[Deleted]

THE RACE IS OVER!

Background

Following from Chapter 4.

Havoc had raged across the land of whirlpools, in the space of a day and night, infernos and natural disasters of a kind brought the island's population to 1/4 of it's initial size. The land is free to return to nature, for the deity causing it had been slain. The tool of destruction used taken, and given time for the land of whirlpools to claim back its home. 

In natural rite of nature, mother nature begins to claim back its home. Something that may not take years, for the land surrounding the main habitable areas of the island lay desolate in ash and death. The remaining people either flee, or reside in the one remaining port town to the east. The rest of people have either pushed further into the island hoping their troubles to disappear, or sacrificing livestock to the gods in prayer. Whispers of darkness have lightened on the island, for the time taken to return to normal: places are being rebuilt.

The fan, initially taken was a clansman of Kumogakure - the reason for the man's plans were never unveiled. The Bashōsen, a tool of monolithic proportions remains in the hands of Kumogakure, returned by none other than Kagawa Keisuke in his burned, damaged glory. The Jinchūriki remains alive, none other than his body ravaged by the prior owner of the fan. 

For the other villages, they return empty handed. Kirigakure return with one less shinobi, and Konohagakure ever prideful return with tales of their postured glory.

However, not as all as it seems. The Toad contract remains controlled by someone else, an old woman - whose powers undefined are their leader. They are subordinate, waiting for the next command.

Word of Kumogakure's shinobi returns to the elemental nations with the civilians that brought him back. Word of a Jinchuuriki and a fan. This news would spread and a folklore would begin. Fortune favors the winners. Not the losers. Hibana no Kaminari [lit. Spark of the Lightning] [Mizu, Hi, Kaminari]

With it, brings some fortune back to Kumogakure. They are not as disadvantaged as what was once thought, from the plague that ravaged them three years ago. What they need now... is a leader. 

JUNIER OF GS + ADOX