The next day, before Iwagakure could send word ahead, Nawaki and Minato arrived unannounced at Ōnoki's residence.
"They came just as I was about to look for them."
Ōnoki thought they had come out of courtesy and cooperation, immediately flashing a smile.
"Please, let these two honored guests from Konoha in."
He signaled the ninja in charge of announcements to bring Nawaki and Minato inside.
"Tsuchikage-sama."
The pair politely bowed before taking their seats at the empty spots.
A few Iwagakure high-ups briefly showed displeasure in their eyes but ultimately held back from saying anything harsh.
"You've come at just the right time. I was about to send word to you."
"Today, I plan to launch a full-scale counterattack against the Cloud Ninjas."
"With your two's help, I believe this operation will surely be completed with a single decisive strike."
Ōnoki beamed with excitement, already picturing the Cloud Ninjas being utterly defeated.
"No problem with that."
"But we do have another matter we'd like to discuss with Tsuchikage-sama."
Nawaki and Minato exchanged a quick glance before speaking in unison.
"What is it? Feel free to ask."
"As long as I can manage it, I won't refuse."
Ōnoki, perhaps getting too eager, readily agreed on the spot.
"Tsuchikage-sama really means that?"
Nawaki lit up visibly, which instantly gave Ōnoki an ominous feeling.
Unfortunately, he'd already spoken, so there was no way out but to go along with it.
"Absolutely."
His smile faltered slightly, yet he still replied firmly with just those two words.
"In that case…how about Dust Release?"
Nawaki asked softly, tentatively asking, yet triggering an immediate uproar in the room.
"No!"
"Dust Release is a Kekkei Tōta technique passed down solely to the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure. How can someone from another village even dare to covet it?"
Before Ōnoki could speak, someone else spoke for him, rejecting outright. The man stood up, pointing at Nawaki, barely restraining himself from shouting.
"We're asking Tsuchikage-sama himself. Who gave you the right to interrupt?"
Minato shot him a cold glare, his contempt plainly visible.
"You—"
"Enough! Do you think this is the place for such rudeness?"
Ōnoki quickly cut in, his face now icy.
He already regretted what he'd said earlier. Having already refused Nawaki once, he now struggled even more to find a response.
"Yes, forgive me, Lord Ōnoki."
Reprimanded sharply, the Iwagakure ninja could only sit back down, frustrated, while the rest of the Iwagakure ninjas present all cast hostile looks toward Nawaki and Minato.
In their view, Konoha had gone too far—just because they offered help once didn't mean they could make such unreasonable demands.
They never stopped to consider that without Konoha's assistance, none of them would even be here to talk peacefully.
"Dust Release holds great significance for our village."
"I am indeed the current Tsuchikage, but this isn't something I alone can decide."
"If possible…"
Ōnoki managed a strained smile, hoping Nawaki would change his request—but without much hope.
He well understood the current reality: Iwagakure still depended on Konoha, and he absolutely dared not force Konoha shinobi into anything.
He was simply thinking of brushing the matter aside for now, discussing it after dealing with the Cloud Ninja.
If Nawaki's stance truly turned out to be too firm, then after defeating the Clouds, handing over Dust Release wouldn't be completely unacceptable.
However, before the battle, he absolutely would not hand over the method of Dust Release training—that was his bottom line.
"Ahh~ Tsuchikage-sama worries too much."
"It was just a joke between the two of us."
"Dust Release is so valuable—how could I keep asking for it?"
Before Ōnoki could finish speaking, Nawaki did a complete one-eighty in tone, which left Ōnoki momentarily stunned.
"Tsuchikage-sama, please don't take offense."
"Nawaki-kun has always been fond of jokes."
Minato joined in with a laugh, pretending as though nothing serious had occurred.
"Haha~ Then perhaps I took things too seriously."
Ōnoki gave an awkward chuckle, unsure exactly what Nawaki and Minato were up to.
The expressions of the gathered Iwa ninjas were even more telling—each clearly wishing to voice his thoughts, yet none daring to speak.
