Reborn in Konoha; I Think I’m Cultivating Immortality

Konoha ninjas reveled in joy, their confidence soaring. They were ready to end the war with one final decisive battle.

But for the Kirigakure ninjas, the situation was entirely different—they were engulfed in despair and confusion.

The reports were true: the Iwa-Suna Alliance had surrendered to Mochizuki Hui. 

The Second Tsuchikage, Mū, and the Second Kazekage, Shamon, had been killed by him. In that battle, Hui had earned the title of Demi-God of the Ninja World.

Now, the Kirigakure stood alone against Konoha. Even their Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, had fallen to Hui.

Moreover, Hui had boldly declared his arrival was to bring the war to an end.

All of this, facts so outrageous it bordered on absurd, was true.

For the Kirigakure ninjas, this truth was almost impossible to accept.

"Fake! This has to be fake!"

"This can't be real! It must be disinformation from Konoha to mess with us!"

"How could the Iwa and Suna armies—nearly twenty thousand ninjas—lose so easily? That's ridiculous!"

"But… didn't the Kumogakure surrender to Hui too?"

"Yeah, and it's true that our Second Mizukage was killed by him…"

"Damn it, no! This can't be true! I don't believe it!"

"He must have become the God of Shinobi! Damn it, why?! Why does Hui belong to Konoha?!"

"This war… we're Konoha's last enemy now."

"The Second Mizukage… someone, please tell me this isn't true!"

"We're going to lose, aren't we…"

The ordinary ninjas of the Kirigakure were visibly shaken. They refused to believe the reports, yet deep down, they knew it was true. 

Their denial clashed with their instincts, plunging them into a chaotic mix of emotions—fear, confusion, and despair.

Even the Third Mizukage, a man of immense strength and conviction, felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

…

Inside the Kirigakure's main camp, the tension was palpable.

"Third Mizukage-sama… what do we do next?"

The question came from a high-ranking ninja, the head of the Hozuki clan. His voice was tinged with uncertainty, his demeanor uncharacteristically unsettled.

He was a famous figure in the ninja world, a Kage-level ninja known for his leadership and strength. Yet, even he was at a loss.

Before the war began, the outcome seemed inevitable: Konoha would be crushed, its lands divided among the four great villages, ushering in a new era of the Four Villages.

But now, after just a few days of fighting, everything had changed. Three villages had already surrendered, leaving only the Kirigakure.

This reversal of fortune was incomprehensible.

"What do we do? We keep fighting! We'll crush Konoha and make the Kirigakure the greatest village in the ninja world!"

A loud, arrogant voice broke the tension. The source was a member of the Kaguya clan.

The gathered ninjas collectively grimaced.

The Kaguya clan were a bloodthirsty, battle-crazed simpletons. Their input was best ignored.

"Hui has grown into a force like that of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha," murmured an elder ninja with a sigh. 

He was a veteran who had lived through the era of those legendary figures and witnessed their terrifying might firsthand.

Back then, the power of Hashirama and Madara had left him with no thoughts of resistance. The gap between them was as vast as the heavens and the earth.

Now, Hui's feats brought those memories rushing back.

"This war… it no longer seems necessary. After all, the other three villages have already surrendered."

Another voice chimed in, bringing a heavy silence to the room.

They couldn't ignore the truth.

Could they really continue this war? And even if they did, could they win against Konoha?

"But we can't just let this go! The Second Mizukage sacrificed himself!"

This came from one of Hozuki Gengetsu's loyal subordinates. His eyes were red with grief, his voice trembling with anger.

"And if we try to avenge him… can we win? Even if we use our numbers to win, remember that Konoha's other forces are free now. They'll send reinforcements, and we'll face the same outcome in the end!"

Silence fell again, heavy and suffocating.

The Third Mizukage felt the same crushing pressure that had weighed on the Third Raikage before his surrender. A responsibility of the decision loomed before him:

To fight, or to surrender.

"How do you think Hui will treat the ninja world, and the four great villages, if he truly becomes the God of Shinobi?"

The Third Mizukage's sudden question startled everyone. Their eyes widened as the implications sank in.

The war had started because they feared what Hui would do as the God of Shinobi. Now, that future seemed inevitable. Hui's rise was unstoppable.

What could they do? How could they face a man who could single-handedly annihilate entire villages?

"From what we've gathered, Hui is… different from Hashirama Senju, but also unlike Tobirama Senju.

"He's incredibly strong, but kind. He seeks peace, yet is unafraid of war. He's compassionate, yet also… cold and ruthless.

"Hui is… a true leader."

The head of the Hozuki clan spoke solemnly, but his words only deepened the uncertainty in the room.

They didn't even know Hui's ultimate goal. What did he want for the world?

"It's ironic, isn't it?" one ninja said bitterly. "The future of the Kirigakure… of all of us… now depends entirely on the will of our enemy."

The realization was crushing. Their fate was in Hui's hands.

"The war… it might really be time to end it."

The Third Mizukage's voice broke the silence.

"But we can't surrender so easily. If Konoha wants the Kirigakure to yield, they must promise not to attack us for twenty years. If they refuse… then we'll fight to the death."

His tone was resolute.

If Hui truly sought peace, he would agree to this condition. But if he refused, it would mean he intended to destroy the four great villages to usher in a new era.

If that was his goal, then the Kirigakure would rather die fighting than await their inevitable demise.

This was the Third Mizukage's decision.

After a moment of contemplation, the other ninjas nodded in agreement.

"But… what if he pretends to agree?" one ninja asked hesitantly.

"He won't," the Third Mizukage said firmly. "Hui is a man of his word. Because he is Mochizuki Hui. Because he is the Demi-God of the Ninja World."

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