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[Konoha] Chapter 256: Times Have Changed!
🕑 Added 2024-12-07 06:30:00 +0000 UTCThe colossal Thousand-Armed Buddha stood tall, with the Star God perched atop its head. Under Shuichi’s command, the massive statue was soon enveloped in a Hive Shield.
Following this, just like the Star God and the Thousand-Armed Buddha, bolts of electricity erupted from the honeycomb, forming a layer of purple Susanoo-like armor named “Takemikazuchi Armor.”
At this moment, not just Ao, Utakata, and the Mist shinobi, but even Nagato was struck with awe by this overwhelming display of power.
Nagato couldn't help but recall what Konan had mentioned about Shuichi’s ability to alter the climate of the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind. For the first time, doubt crept into his heart: Maybe… he really can do it.
Within the brow of Susanoo, Uchiha Obito tilted his head upward, gazing at the terrifying figure before him. He could hardly believe that something more formidable than the Perfect Susanoo existed—or that Shuichi's chakra vastly surpassed his own.
Even Black Zetsu couldn't stay silent:
"Undeniably, this surpasses the strength of Hashirama Senju in his prime!"
Black Zetsu, who understood Hashirama’s power better than anyone, was stunned. The techniques in front of him far exceeded the originals.
At that moment, Black Zetsu made up his mind: The plan to revive Madara Uchiha through Edo Tensei must be accelerated. Neither Obito nor Nagato can match Shuichi. Both are too compromised by personal ambitions. I can't allow any more unexpected developments.
Meanwhile, Obito steadied himself with a deep breath and declared, “The fight isn’t over yet. Despite his overwhelming strength, Susanoo still holds certain advantages!”
Susanoo leaped into the air, attempting to exploit its agility and speed to flank and strike from behind.
However, the Star God's hair suddenly unraveled with a deafening whoosh, extending rapidly and entangling Susanoo mid-flight.
Obito commanded Susanoo to swing its blade, slicing through the Fire Nether Chains. Yet, for every strand he severed, more surged forth to entangle Susanoo, binding it tightly.
Then, a barrage of fists descended.
Obito roared, and Susanoo broke free, its arms straining as it brandished twin blades to intercept the punches.
The clash created an immense shockwave as the two forces collided, but the Thousand-Armed Buddha was relentless. For every fist Susanoo deflected, more came crashing down, raining like an unstoppable storm.
Inside the Star God, Shuichi activated a new jutsu:
Ultra-Added-Weight Rock Technique!
The weight of the descending fists doubled instantly.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The relentless punches battered Susanoo like torrential rain. This was no ordinary Wood Release; it was imbued with immense Lightning Release power, far exceeding normal techniques.
Obito tried to hold his ground, but after just three blows, his defenses crumbled. The unrelenting fists smashed Susanoo from the air, slamming it into the earth below.
Punch after punch fell, breaking through Susanoo’s once-unyielding defenses. The mighty Perfect Susanoo was utterly shattered, its remains scattering into fragments. Obito could only watch, helpless, as his strongest technique dissolved under the Thousand-Armed Buddha’s assault.
The ground quaked violently under the onslaught. Massive fissures tore through the battlefield, causing the walls of Kirigakure to crumble and buildings to collapse.
"Fall back!"
"Get away from here!"
Ao and the Jonin shouted orders as they leaped across the rupturing terrain, narrowly avoiding the widening cracks.
Meanwhile, Nagato had completed his preparations. A small black sphere materialized in his palm and was hurled into the sky, ascending rapidly.
“What is that?” Mei Terumi gasped.
Shuichi observed calmly, remarking, “That’s the power of the Rinnegan. You know the moon, right? That was created by the Sage of Six Paths using this technique.”
Mei froze in shock.
High above, the black sphere radiated an intense white light, illuminating the battlefield. The light swept across the ground, and the earth trembled violently. Massive chunks of land broke away and were drawn upward.
The Mist shinobi, retreating moments before, found themselves helplessly pulled into the air along with the floating debris.
“What’s happening?!”
“Run!”
Panic spread among the Mist shinobi, who struggled in vain to resist the gravitational pull.
Ao spotted the black sphere in the sky and shouted, “Utakata! Can you attack that thing?”
Standing on a chunk of floating debris, Utakata donned his Tailed Beast Cloak and prepared a Bijuu Bomb.
But Nagato acted swiftly, destabilizing the platform beneath Utakata’s feet. Losing balance, Utakata’s Tail Beast Bomb veered off course.
Elsewhere, Obito reappeared after Susanoo’s destruction, his face grim.
High above, Shuichi’s Thousand-Armed Buddha leaped skyward, sprouting a pair of wings. Unlike Susanoo’s ephemeral chakra wings, these were solid, segmented appendages resembling a honeycomb structure. Jets of Scorch Release energy erupted from the honeycomb, propelling Shuichi upward with blinding speed.