"The matter regarding Dust Release was just my joke going too far."
"But now, let's move on to serious business."
Nawaki first offered an apology. As soon as he finished speaking, even Ōnoki sat up straighter, visibly tense.
"I'm all ears."
He adjusted his collar and edged forward slightly; he was clearly unsettled.
His mood had kept shifting ever since Nawaki and Minato stepped through the door—now teetering on frustration.
If not for facing Konoha—a behemoth like no other—he would have long risen from his seat.
"I'll say it."
As soon as Minato spoke, he drew everyone's attention. This villainous role, he would willingly take.
"Recently I've spoken with my teacher."
"He believes both Nawaki-kun and I have overstayed our welcome in the Land of Earth."
"Now that Akatsuki in the Land of Rain grows stronger by the day, Konoha can no longer afford to stand idle."
"And since none of the promises made by the Land of Earth have yet been fulfilled, today we come to bid farewell to Tsuchikage-sama."
Minato laid out the facts clearly: the growing threat of Akatsuki, Konoha having gained nothing from its current stay in Earth Country, plus the unavoidable order from his master—an approach no one could really criticize.
"How can this be allowed?"
"If you leave now, won't the Clouds simply rise again?"
One of the senior Iwa officials blurted this out upon hearing the news—caught completely off guard, speaking purely from self-interest without thinking.
This time, however, Ōnoki said nothing, his expression dark and contemplative.
"Esteemed sir, you're overthinking again. Even if we withdraw, the Clouds won't have the mind to linger in your Land of Earth anymore."
"Konoha has done its part and deserves due recognition—it helped your country weather this crisis."
"We trust Tsuchikage-sama has not forgotten the promises made to Konoha."
Nawaki smoothly continued, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly, showing no sign of anger.
"I do not forget my word. However, your help in today's battle is still desperately needed."
"Allow me to humbly request your continued aid once more."
"Once this battle is over, regardless of the outcome, I will hand over Dust Release with both hands."
Ōnoki could no longer hold onto his earlier refusal. All he could hope for now was that this concession might persuade Nawaki and Minato to change their stance.
The Iwagakure elder who had been the first to object now sat frozen in his chair, completely silent.
"I appreciate Tsuchikage-sama's kindness,"
"Dust Release carries immense value for your village. How could I ever impose on you like that?"
Nawaki turned Ōnoki's own words against him. His face remained calm, though inwardly he felt triumphant.
"Will you be leaving today then?"
Ōnoki was already filled with regret. If only he had known it would come to this—he should have given up Dust Release from the start. There might still have been a sliver of hope.
Now, even if he offered it freely, they wouldn't take it.
"Yes, the situation is urgent—we can't afford any more delays."
Nawaki nodded. He was certain Ōnoki wouldn't dare do anything to him.
Besides, as he pointed out, the Land of Earth's crisis had already passed. What followed now was merely the Cloud Ninja evacuation.
It was a scene where Ōnoki could do nothing but seethe—a sight he despised—though what concern was it to Konoha?
"We're truly grateful for Tsuchikage-sama's hospitality. We won't impose further."
As Minato and Nawaki stood up, everyone in the room rose—except Ōnoki.
"No need for ceremony. No need to see us out."
"Farewell then, Tsuchikage-sama."
Nawaki cast Ōnoki a long, meaningful look before walking out openly and confidently with Minato, ignoring everyone else.
"Tsuchikage-sama, we cannot let them leave."
"I'll lead men to stop them—even if I have to drag them onto the battlefield myself!"
Nawaki and Minato hadn't walked far when they nearly burst into laughter upon hearing those words. They actually wished Ōnoki had the guts to try.
"Foolish!"
"Get out—all of you!"
Ōnoki's roar echoed throughout the entire camp.
Half a ke later, the Konoha team departed for Konoha, led by Nawaki and Minato.
As for which path they took—that was no longer Ōnoki's concern.
...
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