Ōnoki's face grew increasingly dark, killing intent flickering in his eyes.
The thing he feared most had finally happened!
In fact, the moment the Daimyos were simultaneously killed earlier, he had felt a faint chill all over, sensing that something major was bound to happen in the Ninja World.
As it turned out, he was right!
The so-called assassination of the Daimyos was merely a preliminary plot, designed to shatter people's deep-seated prejudices; the mastermind's true killing blow was aimed at the Ninja Villages.
He had also tried.
Initially, he wanted to restore the Daimyos Mansion system and had even thought of persuading Other Ninja Villages for that purpose.
But, unfortunately.
He still failed!
Everyone's heart is greedy, and the mastermind's methods struck directly at human desires.
The Other Ninja Villages couldn't control their internal greed; they eventually seized the property of the Daimyos Mansion and the nobles, ultimately replacing the Daimyos Mansion with the Ninja Village system and choosing to directly control their entire nations.
Under these circumstances, Iwagakure had no choice!
To ensure Iwagakure wasn't left far behind by Other Ninja Villages—especially since those within Iwagakure were also short-sighted—even though he, as the Tsuchikage, knew it was wrong, he could only choose to follow suit by annexing the Daimyos Mansion and noble properties, ultimately ruling the Land of Earth through the Ninja Village system.
There was no other way!
Because if you didn't follow, you'd be left behind by the Other Ninja Villages.
Actually, his thinking was similar to Hiruzen Sarutobi's; he didn't want to replace the Daimyos Mansion but hoped to maintain the status quo. After all, he didn't believe Ninjas could govern an entire country, let alone with a mastermind lurking—who knew what the other party was plotting by killing the Daimyos?
But unfortunately, things didn't go as planned; despite his efforts, he still failed.
Developments mirrored his thoughts; as several major Ninja Villages began to replace the Daimyos Mansion, Konoha took the lead in annexing other small Ninja Villages, and its overall power began to explode instantly.
Especially the Five Major War Zones system introduced by Konoha sent waves of horror through Ōnoki's heart.
Even without evidence yet, he was certain in his heart: the mastermind was definitely Konoha!
The reason was simple!
If they hadn't prepared in advance, how could Konoha produce such a sophisticated organizational framework in such a short time?
Precisely because he understood this, he became increasingly vigilant.
But, sigh!
Before he could truly come up with a solution, the Akatsuki Organization suddenly appeared to collect the Tailed Beasts, throwing the major Ninja Villages into chaos; even Kumogakure's A-B Combo was completely finished.
To maintain the situation as much as possible, he tried once more to form an alliance to resist.
However, damn it.
Who would have thought that before the alliance could even be formed, Kumogakure had quietly defected to Konoha?
Especially seeing Rasa beside him, who hadn't said a word, he instantly sensed that this fellow's thoughts had changed.
No!
This couldn't continue, or else the alliance would likely collapse before it was even formed.
Even if he couldn't stop Kumogakure now, he had to kill Dodai and the others in front of him—partly to reduce Konoha's power as much as possible, and partly to set rules written in blood for the three-way alliance.
Betrayal means death!
'Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!'
Having thought this through, Ōnoki stopped wasting words and immediately raised his hand, preparing to strike by force.
But, unfortunately.
Dodai was a veteran of four generations—the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Raikages—and having survived until now, his strength and judgment were naturally not weak. Although Ōnoki's Dust Release was indeed terrifyingly powerful, it had one fatal flaw.
The startup was too long!
Especially at such a dangerous moment, his nerves were naturally very tense, and his eyes had been fixed on Ōnoki.
Therefore, the moment Ōnoki moved, Dodai struck immediately.
'Lightning Release: Black Panther!'
Black panther-shaped lightning condensed instantly, its speed reaching the extreme, charging at Ōnoki in the blink of an eye.
Rasa's brow furrowed slightly as his mind raced.
He knew he should help Ōnoki block it now; after all, in a sense, the two of them were on the same side.
However...
After only a thousandth of a second, he ultimately chose to take a step back.
Yes, he retreated!
Because his thoughts had already changed; even if he hadn't made a final decision yet, the idea of'surrendering to Konoha' had taken root in his heart.
Ōnoki: "..."
He was dumbfounded.
Seeing Rasa take a step back out of the corner of his eye, his mind momentarily went blank.
What the hell!
Are you serious?
Though he was so angry he wanted to curse, he quickly dispersed the Dust Release and used the Ninjutsu with the fastest hand seals.
'Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique!'
This mere B-rank Ninjutsu instantly launched Ōnoki into the air, allowing him to dodge the lethal Lightning Release.
"Samui, take the others and retreat quickly!"
"I'll hold off Ōnoki here!"
After saying that...
Dodai took advantage of the moment Ōnoki dodged to immediately enter Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
'Hell Stab: Three-Finger Spear Hand!'
Although he didn't know any flight Ninjutsu, as a top powerhouse of Kumogakure, his speed was like a flash of lightning under the enhancement of Lightning Release. He jumped before Ōnoki could fly high, pressing his three right fingers together and smashing them fiercely toward Ōnoki.
As a confidant of the Third Raikage, A, he had naturally practiced Hell Stab.
Although he wasn't as strong as the Third Raikage and could only perform the Three-Finger Spear Hand, it still wasn't something an ordinary person could stop.
Meanwhile...
Samui didn't waste any words or engage in any sentimental nonsense.
On the battlefield, one only obeys orders.
After all, her pressure was also great, as she had to lead everyone in their escape.
So...
At this moment, she didn't waste a single second. While Dodai entangled Ōnoki, she immediately led the group in a frantic sprint toward Konoha.
'Earth Release: Earth Corridor!'
'Earth Release: Golem Technique!'
'Earth Release: Ultra-Added-Weight Rock Technique!'
'...'
Watching Dodai, wrapped in black lightning, charging at him like this, Ōnoki's expression was very ugly, but his reactions were far beyond those of ordinary people.
His eyes were calm, and his movements were extremely fast.
Almost instantly...
A huge Earth Corridor rose up. Although it was smashed by Dodai's Three-Finger Spear Hand, it bought him a few seconds.
When Dodai broke through the Earth Corridor, he was met by a massive stone giant.
Although it was still instantly smashed by Dodai, the Ultra-Added-Weight Rock Technique had already taken effect. Dodai instantly felt the gravity on his body double, as if he were carrying a mountain on his back.
But...
Even though he was still a step away from Kage-level and was no match for Ōnoki, in his current state of absolute desperation, he still bore the terrifyingly heavy gravity, rushed to Ōnoki's side, and used the 'Four-Finger Spear Hand' once more!
To defend himself, Ōnoki had no choice but to disperse the Light-Weight Rock Technique, landing on the ground once more.
At this moment...
Ōnoki was tied down!
Looking at the frenzied Dodai before him, the coldness in Ōnoki's eyes was like a blade.
"Dodai, you're looking for death!"