MTLNOVEL Chapter 358: Chapter 358
The Third Tsuchikage and the Third Kazekage stepped forward amidst the disbelief of everyone around them.
This was a battle of certain death, yet they chose to stand up of their own accord.
Everyone watching couldn't help but wonder, were they intentionally courting death? Had they lost their minds?
For Hui, this scene brought back memories of two others from thirteen years ago: the Second Tsuchikage and the Second Kazekage.
Back then, those two also stood up under circumstances where death was certain. They had chosen to face Hui head-on.
Now, their disciples had followed in their footsteps.
The similarity of this scene was striking.
The only difference was that the Second Tsuchikage and the Second Kazekage had done so to secure a future for Iwagakure and Sunagakure.
The Third Tsuchikage and the Third Kazekage, however, were doing so to preserve the last shred of dignity for their respective titles.
"As the Third Raikage, surrender is not an option for me," the Third Raikage declared, his voice firm, "Besides, there is still the unresolved hatred between us."
The burden of hatred he carried was vast, too great to be dissolved so easily. To him, surrender wasn't even a conceivable choice.
Even though he had been powerless and lost in confusion moments ago, his heart was now resolute.
"Though I believe this war is meaningless and have seen the end of the shinobi world, as the Mizukage, as one who inherited the will of the First and Second Mizukage, and as the person entrusted with their hopes for Kirigakure, I cannot accept the decision to surrender," said the Third Mizukage.
"Then let us fight. To die at the hands of a god, there is no dishonor in that for someone with the title of Kage."
His voice was steady, his heart already at peace.
The Third Mizukage had long prepared for this moment. After his death, he had arranged for the people of Kirigakure to immediately surrender to Hui and Konoha. They would embrace a new life, a future full of hope.
That future would undoubtedly be bright, though it would no longer include him.
Hui observed the four Kage standing side by side below, the corner of his lips curling upward.
"Is there anyone else?" he asked, his gaze scanning the remaining crowd with faint anticipation.
This time, silence reigned once more.
Not everyone was prepared to die.
Not everyone was ready to challenge a god.
Even Hanzo of the Salamander remained silent. He had entirely lost the will to fight Hui.
He wanted to step forward, to join the four Kage, but his heart restrained him.
After all, such an act required immense courage, courage he lacked.
Moreover, he bore no deep-seated hatred against Hui. There was no reason for him to fight a desperate battle.
"So, it seems there are no others," Hui said, his tone carrying a trace of disappointment.
Just then, another voice broke through the silence.
"There is still me. Allow me to experience the strength of Lord Mochizuki," someone said, stepping forward one step at a time until they stood alongside the four Kage.
It was a man clad in armor, wielding a longsword, a samurai.
This was Mifune, the General of the Land of Iron.
Though he held no personal grudge against Hui, he was the protector of the Land of Iron.
The Land of Iron was a nation, and Hui sought to destroy all nations in the world.
That reason alone was sufficient.
Mifune's emergence made Hanzo's body tremble. He, too, longed to step forward, but in the end, he didn't.
Because he didn't want to die.
He wanted to live to see the future awaiting the people of Amegakure.
His recent journey to Konoha had shown him that Konoha was the most beautiful place in this world, a place where people should aspire to live their lives.
The lives of the people in Konoha, that was the kind of life people in this world deserved.
Hanzo wanted to see the people of Amegakure live lives like that as well.
If Hui showed any discrimination or unfairness toward the people of Amegakure, Hanzo was ready to give up his life to fight for even the smallest sliver of hope for his people.
After Mifune stepped forward, a long silence followed.
"The Third Tsuchikage, the Third Kazekage, the Third Raikage, the Third Mizukage, and the General of the Land of Iron. Very well," Hui said.
No matter the reasons behind their choices, the fact that they could step forward bravely after witnessing the power he had displayed was commendable.
However, this was not entirely unexpected.
He had anticipated the four Third Kage stepping up. But Mifune's decision, that truly surprised him.
"Since you all want to fight, I'll grant you that wish," Hui said, dismissing the colossal Thunder God.
The massive figure that had blotted out the sky vanished, and sunlight once again illuminated the ground. For the allied forces of the world, it was as if they had been reborn.
The suffocating pressure that had weighed them down dissipated, but the confidence they had lost in facing the Thunder God did not return.
Neither did the fear and reverence they now held for Hui fade away.
"Except for Mifune, I share deep hatred with the four of you," Hui continued, "I know such hatred cannot be erased with a few words. I also understand what is in your hearts at this moment.
"So I will grant you your wish and give you the battle you desire. As the Third Hokage of Konoha, and as a god, I will send you on your way. That way, it won't dishonor you."
Hui's voice was calm, almost regretful. If it were possible, he didn't want to kill these individuals.
After all, for them to reach the rank of Kage, they must have exceptional talent and strong wills. They were the kind of people the world rarely produced.
But the hatred between them ran too deep.
And sometimes, such hatred could only be resolved through death.
Hearing his words, the four Kage set aside all other thoughts and focused entirely on the battle to come.
"This battle is something I've long anticipated and prepared for," Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, said, "I once thought I could take you down with me, but now it seems that's unlikely.
"No matter. Today, I will let the entire world witness the glory of Dust Release and the final brilliance of Iwagakure."
Ōnoki spoke resolutely and began forming hand seals.
His movements were deliberate, as there was no need to worry about being interrupted.
Even as his enemy, everyone held a deep respect for Hui.
He was powerful, his talent unparalleled, and he kept his promises. He loved his village and its people, and he possessed both ability and charisma.
He was a figure who consistently created miracles, a beacon of light leading those who followed him into a brighter future.
To fight alongside such a man would be an honor and a blessing.
But they were enemies, bound by hatred too deep to resolve.
And so, they had no choice but to fight Hui and meet their end.
As Ōnoki completed his hand seals, Hui could clearly sense that all of Ōnoki's chakra had gathered in his heart.
In this world, the heart was an incredibly dangerous focal point.
Any jutsu involving the heart was inherently perilous, typically forbidden or secret techniques.
Ōnoki had activated a secret technique, one that would claim his life.
In return, the technique granted him immense power, causing his strength to skyrocket in a short period.
A terrifying aura emanated from Ōnoki. His hair stood on end, blown upward by the sheer intensity of his chakra.
His expression was blank, his eyes glowing with a sinister red light. His chakra visibly enveloped him, and his small frame floating in the air now exuded the presence of a towering mountain, or a living demon god.
At this moment, Ōnoki's strength reached a super-Kage level.
Though not on par with the likes of Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha in their prime, he wasn't far behind for the duration of this technique.
This was his secret technique, a final display of his brilliance.
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