The Hand of God Creates the Strongest Hidden Mist Village

Chapter 186 Returning to the Hidden Mist with a Bountiful Fortune

The battlefield fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone stared at the empty hill and at the old man who was suspended in mid-air, trembling all over.

Ōnoki hovered in mid-air, his cloudy old eyes fixed on the smooth, mirror-like hemispherical depression, his whole body trembling.

It wasn't out of fear, but out of anger.

An overwhelming rage that nearly consumed his reason.

"Red Earth——

His voice was hoarse and dry, as if it were being squeezed out from deep in his throat.

No one answered him.

Akatsuki couldn't possibly answer him.

That old subordinate who had followed him for decades, that [Shield of the Earth Shadow] who had shielded him from countless fatal attacks, that burly young man who was always taciturn but more loyal than anyone else—

They're gone.

Right before his eyes, he was swallowed up by that white light, leaving not even a scrap of clothing behind.

"Kuroki Makoto!!!"

Onoki suddenly raised his head, his cloudy old eyes filled with bloodshot veins, and his wrinkled face contorted with rage.

He clasped his hands together again, attempting to condense Dust Release, but the severe depletion of chakra left him powerless to fight any longer. Only a few faint rays of light flickered between his palms before extinguishing completely.

"You bastard—you bastard!"

Onoki gritted his teeth, wishing he could rush down and fight Makoto Karatachi to the death.

But he couldn't do it.

His chakra was exhausted, he couldn't use Dust Release, and even his Ultra Light Heavy Rock Technique, which he used to maintain flight, began to become unstable. His figure swayed slightly in the air, as if he might fall at any moment.

"Father!"

The sound of loess came from afar, carrying an undisguised anxiety.

He wanted to rush over, but Orochimaru's entanglement made it impossible for him to move an inch. And even if he did manage to rush over, what could he do?

Compared to Makoto Karimoto, he was nothing more than a slightly stronger ant.

"Lord Tsuchikage!"

The Iwagakure ninjas panicked as well.

Akatsuchi died in battle, Onoki was exhausted, Makoto Karatachi mastered Dust Release, and Konoha still had the Yellow Flash and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

How can we possibly fight this battle?

All eyes were fixed on the aged figure in mid-air, awaiting his decision.

Ōnoki hovered in mid-air, his cloudy old eyes slowly sweeping across the battlefield.

The Iwagakure's position has been compressed to a large extent, and most of the earth-style defensive fortifications were destroyed in the previous dust-style clash. Although the casualties of the troops are still within an acceptable range, their morale has plummeted.

Although Konoha also suffered heavy losses, the presence of Makoto Karatachi greatly boosted their morale.

With the tide turning and the tide rising, continuing the fight will only increase casualties.

and--

Onoki's gaze fell on the young man below.

Makoto Karatachi had already withdrawn his Dust Release, crossed his arms, and looked up at Onoki in mid-air, his face bearing that signature expression.

A lazy smile.

It was as if that attack just now was nothing more than a casual gesture.

It was as if Chitu's death was nothing more than an insignificant footnote in the war.

Onoki's fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

But he knew he couldn't fight anymore.

It's not because I'm afraid of dying.

Onoki had lived for over fifty years; what storms hadn't he weathered? Death had never been the most terrifying thing for him.

What he fears is the future of Iwagakure.

If he and Huang Tu perish here, if the tens of thousands of Iwagakure troops are decimated here, then Iwagakure will lose its very foundation in the ninja world. Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and even Sunagakure will pounce like sharks smelling blood, tearing Iwagakure to shreds.

He is the Third Tsuchikage and the supreme leader of Iwagakure (Hidden Stone Village).

He couldn't let a moment of anger jeopardize the future of the entire village.

"retreat."

Onoki's voice was hoarse and tired, as if he had used up all his strength.

"Retreat across the board, return to Iwagakure."

"Lord Tsuchikage!"

One of the Iwagakure Jonin couldn't help but speak up: "Lord Akatsuchi, he—"

"I said retreat!"

Onoki interrupted sharply, a hint of pain flashing in his cloudy old eyes.

