At Konoha's encampment, inside Tengen's tent.
"Kushina, I need a bit of rest. Destroying the Kirigakure alone was exhausting. They even set up a barrier, I almost didn't make it back." Tengen said.
Of course, Tengen was exaggerating.
He had utterly dominated the Kirigakure.
While the Kiri-nin's lack of preparation played a part, it was mainly because Tengen's power was overwhelmingly terrifying.
"Really? You don't look tired." Kushina Uzumaki said, eyeing Tengen up and down.
"I'm just good at hiding it." Tengen said with a shrug.
"Always full of nonsense." Kushina said, giving him a look. As his vice-captain, she knew Tengen's personality well.
Sometimes, Tengen could be a bit of a goofball.
"But seriously, are you okay?" Kushina asked, her concern finally showing.
"Don't worry, I'm fine." Tengen said, shaking his head. Kushina could be tough on the outside but soft at heart.
"Then rest well, and don't go taking risks like that again." Kushina said.
"Don't worry, my dear vice-captain." Tengen said with a grin.
"Get some rest already." Kushina said, leaving the tent to let Tengen recover.
After Kushina left, Tengen actually did rest.
Truthfully, using Ryūjin Jakka had taken a significant toll on his mental energy, especially since he'd unleashed its Bankai, Zanka no Tachi.
Without the Bankai, the Shikai state wouldn't have drained him nearly as much.
Hours after Tengen's destruction of the Kirigakure.
At the Kiri-nin's encampment, in the meeting place of their high-ranking members.
The Kiri-nin leaders cautiously observed the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, unsure what had caused his grim demeanor.
Yagura exhaled heavily, his face dark as he addressed the Kiri-nin. "I just received news from the Kirigakure."
"News from the Kirigakure?" The Kiri-nin exchanged puzzled looks.
What could have happened there?
Konoha attacking the Kirigakure was impossible. Konoha was fighting on four fronts; they couldn't possibly have the strength for such an assault.
Other ninja villages were equally unlikely, as they were also engaged with Konoha.
More importantly, the Land of Water was surrounded by sea, making it far harder to invade than the other four great nations on the ninja continent.
Supply lines would have to cross the ocean, a daunting challenge in the ninja world.
So, even with many Kiri-nin attacking Konoha, they were confident in their stronghold's defenses, bolstered by the numerous ninja stationed there.
Seeing their reactions, Yagura knew they couldn't fathom what he was about to reveal.
"Then I'll say it plainly: Tengen went to the Kirigakure." The Fourth Mizukage said.
"Tengen went to the Kirigakure?" The Kiri-nin were stunned.
They knew of Tengen's strength, a ninja wielding both the Mangekyō Sharingan and Wood Release.
When Tengen had used Susano'o against an unknown enemy before, the Kiri-nin had witnessed the terrifying power of the Mangekyō.
Afterward, they investigated the site but found little, only ruins from the devastating battle.
Trees, mountains, and the earth itself were unrecognizable.
Finding surviving Kiri-nin there was a faint hope.
Many here feared Tengen might use that same power to attack their encampment.
But since Tengen hadn't struck immediately, some speculated his power couldn't be used frequently.
The Mangekyō's Susano'o, after all, couldn't be used often without harming the user.
And Tengen hadn't relied solely on that power to resolve battles.
In the ninja world, Tengen knew there were still many things he wanted to acquire.
If he scared off all his enemies at once, how could he collect various rewards? He wouldn't have destroyed the Kirigakure if it hadn't been for the Blu-ray video.
On the other hand, even with his powers, completely wiping out the Kiri-nin would be difficult.
If he tried, the four great ninja villages might truly unite against him.
Tengen hadn't considered taking on the entire ninja world's strength.
So, while everyone feared Tengen's power, it wasn't absolute terror. But now, the Fourth Mizukage had brought up Tengen.
Tengen had gone to the Kirigakure.
This Konoha genius going there couldn't be for anything good. Had he used Wood Release or the Mangekyō to wreak havoc?
"I think most of you can guess what happened." Yagura said slowly. "Indeed, Tengen attacked the Kirigakure alone."
"And this time, under Tengen's assault, our Kirigakure suffered catastrophic losses, at least ten thousand dead." Yagura said. "The exact numbers aren't confirmed, but it's safe to say we lost."
"How could this be?" One Kiri-nin said. "Even if Tengen used Wood Release or the Mangekyō, he couldn't cause such devastation, could he?"
Ten thousand deaths was an staggering number.
Enough to drastically weaken the Kirigakure's strength.
"Tengen didn't use Wood Release or the Mangekyō." Yagura said. "They say he used Fire Release."
"One strike summoned dozens of sky-piercing fire pillars, destroying the Kirigakure."
"One strike slew the manifested body of a Tailed Beast."
"One strike reduced Hōzuki Shingetsu of the Hōzuki clan to nothingness."
"One strike summoned an endless army of the dead."
***
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