Chapter 118: Ōnoki Understands—The Enemy is in Konoha!
That's it?
It seemed far too easy—like a prize falling from the sky—leaving Ōnoki somewhat stunned.
His small eyes were filled with genuine astonishment.
Still appearing bewildered, or perhaps disbelieving what he'd just heard, Ōnoki seemed at a complete loss for words. He cautiously looked at the mysterious figure and asked again: "Can I truly join? Is it really that simple? Don't you need me to... um, is there anything specific I must do for you?"
"There will be opportunities for that, but not at present."
Uchiha Kazuki smiled gently, leaning back comfortably in his chair with his hands resting on his lap in a relaxed, leisurely manner. His eyes, shimmering with golden luminescence, lowered slightly as his voice echoed throughout the empty cathedral: "Time holds no meaning for the 'Spectator.' We need only wait quietly."
Spectator again!
This was the fourth time Ōnoki had heard that particular word today.
His intuition firmly told him that this 'Spectator' wasn't the same as the ordinary meaning of the word—it must conceal some much deeper significance. However, with the limited information currently available, he couldn't properly analyze what that might be.
"Please forgive my rudeness, but... how should I address you?"
Ōnoki asked with extreme caution, keeping his gaze averted at an appropriate level to avoid looking directly at that terrifying presence while carefully selecting each word.
"Adam."
Uchiha Kazuki once again employed the alias he'd used previously.
He'd utilized it numerous times already, and after considerable thought, this remained the most suitable choice. Besides, there were no Outer Gods in the Naruto universe, completely avoiding any risk of drawing their attention.
"Lord Adam."
Ōnoki hesitated briefly before adding the honorific respectfully. "Please forgive my intrusion, but... who are the other members of this organization?"
When facing such a clearly divine entity, even the utmost caution seemed barely adequate.
Every word he spoke was meticulously considered, carefully weighed and examined to ensure there was absolutely no potentially offensive intent before he dared utter them.
The membership of the Twilight Hermit Order was undoubtedly what intrigued him most and what he desperately wanted to know.
The shinobi world wasn't particularly enormous, nor was it especially small.
Ōnoki reasonably assumed that only a select handful of exceptional individuals would qualify to join the Twilight Hermit Order. He simply wanted to confirm this assumption further to avoid any potential future conflicts.
"Hehe, you'll meet the others eventually."
Uchiha Kazuki saw straight through his transparent little scheme but didn't particularly care. He chuckled lightly. "As for their true identities, I cannot reveal them. They specifically requested that I allow them to conceal their real identities and address each other by designated code names. And naturally, you're no exception to this arrangement."
"Code names, I see."
Ōnoki breathed an audible sigh of relief upon hearing this. "Thank you for your understanding. In that case, I shall call myself 'Stone.'"
His identity as the Tsuchikage was far too prominent and recognizable. Being permitted to conceal his true identity naturally suited his preferences perfectly.
As for choosing the symbolically significant title 'Stone,' it was also part of his calculated strategy. This designation carried strong implications, subtly informing other members that he originated from Iwagakure.
"I will inform the others accordingly."
Uchiha Kazuki felt a sudden throbbing pain in his head as his spiritual energy began fluctuating. Knowing his time was nearly exhausted, he stated: "Let's conclude our conversation here for now. While there's still a moment remaining, I can answer one final question."
Although he still harbored countless questions, Ōnoki could only restrain himself for the time being and asked what he considered most critical: "Lord Adam, when will I be able to see you again?"
"Oh, and be certain to keep that oil lamp safe and protected."
Uchiha Kazuki paused deliberately before smiling meaningfully. "Fate itself guided you to encounter it. As for when we shall meet again... you will know when the proper time arrives."
"As you wish, Lord Adam."
Ōnoki bowed his head with deep respect.
Immediately afterward, the magnificent Cathedral of White Bones seemed to sink downward while he himself rose upward like lighter-than-air gas.
The illusory darkness returned once more, and surging mist completely swallowed him. His consciousness drifted weightlessly, passing through that mysterious void where countless stars twinkled brilliantly.
He couldn't determine how much time had elapsed before Ōnoki finally woke up in his bed again.
The instant he opened his eyes, he leaped up like a startled cat, hovering in mid-air defensively. His sharp gaze swept thoroughly across the entire room.
On the table sat that ancient, patina-covered oil lamp—its flame now extinguished, with thin wisps of smoke still rising lazily.
"It wasn't an illusion. It wasn't just a dream."
Ōnoki muttered under his breath, his eyes fixed intently on the lamp. "So then... will that terrible future truly come to pass?"
He had witnessed fragmentary glimpses of a catastrophic future. Despite lingering doubts buried deep within his mind, the name Uchiha Madara—like a nightmarish thorn—remained permanently etched into his heart, still haunting him with visceral dread and primal fear even decades later.
Those who hadn't personally experienced the era of Uchiha Madara's dominance could never truly comprehend just how utterly terrifying that legendary shinobi had been!
Therefore, even with only a one-in-ten-thousand chance of success, Ōnoki was absolutely determined to prevent that apocalyptic future from manifesting!
Ōnoki's eyes hardened with resolve, as if encouraging himself or perhaps solidifying a firm decision: "Since you're supposedly already dead, Madara... then stay obediently in the Pure Land where you belong!"