"Don't you understand?!"

The Jonin trembled and dared not speak further.

The order to retreat spread like wildfire throughout the battlefield.

Although the Iwagakure ninjas were unwilling, seeing the Tsuchikage's appearance, they knew that the situation was hopeless.

Huang Tu gritted his teeth and repelled Orochimaru. He took a deep look at his father in mid-air, then at Makoto Kujira on the ground, before turning around and leading his troops in an orderly retreat.

His fists clenched so tightly they cracked, his nails digging into his flesh, but he knew it was his father's decision, the decision of the highest leader of Iwagakure.

He must obey.

The retreat of the Iwagakure army was more thorough than the previous ones.

It wasn't a tactical retreat, but a real withdrawal.

The wounded were prioritized for evacuation, and supplies were taken away as much as possible. The rearguard troops formed a defensive formation to prevent Konoha from pursuing them.

Everything proceeded smoothly, demonstrating the qualities expected of an elite force.

But everyone could see an undisguised sense of desolation and resentment in the eyes of those Iwa ninja.

They fought this war for over a year, investing countless manpower and resources, and losing so many comrades, only to end up like this.

Konoha did not pursue them.

It's not that I don't want to, but I can't.

The continuous battles have exhausted Konoha's forces to the limit; of the more than three thousand men, probably less than two thousand are still capable of fighting. If they pursue, and Iwagakure launches a counterattack, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, suppressing the exhaustion and pain in his heart, and gave the order in a deep voice.

"Regroup your troops, treat the wounded, and strengthen the defensive line. Do not pursue."

"yes!"

Although the Konoha ninjas were equally exhausted, their faces showed relief at surviving a disaster, as well as an indescribable sense of exhilaration.

They won.

Despite being outnumbered and in a critical situation, they managed to hold off the full-scale attack of Iwagakure and even forced the enemy to retreat across the board.

And all of this is largely thanks to that young man who stood in the center of the battlefield.

Makoto Kari had already withdrawn his Dust Release, his hands in his pockets, watching the departing Iwagakure army with a blank expression.

"Your Excellency Gouju."

Hiruzen Sarutobi approached, his aged face bearing a complex expression.

There was gratitude, apprehension, scrutiny, and a hint of something else that was hard to define.

"Thank you very much."

"I'm just doing this for money, Hokage-sama, you don't need to be so polite."

Gouju waved his hand dismissively.

"But seriously, the way you Konoha fought this battle—tsk tsk."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

That's it?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips twitched slightly, but he did not refute.

The facts are clear: Konoha's strength is indeed far inferior to what it once was. The continuous battles, the war with Kirigakure that depleted its elite forces, and the direct confrontation with Iwagakure—even with reinforcements like Makoto Karatachi, they could barely maintain their footing.

"How does the Hokage plan to fight the next battle?"

Gouju asked casually.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "Iwagakure has retreated and shouldn't be coming back anytime soon."

"That's not necessarily true."

Makoto Karatachi shook his head. "Onoki withdrew today not because he was afraid of Konoha, but because he was afraid of me. And—Akatsuchi is dead, he won't let this go."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's fingers tightened slightly.

He knew that what Gouju Cheng said was true.

Who is Onoki? He's an old fox who led Iwagakure for decades and experienced two Shinobi World Wars. His retreat today isn't because he's admitting defeat, but because he's exhausted.

Once he recovers and Iwagakure replenishes its troops and supplies, he will surely make a comeback.

Whether Goujucheng will still be around by then is uncertain.

"But that's a matter for the future."

Makoto Koji stretched. "I've finished my work and collected the money. Time to go. Farewell, Hokage."

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could speak, Makoto Karatachi waved to the full moon in the distance.

"Full Moon, gone."

Hozuki Mangetsu responded and quickly ran to Makoto Karatachi's side. He was covered in dust and blood, but his spirits were good, clearly indicating that he had warmed up quite a bit during the battle.

"Brother Cheng, shall we leave now?"

"You're not leaving after you've finished your work? Are you staying for the New Year?"

Makoto Kujira glanced at him, then looked at the Konoha ninjas with complex expressions not far away, and a smile appeared on his lips.

