141-145

*Chapter 141: "Mutual Destruction? You Think I’m Afraid?"*

In the next instant, a dark-red, hexagonal barrier wreathed in flames erupted around Killer Bee, sealing him inside.

Ōnoki, caught in the spreading fire, barely managed to retreat—his plan had failed at the last moment!

"Sarui, do you really want to keep fighting?"

"If you care about your Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, it’d be wise to end this war now."

"And if your attitude stays this poor, I won’t hesitate to extract the Eight-Tails from Killer Bee. Losing a powerhouse like that would hurt, wouldn’t it?"

A blatant threat.

But the Kumogakure shinobi had no choice—Yoru wasn’t bluffing.

"Hah! As expected of Lord Yoru!"

"This is too good!"

Cheers erupted from the allied forces, their morale soaring.

"Heh, ruthless as always. And damn, does it feel satisfying," Suigetsu grinned, cracking his knuckles.

"Typical of him. Crushing the enemy so thoroughly they can’t even argue back," Ameyuri Ringo remarked, shaking her head in amused admiration.

"Dammit… Is there really no way out?"

From Sarui down to every last Kumo-nin, frustration and helplessness gnawed at them.

Yet Yoru remained utterly unfazed. "I’d decide quickly if I were you. My patience is thin, and delays might lead to… unfortunate accidents."

Pure, unapologetic pressure—zero fear.

"You—!" Sarui and the others seethed.

"‘You’ what? Man up and give me a straight answer!"

"Or do you plan to keep struggling like cornered rats?"

Yoru’s sidelong glance dripped with contempt.

"I’ll count to three, Sarui. Choose wisely."

"If I reach ‘three’ without an answer, prepare to bury Killer Bee."

Without giving them time to think, he began:

"One."

"Two—"

Before he could finish, Sarui’s voice cut through.

"Fine! We surrender! Kumo admits defeat!"

The bitterness in Sarui’s tone was unmistakable. But Yoru couldn’t care less.

Victors wrote history. Losers had no say.

"OHHHH! WE WON!"

The Kirigakure and rogue-nin forces erupted in triumph. Against all odds, they’d pulled off a miracle.

No one would underestimate them again—especially the rogue shinobi, who now stood tall for the first time.

"Tch. Winning through threats and tricks? Pathetic."

"Yeah, where’s the honor? Fight us for real!"

"Why?! This isn’t fair! They’re the ones who started this!"

The Kumo-nin’s protests varied, but the sentiment was the same: This wasn’t justice.

But fairness didn’t matter. Victory did.

"Smart choice," Yoru said, dissolving the barrier and gripping Killer Bee’s collar. "Now, let’s discuss… reparations."

"What more do you want?! We surrendered! Release Lord Killer Bee!" Sarui roared.

Yoru chuckled. "Did I ever say surrender meant freedom? That’s your wishful thinking."

"Remember this: The shinobi world belongs to the strong. The weak get no voice."

Sarui’s face darkened. "Why should we trust you? You backstabbing snake!"

(Latest chapter first posted on 69shu(.)com!)

Yoru shrugged. "Believe me or don’t. Your loss, not mine."

"So, what’ll it be? Lose a Jinchūriki, or pay up?"

"You’re pushing us too far!" Sarui snarled. "We can still fight! If it’s mutual destruction you want—"

"Mutual destruction?" Yoru’s smile turned icy. "You sure? Then let’s battle."

"Kisame, Kimimaro—move out!"

In an instant, Yoru’s demeanor shifted. The air itself seemed to freeze under his killing intent.

Fight? Fine.

Though exhausted, he was far from powerless. The numerical gap had narrowed—8,000 allied troops against Kumo’s 12,000. But with two Jinchūriki on their side, Kumo stood little chance.

"Last chance, Sarui. War or peace?"

"Choose wrong, and you’ll be remembered as the man who doomed Kumo."

Behind Yoru, Kisame and Kimimaro stood ready, their gazes predatory.

The message was clear: Bring it on.

"Grr…!"

Sarui’s fists trembled. The choice tormented him.

Fight? Catastrophic losses.

