Since Tengen stormed onto the Land of Hot Water battlefield, the crumbling Konoha forces were gradually pulled back from the brink, regrouping and restoring order.
They soon established a new encampment.
The Konoha ninjas learned that Tengen was the architect of their salvation.
The genius of Konoha, bearer of the Uchiha's supreme Sharingan, their hero.
He had saved them. Without him, the collapsing Konoha army would have faced devastating losses, and even later reinforcements might have had to face Kumogakure alone.
Such an outcome would have been dire for Konoha.
Moreover, during the battle, that eerie forest was Tengen's doing, crafted by his Wood Release.
Wood Release, the power of the First Hokage, was something Konoha's ninjas never imagined Tengen would possess.
Their reverence for him surged to new heights.
Tengen's unit shared his feats on the Iwagakure front, deepening the admiration of the ninjas here.
They now hoped Tengen would bring them victory and hope on this battlefield as well.
Indeed, today, he had already given them the hope of survival.
At the critical moment of life and death, Tengen had saved them.
Around the Konoha encampment, numerous ninjas patrolled to guard against danger. Though Kumogakure had just retreated, precautions were still necessary.
This clash with Kumogakure was evenly matched.
Both sides suffered heavy casualties, but without Tengen, Kumogakure would have held a decisive advantage.
Under Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees, though Kumogakure retreated in time, they still sustained significant losses.
"Tengen-sama is incredible. To think he also wields the First Hokage's power." A ninja marveled.
"Indeed, with such legendary power in Konoha, does this mean we'll claim ultimate victory?"
"Tengen-sama is truly Konoha's greatest genius, no, perhaps the greatest in ninja history."
"Maybe he could even rival the Sage of the Six Paths."
Countless Konoha ninjas whispered among themselves, their praise for Tengen boundless.
Inside a Konoha tent, Hyūga Hiashi spoke. "Tengen-sama, without you, we'd have been too late. Thank you."
"I'm a Konoha ninja too, aren't I?" Tengen said with a smile.
"Honestly, though, your Wood Release was astounding. Kumogakure won't dare return anytime soon, right?" Uchiha Fugaku said.
"That's hard to say." Tengen replied, thinking of his encounter with the Raikage.
Among the great ninja villages, the Third Raikage's strength was among the finest.
"Hasn't Orochimaru-sensei and the Konoha reinforcements arrived yet?" Tengen asked, recalling the letter's details.
"They haven't reached this battlefield." Hiashi said, shaking his head.
"My lords, a report." A Konoha ninja called from outside.
"Come in." Hiashi said.
"Yes." The ninja entered. "Orochimaru-sama has arrived with his reinforcements."
"Orochimaru-sama!" Hiashi and the others' eyes lit up.
"Orochimaru-sensei." Tengen said, smiling. "Let's go greet him."
"Of course." Hiashi and the others agreed, noting the teacher-student bond between Tengen and Orochimaru.
They left the tent, soon spotting Orochimaru's pale figure.
"Orochimaru-sama." Hiashi and Fugaku greeted.
"Orochimaru-sensei." Tengen said.
Orochimaru nodded. "Tengen, as your teacher, I'm proud. I hear you not only achieved great feats against Iwagakure but also just saved Konoha here."
"You'll make me arrogant with that praise, sensei." Tengen said, grinning.
"Haha, you're allowed to be." Orochimaru laughed.
Between Tengen and Orochimaru, there seemed to be no barriers.
Yet both sensed a coldness in the other's gaze.
Orochimaru's arrival led to a meeting where they planned the battlefield's next steps.
Soon after, more Konoha reinforcements arrived, bolstering the front with fresh forces. The ninjas felt less anxious.
They feared a sudden Kumo attack, which would be hard to counter without relying heavily on Tengen.
As dusk settled, Tengen and the others prepared to rest and regroup.
"Tengen-sama." Fugaku called out. "Care to visit my tent?"
"Fugaku-sama." Tengen said, smiling. "No problem. Let's go."
Led by Fugaku, Tengen entered his tent.
"Sit. I'll pour you some tea." Fugaku said, serving a cup to Tengen and one for himself.
"Thank you, Fugaku-sama." Tengen said.
"I should thank you, Tengen-sama. Without you today, I might have died at A's hands." Fugaku said, still shaken.
"Perhaps it's fate." Tengen said with a faint smile.
"Indeed, fate." Fugaku said, smiling. "Your possession of the Uchiha's supreme power feels like a fortunate twist of fate."
"Fugaku-sama, just say what's on your mind." Tengen said lightly.
"I want to ask, Tengen-sama, would you join the Uchiha clan?" Fugaku said directly. "I'd even step down to make you clan leader."
***
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