The cleanup of the battlefield was proceeding in an orderly manner, but Ryuji had already returned ahead of schedule to the Mechanical City to oversee the overall situation.
He hadn't forgotten the purpose of this mission.
To seize the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques and absorb the surviving Uzumaki Clan's members.
"We dug eight feet deep into the ruins of Uzushiogakure but found no clues related to sealing techniques."
"Keep digging. Also, don't limit the search to just Uzushiogakure. Search the surrounding areas more thoroughly for any related locations."
"The main force is currently searching for and rescuing survivors of the Uzumaki Clan. Twelve fatalities have been confirmed so far, six rescued, and twelve whereabouts unknown."
"Increase the size of the search and rescue teams. Remember, the attitude must be friendly!"
"The building damage has been fully assessed. All unconverted small towers have completely collapsed. Two-thirds of the medium-sized towers have toppled. The remaining ones mostly have wall cracks, tilting, and other issues. The large towers, having all been converted, sustained no damage."
"Demolish and rebuild all unconverted structures. Take the plan proposals and budget estimates to Ebizo-senpai for approval."
Ryuji listened to his subordinates' reports while giving clear, orderly instructions and decisions.
Suddenly, a messenger ran in and reported, "Ryuji-sama, we have captured a Konoha's Shinobi."
"Konoha's Shinobi?" Ryuji looked up, surprised. "What kind?"
"That guy named Kohinata something-or-other."
Kohinata Mukai wasn't well-known in the Shinobi World at large, but he had considerable notoriety within Sunagakure.
After all, the scene from the three duels in Konoha where Gin let him attack with both hands freely and still couldn't break his defense left a deep impression.
"He is currently severely injured and unconscious. We found him by the seaside." The subordinate said this, then tentatively asked, "Ryuji-sama, should we perhaps..."
He didn't finish the sentence, simply gesturing with his hand across his neck and then near his eyes.
The meaning was clear: kill and take the eyes.
Ryuji was very tempted by this.
The Byakugan possessed abilities like telescopic vision, penetration vision, and insight. Whether for strategic value or combat assistance, it was first-rate and formidable, far surpassing ordinary Sharingan.
In the entire Shinobi World, there wasn't a single Shinobi Village that wasn't covetous of the Byakugan. It was just that due to the Caged Bird Seal, the difficulty of acquisition was too high, so no one had ever succeeded.
And now, he had this opportunity.
However...
"Kohinata, huh..."
Ryuji stroked his chin, thinking.
'With only one Byakugan, it wouldn't be of much use, only serving as a surprise tactic.'
'But, if I could poach the entire Hyuga Clan...'
'No, poaching the entire Hyuga Clan was unrealistic.'
'The Hyuga Clan was dead set on following Konoha. For the village's benefit, even the Clan Head's younger brother could be handed over.'
'For a clan like that, trying to poach them was somewhat unrealistic.'
'But what about just the Branch Family?'
'If the Hyuga Clan lost the Caged Bird Seal's restraint over the Branch Family, would the Branch Family still serve the Main Family so diligently?'
Ryuji couldn't be sure either.
After all, flowers bloom in a hundred different reds, and people are all different.
Perhaps some people just liked being dogs.
But to say that all Branch Family's members shared the same hatred as the Main Family and followed them wholeheartedly was equally nonsense.
After brief contemplation, Ryuji made a decision and instructed, "Have him treated. Report to me immediately when he wakes up."
"Yes!"
Though not understanding why Ryuji would do this, the messenger wisely didn't ask further.
Watching the departing subordinate, Ryuji stood up and stretched. "Well, now we just wait for the results."
...
The news of Kirigakure's defeat spread through the Shinobi World like spring bamboo shoots.
The first to receive the news were the surrounding small countries and small Shinobi Villages who, having learned of Kirigakure's attack on the Land of Whirlpools, were preparing to send people to pick up the scraps.
They obtained information from fleeing Kirigakure's Shinobi, relayed it back to their villages, and subsequently received orders to abort the mission.
A joke; if the enemy were ordinary Shinobi, they could still target isolated individuals.
But the enemy was an army of immortal, indestructible puppets. What could their small villages possibly do?
Moreover, the enemy could fly.
Even if they launched a surprise attack, took the loot, and fled before the enemy puppets repaired, they would be quickly caught up.
Snatching prey from Sunagakure's mouth was almost an impossible mission.
Afterwards, the news spread to the mainland.
The first to receive the intelligence were the Land of Iron and the Land of Lightning.
The Land of Iron was a neutral country that had recently collaborated with Sunagakure as an employer. Apart from lamenting the troubled times and Sunagakure's formidable strength, they naturally had no other thoughts.
But Kumogakure was different.
They had already completed their mobilization preparations and were just waiting for the last batch of scouts to return before setting out.
But then they received the news that Kirigakure had been defeated by Sunagakure in the Land of Whirlpools.
This made the Fourth Raikage realize a problem.
Even if Kumogakure took advantage of Iwagakure's entanglement with Konoha to backstab Iwagakure and achieve ultimate victory, the final victor wouldn't be Kumogakure, but Sunagakure.
Throughout the entire Shinobi World War, aside from being besieged by the Four-Village Alliance at the beginning and later attacking Amegakure, Sunagakure hadn't participated in other conflicts. They were currently the one among the Five Great Shinobi Villages with their strength preserved most intact.
Moreover, after half a year of recuperation, their strength had recovered considerably.
Add to that the existence of the Floating Continent, which granted them high mobility and air superiority, thereby giving them the initiative to start wars.
Although most of Iwagakure's main force was on the frontlines battling Konoha, they would still have a considerable force left to defend the village.
Even if he successfully led a surprise attack on Iwagakure, they would undoubtedly suffer significant losses.
If Sunagakure then came with their Floating Continent to seize the spoils of victory, or, being even more ambitious, eliminated his own remaining Kumogakure's forces as well, then Kumogakure would exist in name only.
And Sunagakure would become the true hegemon of the Shinobi World.
"It seems Raikage-sama is also troubled by the existence of the Mechanical City." A voice suddenly rang out in the office.
The Fourth Raikage looked up toward the sound. He saw a figure, half white and half black, with what looked like a pitcher plant sprouting on both sides, emerging from the wall.
"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is…"
The self-introduction was interrupted by the crackle of electricity. The Fourth Raikage's powerful physique became shrouded in lightning. Moving like a flash, he appeared before the uninvited guest. His right hand transformed into a chop, striking down without mercy!
Boom!
Accompanied by a startling explosion, the entire wall was blasted open, revealing a view of the village. But the corpse of that black-white-looking guy wasn't among the debris.
"Raikage-sama!?"
The guards outside rushed in. Seeing this scene, they exchanged bewildered looks.
Although the Fourth Raikage usually preferred windows over doors, he had never been reckless enough to go through walls.
"An unidentified individual infiltrated the village. Search for him!" The Raikage's body radiated powerful Chakra, his short hair standing on end, his aura formidable.