Simultaneously, the Star God’s six arms extended, forming six Spiral Shuriken infused with different elemental powers:
- Wind Release: Rasenshuriken
- Scorch Release: Rasenshuriken
- Lava Release: Rasenshuriken
- Boil Release: Rasenshuriken
- Magnet Release: Rasenshuriken
- Lightning Release: Rasenshuriken
The six Sage Art Rasenshuriken shot forth, streaking towards the black sphere.
BOOM!
A massive explosion engulfed the sky, releasing a blinding light as the black sphere was obliterated. The technique, Chibaku Tensei, was destroyed. With its gravitational pull gone, the floating debris and Mist shinobi plummeted to the ground.
Seizing the opening, Nagato darted forward, aiming straight for the disoriented Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki.
Shuichi moved swiftly, appearing beside Utakata in an instant. With one hand, he grabbed him and placed him securely on the shoulder of the Star God.
"It seems there's no more opportunity left," Black Zetsu muttered.
Uchiha Obito nodded in agreement and immediately activated Kamui to retreat. Nagato also took flight, swiftly leaving the battlefield.
The Star God landed, and Shuichi quietly watched Nagato's departure.
Mei Terumi opened her mouth, hesitating, but in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to mention saving the Three-Tails.
“Is it over?”
“The enemies have retreated!”
“That’s a relief. I thought we were all going to die just now!”
...
The Mist shinobi landed, some filled with joy at having narrowly escaped death, but as they took in the devastated battlefield around them, confusion and despair replaced their relief.
This battle had completely overturned their understanding of power.
Gradually, all the Mist shinobi turned their gaze to the figure descending from the Star God, landing beside Mei Terumi after dispelling his technique.
"The God of Shinobi!"
"This is the true God of Shinobi!"
"Such power... only a god could wield it!"
...
Ao and several Jonin approached Mei Terumi, their minds filled with worry.
"Given the current state of the village, Mei Terumi is the only suitable candidate to become the Fifth Mizukage," Ao thought to himself.
"But even as the Fifth, how could she possibly defend against such enemies?"
"What should we do?"
Ao’s anxiety was evident.
Soon, the group stood before Shuichi and his companions.
“Lord Shuichi, we are deeply grateful for your assistance this time!”
Ao bowed deeply, his tone sincere. The other Jonin followed suit.
Although the Third Mizukage’s death could be attributed to Shuichi, and despite the heavy losses Kirigakure suffered during the Third Shinobi War due to him, all past grudges were forgotten in the face of his overwhelming power.
Shuichi remained calm, nodding slightly, and said, “The Akatsuki’s goal is the Tailed Beasts. Strengthen the protection around your Jinchuriki.”
His words brought a heavy silence to the Mist shinobi.
Faced with such powerful enemies, they knew that no amount of protection would suffice.
Without saying more, Shuichi turned to leave.
“Lord Shuichi, please wait!” Ao called out quickly.
Shuichi stopped and looked back. “Is there something else?”
Mei Terumi clenched her teeth secretly. She knew Shuichi was playing coy, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Ao, however, disregarded any notions of pride. The safety of the village took precedence. He addressed Shuichi respectfully:
“Lord Shuichi, we humbly ask that you remain here temporarily to serve as a witness for the Fifth Mizukage selection.”
“After all, you are also a friend of Lady Terumi, correct?”
His deliberate shift in how he addressed Mei Terumi made his support clear.
After speaking, Ao glanced meaningfully at Mei Terumi.
Taking a deep breath, Mei Terumi composed herself and said, “In addition to serving as a witness, we also hope to establish closer ties with Konoha. After all, we now share a common enemy.”
Shuichi nodded slightly. “Agreed.”
Thus, the group returned to Kirigakure.
Though part of the Mizukage’s office had collapsed, a portion of it remained intact.
Inside the meeting room, Mei Terumi, Ao, a few elders, and the Mist Jonin gathered around a circular table. Shuichi, as a guest of honor, sat among them. Zabuza Momochi, now treated for his injuries, stood silently behind Shuichi, unbothered by the stares of others.
Ao scanned the room and began, taking on the role of meeting host.
“Everyone, the village is now facing an unprecedented crisis. We must select the most suitable candidate to become the Fifth Mizukage without delay. I propose that Jonin Mei Terumi take on this role.”
“Who supports? Who opposes?”
The Mist Jonin and elders exchanged glances before expressing their agreement one by one.
“I support it!”
“I agree!”
“There’s no question that Mei Terumi should become the Fifth Mizukage. Her strength is already the greatest in the village.”
...
No one opposed.
Or rather, those with enough power to oppose had long been removed by the Fourth Mizukage, who had been under Uchiha Obito’s control.
Thus, Mei Terumi, not even twenty years old, became the Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure, making her not only the youngest Mizukage in the village’s history but also the youngest Kage in the entire ninja world!
After taking the seat of leadership, Mei Terumi spoke, “The most pressing matter now is ensuring Utakata’s safety. Regarding the Akatsuki... Ao, has the village gathered any intelligence on them?”
