Ōnoki's heart sank with a foreboding sense of dread. Swallowing hard, he asked cautiously,
"What is it?"
Minato, who already suspected what Uchiha Chiga was about to declare, silently stepped forward. His gaze locked firmly on the four Kage standing before them.
Chiga's calm, piercing eyes fell on Ōnoki's worried expression. "I've always felt there are too many villages in this world," he said plainly. "From now on, there should be only one. Do you understand what I mean?"
The words struck like thunder. The four Kage shouted almost in unison, voices full of disbelief.
"Nani!?"
Madara, still bound in Chiga's hair, opened his eyes. Shock and doubt flickered across his face. He hadn't expected Chiga's vision to mirror his own: to unify the shinobi world through sheer power, merging all villages into one to enforce peace.
Once, Madara had clung to that dream. But Hashirama had rejected it, breaking his spirit. Manipulated by Black Zetsu, Madara abandoned the idea and sought salvation in the Infinite Tsukuyomi instead.
Now, hearing his long-buried dream voiced once more, Madara felt a storm of emotions—regret, yearning, and even a glimmer of anticipation. He longed to see the shinobi world shaped by the idea he had once championed.
The four Kage, however, exchanged troubled looks. Chiga's meaning was clear: every village would be absorbed into Konoha, their sovereignty erased. For a Kage, such a demand was unthinkable. Yet they had all seen his power—each of his abilities could annihilate a village on its own. Resistance would only mean death.
Ōnoki's fists clenched tightly. The moment he had feared the most had finally arrived. To him, Chiga was like an evolved version of Uchiha Madara—more powerful, and carrying the same ambitions. But unlike in Madara's era, there was no Hashirama now to stand in opposition.
Mei Terumi stepped forward, forcing a soft smile as she batted her eyes at him. "Hokage-sama, perhaps this matter can still be… discussed?"
Chiga's lips curved into a faint smile. "No."
Her expression froze. She could only step back, hiding her frustration behind a sigh. What a ruthless man… but that kind of strength, that authority—it draws me in.
Gaara remained silent, but the Raikage could not. His voice boomed with anger.
"What difference is there between your actions and the Akatsuki's?"
Chiga's gaze sharpened, his words cutting like blades. "And what if there isn't a difference?"
The Raikage faltered, his anger choking in his throat. He tried to continue, but Chiga moved first. A violet glow flared within his Rinnegan. With one motion, his hand pressed against A's chest.
To the horror of everyone present, Chiga drew forth the Raikage's heart.
It pulsed in his hand, beating powerfully, yet A stood alive, stunned into disbelief. "This… this must be Genjutsu. It can't be real…"
But Chiga's fingers tightened. Pain exploded through A's body. His face darkened, veins bulging as he dropped to his knees with a guttural roar.
The other three Kage instinctively clutched their own chests, fearing they would be next.
Looking down coldly, Chiga said, "Did you really think I was negotiating with you?"
A lifted his head, defiance still burning in his eyes despite the agony. Chiga's grip tightened again. The Raikage convulsed, writhing on the ground like a shrimp caught in a storm.
The shinobi of the Hidden Cloud looked on with grim faces. Their pride screamed at them to intervene, yet Chiga's overwhelming power paralyzed them. Not one dared move.
At last, Darui broke. He rushed forward, dropped to his knees, and bowed deeply. "Our Hidden Cloud Village submits to Hokage-sama's will! We will merge with Konoha!"
A's eyes widened in betrayal. He tried to shout, but only hoarse groans escaped his throat. Desperately, he looked toward his shinobi, hoping for their support. But none met his gaze. Every one of them lowered their heads, unable to defy Chiga.
His heart turned hollow. The Cloud, once proud of its fierce warriors, was surrendering without a fight. All because of one man—Uchiha Chiga.
A bitter laugh tore from his throat, despite the pain it brought. He laughed louder, tears streaking his face. With that, he shut his eyes, surrendering to despair. Whatever happened to the village from now on was no longer his burden.
Darui's sigh was heavy. He knew history would condemn his choice as cowardice, but what hope did the Cloud truly have? Against Chiga, even the Eight-Tails would not be enough. For the sake of their survival, he had chosen humiliation.
Seeing this, Ōnoki finally unclenched his fists. His voice was low, weighted with resignation. "Iwagakure submits."
One by one, the other villages followed, voices subdued, their leaders defeated.
Only Mei Terumi seemed strangely at ease. Her predecessor had left her with a broken system, and she had never been one to cling to pride for its own sake. Besides, she had her own unresolved matters. Approaching forty, she feared time was slipping away from her. For reasons even she could not fully explain, her eyes strayed toward Chiga, her cheeks coloring faintly.
Chiga looked over them, satisfied. The Kage had chosen wisely. With a casual flick, he tossed A's heart to Darui.
"Put it back quickly," he said flatly. "It won't do if it gets cold."