Chapter 238: Tsunade's Ascendancy
"Sound the alarm! Tell everyone to come out!"
The moment Hiashi Hyūga arrived at the Konohagakure main encampment, he immediately issued the order.
Soon, the piercing alarm echoed throughout the encampment.
A dense crowd of ninja rushed out of their tents and assembled by the entrance at the fastest possible speed.
"Hiashi, did something happen to Lady Tsunade?"
Fugaku Uchiha was alarmed when he saw Hiashi Hyūga and quickly stepped forward to ask.
He had recently voiced his support for Tsunade.
If something happened to her, Orochimaru would become the Fourth Hokage.
Given Orochimaru's relationship with Danzō Shimura, the Uchiha clan would never know peace.
"It's good news."
Hiashi Hyūga couldn't help but smile.
"Did Lady Tsunade and her team destroy Kumogakure's new encampment?" Fugaku Uchiha asked, breathing a sigh of relief.
"It must be more than just that," Shikaku Nara chuckled and said. "If it were only the destruction of an encampment, there would be no need to sound the alarm and summon us all."
"You are as smart as ever, Shikaku."
Hiashi Hyūga took a deep breath and announced loudly, "We won! The war is over!"
"What do you mean?"
Fugaku Uchiha, Shikaku Nara, and the others were not immediately joyful but looked utterly confused.
"The Fourth Raikage, Killer B, and Yugito Nii have all been captured! All the remaining Kumogakure ninja have surrendered!" Hiashi Hyūga explained excitedly.
"What?"
"Is that even possible? Those are two Tailed Beasts!"
"Am I dreaming? Did I not wake up yet?"
The Konohagakure ninja looked completely stunned, as if they were saying, I don't understand, but I am greatly shaken.
"Are... are you under a Genjutsu?" Shikaku Nara asked hesitantly.
While Tsunade and Hoshikawa were formidable, they weren't so powerful as to be able to capture two Tailed Beasts and the Fourth Raikage alive.
If he had said they defeated the Two-Tails, he would have believed it.
After all, Hoshikawa had previously captured the Four-Tails.
But the Eight-Tails and the Fourth Raikage were different; their strength was known throughout the ninja world as among the very best.
"I knew you wouldn't believe it."
Hiashi Hyūga shook his head and said, "Let's not waste time; we can talk on the way."
"Alright."
Shikaku Nara agreed after a brief consideration.
Given Hiashi Hyūga's status and position, it was impossible for him to joke about such matters.
As for Genjutsu, with Fugaku Uchiha and other Uchiha ninja present, they would instantly spot it if Hiashi were under one.
Under Hiashi Hyūga's lead, all the Konohagakure ninja left the main encampment.
Along the way, he recounted the details of the battle to Fugaku Uchiha and the others.
"Wait!"
Just two sentences in, Shikaku Nara couldn't help but interrupt. "Are you saying Hoshikawa used Wood Release?"
"The Wood Release of the First Hokage?" Fugaku Uchiha asked in surprise.
"Exactly! It was Wood Release!"
Hiashi Hyūga exclaimed. "He created an entire forest in an instant!"
"Does Hoshikawa perhaps have Senju clan blood?" Shibi Aburame asked curiously.
"I don't know."
Hiashi Hyūga shook his head. "In any case, the Wood Release was genuine."
"Continue the story," Shikaku Nara was now desperate to know what happened next.
"Clan Head Fugaku," Hiashi Hyūga looked at Fugaku Uchiha and asked, "Can your Sharingan evolve further?"
"Why do you ask?"
Fugaku Uchiha's eyes narrowed.
"It's about Shisui," Hiashi Hyūga explained. "His Sharingan had a blade-shaped pattern, and he could summon a skeletal upper body."
"What?!"
Fugaku Uchiha suddenly raised his voice, his face etched with shock.
Seeing his reaction, Hiashi Hyūga felt a surge of concern.
The Byakugan and the Sharingan had always been equally famous.
But now that the Sharingan had a terrifying advanced stage, the Byakugan was likely to fall behind.
Hiashi Hyūga had personally witnessed Shisui Uchiha's formidable strength, which the Byakugan definitely couldn't match.
Why hasn't the Byakugan evolved?
The only thing that comforted him was that the Hyūga clan had been the first to establish a relationship with Hoshikawa.
"That is the Mangekyō Sharingan," Fugaku Uchiha said, after a few seconds of hesitation, seeing that everyone's attention was on him.
Since Shisui Uchiha had already used the Mangekyō Sharingan and Susanoo, it would be difficult to keep it concealed.
