Black Ghost Ninjas, the Thrill of Living Without Rules

Kumogakure.

Kumogakure was now without Mū at its head, with no one in the village capable of stepping forward.

The Jonin had basically all died. Those who had survived were deserters who had not followed Kitsuchi to attack Konoha, which was why they had lived.

Kumogakure was now in an even worse state than Kirigakure.

Among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, the overall national strength rankings had now become clear.

Fire Country's Konoha Shinobi Village stood at the top, followed by Sunagakure of the Land of Wind. Third was Iwagakure of the Land of Earth. Although Kitsuchi and Ōnoki had nearly ruined their shinobi forces as well, their foundations remained. Moreover, Kumogakure's Black Ghost Ninjas had contributed the most to the attack on Konoha.

Fourth was Kirigakure of the Land of Water, or perhaps Akatsuki Hidden Village. No one had officially used that name, though, because the Akatsuki had already existed in name only.

Fifth was Kumogakure of the Land of Lightning. Once the strongest village, it had forcibly destroyed all of its own prospects through sheer recklessness.

Before long, a black figure suddenly drifted across the skies above Kumogakure.

The dejected Kumogakure villagers, who had been at a loss over what to do, were immediately drawn to the shadow and looked up.

They saw that the black figure was actually a person!

"Quick, look! What is that?!"

"It looks like a person!"

"No way. How could someone fly?!"

"Could an enemy village be attacking us?"

"What do we do if that's true? Should we fight back?"

"Fight back? You do that yourself. As long as it doesn't affect my meals, I don't give a damn what happens!"

The crowd discussed the flying figure overhead. Some were worried, while others were indifferent, caring as little as Mū.

That was mainly