Chapter 187: In This World, You Must Keep Your Word
Uchiha Dali activated his Susanoo, now in its fourth-stage form.
This was a form that came infinitely close to the Complete Body Susanoo. It wasn't that he didn't want to use the complete form—it was simply that only the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan could access it.
Even though it wasn't the complete version, it was still a pure manifestation of chakra energy. Its shape didn't matter; the sheer force of the chakra pressure it emitted spread in all directions constantly, unaffected by its form.
Even top-tier powerhouses like Minato Namikaze, Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Fugaku felt its terrifying pressure and revealed expressions of shock and dread.
As for the other ninja, whose strength paled in comparison—especially the ones from Iwagakure who bore the brunt of the force—their reactions were easy to imagine.
At that moment, nearly a thousand Iwagakure ninja, with Kitsuchi at the lead, all wore expressions of utter despair.
"He's completely unharmed… What a monster!"
"Our combined attack was nullified just like that… Are we just waiting to die now?"
"We actually… lost."
"He's just too powerful. We're not even in the same league!"
"…"
The Iwagakure ninja stared hopelessly at the towering chakra giant, no longer able to muster the slightest will to resist.
Earlier, they had made a pact: if Uchiha Dali could withstand their combined assault, they would submit to his judgment.
Now, it was time to fulfill that promise.
But Uchiha Dali didn't strike immediately. He simply looked down at the frightened ninja and said, "I acknowledge the strength of your combined efforts."
"However, in this world, a man must keep his word. It's time to send you to meet Ōnoki."
When he said those words, almost every enemy ceased all resistance and closed their eyes.
They lifted their heads slightly, exposing their necks without a hint of hesitation.
"My apologies, everyone."
"It was an honor to fight alongside you."
Kitsuchi had lost all will to fight.
He stood there, completely resigned to death.
At that moment, a massive shadow suddenly appeared in the sky.
It was Uchiha Dali's Susanoo, raising its giant chakra blade and bringing it down on the enemies who refused to surrender.
The Iwagakure ninja who had surrendered, along with those from smaller nations, quickly retreated.
They couldn't bear to watch the scene—and more importantly, they didn't want to be caught in the aftermath of the attack.
As they swiftly withdrew, the colossal chakra blade crashed down like a mountain.
BOOMMMMMMMMM…
A deafening roar shook the heavens and earth.
The ground erupted in a storm of dust. Forests toppled in swathes. The earth itself cracked apart, forming a bottomless chasm.
"Kitsuchi and the others… their chakra signals… are gone."
"Don't pity them. Lord Uchiha Dali already gave them a chance—they chose their fate."
"I know… I just wanted to say… this power is terrifying. To think it all ended in an instant…"
"From now on, let's just live peacefully under the rule of the Land of Fire. If the entire ninja world could truly unite, there would be no more war."
"…"
The other ninja stood in silence, their hearts heavy as they sensed the total disappearance of the chakra signatures of Kitsuchi and the nearly thousand Iwagakure ninja who had refused to surrender.
After a while, a single, unshakable conviction rose within them:
Now that they had surrendered, they must never dare to rebel again.
Unless, of course, they had a death wish and wanted to test Uchiha Dali's godlike power.
Their whispers did not escape Uchiha Dali's notice.
He felt both surprised and satisfied.
Surprised that, in truth, whether they were from Iwagakure or small nations, most of them were far easier to conquer than he had expected.
Satisfied with their attitude.
If every ninja village in the world could be subdued so easily and willingly join his plan—uniting under a centralized and unified regime—then what need would there be for war in the ninja world?
Only an external threat would warrant it.
Like the Ōtsutsuki clan.
"From here on, you may return to your own nations. Once you're ready, come to Konoha and report to me."
Uchiha Dali slowly descended.
The towering red chakra giant had already vanished.
He now stood before the surrendered ninja and addressed the leaders among them.
Soon, one of them raised his hand and asked, "Lord Fourth Hokage, I… I want to ask, what should we do about the Land of Earth now…"
The question came from a surrendered Iwagakure ninja.
Originally, they were led by the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki. After Ōnoki's death, leadership should have passed to his son, Kitsuchi.
But now Kitsuchi was gone too.
And it wasn't just Kitsuchi—many of the elite who had gone to meet their end with him were among Iwagakure's best.
In terms of strength and influence, these individuals had been the most qualified successors to the Tsuchikage position after Ōnoki and Kitsuchi.
Now, every last one of them was gone.
Those who had surrendered knew full well what their own capabilities were.
In other words, Iwagakure now had no one left who could truly take charge.
When the question was asked, the other Iwagakure ninja turned their eyes to Uchiha Dali.
They too wanted to know how the aftermath would be handled.
Uchiha Dali looked at their dazed faces and smiled faintly. "The daimyo of the Land of Earth isn't fit to rule anymore. From now on, Iwagakure will serve as the administrators of the Land of Earth—you only need to answer to me and to Konoha."
"As for the new administrator… Within five days, whoever brings me the daimyo's head and places the Land of Earth under their control will be appointed mayor of the Land of Earth—or rather, the City of Earth—and hold governing authority over this land."
When he finished speaking, all the ninja stared in stunned silence, exchanging glances with one another.
They understood exactly what he meant.
And it left them a little shaken.
"You mean… he wants us to assassinate the daimyo?"
"Not just assassination—we'd have to seize control of the entire Land of Earth after that!"
"You know, that used to be a capital offense…"
"But that was before. Now we're no longer people of the Land of Earth. From now on, we're citizens of the City of Earth."
"…"
While the Iwagakure ninja were still discussing among themselves, Uchiha Dali had already turned and started walking away.
Just then, a leader from one of the smaller nations stepped forward and called out, "My lord, may we—those of us from the small nations—also have the honor of serving you?"
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