Chapter 160: The Main Culprit of the Defeat
"I suggest that if we see this White-Blooded Demon in the future, we abandon the mission."
Biwa Jūzō watched Sasuke's departing back, his eyes filled with fear. Faced with his somewhat hasty proposal, none of the Mist Ninja objected. They all agreed that this White-Blooded Demon's strength was truly unfathomable and that they should avoid him in the future.
"The Hidden Leaf Village is a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. A large number of powerful people emerge in every generation." The Mist Ninja sighed with admiration. "To think that an unknown chūnin could be so powerful."
"Raiga, are you saying that the 'watermelon rind' was really a genin?" Jūzō asked. If the White-Blooded Demon was just a chūnin, then a genin who could unleash the power of a Kage no longer seemed so unbelievable.
"Now that you mention it, it's really possible," Kurosuki Raiga thought. Jūzō and he exchanged a look of horror, finally understanding the astonishing and terrifying depths of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Suikazan Fuguki, remembering the Morning Peacock attack, felt a lingering fear, but he feigned composure. "Attention! That White-Blooded Demon annihilated two of the Sand's puppet armies—more than six hundred men. That so many of us escaped this time is a far better outcome than what Ebizō faced."
"Yes, thank you, Master Fuguki, for saving our lives," one of the ninja said, starting a wave of gratitude that elevated Fuguki's status.
Raiga was about to protest, but Jūzō stopped him and, to Raiga's surprise, also began to praise Fuguki effusively. Raiga finally realized what was happening. With such a disastrous defeat, someone had to take responsibility. The deceased commander, Kaguya Baizhan, would bear the primary blame. But a secondary culprit was needed. Fuguki, by positioning himself as the leader who saved them, was becoming that target.
However, Fuguki, despite his rough exterior, was a deeply sinister figure—the head of Kirigakure's intelligence operations. He immediately saw through Jūzō and Raiga's plot.
"Do you think the White-Blooded Demon held back because he didn't want to be our enemy?" he asked, deftly changing the narrative. "He only attacked us because the Sea Defense Fortress was blocking his way back to the Land of Fire. He said before that he wanted to cooperate with us against the Sand. It was all Kaguya Baizhan's fault for provoking him."
"Indeed! Master Fuguki is right!" the other ninja chorused, eagerly shifting all blame to the dead commander.
"Jūzō, Raiga, do you two think Kaguya Baizhan should be punished?" Fuguki asked, his voice laced with a threatening presence.
The two, though resentful, did not object to such an excellent proposal. "Alright! We are all on the same boat now," Fuguki said, consolidating his power. "Raiga, your daughter, Buntan, has already gone to the ninja academy, right? How about she becomes my disciple?"
After securing Raiga's loyalty, he turned to Jūzō. "Jūzō, the responsibility for this defeat lies entirely with Kaguya Baizhan. You're not trying to protect him, are you?"
"If it weren't for that damned Kaguya Baizhan's warmongering," Jūzō said firmly, "I would be happily enjoying myself in the Daimyō's Palace right now."
Fuguki smiled, and seeing that everyone was in agreement, he ordered a full-speed retreat, terrified that Sasuke would change his mind.
At that moment, Sasuke could not pursue them. He had already returned to the wrecked ships on the river and unleashed a massive Hidden Mist Technique. The Mist masters had fled, and the true elite had perished in the labyrinth. Those who remained on board were mainly logistics personnel, who were quickly annihilated by the jōnin-level puppets controlled by his clones.
- - - - - -
Thanks for reading!
If you enjoyed this chapter, I have great news. On my Patreon, I have over 150 advanced chapters ready for you to read.
@patreon/iLikeeMikee
Plus, subscribers get 5 daily chapters of all my novels. It's a great way to catch up and support my projects!