Chapter 170 - Return to the Village
Although Ōnoki heard B's voice, the grim fate of the Kirigakure and Sunagakure ninja had already stirred an ominous feeling in his heart.
Instead of acknowledging B, Ōnoki pressed Darui even more urgently. "Speak! What happened to the Iwagakure ninja? Did you ambush them too?!"
Darui: ???
"I know where your Iwa-nin went."
At that moment, a gruff voice cut through the tension, saving Darui from the interrogation. It came from one of the Konoha shinobi—Jiriku.
Ōnoki's face darkened upon seeing the source of the voice. That ominous feeling in his chest only intensified.
But he couldn't ignore the safety of his villagers, so with a scowl, he turned to Jiriku and asked, "Where are our Iwa-nin?"
"Oh, them? Sorry! They tried to ambush us, but they were just too weak. I couldn't hold back and... ended up killing them all."
Jiriku scratched his head with a sheepish smile, but the words he spoke dripped with disdain for the Iwagakure shinobi.
Ōnoki, already on the edge of an outburst, exploded with rage at the taunt.
Fury ignited in his chest as he forgot all about Kazane beside him. He casually flung Darui aside, brought his hands together, and gathered a cube of radiant white energy at his chest.
Dust Release: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu!!!
Biu! Biu! Biu! Biu!
A blinding beam of light shot toward Jiriku from Ōnoki's hands.
But the technique's build-up was obvious, and its casting time far too long. Jiriku wasn't about to just stand there and take it.
He kicked away one Uchiha genin, scooped up two more who were too slow to react, and leapt back just in time to dodge the attack.
Meanwhile, Might Guy and Maruboshi Kosuke also jumped to the sides, avoiding the deadly Dust Release cube.
Pfft?
The glowing cube hit the ground, making no sound.
But once the light vanished, the area it had covered revealed a gaping pit that seemed bottomless.
Jiriku, cold sweat trailing down his face, stared at the sight in horror.
What kind of jutsu is this?
How could such a technique even exist? Not even Boss's Armament Haki could probably block that!
But Jiriku had never been one to sit and take a beating. With Kazane here, he feared no one.
After gently placing down the Uchiha genin, Jiriku began to showcase his superhuman physical prowess.
Though burly in frame, he moved with lightning speed. In an instant, he closed the distance to Ōnoki and launched a powerful punch.
Truth be told, Ōnoki already regretted acting the moment he attacked.
The Iwa genin had died fairly in the Chūnin Exams arena. Jiriku and his group had earned their victory according to the rules.
Especially with Kazane here—Ōnoki wasn't eager to provoke him unnecessarily.
But seeing their incredible agility, Ōnoki's fury rekindled.
These are genin?
Genin who can dodge Dust Release? And not just one, but three of them?!
Genin with such speed? Even most jōnin aren't this fast!
Realization dawned: not only had they schemed against Konoha, but Konoha had been plotting against them all along.
Now fully aware of the situation, Ōnoki had a flash of clarity.
But as Jiriku closed in, he made up his mind—to turn the tables.
Ōnoki knew Jiriku's strength firsthand. If he could eliminate him here, it would deal a significant blow to Konoha.
Seeing Jiriku getting closer, a confident smile crept across Ōnoki's face.
Let's see how you dodge this up close.
Earth Release: Ultra-Lightweight Rock Technique!!!
With a hand seal, Ōnoki's body floated unnaturally upward. He then gathered light once more, flooding Jiriku's vision with dazzling white.
Hovering midair, a sly smile tugged at Ōnoki's lips—until he noticed Jiriku... grinning too.
This guy isn't scared?
Such bravery before death... Konoha really is full of talent.
Out of respect, Ōnoki decided to end it quickly, so Jiriku wouldn't feel too much pain.
Dust Release: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu!!!
Welcoming Approach: Thousand Armed Murder!!!
Before the "biu biu biu" beam could fire, a golden punch suddenly slammed into Ōnoki's face, sending him spinning through the air. His technique missed wildly.
Jiriku's smile had nothing to do with fear—it was because the enemy was finally within his attack range.
He didn't care who you were. Even someone as skilled in taijutsu as Might Duy had to use Eight Gates to counter Jiriku's Welcoming Approach: Thousand Armed Murder, the first time they fought.
Let alone an old man like Ōnoki.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Golden fists rained down as Ōnoki's body flailed midair under the relentless assault.
But he was no pushover. After taking a few hits, Ōnoki quickly found a counter.
Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique!!!
Earth Release: Earth Clone!!!
His right hand morphed into a massive rock. Using his battle-hardened instincts, he blocked one punch head-on.
With the next blow, his body splattered into mud—just an Earth Clone!
Jiriku cursed internally.
Damn! A clone?!
But he couldn't locate Ōnoki, so he remained on high alert.
Suddenly, his sixth sense flared—danger! He knew this feeling well. It was the same one he experienced whenever sparring with Kazane.
It meant death was near.
He didn't know where the attack would come from, but staying still meant certain death.
Jiriku dove toward Kazane, yelling, "Boss! Save me! Someone's trying to kill your adorable little brother!"
