At that moment, shadows moved rapidly through the ruins—countless Iwa-nin flickered into view.
But before reaching the shelter, they stopped in perfect formation, awaiting orders.
Their sudden appearance terrified the civilians inside the shelter.
Many thought the war wasn't over after all. Some had only just begun to weep, releasing their pent-up grief, only to have their sorrow rudely interrupted.
The civilians of Konoha had no idea.
Among the Iwa-nin, those tall and broad-shouldered shinobi couldn't help but shiver at the sight of Konoha, plowed into ruins by the war.
Broken streets were littered with corpses—Konoha ninja, Kumo-nin, Suna-nin, even Iwa-nin. Severed limbs lay scattered everywhere.
Some blood had long since dried black and seeped into the earth.
Around the corpses were only cold kunai, ninjatō, and shuriken.
The air reeked of scorched flesh, of fire and blood mingled with charred earth.
The view in every direction resembled the very heart of a battlefield in a Shinobi World War—hell itself.
And this war had erupted not in some forest, mountain, or desert, but in the very heart of a great hidden village. Cases of a major shinobi village being completely overrun were exceedingly rare in history.
Yet the true culprit behind this hellscape wasn't the Three Great Villages' armies.
Kumo, Suna, and Iwa had invaded Konoha for its resources.
When they attacked, they even exercised restraint, careful not to damage Konoha's structures with their jutsu.
But when Uchiha Yu descended with his Complete-Body Susanoo, the very nature of the war changed.
And then came the appearance of the Gedo Statue and the Wood Release Buddha.
Buildings.
Lives.
In the clash of such "gods," none of it mattered.
Several Iwa-nin swallowed hard. Compared to Konoha's civilians, they as shinobi understood the battle far more deeply—and so they knew just how terrifying it truly had been.
That was why, stepping into Konoha now, the Iwa forces were even more frightened than the refugees. After all, the one responsible for this war's devastation was still here in Konoha.
But they had no choice—their Tsuchikage insisted on coming. All they could do was follow.
Even so, they were grateful to their leader.
Had their Tsuchikage not read the situation in advance with almost prophetic foresight, this Iwa-nin unit would have perished in Konoha, just like Kumo and Suna's.
Now, under the command of a jonin, , the Iwa-nin looked up to the sky.
Over the Hokage Building's ruins, a black silhouette approached swiftly, flying with steady control.
Arriving before Hokage Rock, Tsunade, Hashirama, and Tobirama finally saw him clearly.
A short old man with white hair, a bulbous red nose, wrinkles covering his face—but eyes full of vitality. Draped in a green robe, he wore a smile.
"Ōnoki?"
Tsunade frowned slightly.
Hashirama studied the flying old man.
"I feel like I've seen this guy somewhere before."
Tobirama explained in a low voice: "That's Ōnoki. Back in my time as Hokage, he served as the bodyguard to the Second Tsuchikage. By now, he's probably the Third Tsuchikage."
"No wonder he looks familiar. But… is he skilled at rebuilding villages?" Hashirama asked in surprise.
"I don't know if he's good at rebuilding villages, but he is good at Earth Release." Tobirama replied.
At that moment, Ōnoki reached Hokage Rock.
The little old man hovered in the air, his gaze fixed on Uchiha Yu. With a courteous smile, he said:
"Forgive me, Uchiha Yu-kun. This old back of mine doesn't do well on the ground—it acts up if I stand too long. Please excuse me for speaking to you in this position."
Uchiha Yu gave a slight nod, studying the elder before him.
Then he asked, "Are the Iwa-nin planning to retreat?"
Tobirama snorted coldly:
"From my close observation of you, you've been continuously maintaining the Complete Susanoo, and your brows are often furrowed. Clearly, your body is enduring constant pain.
This proves you don't possess Madara's eyes, and your strength has not reached Madara's level.
Don't be fooled by this old man's respectful appearance—most likely, it's a smile hiding a knife.
Right now, the Iwa-nin army's forces are intact. This is their best chance to seize Konoha. On what grounds do you think they'd retreat at this moment?
And with your current state, can you really contend with this man, Ōnoki?
Evil little Uchiha brat, give it up—you can't play the game of politics!"
Uchiha Yu couldn't be bothered to pay Tobirama any mind.
The next second—
Ōnoki, still wearing his kindly smile and humble demeanor, leapt up and slapped Tobirama's old face hard with his words:
"That's right, Uchiha Yu, I'll be leading the Iwa-nin army back to Iwagakure immediately.
Now that Kumogakure and Sunagakure have been soundly defeated, it is the perfect time for us of Iwa to march and punish the two villages.
Rest assured, Uchiha Yu, the grudge in your heart—this old man will take it upon himself to vent it for you. I'll hammer those two villages hard!
Of course, I'll only strip them of their resources. As for their fertile lands, those will be left entirely to the Uchiha—oh no, to the new Konoha."
Ōnoki bowed with utmost respect. In the eyes of Tobirama, Hashirama, and Tsunade, the old fox looked utterly shameless, almost as if he were treating Uchiha Yu like his direct superior.
After hearing this, Tobirama's face turned ashen, his whole being thrown into disarray.
This was completely out of line!
"Tch!" After being so thoroughly slapped in the face, Tobirama forced himself to stay calm and said in a deep voice: "He's probing your strength."
Hashirama glanced sideways at his ever-prideful younger brother and sighed:
"Tobirama, say a little less. I'm afraid he won't even let us stand here if you keep it up…"
Tobirama's teeth nearly cracked from the pressure, but he was helpless. He could only cling to the hope that Ōnoki would eventually show some backbone.
Tsunade, however, stood rooted in place, confused and lost in thought.
She looked at Uchiha Yu and wondered inwardly: Could it be that Ōnoki has also fallen under Yu's eye techniques?
But looking at Ōnoki's behavior… it didn't resemble the effects of a Mangekyō Sharingan at all!
Seeing Tobirama fuming and agitated within the prison space, Uchiha Yu's mood brightened considerably.
He gave Ōnoki a calm nod and asked, "Anything else?"
"Oh, yes, Uchiha Yu. There is indeed one more matter that brought me here today."
Ōnoki's eyes shifted quickly, his demeanor losing the majesty of the Third Tsuchikage, and instead looking rather sly and shifty-eyed.
"Heh, here it comes." Tobirama sneered, "Brat, don't say I didn't warn you. Old foxes like this are most skilled at striking when you least expect it."
But seeing Uchiha Yu's relaxed expression and good mood, Ōnoki immediately realized his decision to return was the right one.
He seized the momentum and pressed further, showering Yu with goodwill:
"Uchiha Yu, perhaps you've forgotten—back when we parted ways at the Valley of Sanctions, we made an agreement.
Once the Uchiha built their new homeland, Iwagakure would dispatch Earth Release experts to help construct it!
And look at the timing! The army I brought this time is full of Earth Release masters. Building structures is nothing to them—just a few hand seals and a little chakra!"
"..."
°°°
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