Chapter 207: 208. Chapter 204: The Mist Hidden Remains Deeply Unfathomable

208. Chapter 204: The Mist Hidden Remains Deeply Unfathomable

In the late June of Leaf Year 52, as the Leaf vanguard arrived, the Mist Hidden's offensive was halted.

To the Leaf's surprise, the Mist Hidden's strength was only weaker, not stronger, than in the previous great war, which let the Leaf breathe a sigh of relief and left those in the Hokage Tower even more puzzled by their intentions.

In early July, the Leaf main forces, led by Hyuga Hiyasu, reached the battlefield; to end the fight quickly, the Jonin squad selected many Elite Forces, and the Leaf ninja clan rushed to impress the newly appointed Hokage to gain more trust and profit, thus voluntarily selecting clan ninjas to join the battle.

The two sides fought for half a month, and upon meeting engaged in fierce melee, the blood once turned the Cloud‑Wave Strait between Fire Country and Wave Country a crimson red.

The brutality made Shisui pause, and after Sima Yi read the battle report, he was puzzled yet still proactively suggested taking troops to command the Eastern Front.

But before Shisui could agree, the entire ninja world was shocked to find that the Mist Hidden, after only half a month of fighting, ran out of momentum, and the territories it had seized while the Leaf was unprepared were swiftly reclaimed by the Leaf.

Within the next half month, Mist Hidden ninjas lost any foothold on the continent and were forced to retreat into the homelands of Wave Country and Whirl Country.

This scene left all factions stunned, and the previously scheming Cloud Hidden and Rock Hidden instantly abandoned any thoughts of looting the fire.

"What useless trash!"

On an island of the Eastern Front, Obito, aware that the Mist Hidden had largely withdrawn from the continent, muttered low.

Jue, poking his head out from the rocks at his feet, asked cheerfully, "The Mist Hidden seems unreliable, what should we do, keep going?"

"Of course, the Five Great Nations have suffered heavy losses in the war; this is the prime opportunity for the Akatsuki's operation, and we must not give the Leaf any chance to recover."

Obito's eyes lowered slightly, a cold murderous intent flashing within them.

"Then it's up to you, but Nagato doesn't seem willing to cooperate."

"Hmph~"

Obito was unfazed, waving his long robe as his body gradually twisted, "He will agree."

Leaf.

"Lord Hokage, another battle report has arrived; the Mist Hidden's morale is dropping, and their supreme commander seems to be forcing attacks.

But the Mist Hidden's several assaults have been reckless, collapsing at the first touch, showing no fighting spirit; their camps have also seen desertions, and these ninjas landing from two coasts greatly affect the local civilians. Should we send forces to eradicate them?"

Shisui nodded at the words, then shook his head and said, "No rush; those deserting ninjas are secondary. The main issue is the Mist Hidden's main force—are they truly that incompetent?"

Nara Suzaku shook his head; he was also uncertain—by normal logic it shouldn't be so, yet he couldn't explain those guys. Perhaps the current Mizukage is just a child throwing a tantrum.

"Jonin Hiyasu also sent a letter concerning the Mist Hidden war; now the Mist Hidden has retreated into defense, and he is uncertain about their situation, asking whether we should launch a proactive strike to directly eliminate the Mist Hidden ninja army entrenched at the old site in Whirl Country?"

"If we can achieve any result, we can report it to the villagers; for now, prioritize stability and wait for further intelligence before acting."

The Leaf cannot discern the Mist Hidden's situation and truly dares not act rashly.

"Yes, I'll arrange it right away."

"Thank you for your effort."

"Everything for the Leaf!"

After Nara Suzaku left, Shisui summoned Kishi Fumio of the education department.

"How are the ninjutsu studies progressing for this year's graduating batch of students?"

Each graduate can receive one ninjutsu, and outstanding students can receive two; these form the basis for future ninja forces to execute combined ninjutsu, and the renewed outbreak of war forced Shisui to take them seriously.

"These students' talents vary, progress is uneven. Although they have team teachers after graduation, those teachers cannot teach multi‑attribute ninjutsu simultaneously."

"Regular ninjas possess only one or two innate attributes; only a handful can, through training, achieve attribute changes, and those who can are almost all Jonin. Yet the Leaf lacks that many Jonin; only a few prized prodigies are assigned Jonin teachers."

"These people are the Leaf's future; the Leaf needs them. Here's the plan: let the Village fund and issue teaching missions, hire some Chunin proficient in these ninjutsu to teach, so all graduates can study together," Shisui said after a moment of silence.

