"Sound the alarm! Gather everyone!"
As soon as Hyuga Hizashi arrived at the Konoha base camp, he immediately issued the order.
Soon, the piercing sound of the alarm echoed throughout the camp.
Ninjas poured out of their tents at top speed, assembling at the entrance.
"Hizashi, did something happen to Lady Tsunade?"
Uchiha Fugaku, seeing Hyuga Hizashi, felt a pang of worry and quickly stepped forward to ask.
He had recently supported Tsunade.
If something happened to her, Orochimaru would become the Fourth Hokage.
Given his relationship with Shimura Danzo, the Uchiha clan would never know peace again.
"It's good news."
Hyuga Hizashi couldn't help but smile.
"Did Lady Tsunade and the others destroy the new Kumogakure camp?"
Uchiha Fugaku breathed a sigh of relief and asked.
"More than that."
Nara Shikaku chuckled lightly, "Just destroying a camp wouldn't warrant sounding the alarm and gathering us all."
"You're as sharp as ever, Shikaku."
Hyuga Hizashi took a deep breath and announced loudly, "We've won! The war is over!"
"What do you mean?"
Uchiha Fugaku, Nara Shikaku, and the others didn't react with joy but with confusion.
"The Fourth Raikage, Killer B, and Yugito Nii have all been captured! The remaining Kumogakure ninjas have surrendered!"
Hyuga Hizashi explained excitedly.
"What?"
"Is that even possible? That's two tailed beasts!"
"Am I still dreaming? How else could I be hearing this?"
The Konoha ninjas all wore expressions of disbelief and astonishment.
"Are you... under a genjutsu?"
Nara Shikaku asked hesitantly.
Tsunade and Hanekawa were strong, but not strong enough to capture two tailed beasts and the Fourth Raikage.
If it were just the Two-Tails, he might believe it.
After all, Hanekawa had once captured the Four-Tails.
But the Eight-Tails and the Fourth Raikage were different. Their strength was well-known throughout the ninja world, ranking among the top.
"I knew you wouldn't believe me."
Hyuga Hizashi shook his head, "Let's not waste time. We'll talk as we go."
"Alright."
Nara Shikaku thought for a moment and agreed.
Given Hyuga Hizashi's status and position, he wouldn't joke about something like this.
As for genjutsu, with Uchiha Fugaku and other Uchiha clan members present, if he were under a genjutsu, they would have noticed immediately.
The Konoha ninjas, led by Hyuga Hizashi, left the base camp.
On the way, he recounted the details of the battle to Uchiha Fugaku and the others.
"Wait!"
Hyuga Hizashi had barely started when Nara Shikaku interrupted him, "You're saying Hanekawa used Wood Release?"
"The First Hokage's Wood Release?"
Uchiha Fugaku asked in surprise.
"Exactly! It was Wood Release!"
Hyuga Hiashi exclaimed, "In an instant, he created an entire forest!"
"Does Hanekawa have Senju bloodline?"
Aburame Shibi asked curiously.
"I'm not sure."
Hyuga Hizashi shook his head, "But there's no doubt about the Wood Release."
"Go on."
Nara Shikaku was now eager to hear what happened next.
"Clan Leader Fugaku."
Hyuga Hizashi turned to Uchiha Fugaku, "Can the Sharingan evolve further?"
"Why do you ask?"
Uchiha Fugaku's expression turned serious.
"It's Shisui."
Hyuga Hizashi explained, "His Sharingan had a blade-like pattern, and he could summon a skeletal half-body."
"What?!"
Uchiha Fugaku's voice rose sharply, his face filled with shock.
Seeing this, Hyuga Hizashi felt a pang of worry.
The Byakugan and Sharingan had always been considered equals.
But now, with the Sharingan evolving into something even more terrifying, the Byakugan might fall behind.
Hyuga Hizashi had witnessed Uchiha Shisui's terrifying power firsthand. The Byakugan couldn't compare.
Why hadn't the Byakugan evolved?
The only consolation was that the Hyuga clan had established a connection with Hanekawa first.
"It's the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Uchiha Fugaku, seeing everyone's eyes on him, hesitated for a few seconds before speaking.
Uchiha Shisui had already used the Mangekyō Sharingan and Susanoo, making it hard to keep it a secret.
