Ever since Tianyuan burst onto the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water, the once-collapsing Konoha forces were slowly rescued, gradually regrouping and returning to order. Eventually, they established a new garrison in the area.
As the details of the battle spread, the ninjas of Konoha realized that everything had been achieved by Tianyuan. He was the Konoha genius who possessed the supreme power of the Uchiha clanthe Sharinganand he was now a hero of the village.
He had saved Konoha. Had he not intervened, the collapsing army would have suffered devastating losses. Even if the subsequent Konoha reinforcements had arrived, they likely would have been forced to face the Hidden Cloud Village entirely on their own. Such a situation would have been disastrous for Konoha's strategic position.
Moreover, the ninjas had discovered that the bizarre forest appearing mid-battle was also a result of Tianyuan's power, manifested through Wood Release ninjutsu. Wood Release was the signature power of the First Hokage, and the ninjas of Konoha never expected that Tianyuan would possess such a legendary ability.
Consequently, their respect and worship for Tianyuan intensified. The troops led by Tianyuan also shared stories of his achievements in the Hidden Stone Village, deepening the local ninjas' admiration.
They began to look to him as a beacon of victory and hope. Indeed, on this very day, Tianyuan had granted them a new lease on life. At a critical moment between life and death, Tianyuan had saved them.
Numerous Konoha ninjas patrolled the perimeter of the camp to guard against danger. Although the Hidden Cloud Village had just retreated, necessary defensive measures were still vital. This time, they and the Hidden Cloud had fought to a stalemate, both sides suffering heavy casualties.
Of course, had Tianyuan not appeared, the Hidden Cloud would have held a complete advantage. Even after the use of Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, the Hidden Cloud had managed a timely retreat, though they still sustained some damage.
"Lord Tianyuan is incredible. I never imagined he would possess the power of the First Hokage," a ninja whispered.
"Exactly. With such legendary power appearing in our village again, surely it means Konoha will claim the final victory."
"Lord Tianyuan is undoubtedly Konoha's greatest geniusno, perhaps the greatest genius in the history of the shinobi world."
"True. Perhaps Lord Tianyuan can even be compared to the legendary Sage of the Six Paths."
Countless Konoha ninjas engaged in quiet discussions, speaking of Tianyuan in increasingly hyperbolic terms.
Inside the Konoha command tent, Hiashi Hyuga turned to Tianyuan. "Jonin Tianyuan, if it weren't for you, we would have been too late this time. Thank you."
"I am a ninja of Konoha as well, am I not?" Tianyuan replied with a smile.
"But seriously, your Wood Release is truly powerful," Fugaku Uchiha added. "With that, the Hidden Cloud shouldn't be back for a while."
"That is hard to say," Tianyuan mused, thinking of the Raikage he had encountered earlier. Among the various hidden villages, that Raikage's strength was certainly among the top tier. "However, has Teacher Orochimaru and the rest of the reinforcements not arrived yet?" Tianyuan recalled the information mentioned in the letters.
Hiashi shook his head. "They have not reached this battlefield yet."
Suddenly, a ninja spoke from outside the tent. "Lord, I have a report."
"Enter," Hiashi commanded.
The ninja stepped inside and spoke quickly. "Lords, Lord Orochimaru has arrived with his reinforcements."
Hiashi and the others' eyes lit up.
"Teacher Orochimaru," Tianyuan said with a faint smile. "Let us go and welcome him, then."
"Of course," Hiashi and the others agreed, remembering the master-disciple relationship between Orochimaru and Tianyuan.
The group left the tent, and after a short walk, they saw the pale-faced Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru," Hiashi and Fugaku greeted him.
"Teacher Orochimaru," Tianyuan said, looking at him.
"Mm," Orochimaru nodded. "Tianyuan, as your teacher, I am quite proud of you. I heard you not only achieved great things at the Stone Village but also just saved Konoha here."
"Teacher, if you keep talking like that, I might get arrogant," Tianyuan joked.
"Haha, you are allowed to be arrogant," Orochimaru laughed.
Between Tianyuan and Orochimaru, there seemed to be no friction at all. Yet, both of them could sense the underlying coldness in each other's eyes.
Following Orochimaru's arrival, the group gathered to arrange the tasks for the upcoming phase of the campaign. Soon after, the reinforcements from the village arrived in full, providing a direct supplement of vital strength to the battlefield.
The ninjas of Konoha could finally breathe a sigh of relief. After all, they had been terrified that a sudden attack from the Hidden Cloud would be impossible to repel without Tianyuan's direct intervention.
A while later, as the sky began to dim, Tianyuan and the others prepared to return to their respective quarters for rest.
"Jonin Tianyuan," Fugaku called out. "Why don't you come over to my place for a bit?"
"Ah, Jonin Fugaku," Tianyuan smiled. "Of course, no problem. We can go now."
Tianyuan followed Fugaku to his tent.
"Sit, let me pour you some tea." Fugaku took out two cups, pouring one for Tianyuan and one for himself.
"Thank you, Jonin Fugaku," Tianyuan said.
"It is I who should thank you, Tianyuan. If you hadn't appeared today, I might have died at the hands of that man, A," Fugaku said, his voice tinged with lingering fear.
"Perhaps, in a way, it is fate," Tianyuan smiled slightly.
"Yes, fate," Fugaku laughed. "I also believe it is a wonderful stroke of fate that you possess the supreme power of the Uchiha clan."
"Jonin Fugaku, if there is something you wish to say, please speak freely," Tianyuan said calmly.
"What I want to say is... Jonin Tianyuan, would you be willing to join the Uchiha clan?" Fugaku said directly. "I could even yield the position of Clan Head to you."
"I would have you become the Clan Head of the Uchiha."
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