Although it was exposed by force, Fugaku Uchiha was mostly thrilled.
He had never imagined that Shisui Uchiha had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
This was a golden opportunity for the Uchiha clan to rise!
"I'll continue."
Hiashi Hyūga recovered and finished recounting the defeat of the Two-Tails, the Eight-Tails, and the Fourth Raikage.
Fugaku Uchiha, Shikaku Nara, and the others were deeply shaken.
They knew Hoshikawa was strong before, but his performance in this battle was superhuman.
Which ninja could consecutively defeat two Tailed Beasts?
No, wait, there was one.
The name Hashirama Senju floated in their minds.
Now, coincidentally, Hoshikawa had also inherited his Wood Release.
Perhaps a new God of Shinobi was about to be born.
"There's one more thing," Hiashi Hyūga said slowly. "Danzō Shimura is suspected of colluding with Kumogakure and has been captured by Hoshikawa."
"What?"
Fugaku Uchiha, Shikaku Nara, and the others were all shocked.
The impact of this news was no less than that of Kumogakure's defeat.
Danzō Shimura was the Hokage Advisor, essentially the most powerful ninja in Konoha besides the Hokage.
His capture meant that Konoha was undoubtedly heading for a major change.
Orochimaru and Danzō Shimura had taken a batch of ninja loyal to them.
The ninja remaining at the main encampment had, in the previous Jonin council meeting, clearly supported Tsunade's bid for power.
Upon hearing this, they fell into deep thought.
This was undoubtedly a signal.
In their minds, Hoshikawa's actions must have been on Tsunade's orders.
"A new Hokage."
Shikaku Nara spoke four words, then fell silent.
Fugaku Uchiha, Shibi Aburame, and the others, who were either clan heads or elite Jonin, naturally understood his unspoken meaning.
They knew exactly who to support.
The rise of a new Hokage meant a complete reshuffling of power.
In other words, they all needed to make preparations early and secure as much influence as possible.
An hour later, everyone arrived at Kumogakure's former encampment.
They looked at the devastated landscape, discarding any last lingering doubt.
Konohagakure had truly won!
Every face beamed with excitement and joy.
This Great Ninja War had dragged on for too long; they were exhausted and longed to return home.
Now, not only could they go home to rest, but they were doing so as victors, which was undoubtedly a double blessing.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyūga, Shikaku Nara, and Shibi Aburame all approached Tsunade.
"You arrived at the right time."
Tsunade, having just finished treating an injured ninja, immediately began delegating tasks when she saw them.
"It seems my command position is now a title only."
Orochimaru glanced over from a distance, smiling faintly.
He wasn't surprised.
Tsunade becoming the Fourth Hokage was now a foregone conclusion.
It was reasonable for Fugaku Uchiha and the others to seize this opportunity to pledge their loyalty.
However, Orochimaru was neither disappointed nor angry.
Losing to Tsunade was within his expectations.
The only thing he hadn't accounted for was Hoshikawa.
"I truly want to know how this fellow learned Wood Release."
Orochimaru couldn't help but lick his lips.
Hoshikawa was indeed a perfect vessel, but his strength was too immense, making it difficult for Orochimaru to find a suitable method to capture him in the short term.
For now, the best strategy was to remain in Konoha and wait for the right opportunity.
If Hoshikawa proved too difficult, capturing Shisui Uchiha was still a good alternative.
While contemplating this, Orochimaru arrived at the location where Danzō Shimura was detained.
It was a tent, but the area was secured with barriers.
"You've finally come to rescue me!"
Danzō Shimura immediately stood up when he saw him, his face alight with excitement.
"I can rescue you, but not now. You will be free once we return to Konoha," Orochimaru shook his head and replied.
"I can't wait that long!"
Danzō Shimura questioned him, displeased. "You are the commander! Why did you let Tsunade usurp your authority?"
"Power comes from strength."
Orochimaru said calmly. "Tsunade's authority is now firmly established. Why oppose her?"
"..."
Danzō Shimura wanted to argue but didn't know how.
"As long as you're alive, there is hope."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and warned, "You should be very clear about what should be said and what should not be said."
"I know."
Danzō Shimura sat down again, regaining his composure, and asked, "Can you deal with those four Root ninja captured by Kumogakure?"
"Difficult."
Orochimaru replied. "Sakumo Hatake has already taken Mabui and left for the Kumogakure main encampment."
"Damn it!"
Danzō Shimura clenched his fists, asking resentfully, "How could things come to this?"
Orochimaru remained silent.
