Hidden Mist Village.
Days ago, it was utterly destroyed by the Blazing Hell, and the mist that enveloped the village had long dispersed.
These past few days, Hidden Mist Village remained a ruin, with only a few newly constructed houses, serving as residences for the wounded.
During this time, the Hidden Mist ninja focused more on rescuing the wounded who survived the battle, rather than rebuilding the village.
After all, they weren't architects. To build a new village, they would certainly need the help of the Land of Water, not just these ninja. Of course, ninja, with their extraordinary strength, could also provide significant assistance.
However, currently, their primary focus was on rescuing their Hidden Mist comrades.
Over these past few days, almost all surviving Hidden Mist ninja had been rescued.
Some lightly wounded Hidden Mist ninja leaned against a scorched corner, their eyes unfocused, gazing at the burnt earth. They were reminded of that terrifying Konoha ninja, Tianyuan.
They even thought of what came later, the ninjutsu that Tianyuan used to resurrect the dead. Those fearless skeletons made the ninja's hearts slightly tremble.
Those skeletons were not ordinary skeletons; their strength was formidable.
Just then, the ground slightly shook, waking many of the Hidden Mist ninja.
"Who's coming?" The Hidden Mist ninja were slightly nervous, fearing Tianyuan would return for another attack.
"It's, it's Lord Mizukage and the others!" a Hidden Mist ninja suddenly shouted.
"Lord Mizukage has returned," another Hidden Mist ninja froze. "It's Lord Mizukage and them; they've finally returned."
Many Hidden Mist ninja exclaimed in surprise. The return of the Fourth Mizukage gave them a sense of stability.
"So this is Hidden Mist Village." Before even entering Hidden Mist Village, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, looked extremely grim. The thick fog and tall buildings that once characterized Hidden Mist Village were gone.
The Hidden Mist ninja behind Yagura also looked very grim. They had imagined what condition Hidden Mist Village would be in, but the reality was even more unexpected.
What kind of power was this?
When Yagura arrived at the entrance of Hidden Mist Village, many Hidden Mist ninja knelt, looking at him and his companions.
"Lord Mizukage, you've returned," said the leading Hidden Mist ninja, who was one of the surviving Jonin.
"This was all caused by Tianyuan," the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, said in a deep voice, looking at the ruined Hidden Mist Village.
"Yes, Lord Mizukage, it was all done by the Konoha ninja Tianyuan. We were useless," the Hidden Mist ninja replied.
"I understand. The others go take care of the wounded Hidden Mist ninja. You, come with me and tell me the specific situation that occurred, and what the current status is." Yagura pointed to some of the leading Hidden Mist Jonin.
"Understood, Lord Mizukage," they quickly replied.
"Come, Lord Mizukage. Unfortunately, the Mizukage Building was destroyed, but we have a temporary location," said the leading Hidden Mist ninja.
"Good. You all come with me; the rest should first tend to our comrades here." Yagura left the Hidden Mist Village high-ranking officials and sent the other ninja to help the village.
"Yes, Lord Mizukage." The ninja behind him nodded, then dispersed to help their comrades.
Yagura and the others arrived at a makeshift office.
"Tell me about this matter," Yagura said.
"Yes, Lord Mizukage," the Hidden Mist ninja quickly began, "The events unfolded like this: at that time..."
The Hidden Mist ninja then recounted how Tianyuan invaded Hidden Mist Village and destroyed it. Broadly speaking, the previous intelligence they received was accurate.
However, only after Yagura and his group returned to the village did they more directly experience Tianyuan's terrifying power.
This power felt like witnessing the enormous meteor falling.
A sense of helplessness arose.
He also described how Tianyuan destroyed the village, and what the current situation of the village was, including the number of dead and seriously wounded.
It could be said that these numbers were shocking.
In this Ninja World War, Hidden Mist Village lost nearly half of its active forces. To restore its original strength, it would likely require the efforts of an entire generation.
Until the next generation of ninja grows up, otherwise, Hidden Mist Village would no longer have the strength to contend with other ninja villages.
Some time later.
"That's how it is, Lord Mizukage," the Hidden Mist ninja finished.
"Mm, I understand," Yagura nodded. "Next, we need to arrange for ninja to notify the Daimyo of the Land of Water. We need their help to rebuild Hidden Mist Village and to rescue the seriously wounded Hidden Mist ninja."
"There's also one more thing: send someone to negotiate peace with Konohagakure, for the sake of the captured ninja, and for the sake of Hidden Mist Village," Yagura stated.
Seeing the state of the battlefield, Yagura now understood just how terrifying Tianyuan's strength was.
Perhaps peace talks were their last resort, even if Hidden Mist Village had to pay a heavy price.
The other high-ranking Hidden Mist ninja present did not object.
Those who were already in Hidden Mist Village had long been intimidated by Tianyuan's power.
And those who returned from the battlefield, seeing the horrific devastation, and combining it with Tianyuan's Mangekyo Sharingan and Wood Release powers, knew that opposing Konohagakure was a deeply unwise endeavor.
Since Tianyuan destroyed Hidden Mist Village, Hidden Mist Village had lost its qualification to compete for the Land of Fire.
"Ao, you will lead a few Hidden Mist ninja to the battlefield to negotiate peace with Konohagakure. We have lost," Yagura instructed.
"Understood, Lord Mizukage," Ao nodded in acknowledgment.
What followed would be complex negotiations, but since Konohagakure was the victorious party, it was clear that Hidden Mist Village would have to give up a lot.
Subsequently, Yagura outlined the next phase, the rebuilding mission for Hidden Mist Village, and then sent the Hidden Mist ninja to prepare.
In the empty room, Yagura looked at his palms. "Tianyuan, I never thought I would be defeated by you this time."
From that day on.
A terrifying legend about Tianyuan spread throughout Hidden Mist Village.
The legend said there was a person whose power was enough to destroy the heavens and earth.
He was the Black Emperor of the ninja world.
His name was Tianyuan.
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