Birth of a ninja clan in Konoha

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Just as the shinobi world was reeling from the news of Kumogakure's surrender, another piece of information dropped like a bombshell into the already turbulent waters, causing even greater shock.

"Uzushiogakure has been destroyed!" Except for a few high-ranking members of Sunagakure, almost everyone who heard the news initially dismissed it as unbelievable. 

However, upon witnessing the affirmative expressions of their subordinates, they almost simultaneously issued similar orders:

"Spare no effort to protect the spies we had positioned in Uzushiogakure and ensure their safe return."

Consequently, the battles on the primary front lines saw a significant lull, and a large number of unidentified individuals swiftly converged near the former location of Uzushiogakure.

However, upon their arrival, they were met by the well-prepared Kirigakure shinobi. Fighting on water, the sheer numbers of the various forces proved largely ineffective against the Mist shinobi's aquatic expertise.

"Humph! I knew those Mist shinobi weren't entirely trustworthy. Notify the returning troops to regroup towards the Land of Water. I refuse to believe they'd abandon their own territory so completely."

The Raikage wasn't surprised to learn that his envoys had been intercepted by Kirigakure shinobi. However, Kumogakure's strength was significantly diminished, so this time they could only dispatch shinobi who had remained in the village.

To ensure success, he not only sent his aide to lead the team but also dispatched a secret letter to Ōnoki, discussing how to exert pressure on Kirigakure and force their withdrawal.

Ōnoki was equally incensed by Kirigakure's betrayal. Upon receiving the Raikage's secret letter, he immediately deployed a large number of troops to gather towards the Land of Water without hesitation.

Iwagakure differed from other shinobi villages in their belief in strength in numbers. They typically trained a vast number of lower-level shinobi, so they weren't concerned about manpower shortages at this time.

With the Tsuchikage's order, thousands of Iwagakure shinobi amassed densely along the Land of Earth's coastline. Upon receiving this news, the Daimyō of the Land of Water issued numerous urgent decrees, demanding that the Mizukage lead his forces back to defend their homeland immediately.

Left with no choice, the Mizukage gathered some important sealing ninjutsu scrolls and hastily retreated. However, a portion of their forces remained behind to complete the full occupation of Uzushiogakure.

As the Mizukage led his team away, a large number of spies who had been lying in wait within Uzushiogakure emerged one after another and were retrieved by the troops dispatched by their respective forces.

However…

"What?! Killed them all! Not a single one survived?" the Raikage asked in disbelief.

"Yes!" The Raikage had summoned the Kumogakure spies as soon as they returned. But after listening to their report, he too was shocked by Kirigakure's ruthlessness. 

It was because the surviving members of the Uzumaki clan harbored deep hatred for the Mist shinobi who had destroyed their home and refused to join them that the Mizukage had ordered their extermination.

Hearing his subordinate's affirmative answer, the Raikage instinctively reached to rub his chin but suddenly remembered his missing right hand and could only sigh, "How utterly cruel."

Compared to those Mist shinobi, Yuta, who had eliminated five or six hundred of their shinobi, seemed like a vegetarian monk chanting Buddhist scriptures.

"So, were you able to acquire the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques?"

"Yes. However, due to the urgent circumstances, I could only hastily secure the sealing techniques related to the tailed beasts. The Mist shinobi arrived before I could obtain the others."

He retrieved a few scrolls from his robes, raised both hands, and presented them to the Raikage.

"Well! Thank you for your hard work! While it is regrettable that you couldn't bring back any members of the Uzumaki clan, it is not your fault. You may leave! You have made a significant contribution this time. I will have someone announce your reward later."

"Yes! Thank you, Raikage-sama!" The Kumogakure spy, hearing that the Raikage not only didn't blame him for failing to secure a new kekkei genkai for Kumogakure but also intended to reward him, exclaimed excitedly.

"Alright! These are your due!"

Watching the spy depart, the Raikage called out towards the door, "Summon Dodai!"

"Yes!" A voice responded from outside.

The Raikage looked at the sealing scrolls in his hand and suddenly felt another headache coming on. The sealing techniques were there, but Gyūki was still in Konohagakure's possession.

"It seems we must negotiate with Konohagakure as soon as possible; otherwise, the safety of the Land of Lightning cannot be guaranteed by Matatabi alone."

Since the Mizukage had withdrawn from Uzushiogakure, the Kumogakure and Iwagakure shinobi who had gathered at the border returned to their respective villages, and Dodai naturally returned with them.

When he entered the Raikage's office and saw the scroll on the Raikage's desk,

"Were you successful?"

"Yes! I simply failed to bring back any members of the Uzumaki clan. Those Mist shinobi were so ruthless; they left no one alive."

Dodai sighed, "There's nothing we can do about it. If I were in their position, I would have done the same. After all, if you can't possess it, you can't risk keeping it and inviting trouble, right?"

"Alas! I simply feel a sense of regret. Now I'm somewhat envious of Konohagakure. Not only did they take in so many members of the Uzumaki clan, but they also didn't have to exert any effort." The Raikage felt the urge to slam the table again, but remembering his missing right hand, he could only sigh.

"Then should we…" Dodai said hesitantly.

"Make no unnecessary moves; we simply need to observe. With Konoha Silver Fox in this war, Konohagakure will most likely emerge victorious. But Konohagakure is peculiar; as long as there is no external enemy, they will turn on each other, just like the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and Uchiha Madara. I've heard that he is highly suspicious of the Konohagakure higher-ups; I believe they will clash after the war."

Despite his reputation for recklessness, the Raikage was not a simple fool; a truly reckless individual could not attain the position of Raikage.

After the Raikage's analysis, Dodai suppressed his initial thought, "Then why did you summon me this time…?"

"I want you to go to Konohagakure and negotiate with them regarding the retrieval of Gyūki. After all, Gyūki was entrusted to us by their First Hokage, and I believe they wouldn't dare to refuse its return. Try to keep the ransom as low as possible. The pension expenses this time are considerable."

"Understood, I will prepare immediately, but isn't the Hokage-sama of Konohagakure currently absent from the village?" Dodai was slightly puzzled by the Raikage's request for him to go to Konohagakure.

"We must retrieve Gyūki as soon as possible while their leadership is away. Otherwise, with more people involved, they will have more opinions. What if someone is truly shameless and unwilling to return it?"

"Alright! Then I will depart tomorrow! But isn't this somewhat inappropriate?" Dodai also hesitated, nodding in agreement with the Raikage's analysis.

"But even if Sarutobi and the others are not present, Danzo will not be easy to deal with."

"Haha!" Dodai, hearing the Raikage refer to Danzō, displayed a face full of disdain. "He is merely a shortsighted individual; do not worry, he is not difficult to handle!"

"Then I entrust this matter to you!" the Raikage said solemnly to Dodai.

…

The situation in the Land of Earth was roughly similar to that in the Land of Lightning, but they were in a slightly better position. 

Civilians from Uzushiogakure had sought refuge with them early on, so while they were surprised by Kirigakure's ruthlessness, they weren't overly disappointed.

But the Land of Wind…