Though it was forced exposure, Uchiha Fugaku felt more excitement than anything.
He never expected Uchiha Shisui to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
This was a golden opportunity for the Uchiha clan's rise!
"Let me continue."
Hyuga Hizashi snapped out of his thoughts and finished recounting how the Two-Tails, Eight-Tails, and the Fourth Raikage were defeated.
Uchiha Fugaku, Nara Shikaku, and the others listened in awe.
They had known Hanekawa was strong, but his performance in this battle was beyond human.
What ninja could defeat two tailed beasts in a row?
Well, there was one.
The name Hashirama Senju came to their minds.
Now, coincidentally, Hanekawa had inherited his Wood Release.
Perhaps a new God of Shinobi was about to emerge.
"There's one more thing."
Hyuga Hizashi said slowly, "Shimura Danzo is suspected of colluding with Kumogakure and has been captured by Hanekawa."
"What?"
Uchiha Fugaku, Nara Shikaku, and the others were shocked.
This news was as impactful as Kumogakure's defeat.
Shimura Danzo, the Hokage's advisor, was one of the most powerful ninjas in Konoha, second only to the Hokage.
But now, he was a prisoner. Konoha was undoubtedly in for a major upheaval.
Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo had taken a group of loyal ninjas with them.
The ninjas left at the base camp had all explicitly supported Tsunade's power grab during the previous Jonin meeting.
Hearing this news, they fell into deep thought.
This was undoubtedly a signal.
In their eyes, Hanekawa's actions must have been under Tsunade's orders.
"The new Hokage."
Nara Shikaku said these four words and then fell silent.
Uchiha Fugaku, Aburame Shibi, and the others, whether clan leaders or elite jonin, understood the implications.
They all knew what choice to make.
The emergence of a new Hokage meant a reshuffling of power.
In other words, they needed to prepare early to secure as much power as possible.
An hour later, they arrived at the new Kumogakure camp.
Seeing the devastated land, they dispelled their last doubts.
Konoha had truly won!
Everyone's face lit up with excitement and joy.
After all, the war had dragged on for too long, and they were exhausted, longing to return home.
Now, not only could they go home, but they were also the victors. It was a double blessing.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga Hizashi, Nara Shikaku, and Aburame Shibi all approached Tsunade.
"You've arrived just in time."
Tsunade had just finished treating a wounded ninja. Seeing them, she immediately began assigning tasks.
"It seems my role as commander is now in name only."
Orochimaru, standing nearby, glanced over and smiled faintly.
He wasn't surprised.
Tsunade becoming the Fourth Hokage was a foregone conclusion.
It was only natural for Uchiha Fugaku and the others to seize this opportunity to pledge their loyalty.
However, Orochimaru didn't feel disappointed or angry.
Losing to Tsunade was within his expectations.
The only thing he hadn't anticipated was Hanekawa.
"I really want to know how he learned Wood Release."
Orochimaru couldn't help but lick his lips.
Hanekawa was indeed the perfect vessel, but his strength made it difficult for Orochimaru to find a suitable opportunity.
For now, staying in Konoha to look for the right chance was the best course of action.
If Hanekawa wasn't an option, capturing Uchiha Shisui would also be good.
With this thought, Orochimaru made his way to where Shimura Danzo was being held.
It was a tent, surrounded by barriers.
"You've finally come to rescue me!"
Shimura Danzo, seeing him, immediately stood up, his face filled with excitement.
"I can rescue you, but not now. Once we return to Konoha, you'll be freed."
Orochimaru shook his head.
"I can't wait that long!"
Shimura Danzo said impatiently, "You're the commander. Why are you letting Tsunade take power?"
"Power comes from strength."
Orochimaru said calmly, "Tsunade's rise is unstoppable. Why oppose her?"
"..."
Shimura Danzo wanted to argue but didn't know how.
"As long as you're alive, there's hope."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, reminding him, "You know what to say and what not to say."
"I know."
Shimura Danzo sat back down, regaining his composure, "Can you handle the four Root ninjas captured by Kumogakure?"
"It's difficult."
Orochimaru replied, "Hatake Sakumo has already taken Mabui to the Kumogakure base camp."
"Damn it!"
Shimura Danzo clenched his fists, unwilling to accept it, "How did things come to this?"