Kishi Fumio exclaimed, "Lord Hokage, you are wise!"

The Leaf's education leans toward elite training; ordinary students are merely filler, and the Leaf leadership focuses on those with growth potential, such as the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, whose matured self could single‑handedly influence the war's direction.

This educational method is low‑cost, and producing even a single prodigy yields huge returns.

Shisui cannot currently reject this approach; similarly, assigning teachers of varying abilities to students of different grades, all he can do now is try to provide them with some instructional resources, raise the baseline, and let them learn an extra ninjutsu for additional self‑defense.

The ninja clans, though dissatisfied, tolerated the distribution of ninjutsu; this minor issue was not unbearable, especially since the East was still embroiled in a great war, giving them no reason to stop Shisui from strengthening his forces.

In the evening, Shisui relayed the latest Mist Hidden news to Sima Yi, who was very interested.

Since arriving here, he has only dealt with Cloud Hidden and Mist Hidden; Cloud Hidden is easy to understand, but Mist Hidden repeatedly exceeds his expectations.

"You are right; the Mist Hidden's actions are always unexpected, perhaps they have a follow‑up. For now, stabilize the situation and wait for further intel before planning the next step."

Shisui nodded and asked, "Then, how should we handle those fleeing Mist Hidden ninjas?"

"Hahaha, they just want a way to live; why must we annihilate them?"

"Now the Mist Hidden's morale is so unstable; you could try a psychological attack, perhaps gaining something else."

"Psychological attack."

Shisui pondered carefully, then suddenly realized, smiling brightly, "Win hearts, dissolve the will to fight."

"Exactly, but many on the Mist Hidden side likely hold deep grudges against the Leaf; you could draft a separate letter to the East Tower to coordinate actions. With us in light and dark, we might make them serve us."

"Grandfather, truly a god!"

Rain Country.

"The Mist Hidden can't hold on, and the Five Great Nations have become so untenable? It seems Ban is unreliable."

Konan also obtained the results of the Eastern Fire Country war from Rain Hidden ninjas; dark eye shadow cast a hint of gloom over her fair face.

"Girl, speaking ill of others behind their backs is not a good habit."

A deep voice suddenly sounded; Konan, already accustomed to glancing sideways, saw the space beside her warp, and a figure wearing a white tiger mask stepped out.

Konan lowered her gaze, cautiously addressing the person before her: "According to your plan, the Mist Hidden should have entangled the Leaf's main force, but it now appears not to be the case."

Obito ignored Konan and looked at the nearby Tendo Pain, saying directly, "The situation has changed; let Rain Hidden send troops immediately."

"What are you saying? Do you want us to go to war with the Leaf directly? What a joke!" Konan's face changed, her expression flared, and she immediately scolded Obito.

"Konan."

Pain's voice rang out; Konan paused, then silently moved to Pain's side.

Pain continued, "I said that only when the Leaf is locked in a bitter battle will Rain Hidden act, and you have not fulfilled your promise."

Obito let out a light laugh; the exposed single eye flickered with scarlet light.

"I will let Konoha fall into a bitter battle, but you must think clearly: this is our final chance to realize our ideal.

Now the Five Great Nations have all become weakened by war, making this the optimal moment; however, Konoha's Fifth Hokage is Shisui Uchiha, and my incompetent junior, under his leadership, the decaying Konoha is gradually reviving.

I fear that in no time, Konoha will become stronger than before.

The flames of war will still reach the Rain Country.

"It doesn't matter; I am a god. Whether it's Konoha or anyone else, I will handle it myself," Pain said calmly.

Obito paused, gave him a deep look, "As long as you act, those eyes will attract the covetous gaze of the Five Great Nations; then, whether you or the Rain Country, both will be destroyed. Don't underestimate the people of the Four Great Nations."

Xiaonan looked at Pain with some worry; his words were correct—the reason they dared not act directly was fear that premature exposure would invite a siege by the Five Great Nations, and their strength was still insufficient to confront the Five Great Nations simultaneously.

"The Lord of the Fire Country is at odds with the Hokage; the domestic nobles are training ninjas, but Konoha will certainly devise every means to suppress them.

Let Rain Hidden and Mist Hidden simultaneously draw Konoha's attention; as long as Konoha is exhausted and unable to develop, those people will have a chance to grow, and once Konoha descends into internal chaos, seizing the tailed beasts will be easy.

