Chapter 386: I'm Just Old, Not Tired of Living
After finishing all this, Naruto slowly raised his head, his gaze calmly sweeping toward the distance—toward those Hidden Cloud Ninjas who were still preparing to seize an opportunity, attempting a rescue or launching a final attack.
Where his gaze fell, all the Hidden Cloud Ninjas froze as if struck by the iciest cold snap, rooted to the spot. The last trace of color had long since drained from their faces, leaving only boundless terror and despair. Even the weapons in their hands began to tremble slightly.
They had witnessed with their own eyes the bizarre and horrifying scene moments before:
Killer Bee-sama had charged forward like a mad demon, wildly attacking empty air, then plunged seven or eight Ninja swords into the Raikage's coffin.
Then, in their eyes, Uzumaki Naruto merely stood in place, drew a wooden sword, and thrust it into Killer Bee-sama's chest.
And after that, came the scalp-numbing process of Wood Release growth, the spread of black sealing formulas, and the final transformation of Killer Bee-sama into another'sleeping coffin'.
This was no battle; it was a one-sided, crushing capture and sealing.
Now, the two strongest figures of the Hidden Cloud Village, Fourth Raikage A and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer Bee, had both become two coffins lying at the opponent's feet!
The Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito-sama, had betrayed them, even uttering words like 'I hope the Hidden Cloud Village hurries up and collapses'.
Morale had completely shattered.
The last remnants of fighting spirit, faced with this absolute gap in power and bizarre methods, melted away like ice under the sun.
Some of the younger Ninjas even began to retreat involuntarily, their eyes filled with fear.
The faces of veteran Jonin like Dodai and Toroi were also ashen.
The charging of the Chakra cannons had long since stopped, their muzzles drooping.
Without orders or coordination from the Raikage or Killer Bee, they dared not fire recklessly, fearing they might injure the captured two sirs, or enrage this unfathomable monster before them.
Even if Darui truly steeled himself to fire the cannons, Uzumaki Naruto would not be executed by cannon fire.
Naruto paid no heed to the complex reactions of the Hidden Cloud Ninjas—a mixture of fear, despair, anger, and resentment.
In Naruto's eyes, this so-called unification of the Ninja World was like playing a simple, procedural game.
Naruto was not currently at his peak condition. While Urashiki's eyes were useful, they were like a bottomless pit, constantly absorbing his Chakra.
The Byakugan state consumed the least, but once in combat, Naruto's supply to sustain these Rinnegan eyes would still affect the fight.
He might not necessarily be able to defeat Senju Hashirama at his peak now, but with Hikari, they might well be able to defeat Hashirama and Madara combined.
What Naruto worried about now were only the Six Paths Sage in the Pure Land and Otsutsuki Isshiki hiding in the shadows.
Jiraiya had gone to search for Izanami Slope. After dealing with the Land of Lightning, Naruto would go find the path to the moon.
The Land of Water could be left to Kakashi and Nara Shikaku, leading his Shadow Clones to fight there.
The Hidden Mist Village's combat power was currently the lowest among the Five Great Nations. With Sasuke possessing the Eternal Eyes and his own Clone joining forces, they should be able to capture it easily.
His voice, carrying a gentle tone that attempted to soothe, clearly reached the ears of every Hidden Cloud Ninja:
'I reiterate, we of Hidden Leaf Village have come here for peace.'
'The Fourth Raikage, with whom I had some personal grievances, has been subdued.'
Naruto's gaze swept over the Ninjas who had laid down their weapons and the civilian gathering areas faintly visible in the distance,
'For the rest, whether civilians or Ninjas, we will not engage in indiscriminate slaughter or persecution.'
'You can rest assured and continue living here.'
He paused slightly, as if giving everyone time to digest his words, then continued:
'Perhaps you have doubts about Hidden Leaf Village's 'rule,' but facts speak louder than words.'
'Look at Hidden Stone Village and the Hidden Sand Village, which have already come under Hidden Leaf Village's banner.'