"Too----

Full Moon glanced around and whispered, "These Konoha ninjas are starting to look at you differently, Makoto."

Gouju Cheng certainly knew something was wrong.

I am grateful, but I am also wary.

The strength he displayed today, especially the scene where he copied Dust Release, has probably frightened the Konoha leadership quite a bit.

If someone with the Rinnegan, Mangekyou Sharingan, Flying Thunder God Technique, Dust Release, and the ability to infinitely draw chakra from the Dragon Vein stands at your doorstep, anyone would have to think twice.

But he didn't care.

"Let's go."

With Makoto Koji gripping Mangetsu's shoulder, he was suddenly lifted into the air.

Earth Release: Super Light Heavy Rock Technique, Onoki's favorite flying technique. Although it cannot travel thousands of miles in an instant like the Flying Thunder God Technique, it has a unique kind of composure in this situation.

Looking down from a high vantage point, surveying all living beings.

Full Moon was grabbed by the collar, his feet off the ground, suspended in mid-air, his face pale. It wasn't that he was afraid of heights, but the feeling of being carried around like this was really unpleasant, especially with thousands of eyes watching below.

"Cheng, Cheng-ge, can we try a different position?"

"Shut up."

Makoto Kujira ignored him and glanced down at the Konoha camp.

Inside the camp, Konoha ninjas were busy treating the wounded, clearing the battlefield, and reinforcing fortifications. But many of them stopped what they were doing and looked up at the two figures in mid-air.

Those gazes were complex.

There was gratitude, awe, apprehension, and also a feeling that was hard to describe—a sense of relief.

Makoto Karatachi helped them hold off Iwagakure and win a war they thought they couldn't win. But at the same time, the power he displayed also made everyone uneasy.

This unease reached its peak as Makoto Kojiki prepared to leave.

"Lord Gouju!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice came from below, carrying a hint of urgency.

Makoto looked down and saw the Third Hokage standing in the center of the camp, holding the Vajra Staff, his aged face bearing a complex expression.

"Is there anything else, Hokage-sama?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end it turned into a sigh.

"Your Excellency—take care on your journey."

"Yes."

Makoto Karatachi floated away with the full moon, leaving countless Konoha ninja watching.

A moment later, a man dressed in a dark kimono, with thick bandages wrapped around his right eye and right arm, and leaning on a cane, appeared beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, his face grim.

"Hiruzen, why are you stopping me? This is a golden opportunity!"

"His Sharingan has entered its cooldown period, and the ten minutes of Dust Release are almost up. This is definitely when he's at his weakest!"

"Was that really when I was at my weakest?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to Danzo: "I don't know what methods you've prepared to deal with him, but don't forget, even without the Mangekyou Sharingan and Dust Release, that guy still has those eyes!"

"Even if he has those eyes, so what? My preparations will definitely keep him here!"

Danzo spoke sternly: "If we miss this opportunity, it will be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains. We will never have a better time than now." Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment, his cloudy old eyes looking in the direction where Makoto Karatachi had disappeared. Only a faint black shadow remained on the horizon, gradually fading away in the afterglow of the setting sun.

He did not answer Danzo's question immediately.

He understood Danzo's thoughts and intentions perfectly well, but he knew even better what kind of person Makoto Karatachi was.

That guy will never use 100% of his strength; he always has a trump card up his sleeve!

"I know you've prepared a plan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi withdrew his gaze, his voice hoarse yet calm.

"But Danzo, have you considered what if we can't keep him?"

Danzo's one eye narrowed slightly, and his right arm, wrapped in bandages, twitched involuntarily.

"Hiruzen, when did you become so hesitant and indecisive?"

"This is not about looking back and forth, but about weighing the pros and cons."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around and looked at his old friend of decades, a complex emotion flashing in his cloudy old eyes.

"You saw the strength that Makoto Karatachi displayed today. Dragon Vein Chakra, Flying Thunder God Technique, Dust Release—these powers concentrated in one person are beyond what can be dealt with by numbers or conventional methods."

"You say you're prepared, and I believe you. But can your preparation guarantee 100% success?"

