The enemy had fled during the Uzukage's desperate last stand. Given the fierce battle between Hozuki Gensei and the Uzukage, his escape was only to be expected.
After all, he had only come to infiltrate the village and gather intelligence. There was no way he would throw his life away here.
The medical ninja had been waiting for some time. When the roar of jutsu reached them, the Genin outside began evacuating the civilians.
The Chunin gathered around the Uzukage Hall and used the Four Violet Flames Formation to ensure the battle wouldn't spread to the surrounding area.
When the sounds of battle abruptly stopped, the Chunin watching from outside grew tense as they waited for the outcome.
When they saw Uzumaki Sasuke run out to call for the medical ninja, they realized the battle was finally over and let out the breath they'd been holding.
But when they went inside and saw that the unconscious person was Lord Uzukage, their hearts leaped into their throats again.
Uzumaki Shori didn't know any Medical Ninjutsu. All he could do was watch anxiously from the side as the medical ninja tended to his father's wounds.
After examining him, the medical ninja determined that Lord Uzukage had used too much chakra, draining his life force and leaving him unconscious.
"Lord Uzumaki Shori, after examining him, I found that the Uzukage was under extreme mental strain. When he suddenly relaxed, he fell into a deep coma. He'll wake up on his own once he's had enough nourishment."
At the medical ninja's words, the tension in everyone's hearts finally eased.
Uzumaki Shori surveyed the scene. The place was in ruins, smashed to pieces by the shock waves from the battle. Hozuki Gensei's Samehada could absorb chakra, while the Uzumaki Clan primarily fought by coating their fists in chakra.
As long as Samehada absorbed the chakra covering their bodies, Shibuki's Explosive Tags could easily shatter the Uzumaki Clan's defenses.
Elder Uzumaki Keimei was overcome with despair. They had faced only one person from Kirigakure, yet even his eyes had grown moist as he stared at the unconscious Uzukage.
"Our Uzumaki Clan is finished. Completely finished. We must split up and flee. We have to protect the clan's last hope."
Uzumaki Kyokei didn't care that the other man was an elder. He seized Elder Keimei by the collar and yanked him forward. Whether from anger or frustration, his face flushed bright red.
"Shut up, you old fool! I know we haven't lost, and we won't lose. If we take one of them down, we break even. If we take down two, we come out ahead. I'm not going to be a coward and run away!"
Uzumaki Shori straightened his armor and stepped into the crowd. His chakra surged, and his fiery red hair fluttered in the wind, drawing everyone's attention.
"Everyone, listen to me. My father, Lord Uzukage Uzumaki Ashina, appointed me as the new Uzukage before he passed out in battle. I'll handle every problem we face from now on."
Seeing Uzumaki Shori unleash such powerful chakra, Uzumaki Kyokei released Elder Keimei.
Choked by the grip around his collar, Elder Keimei took a deep breath the moment he was let go, then shouted:
"Kirigakure is one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. They've sent the head of a Kekkei Genkai clan, along with members of the Kaguya Clan, infamous for their bloodlust."
"And among them is the most mysterious Third Mizukage. No one has ever seen his face. Hozuki Gensei, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, is their leader."
"The Three-Tails is also one of the most destructive tailed beasts. Our barrier should have been able to defend against their attack, but the Three-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb broke through it."
Uzumaki Kyokei impatiently shoved Elder Keimei aside. He didn't want to hear any more of the man's defeatist talk, and the elder fell heavily to the ground. Pointing at Kyokei, Elder Keimei shouted at him in anger.
"I haven't even settled things with you yet, and you're still at it?"
Uzumaki Kyokei ignored the reprimand. He knelt on one knee, faced Uzumaki Shori, and placed a hand over his chest.
"I, Uzumaki Kyokei, captain of the Land of Whirlpools' First Guard Unit, pledge my loyalty to Lord Uzumaki Shori, the Second Uzukage."
Everyone present was astonished by Uzumaki Kyokei's actions. As they wondered whether Elder Keimei was right or whether they should pledge allegiance to the Second Uzukage, a second loyalist stepped forward.
Uzumaki Shiro knelt on one knee, gazed at Uzumaki Shori, and placed a hand over his chest.
"I, Uzumaki Shiro, captain of the Land of Whirlpools' Second Guard Unit, pledge my loyalty to Lord Uzumaki Shori, the Second Uzukage."
Everyone present made up their minds. They knelt on one knee, gazed at Uzumaki Shori, and placed a hand over their chests.
"We, Uzumaki Ryusho, Jiro, Muto, and Sasuke, captains of the Land of Whirlpools' Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Guard Units, pledge our loyalty to Lord Uzumaki Shori, the Second Uzukage."
Elder Uzumaki Keimei watched as everyone chose to pledge allegiance to the Second Uzukage. Thinking of the Uzumaki Clan's future, he covered his face and burst into loud sobs.
All the Jonin present exchanged glances, their hearts heavy with grief.
Uzumaki Shori released his chakra and went to Elder Keimei. He gently patted the elder's back and said softly:
"The Uzumaki Clan still has a chance. We'll find a way through this. It was supposed to be my father, the First Uzukage, who led everyone out of this crisis. But now it's me, the Second Uzukage of the Land of Whirlpools, who will lead the Uzumaki Clan."
Elder Keimei wiped the tears from his eyes. Thinking of the Uzumaki Clan, he realized that they would only have a chance if they pulled themselves together. He was old now; he would give his life to protect the next generation.
Uzumaki Keimei knelt on one knee, gazed at Uzumaki Shori, and placed a hand over his chest.
"I, Elder Uzumaki Keimei of the Land of Whirlpools, pledge my loyalty to Lord Uzumaki Shori, the Second Uzukage."
The blood of everyone present surged through their veins, their hearts pounding with fervor. Their faces grim, they declared:
"Lord Uzukage, please lead the meeting and help us crush those Kirigakure bastards!"
Faced with everyone's determination, Uzumaki Shori believed they could find a way to survive. He formed Hand Seals.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
Using chakra nature transformation, he restored the Uzukage Hall amid the ruins of the battle, conjuring a round table and chairs. He walked over and pulled out the chair at the head of the table.
"Everyone's worked hard through this battle. Get yourselves together, then sit down so we can discuss things."
Once everyone had taken their seats, Uzumaki Shori sat down last. He thought to himself, I've barely arrived, and I'm already facing a battle. And now I have to face a war.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host. You led your forces to victory against Kirigakure and thwarted a crisis threatening the Uzumaki Clan. Reward: Sealing Jutsu +1."
The system's voice sounded in his mind. In an instant, a wealth of information about Sealing Jutsu appeared in Uzumaki Shori's mind.
His foundation in Sealing Jutsu had been shaky, but now that his level had increased, all the gaps in his knowledge were filled. His skills had even advanced beyond their previous level.
The Sealing Jutsu techniques felt as familiar as if he'd practiced them a thousand times. Every method of forming Hand Seals and every rune was clear in his mind.
After taking a deep breath to steady himself, Uzumaki Shori considered how to use Sealing Jutsu against Kirigakure.
"Then, Elder Keimei, please brief us on the strength of both sides."
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