Ao responded, “The Akatsuki was originally a ninja organization active in the Land of Rain, known for advocating peace. But for reasons unknown, it has turned into the sinister group we see today.”
He looked at Shuichi. “Lord Shuichi, could you perhaps share any intelligence you have on the Akatsuki?”
Everyone turned their eyes toward Shuichi.
Shuichi said calmly, “I can.”
“According to the current intelligence, the Akatsuki’s goal is to capture all the Tailed Beasts, fuse them into the Ten-Tails—the ultimate weapon—and use it to cast a jutsu called the Infinite Tsukuyomi. This ultimate genjutsu will trap everyone in an illusion, supposedly bringing an end to all wars in the ninja world.”
The entire meeting room fell into stunned silence.
“Trap everyone in an illusion... Is that even possible?” someone muttered instinctively, though the terrifying display of the Rinnegan’s power earlier made them realize it probably was.
Zabuza couldn’t help but sneer, “Forcing everyone into an illusion... that kind of peace is completely fake.”
“I, for one, want no part of it.”
Mei Terumi, however, focused on the mention of the Ten-Tails and asked, “What is the Ten-Tails? Is it even stronger than the Rinnegan?”
Before Shuichi could answer, Utakata spoke up. “The Six-Tails told me that the Ten-Tails is the origin of all the Tailed Beasts. The Sage of Six Paths was once its Jinchuriki.”
“What?!”
“The Sage of Six Paths was the Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails?”
Gasps echoed around the room.
Ao said gravely, “The Rinnegan, the Ten-Tails... this kind of power isn’t something any single village can stand against.”
“If the Akatsuki aims to capture all the Tailed Beasts, they are enemies to every ninja village. We should ally with the other villages to face them together.”
“Lord Shuichi, with your influence, I believe you could rally the entire ninja world.”
Shuichi shook his head lightly. “You’re being too optimistic.”
“Konoha already shared this intelligence with the Hidden Cloud Village, but the Fourth Raikage showed no intention of forming an alliance.”
“Besides, if an alliance were to form, the best approach would be to centralize the protection of the Jinchuriki. Without that, it’s pointless.”
“And naturally, the safest place would be Konoha, but...” Shuichi smirked faintly. “The other villages wouldn’t trust Konoha.”
“Or rather, they wouldn’t believe it until they’ve experienced it firsthand.”
Mei Terumi felt a pang of frustration at his words, sensing they were directed at her.
The Mist shinobi fell silent.
Because without today’s battle, they too would never have considered surrendering a Tailed Beast or a Jinchuriki.
But now, what power did Kirigakure have to protect its Six-Tails Jinchuriki?
After a moment of silence, all eyes turned to Mei Terumi.
Mei Terumi looked at Shuichi and said, “We are willing to ally with Konoha and entrust the Six-Tails Jinchuriki to your village’s protection.”
“We will also stand together with Konoha to face the Akatsuki.”
Shuichi responded plainly, “To be honest, against the Akatsuki, Kirigakure’s strength is insignificant.”
“If not for the Tailed Beast, I wouldn’t have intervened today.”
The faces of the Mist shinobi darkened.
One of them hastily said, “Lord Shuichi, surely more people means more strength!”
Zabuza sneered. “Against opponents of that caliber, what use is more people?”
The Mist shinobi fell into an uneasy silence.
Mei Terumi understood Shuichi’s intentions and refrained from speaking.
Kirigakure was already in an extremely disadvantageous position. Acting too hastily might leave them completely at his mercy.
Yet, she couldn’t find a way to break the deadlock.
Standing behind Shuichi, Zabuza swept his gaze across the room and suddenly smirked. “I have a suggestion!”
“How about Kirigakure and Konoha form an alliance through marriage?”
“The Fifth Mizukage and Lord Shuichi getting married. Surely Lord Shuichi wouldn’t refuse a request from the Mizukage?”
Mei Terumi’s body stiffened as she looked up at Zabuza with wide eyes, her face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment.
“This bastard...” Mei Terumi clenched her fists tightly, her teeth grinding.
The other Mist shinobi exchanged awkward glances.
Someone muttered, “A Mizukage marrying an outsider... That doesn’t... seem appropriate.”
A Mizukage marrying into another village?
What a joke!
Zabuza continued nonchalantly, “Then there’s nothing else to discuss. Right now, Kirigakure doesn’t have many bargaining chips left.”
Shuichi’s eyebrow twitched. This made him sound like some kind of lecher.
One Mist shinobi snapped, “Hey, Zabuza, don’t forget you were once part of this village too!”
Zabuza replied coldly, “That’s exactly why I’m here today, and why I made that suggestion earlier.”
“The situation is crystal clear. Kirigakure can no longer face the Akatsuki on its own, nor can it protect its Jinchuriki.”
“No, it can’t even protect itself anymore.”
“Times have changed, my friends!”
(End of Chapter)
Comments
تركي القحطاني
True, but at least the attack opened their eyes.
Sil3nt
Zabuza the only one seeing the picture for what it really is.
