Mirai's face lit up with satisfaction as he examined his drastically improved stats.
Today's battle had earned him a staggering 800 points across the board.
Most impressive was his physique attribute, which had finally surpassed the 1,000-point mark.
With my current body, even if Rasa used Magnet Release to attack me, it probably wouldn't even fracture my bones, he mused.
Weapons like kunai, explosive tags, or senbon? Those likely wouldn't even scratch him now.
Moreover, his chakra and mental energy were both approaching 1,000 points as well.
As for his mental energy…
He could feel it. His eyes were on the verge of evolving once more. It wouldn't be long before his Mangekyō Sharingan advanced further.
The myriad of jutsu and secret techniques he'd acquired? They were little more than a collection hobby for him now. None of them provided any real help at his level.
The only worthwhile gain was the Scorch Release Kekkei Genkai he had seized from Pakura.
Being able to unleash superheated fireballs that could instantly evaporate an enemy's blood—not bad, he thought.
After taking stock of his spoils, Mirai closed his eyes to meditate, intent on mastering his newly enhanced attributes and making them second nature.
...
Sunagakure
The wind howled, stirring up clouds of sand that blanketed the village.
On the streets, passersby dressed in black moved silently, their faces heavy with grief. Even the children, who usually played noisily, hung their heads with tear-streaked cheeks.
Occasionally, the quiet was broken by the sound of sobbing, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.
In the ninja cemetery, mourners placed flowers before gravestones etched with names, silently praying for the departed.
"Why start a war? So many have died—was this what the village wanted?"
"Counsellor Chiyo couldn't let go of her grudge over her son and daughter-in-law, so now our sons and daughters have to die for her vengeance?"
"The dead are gone, and the village has lost. Life's only going to get harder from here."
"We had some of the finest shinobi in the entire ninja world, yet this is how it ends. Chiyo has brought nothing but ruin to our village."
"Shh! Do you want to get yourself killed talking like that?"
"My whole family is gone. Let them come for me if they dare."
"Same here. We've lost the Third Kazekage, and now even Rasa is dead. This is all because of Chiyo."
The murmurs of discontent among the villagers cast a heavy shadow over the ninja returning from the frontlines.
For those who had survived, the bitterness in their expressions said it all.
They understood better than anyone that the blame couldn't rest solely on Chiyo. In truth, her poison research and puppetry had dealt significant blows to Konoha's forces during the war.
But...
The image of Uchiha Mirai summoning a towering, god-like entity to decimate their forces haunted them.
Such overwhelming power—it had torn through their ranks effortlessly. Every rear guard who stayed to hold the line had been slaughtered. Their finest techniques hadn't even scratched him.
Even during Shukaku's rampages, they had never felt such despair.
In one battle, Mirai had shattered a frontline they'd held for over a year.
Their dreams of conquest, fueled by their victory over Kumogakure, were crushed in an instant.
In a quiet corner of the cemetery, Ebizō turned away and made his way toward the Kazekage's office.
Inside, Chiyo sat in the chair reserved for the Kazekage, her cloudy eyes betraying her weariness.
When Ebizō entered, she spoke without looking up.
"Ebizō, the village will be unstable for some time. Keep a close watch to prevent anyone from exploiting the situation."
"Also, ensure that security around the village is tight. We can't let enemy shinobi take advantage of this."
Ebizō gave a faint, bitter smile. "Sister, the villagers' opinion of you is… less than favorable. Perhaps you should lay low for a while?"
Chiyo waved a hand dismissively. "I have my own plans. You may leave."
"Yes."
Once Ebizō left, Chiyo stared out the window.
From a revered hero of the village to someone everyone scorned—it was a bitter pill to swallow.
"Perhaps it was my selfishness that led to this outcome…"
Her murmured words gave way to silence, her eyes growing resolute.
A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Who is it?"
"Chiyo-sama, it's me."
The door creaked open, and Pakura stepped in hurriedly.
"You survived."
Chiyo's tone was flat, but Pakura knelt down, her expression tinged with shame.
"Yes, Chiyo-sama."
She had lived, not because of her strength, but because she'd chosen to flee at the last moment.
"To have escaped Uchiha Mirai alive is no small feat."
Chiyo's words startled Pakura. Her earlier resentment toward being ordered to stay behind melted away, replaced with a glimmer of hope.
With the Third Kazekage missing and the war over, Sunagakure needed to elect a new Kazekage.
Now, with Rasa dead, Pakura's potential rivals were few.
If Chiyo's endorsement meant anything, her chances of becoming the next Kazekage were nearly certain.
Pakura's heart raced.
"This way," Chiyo said, standing abruptly.
Pakura quickly followed as Chiyo led her to a secret chamber beneath the Kazekage's building.
Inside, Rasa's decapitated body lay on a table, his shattered head nearby.
"Chiyo-sama?" Pakura asked, confused.
Why wasn't Rasa's body in the cemetery with the others? Why hide it here?
"Pakura, the village cannot be without a Kazekage. I have made my decision."
"Guard the door. Let no one enter without my command."
Pakura's heart soared.
Is this her official endorsement for me as the next Kazekage?
Though Chiyo's reputation was tarnished, her influence over the village was still immense. If she supported Pakura, her ascension was almost guaranteed.
"Yes, Chiyo-sama!" Pakura replied eagerly, shutting the chamber door and taking her post.
Inside, Chiyo stood over Rasa's lifeless body.
Her gnarled hands rested on his chest.
"Forbidden Jutsu: One's Own Life Reincarnation!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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