However, in comparison, the situation of the top-tier combat power was somewhat less optimistic.
At present, those who could truly be called strong were only a handful, Zabuza, Juzo Biwa, Terumi Mei, and Yagura, nothing more.
Back when the Yuki Clan, the Kaguya Clan, and the Hozuki Clan still existed, what a grand scene that had been.
Compared to that, the few people left now really looked a bit pitiful.
In terms of combat strength, they were merely the tallest among dwarfs.
These clans still had a few descendants scattered throughout the ninja world, but none of them remained in the Hidden Mist Village.
Hozuki Suigetsu was with Orochimaru, while Haku and Kimimaro were in Konoha.
Although the Hidden Mist Village had always been striving to restore its former glory, in terms of top-tier strength, only Yagura was holding things together alone.
There were widespread rumors outside that Yagura's mirror clones could replicate the power of tailed beasts, but in truth, that too was just an illusory façade.
"Back then, you displayed overwhelming might and wiped out most of the Sand Village's elite in one go. Logically speaking, our current situation should be a bit better than theirs," Yagura said with a sigh, "It's just that over the past two years, the Cloud Village has started to stir again. They can't seem to stay quiet anymore."
"Ever since they successfully captured the Two-Tails, Matatabi, they've probably already gained a brand-new jinchuriki. Lately, they've been frequently launching probing attacks against our Hidden Mist."
Hearing this, Rengoku couldn't help but feel doubtful and asked, "They just captured a tailed beast, can they really control it that quickly?"
Yagura truly had no idea about this. After all, back then, in order to successfully subdue a tailed beast, he had gone through countless hardships and spent an enormous amount of time and effort.
From a purely combat perspective, Yagura was already able to fairly freely draw upon the vast chakra contained within the Three-Tails, Isobu.
And he could use his own body as a medium to release Isobu's immense power without reservation.
However, if one failed to completely subdue a tailed beast, then when using its chakra, there was a high chance of conflict between the two, canceling each other out.
Of course, if the jinchuriki and the tailed beast got along well and had a close relationship, or if they happened to encounter a reasonable and gentle-natured tailed beast, it might even generously lend part of its chakra for the jinchuriki to use.
But under normal circumstances, even if someone was fortunate enough to become a jinchuriki, wanting to quickly transform into a combat-effective force in a short period of time was practically a fantasy.
"As for that, I really don't know. Maybe they've made a breakthrough in their sealing techniques," Yagura speculated thoughtfully.
Rengoku simply nodded lightly in agreement after hearing this and did not dwell further on the topic.
After all, the ninja world was constantly changing and developing at an astonishing pace, and he himself had been away for a full five years.
During this long period, every village would inevitably have grown and improved.
At this moment, Yagura suddenly asked, "By the way, what are your plans going forward?"
After all, before Rengoku left, his combat strength had already reached the peak of the ninja world. For someone that powerful, it would make no sense for him to just lie around doing nothing after returning.
Rengoku naturally understood what Yagura was thinking, and he spoke plainly, "There is still an enemy lurking in the shadows of the ninja world. This person is far stronger than me, so for now, I can't easily show myself in front of others."
"What? There's actually someone stronger than you?"
Yagura's face filled with disbelief upon hearing this.
After all, Rengoku had been gone for five years, and by now, information about the Fourth Great Ninja War had already become worthless in the black market.
Throughout the entire ninja world, everyone knew that Rengoku's Susanoo could reach a terrifying height of two hundred meters.
More than six thousand Sand shinobi had died under that overwhelming power, nearly all of them collapsing in an instant.
As for the tailed beasts, which people regarded as immensely powerful, in Rengoku's eyes they were nothing more than slightly larger playthings.
And yet now, Rengoku was saying something like this.
However, if Rengoku wanted to begin his next plan, he would inevitably need Yagura's help.
So, it was time to lay everything out completely before him, "Do you know how ninjas in this world came to exist?"
A trace of surprise appeared on Yagura's face. After all, as the Mizukage, there was no way he couldn't answer such a question.
Clearly, Rengoku wasn't simply asking, he was using this question to lead into something more important.
After a brief pause, Rengoku slowly spoke, "In the vast and boundless universe, there exists a mysterious and powerful clan. They call themselves the Otsutsuki…"
Then, Rengoku began to explain in detail to Yagura about the future threat the world would face from enemies beyond the heavens.
"The planet we live on, the ninja world, is considered an extremely rich land within the vast universe."
"And because of that, it has been coveted and targeted by the Otsutsuki clan."
At this point, Rengoku paused briefly before continuing, "Its a race against time to rapidly convert all the existing resources of the ninja world into real, tangible power."
"Otherwise, if one day the ninja world faces a large-scale invasion from the Otsutsuki, relying on my strength alone, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold them off."
Yagura listened silently, pondering over this information.
Although from his personal standpoint he believed Rengoku without doubt, for him right now, these so-called enemies from beyond the heavens still felt far too distant.
After a moment of silence, Yagura couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Then… are you planning to have the ninja world move toward a path of peaceful development from now on?"
Hearing this, Rengoku let out a soft laugh, "How could that be."
"The ninja world is far too noisy. All kinds of voices are clashing constantly, which directly leads to endless internal conflict and attrition."
"Think about it, ever since the First Great Ninja War all the way up to the Fourth, tens of thousands of ninjas have died."
He continued, "If all those ninjas had survived, the total combat strength of the ninja world right now would far exceed what it is today."
"Only by completely unifying and integrating the entire ninja world into a single whole can we rapidly achieve prosperity and fully utilize all resources to convert them into greater combat power."
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