Chapter 645 The Influence of the Second Ninja God

“We were originally fighting the Iwa Ninja Force led by Kitsuchi, but then a mysterious person in a black robe with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan suddenly appeared…” Muzuki selectively recounted their encounter today.

Muzuki didn’t go into detail about the battle, only saying that this Ninja, suspected to be Uchiha Madara, was very skilled in Fire Release, and then briefly described the size of Susanoo.

“Uchiha Madara, could it really be that guy?” Although Muzuki was the one reporting, Jiraiya’s first reaction was still doubt.

Because this news was simply illogical.

The one who brought the news of Uchiha Madara’s death back then was the God of Shinobi, First Hokage Senju Hashirama; Senju Hashirama himself said he had killed Uchiha Madara.

Would Senju Hashirama lie? As a Konoha Ninja, Jiraiya felt that Senju Hashirama had no need to lie.

Senju Hashirama didn’t need lies to enhance his fame and achievements; he already stood at the pinnacle.

So, did Senju Hashirama intentionally let Uchiha Madara go, and then claimed to have killed Uchiha Madara because he didn’t want Uchiha Madara to be hunted by Konoha?

That’s also unlikely. Uchiha Madara had previously threatened to destroy Konoha, and for Senju Hashirama, as the Hokage, this was an unforgivable crime.

Take Jiraiya himself, for example. Even if Tsunade said she wanted to destroy Konoha and stood against Konoha, when the mission came to him, he would reluctantly kill Tsunade.

This wasn’t because Tsunade wasn’t important to him, but because Konoha was more important to him than himself or anything else.

Jiraiya didn’t believe that Senju Hashirama, who founded Konoha, would be inferior to him in his love for Konoha.

However, Jiraiya thought about it carefully, and if this Uchiha wasn’t Uchiha Madara, it seemed there was no one else.

Even if Muzuki didn’t describe the battle, Jiraiya could tell from Muzuki’s somewhat disheveled appearance that the opponent was not simple.

There were absolutely no such strong individuals in the Uchiha Clan in Konoha today.

“Muzuki, let me see the body.” Jiraiya thought for a moment and said.

He hadn’t seen Uchiha Madara in person, but he had seen a portrait.

Muzuki nodded, took out a scroll, and released Uchiha Madara’s body. Tobi’s body had already been separated by him beforehand.

Looking at the wrinkled, loose-skinned face, Jiraiya was stunned.

This was too old; he couldn’t see how this was the Uchiha Madara who could contend with the God of Shinobi.

However, Jiraiya didn’t immediately deny the body’s identity. Being so old yet still able to make Muzuki so disheveled further proved his strength.

“I’ll report to the higher-ups. Muzuki, you shouldn’t lead any more missions for now.” Jiraiya shifted his gaze from the body to Muzuki and said.

Regardless of who this body belonged to, one thing was now certain: there was still a force in the shadows targeting Konoha.

Muzuki nodded.

Both he and his disciples had gained a lot this time, and it would be better to rest, consolidate their gains, and adjust their condition.

…

Ten minutes after Muzuki and his team withdrew, several Iwagakure Ninja quietly arrived at the severely damaged battlefield.

They were a reconnaissance squad left by Kitsuchi to investigate the situation. After watching the blue giant disappear from a distance, they felt the battle might be over, so they came to investigate.

When the Iwagakure Ninja saw the state of the battlefield, they all gasped.

The ground was covered with craters of varying depths and sizes, some of which were over a hundred meters wide, like footprints left by a giant beast.

The Iwagakure Ninja walked across this shocking battlefield. Here, rocks and soil were mixed, forming rugged obstacles. Shattered vegetation was scattered everywhere, and dead branches and leaves were covered with a thick layer of ash, recording the merciless ravages of fire.

Next, they saw charred, elongated ravines, and still-burning blue flames on the ground.

“Is this the kind of destruction humans can cause? Those two guys are simply too exaggerated.” The Iwagakure Ninja couldn’t help but exclaim as they saw the battle marks on the battlefield.

Although they hadn’t witnessed the battle between Muzuki and Uchiha Madara firsthand, just looking at the battle marks, they knew that’strong’ was no longer enough to describe them; they were simply monsters.

“We can’t tell who won based on these alone.” An Iwagakure Jōnin frowned slightly.

Muzuki and Uchiha Madara were too strong. It was unclear whether Uchiha Madara was friend or foe, but Muzuki, the Konoha Ninja, was definitely an enemy of Iwagakure.