Surrender? Extortion.

No third option existed.

"Sarui-sama, we can’t yield! Let’s fight!"

"Since when does Kumo bow to threats?!"

The shouts from his men only deepened his anguish.

If only victory were possible…

"Yoru… We accept your terms. But don’t push your luck."

"If you demand too much, I’ll drag this into a bloodbath—even if it means letting others profit from our ruin."

"And that’s not a outcome you want either."

Yoru’s cold mask melted into a merchant’s grin. "Deal! Then let’s talk details… in Nami no Kuni."

Sarui’s eye twitched. He really wanted to punch that smug face.

But he couldn’t.

*Chapter 142: A Brush with Death*

"How can we accept such a humiliating demand?"

"Samui-sama, you've disappointed me!"

"Since when have we, the Kumogakure shinobi, ever been forced into such a pathetic position?"

Not all of the Cloud ninja were willing to accept Samui’s decision.

"Brothers, let’s fight them to the end!"

"We haven’t lost yet—I refuse to accept this outcome!"

A significant number of Cloud ninja were riled up, urging their comrades to keep fighting.

"St-stop…!"

Just then, a weak voice came from behind them.

"Raikage-sama, you’re awake?!"

Hearing this, one of the Cloud ninja cried out in relief.

"What? The Raikage is awake?"

The news spread instantly, lifting the spirits of the surrounding shinobi. Their morale surged, their expressions shifting from despair to renewed determination.

"Raikage-sama, give the order! Let’s fight Kirigakure to the death—we can still win!"

One of the Cloud ninja stepped forward, looking at the Fourth Raikage with desperate hope.

But their expectations were shattered.

The Fourth Raikage shook his head weakly, his face pale as he glanced at Samui. "You’ve done well. Proceed as you planned… I leave the rest to you."

Then, his gaze shifted to Yoru, sharpening instantly.

"This time… you win. But don’t get cocky. Unless… you can guarantee… your village will only grow stronger…"

"Otherwise, one day… I’ll lead the Cloud’s forces… straight to Kirigakure’s Mizukage Tower…"

Yoru smirked. "Don’t worry—that day will never come."

"Because I won’t allow it. I won’t even give you the chance."

His confidence was unshakable.

"Raikage-sama, how can you say that?!"

"Raikage-sama, no!"

The Cloud ninja, who had been brimming with hope, were now in dismay. This wasn’t the answer they wanted.

"Raikage-sama, you can’t—!"

Before they could protest further, the Fourth Raikage raised his hand. "Enough. The decision is final."

"Yoru… treat Killer B well. If anything happens to him, I won’t let it slide."

"Naturally. You don’t need to worry about that."

Yoru smiled, though inwardly, he breathed a sigh of relief. If the Cloud ninja had fought to the death, the cost would have been devastating.

"Then I’ll await your arrival, Samui."

"Withdraw!"

With Yoru’s command, the great ninja war—lasting less than an hour—came to an end.

"We won?!"

"Hahaha, so this is what victory feels like!"

The Land of Waves erupted in celebration.

But no one knew that as soon as Yoru returned, he coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed.

Only when he fell to his knees did everyone realize—his wounds had been bleeding nonstop.

The fact that Yoru had lasted this long without bleeding to death was nothing short of a miracle.

His condition deteriorated rapidly, his life force fading.

Mei Terumī immediately summoned medical ninja. "Save him. If anything happens to Yoru, you’ll answer to me—understood?!"

Her voice was ice-cold, leaving no room for argument.

"Yes!"

The medical team trembled under the pressure.

But when they removed Yoru’s clothes and saw the countless wounds covering his body, they were stunned.

"Just how intense was that battle to leave him in this state?"

"Any one of these injuries would be unbearable, yet he fought on without flinching."

"What kind of willpower does that take?"

"Some of these wounds nearly hit vital points… A normal person would’ve died already."

"For him to still be alive… It’s a miracle."

"Is this what it means to be a true warrior?"

Awe filled their hearts.

Without Yoru’s sacrifice, their victory would have been impossible.

