As the intense battle between Namikaze Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke continued in the arena, the surrounding barrier began to warp from the immense power they unleashed. The Four Red Yang Formation, intended for defence, now resembled a giant cannon, ejecting dust from their attacks skyward.
After being launched high into the air, this dust began to fall like fine rain around the arena. The audience, including the Five Kage, found themselves covered in dust. However, no one paid any attention to it. Their eyes were wide open, entirely focused on the fierce battle below, unwilling to blink for fear of missing any moment.
The battle raged on for the entire day. By evening, Naruto narrowly defeated Sasuke in his Six Paths Sage Mode, who had exhausted his chakra and ocular powers.
At Zhang Miao's signal, Namikaze Iron Gate, the match announcer, declared the result.
"The Senior Group match is over. The winner is Namikaze Naruto. I hereby declare the First Martial Arts Tournament of the Land of Waves concluded!"
The stands erupted in cheers as soon as Namikaze Iron Gate finished speaking.
"Amazing, Lord Divine Shadow!"
"Long live Lord Divine Shadow, long live the Corps Commander!"
"Long live His Majesty the Hades!"
The cheers surged like waves stirred by a hurricane. Feeling the atmosphere in the arena, the Five Kage's expressions shifted, each appearing deep in thought.
The cheers lasted for several minutes before subsiding. Once the audience quieted down, Namikaze Iron Gate spoke again.
"The next Martial Arts Tournament of the Land of Waves will be held in July, three years from now. At that time, all ninjas are welcome to participate. Anyone who showcases an extraordinary battle will be granted supreme honor by our great Lord Hades, and may even have any wish fulfilled!"
Many in the stands, including the Five Kage, had their expressions change at these words. The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, couldn't help but frown.
"Any wish fulfilled? That's quite the boast!"
"No, I believe it's true!" Rasa, sitting next to her, smiled. "If this Hades of the Hidden God Village is who I think he is, then what he says is indeed true!"
"Exactly!" Rasa's words were immediately supported by the Fourth Raikage, who turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Third Hokage, if I'm not mistaken, this Hades is Uzumaki Ryūnosuke from Konoha, right?"
Instead of answering directly, Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, releasing a long stream of smoke.
"Aside from Kirigakure, Konoha, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kumogakure have all established Hades Temples. Some of the dead have also been resurrected. I think that says enough. As for the rest, there's no need to dwell on it."
Hearing this, Rasa and Onoki nodded in agreement. Even the usually hot-tempered Fourth Raikage remained silent.
Mei Terumi, however, widened her beautiful eyes in surprise.
"What? Hades Temples? Resurrection of the dead? What are you all talking about?"
As Kirigakure had been isolated as the "Bloody Mist," and Mei Terumi had only recently taken office as the Fifth Mizukage, she was unaware of external affairs.
Seeing her confusion, Hiruzen began to explain.
"Hades was originally a child from Konoha, but he can also be called a reincarnated deity. He could speak and walk at six months, and by the age of three, his abilities surpassed those of an S-rank ninja. Not only does he possess extraordinary skills, but he also has the power to resurrect the dead. He left Konoha and began to travel the ninja world, establishing this Hidden God Village."
Upon hearing Hiruzen's explanation, Mei Terumi's eyes widened even more, looking utterly incredulous as if she were hearing a fairy tale.
Rasa then spoke up.
"He appeared in our Sunagakure nine years ago, under the guise of Chiyo's grandson 'Miao.' My wife Karura was resurrected because of him!"
"Miao?" Mei Terumi seemed to recall something, her face filled with astonishment. "Are you talking about the one who slaughtered over ten thousand elite Mist ninjas in the desert of the Land of Wind seven years ago?"
"If he can transform into the Nine-Tails, then it must be him!" Rasa had yet to respond before the Fourth Raikage answered.
Onoki, the only one who hadn't spoken, nodded in agreement.
"When he came to Iwagakure, he also transformed into the Nine-Tails. He has a particular fondness for pretty girls and is more patient with women than men."
As Onoki finished, Hiruzen, Rasa, and the Fourth Raikage all nodded, showing expressions of agreement.
Seeing this, Mei Terumi was once again stunned.
"So he visited four of the Five Great Villages. Why didn't he come to Kirigakure? Does he hold a grudge against us?"
Mei Terumi was genuinely worried. Being on bad terms with such a powerful individual was no small matter. The participants in the past few days' tournaments alone could cause trouble for Kirigakure.
Moreover, Kirigakure was currently at its weakest, with the Three-Tails disappearing after the death of the Fourth Mizukage and the Six-Tails jinchuriki Utakata having defected. The village's strength was at an all-time low.
If the Land of Waves decided to take action against Kirigakure now, the village would have only two choices: surrender or face destruction.
Neither option was acceptable to Mei Terumi, so she was anxious.
"What should I do? Maybe... I could..."
As she pondered, a clear voice echoed in her mind.
"I am Hades, the ruler of the Land of the Dead and the spiritual leader of the Hidden God Village. I thank you all for coming here. I can promise you that from now on, the Land of Waves will remain absolutely neutral. We will not ally with any country, will not initiate attacks, and will not intervene in any internal or external conflicts of the ninja world!"
Hearing this voice in her mind, Mei Terumi's eyes widened again. Observing the various expressions of the other Kage, she realised she wasn't the only one who heard it.
With this realisation, Mei Terumi's eyes narrowed.
"What incredible means. Who exactly is this Hades?"