Kusagakure in shock

The turmoil in the real world.

Had little to do with the game's "natives."

Kusagakure, Anbu headquarters.

A spirit bird flew in through the window and landed on the arm of Bibiye, the Anbu chief.

The Anbu members all looked anxiously at Bibiye.

"Chief, how is the battle going at the front?"

Bibiye did not answer. Instead, his brows knitted tightly.

After reading the intelligence report, Bibiye waved his hand without betraying any emotion. The spirit bird spread its wings and soared away, vanishing in an instant.

Then Bibiye stood straight up and headed outside without looking back.

Several Anbu members hurried after him.

"Chief, just how is the battle going?"

Without slowing his steps, Bibiye said in an emotionless voice:

"Come with me to see Lord Kusagakure."

The Anbu officers had all served under Bibiye for years.

They knew that the calmer Bibiye appeared, the closer his emotions were to erupting completely.

None of the officers dared delay. They hurried after him.

Kusagakure was carefully laid out and fully equipped.

At the very least, its streets were several times cleaner and more orderly than those of the Hidden Jun Village.

By comparison, Kusagakure was like a modern city, while the Hidden Jun Village was merely a shabby little mountain village.

Bibiye strode briskly ahead, with Grass Ninja bowing and greeting him along the way.

Yet Bibiye did not even glance at them. He headed straight for the Kusagakure residence.

Without waiting for the guards to announce him, Bibiye led his officers straight into the Kusagakure residence, effectively barging in.

The officer guarding the residence tried to stop him, but Bibiye shoved him aside and headed straight for Kusagakure's quarters.

The guard officer chased them all the way and finally caught up with Bibiye's party at Kusagakure's quarters.

Once there, the guard officer immediately regained his confidence.

"My lord, Anbu Chief Bibiye has forced his way into the residence with his men. I ask that you punish him."

It was a quiet little courtyard, filled with cherry blossoms in full bloom, birdsong, and fragrant flowers, giving it the air of a secluded paradise.

Everyone stood outside the courtyard, not daring to cross the boundary.

Even Bibiye, who had been so overbearing earlier, stood respectfully outside, awaiting a reply from the courtyard's owner.

After a short wait, an aged voice finally came from within.

"I understand. You may leave!"

The guard officer froze for a moment, but still acknowledged the order respectfully before turning to leave.

Then the aged voice continued:

"Bibiye, come in! Everyone else, withdraw."

The Anbu officers acknowledged the order in unison.

Everyone except Bibiye left at once.

Bibiye straightened his uniform, then strode into the courtyard.

Knowing the way well, he headed straight for the main room.

An antique screen stood just inside the doorway, concealing the room's interior from view.

Bibiye walked around the screen and saw Kusagakure kneeling at a small table, drinking tea.

He wore a loose green robe and a hood with an attached veil.

The veil was lifted, revealing an old face covered in wrinkles.

Bibiye immediately bowed and said:

"Greetings, Lord Kusagakure."

Kusagakure raised his gaunt fingers and tapped the small table before him.

"Come have a cup of tea with me."

Bibiye slowly approached the table, then knelt.

He assumed the same kneeling posture as Kusagakure at the small table and made no further move.

He badly wanted to speak first and deliver the battle report.

Yet Kusagakure drank his tea at a leisurely pace. Since he had not spoken, Bibiye could only endure the agonizing wait.

After a while, Kusagakure finally set down his teacup. He glanced at Bibiye and asked gently:

"What news from the front?"

Unable to hold back any longer, Bibiye recounted the report he had just received in full.

"My lord, Elder White Ape led our forces into battle, and almost everyone was wiped out."

"He alone managed to escape by luck and is currently on his way back to the village."

Kusagakure abruptly lifted his drooping eyelids, his previously placid expression changing as his dull eyes flashed sharply.

"The entire force was wiped out? Our opponents certainly are capable!"

Kusagakure spoke lightly, but the chill in his eyes utterly betrayed him.

Bibiye said indignantly:

"My lord, I told you long ago that Elder White Ape is a cowardly bastard who fears death, yet recklessly chases glory."

"Why did you ignore my advice and insist on having him lead our forces into battle?"

Kusagakure narrowed his eyes and said coldly:

"Hmm...? Are you questioning my decision?"

Still seething, Bibiye suddenly felt a chill at his neck and hurriedly lowered his head.

"Forgive me, my lord!"

Kusagakure snorted coldly and said slowly:

"With losses this great, White Ape certainly cannot escape responsibility."

"When he returns, bring him to me at once for punishment."

Bibiye's eyes lit up, and he nodded in acknowledgment.

"Understood!"

A rare twitch crossed Kusagakure's deeply wrinkled old face.

"The losses are already a reality. There is no point saying more."

"What matters is whether we gathered any useful intelligence from this battle."

Bibiye hesitated, then said haltingly:

"Judging by the accounts of the battle sent back, there are many peculiar things about the Hidden Jun Village."

Kusagakure lifted his eyelids slightly and asked:

"Oh? What peculiar things?"

Bibiye's expression turned grave as he said:

"First, apart from the village chief, the Hidden Jun Village's ninja are generally not very strong."

"However, they possess a peculiar Ninjutsu that can bring the dead back to life."

"When their ninja fight ours, they often disregard their own lives, doing everything they can to inflict casualties."

"Our ninja, on the other hand, have far too many concerns and struggle to fight at full strength."

Kusagakure produced a pipe from somewhere, packed in a little tobacco, and took several puffs.

"Hmm... that! I heard about it some time ago."

"This little Hidden Jun Village certainly is peculiar."

"To know even a forbidden technique like Life Reincarnation, they must have some history."

He set the pipe down on the small table with a crisp clack.

"But that is all there is to it."

"If we are willing to accept some losses and wipe them all out, that forbidden technique will become useless."

"Surely White Ape doesn't lack even that basic tactical understanding?"

Bibiye hurriedly replied:

"Elder White Ape did indeed do just that, but..."

At this point, Bibiye paused awkwardly.

Kusagakure's eyelids snapped upward, his earlier nonchalance gone.

"What is all this hemming and hawing?"

"But what? Speak plainly."

Not daring to hesitate, Bibiye hurriedly said:

"But there is a major wildcard in the Hidden Jun Village."

"That is the second peculiarity. The Hidden Jun Village's chief is terrifyingly powerful."

"I'm afraid... I'm afraid he has already reached Early Kage Level!"

Despite his composure, Kusagakure's withered arm trembled involuntarily.

"Is... is that information accurate?"

Bibiye said urgently:

"According to the battle report, Elder White Ape was gravely wounded by a single blow from him."

"Elder White Ape is already a Peak Jonin. To inflict such a serious wound on him so easily, his opponent must be at least at Early Kage Level."

"We can find out exactly what happened by asking Elder White Ape when he returns."

Kusagakure's aged face twitched unnaturally.

His earlier calm composure was gone.

"Impossible... impossible! How could such a terrifying figure exist in such a tiny village?"

"What does he intend by lying low right under my nose?"