Swish, swish, swish!
The Konoha ninjas rushed toward Hui, their faces pale as they gazed at the floating corpse in the lake.
Danzo stared at the lifeless body, his voice trembling with disbelief. "The Second Mizukage..."
"He's dead," Hui confirmed with a calm nod.
The Konoha ninjas were left stunned, their minds unable to process the reality before them.
It all felt too surreal—a Mizukage, one of the most powerful shinobi in the ninja world, dead right before their eyes.
Even Danzo, usually composed, was left speechless as he looked at the serene youth beside him. His thoughts were in turmoil.
This boy… has reached such an unfathomable level of power.
"Hui!"
Tsunade's voice echoed from the distance as she and the others arrived, led by Hui's two Shadow Avatars.
With the death of Hozuki Gengetsu, his Explosive Vapor Water Clone had dissipated, clearing the path for them.
After safely escorting Tsunade and the others, the two clones dispersed on their own, vanishing into thin air.
Tsunade sprinted to Hui's side and threw her arms around him.
"It's almost over. The war is ending soon, and we'll finally return to Konoha to eat that soft chicken together!"
Hui smiled warmly and patted her head affectionately. His gaze and tone were full of tenderness.
The Konoha ninjas nearby were momentarily dazed, as though caught in a dream.
Should we remind him? He just killed the Second Mizukage. Is this really the time to being so flirty?
Hui turned to address the group, his voice firm.
"Everyone, the war in the Land of Rain is over. Our reinforcements—three thousand strong—will arrive here tomorrow.
"Since the beginning of this conflict, we've dealt with the Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Sanagakure. All that remains is Kirigakure. The war will soon end, and we'll be heading home to Konoha!"
His words stirred the spirits of the Konoha ninjas, pulling them out of their daze. Their eyes lit up with newfound hope.
"Victory for Konoha!" one ninja shouted, and soon, the chant spread like wildfire.
…
At the edge of the battlefield, a Kirigakure ninja lay hidden, trembling as he bore witness to the battle's conclusion.
He had been assigned to observe and report on the outcome, but what he had seen shook him to the core.
The Second Mizukage… is dead.
With a final glance toward Hui and Konoha forces, the Mist ninja retreated. He had to deliver this news to the Third Mizukage—Hozuki Gengetsu's personally chosen successor.
As the ninja left, Hui turned his gaze briefly in his direction.
With Hui's level of sensory perception, the Mist ninja's attempts at concealment were laughable.
Hui had simply allowed him to leave, ensuring the news would spread swiftly.
Let them learn what's happened. When tomorrow's reinforcements arrive and the Kirigakure faces another crushing blow, they'll have no choice but to surrender.
Hui's mind churned briefly with strategy, but he quickly dismissed it. Regardless of their choices, the outcome of the war was already determined.
This war will end by my will. No one can stop that.
…
The news of Hui's arrival at the Kirigakure frontlines spread like wildfire.
Accompanying it were reports of Hozuki Gengetsu's death, the surrender of the Iwa and Suna Alliance, and the deaths of Mū and Shamon.
The entire Kirigakure front erupted in chaos.
Many Mist ninjas dismissed the reports as absurd rumors.
This is impossible. It's too unbelievable!
Meanwhile, the Konoha ninjas rejoiced, their faith in Hui soaring to unimaginable heights.
"No wonder Lord Mochizuki Hui is hailed as a miracle worker!"
"I heard the Second Tsuchikage called him the Demi-God of the Ninja World!"
"He's practically ended this war on his own, just like Lord Hashirama in his prime!"
"Now all that's left is the Kirigakure. Lord Mochizuki Hui will lead us to victory!"
"Lord Hui is so amazing!"
"Konoha will once again have a God of Shinobi! With Lord Hui, there will be no more wars for Konoha!"
"Truly, it's a blessing that someone like Lord Hui belongs to us!"
"Have you realized? The Second Raikage, Second Kazekage, Second Tsuchikage, and now the Second Mizukage—all of them have fallen to Lord Hui!"
"I noticed that too! Lord Hui hasn't just won this war; he's ended the Second Generation era of the Five Great Shinobi Villages!"
"Well… uh… let's not forget that our own Second Hokage is still alive."
"Ahem, I meant when Lord Hui becomes the Third Hokage, the Second Generation era will officially end."
"Ha ha ha! That's a good point!"
"And remember, Lord Hui promised us—he will end this war, and we'll soon return to Konoha!"
"To Konoha! To Home!"
The cheers grew louder, the Konoha ninjas' confidence soaring as they placed their trust in Hui.
Many became devoted admirers, their respect and admiration for him reaching new heights.
…
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen was left dumbfounded when he received the news. After recovering from his initial shock, he broke into a wide grin.
"Well done, Hui! At just sixteen, you're already hailed as the Demi-God of the Ninja World. It makes an old-timer like me feel ashamed!"
Placing a hand on Hui's shoulder, Hiruzen looked at him with a mixture of pride and nostalgia.
"But truly, this is wonderful! With you here, Konoha will undoubtedly enjoy a long era of peace."
Hiruzen's emotions were written all over his face. A complex mix of joy, pride, and a hint of melancholy.
Watching the boy he'd mentored surpass him filled him with both awe and a bittersweet sense of being left behind.
"Heroes truly do arise in youth," murmured the Hyuga Clan Head.
"At sixteen, Lord Hui is already regarded as the Demi-God of the Ninja World. Such achievements come once in a century. Even the First Hokage, Lord Hashirama, wasn't this accomplished at Hui's age."
He sighed, deeply impressed. If not for the Hyuga's reliance on thier bloodline, he might have considered Hui as a son-in-law.
"With Lord Hui leading us, and reinforcements arriving tomorrow, we'll launch a counterattack on the Kirigakure. The war will end soon," remarked another clan leader.
"To think… we faced all four major villages united against us. It's been the hardest yet somehow the easiest war we've fought."
His voice carried the awe and acknowledgement that many felt with the challenges they had faced, but also the hope and strength brought by Hui.
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