"For someone at that level, killing us was never necessary," Mū said quietly. "He alone could erase Iwagakure. As for why he attacked yesterday… he was probably just bored."
His eyes were heavy—humiliation, helplessness, and finally acceptance.
In the entire shinobi world, who could challenge Uchiha Madara?
Other than Senju Hashirama, no one.
Ōnoki listened in silence. Only when he noticed the stone symbolizing the Will of Stone lying in his hand did he finally lower his head.
That day, master and disciple said nothing more. They understood the future of Iwagakure—and they understood that Madara had not even used half his strength.
---
Back in the present, Ōnoki stared at the portrait of Uchiha Ran.
His limbs went numb. His legs trembled.
"Impossible… he should be dead. Why is he alive? Why?!"
He tore the scroll apart, then collapsed onto a rock, drained.
Akatsuchi hurried over and handed him water. Ōnoki drank it all in one go before steadying himself.
"Full retreat," he ordered hoarsely.
"Rear guard becomes the vanguard. Withdraw immediately. Anyone who disobeys will be executed."
With that, he activated Light-Weight Rock Technique and flew back.
The route guarded by Uchiha Itachi saw no fighting.
---
On Uchiha Shisui's front, things were far uglier.
The Fourth Raikage, A, charged like a beast, every strike aimed to kill.
"Lariat!"
Lightning wrapped his arm as he smashed forward.
Shisui activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and split into multiple Shadow Clones. One clone was struck—and dispersed.
A sneer crossed A's face. "Lightning Release: Lightning Explosion—!"
His expression changed instantly.
A clone?
Before he could react, Shisui appeared behind him and slashed.
The blade cut straight through A's Lightning Armor, leaving a deep, bleeding wound.
Killer B intervened at once, a tentacle shooting out.
Shisui was pierced—but no blood spilled.
A clone again.
Killer B went cold. "So that's it…"
Gyūki spoke inside his mind.
"He can swap places with any clone. Conventional attacks are useless."
"Then how do we kill him?" Killer B asked.
"There's only one way," Gyūki replied calmly. "Total annihilation."
After a moment's hesitation, Killer B relinquished control.
Gyūki took over.
He moved to a clear vantage point and opened his mouth.
Energy condensed—dark, dense, violent.
A Tailed Beast Ball formed.
It was fired straight at Shisui's cluster of clones.
Shisui's instincts screamed.
He activated Susanoo instantly.
A green, armored Susanoo rose—shield planted into the ground, lance braced.
The Tailed Beast Ball slammed into it.
Shisui pushed back with everything he had.
He could not retreat.
If he did, Konoha would take the hit.
Behind him, the Raikage seized the chance to withdraw, giving Killer B a thumbs-up.
The Hidden Cloud Village had chosen its answer.
They would win—
or burn everything down trying.
------
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