Tea Country had never possessed its own ninja village. For generations, it relied on the Leaf to handle its missions. In recent years, however, with the rise of the Nanmo Nation, fear had driven them to establish one—small, weak, and unrefined. The entire force numbered barely two hundred, most being freelance shinobi of mediocre ability, with few worthy of mention.
Their decision to join the campaign against Shigeo was purely an act of obedience to the Third Hokage's call.
Because of their proximity to Nanmo, they feared a sudden strike and thus took part in the Five Great Nations' joint crusade, hoping to earn favor and security.
They had calculated four potential gains:
First, suppressing the mysterious small neighbor, Nanmo.
Second, confidence that the Five Great Ninja Villages would surely win the first united attack.
Third, if successful, their participation would increase their credibility with the Great Nations.
Fourth, by aligning themselves with the Five Villages, they hoped to gain protection in future conflicts.
But all their schemes came to ruin. Over ten thousand shinobi from the Five Great Villages and several minor ones had been defeated by Shigeo—within a single hour.
Tea Country's contribution had been less than fifty shinobi—mostly low- to mid-level—but even that number was enough to earn Nanmo's wrath.
Now, as Nanmo's new landmass rose from the sea, the surrounding nations quaked like during an earthquake.
Citizens standing on Tea Country's coast could clearly see the newborn continent. The power behind such a sight was terrifying.
Nanmo no longer needed to hide behind mists or barriers, nor to uphold its secret isolation. The nation now stood openly before the world. Let them come if they dared.
On the shoreline, Shigeo appeared out of thin air with a hundred Nanmo ninjas and advanced straight toward Tea Country's capital.
The city, long warned, had sealed its gates. Inside were its two hundred ninjas, commanded directly by the country's daimyo.
Shigeo, radiating fury, marched at the head of his warriors. With a single Doton (Earth Release) strike, part of the city wall crumbled. His men charged forward.
Tea Country's guards and ninjas formed a defensive line—only to be smashed aside by the vanguard of Namako Village elites leading the assault.
No one could stop them. Shigeo strode straight into the daimyo's mansion, whose gates were barred for a final, futile stand.
Smiling coldly, Shigeo formed a one-handed seal. Lightning crackled down from the heavens—Raiton (Lightning Release) struck the mansion like divine punishment.
Screams echoed within as roofs splintered and walls collapsed. At the entrance, Wu Mang kicked the doors open, and a hundred Nanmo ninjas stormed in.
Moments later, the daimyo's family and dozens of ninja were dragged outside and forced to kneel before Shigeo.
"Do you know your crime?"
It was always others questioning him—today, he would ask the same.
"W-We know our crimes! Whatever compensation you demand, we will provide it! Just spare our lives!" The daimyo sobbed, trembling on the ground.
"My compensation," Shigeo said icily, "is that Tea Country now belongs to Nanmo. You will cease to exist."
Bloodshot eyes gleamed with killing intent. His words struck like thunder.
The daimyo's body quivered. "B-but we only sent fifty men! Only fifty! You would destroy an entire nation for that? I'll hand those fifty to you—take their lives instead!"
"If Nanmo had been destroyed today," Shigeo replied coldly, "do you think the lives of fifty men could atone for the deaths of hundreds of thousands? Or shall I prove it to you myself?"
A single shinobi could annihilate a country. A greater one could create—or destroy—an entire world: Chibaku Tensei (Planetary Devastation), Tenseigan, and more.
Never doubt his resolve. For vengeance, he would exterminate a nation without hesitation.
"I... I would rather die than submit!" The daimyo shouted through gritted teeth.
"Good." Shigeo extended a hand. Mokuton: Hari no Jutsu (Wood Release: Piercing Thorn Technique) burst forth, spearing into the daimyo's body and detonating from within. His family screamed and scattered in terror.
"Drive his entire family out of Tea Country," Shigeo commanded. "Wu Mang, stay behind with thirty men. From today, this land belongs to Nanmo."
With a flick of his cloak, Shigeo turned and departed—toward Bear Country.
Bear Country lay not far from Tea Country. Its Hoshigakure—the Star Ninja Village—was somewhat renowned across the ninja world, known for its unique technique, Kujaku Myōhō (Peacock Method), a jutsu of great destructive power.
But today, no ability would save them.
Shigeo arrived with sixty men. Twenty split off toward the daimyo's residence, while he led the rest into the village itself.
Battle erupted instantly. Shigeo's followers, still empowered by the Bunki Ishiki Kagami (Mirror of Divided Consciousness), fought with overwhelming might. The star ninjas were no match.
Within the village, few still mastered the Peacock Method—it had long faded.
The once-proud Hoshigakure was now filled with smoke and chaos. The so-called Star Shadow stood arrogantly at the village's center, shouting as Shigeo approached.
"I warn you—leave now, or face the wrath of the Star Ninja!"
"When have I ever attacked without reason?" Shigeo replied coolly. "If you and the Five Great Villages hadn't joined hands to bully Nanmo, would I have bothered with your tiny Hoshigakure?"
As he spoke, the Rinnegan flared in his eyes. He raised a hand—Banshō Ten'in (Universal Pull).
From the crater at the village's heart, the sacred "meteorite star" they worshiped was yanked from its altar and drawn into his grasp.
"So this is your so-called holy relic?" He sneered. "Trash."
He crushed it in his hand and threw it to the ground.
Seeing this, the star ninjas went mad. "You defile our sacred treasure! Kill him!"
They charged, only to be swiftly subdued by Shigeo's subordinates.
Their leader, Akahoshi, lunged forward in rage. In Sage Mode, Shigeo met him head-on—one kick sent him flying. Akahoshi tried to retaliate, unleashing his Peacock Method, but Shigeo's Ranton (Storm Release) pierced through him, leaving a gaping hole in his chest.
The others rushed to protect him.
"You're loyal, I'll grant you that," Shigeo said coldly. "But you're fools—relying on a radioactive rock instead of your own strength, thinking it grants divine power? Pathetic."
He looked around, voice echoing through the ruined village.
"From this day forward, Bear Country belongs to Nanmo!"
He waved his hand, leaving behind Jinshi and twenty ninjas to govern. Then, without another glance, Shigeo led the rest toward the daimyo's mansion.
(End of Chapter)
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