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-EaterOfTheDead
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Upon hearing Aizen's words, Saki's expression darkened slightly, understanding his meaning.
Aizen reached forward and lightly pulled, causing a pitch-black rift to appear in the space before them, like a black sack slowly unfolding. Aizen took a step forward and stepped into it.
"Let's go. By the time news from here reaches Iwa-nin, let's look forward to Ōnoki's next move."
At this moment, Aizen's voice slowly came from behind the two men.
Hearing his words, Saki and Sasori tensed up and followed him.
The three of them gradually disappeared from the scene, which was filled with the pungent smell of blood.
Two days later.
Within the Land of Earth.
"Whish—"
Chaotic gusts of wind mixed with dust blew across the desolate desert, adding a hint of a murderous atmosphere to the empty environment.
In Iwa-nin Village, located between a series of rocky mountains, shadows hurriedly moved across the rooftops, their expressions grave.
From an aerial view, one would see that they were all converging at the central location of the village, on the high rock where the Tsuchikage's office was situated.
"Bang!!"
A dull sound echoed through the spacious hall.
Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, had a gloomy expression as he slammed his hand heavily on the thick wooden desk, leaving a deep dent on its surface.
The fine cracks extending from the edge of the dent across the tabletop seemed to reflect Ōnoki's barely restrained anger.
"Is there still no word from Nanli? Did nearly a hundred Iwa-nin under his command just vanish into thin air!?"
Ōnoki's sharp gaze swept across the Iwa-nin present, his voice deep and angry.
Given the current state of Iwa-nin Village, losing nearly a hundred ninjas was no small matter. Moreover, the strength of the Iwa-nin under Nanli's command was considerable.
For Iwa-nin Village, which was about to go to war with Konoha, this force could have been used for many other things.
But to suddenly lose such a force while pursuing just three Konoha ninjas who stole Iwa-nin intelligence was unacceptable to Ōnoki.
There was only one possible explanation for this: Konoha had planted a mole within Iwa-nin Village, who leaked the location of Nanli's forces, resulting in their ambush.
In this situation, Ōnoki couldn't help but feel enraged.
The Iwa-nin high officials below exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to respond.
"Ōnoki, there's no need to be so impatient. We just have to wait for the Iwa-nin who went out to gather information to return. After all, getting anxious now won't help."
At this moment, an elderly man with a dignified expression spoke up, his face also slightly grave.
The speaker was the Daimyo of the Land of Earth. In the Land of Earth, the Daimyo, representing the political power, and the Tsuchikage, representing the military, often participated in the discussion of major issues together.
Ōnoki and the Daimyo of this generation had a fairly amicable relationship, so the Daimyo was present at this meeting as well.
Hearing his words, Ōnoki slowly exhaled, straightening his back slightly. He placed his hands behind him and walked to the window, looking out at Iwa-nin Village.
Although he was very short, his small figure seemed capable of bearing the weight of the entire Iwa-nin Village.
And indeed, it was true. Since Ōnoki took over as the Third Tsuchikage in his youth, Iwa-nin Village had gradually grown strong enough to rival the once-dominant Konoha.
The Iwa-nin high officials below him also sighed in relief upon seeing Ōnoki's back. After all, not everyone could endure Ōnoki's sharp gaze.
"Knock knock!"
At that moment, urgent knocking suddenly resounded at the door of the meeting hall.
Hearing the sound, the high officials in the room didn't pay much attention, and Ōnoki only glanced thoughtfully out the window.
The Daimyo of the Land of Earth glanced at the door, then waved his hand, signaling for it to be opened to let the person outside enter.
"Creak!"
As the door opened, a figure rushed in, kneeling on one knee, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke.
"Reporting to Tsuchikage-sama, Nanli-sama's squad has been found. However, they have all been killed."
The newcomer's words immediately heightened the tension in the room. The Iwa-nin high officials below each tightened their expressions, exchanging worried looks, not daring to speak.
The Daimyo of the Land of Earth also had an unpleasant expression and remained silent.
At the window, Ōnoki slowly turned around upon hearing this report.
His face was grim, but instead of exploding with rage as the others had expected, a sharp gleam flashed in his hawk-like eyes, and he spoke in a hoarse voice.
"All killed?"
Feeling the pressure from Ōnoki's question, the Iwa-nin started sweating slightly, his voice trembling as he replied.
"All killed, not a single survivor. The incident took place in a red mountain within the Land of Earth. The battle was… extremely brutal."
His words caused the Iwa-nin high officials to furrow their brows deeply.
After all, the fact that the incident happened within the Land of Earth made the situation even more problematic.
As expected, upon hearing this, Ōnoki let out a muffled grunt, his entire body radiating a strong killing intent. His eyes glinted dangerously as he spoke in a deep voice.
"I understand. You may leave."
The Iwa-nin quickly withdrew after receiving the order.
At this moment, the hall was filled only with the heavy breathing of the Iwa-nin high officials and Ōnoki. A heavy silence hung in the air.
Then, Ōnoki swept his gaze over the people present, his expression rational and his voice low.
"You all heard it, didn't you? Konoha's blatant disregard for us!"
"They invaded Iwa-nin Village, stole our intelligence, and wiped out our pursuit force!"
As he spoke, his hand slammed down on the table again, his voice booming.
"Is Iwa-nin Village supposed to continue tolerating Konoha!?"
"Should we continue allowing them to collaborate further with Kumo-nin and eventually launch a full-scale attack on Iwa-nin Village!?"
"Since the war began, why has Iwa-nin done nothing, giving Konoha so much freedom to do all this!?"
Ōnoki roared in anger, and upon hearing his words, some of the Iwa-nin below lowered their heads, not daring to meet his piercing gaze.
Every ninja village had its own interest groups, and Iwa-nin Village was no exception.
Even though Ōnoki had chosen to start the war, some peace factions were reluctant to rush into it, preferring a gradual approach, or even waiting for a final reconciliation between both sides.
But now that Nanli's squad had been annihilated, they could no longer use this as an excuse to hinder Ōnoki's war ambitions.
Seeing them lower their heads, Ōnoki's expression remained grim, his eyes flickering as he spoke in a low tone.
"From today onward, Iwa-nin will officially start the war!"
"Remember, I want Konoha to have no strength left to send people to Iwa-nin. Even if peace talks are initiated, it won't be possible!"
"This war will end with either Konoha's destruction or Iwa-nin's disappearance!"
Ōnoki's words echoed heavily in the hall. Although the others were shocked by his declaration, none dared to refute it.
After all, at a time like this, anyone who stood up would be seen as siding with Konoha, and there was no doubt they would incur Ōnoki's wrath.
Seeing no opposition, Ōnoki turned to the Daimyo of the Land of Earth, who gave him a solemn nod of approval.
The Daimyo also nodded back in agreement.