At the border of the Land of Earth, within a tent at Iwagakure's camp, the battlefield's central command was stationed. Here, Kitsuchi, the operation's overseer, held court.
Inside the tent, a surviving Iwagakure ninja from Rōshi's unit recounted their ordeal to Kitsuchi.
"You ambushed Konoha's ninjas but encountered their genius, Tengen. He single-handedly crushed you, and even Rōshi was defeated, his fate unknown." Kitsuchi said, his face darkening.
The loss of so many Iwagakure ninjas was a grievous blow, one that pained the village deeply.
"I never imagined Konoha's prodigy was that formidable." Kitsuchi said grimly. "They say he fought on Sunagakure's front before coming here, and you just happened to cross his path. What wretched luck."
Clearly, Tengen was new to this battlefield, or Kitsuchi would have heard of him sooner. To not only arrive recently but also appear in the exact Konoha squad targeted by their ambush was misfortune at its peak.
Kitsuchi exhaled heavily. "There's no helping it now. We'll just have to be more cautious."
"But is Rōshi dead?" Kitsuchi asked the ninja.
"Kitsuchi-sama, we don't know." the ninja replied, ashamed. "We saw Tengen's terrifying warrior form fire an arrow that struck the Four-Tails. We were too busy fleeing to see what became of Rōshi-sama."
"It's fine. You were in a life-or-death crisis." Kitsuchi said.
"Thank you, Kitsuchi-sama." the ninja said, relieved.
"Take me to the battlefield." Kitsuchi said slowly. "Whatever happened to Rōshi, we can't leave one thing out there."
"The Four-Tails." the ninja realized.
If Rōshi was dead, the Four-Tails would be wild, a weapon Iwagakure couldn't afford to lose.
"Exactly. Konoha already has the Nine-Tails. We can't let them claim the Four-Tails' power." Kitsuchi said coolly.
Just then, a voice called from outside. "Kitsuchi-sama, Rōshi-sama requests an audience."
"Rōshi's back?" Kitsuchi's face lit up. This was better than he'd hoped, not only was the tailed beast secured, but Iwagakure's strength remained intact. At full power, Rōshi wielded Kage-level might.
"Let him in." Kitsuchi said quickly.
"Kitsuchi-sama." Rōshi said, stepping into the tent, his voice weary.
"Rōshi, are you alright?" Kitsuchi frowned, noting Rōshi's tattered appearance and pallid complexion.
"Far from it. It's a disaster." Rōshi said with a bitter smile.
"A disaster?" Kitsuchi pressed. "What happened?"
Rōshi glanced at the ninja beside him, recognizing him as one of the few surviving Jonin from his unit.
"Rōshi-sama." the ninja greeted.
"I assume Kitsuchi-sama's been briefed." Rōshi said. "Tengen's Mangekyo Sharingan defeated me. I woke up somewhere else and made my way back, but I don't recall the details."
"I see." Kitsuchi said. "You transformed into the Four-Tails, only to be defeated by Tengen's Susanoo."
"So that's it." Rōshi nodded, corroborating Son Goku's account. Even as a tailed beast, he'd been bested. Perhaps that's why the Four-Tails was so reticent.
Unbeknownst to Rōshi, Son Goku's silence wasn't due to shame over defeat by a power akin to the Sage of the Six Paths. It was the humiliating manner of that defeat.
"Can you still fight, Rōshi?" Kitsuchi asked, eyeing his condition.
"No chance." Rōshi shook his head. "My body's a wreck. It'll take time to recover."
"Understood. Rest well." Kitsuchi said, nodding. Rōshi's return was fortunate enough.
"You two are dismissed." Kitsuchi told Rōshi and the ninja.
"Yes, sir." they replied, leaving the tent.
As they departed, Kitsuchi mused, "I may need to inform Father about this."
News of the clash between Konoha and Iwagakure spread rapidly among the Iwagakure ninjas. Kitsuchi couldn't contain it, so he let it spread, ensuring they knew of Tengen. Their strategy was simple: flee if they encountered him, or face certain doom.
Tengen became a figure of dread among Iwagakure's ranks. His Flying Thunder God Technique, unparalleled taijutsu, and devastating Susanoo could crush them effortlessly.
In the heart of the Land of Earth, Iwagakure stood fortified by towering mountains and cliffs, a natural fortress nearly impregnable to invaders.
Within a stone building marked with the symbol of Earth, the Tsuchikage's office, Third Tsuchikage Onoki sat, studying a letter.
"Mangekyo Sharingan, divine power, Susanoo, sealing Shukaku, defeating the Kazekage." Onoki murmured. "To think that Konoha genius possesses such terrifying strength. If only we'd allied with the Third Raikage back then…"
He noted the report's date. "This intel is old. I wonder how our war with Konoha fares now."
A knock interrupted him. "Enter." Onoki said.
A ninja stepped in, kneeling. "Tsuchikage-sama, battlefield report."
"Good. Hand it over." Onoki said.
The ninja passed him the report and left at Onoki's command. Opening the envelope, Onoki smiled faintly. "Not bad. We're holding the advantage." He stood, gazing into the distance. "The Land of Fire… perhaps it's within reach."
"Tsuchikage-sama." a voice called from outside.
"Enter." Onoki said, frowning. "What now?"
"Urgent report."
***
Hi guys, I hope you're all doing well! I want to share that I'm currently working on a new project related to Lord of Mysteries.
If you're interested, feel free to visit my profile and start reading. Below is a brief summary:
[Lord of Mysteries: Incarnation of Chaos]
Have you ever wondered what would happen if someone from a Lovecraftian world got isekai'd into another world built on Lovecraftian themes? Well, it's absolute chaos.
Meet Alaric, a human(questionably) survivor of the madness and chaos caused by a certain crawling chaos, who, thanks to the kindness of a certain bubble daddy, got isekai'd into the "fake it till you make it" world.
What will he do in this strange new world? Climb the ladder of power to become that impossible god unless you're just a pawn of a certain russian priest or a certain goth mommy?
Or become a cheshire cat, leaping onto the 4D chessboard to disrupt the schemes and mind games of these bizarre folks?
For Alaric, it's not a tough choice. But before he picks either path, he must, of course, uphold the time-honored tradition of isekai'd victims(questionably) that forms the foundation of this world.
What's that tradition?
Keeping a diary.
---
[Alaric's Transmigration Diary]
[Day 1: I encountered Amon. Used a special technique to summon a projection of the Ancient Sun God, who personally delivered a heavy slap to Amon. Hope Amon appreciates this weighty paternal affection.]
[Day 2: I received an invitation from the Aurora Order. Told them I want it all... looks, brains, and combat prowess... and invited them to join my newly founded Joker Club.]
[Day 3: I met Leonard and acknowledged Gramps Pallez. Declined Leonard's enthusiastic suggestion for the old man to move in with me, as I'd rather not have a old man critiquing my every move, even in private moments.]
[Day 4: I told Klein I plan to pray to a deity named The Fool. Watched his eyes widen in shock and kindly offered him some eye drops.]
[Day 5: I listened to Medici perform a two-hour comedy routine. Suggested he go professional and invited him to share a meal.]
.
.
.
[Day 666: I fully absorbed a certain crawling chaos fragment within me. From now on, I am the Fifth Pillar.]