Chapter 160: The Fifth Kazekage, Ascends
After turning the hard ice back to water and retrieving his Kaminotachi, Kinoshita Genichi had the still-frozen body of the Fourth Kazekage carried to the front line.
Although the Fourth Kazekage's death wouldn't directly cause the Sand-nin on Kikyō Mountain, like Chiyo, to surrender, it would be a massive blow to their morale. With the mountain now under siege, it was only a matter of time before they could no longer hold out.
And back in Sunagakure, once the news of the Kazekage's death in battle arrived, Pakura could directly seize the opportunity to take power.
So far, the Fifth Kazekage plan was proceeding smoothly. The next step was to see if Pakura could quickly seize control. However, regardless of her success, it wouldn't change the significance of the current battle. Konoha's victory was already assured. Whether Sunagakure surrendered or was defeated was only a matter of time.
The others headed for the front, leaving only Tsunade and Uzumaki Ina by Genichi's side.
Sizing up the… man? Brat? beside her, Tsunade was, in fact, witnessing Kinoshita Genichi's true strength with her own eyes for the first time.
Sensing her gaze, Genichi smiled. "What? Are you a little in awe of me?"
Tsunade couldn't help but roll her eyes and huff. "The Fourth Kazekage wasn't weak, but he wasn't the strongest among the five Kage."
Genichi stroked his chin in thought, then nodded in agreement. "That's true. In terms of overall strength, the Third Hokage, the Tsuchikage, and the Raikage should be the strongest. The Fourth Kazekage and the Fourth Mizukage are slightly weaker."
He had witnessed the Third Raikage's strength. He also knew about the Third Tsuchikage Onoki's Dust Release. The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was still in his prime, and his combat power was difficult to assess. But being a master of all five nature releases, as well as genjutsu, taijutsu, and sealing arts, it was hard to say how a fight with him would go. At the very least, if Hiruzen were to fight the Third Raikage, he might not win, but he probably wouldn't lose either.
Of course, many factors determined the outcome of a real battle, not just on-paper stats. Right now, Genichi was evaluating them from a god-like perspective, which wasn't really fair.
However, if he were to compare himself to the five Kage now… Genichi felt he should be benchmarking himself against Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju. And so, he couldn't help but look up at Kikyō Mountain. It wasn't a very high mountain. Madara's complete Susanoo could probably slice it in half with a single blow.
Hiss. He was still a bit off. Not quite "Super Kage" level yet. He was in the "Strong Kage" tier. Genichi had a rough assessment of his own strength. But he was currently in a period of rapid growth, especially after he used his ability again next month.
"My chakra reserves have already surpassed the Third Raikage's. In a little while, surpassing the Eight-Tails should be a piece of cake," Genichi thought. His physical stamina had been improving rapidly during this time. The combination of multiple Kekkei Genkai, his body's rapid development phase, and the influence of several types of Tailed Beast chakra was having an astonishing effect. The first two factors, in particular, were extremely obvious.
Chakra was the foundation of everything. Only when his chakra could be compared to Hashirama's could he even talk about reaching the same height, let alone surpassing it.
"That guy you mentioned last time, Madara Uchiha, his strength should be greater than all five Kage, right?" Tsunade suddenly asked.
Genichi nodded. "At the very least, he's much stronger than the Fourth Kazekage and the Fourth Mizukage." If it were Madara in his prime, even all five Kage combined wouldn't be enough to fight him. He wouldn't even need the Rinnegan; a single complete Susanoo would be enough.
"The Fourth Mizukage became the Three-Tails' jinchuriki. His strength should have been enhanced, right?" Ina asked.
Tsunade looked at Genichi.
"The power of a Tailed Beast is indeed strong," he said, "but at the Kage level, it's not that much of a factor. Unless it's the Nine-Tails. The Third Raikage could suppress and seal the Eight-Tails, and the Fourth Kazekage could suppress the One-Tail Shukaku. The Three-Tails' strength… is just so-so."
"Don't get too arrogant," Tsunade huffed. She was afraid he would get cocky and die on the battlefield one day.
"This isn't arrogance, it's an objective evaluation," Genichi said seriously. "In terms of chakra volume alone, I have already surpassed the Three-Tails. It has no advantage over me."
In his fight with the Fourth Kazekage, he hadn't even used his full strength. At the very least, his Explosion Release was still hidden. If he were to fight the Three-Tails, he could blow it away with that.