"Give it everything you’ve got. We must save him!"

"If we fail, we don’t deserve to call ourselves medical ninja!"

"Understood!"

The operation began—fraught with tension.

One wrong move could trigger a fatal reaction. The pressure was immense.

---

*Three hours later…*

"Hah… It’s over."

The head medic lowered his scalpel, wiping sweat from his brow. The entire team was drenched, as if they’d been pulled from water.

The strain had been unbearable.

"Yoru’s stable? Thank goodness. You’ve done well."

Mei finally relaxed, the weight lifting from her shoulders.

---

*A day later…*

Yoru awoke, staring at his heavily bandaged body.

"Almost got myself killed this time… I can’t afford to be so reckless again."

Every movement sent waves of pain through him. His body was in ruins.

He had truly walked the line between life and death.

---

Meanwhile, news of Kumogakure’s defeat spread like wildfire.

Disbelief was the universal reaction.

"How did the Cloud Village lose? They had every advantage!"

"There must be more to this!"

But as details emerged, the other villages fell silent.

"Yoru has grown that powerful? Unbelievable… and terrifying."

"Kirigakure’s forces are monstrous now. Two jinchūriki, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and Yoru himself?"

"They’re a threat."

And this was after their civil war.

Had they been at full strength, only Konoha could have matched them.

The Kage of Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure shared a chilling thought:

"Thank the heavens Kirigakure revealed their strength now. If they’d grown unchecked for a few more years… who could have stopped them?"

The very idea sent shivers down their spines.

---

*Chapter 143: Getting Too Big for Your Britches, Huh?*

In Konoha, the Third Hokage sighed heavily. "My fears have come true."

"The existence of 'White Flash' is a massive threat—not just to Konoha, but to the entire shinobi world!"

"He’s only twelve years old, yet he’s already this strong. Who will be able to keep him in check in the future?"

Defeating the Raikage and crippling the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki—even in his prime, the Third Hokage doubted he could achieve such feats. Yet, Yoru accomplished them at such a young age. It was terrifying.

And he wasn’t the only one who felt this way. The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, saw something in Yoru that chilled him to the bone—the shadow of Uchiha Madara.

Having lived through the era of Madara and Hashirama, Ōnoki knew all too well the dread and helplessness of being dominated by such power. If Yoru’s growth wasn’t checked, the entire shinobi world would one day tremble under his rule, just as it had under the two legendary shinobi.

No one would escape their shadow.

Ōnoki refused to let history repeat itself.

But while some were anxious, others were downright furious.

Take, for instance, the leader of the Hidden Rainbow Village.

With Kumo’s defeat, his hopes of playing both sides and reaping the rewards had crumbled. Of course he was livid! But his anger wasn’t just about missed opportunities—it was fear.

Before the war between Kumo, Kiri, and the rogue ninja alliance, he had taunted Kiri relentlessly, even boasting about replacing them. Now that Kiri had won, it was payback time—and his village stood no chance against them.

Panic set in.

"Damn it! Why didn’t things go according to plan?!" the Hidden Rainbow leader snarled before frantically recalling all his advance troops.

He also tried to undo the economic sanctions and provocations he’d orchestrated against the Land of Water. But—

"What?! The sanctions are already in motion and can’t be easily stopped?"

"The provocations have already escalated?!"

At his subordinates’ reports, the leader paled, collapsing into his seat like a puppet with its strings cut.

"It’s over… It’s all over…" His lips trembled, his face ashen.

"Sir, snap out of it! If we act now, we can still minimize the damage. Any later, and we’re finished!" an advisor urged desperately.

"R-Right! Reverse everything! No matter the cost, we must beg for the Land of Water’s forgiveness!"

"Pull all our forces out immediately! Stop the sanctions—now, now, NOW! If Yoru finds out, we’re dead!"

The leader’s voice was frantic, like a drowning man clutching at straws.

Of course, Yoru had no idea about any of this—and even if he did, he wouldn’t care.

A minor nuisance like the Hidden Rainbow Village? Zabuza and a hundred men could crush them. They weren’t even worth his attention.

