As Kushina, Aya, Kaien, Renga, Sango, and the rest of the Kumo elites vanished into the horizon in a coordinated retreat. The Raikage was the only one standing... waiting for his shinobi to retreat. He simply waited, serving as a one-man rearguard to ensure no sneak attacks from Konoha could hit his shinobi.
For fifteen minutes, a suffocating silence settled over the Konoha Gate. The greatest of the Leaf shinobi stood staring at the red haired man.
The Raikage addressed a despaired Danzo, "You wanted to know why my hair is red? Do you really want to know, Danzo."
Danzo stayed silent. The Raikage without waiting for reply answered nonetheless, "It is because, I am a pure-blooded Uzumaki." he looked at Fugaku who was not involved in the previous fight and winked at him which Danzo did not miss to notice.
"Fugaku, thank you for letting us know about Tsunade Senju's child and the news about Hiashi and Hizashi losing their Byakugan." He said. He knew this final push... combined with Kumo already capturing the Hyuga's child... would add more fuel to the fire once they know the Hyuga child's capture and force the Uchiha to make a choice.
"I also have to thank Yushiro for getting this information." The Raikage thought.
When he was certain his team had reached deep into the forest only then did the Raikage finally turn. In a flash of black light, he was gone, leaving dumbfounded Konoha shinobi.
~~
(Continuing Chapter 130)
The mist of the Great Waterfall always fell over Takigakure. Onoki, small hunched frame defied gravity, hovering effortlessly as he navigated the winding paths toward the village as he reached... the royal residence. To the common shinobi below, he was a debri flying in the air.
The old man descended slowly through the mist-covered air with both hands folded behind his back as he drifted into the grand hall. He remained suspended a few feet off the floor, a habit born of both combat advantage and so he doesn't have to look up and hurt his neck.
"Who is the leader here?" Onoki's voice crackled through almost empty hall.
From the end of the hall, a man stepped forward. Hisen, the leader of the Hidden Waterfall, squinted against the light flooding in from the entrance. "Who dares enter the royal residence unannounced?" he demanded, his voice with a bravado.
As Onoki drifted closer, the light caught the prominent nose and the stern, weathered features of the "Fence-Sitter." Hisen recognised Onoki as his shoulders dropped, the defiance draining out of him instantly.
"Lord Onoki..." Hisen breathed, his voice dropping an octave. "What... what brings the Great Tsuchikage so far from the Stone village?"
Onoki didn't bother with the customary diplomatic tone. He wasn't there for platitudes. "I'll skip the pleasantries, Hisen. My time is more valuable," Onoki said, his eyes scanning Hisen. "I have come for three things: the Seven-Tails, the Hero's Water, and your village's forbidden Earth Style Kinjutsu."
Hisen squinted as if Onoki had asked for his very life. In a way, he had... these were the pillars of Takigakure's survival. "And how the hell did he know about the Kinjutsu... Are there spies in this palace?"
"Lord Onoki, please," Hisen urged, his hands trembling slightly. "Do not push too hard. Did you forgot the Trinity Pact signed by Konoha, Kumo, and your own village, Iwa. Hashirama Senju himself led that accord to ensure the smaller nations weren't devoured by the Great Five. We are to be left in peace and you are to not interfere with minor nation's livelihood."
Onoki let out a rasping chuckle. "That man is no longer alive. A pact is only as strong as the men willing to enforce it. Currently, I see no one standing between me and what I want. If I have to level this hall... and the village around it... to find a leader who understands the new reality better than you, I will."
Hisen back grew cold. Onoki raised a hand, and a glowing white cube began to form between his palms. Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World.
"Wait! Wait!" Hisen cried out, the sweat now visible on his brow. "We can negotiate! The Seven-Tails... the Jinchuriki is a child, a girl named Fuu. She is barely a toddler. If you want that burden, take it. But the Hero's Water... it only produces once every century. It will be another decade before we see another harvest."
He paused and looked somewhere else, swallowing hard. "And the Kinjutsu... the Earth Grudge Fear... it was stolen years ago by the traitor Kakuzu. It is gone."
Onoki's eyes narrowed. "I will be taking that Jinchuriki. And you are a terrible liar, Hisen. A technique as vital as a Kinjutsu would never be left without a copy. You think I'd believe the pride of the Waterfall was simply 'lost'?"
"I... I..."
"Just know this," Onoki roared, the sound vibrating through the foundations of the building. "If you try to play me for a fool again, I will not come back to talk. I will come back to remove Takigakure from the shinobi world entirely."
Hisen collapsed, as he was not only seen through and the fate of Takigakure rested on his decision.
Hisen said fearing his life. "We do have the technique" he said in a low voice. He gestured to a guard to get Onoki what he wanted.
~~
A long, agonizing silence followed. Eventually, the guard returned. In one arm, he carried a scroll bound in ancient leather; in the other, he held a small child. The girl had vibrant mint-green hair and tan skin, her eyes wide with a curiosity. This was Fuu, the jinchuriki of the Seven-Tails.
Onoki snatched the scroll first, unrolling it as he scanned the complex seals of the Earth Grudge Fear. A slow, predatory smile spread across his face. "This... This is incredible... a masterpiece of biological engineering and earth manipulation. It is a crime to let such technique gather dust in a place like this."
Onoki turned his gaze to the child. His expression softened. "What is your name, little one?" he asked, adopting the tone of a caring Grandpa.
Fuu looked at him with wonder, pointing at his feet which were still hovering off the ground. "Grandpa! How are you flying? Can I do that? I'm Fuu!"
"With enough training, perhaps," Onoki chuckled. "Tell me, Fuu. Is there anyone in this village you'd miss? Anyone you care about?"
Fuu nodded vigorously, her short pigtails bouncing. "My big brother! Mu! He's the strongest person ever!"
~~
A/N: So, Onoki decides to steal the only tailed beast which is not associated with five great hidden villages. Even Iwa is profiting from something.
Do check out my original novel:
The Fourth Edge: Damnation (Original Novel)
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