Chapter 181 – The Divide Between Life and Death
A violent explosion erupted before their eyes, the flames engulfing Ōnoki's figure. This scene left all the Iwagakure shinobi dumbfounded.
Every single Iwa shinobi halted in their tracks, eyes wide in disbelief as they stared at the thick smoke slowly dissipating within the white barrier.
Everyone was on edge, many unconsciously holding their breath.
"Is… is he dead?"
"Third Tsuchikage-sama!?"
"D-damn it… how could this happen!?"
"This can't be real. Was the Third Tsuchikage really taken out just like that?"
"T-that guy… how does he also have Dust Release?!"
"..."
As the smoke inside the white cylindrical barrier gradually cleared, the scene inside became more visible to all.
There was nothing there but air.
Ōnoki had completely vanished without a trace.
Even though most Iwagakure shinobi couldn't use Dust Release themselves, they still knew what it was and how terrifying its power could be.
"I've heard about the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure mastering the power of a Bloodline Selection technique. That Dust Release ability disintegrates its target down to the atomic level…"
"Just now… didn't the Fourth Hokage use Dust Release?"
"It looked like it. And those Iwa shinobi seemed to confirm it."
"So that means… Ōnoki is dead?"
"..."
At that moment, everyone—be it from Iwagakure or the other smaller nations—was shaken, unable to believe what they were witnessing.
The mightiest of Iwagakure, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, had actually been killed in a single blow?
Could this really be happening?
Immediately, sensor-type shinobi snapped back to their senses and began releasing their chakra, attempting to detect Ōnoki's presence.
"N-no trace… T-the Third Tsuchikage's chakra… it's completely gone!!"
"I'm not picking up anything either. It really is gone!"
"D-damn it… does that mean the Third Tsuchikage really was killed by Uchiha Dali?!"
"That bastard! Let's take him down with us!"
"..."
As more and more sensor shinobi activated their abilities, sweeping the area for several kilometers in all directions…
They were eventually forced to accept the truth.
Ōnoki really seemed to be dead.
Instantly, grief and fury swept through the Iwagakure shinobi.
Meanwhile, the shinobi from the smaller nations stood uncertain and at a loss for what to do.
The war was no longer theirs to fight.
It had become a matter between Konoha and Iwagakure.
They weren't worried about Konoha; they were curious—would Uchiha Dali now turn on the remaining Iwa shinobi as well?
Was he going to wipe them all out?
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Uchiha Dali slowly turned to face the remaining Iwagakure shinobi.
"Ōnoki is dead."
"Those who wish to live, step to the left. If you want to die, stay where you are."
Uchiha Dali addressed the countless Iwa shinobi in front of him.
Hearing these words from his own mouth, a wave of commotion rippled through the crowd of Iwa shinobi.
Some clenched their fists, seething with rage; others trembled in fear, lost and unsure what to do.
Meanwhile, the shinobi from the smaller nations naturally distanced themselves from the main group, stepping behind Uchiha Dali.
They didn't want to die—and they certainly didn't want to be mistaken for Iwa shinobi.
A large space quickly opened up on the left.
After a moment of tense silence, one Iwagakure shinobi slowly stepped out, trembling as he walked to the left.
While walking, he muttered to himself, "I… I don't want to die… If even the Third Tsuchikage couldn't win, what's the point in resisting any further?"
"He said he wants to create a peaceful world. We don't have to keep fighting each other! Let's surrender!!"
Immediately, another Iwa shinobi stepped forward and shouted loudly.
Their voices were like beacons guiding lost ships through a storm.
Several more Iwa shinobi soon followed, stepping forward and shouting their slogans as they joined the group of those surrendering.
Seeing them take the lead, more Iwa shinobi began to stir restlessly.
They hesitated.
Waiting for more like-minded comrades to step forward with them.
But just then, a burly figure suddenly darted out and struck down the first two who had surrendered.
This person was incredibly strong and fast.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared behind the two defectors and mercilessly attacked. His earth-hardened arms transformed into sharp stone blades. With a swift, deadly strike, he executed both of them on the spot.
"Iwagakure shinobi may die in battle, but we never kneel to live!"
"Anyone who dares surrender—I'll kill them first!"
After saying that, the Iwa shinobi turned to glare at the others who had been hesitating, clearly contemplating surrender.
His brutal show of force instantly made the rest shrink back.
Suddenly, everyone was hesitating.
Now, only two paths lay before them: surrender, or don't.
Surrender, and be killed by their own comrades.
Refuse, and be killed by Uchiha Dali.
Either way, it seemed like a road to death.
"W-what do we do…?"
"It feels like we don't have a choice anymore…"
"D-damn it… Is it wrong to not want to die?"
"Ōdo, by doing this, you're forcing everyone onto the opposite side. We have families, loved ones. We don't want to die here for nothing…"
"Yeah, and if Uchiha Dali can really create a peaceful world, why not choose to believe in him?"
"..."
These Iwa shinobi, backed into a corner, didn't dare defy Ōdo. But now, they began to voice their grievances.
But Ōdo didn't even need to respond.
Among the ranks of Iwagakure shinobi, there were still many with unyielding spirit—those who refused to surrender.
They immediately began firing back at the "cowards."
"You fools! How can you so easily believe a stranger's words? Just because he says he'll create peace, that makes it true? Who is he, the Creator? The Sage of Six Paths?"
"I don't believe a word Uchiha Dali says. For all we know, he's lying!"
"He killed the Third Tsuchikage. No matter what, this won't end peacefully!"
"If we're going to die anyway, we might as well fight back together! What are you afraid of? We're Iwagakure shinobi—we're from the same village! There's no need to tear each other apart!!"
"..."
These hardliners from Iwa condemned their cowardly comrades, trying to rouse them to their senses.
At that moment, Uchiha Dali found the situation rather entertaining and glanced over at Ōdo.
And right then, Ōdo looked back at him.
(Support me and read ahead on Patreøn: patreøn.com/craxxtranslations.
3 new chapters are released daily—thank you for your support!
Powerstone Event: For every 50 powerstones, 1 chapter will be unlocked.)