Fortunately, some used Doton: Doryūheki (Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall), others burrowed underground, and a few used Suiton (Water Release) to block the attack, preventing the Anbu unit from being completely annihilated. Even so, they still lost five Anbu, and even the leader of this operation was gravely injured, riddled with stab wounds.
"Go investigate, now! Immediately find out—who exactly is that child?" a burly man roared. Several Anbu leapt away, giving chase.
On the northern yellow earth highlands, Shigeo held Rōshi's wrist. The two looked at each other and burst into hearty laughter.
"Life is truly mysterious. I suppose this counts as a once-in-a-lifetime event, huh? To think that I, Rōshi, the Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails, would one day be saved by a child! Hahaha—and from Konoha, no less. What a strange twist of fate!" Rōshi laughed happily, gazing at the sky, where the sun was setting into a fiery evening glow that painted the earth yellow.
He suddenly pulled Shigeo into a hug. "From now on, you're my little brother! Hahaha…"
Shigeo gave an awkward smile. "Don't you think the age gap is a bit… wide?"
"Maybe a little, but that just makes us sworn brothers across generations. Shigeo, thank you. Because of you, I survived. Otherwise, in that battle today, I surely would've had my Tailed Beast extracted!"
He clapped Shigeo on the shoulder, his fondness growing with every glance. "By the way, that Doryū no Jutsu (Earth Dragon Technique) of yours is impressive. In the Land of Earth, there are very few who can summon such a large dragon. In all of Iwagakure, aside from the Third Tsuchikage, I think only his son, Kurotsuchi's father, Kurotsuchi's predecessor—Ōnoki's son, Hōtā—could use it. But his is much smaller than yours!"
He laughed with genuine joy. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so happy.
Shigeo looked toward the sunset, his eyes flickering before he closed them. Soon, his own "daytime" was about to begin.
"Brother, I suddenly have a plan. Do you want to hear it?" Rōshi grinned.
"What plan?"
"Let's end the Third Great Ninja War here in the Land of Earth, once and for all." Rōshi's eyes burned with determination, a spark of excitement in his gaze.
Shigeo frowned slightly. "Although calling you 'big brother' feels a bit awkward, since you insist, I'll do it. But, Brother… with just the two of us, ending the Third War seems impossible."
"I thought so too, once. But now that you're here, the boy who defeated more than twenty Iwa Anbu… nothing is impossible. I've lived in Iwagakure for many years. I know them well.
The truth is, after years of war, Iwagakure is a hollow shell. And you—you can copy any ninjutsu you see. If you can learn Ōnoki's jutsu, defeat him, and then take down Han, the Jinchūriki of the Five-Tails, then it's absolutely possible!"
As he spoke of his plan, Rōshi grew visibly excited, as though victory were within arm's reach.
"You trust me that much?" Shigeo asked, turning to him. Under the setting sun, Rōshi nodded heavily, his red hair glowing like fire.
"I believe in you. But I've also prepared a fallback. Even if we fail, I'll make sure you escape Iwagakure alive. So don't worry—I'd never gamble with your life." Rōshi's voice shone with conviction, his eyes reflecting the brilliance of the sun.
Shigeo stayed silent, watching him for a long while. Finally, he nodded firmly. "Alright."
And thus, the plan began.
Outside Iwagakure, a five-year-old child sat in a carriage that came to a stop at the village gates. His eyes were closed as the guards approached.
"Who goes there? Show your travel pass!" one of the guards demanded.
"None," Shigeo replied.
Behind him, the carriage had a closed compartment. The curtain was drawn—who might be inside was unclear.
"What arrogance! Without a pass, you cannot enter Iwagakure. Move aside, brat, don't block the road!" the guard barked.
Shigeo kept his eyes half-closed, and said softly: "Bring out your Tsuchikage to meet me."
"Little runt, such a big mouth. Leave now, or I'll blow your head off—" The man stepped forward, reaching to grab him.
But before he could get close, both his palms were pierced by sharp red Shōton (Crystal Release) spikes, blood spraying everywhere.
"It's Shōton! He's the boy who uses Crystal Release…"
Three days ago, the Anbu had returned to the village carrying five corpses. Their bodies had been pierced with crimson crystals, faces twisted in agony. The guards remembered that sight all too well. And now, here was the very child who wielded that bloodline limit.
"Sound the alarm! Inform the Tsuchikage—an enemy has come!" one of the guards shouted as he ran toward the village.
Within minutes, Ōnoki descended gracefully from the sky, flanked by over thirty shinobi. They immediately surrounded Shigeo.
Hovering in midair with his hands clasped behind his back, Ōnoki scrutinized the boy before him: plain clothes, short black hair, eyes faintly closed, and no forehead protector.
But when Shigeo opened his eyes, deep blue irises appeared—yet they carried no focus. He was blind? That didn't match the reports…
Before Ōnoki could wonder further, Shigeo closed his eyes again.
In less than five seconds, his Mirror System had already copied every one of Ōnoki's abilities, filling his replication list with the Tsuchikage's techniques.
"You are the child who aided Rōshi? Who are you? Where do you come from? Why did you help him? Do you realize that opposing Iwagakure is the same as opposing the Land of Earth? And who is riding in that carriage of yours?" Ōnoki asked sternly, his gaze narrowing.
Shigeo glanced around. Over thirty shinobi, plus seven or eight young chūnin inside the gate—none older than their teens. But the Five-Tails' Jinchūriki, Han, was not present.
"My elder brother sits in that carriage. He too has come to challenge you. Ōnoki, if you lose this battle, then hand over your Tsuchikage's seat to my brother. If you refuse, then your village will be destroyed." Shigeo's voice was cold, his eyes sharp.
Some of the shinobi laughed at the arrogance of the child. Others tensed in fear, remembering his terrible power. Shigeo might look harmless, but his jutsu were anything but.
(End of Chapter)
[50 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[10 Reviews = 5 Extra Chapters]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]