Uchiha Tobirama adjusted the collar of his restrained yet domineering black trench coat.
"Stay in the room and wait obediently."
His gaze swept over the women on the bed—the kneeling, submissive Seryu and the flushed Akame among them.
"If anyone dares take even one step outside, you know exactly what the consequences will be."
"Yes, Master…"
They trembled as they answered in unison. Even Najenda, once the proudest among them, lowered her head like a docile cat.
Satisfied, Tobirama slipped his hands into his pockets and turned to leave.
It was time to head for the Imperial Palace—and rip this rotten Empire out by the roots.
---
Meanwhile.
At the temporary operations room of the Imperial Capital Security Forces headquarters—
Bang!
The door was thrown open.
"General Esdeath! Urgent intelligence!" A messenger rushed in, nearly crawling. "The white-haired monster in the Count's manor has moved! He's heading straight for the Imperial Palace—alone!"
"And he's taking the main road through the front gate, with no attempt to hide!"
Esdeath looked up sharply from where she was wiping her saber.
Fervor and bloodlust erupted in her ice-blue eyes.
"Storming the Imperial Palace alone?"
She laughed wildly. "Arrogant enough—I like it!"
She stood, kicking over the table as icy pressure swept the room.
"All members of the Jaegers, hear my command!"
Kurome, Wave, Run, Bols, and Dr. Stylish knelt on one knee.
"Target: the Imperial Palace!"
"Advance at full speed! Before that monster is killed by someone else, I will personally freeze him into an ice sculpture!"
She rushed out, excitement trembling through her body.
---
Imperial Palace—Main Gate.
Blood streamed down the hundred-meter white jade steps.
"Kill him! Protect the palace!"
"Fire! Don't let him come up!"
Thousands of Imperial Guards poured firepower toward the white-haired figure ascending the steps.
Buzz—
Uchiha Tobirama didn't lift a hand. A thin layer of Armament Haki spread around him.
Bullets and bolts within three meters turned to dust, as if striking an invisible wall.
Hands in pockets, he walked forward lazily. Each step sent an invisible gravitational shockwave booming outward.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Dozens of guards were crushed instantly, unable even to scream.
His path was completely unobstructed.
---
Imperial Palace—Throne Room.
Boom!
The doors shattered inward.
Tobirama stepped over splintered wood into the hall that symbolized the Empire's highest authority.
The young Emperor sobbed on the throne. Below, Minister Honest shook like a mound of quivering fat.
"Who… who are you?!" the Minister roared with forced bravado. "Where are the Four Rakshasa Demons of the Temple of the Imperial Fist?! Kill him!"
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Four ghost-like figures lunged from the shadows—the Empire's top close-combat assassins.
"Die!"
They struck in perfect coordination, sealing every blind spot.
Tobirama didn't even blink.
Time Stop.
Buzz—
The Throne Room froze.
He calmly stepped forward.
Crack.
Crack.
Four necks snapped.
He returned his hands to his pockets and snapped his fingers.
Snap.
Time resumed.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Four corpses hit the marble floor.
Instant annihilation.
"This… impossible!" The Minister collapsed in terror, while the Emperor fainted outright.
---
BOOM—!!!
The dome shattered under a bolt of lightning.
A towering figure wreathed in thunder descended between Tobirama and the Minister.
One of the Twin Pillars of the Empire—General Budo.
"General Budo! Save me!" the Minister screamed.
Budo ignored him, eyes locked on Tobirama.
"You are strong. Stronger than any criminal in Imperial history."
He clenched his fists.
BOOM!!!
Lightning flared, illuminating the hall.
"This ends now!"
"Secret Technique: Spear of the Thunder Emperor!"
Lightning compressed into a spear of terrifying density.
Tobirama paused—then burst out laughing.
"Lightning?"
"You dare show off lightning in front of me?"
His laughter stopped. Blood-red eyes glinted with contempt.
"Since you love lightning so much…"
"I'll send you off with it."
He slammed his hands together.
"Sage Art: Lightning Release—World-Ending Lightning Dragon!!!"
BOOOOM—!!!!!
Black lightning tore through the palace and into the heavens.
Thunderclouds swallowed the sky.
Then—
A colossal black dragon head emerged, mountain-sized.
Its body stretched tens of thousands of meters, blotting out the sun over the entire Imperial Capital.
ROAR—!!!
The city shook violently.
Inside the palace, Budo stood frozen. His lightning spear looked like a matchstick before the sky-blotting dragon.
"This… what kind of power is this?!" he trembled.
Minister Honest collapsed, foaming at the mouth.
---
On the streets below, Esdeath halted her warhorse.
She stared up at the immense black lightning dragon.
Even her soul shuddered under its aura.
But then—
Her body trembled, not with fear, but with ecstasy.
"Perfect…" she whispered, cheeks flushed. "This is true power."
She lashed her whip.
"Full speed ahead!"
"I must meet him!"
"Even if I die by his hand… I would be willing!"