The Hidden Mist couldn't possibly launch a surprise attack now.
The Third Mizukage didn't even successfully land, and their main base was ambushed by Uchiha Fugaku with the main force. They were now like stray dogs; whether they could continue the war was even a question.
Unless the news reaches the Land of Water and the newly appointed Fourth Mizukage decides to continue the war, but that's only if Kirigakure can still fight. Otherwise, it's impossible to continue.
Based on Baimu's judgment, it's highly unlikely that the war will continue. Kirigakure is already exhausted, and the Fourth Mizukage wouldn't be so foolish.
Don't be fooled by his childlike appearance and the fact that he's controlled by Obito, making him seem inactive. He's an astute and cunning individual, and underestimating him would lead to losses. He is, after all, a Kage of a nation, and one of the Five Great Nations' Mizukage, so his strength and strategy are not to be underestimated.
Uchiha Mina asked, "So, what should we do next?"
She was more concerned about the aftermath of the war.
After the war, what should we do?
Baimu: "Wait. Don't worry about anything else."
After the war, there's nothing else to do but wait.
Waiting for Uchiha Fugaku is secondary; the main thing is to wait for news from the village.
What will the higher-ups, led by Hiruzen Sarutobi, react when they learn that Tsunade appeared on the Kirigakure battlefield and even took on the role of overall commander?
"Understood."
Since Baimu said to wait, Uchiha Mina and Uchiha Inabi had no objections and obeyed absolutely.
"Oh, and make sure to properly handle the bodies of people like Raiga Kurosuki and Jūzō Biwa. These are our war merits."
Baimu emphasized this point, handing the scrolls containing the bodies to Uchiha Inabi and instructing him to keep them safe, ensuring they wouldn't be intentionally damaged by certain individuals.
Even though this is primarily an Uchiha clan base, there are certainly ANBU members stationed here by the higher-ups, led by Hiruzen Sarutobi, to monitor them.
In the original story, ANBU continuously watched the Uchiha clan's compound. If they did so within the village, why wouldn't they do so when they were outside?
Although this was partly due to the aftermath of the Nine-Tails' attack, leading to large-scale surveillance later, it doesn't mean there weren't ANBU monitoring them before.
From the time of the Second Hokage, the Hokage faction has been extremely wary of the Uchiha clan.
Therefore, it's not surprising that ANBU ninjas were stationed there for surveillance.
In fact, it's quite normal.
Furthermore, it's not just about internal people.
External spies also need to be guarded against.
Also, there's White Zetsu.
Even more reason to be vigilant.
Uchiha Mina and the others naturally followed Baimu's will, so whatever Baimu said, they immediately agreed.
"Understood. We'll protect these scrolls. But do we need to send someone to meet up with the clan leader?" Mina nodded, having no objection to this, but she directly asked whether Uchiha Fugaku needed an escort.
"No need. Everyone stays at the camp. Kirigakure has no desire to fight anymore, so it won't be an insurmountable problem." Baimu didn't think Uchiha Fugaku, with the main army, couldn't handle a Kirigakure that had lost its will to fight, so there was no need for an escort.
"Yes."
Mina replied.
She certainly had no objections.
Moreover, with the Third Mizukage killed, the war merits would naturally fall to Baimu. What did this mean? It meant immense prestige.
The Uchiha clan's reputation would once again shake the ninja world. Killing a Kage symbolized strength, absolute strength, which would be of great help to their subsequent work.
Perhaps, the time had come.
Thinking of this, Mina was eager to act, pondering that the position of clan head should change. Therefore, it was time to discuss it with everyone and see if they could garner more support.
Many young Uchiha indeed supported Baimu, but these individuals were too young, mostly in their early teens, ranging from thirteen to seventeen or eighteen.
Those over twenty were relatively few, so more clan members' support was needed to oust Uchiha Fugaku... Konoha.
Hokage Building, inside the office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, his old pipe in his mouth, smoke rings drifting, as he looked at the urgent, top-secret intelligence report in his hand, his worries deepening.
What's going on?
Tsunade appeared on the Kirigakure battlefield.
The crucial part is that the Uchiha and Tsunade are involved together.
Uchiha Baimu? This young man, I remember him as... Speaking of the young prodigies of the Uchiha clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't possibly ignore them. However, he truly had no impression of Baimu because Baimu was too low-key on a daily basis, which sometimes caused Hiruzen to overlook him. Instead, people like Shisui were repeatedly paid attention to because they had the potential to become supporters of the Will of Fire, making them a key focus.
Did he save Tsunade?
Could there be some conspiracy behind this?
It's not that Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to be this way, but he couldn't help but be wary of the Uchiha clan. Although he wasn't as extreme as Danzō, deeply influenced by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, the high-level group of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzō Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane was doubly vigilant against the Uchiha. So, even though the situation was perfectly normal both logically and emotionally, there were still negative associations.
Could it be a self-directed act?
Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence?
According to the report, it happened within the border of the Land of Fire, not in the main battlefield of the Land of Whirlpools. So, what was Uchiha Baimu doing there?
Hiruzen Sarutobi had many questions, but these were secondary. The main issue was that Tsunade had actually taken on the role of overall commander, taking over command of the Kirigakure battlefield. This... obviously made him very uneasy. If Tsunade performed exceptionally well on the battlefield, given her status, she would inevitably gain immense prestige.
This would undoubtedly disrupt Hiruzen Sarutobi's plans, especially concerning the post-war situation and the balance of power within the village, for which he already had initial ideas.
The Fourth Hokage needed to be put on the agenda. The candidates for this position were temporarily Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze, and Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned towards the latter.
There was no special reason; it could only be said that Minato Namikaze had outstanding war achievements, and his foundation was too shallow, which made him easier for Hiruzen Sarutobi to control.
However, an unexpected turn of events had occurred. Tsunade's appearance would be a huge variable. If Tsunade returned, it would be impossible for her not to be a candidate in the Fourth Hokage election.
If Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Minato Namikaze all ran together, who would have the greater chance?
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't even need to think about it. Especially the Daimyō, they would definitely support Tsunade.
If things went this way, all his plans would be in disarray, and he certainly couldn't agree to it.
The various ninja clans of the village were also a problem.
The things I need to consider... sigh, there are really too many.
"Hiruzen, has something gone wrong on the front lines?"
Inside the office, it wasn't just Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage, but also Danzō Shimura, the Hokage's assistant, and Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, the Hokage's advisors.
Hokage, Hokage's Assistant, Hokage's Advisors.
All of them were disciples of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. From the Second Hokage's era, Konoha's high-level political ecosystem was dominated by this Hokage faction.
However, the absolute power was wielded by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura, with the assistance of Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. These four firmly held Konoha's absolute power.
This kind of structure, it's time for it to change.