If Muzuki won, then Iwagakure would either retreat and wait for reinforcements, or return directly to the Land of Earth.

With their current numbers in the Land of Grass, they couldn’t possibly deal with the Konoha Ninja Force. Muzuki alone could surround a thousand-man Ninja force, and Jiraiya was also difficult to deal with.

If Uchiha Madara won, then this might become an excellent opportunity for Iwagakure to act.

“Captain, there seem to be no Konoha Ninja bodies here, but there are Iwagakure Ninja bodies.” An Iwagakure Ninja reported his findings to the Iwagakure Jōnin after a search.

The Iwagakure Jōnin’s frown deepened. This was not good news. It could basically be confirmed that Konoha had won.

Because if Uchiha Madara had won, there was no reason for him to only deal with Konoha Ninja bodies and ignore Iwagakure.

“Continue the search.” The Iwagakure Jōnin ordered.

Konoha winning didn’t mean Muzuki necessarily won; it could also be a mutual destruction, or a mutual injury followed by a joint retreat.

Subsequently, they discovered some traces of the Konoha team’s withdrawal, proving the fact that many Konoha Ninja had survived.

Half an hour later, after failing to find any more clues, the Iwagakure Jōnin led his team back to the Iwa Ninja Force camp to report the situation to Kitsuchi and Retsuishi.

“Did Hayate Mugetsu win? Or that mysterious black-robed person?” Kitsuchi quickly asked.

“The existing intelligence cannot confirm which side won, but it is highly likely that Hayate Mugetsu won.”

The Iwagakure Jōnin recounted what he had seen on the battlefield.

Kitsuchi and Retsuishi each asked the Iwagakure Jōnin a few questions. After answering, the Iwagakure Jōnin tactfully left the tent.

“Retsuishi-senpai, I think it’s necessary for us to retreat to the western border.” Kitsuchi expressed his thoughts.

The Susanoo, over eighty meters tall, left an incredibly profound impression on him.

He could even defeat such a terrifying enemy and also master large-scale Wood Release Ninjutsu. Kitsuchi couldn’t imagine how much of a role the current Muzuki could play in a large-scale war.

“Indeed.” Retsuishi nodded.

Previously, Retsuishi had been single-mindedly focused on achieving merits and advancing further to become an Iwagakure high-ranking official. Ever since he was severely injured and almost died in the last battle with Jiraiya, his ambition to progress had significantly diminished.

Now, Retsuishi felt that staying alive was more important. After all, even if he didn’t become a high-ranking official, he was currently considered to have achieved success and fame.

After confirming the retreat, Retsuishi contacted Iwagakure to request instructions from the Tsuchikage.

Retreating to the western border of the Land of Grass was something they could decide on their own, but withdrawing from the Land of Grass or continuing to push towards the Land of Fire’s border was something only the Tsuchikage and Iwagakure high-ranking officials could decide.

In the Land of Earth, Ōnoki quickly began to examine the contents after receiving the front-line intelligence.

Halfway through, Ōnoki put down the intelligence, checked it repeatedly, and only then confirmed that it was an urgent and important report from the front line, not some draft of a Ninja novel.

“Hayate Mugetsu possesses Wood Release, capable of instantly creating a forest. A mysterious black-robed person infiltrated the battlefield to attack the Konoha Force, and can also release a Susanoo over eighty meters tall…”

Ōnoki clasped his hands, resting his elbows on the desk, displaying expressions of surprise, doubt, and worry.

Due to a special experience, he was not unfamiliar with Susanoo, knowing it was an ability of the Uchiha Clan’s Sharingan.

Susanoo attacking Konoha’s force? Wouldn’t that mean an Uchiha Ninja attacking Konoha? Did the Uchiha Clan stage another coup?

Even if it was a coup, they shouldn’t be attacking forces outside; they should be targeting the high-ranking officials.

Ōnoki analyzed for a long time but couldn’t figure out what was happening with Konoha.

“But what exactly is going on with Hayate Mugetsu? He actually gained Wood Release, and his strength has advanced by leaps and bounds.”

Ōnoki didn’t dwell too long on why the black-robed Uchiha attacked Muzuki. Now he wanted to know what was going on with Muzuki himself.

While the former Muzuki was also exceptionally outstanding, he was still within reason. Ōnoki could regard him as another Hiruzen Sarutobi.

This time was different. Muzuki’s strength had not only become even stronger, but he had also displayed an incredibly powerful Wood Release.

