Chapter 319
And then… he suddenly remembered—the genjutsu that had just robbed him of control over his body was Li Yao's signature illusion.
In the entire ninja world, only Li Yao possessed that kind of genjutsu capable of severing all five senses.
"Long time no see, Ōnoki."
Li Yao's Wind Release Clone smiled warmly, greeting the now fully aware Ōnoki, then released his control over the old man's body.
Fear. Dread. Pain.
These emotions, expressed through physical reaction, gave Li Yao's Wind Clone a far more satisfying sense of revenge.
"L… Li Yao…"
Ōnoki did not feel the least bit comforted by the friendly tone in Li Yao's voice. What he felt was an overwhelming fear—deeper than anything he'd ever experienced.
He no longer questioned why Li Yao had become the Fourth Kazekage, nor whether Li Yao had been behind several major recent events.
Now that Li Yao's identity had been confirmed, all the reasons the Five Great Nations and their daimyō once united to kill him came crashing down again—stronger than ever—overwhelming Ōnoki completely.
Ōnoki forcibly suppressed the suffocating terror in his heart and said:
"Li Yao… I was the only one of the Kage who actually participated in the plan to kill you. If you want revenge, take it on me. Kill me, and let the hatred between us end here. The rest of Iwagakure is innocent. They don't know anything."
"The Third Hokage of Konoha orchestrated that war. The daimyō of the Five Nations pressured us into it. If killing me isn't enough, go kill the daimyō of the Land of Earth—but please, the people of Iwagakure, they don't even know what I did. They are innocent."
"Li Yao… please. Spare them."
By the end, Ōnoki had the look of a defeated old man in his sixties, pleading like a helpless sheep begging a wolf to spare his children.
But Li Yao's Wind Clone knew—Ōnoki was actually very calm inside.
He had no other strategy. No clever persuasion. No mind games. He simply chose the most direct method: pleading for mercy as a Kage—for the sake of his people.
He was hoping to stir even a sliver of compassion in Li Yao.
"Heh… as expected of someone who fought Uchiha Madara."
Li Yao's Wind Clone chuckled. Though he found the sight of Ōnoki begging like a loyal old dog somewhat amusing, it didn't bring the sense of satisfaction he had hoped for.
Living long doesn't necessarily make someone wise—but it does make them calm. Compared to younger shinobi, people like Ōnoki knew exactly how to respond to any situation in the most effective way.
But Ōnoki…
This strategy of staying calm and begging rationally had killed all the fun of revenge.
What Li Yao wanted to see was regret, was pain, was rage—
Not this cold, calculated plea for mercy.
How could he enjoy killing someone like this?
Besides, he hadn't planned to spare Iwagakure anyway.
Looks like this needed… a stronger dose.
Li Yao's Wind Clone smirked, then shifted his face to that of his Earth Release Clone—Shiyan.
"Hello, dear teacher."
He said with a bright grin, using Shiyan's voice and speaking with Shiyan's tone. If it weren't for the wrong body, it would've been a perfect impersonation.
"You… you… you…"
Ōnoki's eyes bulged as he pointed a trembling finger at Li Yao, stammering in horror.
"Your daughter… Huitu... she was very… tender…"
Li Yao leaned in close, picked up the sentence, narrowed his eyes with a filthy smile, and spoke with deliberate, lingering enunciation.
He didn't need to explain.
In that moment, Ōnoki's mind conjured vivid images—his precious daughter Huitu, and Shiyan—no, Li Yao—in every possible position.
In an instant, blood surged to Ōnoki's head. It felt like it had shot from his feet straight to his throat.
Puh!
He spat out a mouthful of blood—aimed straight at Li Yao.
Luckily, Li Yao's Wind Armor protected him from being stained by the old man's blood.
"Li Yao!!!"
"I'll kill you—!"
Ōnoki's eyes turned blood-red, his face twisted with hatred as he howled and lunged at Li Yao, screaming in fury.
The rage in his eyes, the bared teeth—he looked like he wanted to tear Li Yao apart with his own hands.
He hated him so much he could've eaten Li Yao's heart raw.
The depth of his fury was clear to see.
But the more enraged and broken Ōnoki became, the more pleasure Li Yao's Wind Clone felt.
His breath slowed. His face trembled faintly.
He was in bliss.
But… it wasn't enough.
"Oh… by the way, I'm guessing you haven't figured this out yet."
That mischievous smirk returned to Li Yao's face as he watched the snarling, lunging Ōnoki and said:
"Your precious disciple, Shiyan, is one of my clones. So is the Fourth Kazekage. I often use genjutsu to suppress Huitu's five senses while the three of us… practice certain collaborative taijutsu techniques."
"The feeling…"
He tilted his head back, eyes closed in fond reminiscence, then looked down at Ōnoki again with a grin.
"I'll be sure to invite you to observe next time, dear sensei—so you can witness your precious daughter's true talent."
"Li Yao… Li Yao… Li Yao…"
Each time Li Yao spoke, Ōnoki repeated his name—his eyes murderous and unwavering, staring straight at him.
The veins on his face bulged and pulsed like enraged serpents.
Yet despite his fury, despite his bloodlust—despite the screams in his mind—Ōnoki's body remained paralyzed.
Controlled by Li Yao's genjutsu chakra, he couldn't move a single drop of chakra.
The gap in power between them was too wide.
"Oh, and I recall you have a granddaughter… named Kurotsuchi, right?"
Li Yao added, and Ōnoki's gaze froze.
Then he chuckled maliciously.
"Don't worry. Once she grows up, I'll personally make sure she becomes a proper woman. Oh—and I'm sure Miss Huitu will gladly help. Haha…"
Li Yao burst into laughter.
Ōnoki's eyes went blank.
And then—he cried.
Tears streamed uncontrollably from his face.
That sudden outburst stunned Li Yao's Wind Clone.
Wait… what?
That much pain… and you cry?
"Please, Li Yao! Do whatever you want to me—but don't hurt my family. Don't hurt Huitu and Kurotsuchi… they're innocent!"
"Please spare them!"
"Lord Li Yao, I beg you—spare them!"
Ōnoki was sobbing, snot and tears running freely, nearly kneeling before Li Yao.
At that moment, he was ready to give everything—just to protect his family.
"…So you've already broken?"
Watching Ōnoki's complete emotional collapse, Li Yao's Wind Clone frowned. Was this some kind of act?
It didn't seem like it.
Could he really be broken already?
That… would be disappointing.
He was the Third Tsuchikage—the man who had fought since the Warring States Era. And yet he crumbled this easily?
And he hadn't even gotten to the "personal demonstration" part yet!
Just the mental imagery was enough to break him?
Li Yao's Wind Clone didn't get it.
What he didn't understand was—after realizing his disciple and the Kazekage were both clones of Li Yao, Ōnoki now viewed Li Yao as something far beyond terrifying.
Everything Li Yao said, he believed.
So his mind snapped—his hatred gave way to desperate pleading for his family.
"Maybe… he really cares about them," Li Yao's Wind Clone muttered.
That was the only explanation that made sense.
"Sigh… boring."
Li Yao's Wind Clone shrugged, shook his head, and reached for Ōnoki's neck. He no longer had the desire to torment him.
He would simply let him die—drenched in terror and desperation.
(END CHAPTER)
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