Orochimaru remained silent.
He hadn't expected things to turn out this way either.
"Don't worry."
Orochimaru said indifferently, "With the old man around, you won't die."
"What if Tsunade becomes the new Hokage as soon as she returns?"
Shimura Danzo suddenly thought of a terrifying possibility.
"Given her personality..."
Orochimaru paused, feeling uncertain.
Based on his understanding, Tsunade wouldn't have stripped him of his authority during the previous Jonin meeting, but it had happened.
His former teammate was no longer the person he remembered.
How had Hanekawa changed her so much?
"Even if she becomes Hokage, you won't die."
Orochimaru continued, "The old man and the two Hokage advisors will protect you."
Shimura Danzo breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as he was alive, there was still hope.
"Does Hanekawa's Wood Release have anything to do with the Wood Release experiments?"
Orochimaru suddenly asked.
"No."
Shimura Danzo was momentarily stunned, "If it did, I wouldn't have let him go."
Speaking of letting go, he felt a pang of regret.
If he had been more forceful back then, he wouldn't have handed Hanekawa over to Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade.
Hearing this, Orochimaru felt a surge of excitement.
Artificial Wood Release and natural Wood Release were completely different.
Undoubtedly, the latter held far more value.
"He must have awakened it on his own."
Shimura Danzo thought of Yamato.
Both had used Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees, but the forest Hanekawa created was several times larger.
Though it still fell short of the legendary Hashirama Senju, it completely overshadowed Yamato.
This was one of the reasons Shimura Danzo believed Hanekawa's Wood Release had nothing to do with the experiments.
Of course, he couldn't tell Orochimaru this.
If Orochimaru learned of Yamato's existence, their alliance would be over.
...
Konoha Hokage's office.
"Come in."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, hearing the knock, set down the document in his hand.
"Lord Hokage."
An ANBU ninja named Aoi entered, "This is an urgent report from Lady Tsunade."
"Why from Tsunade?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was momentarily puzzled.
Previously, all reports from the Land of Frost had been submitted under Orochimaru's name.
After all, he was the commander.
"I don't know."
Aoi handed over the scroll.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't press her and opened the scroll.
A few seconds later, he stood up abruptly, his face filled with shock.
Normally, such a major victory would have brought him joy.
But the report was so unbelievable that his first reaction was to question its accuracy.
Who would dare play such a joke on him?
"Is this really from Tsunade?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but ask.
"The scroll uses Konoha's highest-level encryption. It's genuine."
Aoi explained.
"This is... incredible..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was at a loss for words.
Aoi couldn't help but feel curious.
She rarely saw Sarutobi Hiruzen so flustered.
But it wasn't his fault.
The contents of the scroll had given him a tremendous shock.
Kumogakure's crushing defeat, the Fourth Raikage, Killer B, and Yugito Nii captured.
Uchiha Shisui awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, Hanekawa using Wood Release.
All of this combined left even the seasoned Sarutobi Hiruzen in disbelief.
Since the founding of Konoha, aside from Hashirama Senju, when had such a dreamlike scenario ever occurred?
"Spread the news."
After a long while, Sarutobi Hiruzen regained his composure.
"Yes."
Aoi nodded.
"Announce that Hanekawa has awakened Wood Release and, alongside Tsunade and the others, defeated Kumogakure, capturing the Two-Tails, Eight-Tails, and the Fourth Raikage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said after some thought.
"What?"
Aoi was momentarily stunned.
"That's all."
Sarutobi Hiruzen understood her surprise and didn't blame her.
"Yes."
Aoi hesitated but ultimately suppressed her shock and left.
...
Uzumaki Kushina's home in Konoha.
"I wonder when I'll get to join the battlefield."
Uzumaki Kushina sighed.
"I hope that day never comes."
Namikaze Minato shook his head.
"The war has dragged on for too long. If I went, I could reduce Konoha's casualties."
Uzumaki Kushina clenched her fists, "It's all that old man's fault for being so indecisive!"
"Kushina."
Namikaze Minato smiled, "The Hokage has his reasons."
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"At this hour?"
Uzumaki Kushina was surprised, "Could something have happened on the Land of Frost battlefield?"
"Possibly."
Namikaze Minato's expression turned serious.