"That's it?" It came too easily, as if pie had fallen from the sky, leaving Onoki slightly bewildered.
His eyes widened in astonishment, still processing what had just happened. He seemed unsure, as if he couldn't quite believe it, momentarily at a loss.
Onoki scrutinized him carefully and asked again, "Can I really join? Is it really that simple? Don't you need me to do anything for you?"
"There will be an opportunity, but not now."
Uchiha Sogetsu smiled gently, reclining in his chair, hands resting on his knees, his gaze lowered with a golden halo.
His voice reverberated in the empty hall, "Time holds no meaning for the 'Spectator'. We simply wait patiently."
The 'Spectator'—that term again!
This marked the fourth time today Onoki had heard it.
His intuition told him this 'Spectator' wasn't the same 'Spectator', sensing a deeper meaning behind it. Yet, with the information at hand, he couldn't decipher it just yet.
"Forgive my impertinence. How should I address you?"
On one hand, Ōnoki kept his gaze averted, avoiding direct eye contact with this formidable presence. On the other, he carefully chose his words.
"Adam."
Uchiha Sogetsu once again took on the name of 'someone'.
After using it several times and considering it, it seemed fitting. After all, there were no Outer Gods in the Naruto world, eliminating the risk of unwanted attention.
"Adam, sir."
Onoki hesitated, adding the honorific title, "If I may ask, who are the other members?"
In the presence of such a 'God', caution was paramount.
Every word was carefully weighed, ensuring no offense could be taken. Each thought was scrutinized before being spoken aloud.
The members of the Twilight Hermits intrigued him the most—the ones whose identities he sought most earnestly.
The ninja world isn't vast, but it's certainly not small.
Onoki believed only a select few were fit to join the Twilight Hermit Order. He wanted to confirm this and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
"Haha, you'll meet the others in due time," Uchiha Sogetsu saw through his thoughts but brushed it off. "Their identities are secret. We use code names to protect each other. You'll have one too."
"A code name?" Onoki felt relieved. "Thank you. My code name will be 'Iwa (Rock)'."
His role as Tsuchikage was too significant. Choosing a code name suited his wish to remain anonymous. "Iwa" also hinted he was from Iwagakure.
"I'll inform the others," Uchiha Sogetsu's expression turned pained. "Our time is up. Ask your last question."
Though he had many questions, Onoki restrained himself. "When can I see you again, Mr. Adam?"
"Remember to tend the oil lamp," Uchiha Sogetsu smiled mysteriously. "Fate brought you here. We'll meet again when the time is right."
"It will be done," Onoki bowed respectfully.
As the Corpse Cathedral seemed to sink and he rose like hydrogen, darkness engulfed him again, like a surging tide. His consciousness drifted through starry voids once more.
After an unknown time, Onoki woke in bed.
The instant his eyes opened, he leaped up like a startled cheetah, floating in the air, eyes scanning the room sharply.
On the table lay an oil lamp, its copper rust covering it like a shroud. The flame within had long since extinguished, tendrils of green smoke curling upwards.
"It's neither an illusion nor a dream."
Onoki fixed his gaze on the oil lamp, muttering to himself, "So, will that future truly come to pass?"
He had witnessed a glimpse of the future with his own eyes. Though doubt lingered in his heart, the name Uchiha Madara, like a thorn from a nightmare, pierced deeply, leaving him trembling with fear even at the thought.
Those who hadn't lived through the era of Uchiha Madara could never grasp the terror that man instilled!
Thus, even with the slimmest of chances, Onoki was determined to prevent it from happening!
Onoki's eyes grew resolute, as if he was reinforcing his resolve, as if he was steeling himself, "Since you are already departed, rest in peace in the Pure Land!"
The following day,
As per their pre-arranged time, Onoki and Higashi Shibito sailed by boat, reaching the border of the Land of Water.
On the day the Third Mizukage perished, ninja swiftly spread the news. Kizuna Zangetsu, taking advantage of the chaos, allied with the clans and assumed control over much of the Hidden Mist Village's leadership.
Under the guise of interim Mizukage, he sought a meeting with the Tsuchikage to discuss future plans.
Watching the approaching ship at sea, Kizuna spoke in hushed tones, instructing the ninja trailing him, "Remember, our objective this time is to unite with the Rock Ninja for a surprise assault on Konoha. No matter what he asks, we must do our utmost to accommodate him."
Despite wielding considerable power, Kizuna Zangetsu's title still bore the qualifier "temporary."
It was crucial to note the Hidden Mist Village's intricate factional dynamics, particularly the influence held by the bloodline limit clans. Being nominated meant being subject to demotion.
Hence, every decision Kizuna made required the approval of these influential clans, underscoring the need for his directives.
"But what if his demands are too much?"
The head of the Karatachi clan frowned, clearly dissatisfied with his perceived weakness.
"Do we even have a choice at this point?"
Kizuna spoke in a deep voice, "Don't forget, even if we consider giving up attacking, Konoha won't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, anger evident on their faces.
As Kizuna had pointed out, the Hidden Mist Village had been pushed to the brink. Even if they showed weakness to Konoha, the other side might not give up on the enticing "prize" before them!
"We understand."
The Karatachi clan, leaders of the bloodline limit clan, reluctantly bowed their heads, despite their grievances, once they understood the situation.
Soon, the Tsuchikage arrived.
The short, elderly man floated above the water, hands behind his back, and approached the meeting point alone.
"What audacity!"
Seeing this, Karatachi Shinjiro's forehead veins bulged with humiliation. Through gritted teeth, he challenged, "Old man, how dare you show such arrogance? Coming alone, aren't you afraid we might kill you?!"
Kizuna Zangetsu shot him a glare, then spoke softly, "You all stay here. I will go alone."
Since the Tsuchikage had come alone, they had to show corresponding respect.
Kizuna Zangetsu stepped forward and controlled the water around him, raising him to eye level. "I am Kizuna Zangetsu, acting under the Mizukage's orders for this discussion. It's an honor to meet you, Tsuchikage Onoki."
"Where's the other guy?"
Onoki frowned, clearly displeased. "For such an important matter, they sent you?"
"The Mizukage was injured while sealing the tailed beasts some time ago, so he sent me here to discuss this matter," Kizuna Zangetsu said calmly. "Please rest assured, before leaving, Mizukage-sama granted me full authority to lead this discussion."
"Alright, since you have the final say, I won't waste words."
Onoki was too impatient to dwell on it. He got straight to the point, saying, "Fifteen days from now, the Hidden Rock Village and the Hidden Mist Village will attack from the east and west simultaneously. I will contact the Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Sand Village, and together, we will strike from the north and south. We must wipe out their forces in one decisive blow before Konoha can react!"
Kizuna Zangetsu, still focused on how to convince the Tsuchikage to ally with the Hidden Mist Village to start a war, was suddenly taken aback.
What on earth?
He had prepared many arguments, but now none were needed.
Why did the Tsuchikage suddenly agree?
And weren't there only the Iwagakure and Kirigakure before? What about the Kumogakure and Sunagakure being added so suudenly?
At that moment, Onoki sneered inwardly.
Uchiha Madara, huh?
Konoha, huh?
It's clear that the future will belong to Konoha, and Uchiha Madara will be revived!
"Hehe, the jutsu to resurrect the dead is created by Konoha's Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama!" Onoki's anger grew as he thought about it, his eyes flashing with fury.
"I want to see how Konoha will resist this alliance of the four countries. Uchiha Madara won't even dream of being revived. I, Onoki, guarantee it!"
********
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