It seems the display of power in today's battle was a bit insufficient, Genichi muttered to himself. He looked down at the five or six-meter-high ice pillar beneath his feet. It really wasn't that impressive.
"Let's go. We'll check on the front line." Genichi sheathed his Kaminotachi. The reason he hadn't used his Flying Thunder God kunai this time was that they weren't custom-made and were too light. They weren't enough against an opponent who could control sand. The Kaminotachi, however, was heavy enough.
After I get back, I'll have to get a batch of custom-made kunai, like Minato-san, he planned.
On the front line, when the frozen body of the Fourth Kazekage was delivered, not just Chiyo and the other Sand-nin, but also Homura Mitokado and the other Konoha ninja were incredibly shocked.
Orochimaru looked on with excitement. "Ice Release? The power of this is far greater than that of the Yuki clan from the Mist." He had researched Ice Release. In terms of temperature alone, they were worlds apart. And for Ice Release, the most crucial factor was temperature. The development of other jutsu was secondary.
Is direct transplantation really the lowest form of power acquisition? Orochimaru thought.
After composing himself, Homura shouted to Chiyo, "Chiyo! The Fourth Kazekage is dead! You have no chance of victory! Surrender! I will guarantee your safety!"
Chiyo, recovering from the shock of the Kazekage's death, did not respond. Instead, she immediately ordered, "Retreat!"
The Sand-nin began a full-scale retreat and consolidation. By the time Genichi arrived, they had already completed their withdrawal, and Konoha did not pursue. He was not surprised by this. For the Sand Village, the blow to their morale was too great. And without the Fourth Kazekage, it would be difficult for the Sand-nin on Kikyō Mountain to break out. So, Konoha also had no need to rush into an all-out assault. By surrounding the mountain, in at most a month, the Sand-nin would collapse on their own without logistics or reinforcements.
The battle had temporarily ended. Tsunade and Ina began to get busy, treating the wounded Konoha ninja. Genichi sealed away the Fourth Kazekage's body. It was likely that the body would have to be returned to the Sand, but there was no problem with taking a little blood and spinal fluid first.
Orochimaru watched him handle the body and smiled. "The Third Mizukage, the Fourth Kazekage… Genichi-kun, I'm now beginning to suspect that the Third Kazekage might have also been killed by you."
Genichi laughed. "I would indeed love to study the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release, but he was not killed by me. According to the intel I gathered, he was very likely killed by the Sand's rogue-nin, Sasori of the Red Sand."
"Sasori of the Red Sand?" Orochimaru was slightly surprised. "That genius puppeteer?"
"Chiyo's grandson," Genichi nodded. "His parents were killed by my teacher during the Second Great Ninja War. Of course, there's no proof yet."
"I trust your intelligence-gathering ability," Orochimaru said. "Speaking of which, Genichi-kun, has your strength now surpassed that of a Kage?"
After dealing with the body, Genichi put away the scroll. "Not yet. Your own strength, Senpai, is not any weaker than the Fourth Kazekage's."
"To kill him alone is not so simple," Orochimaru smiled.
So he's saying he could do it? Genichi mentally raised his evaluation of Hiruzen's strength by another level. It was a pity he couldn't see his true power. Konoha had too many talented people. Even when surrounded on four sides, Hiruzen, as the Hokage, didn't need to go to the battlefield himself. Look at the Fourth Kazekage, Onoki, and the Third Raikage, who had personally covered the retreat.
It would be nice if I could fight all five Kage, a wicked thought crossed his mind.
"Genichi-kun," Orochimaru suddenly asked, "how confident are you in mastering Wood Release?"
Genichi stepped out of the tent, stretched in the sunlight, and said, "Wood Release… I have no confidence at all. I'm not particularly skilled in Earth Release. And the difficulty of mastering Wood Release is a bit high." This was the truth.
Many people considered Hashirama's Wood Release to be a Kekkei Tōta (Water + Earth + Yang). But it was clearly not. It was a new nature transformation formed from Water + Earth, which could create wood or trees. However, Yang Release was still used when casting it. By treating chakra as the source of life, the Wood Release possessed its astonishing growth speed.
"Senpai, you've been studying the First's cells for a long time. Are you still not confident you can perfectly transplant them?" Genichi asked, turning back to him.
"It's very difficult," Orochimaru smiled. "Yamato was just an accident. Otherwise, one would need immense power to suppress the cells' own power. The gain would not be worth the loss. Of course, now, with a Sharingan, it might be possible. You could try, Genichi-kun."
