The battles across various fronts gradually reached their conclusions, with the Akatsuki achieving a decisive victory.
At the outskirts of Konoha, Sand shinobi and the rogue Konoha ninjas from the Hyūga, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans gathered under Itachi's command, retreating in an orderly manner.
Of course, apart from them, there were also many ordinary Konoha ninjas and villagers who defected during the chaos, voluntarily joining the fleeing forces.
After all, during Danzo's reign, it wasn't the shinobi clans who suffered the most oppression, but the ordinary ninjas and lower-class civilians.
Before the Second Konoha Destruction Plan began, the impoverished among Konoha's lower class had already reached the point where they couldn't even secure enough food to eat—an unimaginable situation for Konoha.
Since the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, founded the village, even during the most critical moments of the three Shinobi World Wars, Konoha had never fallen into this level of destitution.
"Sensei Kurenai, this is where we part ways."
Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and Hyūga Hinata looked at their team leader, Kurenai Yūhi. Although they had only been together for less than a year, her gentle and responsible attitude had forged a deep bond between them.
But in situations of this magnitude, decisions were no longer theirs to make. All they could do was follow the arrangements of their clans.
Of course, even from their own perspectives, they were eager to leave Konoha.
During Danzo's brief rule, these boys and girls who once deeply loved the village were left with nothing but disgust and rejection for it.
Hinata's situation didn't need further explanation, and Kiba and Shino's circumstances weren't much better. Under Danzo's exploitative and militaristic policies, the number of shinobi in their clans had almost dwindled to single digits.
Uncles, aunts, cousins—their relatives and elders had all perished in a short span of time, all due to Danzo's reckless warmongering.
"I see…" Kurenai's lips moved a few times, but all she could muster was a complicated sigh. Her body bore numerous injuries, all from earlier battles.
Now that the battle's outcome was clear and Konoha's defeat was imminent, even the most loyal Konoha shinobi had lost the will to fight.
"Why don't you come with us, Sensei Kurenai? There's nothing left in this village worth staying for," Hinata suddenly suggested, breaking the awkward silence among the four of them.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Kurenai's eyes. She, too, had long since lost any attachment to Konoha. But then she thought of him, the man she had already discussed marriage with.
As the current head of the Sarutobi clan and the son of the Third Hokage, he would never defect. And so, she found her reason to stay in Konoha.
"Let's go," Shino, who had been standing quietly at the back with little presence, finally spoke. Being the most mature among them, he understood that continuing this conversation would only make things harder for their teacher.
"Woof! Woof!" Akamaru barked as the three turned swiftly and headed toward the main group of defectors.
This scene wasn't unique. Many Konoha ninjas and civilians were saying their goodbyes to old friends. The remaining forces in Konoha neither wanted to stop them nor dared to.
"Daytime Tiger!"
The familiar massive white tiger appeared once again before Kisame. This time, however, he didn't dare take it head-on. Instead, he used a series of Water Release techniques to weaken the attack. Having prepared for it mentally this time, it was impossible for this move to deal a fatal blow to him.
"What a terrifying beast," Kisame remarked with his signature shark-like grin, watching as the Daytime Tiger nearly shattered his Great Exploding Water Shockwave.
He cautiously kept his distance from Might Guy, having fused with Samehada to transform into a fish-man form to increase his speed.
"Are we really going to keep fighting?"
"Look around—Konoha has already lost," Kisame said.
Might Guy's expression turned serious. The usually decisive and forward-charging shinobi hesitated for the first time.
Was it time to open the final Gate? Was this the moment to protect what was most important to him, even at the cost of his life?
If this were the Konoha of the past, he wouldn't have hesitated at all. He would've opened the Eight Gates and charged forward without a second thought.
But the Konoha of today…
Thinking of the tragedy that befell his student Neji's family, thinking of Tenten's plight, thinking of the misfortune of his closest friend Kakashi…
Was this Konoha still worth protecting?
He didn't know. He was lost.
Father, if it were you, you'd know the answer, wouldn't you?
"Guy, stop."