Kazane couldn't help but chuckle. Just moments ago, Jiriku was throwing punches like a beast.
Now that he couldn't win, he was quick to act pitiful.
Still, Kazane had already been displeased with Ōnoki's earlier attack. Even if Jiriku hadn't acted, Kazane would've stepped in.
"Move!"
Faced with the terrifying Dust Release, Kazane's eyes lit up with rare excitement. A crimson glint flickered in his gaze as he placed his hand on the black blade Shusui and assumed an iaijutsu stance.
Ichigōryoku: Rō!!! (Single Might: Roar!)
His crimson eyes glowed as his body lowered, lips curling into a battle-hungry grin. Muscles swelled as Armament Haki wrapped tightly around his sword.
Just as the white beam surged forward, a black slash shot past Jiriku to meet it.
Dust Release: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu!!!
One-Sword Style: Iaido – Death Lion Song!!!
A blinding white cone clashed with the pitch-black arc. A violent shockwave and searing light engulfed the island.
The wave sent Kirigakure's support team flying. Only after Yagura reacted and cast defensive jutsu were greater casualties avoided.
Finally, the storm subsided—but smoke still blanketed the battlefield.
Just as everyone tried to clear the smoke and see who won, Kazane's voice rang out from the haze:
"Let's go, monk. Time to return to the village."
"Yes, Boss!"
Hearing Kazane, Jiriku quickly replied and led the Konoha genin after him.
Once Kazane boarded the ship, Rasa finally used Wind Release to disperse the mist.
Whoosh!
A fierce gust cleared the smoke, revealing the devastated island.
From where Kazane once stood, the island had split in two.
Not far from the fissure lay Ōnoki, missing half an arm and a leg—his condition uncertain.
But no Iwa-nin remained. Everyone was too stunned to help.
Over a hundred shinobi stared at Ōnoki bleeding out, frozen in place.
Only when Yagura realized Ōnoki might die and spark a war did he come to his senses and order medics to save him.
However, it was too late. Even if he survived, he'd be crippled for life.
---
At the Konoha Gate
Uchiha Akiharu, a chūnin from the Uchiha clan, was on duty today.
From afar, he spotted familiar figures approaching the village and rushed to greet them.
"Lord Kazane, Elder Sarutobi!"
That's right—Kazane and Hiruzen had returned to the village with Jiriku and the others.
With the Chūnin Exams ending in near-total losses for the other villages, they were abruptly terminated.
Their goals achieved, Kazane had no desire to keep playing along. As soon as they docked, he and Hiruzen led the group back home.
As for whether Jiriku and the others officially passed?
Kazane couldn't care less.
Konoha promotes its own shinobi. Other villages? They don't deserve a say.
After they left, a few interesting things happened.
Barely alive, Ōnoki was carried away from Kirigakure.
Meanwhile, Rasa and Yagura clashed with B and the Fourth Raikage.
Safe to say—after all this, the so-called alliance was dead.
---
Back in Konoha
Orochimaru had given prior orders: once Kazane returned, he was to go straight to the lab.
So Akiharu quickly approached and said, "Lord Kazane, welcome back. The Hokage wishes to see you in the lab immediately. He says it's urgent."
Though Kazane had been unable to train during his absence and was eager to resume, he knew Orochimaru wouldn't call for no reason.
He nodded and instructed Jiriku and the others to report in by themselves.
Then he vanished, heading straight for the lab in the mountains.
Afterward, Akiharu sent a genin to inform Uchiha Fugaku of Kazane's return.
---
At the Uchiha Compound
Fugaku sat in the reception hall, troubled by the situation surrounding Uchiha Makoto.
Though he'd spoken confidently in front of Orochimaru about believing in Obito, he had serious doubts deep down.
"What's with the Wood Release?"
It gave him a headache. He couldn't understand it.
If Obito had fabricated everything, why include something so unbelievable?
Everyone knew that after Hashirama died, no one else could use Wood Release.
If Obito wanted to lie, Mangekyō Sharingan alone would've been enough. Why mention something nobody would believe?
But if Obito told the truth... it didn't make sense either.
Makoto's chakra nature was fire. Even if his secondary was earth, he should've awakened Lava Release, not Wood Release.
While Fugaku struggled with this puzzle, the Uchiha genin arrived to report Kazane's return.
"Sigh... Why is Hatake Kazane back so soon?"
Fugaku rubbed his temples. Kazane was the last person he wanted to deal with.
Orochimaru at least reasoned through things—even when wrong, he considered political balance.
But Kazane? He didn't care about reasoning.
He did what he wanted, took what he wanted, and decided what was right. Try talking sense to him, and he'd just cut you down.
After years of interactions, Fugaku knew all too well how domineering Kazane was.
And it wasn't just that—he wielded absolute power.
That was the truly frustrating part.
---
Mountain Lab
Kazane didn't stop for even a moment after entering the village.
He reached the lab entrance and formed a Tiger Seal. The mountain wall parted, revealing a hidden path.
Without hesitation, he walked inside.
"Aaah! Spare me!"
"Please, I beg you—let me go!"
Before Kazane even reached the lab, he heard wails and screams echoing through the halls.