"What?"
The Hōzuki clan leader was momentarily stunned.
Only then did he notice that the Fifth Mizukage, Hōzuki Zangetsu, had already lost his left arm—and his entire body was in a battered, miserable state, clearly having just gone through a brutal battle.
"Well? What is your decision?"
Ning Feng stepped forward from behind Zangetsu at some point, speaking calmly to the clan leader.
"This…"
The Hōzuki clan leader was a shrewd man.
At a glance, he could tell that Zangetsu had been coerced into persuading them to join the Hidden Rain Village.
A shinobi so young, yet capable of infiltrating Kirigakure and forcing the Mizukage into submission…
Aside from the Third Amekage, Uchiha Feng, he could think of no one else.
But what shocked him was—
Just a few months ago, he had only heard amusing rumors of Uchiha Feng extorting and intimidating other villages.
And now, in such a short time, it was Kirigakure's turn?
Was this Amekage truly unafraid of provoking too many enemies and being attacked by all sides?
As he thought, he carefully observed Ning Feng.
Though young, simply standing there exuded a terrifying aura.
It felt as if the moment he uttered a single "no," this seemingly harmless Amekage would draw his blade without hesitation.
Subtly, he gestured to Zangetsu.
Could they gather the clan's strength and take down this Amekage?
After all, everything they knew about Uchiha Feng's power came from hearsay.
Even his feat of killing the previous Mizukage during the Nine-Tails incident didn't feel entirely real to them.
That was human nature—even for shinobi.
Until pain was personally experienced, there would always be a trace of luck.
Zangetsu gave a bitter smile and shook his head, pointing to his missing arm.
"My patience is limited."
Seeing the clan leader still hesitating, Ning Feng calmly released a surge of chakra pressure.
Instantly, the room was flooded with overwhelming chakra.
The very air seemed to compress inward—
As if it would crush the clan leader into pulp at any moment!
The Hōzuki clan leader's heart trembled. He dared not speak further.
Even Zangetsu, though not directly suppressed, stood obediently beside Ning Feng, not daring to plead for his own clan leader.
Satisfied with the fear in his eyes, Ning Feng withdrew his chakra.
Among the strong in the ninja world, chakra itself could be used as a weapon.
For those with overwhelming presence, sheer pressure alone could kill.
Feeling the pressure vanish, the clan leader's body slackened. He quickly knelt and bowed.
"The Hōzuki clan… is willing to join the Hidden Rain Village!"
"Good."
With his keen perception, Ning Feng had already noticed their earlier exchange.
But he didn't expose it.
After all, he had said from the beginning—Zangetsu would persuade them.
"Since that's settled, gather those willing to join the Hidden Rain."
"As for those who refuse…"
Ning Feng glanced meaningfully at the clan leader.
"I don't want any seeds of hatred left behind."
"Not ones that might grow again in Kirigakure years from now."
"Understood!"
The clan leader's body trembled slightly as he responded.
The implication was clear—
Those who refused could be killed.
He immediately instructed his guards to relay the order, then forced a smile.
"Lord Amekage, please come inside and rest for a moment."
Ning Feng nodded and stepped into the Hōzuki clan's territory.
Thinking about it…
Cleaning up Kirigakure's aftermath wasn't such a bad idea.
After all, under his Tengai Shinsei, the village had already been reduced to ruins.
As for being condemned by the ninja world—
Ning Feng didn't care in the slightest.
As long as he possessed absolute strength, there would be no dissenting voices.
Uchiha Madara had once suppressed the entire ninja world through sheer power.
No one dared criticize him while he lived.
Only after his death did others dare call him ruthless.
That—
Was the deterrence of true strength.
With enough power, no one would dare question you.
"I've already sent people to inform the clan. We should have results soon."
The clan leader spoke after Ning Feng took a seat.
The two engaged in casual conversation.
Ning Feng also learned the man's name—Hōzuki Ryōgetsu.
The Hōzuki clan hadn't suffered heavy losses in the disaster.
However…
Perhaps due to their nature—
Nearly half of the clan opposed joining the Hidden Rain.
"This…"
Hearing the report from his guard, Ryōgetsu's expression stiffened.
His hands rubbed against his robes nervously.
He was weighing—
Were half his clan members' lives worth risking a fight to the death with Ning Feng?
Ning Feng sat nearby, watching his changing expressions with interest.
He knew—
Though Ryōgetsu had spoken firmly earlier, when it came time to slaughter his own kin, hesitation was inevitable.
Ning Feng would allow hesitation.
But he would not forgive mistakes.
During their earlier conversation, he had already made it clear—
That meteor… was his doing.
And his strength…
Was enough to utterly overwhelm the Fifth Mizukage.
After receiving Zangetsu's confirmation, Ryōgetsu had been filled with lingering fear.
He had resolved to submit.
But he hadn't expected so many dissenters.
After a moment of struggle, he stepped forward decisively.
"Lord Amekage, I will handle those who oppose…"
"No need, Clan Leader Ryōgetsu."
Ning Feng stood up, clapping lightly with a smile.
"In the years to come, you will be grateful for today's decision."
"And those who follow you will respect your wisdom."
"As for those outside…"
His tone shifted.
"A clan should not have more than one voice."
"This is simply… a necessary cleansing. Wouldn't you agree?"
Ryōgetsu felt a chill run down his spine under Ning Feng's gaze.
"Yes… yes, of course."
"I'll handle it immediately. Please, Lord Amekage—come with me."
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