Title: The Grandmother's Warning – The Samurai's Choice
Chapter 22: A Dangerous Suggestion
The samurai leader had already turned to leave, his mind set on warning the Five Kage—until the grandmother's voice stopped him cold.
"No need to tell the five villages at all," she said casually, as if discussing the weather. "Because if you did, that black entity will attack us first."
His grip on his sword tightened.
"And you don't need to worry. The Sage of Six Paths is still in the Pure Land. If something goes wrong, he'll do something. After all, he and his brother sealed the Ten-Tails in the past."
A slow sip of tea. A dismissive wave.
"Just chill, man. Closing the borders should be enough."
The Samurai's Reaction – A Silent Fury
For a moment, the room was so still that even the crackling fire seemed to hold its breath.
Then—
The samurai leader moved.
In an instant, his blade was at her throat, the steel kissing her wrinkled skin. His eyes burned with a fury that could melt glaciers.
"You speak of the end of the world," he hissed, "and tell me to chill?"
The grandmother didn't flinch. She didn't even blink. She just stared at him over the rim of her teacup, utterly unimpressed.
"Yes."
Chapter 23: The Truth Behind the Calm
The samurai's blade didn't waver. "Explain. Now."
She sighed, as if dealing with a particularly slow child.
"The black thing—Black Zetsu—has been manipulating history for centuries. If it senses that someone is exposing its plans too early, it will eliminate the threat. That means us. Iron Country. Gone."
"But if we stay quiet? Let the Tailed Beasts and the villages fight? The Sage will intervene when the time comes. He has to. It's his mess."
A dark chuckle.
"And if he doesn't? Well. Then we were all doomed anyway."
The Samurai's Dilemma
His sword trembled—not from fear, but from the sheer weight of her words.
· Option 1: Warn the Kage, risk immediate annihilation.
· Option 2: Stay silent, trust in a dead legend, and hope the world survives.
Neither was acceptable.
But she was right about one thing: Iron Country could not fall. Not before the real battle even began.
With a snarl, he sheathed his blade.
"If you're wrong, grandmother—if the world burns because of your silence—I will find you in the Pure Land myself."
She grinned, toothy and unrepentant. "Looking forward to it."
Epilogue: The Waiting Game
The samurai leader stormed out, barking orders to seal the borders, to prepare for the storm.
Behind him, the grandmother leaned back in her chair, humming as the world teetered on the edge of oblivion.
Somewhere, in the shadows between realms, a pair of ancient eyes flickered open.
The Sage of Six Paths was watching.
And the game was far from over.
---
End.
(Or is it? The borders are sealed. The storm gathers. And the Sage… stirs.)