Ōnoki stared at his subordinates in utter disbelief.
He'd never expected his own tactical strategy to be dismantled by his teammates. Not by the enemy. By the very people he was supposed to be protecting.
His gaze fixed on his people with something approaching betrayal. Why? Why are you doing this to me?
Kurotsuchi met his stare without flinching. His eyes were clear, his posture upright. No dodging, no shame, just calm conviction.
In that moment, Ōnoki understood perfectly.
Akatsuchi, Kitsuchi, and Kurotsuchi had all been defeated in friendly exchanges with Naruto. Akatsuchi and Kitsuchi represented the pinnacle of Iwagakure's combat strength—the absolute elite. Both had fallen easily.
So the question became: who else in Iwagakure could possibly face Naruto?
If they kept sending ninja one by one, they'd keep losing one by one. Iwagakure's reputation would be shredded across the entire shinobi world. From that day forward, their ninja wouldn't be able to hold their heads high when traveling abroad.
The solution was simple, really.
Someone needed to defeat Naruto decisively and restore their lost face.
Among all the Iwagakure ninja present, only one person possessed the necessary strength: their Tsuchikage, Ōnoki himself.
Naruto was Konoha's Hokage. Ōnoki was Iwagakure's Tsuchikage. Logically, their status and positions were equivalent. Therefore, their strength shouldn't differ too dramatically.
That was the careful analysis.
Better yet, Konoha's Hokage was young, inexperienced. His combat experience couldn't match Ōnoki's decades of warfare.
Therefore, if Ōnoki fought Naruto personally, victory was possible. Maybe even likely.
That was why Kurotsuchi had stood up to request Ōnoki's participation. Why the other Iwagakure ninja had joined the chorus of demands.
They're not wrong, Ōnoki admitted reluctantly. Kurotsuchi 's thinking is sound.
But...
He'd watched Naruto defeat three elite combatants using only taijutsu. Easily. Casually. Without even breaking a sweat.
Ōnoki felt genuinely helpless facing such overwhelming physical superiority.
He really, truly didn't want to fight Naruto right now.
But his subordinates had backed him into a corner. The entire village was watching. As Iwagakure's Tsuchikage, he couldn't disappoint them.
If he refused now, he'd be unworthy of the title.
"Alright," Ōnoki said, his voice carrying across the silent training ground. "Next, I'll be friends with Hokage-sama."
Hope blazed in Kurotsuchi's eyes. In every Iwagakure ninja's eyes. They believed in their Tsuchikage's strength, trusted that he could defeat this young upstart from Konoha.
Naruto's face lit up with genuine excitement. "Lord Tsuchikage! I've wanted to be friends with you for so long!"
Ōnoki's mouth twitched. What you really mean is 'I've wanted to beat you up for so long.'
But he'd agreed to this "friendly exchange" after careful consideration. If he truly couldn't defeat Naruto... well, he had a backup plan.
He'd fly away.
Simple. Effective.
As the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki had built Iwagakure into something stronger than his predecessors ever managed. His prestige exceeded that of the First and Second Tsuchikage. Such honor, such reputation—he refused to lose it beneath Naruto's fists.
He'd observed Naruto's fighting style carefully. The boy relied on overwhelming physical power and speed. Impressive, yes. But Naruto couldn't fly.
Not many ninja in the entire world could fly. Konoha had never produced a single one.
That was Ōnoki's ace in the hole. That's why he'd agreed so readily, why he could face Naruto now without visible fear.
"Hokage-sama," Ōnoki said, taking position at the training ground's center, "let us have our friendly exchange."
Naruto crossed to face him, smile bright. "Lord Tsuchikage, show me your sincerity."
"Earth Style: Added Weight Rock Technique!"
Ōnoki didn't waste time on pleasantries. The instant Naruto finished speaking, he'd already activated his technique. His right hand transformed, stone flowing across skin like living armor as he swung at Naruto.
As a veteran who'd survived countless wars, Ōnoki knew better than to exchange courteous banter. Preemptive strikes won battles.
His decisiveness earned Naruto's approving nod.
Naruto's fist met Ōnoki's stone-covered hand. Golden light erupted from the point of impact, a burst of energy that made the air shimmer.
CRACK.
Ōnoki's weathered face went pale. He'd overestimated Naruto's strength based on the previous fights. But he'd still underestimated by a massive margin.
The rock coating his fist shattered like glass. Fragments exploded outward, raining down across the training ground.
Pull back! Disengage!
Decades of combat instinct screamed orders. Ōnoki retreated immediately, yanking his fist away from the collision.
Naruto's smile widened. His figure blurred.
One moment he stood where they'd clashed. The next, he was directly in front of Ōnoki, no matter how fast the Tsuchikage retreated.
