Chapter 264 — Fleeing the Hidden Mist
With Konoha's population booming, new talents were appearing everywhere.
"I know," Nara Shikaku said, shifting the topic. "Should we get involved in what's happening between Iwagakure and the Hidden Mist Village?"
Uchiha Fugaku wasn't eager to leave the comfort of the village, so he countered lazily, "What do you think?"
If one wanted the correct analysis, asking Shikaku was always the right move.
Shikaku had clearly thought it through already. "We can simply watch from the sidelines. No matter which side suffers losses, it has nothing to do with us. And both villages are extremely far away."
Fugaku nodded, looking quite pleased. "Good. We'll do that."
After a brief exchange, the four wrapped up the meeting and left the Hokage Office.
Fugaku returned to his desk in high spirits — and immediately resumed playing computer games.
The single-player farming game he was into lately had a Stardew Valley-like charm. Perfect for passing time behind the Hokage desk.
But after playing too long, his eyes felt tired.
Good thing he had already assigned a Shadow Clone to write the script for another game — basically a direct remake of a title from his previous life: Grand Theft Auto.
Fugaku had once been addicted to GTA, completely immersed in its world.
He hoped Orochimaru's team could faithfully recreate it.
---
Across the sea — Hidden Mist Village
Inside the Mizukage Building, Karatachi Yagura stared grimly at the latest intelligence report.
Ever since the day he snatched resources from Iwagakure, he had known retaliation was inevitable.
He just didn't expect Iwagakure's counterattack to come this fast.
Fortunately, he had already stationed hidden lookouts at sea, and they detected the massive approaching fleet early.
If the Mist Village weren't so short on manpower, he would have already planted spies in Iwagakure.
Still — at least they had time to prepare.
Iwagakure's fleet would reach the Land of Water in roughly one day. There was still a window to act.
Now came the critical question:
Should they confront Iwagakure? Or avoid the clash entirely?
Yagura and Gensui had already hidden important supplies across several secret islands. Much of the population had also been relocated in advance.
The truth was bitter: the Mist Village's current strength was pitiful. Though still technically one of the Five Great Nations, they were a hollow shell of their former selves — only marginally stronger than minor villages.
The early-evacuation plan had been proposed by Terumī Mei. Back then, Yagura didn't believe Iwagakure would go so far as to sail thousands of kilometers just to retaliate.
Fortunately, he had listened to her.
Otherwise, one day would never have been enough to evacuate.
Even now, not everything could be taken — but at least the essentials were secure.
They were veterans of life on the sea. No one knew these waters better than they did.
If they wanted to hide, Iwagakure would never find them.
Yagura immediately summoned Gensui and every elite jōnin for an emergency conference.
After heated debate—
"Retreat."
Yagura issued the order.
Hidden Mist Village mobilized instantly. Ships departed one after another, heading toward the deep sea.
By late afternoon, the entire Mist Village stood empty.
Their speed came from earlier preparations: supplies had been moved in advance, escape ships lined the port, and the population had dwindled after Obito's massacre years ago. What remained was small enough to relocate quickly.
A tragic blessing in disguise.
Still, Yagura hated this outcome.
And deep down, he held only one grudge:
The damned Uchiha — the ones who ruined him and the Mist Village.
But now that Konoha flourished under an Uchiha Hokage, revenge was impossible.
If even the Fourth Raikage had been effortlessly handled by Konoha, what hope did he have?
Avoiding conflict was the only rational path — just as they were now avoiding Iwagakure's assault.
Besides, Yagura knew Ōnoki couldn't occupy the Land of Water indefinitely. If Iwagakure seized the Mist Village island, so what? The Mist had already taken everything worthwhile and could rebuild elsewhere.
The sea was too vast. Iwagakure could never blockade it.
As long as the Mist wanted to disappear, no one would find them.
---
One day later
Iwagakure's massive fleet loomed near the island that once housed the Mist Village.
Ōnoki stood at the bow, hands clasped behind his back.
Kitsuchi approached. "Father, we haven't encountered any resistance at all. Did they… run away?"
Ōnoki's gaze sharpened. "Most likely. Even weakened, the Mist wouldn't let us approach unseen. They clearly evacuated."
"They really fled?" Kitsuchi was stunned. "But they're one of the Five Great Villages. Running without even a fight… isn't that too shameful?"
Ōnoki snorted coldly, utterly displeased.
"The monk may run, but the temple stays. Since they fled, we'll burn their village down. We didn't come all this way for nothing."
Kitsuchi hesitated. "Burn… the entire village?"
Ōnoki shot him a sideways look. "Of course. Burn everything. Level the entire island."
He laughed loudly.
"Let that short brat Yagura find another island to rebuild on! Hahaha!"
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