Hōzuki Ryōgetsu walked alongside Ning Feng, discussing Kirigakure's current situation as they approached the clan members who opposed submission.
Those dissenters had already gathered in the center of the clan grounds, openly protesting.
It was clear that the Hōzuki clan wasn't large—
Only forty or fifty shinobi in total.
Far fewer than the great clans of Konoha.
However, every member possessed the Hydrification Technique.
In close combat, they were nearly invincible—immune to all physical damage.
"Clan Leader!"
"Clan Leader!"
…
The moment Ryōgetsu appeared, the clan members knelt down one after another, their voices filled with desperation.
"We live as shinobi of Kirigakure—!"
"And we die as ghosts of Kirigakure!"
"We must never betray the village!"
"We'll defend the honor of the Hidden Mist to the death!"
…
Before Ryōgetsu could speak, the crowd erupted in opposition.
"Ryōgetsu, you see it yourself."
Ning Feng shook his head, sounding almost helpless.
"If their attitude were better, they might have been spared."
He stepped forward.
Startled, Ryōgetsu quickly grabbed his sleeve.
"Lord Amekage! Let me try to persuade them once more…"
"No need."
Ning Feng actually welcomed this.
Only by crushing resistance could he fully establish authority.
Even if the rest of the clan submitted outwardly, without witnessing true power, resentment would remain.
Switching allegiances between villages was disgraceful in the eyes of other clans.
They might not blame Ryōgetsu—
But they would hate Ning Feng.
And once they entered the Hidden Rain Village, any hidden resentment would be like a blade at his back.
"I am the leader of the Hidden Rain Village."
Ning Feng stepped before the protesting clan members and spoke calmly.
His voice carried an inexplicable weight.
The entire crowd fell silent.
The title alone—
Third Amekage—
was enough to command attention.
But soon, someone shouted back:
"We are shinobi of Kirigakure! Why should we be forced to join the Hidden Rain?!"
"Does strength mean you can do whatever you want?!"
"That's right! This is tyranny! Even Konoha has never acted like bandits!"
The clan members, faces flushed, shouted in anger.
Ning Feng remained calm, even smiling faintly.
"Your Mizukage has already been crippled by me."
"That meteor you saw earlier—it was my doing."
"I can use that technique as many times as I like."
"I only offer this because the Hōzuki clan has value."
With that, he raised his left hand toward the sky.
A final courtesy—
So they would understand before they died.
"What?!"
"That meteor… was really him?!"
"The Mizukage… defeated?!"
…
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
No one realized yet that death was imminent.
After all, Hōzuki Zangetsu was their pride—
One of the strongest Mizukage in history.
In the Land of Water, they even believed he could rival Hashirama Senju.
And yet…
Defeated here?
Unthinkable.
Crackle…
Above them, the clouds—scattered by the meteor—began to gather once more.
Lightning flickered within the dark sky, drawn toward the senjutsu-enhanced Lightning Release in Ning Feng's hand.
"Wait… look at the sky!"
Someone finally noticed.
Dark storm clouds had formed overhead—
While the surrounding sky remained clear.
It looked as though a storm was about to descend.
BOOM!
A bolt of lightning as thick as a pillar crashed down onto Ning Feng's raised hand!
Crackle! Snap!
A cruel smile spread across his lips as he slammed his hand onto the ground—
Guiding the natural lightning above!
In the sky—
A massive beast formed from lightning appeared, its head roaring in fury!
"ROAR!"
With a deafening cry, the lightning beast descended!
Using Chidori as a conduit, Ning Feng directed the attack straight toward the Hōzuki clan.
"Not good—it's Lightning Release!"
Panic erupted.
The Hōzuki clan's Hydrification Technique could negate physical attacks—
But Lightning Release was their greatest weakness!
And this…
This was no ordinary lightning jutsu.
Ryōgetsu could feel it clearly—
The chakra within it was overwhelming.
If it struck—
His clan would be annihilated.
Before he could react—
The Kirin-like lightning beast descended at blinding speed!
Even elite Hōzuki shinobi couldn't evade it.
…
Half a day later—
Ning Feng sat calmly within the Hōzuki clan compound.
"What about the other clans?"
"Reporting to Lord Amekage—after witnessing your lightning technique and the meteor, most clans have chosen to submit."
"However… some kekkei genkai clans still refuse."
Ryōgetsu stood beside him, speaking respectfully.
He no longer harbored any defiance.
After witnessing Ning Feng's power—
He understood.
This was someone who could destroy the Hōzuki clan with a flick of his hand.
After the lightning strike had wiped out half their members, the remaining shinobi didn't dare speak out again.
Their confidence in the Mizukage…
Had been shattered.
What they had seen was no longer human power—
It was godlike.
Nearby clans, having witnessed the spectacle, mostly surrendered as well.
Only a few bloodline clans remained stubbornly defiant.
"Still refusing?"
A mysterious smile appeared on Ning Feng's lips.
"Let's go have a look."
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