Even if it wasn't a fully charged Tailed Beast Bomb, it was not something a few guards could withstand. Amidst blood-curdling screams, the Third Mizukage and several of his most loyal guards were directly engulfed by Isobu's Tailed Beast Bomb.
The blast carved a long furrow across the battlefield before slamming into a small hill.
"Boom!!!"
As the Tailed Beast Bomb exploded, the small hill vanished along with it.
Everyone watched the scene in stunned silence. To them, the concept of a "Tailed Beast Rampage" was still a relatively foreign one; only the older generation, those who had lived through the era of Madara Uchiha controlling the Nine-Tails, truly understood its terror.
While the ninjas of Konoha were unfamiliar with such sights, the Kirigakure ninjas were all too acquainted with them. Every time a seal failed, scenes of Tailed Beasts running amok and attacking indiscriminately would unfold. Many of their ninjas had seen it before.
The Third Mizukage of Kirigakure vanished just like that, obliterated along with his guards under the assault of the Tailed Beast Bomb. However, he left behind words that invited a great deal of speculation.
In the future, how Konoha would settle Ronglin and the Uchiha would be a massive problem!
Suppressing the Uchiha had always been the preferred tactic of the Konoha higher-ups. So, the question now was: during such a critical period, how would the village's leadership manage to distance themselves from the Uchiha and Ronglin?
On the battlefield, members of various clans turned their gazes toward the Uchiha. Most of the Uchiha members had unsightly expressions on their faces.
Equally grim were the many Konoha higher-ups present. They hadn't expected such a sensitive topic to be dragged into the light by the Third Mizukage right before his death.
Konoha, which should have been overjoyed at their victory, was instead plunged into a bizarre and eerie atmosphere. Meanwhile, the patriarchs of the various families within Kirigakure quickly consolidated the remaining Mist ninjas and immediately sent representatives to declare their defeat and choose surrender.
Things had reached a point where there was no sense in continuing. No one was a fool. Even though their Third Mizukage had been killed, none of them harbored any thoughts of revenge.
"On behalf of Konoha, I accept your surrender. I ask that you all remain calm and follow Konoha's arrangements. Any attempt at resistance or escape will be met with immediate execution!!!"
It was common for the losing side to be taken prisoner after a war ended. Had they retreated earlier, they might have had a chance to escape, but it was too late now. Even if they could reach the coast and board their ships, so what? Could a ship possibly outrun the massive Isobu?
Having witnessed the power of the Tailed Beast Bomb once more, the people of Kirigakure became quite obedient. This included the various family patriarchs. They knew that even in defeat, Konoha wouldn't make things too difficult for them. At most, they would be imprisoned until the village sent negotiators to arrange for their release. That was all.
With the Third Mizukage dead, no one would target them further.
And with that, the war between Konoha and Kirigakure came to an end!
It became the first front of the Third Shinobi World War to conclude. While the other two lines of the battlefield were still bogged down in a stalemate, this side had finished completely.
None of the Mist ninjas resisted. Save for a few who had managed to flee, all of them accepted their imprisonment by Konoha.
The issues raised by the Third Mizukage were quickly pushed aside and forgotten as everyone joyfully began to clear the battlefield. However, a layer of gloom remained in the hearts of many.
News was quickly sent back to the village and the other two battlefields. Everyone was shocked, followed by a surge of overwhelming joy. No one had expected the war with Kirigakure to end so abruptly.
The war was over, but the cleanup work was a major headache. Simply calculating the number of dead and wounded was enough to give Tsunade and Shikaku Nara a massive migraine.
The surviving Mist ninjas needed their seals reinforced to prevent escape or rebellion, and the wounded required medical attention. It was a massive project, but in exchange for the trouble, it would yield many benefits.
To get these people back, Kirigakure would have to pay a very heavy price.
At this moment, the difference in leadership styles became apparent. If Ronglin had been the one in power, he would have simply slaughtered them all. Imprisonment? Exchanges? Forget it. But he couldn't represent the village; he couldn't make decisions in place of the Third Hokage.
"Hmm, not bad. Though you've taken some hits, your aura has grown significantly stronger. Oh! Well done, you've awakened them."
Ronglin had no interest in participating in the cleanup. His only concern was the Uchiha clan. In this great war against Kirigakure, the Uchiha had deployed the most personnel. The result, however, was hard to swallow more than half were casualties!
Fugaku Uchiha, covered in injuries himself, looked absolutely devastated as he registered the casualties. It was as if his own parents had died. Even as prosperous as the Uchiha clan was, they couldn't endure such a blow.
The Uchiha had suffered heavy losses, but the other major clans weren't much better off. The only ones likely to still be smiling were the clans that hadn't yet deployed their manpower. Unfortunately for them, they wouldn't be smiling for long, because as soon as the other two battlefields needed reinforcements, it would be their turn!! Everyone was in the same boat.
Looking at Shisui's Single Tomoe Sharingan, Ronglin smiled happily and patted his shoulder. The gesture made Shisui, who was wrapped in gauze, wince in pain. Despite the ache, a happy smile remained on the boy's grimy little face.
His strength had increased, and more than that, his Sharingan had awakened. In this great battle, Shisui had killed many enemies and accumulated significant merit, enough to exchange for many things upon returning to the village.
"Hehe..."
Receiving Ronglin's praise, the injured Shisui smiled bashfully. However, his smile soon faded, and he asked in a low voice, "Lord Ronglin, I heard everyone saying that the village is resisting your candidacy for Fourth Hokage?"
Ronglin blinked, then looked at the serious Shisui and laughed. "Adults' matters are not for children to worry about!!!"
"What... you're not exactly an old man yourself, Lord Ronglin."
Ronglin's answer made Shisui feel quite aggrieved, and he couldn't help but mutter under his breath.
"Hmm?"
Ronglin widened his eyes, and only then did Shisui realize he had said something he shouldn't have. He quickly corrected himself, "You're right, Lord Ronglin. Children shouldn't concern themselves with such things."
"Get out of here!! Recover quickly so we can head back to the village."
Ronglin cursed at him jokingly. He wasn't particularly bothered by the issue. It was something he would have to face sooner or later, so it didn't matter when. As for whether the Third Hokage would be fair, he didn't know, and there was no use thinking about it now.
Everyone became busy. The cleanup work wouldn't be finished anytime soon. Of the thousands who had set out from Konoha, less than half remained. One could only imagine how tragic the casualties were.
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