And if even the loudest troublemaker had been silenced, the other small nations that once eyed the Land of Water with greed were now on their best behavior—pretending nothing had ever happened.

---

### *Land of Rogues*

Freshly awakened and still heavily injured, Yoru ignored the medics’ protests and headed straight for the dungeon.

Guarded by Zabuza, Jūzō Biwa, and others, the place was locked down tighter than a vault. Even Yoru had to undergo rigorous checks before being allowed inside.

"Killer B, wanna get out?" Yoru leaned against the bars of the only occupied cell, where the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki was scribbling lyrics on the wall. "Must be rough for a free spirit like you to be caged up."

Killer B didn’t even look up. "Obviously, dumbass! What kinda question is that?"

Yoru smirked. "Good. Then I’ve got news for you—you’re leaving soon."

"Keeping someone as dangerous as you here is a liability. Kumo’s envoys are on their way. Once negotiations wrap up, you’ll be a free man."

"How’s that for good news?"

B immediately broke into a rap. "You think I’d say I’m hyped? Fool! No way, no how, I’m tight-lipped!"

Typical.

Yoru rolled his eyes and turned to leave—but not without a cryptic remark.

"Right now, we’re enemies. But who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll fight side by side."

"The future’s full of surprises."

Everyone assumed he was joking. Even B took it as a taunt.

Team up with an enemy? Yeah, right! Kill me first!

---

Outside, Mei Terumī stood waiting, arms crossed and eyes sharp.

"You just woke up, and you’re already acting like you’re fully healed?" she snapped.

"Do you have any regard for your own well-being?"

"Wandering around like this could worsen your injuries! Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?"

"A shinobi of your stature should know better!"

Yoru shrank under her glare. With an elder sister like Mei, arguing was pointless.

"Yeah, yeah, my bad. No more reckless stunts, promise!" he said, nodding like a scolded child.

"Kumo’s envoys are here, right? Shouldn’t we get to negotiations?"

Mei’s eye twitched. "Next time?! So you do plan on doing this again?!"

Her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Yoru. Are your wings getting too big for you?"

"W-Wait, no! You misheard! I definitely won’t do it again!"

Yoru laughed nervously, already backing away. "A-Anyway, I should rest—"

"Oh no you don’t." Mei grabbed his collar. "Since you’re clearly well enough to walk, you’re coming to the negotiations."

Her smile was sweet, but her tone was anything but.

"After all, we need our hero to grace us with his presence."

---

Chapter 144: I’m Just Here to Extort You  

"Sure, sure, no problem at all!" Yoru replied with a beaming smile, oozing enthusiasm.  

As for whether he was secretly cursing inside—well, that remained a mystery.  

Watching the siblings bicker, the surrounding Kirigakure ninja couldn’t help but chuckle under their breaths.  

The only person who could make Yoru—the infamous "God of Slaughter"—sit still and take a scolding was Terumi Mei.  

Given Yoru’s current achievements and status, Mei was the only one who still dared to lecture him.  

As they walked, Mei briefed Yoru on the key points of the negotiation, ensuring he wouldn’t act recklessly.  

Left to his own devices, Yoru was more than capable of causing chaos.  

Negotiation Room 

By the time Mei and Yoru arrived, the Cloud delegation—Fourth Raikage A and Samui—were already waiting.  

Raikage: "The Mizukage sure knows how to make an entrance. Keeping me waiting for five full minutes—was that meant to be a power move? If so, it’s a pretty pathetic one. Or does Kirigakure just lack anyone with basic manners?"  

His tone was openly hostile, dripping with contempt.  

Yoru (smirking): "Oh, Raikage-sama, you’ve got us all wrong. We’d never resort to something so cheap. We simply took extra care with our attire and wording to show respect for this meeting. Pity it made us late—our apologies. But given how worked up you are, can you even think straight right now? Maybe we should reschedule—let you cool off first. Next time, we’ll be punctual. Sound good?"  

Naturally, these words didn’t come from Mei—though she might’ve been tempted.  

Only Yoru would dare mock the Raikage so brazenly.  

