A piercing gaze, almost tangible in its intensity, fixed on Satori Hyūga.
But faced with the Third Tsuchikage Onoki's interrogation, Satori chuckled and shook his head. "Of course not. Would Moryo ever play it this cool and composed?"
"No need to talk more. Just look into my eyes—you'll understand everything."
With that, the Jet-Black Tenseigan unleashed a sinister and powerful dōjutsu, beginning to twist Onoki's will and soul.
After all, this old man possessed an advanced bloodline limit—the Dust Release—his soul was even sturdier than that of the Third Kazekage.
Yet after so many trials, Satori had grown highly skilled in soul manipulation.
After a while...
The diminutive Onoki was freed from the stone by Kitsuchi and slowly knelt before Satori.
Third Tsuchikage—now fully under control.
Once done, Satori gave Onoki a few instructions before taking Kitsuchi with him toward the Earth Daimyo's palace.
The capital of the Land of Earth wasn't too far from Iwagakure, making travel between them quite convenient.
There was good reason for bringing Kitsuchi along.
Satori had discovered that Kitsuchi, though unremarkable in appearance, had married the Earth Daimyo's daughter—the two families were now connected through marriage.
No wonder Kitsuchi's daughter Kurotsuchi was so beautiful.
Men from Onoki's lineage were never known for their looks. Clearly, the better genes came from her mother's side.
And being the daughter of a noble house, she was naturally no stranger to beauty.
Arriving at the capital, following Kitsuchi's lead, Satori entered the Daimyo's palace just as he had before.
This time, approaching the Daimyo went unusually smoothly.
After all, when a son-in-law visits his father-in-law, no one dared interfere or stand in the way.
Looking at the towering, majestic palace, Satori couldn't help but admire it—the Earth Daimyo truly knew his craft.
Such a vast, orderly structure was clearly shaped by masterful Earth Release techniques.
Judging from this, the relationship between Iwagakure and the Daimyo was clearly quite strong.
No wonder Onoki had both manpower and financial resources—he'd long secured the Daimyo's trust.
Thinking further, such cooperation existed only between Iwagakure and the Land of Earth now.
Back during the First Hokage's reign in the Land of Fire, there had once been a similar alliance.
Unfortunately, times had changed.
Hashirama Senju's eldest son had married the Fire Daimyo's daughter, giving birth to Tsunade and Nawaki.
Unfortunately, Tsunade left Konoha early over personal struggles, severing the previous close ties with the Fire Daimyo.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi's son, he only managed to join the Fire Daimyo's Twelve Guardian Ninja—still not quite part of the royal inner circle.
Once inside the palace, without hesitation, Satori immediately placed the Earth Daimyo under his control, adding him to his growing list of subordinates.
For Satori, controlling ordinary people was child's play—effortless, even.
After finishing up, he crafted several covert White Zetsu agents before heading to his next destination—the Land of Lightning.
Meanwhile...
Black Zetsu suddenly felt multiple White Zetsu lifeforces vanish, instantly shocked and furious.
"Lord Madara, he's taken out more of our White Zetsu. He's in the Land of Earth now."
Madara Uchiha's face darkened like storm clouds. His sharp-featured face tilted upward, revealing eyes burning with intense murderous intent as he coldly declared, "Damn you, little rat, I will definitely find him."
"Head to the Land of Earth — no, wait for him in the Land of Lightning instead."
With that, he turned sharply and strode away, leaving behind the ruined village of Sunagakure and the fallen form of the Third Kazekage.
In his pursuit of Satori Hyūga and his stolen Rinnegan, Madara Uchiha had become recklessly shameless, launching a direct assault on Sunagakure.
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