Iwagakure Village.
After ending the call, Onoki gave a cold smile, a terrifying killing intent hidden deep in his eyes.
Just now, Black Zetsu's attitude had irritated him greatly.
That commanding manner, as if he were a superior speaking to an inferior.
Especially his gaze—it made Ōnoki feel as if he had returned to the days of being ruled by "Adam," forced to bow his head in humiliating submission.
In Ōnoki's palm, two iron beads spun silently.
Click!
In the next moment, under Ōnoki's stern gaze, his fingers suddenly clenched tightly.
The two smooth iron balls, forged from the hardest iron ore, were crushed directly by his grip, powder slowly spilling through his fingers.
The crushed fragments fell as Ōnoki floated up in mid-air, slowly leaving the secret chamber behind.
Inside the Tsuchikage's office building, Akatsuchi and Kitsuchi were discussing how to carry out government affairs when suddenly, they noticed another person sitting in a chair.
Kitsuchi looked carefully and quickly bowed respectfully. "Father, you're here?"
"Lord Onoki, you finally came out!" Seeing Ōnoki, Akatsuchi's face lit up with surprise before complaining, "You don't know how exhausting it's been. Just confirming the new laws nearly wore me and Brother Kitsuchi out!"
Recently, Iwagakure had fully implemented new laws, and even the village's architectural style was being rebuilt from scratch.
To ensure Ōnoki's will was carried out, Kitsuchi, Kurotuchi, and the Anbu had to put in tremendous effort before the reforms were barely pushed through.
In truth, Ōnoki had rarely made public appearances in the past two years.
Most village affairs were handled by Kitsuchi and Kurotuchi, while Ōnoki remained mostly behind the scenes.
The rarely seen Ōnoki had suddenly appeared in the Tsuchikage's office.
With sharp political instincts, Kurotuchi almost immediately guessed that the Master was preparing to take big action.
"Thank you for your hard work, Kitsuchi and Kurotuchi."
Onoki spoke slowly, offering some comforting words to the two before his voice suddenly dropped.
"The time I mentioned to you has come."
"Lord, are we really going to do this?" Akatsuchi's pupils narrowed slightly upon hearing this. He clearly understood what 'the time' Onoki referred to meant.
"I have been preparing for this day for a very long time."
Onoki sat down in the chair. Though small in stature, his deep and powerful aura made the two feel as if they were facing a towering mountain.
Akatsuchi remained silent, carefully recalling the many changes that had taken place in Iwagakure over the past two years.
All these changes were clearly in preparation for the impending war!
From the military to the ninja academy's education, and even the village's industrial development, technological level, architectural style, and laws — sweeping reforms had been made in multiple areas.
Moreover, with the full support of the Daimyo of the Land of Earth, Iwagakure's strength had advanced by leaps and bounds!
Even more importantly, Lord Onoki personally selected several people and taught them the Beyonder Pathway. After combining this with the ninja system, it unleashed astonishing power!
"I understand, Lord Onoki!"
In formal situations, Akatsuchi knew to address him by his title as a sign of respect.
"Father, didn't you say…" Kitsuchi looked somewhat simple-minded. After hesitating for a few seconds, he spoke, "Those people probably won't just stand by, right?"
Those people naturally referred to the Twilight Hermits.
Kitsuchi did not know the name Twilight Hermits, but Onoki had subtly hinted at this in his words.
Because of this, Kitsuchi was worried whether rushing ahead like this might draw the Twilight Hermits' counterattack.
"Hah, don't worry about those people."
Onoki sneered coldly, disdainfully saying, "Those people are too busy dealing with their own problems, still trying to find their leader. How could they care about us?"
In fact, Onoki had been inexplicably kicked out of the Twilight Hermits two years ago.
Later, he had tried contacting Orochimaru several times but was told that everyone believed he had leaked the internal secrets of the Twilight Hermits, so they voted to expel him.
Onoki wasn't too shocked by this result, since it was indeed him who had leaked some information to White Zetsu.
No one expected to be exposed so quickly.
At first, Ōnoki was constantly on edge, fearing that once "Adam" awakened, he would come to punish him, the traitor.
But as time went by, Ōnoki gradually calmed down.
The reason was simple. If "Adam" really did awaken and return, the first thing he would do was eliminate Ōnoki—the traitor—and the traitor White Zetsu hiding within the Aurora Order.
Yet two whole years had passed. Two years!
White Zetsu in the Aurora Order was still living comfortably, and Ōnoki showed no signs of being purged.
On the contrary, the Twilight Hermit Society had almost vanished in these two years, completely losing the power it once wielded from behind the scenes.
This only made Ōnoki more certain that "Adam" would never return.
"If he's not coming back, then why shouldn't I take his place?"
That thought suddenly sprang up in Ōnoki's mind.
And like a seed taking root, it grew uncontrollably until he finally made up his mind.
He, Ōnoki, would surpass "Adam" and become the true god of "Sequence Zero."
Deep within Ōnoki's pupils, a terrifying ambition brewed. His index finger tapped lightly on the table as he said, "Since the decision is made, there's no need to hide it. Tell Deidara to stop those coming from Konoha for me."
"Lord Tsuchikage."
Akatsuchi looked at the unfamiliar Ōnoki hesitantly, as if he wanted to speak but held back.
Though Konoha had declined, it didn't mean Iwagakure should openly break ties. If they did, they might soon face attacks from the other three great ninja villages.
Although Iwagakure had grown stronger over the past two years, Akatsuchi felt the risk was too great to face the combined might of the four great villages alone.
"Do you have something to say, Akatsuchi?"
Ōnoki's cold gaze swept over the uneasy Akatsuchi beside him.
"No, nothing, Lord Tsuchikage."
Biting his lip, Akatsuchi swallowed the words he wanted to say.
Although he was Tsuchikage's disciple, at heart he was a ninja.
Since he was a ninja, he had to follow orders and do what he was supposed to do.
Ōnoki held the final decision-making power, and all they needed to do was obey his commands.
"Good, it's decided then."
Ōnoki domineeringly finalized the plan and then looked at Kitsuchi.
"Tell Kurotsuchi to support Deidara. That kid is mischievous—if he screws up, I won't forgive them!"
"Yes, Father!"
Kitsuchi and Akatsuchi exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.
Once the war starts, it won't be so easy to end it later!
*******
Support me on my patreon and read upto 20 early chapters.
https://www.patreon.com/c/Unique_Writer