Even the mysterious black-robed person, whom Kitsuchi believed could easily annihilate a thousand-man Ninja force, might have been defeated by Muzuki.

“Is Konoha about to produce another Senju Hashirama?” Ōnoki’s expression became very grim.

He would rather Konoha produce two more Hiruzen Sarutobi than another Senju Hashirama.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was indeed strong, but Ōnoki felt that with a team of elites, he could definitely kill Hiruzen Sarutobi.

If the opponent were Senju Hashirama, then Ōnoki could only say that someone would die, but it definitely wouldn’t be Senju Hashirama.

Ōnoki had never directly fought Senju Hashirama, but he had fought Uchiha Madara, who was defeated by Senju Hashirama.

At that time, Ōnoki was still very young, and he went to Konoha with his teacher, the Second Tsuchikage, to discuss alliance matters, only to be severely beaten by Uchiha Madara.

Ōnoki still vividly remembered that battle; he and his teacher were no match for Uchiha Madara, who maintained a contemptuous expression throughout and barely even looked at them directly.

Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were so strong that they represented a qualitative leap; in front of such powerhouses, numbers lost their meaning.

Annihilating a Ninja force of a thousand people was merely a matter of a few full-power Ninjutsu for them.

“Reply to Retsuishi, tell them to temporarily station at the western border,” Ōnoki ordered after some thought, calling in an Iwagakure ANBU.

“Also, have him send out a small team for reconnaissance to determine Hayate Mugetsu’s status—whether he’s alive or dead, in good condition or severely injured.”

If Muzuki was severely injured, then Ōnoki would be willing to trade the Iwa Ninja Force in Land of Grass for Muzuki’s life.

If Konoha produced another Senju Hashirama, the harm to Iwagakure would be incomparable to that of a two-thousand-Ninja force.

The long period of peace and lack of war in the Ninja World during Senju Hashirama’s tenure as Hokage was because Senju Hashirama desired peace.

Given the choice, Ōnoki didn’t want to gamble on Muzuki’s personality; Ninja like Senju Hashirama were simply too rare.

“Also, activate the spies in the Land of Fire; I need the latest Konoha battle reports and the situation within Konoha Village,” Ōnoki continued.

He still wanted to know if there were any problems with the Uchiha Clan.

If Konoha were to fall into internal strife at this time, he might be able to use Muzuki’s intelligence to seize the opportunity to unite with other Villages and besiege Konoha.

Attacks fought individually and truly joint attacks were very different.

Currently, they were also attacking Konoha, but this did not mean they were allies; on the contrary, Kumogakure and Iwagakure were also in a state of war.

If there was an opportunity, Ōnoki would not hesitate to deliver a severe blow to Kumogakure.

Signing an alliance and launching a joint attack was different; there was no need to worry about being ambushed due to exposed weaknesses during the attack.

Ōnoki felt that the other Great Villages also likely did not wish for Konoha to have a second Senju Hashirama.

Without Senju Hashirama, they could be considered peer forces; with Senju Hashirama, Konoha’s actual strength would be that of a Super Great Village, not just a Great Village.

…

Land of Fire, Konoha Village.

Hokage Office.

“Sandaime-sama, this is intelligence just received from the Land of Grass battlefield,” an Anbu reported.

Hearing it was from the Land of Grass battlefield, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled slightly.

He felt it was most likely good news because Muzuki had recently gone to the Land of Grass battlefield to assist Jiraiya.

Upon seeing the specific contents of the intelligence, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s expression turned from shock to seriousness.

Strictly speaking, it was indeed good news, but not the kind of good news he had imagined.

Thump thump.

“Uchiha Madara…” Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, rhythmically tapping the wooden desk with his fingers.

Danzo Shimura’s dying words and clues made him suspect that Uchiha Madara might have left a successor.

However, the intelligence from Land of Grass indicated that the Uchiha Ninja Muzuki killed was not a successor, but rather suspected to be Uchiha Madara himself.

So, was the “Uchiha Madara” who caused trouble in the Danzo Shimura death incident the same person as the Uchiha Madara killed by Muzuki?

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt it was highly likely to be the same person.

Since Uchiha Madara would target Danzo Shimura, it was only natural for him to target Muzuki.

The current Muzuki could truly be called “Konoha’s future”; if Muzuki were to sacrifice himself, it would be an immense loss for the entire Konoha.

As for whether the Ninja Muzuki killed was the real Uchiha Madara, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no way of judging.

Unlike Jiraiya, who had only heard of him, Hiruzen Sarutobi had even personally witnessed the tragic state of the Valley of the End not long after the battle ended.