Danzo remained silent.

He certainly couldn't guarantee that.

Makoto Karuta, ever since he appeared before the world, has been constantly redefining everyone's understanding of things.

You thought he only had Sharingan, but he pulled out a Kaleidoscope.

You thought he only had the Kaleidoscope, but he pulled out the Rinnegan.

You thought he only had the Rinnegan, but he pulled out the Dust Release.

Every time you think you've figured out his hand, he always manages to pull out a new, even more terrifying one.

Do you think you can keep this kind of person?

"and."

"Even if you could save him, what would the price be? Could Konoha afford his final, desperate attack?"

Danzo's face was ashen, but he did not refute.

He certainly knew the consequences.

If a powerhouse of Makoto Kuraki's caliber were determined to perish together with someone else, half of Konoha's camp would be wiped out with him.

Not to mention, he also has the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Even if the main camp can be saved, what about the front-line troops scattered in various places, the wounded, the logistics personnel, and the medical ninjas?

"Hiruzen, you're just too soft-hearted."

Danzo snorted coldly, but his tone was no longer as forceful as before.

"This isn't about being soft-hearted; it's about reality."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, his voice tinged with weariness.

"Danzo, Konoha cannot afford any more losses. In the war against Kirigakure, we lost nearly a third of our forces on the eastern front. In the war against Iwagakure, we lost thousands more ninja. If we suffer another heavy loss in the attempt to kill Makoto Karatachi—"

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was very clear.

Konoha's current resources can no longer withstand further losses.

Danzo remained silent for a long time, the expression in his one eye shifting uncertainly, before finally speaking slowly.

"So you mean, you're just going to let him go like that?"

"Letting him go is better than not being able to keep him."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around and looked in the direction where Makoto Karatachi had disappeared.

"Furthermore—although Iwagakure has retreated, Onoki will not let this go easily. Makoto Karatachi's presence is a deterrent to Iwagakure. With him around, Onoki will not dare to offend again."

"You're asking a tiger for its skin."

"I know," Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was calm, "but at least for now, this tiger doesn't seem to have any ill intentions towards us."

Danzo snorted coldly and didn't reply.

He leaned on his cane, gazing into the distance with one eye, lost in thought.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Hiruzen, have you ever considered why Makoto Karatachi dared to copy Dust Release and display Dragon Vein Chakra right in front of us today?"

"Because he's emboldened by his position!"

Danzo's voice was as cold as iron.

"He's certain we won't dare touch him now. He's also certain that even if we wanted to, we wouldn't be entirely confident."

"These are the most dangerous people."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.

This kind of person is indeed dangerous.

But so what if it's dangerous?

Konoha's current situation means it has no right to concern itself with such matters.

"Pass down the order." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, his voice regaining its commander's composure. "Strengthen security, especially a thorough search for any coordinates or markings that Makoto Karatachi might have left behind. Minato, you're in charge of this."

"Yes," Minato Namikaze replied in a deep voice.

"Furthermore," Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo, "organize and archive everything Makoto Karatachi did during his time at the camp, including all the people he met, the techniques he copied, and the intelligence he collected. Root will handle this."

Danzo nodded slightly, without saying anything more.

"Orochimaru, you'll be in charge of liaison with Kirigakure. Even though Makoto Karatachi is gone, we still need to maintain communication with Kirigakure. After all—the ceasefire agreement has been signed, and we can't afford any more mishaps."

"Understood." Orochimaru licked his lips, a meaningful glint flashing in his golden snake eyes.

With Hiruzen Sarutobi issuing his orders, Konoha's war machine began to operate at high speed once again.

But everyone could hear an undisguised weariness and helplessness in the Hokage's tone.

They won the war.

But we still lost.

They won the battle, but lost the strategy.

They won in appearances but lost in substance.

The mastermind behind all this, the young man who stirred up the storm in the ninja world, was now leisurely flying over the Land of Grass with his henchman, heading towards the direction of Kirigakure.

With the bloodline in hand, the secret techniques complete, and money flowing in in abundance, they had amassed a fortune.

Now it's time to do something big!