The Next Day
At the pre-arranged meeting time, Ōnoki and Kitsuchi arrived by boat at the maritime border of the Land of Water.
On that same day when the Third Mizukage had died, the shinobi responsible for sealing that devastating information—Hōzuki Mangetsu—had swiftly seized control of most political power within Kirigakure's upper echelons through alliance with various bloodline limit clans.
He then, operating under the title of Acting Mizukage, formally requested this meeting with the Tsuchikage to discuss the next strategic steps of their planned alliance.
Watching the approaching vessels on the distant ocean, Hōzuki Mangetsu lowered his voice with lingering unease and turned to instruct the shinobi who had accompanied him: "Remember our primary objective—we need to launch a coordinated surprise attack on Konohagakure in conjunction with Iwagakure's forces. Therefore, whatever demands the Tsuchikage makes, we must make every effort to accommodate them."
Although he had successfully seized most governmental authority, Hōzuki Mangetsu remained nominally only the 'acting' Mizukage in official capacity.
It was crucial to remember that numerous factions existed within Kirigakure's power structure, with the bloodline limit clans wielding considerable political influence. Since they had chosen to support him, they could just as easily remove him.
Therefore, every significant decision he made required explicit approval from the bloodline clan leaders—hence his careful instruction.
"But what if their demands prove excessively unreasonable?"
The head of the Yuki clan frowned deeply, clearly dissatisfied with what he perceived as weakness.
"At this critical juncture, do we truly have any choice remaining?"
Hōzuki Mangetsu responded gravely. "Don't forget—even if we intended to withdraw from conflict, Konohagakure absolutely won't relinquish this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to destroy us!"
Hearing this harsh reality, everyone fell into uncomfortable silence, traces of suppressed anger appearing across their features.
Just as Hōzuki Mangetsu had stated, Kirigakure had already been pushed to the absolute brink. Even if they demonstrated weakness or sought peace with Konoha, the village almost certainly wouldn't surrender this tempting opportunity!
"We understand the situation."
The bloodline clan representatives, led by the Yuki clan head, grasped the dire circumstances. Despite their deep resentment, they could only lower their proud heads in reluctant acceptance.
Soon thereafter, the Tsuchikage made his appearance.
A diminutive elderly man with his hands clasped behind his back, toes barely touching the ground, floated effortlessly across the ocean surface—arriving completely alone for the meeting.
"What incredible arrogance!"
Witnessing this display, the Yuki clan head's temples bulged with prominent veins. Feeling profoundly insulted, he ground his teeth together furiously. "That arrogant old fossil! Coming alone so ostentatiously—isn't he afraid we'll simply kill him here?!"
Hōzuki Mangetsu shot him a sharp warning glare before stating quietly: "All of you remain here. I'll go alone to meet him."
Since the Tsuchikage had demonstrated the courage to come unaccompanied, he needed to show appropriate reciprocal sincerity.
As he spoke, Hōzuki Mangetsu stepped forward, manipulating the surrounding seawater to gradually lift him up to eye level with the floating Tsuchikage. "I am Hōzuki Mangetsu. I come bearing the authority of the Mizukage to oversee this negotiation. It is an honor to meet you, Tsuchikage Ōnoki-dono."
"Where is your actual Mizukage?"
Ōnoki frowned with visible displeasure. "For such a monumentally important matter, they sent you as their representative?"
"The Mizukage sustained severe injuries while re-sealing the Three-Tails recently, so he dispatched me to conduct these discussions in his stead." Hōzuki Mangetsu's expression remained professionally calm as he added: "Please be assured—before my departure, the Mizukage granted me complete authority to lead all aspects of this negotiation process."
"Very well. Since you possess full authority, I won't waste additional time with pleasantries."
Ōnoki, unwilling to waste precious time or overthink the situation, cut directly to the core issue: "Fifteen days from now, Iwagakure and Kirigakure will launch simultaneous attacks from east and west. Meanwhile, I'll establish contact with Kumogakure and Sunagakure to execute a coordinated pincer assault from north and south. We must annihilate Konoha's forces before they can properly organize their defensive response!"
Hōzuki Mangetsu—whose mind had still been occupied with carefully prepared arguments to persuade the notoriously cunning Tsuchikage to agree to joint warfare with Kirigakure—suddenly froze completely.
What the hell?!
All his meticulously prepared negotiating points were rendered utterly useless! How could Ōnoki suddenly agree so readily?!
Moreover, hadn't the previous intelligence indicated only Iwagakure and Kirigakure would participate?!
What about involving the Raikage and Kazekage?!
At this precise moment, Ōnoki sneered internally with cold satisfaction.
Uchiha Madara, is it?
Konoha, is it?
Even a complete fool could deduce that Konohagakure would inevitably be responsible for Uchiha Madara's resurrection!
"Hmph! Only the Second Hokage of Konoha—Tobirama Senju—possessed the forbidden jutsu capable of resurrecting the dead!" Ōnoki's rage intensified progressively, his eyes blazing with righteous fury. "I'll demonstrate exactly what Konoha can accomplish against an alliance of four great nations! Uchiha Madara—you will NOT be resurrected! I, Ōnoki of Both Scales, swear it!"
[End of Chapter 118]
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