He, too, hadn't anticipated the situation escalating to this point.
"Don't worry," Orochimaru said nonchalantly. "With the old man around, you won't die."
"What if Tsunade becomes the new Hokage immediately upon our return?"
Danzō Shimura suddenly thought of a terrifying possibility.
"Given her temperament..."
Orochimaru paused, feeling a sense of uncertainty.
Based on his understanding, Tsunade wouldn't have challenged his authority at the previous Jonin council, yet this had undeniably happened.
His old teammate was no longer the person he remembered.
How did Hoshikawa cause such a massive change in her?
"Even if she becomes Hokage, you still won't die," Orochimaru continued. "The old man and the two Hokage Advisors will help you."
Danzō Shimura sighed in relief.
Where there is life, there is hope.
"Is Hoshikawa's Wood Release related to the Wood Release experiments?" Orochimaru suddenly asked.
"No," Danzō Shimura was momentarily stunned and replied, "If it were, I wouldn't have let him go."
Talking about letting him go, his heart felt like it was being twisted by a knife again.
If he had been more insistent back then, he wouldn't have simply given Hoshikawa away to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade.
Orochimaru's heart surged with excitement upon hearing this.
Artificial Wood Release and innate Wood Release were completely different concepts.
Undoubtedly, the latter held far greater value.
"He likely awakened it naturally."
Danzō Shimura thought of Yamato.
Even when using the Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, the size of the forest Hoshikawa created was several times larger.
While it was still inferior to the legendary Hashirama Senju, it completely overpowered Yamato.
This was one of the reasons Danzō Shimura believed Hoshikawa's power was unrelated to the Wood Release experiments.
Of course, he wouldn't tell Orochimaru this reason.
The moment Orochimaru found out about Yamato's existence, their alliance would cease to be.
Konohagakure Hokage's Office.
"Come in."
Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the documents he was holding when he heard the knock.
"Lord Hokage."
An Anbu ninja named Haru entered and said, "This is an urgent intelligence report from Lady Tsunade."
"Why from Tsunade?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was momentarily confused, finding it strange.
Previous intelligence reports from the Land of Frost had always been submitted under Orochimaru's name.
After all, he was the commanding officer.
"I do not know," Haru presented the scroll with both hands.
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't question her further and immediately opened the scroll.
A few seconds later, he abruptly stood up, his face registering deep shock.
Logically, such monumental war news should have made him happy immediately.
But this battle report was simply too outrageous, causing his first reaction to be to doubt the intelligence's authenticity.
But who would dare to play such a joke on him?
"Did this really come from Tsunade?" Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but ask.
"The intelligence scroll uses Konoha's highest-level encryption; there is no mistake," Haru explained.
"This is simply... simply..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was momentarily at a loss for words.
Haru's curiosity was piqued.
She rarely saw Hiruzen Sarutobi so shaken.
He couldn't be blamed.
The contents of the scroll were a massive shock.
Kumogakure was utterly defeated, and the Fourth Raikage, Killer B, and Yugito Nii were captured alive.
Shisui Uchiha had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Hoshikawa had used Wood Release.
With all this compounded, even the battle-hardened Hiruzen Sarutobi found it unbelievable.
Since Konoha's founding, aside from Hashirama Senju, when had there ever been such a miraculous situation?
"Disseminate the news."
After a long time, Hiruzen Sarutobi recovered and said.
"Yes," Haru nodded.
"Say that Hoshikawa awakened Wood Release, and together with Tsunade and the others, they defeated Kumogakure and captured the Two-Tails, Eight-Tails, and the Fourth Raikage." Hiruzen Sarutobi stated thoughtfully.
"Ah?"
Haru was momentarily stunned.
"Just do as I said," Hiruzen Sarutobi understood her surprise, so he didn't blame her.
"Yes."
Haru wanted to speak but finally suppressed her shock, bowed, and turned to leave.
Konohagakure, Kushina Uzumaki's home.
"I wonder when I'll get to go to the battlefield," Kushina Uzumaki sighed and said.
"I hope that day never comes," Minato Namikaze shook his head and said.
"The war has dragged on for too long. It would be better if I went myself; I could reduce Konoha's casualties," Kushina Uzumaki clenched her fist and complained. "It's all because the old man is so hesitant!"
"Kushina," Minato Namikaze smiled and said, "The Hokage naturally has his own considerations."
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"At this hour?"
Kushina Uzumaki was puzzled and asked, "Could it be a change in the Land of Frost battlefield?"
"It's possible."
Minato Namikaze's expression turned very serious.
.............
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