Faced with the steady loss of territory and an endless stream of reports of defeat, Byakuren and the Kirigakure elders responsible for deploying his forces were utterly numb. When they learned that Konoha had successfully rescued Hozuki Gengetsu, they nearly went mad.
With Hozuki Gengetsu rescued, the Hozuki, Kaguya, and Minazuki clans and the Rogue Ninja instantly found someone to rally around. Konoha advanced even faster, taking more than three-quarters of the Land of Water in just three days.
Although the three clans had suffered devastating losses, and Byakuren had wiped out much of their power base within Kirigakure, before his defeat, Hozuki Gengetsu had always been the most popular and respected candidate for Second Mizukage. His prestige among the Mist Ninja was not to be underestimated.
Now, with a single rallying call, he drew followers from across the Land of Water. Their slogan was simple and plain, yet it voiced one of humanity's most instinctive convictions since ancient times-
"Revenge! Blood for blood!"
By this point, the Four Villages' military intervention against Kirigakure had long since turned into infighting among the Mist Ninja. The Konoha allied forces simply sat on the sidelines and watched as the enraged Kirigakure Rogue Ninja steamrolled forward, determined to make Byakuren pay his blood debt.
Kirigakure was besieged from within and without. Former comrades had become enemies overnight. The opposing Konoha allied forces were riding high, while Byakuren's Mist Ninja looked utterly despondent, their numbers dwindling by the day.
Anyone with eyes could see that Byakuren was headed for utter defeat.
For the Mist Ninja who, for various reasons, had no choice but to remain in Byakuren's service, finding a way out was the only problem worth considering now.
Kirigakure, the last stronghold in Byakuren's hands, was filled with misery.
The first thing Konoha