Raikage (snarling): "Hmph! No need. We’ll proceed today. I’m magnanimous enough to overlook your rudeness. Who knows—next time, you might keep me waiting for hours. Frankly, this place is beneath me. I’ve no desire to return."  

Yoru (grinning): "Raikage-sama, assuming the worst of us? How uncharitable. If we wanted to intimidate you, I’d just throw a punch. After all, none of you Cloud ninja could stop me, right?"  

The provocation wasn’t just bold—it was a slap to the face, loud and unmistakable.  

Raikage (furious): "You—!!"  

He nearly slammed the table in rage. The entire Cloud delegation bristled—Yoru’s words were nothing short of outright disrespect.  

Raikage (forcing composure): "Enough. I won’t dignify such childish taunts. State your terms."  

To his credit, the Raikage swallowed his anger and cut to the chase.  

As for the rogue-nin village representative sitting nearby? He ignored them entirely. A minor faction like that didn’t deserve his attention.  

Yoru (gesturing to Ao): "Our conditions are all here. If you find them acceptable, Raikage-sama, feel free to sign."  

Ao, serving as Mei’s aide, produced three scrolls—one for each delegation.  

Raikage (scoffing): "Don’t push your luck. Cross a line, and we’ll fight to the last man."  

He unsealed the scroll, expecting outrageous demands—but to his surprise, most terms were reasonable:  

• 1 billion ryo in reparations  

• Trade agreements between Kumo and Kiri, with preferential terms  

• Recognition of Yugito Nii as Kirigakure’s property 

Far from harsh—even below his worst expectations.  

But the final clause made him scowl.  

Raikage (growling): "What’s this about a ‘trade port’? Five-year lease? Absolute autonomy for Water Country? We only get partial tax and land rights? This is just selling our territory to you!"  

Yoru (smiling): "Raikage-sama, we’ve been generous on all other fronts. This one is slightly stricter. If it’s too much… we have another draft."  

He nodded to Ao, who handed over three new scrolls.  

The Raikage’s face darkened instantly.  

Raikage (seething): "This is extortion, brat. Don’t push me!"  

The revised terms were brutal:  

• 10 billion ryo in reparations  

• Full acknowledgment of Yugito as Kiri’s asset  

• Four Cloud trade hubs, five-year leases  

• Cloud ninja yielding to Kiri ninja in all encounters 

This wasn’t a negotiation—it was a surrender document.  

Yoru (leaning forward): "So, Raikage-sama—which will it be? Think carefully. If neither suits you, we have a third draft… though I doubt you’ll stay calm reading it."  

His smile was all polite menace.  

Mei (coolly): "We’ve shown our goodwill. Now it’s your turn, Raikage-sama. Otherwise, these talks are over."  

Pressure. Ultimatum.  

The Raikage’s fists clenched, lightning crackling around him. His expression was murderous, eyes blazing like a cornered beast.  

The air grew thick with tension. The rogue-nin representative gulped, frozen in fear.  

Only Mei and Yoru remained unshaken.  

Silence stretched, suffocating and heavy.  

*Chapter 145: The End, and an Ordinary Life*

A long silence followed before the Raikage’s voice finally rang out—harsh, like the grating of metal. "Fine. You win. We’ll proceed with the first option."

Hearing this, Yoru smiled. "A very wise decision, Raikage-sama."

His words made everyone present exhale in relief.

Of course, this also meant the negotiations could smoothly move on to the next phase—reviewing each clause in detail and working toward mutual agreement.

Yoru could have pushed for exorbitant demands, bleeding the Hidden Cloud Village dry. But he held back, knowing that going too far might backfire. After all, their victory in this battle had been hard-fought. If they pressed too aggressively, both sides would suffer, leaving an opening for a third party to swoop in and reap the rewards.

…

Three hours passed in a flash.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

The moment Terumi Mei and the Fourth Raikage shook hands, the negotiations officially came to an end.

Killer B was immediately released, joining the Cloud delegation as they began their journey home.

"Feel free to visit again sometime!" Yoru cheerfully called out as he saw them off.

"Tch." The Raikage’s face darkened. Like hell we’ll be back.

