Uchiha Soren did a quiet calculation of his side's true high-end combat power—those capable of fighting level 81 to 100 Overlords one-on-one.
Kaori Minamoto.
Uchiha Zhili.
Uzumaki Minako.
All three were pregnant.
That left only Uchiha Hikari and Uzumaki Mito.
As for those below Super-Kage—Strong Kage or standard Kage level—trying to challenge Super-Kage or level-100 transcendents was little more than courting death. Forcing the issue would lead to devastating casualties.
"…Looks like our military reserves are still far from sufficient to conquer entire dimensional planes."
This time, Nazarick had crossed over in a weakened state.
But if a fully intact higher plane invaded instead?
Even he might find himself stretched thin—perhaps even facing the risk of national collapse.
"It's time to field-test the army formations. We've raised them long enough. Since we haven't encountered any truly powerful Dragon Lords, using the Great Tomb as a whetstone isn't a bad idea."
Infusing chakra into commanding generals through the Eight-Thousand Spear Mark, then releasing large-scale military formation ninjutsu—this concept had long existed. They had trained for it repeatedly.
"Perhaps it's also time to accelerate the harvest."
His gaze deepened.
"Just not sure whether the Skeleton King can serve as this sharpening stone."
Judging by the original trajectory, Momonga was cautious to the extreme and wholly devoted to his guild. The NPCs' loyalty to him was absolute. If Momonga himself could be subdued, the remaining NPCs would become unparalleled enforcers and administrators.
Demons. Insectoids. Undead. Elves.
All long-lived heteromorphic races.
They could work for centuries—millennia.
And Nazarick could continuously generate undead. Combined with high-tier Lich abilities like Summon Undead, it was practically a fountain of Ascension Points.
(But Momonga carries World-Class Items at all times. His mental resistance is absurd. Conventional control methods are impossible.)
At that thought, Soren shifted his gaze to the indoor map.
South of the Kingdom, currently at war with Iwagakure, the Theocracy—wielder of the World-Class mind-control artifact Downfall of Castle and Country—had recently made significant moves.
Iwagakure Frontline Camp
Within the command tent of the Iwagakure army sat the Fifth Tsuchikage, Han.
His tall, solid build radiated the stability of a mountain. Just seeing him there eased the anxiety of the shinobi present.
And rightly so.
It was Han who had restored the declining Hidden Stone Village to Great Ninja Village status. Every Iwa shinobi held him in deep respect.
"While the Empire's Rain Village ran into the Empire's guardian, Fluder… we've encountered a troublesome enemy as well."
Han looked toward the strategy division.
The lead strategist began reporting.
"The Theocracy is the strongest human nation in this world. It fields six Scripture units. The Sunlight Scripture and the Fire Extinguishing Scripture have been annihilated. The Windflower and Water Scripture units, specializing in intelligence, have been severely crippled."
"The Earth Scripture has shifted to defensive stronghold tactics, fortifying urban positions."
His tone grew heavier.
"The smallest but strongest unit—the Black Scripture—consists of thirteen members. Most are at jōnin or elite jōnin level. Two have already been confirmed as possessing this world's 'exceptional-class' strength—equivalent to Kage level."
"The strongest among them… is the First Seat of the Black Scripture. Awakened with divine blood. The captain known simply as Black Scripture."
(Equivalent to me?)
Han's thoughts drifted back to that battle.
Even after summoning the Five-Tails, Kokuō, fighting side by side as jinchūriki and tailed beast—
The Black Scripture captain had still held something back.
(They're approaching Super-Kage level.)
(But as long as they haven't truly crossed that threshold… life and death remain uncertain.)
The strategist continued.
"To prevent being outnumbered, under Tsuchikage-sama's command we advanced cautiously, step by step, pushing deep into Theocracy territory. This has left the Black Scripture like a bone stuck in their throat."
"However, they have now revealed a trump card."
"A powerful mind-control magic artifact—Downfall of Castle and Country."
The tent fell silent.
Not long ago, one shinobi commander had been betrayed by his subordinate. Nearly a hundred troops were killed or captured by the Black Scripture.
Later, that same commander—now under control—returned to camp and lured another squad into a trap before being exposed.
After interrogation, the truth chilled every high-ranking officer.
The artifact's control ability surpassed even the Sharingan.
If left unchecked, Iwagakure's collapse was only a matter of time.
This battle had already become the bloodiest in the village's modern history.
"Do not panic excessively," the strategist said calmly.
"A powerful artifact inevitably comes with severe restrictions. If it could be used freely at will, the Magic Continent would already belong to humanity—not to heteromorphic races."
"The most difficult issue is this: once controlled, we do not yet know how to解除 the effect."
Han folded his arms.
"What countermeasure does the strategy division propose?"
"We've studied Uchiha ocular genjutsu and standard illusion techniques."
The strategist's voice lowered.
"There is only one proposal."
"Use the Shadow Clone Technique to test the enemy's control."
"From the memories of the controlled commander, activation of Downfall manifests as a winding golden divine dragon that strikes the target's mind."
"It appears a direct target is required. But whether the control transfers from a Shadow Clone back to the original body remains unknown."
Silence.
The implication was clear.
Someone would need to test it.
Someone willing to sacrifice themselves.
Three or four seconds passed.
Then—
A shinobi stepped forward.
Han met his eyes.
He said nothing.
The Will of Stone was not empty rhetoric—it was action.
Whether this man survived or not, he would be remembered.
If he lived—promotion and honor.
If he died—his family would be protected and privileged within Iwagakure.
After all, Konoha's generous treatment of fallen shinobi families had reshaped the shinobi world's standards.
No combat ninja should fight burdened by fear for those left behind.
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/lucarioTL