Always exactly one punch away.
That distance conveyed everything. Naruto's fist could reach him anytime he chose.
Every Iwagakure ninja's heart leaped into their throat. They didn't dare breathe, eyes fixed on the battle circle with desperate intensity.
If Lord Tsuchikage loses to Naruto, our status will plummet. We'll become the laughingstock of the Five Great Nations.
Naruto threw another punch.
Ōnoki blocked desperately. The impact sent shockwaves up his arm, rattling his teeth. After several exchanges, the truth crystallized with brutal clarity: I'm not his opponent. Not even close. To him, I'm probably no different from Akatsuchi or Kitsuchi.
I can't win conventionally.
Time for the backup plan.
Ōnoki dodged the next strike, then launched himself skyward with a burst of chakra. His Light-Weight Rock Technique activated, reducing his mass to almost nothing as he shot into the air.
"Hokage-sama," he called down, unable to suppress a triumphant smile, "if you want to be friends with me, you'll have to catch me first! Hehehe..."
He turned into a streak of motion, flying east at maximum speed.
The Iwagakure ninja stood frozen in shock.
Lord Tsuchikage... ran away?!
They looked at Naruto on the ground, hope flickering. At least Hokage-sama can't become friends with our Tsuchikage now. He can't fly.
"Well then," Naruto's confident voice rang out, "Lord Tsuchikage, I won't disappoint you."
The Iwagakure ninja turned to stare.
What does he mean? Can he actually fly?
Naruto looked up at Ōnoki's rapidly shrinking form. Then he stepped forward.
The step carried him into midair. Not jumping. Not chakra-enhanced leaping. Just... stepping onto nothing as if invisible stairs existed in empty space.
Another step. Naruto's figure vanished.
"Did he just..." Kurotsuchi 's voice died.
"Konoha's Hokage can fly?!" someone else finished.
High in the sky, Ōnoki's smile grew as distance increased between him and the training ground.
"Hmph. Ginger is still spiciest when old," he muttered, pleased with his tactics. "At least I won't end up with a swollen face. That's something."
Movement caught his eye ahead. "Hmm? Is that a bird?"
He squinted, trying to make out details. The shape was wrong for a bird though. Too large, wrong proportions.
The distance closed.
Ōnoki's blood ran cold.
Not a bird. A person.
Long golden hair flowing in the wind. Hokage robes rippling. Blue eyes glinting with amusement. That half-smile that promised trouble.
Uzumaki Naruto.
"He can fly too?!" Ōnoki spun mid-air, reversing direction with desperate speed.
"Lord Tsuchikage!" Naruto's voice carried clearly through the wind. "I caught up! Don't run away now."
One step. Naruto materialized directly in Ōnoki's path.
The Tsuchikage braked hard, nearly giving himself whiplash.
Thirty minutes later.
"Why haven't they returned yet?" an Iwagakure ninja wondered aloud. "It's been so long."
"Look! They're coming back!" someone shouted.
Every head turned eastward.
A black speck appeared on the horizon, growing larger. Two figures resolved from the distance—Naruto carrying a very swollen-faced Ōnoki.
Naruto landed gently, setting the Tsuchikage down with surprising care. "Lord Tsuchikage and I are good friends now."
The Iwagakure ninja slumped in collective defeat.
Even their Tsuchikage had lost.
After a few more friendship sessions, darkness fell. Ōnoki quickly suggested they continue tomorrow, his words slightly slurred through his swollen lips.
He arranged accommodations and sent sumptuous dinner, retreating to nurse his wounds and his pride.
The days in Iwagakure passed in a predictable pattern.
More than ten days later, every single Iwagakure ninja had become Naruto's friend. They'd all grown numb to their matching swollen faces. Inside the village, it was normal. Expected.
But outside Iwagakure? They had no face to show the world.
The morning after the last Iwagakure ninja became Naruto's friend, Naruto announced his departure.
Ōnoki nearly wept with relief. He didn't try to convince them to stay.
The Tsuchikage and his bruised ninja escorted Naruto's group to the village entrance.
"Lord Tsuchikage, there's no need to see us off," Naruto said warmly. "My next stop is the Hidden Cloud Village. I want to become friends with them too!"
He's going to Cloud too...
Ōnoki hesitated, then asked carefully, "Hokage-sama, did you also become friends with other ninja villages along your journey?"
"Of course!" Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "I've already befriended ninja from the Lands of Hot Water, Bears, Demons, Snow, and all of Hidden Sand. Next, I'll befriend the entire shinobi world!"
Ōnoki fell silent.
The entire shinobi world.
"Alright, Lord Tsuchikage. Friends of Iwagakure." Naruto waved. "See you next time!"
