They say a country cannot go a day without a leader, and for Iwagakure, this certainly holds true. The Five Great Shinobi Nations are like the "Big Five" of the ninja world.
Though Iwagakure is just a village, it's the entire military power of the Land of Earth. When you think about it, this kind of leadership—the head of a military force equivalent to a country's ruler—isn't so different from being a monarch.
After the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, was killed and his funeral concluded, discussions regarding the succession of the Fourth Tsuchikage began to stir in Iwagakure.
Unlike an imperial title that must be passed from father to son, the position of Tsuchikage isn't inherited so directly. While Onoki's most capable daughter, Kurotsuchi, had a legitimate claim to the title, both the Jinchuriki of the Four-Tails, Roshi, and the Jinchuriki of the Five-Tails, Han, also declared their intent to compete for the seat of the Fourth Tsuchikage.
After much tension, Kurotsuchi publicly declared that Iwagakure could not afford to endure any large-scale internal conflict.
If they fought over the Tsuchikage position, whoever won would still leave Iwagakure in a weakened state. No one would want to inherit a diminished nation. Therefore, Kurotsuchi suggested the three of them have a public duel, with the victor becoming the Fourth Tsuchikage.
After some consideration, the two Jinchuriki agreed to this proposal. First, refusing would imply a lack of confidence in their own abilities. Second, they genuinely didn't want to win only to find themselves ruling over the ruins of Iwagakure.
Today was, without a doubt, the most significant day for Iwagakure.
Many Jonin, clan leaders, and even civilians gathered to watch the battle between the three contenders. Who would ultimately come out victorious? What would the outcome of this match be like?
In any case, today was the day the Fourth Tsuchikage would be decided.
Kitsuchi, the son of the Third Tsuchikage, originally also had the right to compete for the title of Tsuchikage. However, his straightforward nature made him unsuitable for the role—a fact that was agreed upon by all of Iwagakure, including Kitsuchi himself. As such, he chose not to participate in the competition for the Fourth Tsuchikage.
Kitsuchi looked at his sister Kurotsuchi, alongside Roshi and Han, standing ready in a triangular formation. Once they appeared prepared, he finally spoke up, loudly announcing, "I hereby declare the competition for the Fourth Tsuchikage to begin!"
As Kitsuchi's voice fell, crimson chakra began to surge from Roshi's body. He instantly donned the Tailed Beast Cloak. In response, Han also released his Tailed Beast Chakra.
The two Jinchuriki both unleashed their Tailed Beast Chakra from the start.
Kurotsuchi, however, did not back down in the slightest. She quickly gathered her chakra, keeping a close eye on the two Jinchuriki before her.
Meanwhile, everyone in Iwagakure held their breath, their eyes locked on the battle ahead.
Who would emerge victorious?
Swoosh!
Just as the tension reached its peak, a beam of light suddenly shot down from the sky, as if piercing through heaven and earth.
Moments later, two figures appeared within the beam of light before all the onlookers in Iwagakure.
Sasuke, dressed in mature attire, stood with a single arm, a Kusanagi sword at his waist. Beside him stood Akira Uchiha, silently observing the scene, his dragon horns atop his head making him especially conspicuous.
"Is that... Akira Uchiha!?" As Sasuke and Akira appeared, everyone in Iwagakure was shocked.
Even Roshi and Han were taken aback at the sight of Akira.
After all, Akira had only recently come to Iwagakure to extort them. It hadn't been long since that incident. The entire village had been transformed into a lush green area by Akira—a significant change brought about by his power.
"Akira Uchiha, what are you doing here in Iwagakure?" Kurotsuchi asked, her eyes narrowed as she stared warily at him.
Everyone's attention turned to Akira at that moment.
Even Roshi and Han, who had been preparing for battle, ceased their actions and focused on Akira.
What was his reason for coming to Iwagakure?
As Jinchuriki, both Roshi and Han had confidence in their strength. However, Akira's power made it difficult for them to muster any will to resist.
Just looking at the green forest that now surrounded Iwagakure made it clear what he was capable of.
"My reason for being here is simple—I'm here to save people," Akira said calmly, making it clear that he meant no harm.
"Save people?" Kurotsuchi repeated, confused, as the others around her exchanged puzzled glances.
However, remembering what Akira had done in Sunagakure, Kurotsuchi seemed to understand something. "Do you mean the Akatsuki are planning another attack on Iwagakure?"
Her words sent a wave of shock through those gathered from Iwagakure.
On one hand, there was an undercurrent of anger. The Third Tsuchikage had already died during an Akatsuki attack. And now the Akatsuki were planning to attack again? Did they really see Iwagakure as easy prey?
On the other hand, fear gripped them.
The Third Tsuchikage had died at the hands of the Akatsuki. Who could stop them this time?
As news of a potential Akatsuki attack spread, Iwagakure's forces were filled with both fury and apprehension.
Everyone wanted revenge for the Third Tsuchikage, but the Akatsuki's power was terrifying.
"It's not the Akatsuki, but the attacker is even more dangerous," Akira said, shaking his head.
The first half of his statement provided some relief. As long as it wasn't the Akatsuki, perhaps there was hope. But hearing Akira say the attacker was even more dangerous left the people of Iwagakure stunned, unable to believe what they had heard.
Someone stronger than the Akatsuki?
Just the Akatsuki alone was terrifying enough. Could there really be someone out there more powerful than them?
"Regardless, thank you for your assistance. But your companion here, he seems unfamiliar. What should we call him?" Kurotsuchi asked, turning her gaze to Sasuke.
"This is my friend, and he's here to help. His strength is equal to mine," Akira replied.
His words sent another shock through Iwagakure's people.
How could that be? Someone with strength equal to Akira's? Akira's power was widely regarded as among the strongest in the shinobi world.
Could this stranger truly be on the same level?
"Is he just bluffing? Is this guy really as strong as Akira?"
"I doubt it. He's probably just being polite to his friend."
"Exactly, I mean, just look at the forest around Iwagakure—there can't be many people in this world capable of such feats."
"Yeah, I think with Akira's current power, even the leader of the Akatsuki would struggle to match him."
The people of Iwagakure whispered among themselves, most doubting Sasuke's capabilities.
Sasuke remained composed, ignoring the murmurs around him. Akira, however, shot a quick glance at Sasuke, amused.
Sasuke in his younger days would have been arrogant and defiant at hearing such doubts. He was known for his swagger and pride. But now, as a man in his thirties, Sasuke showed no reaction at all.
Fifteen or sixteen years old—that had been his prime for showing off. Now, at thirty-something, things had certainly changed.
As for Sasuke's strength?
Akira believed he wasn't inferior to himself, and that was the truth. With one Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and another Rinnegan with nine tomoe, Sasuke's power was undoubtedly at a "Super Kage" level—if not Six Paths level.
Considering his abilities, it was only natural to say he wasn't weaker than Akira.
Reaching the Six Paths level was rare. In the original timeline, only Sasuke and Naruto had briefly achieved this level when they were blessed with the Sage of Six Paths' powers—one gaining the Yin Power and the other the Yang Power. After the Fourth Great Shinobi War, Naruto's Truth-Seeking Balls were never seen again...
Regardless of what Akira was contemplating, with his arrival, the battle for the Fourth Tsuchikage was put on hold.
After waiting for about an hour, Urashiki Otsutsuki finally appeared.
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POWER STONE!!!
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Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 300+ at patreon.com/Emik01.