Naruto's tone carried a hint of confidence,
'Their Ninjas and civilians not only avoided large-scale casualties, but their lives have actually improved.'
'Especially the Hidden Sand Village. With the help of myself and the First Hokage-sama, we built a new oasis, expanded their living space, and improved their harsh environment.'
'Hidden Leaf Village's arrival is not for plunder, but for construction. Not for destruction, but to bring a better future.'
The despair in some people's eyes faded slightly, replaced by a bewildered skepticism. If they could really survive, even live better lives... who truly wanted to die?
However, not everyone would be so easily persuaded.
'Heh!'
A cold laugh rang out abruptly, full of mockery and disbelief.
A tall Hidden Cloud Jonin with a scar on his face stepped forward.
His eyes fierce, he raised a hand to point at Naruto, his voice sharp:
'Fine words and sweet talk! Do you think we Ninjas of the Hidden Cloud will be fooled by your hypocritical rhetoric?!'
'What peace! What construction! It's nothing but an excuse for a conqueror to whitewash their actions!'
He turned sharply, his burning gaze falling on the respected elder Dodai beside him, his voice impassioned:
'Dodai-sama, you are a veteran from the era of the Third Raikage-sama, experienced and wise!'
'Please lead us, lead the remaining strength of the Hidden Cloud Village, to resist Hidden Leaf Village to the end!'
'We will never yield!'
His words were forceful, trying to rekindle the dying flames of battle in the hearts of his comrades around him.
The gazes of many Hidden Cloud Ninjas also instinctively turned to Dodai, carrying a final sliver of hope.
However, under everyone's watchful eyes, Dodai did not show any impassioned or resolute expression.
He only remained silent, then took a step back.
Just that simple step.
Yet it was like a bucket of ice water, instantly dousing the scarred Jonin's newly ignited fervor and sinking the hearts of everyone around them to the depths.
Dodai's eyes were complex, filled with pain and struggle, but more than that, a sense of helplessness and weariness born from recognizing reality.
He was just old, not tired of living.
More importantly, he understood better than anyone that the situation before them was now utterly beyond salvage.
Everyone in the Village capable of suppressing Tailed Beasts or contending with Kage-level opponents had been defeated or controlled by the other side in a near-crushing manner!
Even the Two-Tails Jinchuriki Yugito had been controlled by that bizarre Dōjutsu and was now turning against the Hidden Cloud!
How could they possibly fight?
Throw lives at it?
What would that achieve, besides making the Hidden Cloud Village bleed more?
As a high-ranking official of the Hidden Cloud Village, Dodai knew the situation in the other Villages.
Hidden Leaf Village truly hadn't persecuted the villagers of other Villages, though some Ninjas from the Grass Ninja Village had been imprisoned. The rumors about the Grass Ninja Village persecuting members of the Uzumaki Clan were probably true.
Seeing Dodai not only fail to respond but actually take a step back, the scarred Jonin was first stunned, then a strong mix of panic and the anger of betrayal surged onto his face.
His voice became somewhat strained with agitation.
'Dodai-sama, you... you are a veteran from the era of the Third Raikage-sama! How could you...
'You spineless coward!'
He emphasized 'veteran' and'spineless coward' heavily, trying to bind Dodai with morality and honor.
But Dodai only silently closed his eyes, the wrinkles on his face seeming to deepen, offering no response.
Seeing Dodai unmoved, the scarred Jonin grew more anxious inside. His panicked gaze swept around, trying to find another figure to rely on.
Suddenly, his gaze locked onto Toroi, whose expression was equally grim.
'It doesn't matter!'
He seemed to have grasped a lifeline, his voice rising again,
'We still have Toroi-sama!'
'Toroi-sama's Magnet Release is incredibly powerful! He is an Elite Jonin of our Hidden Cloud! He can definitely lead us to continue resisting...'
Loving Book So Far? Check Out 30+ Advanced Chapters At PA Treon
patreon.com/FictionOP