At the center, Yamanaka Inoichi was there along with his clansmen and Kurama Kurokumo, acting as the command center, handling intelligence coming from various battlefields.
Beside him, Nara Shikaku was with a group of pineapple heads, frowning and discussing, continuously writing and drawing with the pen and paper in his hand.
On this massive warship, each area had its designated responsibilities, and everyone was fulfilling their tasks, coordinating swiftly and seamlessly.
Though it appeared to be work, there was an aesthetic beauty to it.
For former Root members like Hyuga Hizashi, seeing this scene didn't evoke much, as everyone in Root worked this way.
But it was different for the former Hidden Mist Ninjas.
This village, heavily burdened by internal strife under the Blood Mist influence, had never seen such an efficient scene.
Inevitably, they began comparing Konoha to the current Hidden Mist in their minds...
The same three aspects—
The leader's military strength, collective quality, and now, technological advancement.
The Hidden Mist Ninjas couldn't help but ponder a question: What value do they have left for Aomi to treat them kindly?
Being valued by an invincible enemy made them feel unexpectedly privileged.
They began to think that this might be their only fortunate opportunity in this life...
Whether they could seize it depended on their performance during the internal cleansing of the Hidden Mist Village!
"Lord Aomi, the battle situation here is going smoothly..."
Spotting Aomi, Nara Shikaku came over keenly, softly congratulating:
"With the elimination of the Hidden Mist's hardliners and the control of the Ninja Clan, you are now an even more worthy ruler of the Hidden Mist compared to the Third Mizukage!"
Aomi chuckled.
Though Nara Shikaku's words sounded flattering, they were true.
In any village, including Konoha which advocated supporting civilian ninjas, it was only with the support of the Ninja Clan that one could become Hokage and maintain stability.
As long as the major Ninja Clans backed them, the other civilian ninjas, being atomized, naturally followed the strongest village faction, as long as nothing too heinous was done... it could be sustained.
The allegiance of the Kaguya, Hozuki, and Terumi clans in Hidden Mist had essentially decided the outcome.
Even though Hidden Mist had always suppressed Ninja Clans, is it still one of the Five Great Hidden Villages without these three clans?
This is the point of contradiction.
The same goes for Konoha; without the Senju and Uchiha clans, can it still be called the first Ninja Village?
"Perhaps so, Shikaku, but this is only the Hidden Mist..."
Aomi shook his head, speaking slowly, "The situation in Hidden Mist can still be consolidated using force and some special methods to win their hearts, but it's not feasible for other villages."
"The stubborn Onoki is like a piece of rock from a smelly outhouse, inevitably leading twenty thousand Hidden Rock Ninjas to fight to death."
"As for the Hidden Cloud, centered around family, loyalty, and generosity, traitorous ninjas are fewer, and the warrior spirit imbues everyone, making it tough to subdue even by killing."
"Hidden Sand, however, I've heard is caught up in internal fights; there might be angles there..."
Nara Shikaku listened attentively and agreed, "The situation in Hidden Mist is indeed quite unique..."
"But you have done a great job, not only without significant loss of force but also gaining new allies. I have browsed through documents on Ninja World Wars and the Warring States Era, and rarely have I seen achievements like yours."
Nara Shikaku is a clever person.
When he acutely observed Namikaze Minato and Jiraiya, seemingly having a confrontational relationship with Aomi,
he swiftly weighed the situation and chose to benefit the Nara Clan by siding with Aomi.
Looking back now, both the Nara Clan and his decision seemed absolutely right.
In the Ninja World Wars, to consistently grow troops, Nara Shikaku had never seen nor found such records in any chronicles.
With these Hidden Mist Ninjas, Nara Shikaku could even be certain that soon, they would become Aomi's most loyal and fervent supporters.
"Let's hope so, Shikaku."
Aomi gazed at the meticulously crafted Root members and the Hidden Mist Ninjas feeling like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden, sighed:
"There are always struggles, always conflicts..."
"After solving Hidden Mist, there are still Hidden Cloud, Hidden Rock, and Hidden Sand, even if all are resolved, there are still internal issues."
"In peaceful times, everyone thinks of dividing benefits and engaging in internal fights. But once chaos starts, everyone wishes for stability to live well. Yet when that day truly comes, the cycle repeats."
"Look at these hopeful Hidden Mist folks; I don't doubt they'll become part of Konoha and even Root, but surely in the future, they'll partake in internal conflicts."
Nara Shikaku frowned, pondering Aomi's words.
Lord Aomi seems to think far ahead, and while his words might sound odd, upon careful thought, they make sense.
In Konoha's peaceful times, from the First to the Second Ninja World War, there were twenty good years.
Yet within those twenty years, battles and interest conflicts involving Shimura Danzo, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, and various Ninja Clans and civil ninjas ensued...
Such struggles and demands for interests made this village far from tranquil.
A gleam of contemplative light flashed in Nara Shikaku's eyes.
He wondered what the ultimate objective of Aomi was, having achieved extremes yet remaining unsatisfied?
Is it a world of perfect harmony with no internal conflict, where everyone is united as one?
This sounded almost dreamlike, and from a human nature standpoint, Nara Shikaku thought it improbable.
But Aomi's strength and talent surpassed ordinary people, and some optimistic fantasies instead made Nara Shikaku feel a more perfect Aomi seemed more real...
Senju Tobirama frowned, sighing internally.
The Uchiha Clan's characteristic, even apparent in Aomi,
is extremism!
To Senju Tobirama, this was Aomi still surreptitiously pursuing everlasting peace...
"Deploy, target: Hidden Mist Village."
Aomi seemed unwilling to continue the topic, calmly ordering Tobirama's craft to start.
With such airborne warfare tools, even the ocean's separation meant little.
…
One day later.
"Some old hardliners of Hidden Mist, you know them even better than I do, so I must rely on you."
Aboard the Tobirama craft, Aomi instructed his subordinates:
"Kill decisively those who need to be killed; I do not want anyone blocking the arrival of the new era. It's for your good and mine."
Hidden Mist Ninjas nodded.
As for Kisame and others, they had previously discussed with Aomi, drafting a must-eliminate list.
Elders like Genma, deeply intertwined with Hidden Mist departments, were among the targets for cleansing.
Executing the list, Hidden Mist could potentially undergo comprehensive rejuvenation...
Led by Kisame wielding Shark Skin, Kaguya Kimijiro brandishing Bone Blade and sewing needle, and Terumi Mei, descending from the heavens, along with those Hidden Mist Ninjas who had recently assaulted Konoha, they now remold their homeland.
Hidden Mist Ninjas looked up at the swarm-like flying wing unit, feeling inexplicable...
Until not long ago, these airborne foes, spraying deadly poison needles, were opponents they couldn't resist.
Now, they had become companions escorting them.
This feeling, once experienced, was challenging to leave behind...
It took less than half a day.
The Hidden Mist Village was utterly declared fallen!
The salty sea breeze carried a hint of blood, yet the eyes of all blade-wielding ninjas were filled with excitement.
Simply because this time, they stood on the side of victory...