At this moment, Kakashi appeared, following Deidara's clone. This was Kakashi's second mission: to recruit Might Guy.
"Kakashi, you…" Guy looked at Kakashi, unsure of what to say.
Given his friend's actions today, he should have struck him down. But when he thought of Danzo, of everything that had happened, he found himself unable to do so.
It was Deidara who spoke next. "Might Guy, come with us."
Guy immediately refused. "Youth does not permit me to do such a thing!"
"Why be so stubborn? The Akatsuki is an organization that pursues peace, not the dangerous group of renegades you think we are. We need someone with your talents."
Guy shook his head again, firmly refusing.
"Guy-sensei, come with us!"
Suddenly, Tenten's voice came from the other side. Behind her stood Hyūga Neji and Rock Lee.
"Tenten, Neji, Lee… Are you all planning to defect as well?" Guy asked, his expression wavering.
Tenten, being more emotional, wiped her tears. "Guy-sensei, you know what happened to my family."
"Do we have any other choice besides defecting?"
Guy's gaze shifted to Neji. He already knew Neji would defect, so he looked to Rock Lee last.
"Lee, even you…?"
Rock Lee ran up to him, his expression resolute. "No, Guy-sensei! Wherever you are, that's where I'll be!"
Guy finally found some comfort. Everyone around him seemed eager to defect, making him feel like the odd one out.
"Guy, Konoha is no longer worth protecting. Come with us instead."
"I can promise you this: Amegakure is truly a place worth defending," Kakashi said again, trying to persuade him.
"No, Kakashi." Guy ultimately shook his head. "I must protect Konoha."
Kakashi grew anxious and was about to say more when Deidara raised a hand to stop him.
Deidara stepped forward, his eyes locking onto Guy's as he asked, "Then tell me, what's more important—the people of Konoha or this land?"
"The people of Konoha, of course," Guy answered without hesitation.
"Then now that the people of Konoha have all gone to Amegakure, who are you staying here to protect?" Deidara pressed.
"I…" Guy was momentarily stunned.
This was, in part, Jiraiya's fault. Politically, he was utterly clueless. Despite Danzo being so unpopular, as the only viable opposition in the village, Jiraiya should have been able to rally a large following.
In the chaos of Konoha's downfall and Danzo's death, people should have immediately thought of Jiraiya and rallied around him, asking him to take charge.
But in reality, apart from the passive loyalty of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, no one else in Konoha even thought of Jiraiya. Instead, they chose to defect.
This was the result of Jiraiya's lack of effort in building alliances, leaving Konoha's morale scattered when it mattered most.
Deidara handed Guy a familiar black cloak with red clouds and a ring. "Might Guy, take it."
"Aren't you worried that we, the so-called dangerous renegades, might harm the people of Konoha in the future?"
"By joining us, and even taking a core position, you'll be able to stop any potential harm at its source."
"That's true protection."
"And we won't force you to do anything. I can guarantee that."
For the first time, Guy sighed, a rare occurrence. He glanced around at everyone—his best friend Kakashi, his students Tenten and Neji, and even Lee, who looked at him with anticipation.
He took the ring and put it on. "But I won't wear this cloak. It doesn't match my youthful aesthetic!"
Deidara shrugged indifferently.
"Then from this moment on, you are Akatsuki's Black Tortoise—Might Guy!"
…
On the other side of Konoha.
Shimura Kiyoto was preparing to lead the Guard Division to regroup when a figure blocked his path.
"Who are you?" Kiyoto asked warily.
"Do you really want to go to Amegakure? You should know that you're not like them. If you go, it won't end well for you," the figure said.
Kiyoto's expression turned unnatural. Of course, he knew this, but did he have the power to refuse?
"Join my master, and the curse mark in your mind can be removed immediately," the figure continued.
"Why should I believe you?" Kiyoto questioned.
"If you don't, then I'll have to kill you."
A vast amount of gold sand enveloped the area as the figure slowly turned around.
"Rasa!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~ The story isn't over...🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters? 🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world? ✍ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?✨patreon.com/GoldenLong