Onoki found himself in the most difficult moment of his life. He could feel the killing intent hidden within the figure before him—if his answer failed to satisfy this person, the cold edge of that blade would strike without hesitation.
Back during the Third Great War, this man's sword skills had already filled Onoki with dread. Years had only sharpened that blade further. With the agreement of the other four nations already secured, all he needed to do was utter those two words and every pressure weighing on him would vanish.
Yet those very simple words stuck in Onoki's throat. In that instant, the Will of Stone awoke within him—Iwagakure must not fall during my watch—even if it kills me.
Resolute, Onoki hardened his gaze and spoke firmly: "I…"
"Wait."
Minato flashed like a bolt of golden lightning, placing himself between Onoki and Anya.
He raised a hand to halt the imminent clash and said to Anya: "Let me speak with Tsuchikage-sama first."
Anya sighed softly, loosening his grip on the sword and giving a slight nod.
Unwavering, Minato stepped forward and said plainly: "[Transformation] has changed Sunagakure completely. Before I came here, Konoha had already been destroyed beyond recognition—and the one responsible was Pain, the visible leader of the Akatsuki. Now, Pain is dead."
Onoki frowned slightly. "What are you trying to say? Do you think Iwagakure will suffer the same fate as Konoha? Is that how you plan to force my compliance? Don't be ridiculous."
"No," Minato replied somberly, shaking his head. "Konoha has always meant the world to me. But after witnessing its destruction, I suddenly understood many things. As long as the ninja system exists in this world, there will never be true peace or order. During my recovery, I searched endlessly for a real path toward peace, but it seemed an impossible task. Wars erupt for the sake of saving those we love, and as long as love exists, hatred will always follow. Ninja become tools of this hatred, turning into monsters. Pain emerged from that hatred—destroying Konoha, killing my Master Jiraiya. But when I truly reflect upon it, it was really the chaos of this ninja world that destroyed them. As a ninja, I've fought against the chaos of this ninja world all my life—but clearly, I have failed. Now, I place all hope in my close friend, Anya. I believe in him. He can end the cycle of hatred across the entire ninja world."
Unlike Anya's intimidating presence, Minato's words deeply moved Onoki. After listening in silence, he finally responded with a heavy sigh, "Hm… Never did I expect someone so much younger than me could understand the ninja world so profoundly. What makes you believe he can establish a better order?"
Minato smiled faintly and replied, "Just take a look at Sunagakure after [Transformation]. Because of its harsh environment, life for its people has always been difficult—but that will change."
Curious, Onoki asked, "I've heard rumors about Sunagakure's [Transformation], sure, but can it really make such a difference? It's still in the middle of the desert!"
Sasori, pride evident in his voice, declared confidently, "The new Sunagakure, built under Sasori's guidance, will exceed your wildest expectations."
Anyang nodded. "If you're interested, we can depart together. I can get the airship ready anytime."
"Wait a moment," Onoki sighed. "I want to know your true purpose in unifying the ninja world. Is it really, as Hokage just said, to end the wars in the ninja world?"
"Yes. From now on, there will no longer be wars in the ninja world. I have that confidence."
Anyang had another unspoken statement—that the entire ninja world would cease to exist, and with no ninja left, naturally there would no longer be any Great Ninja World Wars.
After a fierce internal struggle, Onoki finally made his decision. "Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, the two of you should return to the village now. If I haven't returned in five days, Kitsuchi will be the next Tsuchikage."
"Father..."
"Tsuchikage, please..."
The two burly men were shocked and couldn't believe Onoki was planning to go alone—it was too dangerous.
"No more arguments. You know me well enough—once I decide something, I don't change my mind."
With that, Onoki walked directly to the conference hall entrance. "Let's go. I can't wait to see it for myself."
"Alright."
Anyang exchanged a meaningful glance with Mabui.
Within a short time, a massive airship had arrived at the conference hall entrance, and several Kages boarded one after another.
Anyang, who stayed behind last, called Yugao over.
"I've already arranged for someone to kill the Fourth Raikage. Just to be safe, you go too. But don't show up too early—go in quietly and take him out. If he inherited the Third Raikage's talent, both his speed and defense will be extremely formidable. As long as your blade draws his blood, it will be a success."
Upon receiving such an important task from Anyang, Yugao felt inner excitement and tightly gripped the Broken Crescent in her hand as she said, "Understood. I guarantee the completion of this mission."
"No, the mission isn't the most important thing," Anyang smiled lightly. "We are just one step away from the world I desire. At a time like this, I certainly don't want anything to happen to you. This mission is merely a training exercise. If you're unable to complete it, withdraw immediately. Prioritize survival—don't stubbornly engage in a head-on battle."
Since the days of the Anbu squad during the Third Battle, things had always been this way—that familiar feeling brought a wave of nostalgia to Yugao, and she looked at Anyang with shining eyes, saying, "Understood, Captain."
Inside the airship, Anyang said to Minato, "After being separated from your body for so long, how does it feel to be back in control?"
"Better than ever before," Minato could feel the abundance of chakra within him, and the Nine-Tails' power too. Even he couldn't be sure how powerful he would be in a full-force battle—definitely far beyond his strength during the Third Battle.
All of this was made possible thanks to Anyang; otherwise, on the day the Nine-Tails was sealed, he should've already died.
"Thank you for your efforts."
Anyang's gaze was sharp and piercing as he continued, "I've always regarded you as my good friend—there's no need to thank me. From now on, I hope you'll be my last line of defense."
Minato expressed surprise. "Last line of defense? What do you mean?"
"Absolute power brings absolute destruction. A person's thoughts change at every stage of life. I can't even be sure when I myself might change, and whether such a change will be good or bad remains unknown. Therefore, I need someone who can balance me, at least someone capable of pulling me back should I ever take the wrong path."
Minato couldn't help but exclaim, "Anya, you really are the clearest-headed person I've ever met. Thank you for trusting me. I'll give it my all."
At that moment, Terumi Mei approached with graceful steps and said, "Have you two finished talking? Oub, don't you have something to say to me now?"
"Mizukage, I..."
Before Minato could even greet her properly, Anya cut in bluntly, "Terumi Mei, my first wife."
"Wife?" Minato's mind became slightly confused.
Mei's eyes burned with killing intent: "First wife?"
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