Iwa Shinobi Village.
Anbu from Konoha delivered a letter.
The message was simple and direct: go to Konoha Village at the agreed time to discuss the war compensation.
"Please tell the First Hokage and the Second Hokage that I will definitely come."
Onoki remained calm, sitting high up as he observed the Anbu from Konoha. "That short sword and your white hair—you're White Fang's son, aren't you?"
The messenger was Kakashi. His distinctive silver hair and the short sword on his back made him instantly recognizable.
"Yes."
Kakashi's voice was hoarse, and his emotions showed no signs of fluctuation.
Since his father's death and the incidents with Uchiha Obito's betrayal, Rin's suicide, and witnessing the higher-ups' cover-ups, he had become emotionally numb.
"White Fang's son is starting to shine," Onoki mused as he looked at the young Kakashi, reminded of White Fang himself.
"Lord Tsuchikage, do you have any other business?" Kakashi's gaze was cold, the pain of war having sealed off his heart.
"Oh, right."
Onoki leaned forward, his gaze intense as he asked, "I heard that your Fourth Hokage was assassinated by Danzo?"
At the mention of Obito, Kakashi's emotions surged, anger flashing in his eyes as he clenched his fists.
"What a pity; a once-in-a-generation genius dead like this."
Although Onoki said this, there was no hint of sympathy on his face—only a glimmer of schadenfreude. "If you need it, Iwa Shinobi Village can help."
"No need!" Kakashi suppressed his anger, his voice strained. "This is Konoha's problem; we don't need help from other ninja villages."
"Well, fine then," Onoki replied, somewhat disappointed. He genuinely wanted to "help."
After watching Kakashi leave, the man beside him, Kitsuchi, couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "Father, we clearly lost the war, but why do you look so unbothered?"
"Heh, why should I be sad?" Onoki smiled cryptically. "Even though we lost, Konoha didn't win either."
"Konoha didn't win?" Kitsuchi was confused, his face showing puzzlement. "Father, Konoha clearly won. Why would you say they didn't?"
"Did they win? Hahaha!"
Onoki laughed loudly, his feet slowly lifting off the ground as he gazed deeply into the distance. "You're wrong, Kitsuchi. Konoha didn't just lose; they lost very badly!"
"Father, I still don't understand."
Kitsuchi shook his head, looking confused.
"Kitsuchi, you need to know that sometimes, even if you win a war, it doesn't mean you've truly 'won.'"
Onoki smirked and continued, "The Third Great Ninja War has already severely weakened Konoha. The Uchiha clan was nearly wiped out, and their numbers have dwindled to almost nothing. For at least the next twenty years, they won't be able to restore their former glory."
After a pause, he added, "Considering the policies of Konoha's previous Hokages, that timeline is likely to be pushed back even further."
"I see now. I understand your meaning, Father," Kitsuchi said, quickly grasping Onoki's point. "That genius from the Uchiha clan is also dead. Konoha is currently lacking in talent. Even though they won the war, they won't be able to recover for a long time!"
"Exactly."
Onoki, like a cunning old fox, squinted his eyes and said, "Moreover, I just tested the response of Konoha's Anbu, and it was quite interesting."
"Interesting?"
Kitsuchi scratched his head, feeling that there was something more to Onoki's words, but he couldn't figure it out.
"Forget it."
Seeing his son's cluelessness, Onoki sighed in frustration. "The strongest things often start to break down from within. Do you understand?"
"Uh, I think I get it, but maybe not completely."
Kitsuchi lowered his head awkwardly, unable to meet his father's gaze.
Onoki was about to scold him further when he noticed an ancient oil lamp beside him, which had dimly lit up. His expression suddenly changed, and he swallowed his words, saying seriously, "I need to deal with something. Don't let anyone in, understand?"
"Yes, Father!"
Relieved to escape the scolding, Kitsuchi quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead and exited.
Once he confirmed that no one would disturb him, Onoki cautiously picked up the ancient oil lamp and moved to a secret room.
Taking a deep breath, he ignited the wick of the lamp.
Whoosh!
A blue flame flared up, illuminating the secret room brightly.
Soon, Onoki's consciousness detached from his body, feeling as if he were swimming in an ocean, passing over countless floating islands and sinking deeper into the ocean's depths.
Inside a grand and majestic cathedral, column after column supported the domed ceiling.
In front of a massive cross made of piled bones stood an ancient bronze long table, mottled with age. Shadowy figures gradually appeared in their seats.
The other members of the Twilight Hermit Order looked at the hazy figures, and Ōnoki felt a bit nervous, his eyes reflecting a hint of vigilance.
The others felt similarly, eyeing each other warily, trying to catch small details that might reveal each other's identities.
Everyone was observing one another, and they all silently agreed to keep quiet.
"Good afternoon, everyone," Uchiha Sogetsu broke the silence first, his tone devoid of emotion. "We have some newcomers here; you can introduce yourselves."
"It's good to see you again, Mr. Adam." Ōnoki bowed his head respectfully and then turned to the others to introduce himself. "You can call me 'Rock.'"
A code name—this was a good choice.
Orochimaru smiled playfully. "Rock? No hiding that. A ninja from the Rock Village, I presume?" He pressed his lips together, gazing at Rock meaningfully, and said, "You can call me 'Higanbana (Spider Lily).'"
Higanbana, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life and death, which was what he longed for the most.
"I'm called 'White,'" said White Fang, not bothering to think of a code name, he simply stated one.
"Paper Crane," Konan said after some thought, choosing a name that reflected her characteristics.
"Now that everyone knows each other, let's move on to the next item," Uchiha Sogetsu said, leaning back in his chair, relaxed and lazy, his tone light.
"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Adam," Orochimaru slowly stood up, bowed, and then sat back down. "A lot has happened recently, but I believe there's something you need to know."
Uchiha Sogetsu raised a finger slightly, indicating for him to continue.
Orochimaru took a long time to find the right words in his mind before he spoke in a deep voice: "The Fourth Hokage of Konoha was assassinated by Danzo and hung in a strange manner. His body was taken by an organization called the 'Aurora Order,' and the one who attacked claimed to be one of the three Saints of the Aurora Order, known as the Dark Saint. I wonder if any of you have heard of this organization?"
Such an intense start?
Onoki was taken aback, then realized that the 'Higanbana' might be someone from Konoha.
The way the other party spoke showed they knew a lot about Konoha and had no intention of hiding it, which was quite intriguing.
"I don't know," said Konan, shaking her head. "I've never heard of this organization."
"Sorry, I also have no information about the Aurora Order," Onoki replied, shaking his head. "If necessary, I can help you investigate."
"Ha, the Aurora Order?"
At that moment, Uchiha Sogetsu suddenly chuckled, drawing everyone's attention.
"Mr. Adam, do you know them?"
Orochimaru's heart raced as he looked at him with urgency and asked cautiously: "This Aurora Order is quite mysterious. According to what Konoha knows, it seems to believe in an evil god called the 'True Creator.' One of its members is suspected to be immortal."
"True Creator?"
Uchiha Sogetsu's tone carried a hint of sarcasm. "It should be called the 'Fallen Creator' instead!"
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