"It’s over…" Yoru murmured, watching the Raikage’s retreating figure. Then, his expression settled into calm determination. "Now, it’s time to deal with the remaining matters."

Just then, Hamagorō, the representative of the Rogue Ninja Village, stepped forward and bowed deeply to Mei. "Mizukage-sama, there’s something I must ask of you. I know this may be presumptuous, but—"

Yoru and Mei exchanged glances, as if they’d already anticipated this.

"Go on," Yoru said. "If it’s about forming an alliance with Kirigakure, I don’t see why not. But if it’s something else, we’ll hear you out regardless."

Hamagorō visibly relaxed. "You’ve seen right through me, Yoru-dono. Yes—I wish to propose an alliance between our villages. Would that be possible?"

After witnessing Kirigakure’s strength in the war against Cloud, he knew better than to hesitate. With Yoru leading the charge, the Hidden Mist’s future was brighter than ever. If they didn’t secure this alliance now, when would they? Having Kirigakure as an ally would only bring benefits, strengthening the Rogue Ninja Village’s standing.

"Then let’s discuss this properly, Hamagorō-dono," Mei said with a graceful smile, assuming the demeanor of a host—even though they were on his turf. Strangely enough, Hamagorō didn’t find this odd at all.

Yoru, however, had no intention of involving himself further. Instead, he returned to the medical ward to continue his recovery.

---

Two days later, Kirigakure’s forces withdrew from the Land of Waves and set off for home.

"It’s like a dream… I never thought we’d actually win."

"Right? I expected a bloodbath, but we ended up walking away with the biggest gains."

"All thanks to Yoru-sama. Without him, the casualties would’ve been far worse."

"Having someone like him in Kirigakure… we’re lucky."

On the journey back, Zabuza, Suigetsu, and the others chatted idly. Meanwhile, Yoru—still recovering—sat at the bow of one of the warships, peeling an apple.

"The sea… so vast, so much water."

Staring at the ocean grew tedious after a while, but for Yoru, who’d been bedridden for days, the endless horizon was a welcome sight. The boundless blue, merging seamlessly with the sky—what a view.

…

They arrived in Kirigakure two days later.

Mei and the others were greeted with a hero’s welcome, the streets lined with cheering villagers. The triumphant return was a spectacular sight, filling every shinobi with pride.

But the loudest cheers were reserved for Yoru and Mei—especially Yoru, who was practically worshipped like a deity. Without him, this victory would’ve been impossible.

"We won!"

Mei’s speech was characteristically bold and brief. That night, the entire village erupted in celebration—music, dancing, and unbridled joy.

But once the festivities died down, reality set in. Reconstruction began in earnest. The recent turmoil had left the village damaged, and in the past, funding would’ve been a headache for Mei.

Not anymore.

With the reparations from Cloud and the treasure Yoru had secured from the Namigame Monument, Kirigakure had more than enough to recover.

"The heavens favor Kirigakure. Mizukage-sama, we’re relieved to see you return safely."

The elders who’d stayed behind to oversee the village sighed in relief. Guarding Kirigakure in Mei’s absence had been nerve-wracking—every decision felt like walking on thin ice. Now, they could finally hand the reins back to her.

"You’ve done well."

As Mei settled back into the Mizukage’s seat, she couldn’t help but reflect. So much had happened in such a short time—things she’d never imagined. Rising from jonin to Kage in mere days… the difference was like night and day.

"Now, it’s time to focus on rebuilding."

Gazing out the window at the bustling village and then at the mountain of paperwork before her, Mei felt the weight of her responsibilities—and a dull ache in her temples. People only saw the prestige of being Kage, not the exhaustion. There was never a moment’s rest.

Being Kage is hard work…

---

A week passed.

The funds from Cloud arrived two days prior, and the Land of Water’s daimyo had already dispatched officials to negotiate trade terms with the Land of Lightning. The daimyo was overjoyed—after all, this was the first time Water had ever scored such a decisive victory over Lightning.

A trade port with full autonomy? The profits alone were enough to make him grin in his sleep.

---