Then he, Sasuke, and Nagato departed, leaving Iwagakure behind.
Ōnoki watched them go, his expression unreadable.
"Father?" Kitsuchi prompted.
"Kitsuchi..." Ōnoki's voice was distant. "The times may be changing."
"What do you mean?"
The old man shook his head. "Send someone to investigate Uzumaki Naruto's complete journey. Every village he's visited. Every detail you can find. I need to know everything."
"Yes, Father."
'See you next time,' Ōnoki thought, replaying Naruto's words. What did he mean by that?
Naruto, unaware of Ōnoki's concerns, led his group toward their final major destination: the Land of Lightning.
The route would take them through the Lands of Grass, Waterfalls, and Iron, finally entering from the Land of the Moon.
Every ninja village they passed became Naruto's friends.
Small nations didn't have as many ninja as the Five Great Countries, but there were far more small nations. The detours added significant time to their journey.
When they finally arrived at the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning, the Fourth Raikage A himself came to greet them, accompanied by his adopted brother Killer B and numerous Cloud ninja.
The Raikage succession in Hidden Cloud was unique among the Five Great Villages. Not only did the position pass from relationship to relationship, but each Raikage took the same name: A.
From the First A who founded Cloud Village to the current Fourth, every leader inherited the title along with the responsibility.
Raikage studied Naruto with open surprise. The boy had become Konoha's Hokage so young—practically a child still.
In Cloud, appearance matters, Raikage thought. An ordinary-looking man like this would have trouble finding a wife here.
Cloud valued strength, yes, but also the physical aesthetic. Raikage himself was built like a mountain, all muscle and intimidation.
Naruto's group had left the Land of the Moon after breakfast specifically to arrive in the Land of Lightning for lunch.
After welcoming ceremonies and introductions, Raikage arranged a lavish meal for his guests.
The Raikage had a famously explosive temper and spoke loudly even in casual conversation. After everyone had eaten their fill, Naruto prepared to explain his visit's purpose.
Raikage beat him to it.
"Konoha's Hokage!" His voice boomed across the room. "Now that you're full, let's enjoy some entertainment!" He pointed at Killer B with obvious pride. "This is my brother, Killer B. He's a master of rap. Let him perform an impromptu piece for you!"
Killer B leaped to his feet, practically vibrating with excitement. He lived for rap. The chance to perform for Konoha's Hokage was a dream come true.
As a guest, Naruto couldn't refuse Cloud's hospitality. He nodded. "I'd be honored."
Raikage gave his brother an encouraging look.
Killer B moved to the open space in front of the dining tables, positioning himself on the tatami. "Alright! Here I go!"
His body began swaying to an internal rhythm. His hands moved in complex patterns, fingers snapping, palms sliding. His mouth pursed, and words began flowing in rapid-fire succession.
"Yo! Listen up, Konoha's top brass, don't be slow, I'm the Master of the Cloud, the star of the show!
My name is Killer B, Lord of the Verse, Step into my village, put your ego in a hearse!
Bakayaro!
Konoyaro!
You're looking well-fed, Now digest these rhymes I'm dropping on your head!
Rap ain't a cage, it's my soul's vibration, I'm the 8-Tails beast, a rhyming sensation!
The road is my stage, and the stage is my home, Spitting fire on the mic everywhere that I roam!
You can hate it, you can rage, you can cry till you're blue, But this heat stays eternal, I'm the chosen few!
They call me a weirdo, say "B, you should quit," But I'm a Jinchuriki, I never submit!
Through the fog of the past and the doubt in the air, I built a foundation with a Lariat flare!
I turned stubborn to gold, kept my head to the sky, While the haters stayed grounded, I'm soaring up high!
In the darkest of hours, when the moon starts to fade, I find power in the rhythm, I'm never afraid!
No cowering here, just the Ink and the Steel, Welcome to the shower, kid—this is how I feel! WHEEEEEEE "
He finished with a flourish, breathing hard, sweat beading on his forehead despite the short performance.
"Yeah! That's my brother!" Raikage applauded enthusiastically.
The other Cloud ninja clapped with varying degrees of genuine appreciation and polite obligation.
"Not bad," Naruto said, genuinely impressed. Killer B had real talent. If he wasn't so dedicated to rap, I might recruit him for the farm. Though his style would probably scare the pigs.
Pigs needed soothing lullabies, not aggressive rap battles.
After the entertainment concluded, Naruto decided it was time to address business.
"Raikage," he said clearly, "I came here to become friends with everyone in the Hidden Cloud Village."
The room fell silent.
Raikage's smile froze halfway across his face.
And in the corner, Sasuke quietly reached for his sunflower seeds.