Chapter 117
<span style="font-weight:400">With the crisis in the Land of Whirlpools drawing to a close, only the final wrap-up remained.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hui, what do you n to do with these captives?” asked Sarutobi Hiruzen, as he and Hui surveyed the aftermath.
<span style="font-weight:400">Their victory was significant—most of the elite forces from the allied viges had been wiped out, and they had sessfully captured three future Kage candidates, along with several elite jōnin from Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, we’ll be ransoming them back to their viges. If they want their people returned safely, they’ll need to pay a substantial price,” Hui replied without hesitation.
<span style="font-weight:400">In warfare, victory was only valuable if it could be leveraged for gains, and the lives of the captured Kage candidates were no exception.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Still, let’s report back to Grandpa Tobirama first and see what he thinks before we make any final decisions,” Hui added. Despite having a n in mind, he knew that Tobirama, as Hokage, should make the ultimate call on such matters.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re right,” Hiruzen nodded in agreement. “With such high-ranking captives, we can’t handle this lightly.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Lord Hui,” Uzumaki Suihei approached Hui, gratitude shining in his eyes. “If it weren’t for you, Uzushiogakure would surely have fallen today, and the Land of Whirlpools itself might have been destroyed.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hui turned to him and spoke with equal sincerity, “Uzushiogakure and the Uzumaki n have always been Konoha’s closest and most trusted allies. As a shinobi of Konoha, I can’t stand by while others threaten you. And besides,” he continued with a warm smile, “this is Granny Mito’s homnd. You’re her family. If anything happened to you, she’d be heartbroken.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Suihei was deeply moved. Hui, at just fifteen years old, already exhibited wisdom, loyalty, and maturity beyond his years.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Still… while Uzushiogakure survived, half of the Uzumaki n outside the vige…” Hui trailed off with a sigh. “I just hope that the other viges will stop targeting the Uzumaki.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Suihei’s expression tightened at Hui’s words, and a shiver of dread ran through him.
<span style="font-weight:400">The attack had been swift and unexpected, and if it hadn’t been for Hui’s intervention, the Land of Whirlpools would have been devastated, and the Uzumaki n might have been wiped out entirely.
<span style="font-weight:400">Even though the n had survived, the cost was steep. Half of the n members outside Uzushiogakure had perished, and the vige had lost nearly a fifth of its resources to the Mist ninjas who escaped earlier.
<span style="font-weight:400">A loss of twenty percent might be manageable for now, but if other viges continued to view the Land of Whirlpools as a target, their future was bleak.
<span style="font-weight:400">A homnd was impossible to defend continuously. Today’s victory had only been possible thanks to Hui’s intervention and strategy. But what about the next time?
<span style="font-weight:400">If Konoha was too far to respond quickly, the n’s fate would be inevitable. The thought alone made Suihei’s breathing shallow. How could he face his ancestors if, under his leadership, the n was eradicated?
<span style="font-weight:400">“These other viges suffered heavy losses here today,” Hui continued, breaking into Suihei’s thoughts, “so they’ll likely bear a grudge against the Land of Whirlpools. Konoha will do its best to protect you…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hui’s tone was deliberately cautious, his voice quiet with a hint of uncertainty. His goal was clear: he wanted the entire Uzumaki n to relocate to the Land of Fire. But he wasn’t about to say it outright. Instead, he needed Suihei to recognize the threat on his own and ultimately ask Konoha for help.
<span style="font-weight:400">That way, the power would remain in Konoha’s hands.
<span style="font-weight:400">And as expected, Suihei’s anxiety deepened at Hui’s words. He opened his mouth to respond but couldn’t find the words.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t worry,” Hui reassured him. “For now, the Land of Whirlpools should be safe.” The implication was clear: in the short term, there was little to fear, but beyond that…
<span style="font-weight:400">“Let’s go and reinforce the seals on these three,” Hui suggested, tactfully steering the conversation away.
<span style="font-weight:400">Rushing Suihei wasn’t necessary; the longer he mulled over the situation, the more obvious the choice would be. Without a safe haven, the Uzumaki n would eventually face extinction.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, three Kage-level shinobi… not a risk we can take,” Hiruzen agreed, ncing at ōnoki, Ay, and the Third Kazekage.
<span style="font-weight:400">The sight made him pause, a hint of mncholy crossing his face. They were all shinobi of his generation—once rivals in the previous ninja war, each leading their respective viges. Yet here they were, subdued and defeated by a single shinobi who was little more than a boy.
<span style="font-weight:400">The sheer absurdity of it made him feel like he was dreaming.
<span style="font-weight:400">Once word of this victory spread, he knew the ninja world would be in shock. But it was the kind of story that would be impossible to keep quiet about.
<span style="font-weight:400">Hui’s strength had reached a level that no longer needed concealment. The impact he would have now wouldn’t inspire caution but rather pure awe.
<span style="font-weight:400">This… this was true power.
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