The Kirigakure.
Days ago, it had been utterly razed by Blazing Hell, the dense fog that once shrouded the village long gone.
The village remained a wasteland, with only a few newly built structures serving as shelters for the wounded.
In these days, the Kiri-nin focused on rescuing survivors from the battle rather than rebuilding the village.
They weren't architects, after all. Rebuilding would require the Land of Water's aid, though the ninja's extraordinary abilities could provide significant help.
For now, their priority was saving their fellow Kiri-nin.
Over these days, most surviving Kiri-nin had been rescued.
Some lightly injured ninja leaned against charred walls, their gazes vacant, staring at the scorched earth. Their thoughts drifted to the terrifying Konoha ninja, Tengen.
They recalled his ninjutsu that revived the dead, fearless skeletons that sent chills through their hearts.
Those weren't ordinary skeletons; their strength was formidable.
Suddenly, the ground trembled slightly, snapping many Kiri-nin to attention.
"Who's here?" They asked nervously, fearing Tengen had returned to finish them off.
"It's… it's Mizukage-sama and the others!" A Kiri-nin shouted.
"Mizukage-sama is back!" Another said, stunned. "They've finally returned!"
The Kiri-nin erupted in relieved cheers. The Fourth Mizukage's return felt like a stabilizing force.
"This is the Kirigakure…" Yagura's face darkened as he approached, seeing no trace of the village's former mist or towering buildings.
The Kiri-nin behind him wore grim expressions. They had imagined the village's state, but the reality was far worse.
What kind of power could do this?
As Yagura reached the village entrance, many Kiri-nin knelt before him.
"Mizukage-sama, you're back!" The lead surviving Jonin said.
"All this was caused by that Tengen." Yagura said, his voice heavy as he surveyed the ruined village.
"Yes, Mizukage-sama. It was all the work of Konoha's ninja, Tengen. We were useless." The Jonin admitted.
"I understand. The rest of you tend to the Kiri-nin. You, come with me and explain exactly what happened and the current situation." Yagura said, pointing to the lead Jonin and a few others.
"Yes, Mizukage-sama." They replied promptly.
"Lead the way. It's a shame the Mizukage's building is gone, but take me to the temporary site." Yagura said.
"Yes, Mizukage-sama. Unfortunately, the main building was destroyed, but we have a temporary location." The lead Jonin said.
"Good. You come with me. The rest of you, care for our comrades here." Yagura instructed, leaving the higher-ups to follow him while the others aided the village.
"Yes, Mizukage-sama." The remaining ninja nodded, dispersing to help their fellows.
Yagura and his group arrived at a rudimentary office.
"Tell me about this incident." Yagura said.
"Yes, Mizukage-sama." The Jonin said. "Here's what happened…"
He recounted how Tengen invaded and destroyed the Kirigakure. The broad strokes aligned with the earlier reports.
But seeing the village in person, Yagura and his group felt the full weight of Tengen's terrifying power.
It was like witnessing the aftermath of the massive meteorite crash they'd once seen.
A sense of powerlessness gripped them.
The Jonin detailed how Tengen obliterated the village and the current state: the death toll, the number of severely injured.
The numbers were staggering.
In this ninja war, the Kirigakure had lost nearly half its fighting force. Recovering its former strength would take a generation's effort.
Until the next generation of ninja matured, the Kirigakure lacked the power to rival other villages.
Some time later.
"That's the situation, Mizukage-sama." The Jonin concluded.
"I understand." Yagura nodded. "Next, we'll arrange for ninja to inform the Land of Water's Daimyō. We need their help to rebuild the Kirigakure and tend to the gravely wounded."
"And one more thing: send envoys to negotiate peace with Konoha, for our captured ninja and for the Kirigakure." Yagura said.
Seeing the battlefield's state, Yagura realized just how terrifying Tengen's power was.
Peace talks might be their only option, even if it meant the Kirigakure had to pay a price.
The surrounding Kiri-nin leaders offered no objections.
Those who had been in the village were already terrified by Tengen's strength.
Those returning from the battlefield, seeing the devastation and knowing Tengen also wielded the Mangekyō Sharingan and Wood Release, understood that continuing to fight Konoha was futile.
Since Tengen's destruction of the Kirigakure, they had lost their claim to contest the Land of Fire.
"Ao, you'll lead a few ninja to the battlefield to negotiate peace with Konoha. We've lost." Yagura said.
"Understood, Mizukage-sama." Ao nodded.
The negotiations would be complex, but as the victors, Konoha would clearly demand much from the Kirigakure.
Yagura then outlined the next phase of the Kirigakure's rebuilding efforts, assigning tasks to the ninja.
In the empty room, Yagura stared at his palm. "Tengen, I never imagined we'd lose to you like this."
From that day forward, legends of Tengen's terrifying power began to spread through the Kirigakure.
They spoke of a man whose strength could shatter the heavens and earth.
The Black Emperor of the ninja world.
His name was Tengen.
***
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