"I have no interest for the time being," Genichi shook his head. If it was for Wood Release, he had a way to obtain it without transplanting cells.
Orochimaru was slightly regretful. It seemed he could only use Danzō as a test subject. But Danzō was a far inferior test subject to the one before him. After all, Danzō couldn't perfectly use the power of the Sharingan. But with Genichi, Orochimaru even felt that the power of Hashirama's cells and the Sharingan might combine to form a new, even stronger Kekkei Genkai.
The two of them chatted for a while longer, and then Orochimaru took his leave. He still had to return to the Land of Rain front.
Genichi watched him go. Among the Sannin, in terms of strength, he felt that Orochimaru was the most unfathomable. Pure combat power was never what he pursued.
There are many things I can learn from Auntie Snake. Genichi turned and went back into the tent to continue the training that had been interrupted.
Sunagakure.
Pakura's return caused a huge shock. After all, her tombstone had already been erected, and the entire village knew she had died at the hands of Iwagakure. This had initially sparked the fury of the many Sand-nin, and they had fought back against Iwa with unusual ferocity. This showed that Pakura herself was extremely popular and highly regarded among them.
However, while the ordinary ninja and villagers were shocked, overjoyed, and cheering, the high-ranking officials of the Sand were shocked, panicked, and harbored a hidden killing intent. The ones who framed you are the ones who know best how innocent you are. Having personally handed Pakura over to the Mist, how could they not be afraid of her revenge?
But upon her return, Pakura did not immediately seek revenge. Instead, she first contacted her old subordinates, her comrades, her friends, and even her students.
On the second day after her return, the Sand-nin who came back from the battlefield brought the news that the Fourth Kazekage had been killed by Kinoshita Genichi of the Leaf. This caused an earthquake in the entire village. The leadership immediately convened a meeting to discuss countermeasures. Chiyo and Ebizō were on Kikyō Mountain at the time and were absent.
But no matter how much they discussed, they couldn't find a good solution. The village still had forces, but who would lead them to the rescue? Even the Fourth Kazekage was dead.
"Let Pakura go," someone suddenly suggested. The others were taken aback.
"Will she go?"
"If she can, that would be for the best!"
"Right now, only she has the strength!"
The Sand leadership reacted, one after another. It would be best if Pakura also died at the hands of that Kinoshita Genichi. Unfortunately, the Fourth Kazekage had not told them that she had been saved by Konoha, otherwise they would not have had such a foolish idea. Perhaps her lack of immediate reprisal upon her return had given them confidence.
After a unanimous agreement, they immediately had her summoned. And Pakura had been waiting. If she hadn't been here, they certainly would have chosen someone else to lead the rescue, probably one of the elders. But she was back. She was confident they would choose her. And now, it was as expected.
And so, she soon appeared in the conference room. The Sand leadership couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when they saw how quickly she had come. It seemed she was still the same Pakura.
The one presiding over the meeting, Kurisa, said, "Pakura, the village is at its most difficult moment. The Fourth Kazekage has fallen in battle. We need you to lead reinforcements to aid Chiyo and the others."
"No problem," Pakura nodded coolly.
Kurisa and the other elders were relieved. But she then immediately changed the subject. "Before that, I need to resolve one matter. You were the ones who revealed my whereabouts to Iwagakure, leading to my ambush, weren't you? Don't deny it. Since I am here, it means I have already obtained sufficient intelligence."
Kurisa and the others were speechless.
"You all know the truth of the matter," she continued coldly. "Since you did what you did for the sake of the village, then for the sake of the village now, I can find a reason for you. So, likewise, for the sake of the village, you should all go back and commit suicide. Bear all the darkness on your shoulders and take it with you to the underworld. And tell the Fourth Kazekage that I will protect the village."
"Pakura, what are you trying to do?" Kurisa's face changed.
"I will become the Fifth Kazekage," she said. "And right now, is there anyone in the village more suitable than me?"
Kurisa opened his mouth but couldn't refute this. But they absolutely did not want her to become the Fifth Kazekage. That would mean that everyone present would be purged in the future.
"Pakura, do you intend to cause turmoil in the village at a time like this?" he shouted through gritted teeth. "We should all be working together to deal with Konoha!"
A scornful look appeared on her face. "Since I could be sacrificed for the village's benefit, why can't you? You now have two choices. Let me become the Fifth Kazekage, and you all commit suicide. The truth will be buried forever, and your families will be safe. Or, I will deal with you all now, stage a coup, publicize the truth, and purge all of your families."
With that, fireballs appeared, floating in the conference room.
