launched attacks on Asuma and the remaining guardian ninjas.
In an instant, the sky lit up with lightning and fire, with ice spikes, bone whips, and kunai flying, covering the defiant ninjas, including Asuma, in a dense barrage of attacks.
Crack.
Might Guy's straight punch broke Asuma's ribs, and with his speed, he delivered a swift roundhouse kick.
Crack.
It hit Asuma's chin, sending him flying into the air.
Whoosh.
At the same time, Haku's ice spikes pierced Asuma's chest, in perfect coordination with Guy.
Splat.
The extended blade broke through the high-temperature ash, its tip mercilessly stabbing Asuma's forehead, the impact sending him flying far away, pinning him to the ground.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
Asuma's only attack before his death was blocked by Kisame's water barrier, and Kakashi didn't even need to move.
Whoosh! Obito's combined Fire Release compressed the other ninjas into a small space, forcing them to work together to resist.
Kakashi withdrew his arm, the blade retracting, its length unchanged. Kakashi manipulated it, sweeping it sideways in a fierce attack.
Boom.
The raised Earth Release defense was like paper, the blade cutting it in half without any hindrance.
Swipe.
Kakashi retracted his arm again, the blade returning to its original length, the blood droplets on it flicked clean.
Casually wiping the blade with his arm, Kakashi sheathed it.
Thud.
"Leave two people to clean up, the rest continue moving." Kakashi coldly ordered, paying no heed to the dead Asuma.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire kept wiping sweat with a handkerchief.
From the start of the commotion to the end of the battle, not even three seconds had passed.
The twelve guardian ninjas he had relied on were defeated so easily...
"My choice was right, it was right..." He mumbled while wiping sweat, not daring to lift the curtain.
...
Meanwhile.
"Retreat!"
Led by Akatsuchi, the Iwa ninjas quickly fled, not even looking back, shocking the ninjas from the other three great villages.
So decisive?
Not even a thought of fighting?
Akatsuchi didn't care. He knew at a glance that his team of Iwa ninjas was no match for Kakashi and the others.
Even with the addition of the other three great villages' ninjas, it was futile.
Kakashi, Guy, and Obito had grown stronger, firmly reaching Kage level.
A guard team led by three Kage-level ninjas, who would dare challenge them? Seeking death wasn't this simple; hadn't they seen the twelve elite guardian ninjas unable to last three seconds?
"Retreat!"
The other three great villages' ninjas also began to retreat, abandoning any thought of challenging Kakashi and the others.
"I thought they would charge." Obito wiped the blood tears from his eyes. "Especially since the twelve guardian ninjas attacked first."
"Just scared mice." Kakashi shook his head. "Ignore them. Our priority is safely escorting the Daimyo of the Land of Fire back to the Land of Dragons."
"Two moves, you wiped out the twelve guardian ninjas!" Haku suddenly spoke, "Kakashi, you're amazing!"
Kakashi felt embarrassed, while Obito turned away, holding back laughter.
Kakashi, didn't expect you'd have a day like this!
(End of Chapter)