Think it over carefully; there isn't much time left to hesitate.

Obito's body gradually became ethereal, and his deep voice echoed through the dim area.

Xiaonan frowned and gently urged, "This person won't be that kind, we—"

"Xiaonan, Ban is right; whatever his purpose, this is an opportunity."

". I understand now."

Xiaonan sighed, but she would support whatever Changmen decided.

"Have we located Orochimaru's hideout?"

"Found it, in the Field Country."

"Before acting, we still need to expand the organization's strength; I will go personally, this time we cannot let him escape again."

Ever since Orochimaru fled Konoha, they had been tracking him, but Orochimaru seemed uninterested in them, shedding his skin and escaping; Xie even went searching, now staying in Kyoto, apparently having found a more suitable candidate.

"I'll accompany you."

"No need, you stay here and watch the Village."

Pain whispered, then slowly departed.

In Kyoto, ninja battles cannot affect the Lord, and naturally cannot affect the Kyoto where the Lord resides.

However, today's Kyoto is less tranquil than before; coastal nobles have sent many people, who wander daily in front of the Lord's residence hoping to meet the Lord and denounce the Hokage's shameless deeds.

It turns out that after Konoha and Mist Hidden went to war, Shisui seized the opportunity to cut off the coastal nobles' maritime trade; Yan Shifan did not hesitate, immediately found a few nobles to "borrow chickens to lay eggs", taking over those profits.

Other nobles initially thought they were just a few greedy scoundrels, easy to deal with, but unexpectedly the assassins they sent kept losing contact, and even if they united, they could not shake the hidden power.

In the Fire Country, only the Lord and the Hokage can possess such strength.

After they realized, they immediately sent people to the Capital to meet the Lord, but they didn't expect the Lord to be engrossed all day with some Lady Yao Xiang, not seeing them for a whole month—truly infuriating! "Everyone, we have news; Lord Bu Feng has taken the money, and today there will be a result."

Inside the inn, the few who had endured finally got their chance, all wearing delighted expressions.

Bu Feng truly is a subordinate of He Ma, handling matters with money; that afternoon the few received a summons from the Lord.

When the few entered the main hall, they saw the Lord with a gaunt face and dark eye bags; they were startled, then quickly bowed, and after receiving the Lord's permission, they explained the matter.

However, they also understood the Hokage's importance, speaking very politely; to be blunt, perhaps the Hokage has the Lord's approval, but they are unsure, and if it's a misunderstanding they hope the Lord can forgive.

Recently the Lord has been obsessed with women, but his mind is still sound and knows what he wants.

"I never ordered a coastal blockade; perhaps someone impersonated the Hokage and acted privately. You need not concern yourselves; I will clarify with the Hokage."

"Yes, thank you, Lord under the crown!"

The few were delighted and repeatedly expressed gratitude.

After the few left, the Lord composed his expression; he knew this was the Hokage's order issued without his consent, but it didn't matter—those money had nothing to do with him, and the deeper the conflict between the two sides, the better.

"Lord, we have located Tokugawa Sō of the West Mountain Path; he's just a minor noble, but recently suddenly became wealthy, secretly fostering many ninjas, and often claims to be—"

Amid contemplation, a ninja suddenly appeared on the stage to report.

"What is it?"

"He is a descendant of the gods, the true master of this land, saying you are a usurper of the country."

A cold glint flashed in the Lord's eyes; he waved his fan, and the person, understanding, immediately withdrew.

Before Konoha was established, the Fire Country's land comprised multiple nations and several lords, but they were fortunate, being the first to ally with the Senju, so now only one Fire Country remains.

He has heard of many people with restoration ambitions like this; with ample experience, he naturally would not be lenient.

"Hohoho, what a bunch of foolish guys, better go accompany my Xiangxiang~"

Mentioning Yao Xiang, the Lord's expression immediately showed a strange hue, and he could no longer restrain himself from being taken to Lady Yao Xiang's palace.

The hidden guardian ninjas had actually sensed something amiss, but since this is the Lord's private matter and even the Lord's wife cannot intervene, they naturally could not interfere.

As for those nobles and ministers, their thoughts are even more complicated; aside from those with vested interests, who would care about the Lord's life or death? Meanwhile, outside Kyoto City, the Lord's changes did not escape Yan Shifan's eyes.

"The time is nearly right; Shisui has just sent reinforcements. After subduing those Mist Hidden, send them to the West Mountain Path; it's also time for a great purge in the Fire Country." (End of chapter)