"How dare you, Pakura!" an elder stood up in a rage. "Are you trying to rebel? Do you think you can succeed?"
Pakura didn't bother to speak. A fireball drilled into the elder's body. The other elders were shocked and all stood up, on guard.
The fireballs in the air converged and merged, on the verge of exploding at any moment.
"You should know this move of mine," she said coldly. "You can't block it."
Although she wanted to preserve the Sand Village's strength as much as possible, if these people didn't cooperate, then she had no choice but to use brute force to take control. She believed that under her leadership, the Sand Village would have a good future.
Kurisa and the other elders were all furious, but they didn't dare to move. They had all once been jonin, even comrades of the Second and Third Kazekage. But now, they were old and frail, and out of practice. Their reactions were a step too slow. Now that Pakura had made her move, they had no chance to counter. They knew the power of her Oversteam Kill very well. They would likely become charred corpses before they could even attack.
They looked at each other and quickly came to a tacit understanding. They would go along with her for now, let her go to the front line. After the crisis was resolved, they would find a way to deal with her. For now, they would appease her.
And so, suppressing his anger, Kurisa said, "No problem. As long as you resolve this crisis, then you will be the best candidate for the Fifth Kazekage."
Pakura smiled coldly, then called out, "Maki!"
The doors of the conference room opened, and Maki and several other Sand jonin, special jonin, and even a few senior chūnin in charge of chūnin affairs all walked in.
At this, the faces of Kurisa and the others turned grim, their scalps tingling.
"Pakura, you are trying to destroy the village!" Kurisa roared in a low voice.
"You are the ones who are trying to destroy the village!" she shouted back. "Now, state your position. Those who support me becoming the Fifth Kazekage, please raise your hands."
Maki and the others all raised their hands. Their presence here meant they supported her. It also meant they knew the truth.
Kurisa slumped into his stone chair. "We were all doing it for the village," he said bitterly.
"I am also doing it for the village," she said, her eyes downcast. "The Fourth Kazekage has fallen. Elder Chiyo and the others are besieged by Konoha on Kikyō Mountain. If we don't act now, the village will be plunged into an abyss from which it cannot recover. You know that Kikyō Mountain holds seventy percent of the village's strength. I could be sacrificed for the village. Now, for the village's future, please sacrifice yourselves as well, elders."
Kurisa gave a bitter smile, then finally sighed. He took out a kunai and looked at her. "I hope you can lead the village to become strong."
Pfft! He plunged the kunai into his own heart. The other elders also followed suit, committing suicide on the spot. As for resisting? Doing this now would at least allow them to die with dignity.
Pakura watched the elders fall one by one. She felt no pleasure of revenge, only a strange sense of sorrow. But she quickly suppressed this complex emotion and said to Maki and the others, "Let the truth be buried forever. Temporarily place the elders' bodies. After the crisis is resolved, we will announce to the village that they died fighting for it."
"Yes, Lady Kazekage," Maki nodded. He waved his hand, and a few chūnin immediately took the bodies away.
Pakura had everyone sit down and got straight to the point. "According to the intel from the front, the Fourth was killed by Kinoshita Genichi's Ice Release in a one-on-one fight. Then, the Third Mizukage of Kirigakure was probably also assassinated by him."
Maki and the others all had grave expressions.
"I will personally lead a team to the front," she continued, "but not to fight Konoha. Even the Fourth's strength was no match for him; I'm afraid I won't be either. The most important thing now is to preserve the village's strength. Therefore, I have decided to hold peace talks with Konoha, and even form an alliance."
"Won't Konoha make exorbitant demands?" a jonin asked with worry.
"Under normal circumstances, yes," Pakura nodded. "But Konoha's situation is also very dangerous right now. If we go all out, we can still cause them huge trouble. So we can use a military alliance as a condition. I don't think the Third Hokage will refuse."
"That is indeed a good strategy," Maki nodded. "Konoha is under siege and also urgently needs to alleviate their situation."
"Maki, you will stay behind and guard the village," Pakura said gravely. "I will personally lead a team to the front and negotiate peace with Konoha at the smallest possible cost."
Maki and the others had no objections. At present, this was the only way.
After making the decision, they quickly got to work. During the preparations, Pakura came to the Kazekage's office and finally let out a long breath. Everything was going smoothly. Her only regret was that Chiyo and Ebizō weren't here. If they had been, she would have purged them as well. But that would probably be impossible later. She could only let those two live out their old age.
(End of Chapter)
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