Logically, Uchiha Madara should not be alive.

But reality was as such, and coupled with Uchiha Madara’s past strength, Hiruzen Sarutobi now increasingly felt that Senju Hashirama might have made a mistake back then and did not truly kill Uchiha Madara.

“If only I had been at the battle scene.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized Uchiha Madara’s Chakra; if he had been there, he would have been able to identify the person.

“Tell Jiraiya not to act rashly for now, and send out reconnaissance teams to observe the Iwa Ninja Force’s reaction,” Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered, calling in an Anbu.

He really wanted to see Uchiha Madara’s corpse with his own eyes, but now was not a good time.

Having other Ninja transport the corpse back to Konoha was not secure enough, and Jiraiya and Muzuki were temporarily unable to leave their posts.

If Jiraiya was transferred, Hiruzen Sarutobi worried something might happen to Muzuki; if Muzuki was transferred, the border defense line might be in trouble.

Due to Uchiha Madara’s sudden attack, Iwagakure had most likely already learned about Muzuki’s strength.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to know what choice Iwagakure would make; if Iwagakure retreated, he would recall Muzuki.

If Iwagakure reinforced and continued the war, Hiruzen Sarutobi would personally lead troops to support Muzuki, aiming to subdue Iwagakure in one go.

They now had a large number of Hidden Mist prisoners, and Hidden Mist Village would most likely agree to sign a peace treaty.

If they only had to face Iwagakure and Kumogakure simultaneously, the current Konoha was not very intimidated.

Days passed, and the atmosphere in the Ninja World suddenly became somewhat eerie.

The Hidden Mist on the southeastern battlefield of the Land of Fire were defeated and captured, and the Iwa Ninja Force on the Land of Grass battlefield retreated to the border near the Land of Earth.

Konoha, which had been engulfed in war, suddenly became leisurely, with only Kumogakure in the Land of Hot Springs still engaged in a fierce battle with the Ninja force led by Orochimaru.

This left Sunagakure, which had been eager for gossip, a bit bewildered; why did the fighting suddenly stop?

The southeastern battlefield was resolved too quickly by Muzuki; not only did other Villages not know, even Hidden Mist Village only learned that Yagura Karatachi had been utterly defeated and captured when Konoha approached them for peace talks.

The Third Mizukage was extremely speechless; he had originally intended to use the Land of Waves as a hub to prepare a thousand-Ninja reinforcement force for Yagura Karatachi, but before the reinforcements were fully in place, Yagura Karatachi was gone without a sound.

The Third Mizukage didn’t even know why Yagura Karatachi had been defeated, despite having previously defeated the Ninja force led by Konoha’s higher-ups.

Even though the Third Mizukage regarded Yagura Karatachi as his successor, he was greatly dissatisfied with Yagura Karatachi this time.

Although Yagura Karatachi had been defeated last time, the losses were not particularly severe, aside from a few Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and a Jinchuriki who couldn’t control his Tailed Beast very well.

This time, nearly half of the Ninja force, including Yagura Karatachi himself, was captured; it was no exaggeration to say they were completely wiped out.

“What do you all think about Konoha’s peace proposal?” the Third Mizukage asked the Hidden Mist higher-ups.

The Hidden Mist higher-ups exchanged glances; for a moment, no one dared to speak, and even Gensui looked thoughtful.

There was no other way; this peace treaty was truly a hot potato.

If they agreed, Hidden Mist would not only be unable to seek revenge but also have to pay Konoha compensation, which was a great loss of face.

If they refused, Konoha held over a thousand Hidden Mist prisoners.

These thousand Ninja basically covered the entire Hidden Mist Village’s network of connections; if they refused the peace talks and caused Konoha to go berserk and kill all the prisoners, Hidden Mist, even if it didn’t erupt into a major internal conflict, would be in chaos for some time.

Even without mentioning anything else, these thousand Ninja themselves constituted a formidable force.

The Third Mizukage was somewhat displeased, and just as he was about to say something, there was a knock on the conference room door.

“Enter,” the Third Mizukage said calmly.

A Hidden Mist Anbu walked into the conference room, quickly approached the Third Mizukage, and whispered, “Sandaime-sama, the Iwagakure Ninja dispatched by Ōnoki have arrived at our Village.”

“Iwagakure?” The Third Mizukage found it a bit strange.

Although Hidden Mist and Iwagakure were not currently at war, the relationship between their two Villages was not good.