Hearing this guy's words, Ōnoki was horrified, his eyes widening in shock.
What did this guy just say? He actually wanted to go to the Stone Village and unleash that apocalyptic technique from earlier.
If he did that, wouldn't the tens of thousands of shinobi in the Stone Village die instantly from a single strike?
This guy was incredibly ruthless. He was absolutely capable of doing such a thing.
No matter how reluctant he was to submit, his heart was already leaning toward surrender. He didn't want to see the Stone Village destroyed, nor did he want to see its people meet a tragic end.
The man before him was simply too monstrous. If he flew high into the sky and unleashed that attack by surprise before anyone in the Stone Village could react, countless people would die before they even knew what hit them.
Of course, even if this guy attacked openly, the Stone Village's long-range weapons likely wouldn't be able to stop him.
This guy possessed an overwhelmingly powerful defensive ninjutsu—Susanoo.
The Stone Village had absolutely no way to fight back against this man. Thus, his choice was obvious, provided he didn't want the entire village to perish.
Struggling, he forced out the words, "I am willing to submit to you."
Kitsuchi looked at his father in his arms, who had actually agreed to submit. His heart was filled with agony and helplessness.
Who was his father? He was the Tsuchikage of the Stone Village, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, yet now he was doing something so humiliating.
There was probably nothing more disgraceful in the entire shinobi world. But he also understood that there was no other choice.
This guy was simply too strong. If they resisted, the Stone Village would be completely wiped out. His father was protecting the village.
Hearing this, a smile touched Ryōsuke's lips. He had indeed hit their sore spot.
"It's not that I want to threaten you, but honestly submitting to me is much better than having the Stone Village wiped off the map entirely, right?"
"Isn't that right, Ōnoki?"
Ōnoki lowered his head in resignation. Looking at the massive crater they were currently in, he could only agree. "Yes."
This guy wasn't just bluffing; he truly had the means to erase the Stone Village from the map.
If he stubbornly resisted, it could lead to the deaths of tens of thousands of shinobi in the village, making him a sinner of the Stone Village.
Thinking of this, he felt fortunate to have made this decision. Thank goodness he hadn't let his emotions get the better of him and fought to the bitter end.
Ryōsuke continued, "Since you've chosen to submit, the Stone Village should submit to me as well. What do you think?"
Ōnoki sighed. He knew clearly that this guy's goal naturally included the Stone Village behind him. He said, "Rest assured, my lord, I will convince them."
Ryōsuke was very pleased. "Excellent. With you, the Third Tsuchikage, submitting to me, the others shouldn't have any objections."
Ōnoki could only reply helplessly, "Don't worry, there will absolutely be no objections. If anyone dares to object, I will deal with them personally."
Having witnessed this lord's methods, he couldn't muster a single thought of rebellion. If anyone in the village dared to resist, it would only bring a severe crisis upon them. That was something he could not allow.
Ryōsuke was extremely satisfied with Ōnoki's words.
It seemed this guy's backbone was completely gone, and he was being very self-aware.
Looking at Kurotsuchi in his hands, he said, "From now on, your granddaughter will follow me. You don't have a problem with that, do you?"
Ōnoki's face darkened upon hearing this. Was this guy afraid that he would rebel after agreeing? Was that why he wanted to take his granddaughter as a hostage?
Truthfully, he was extremely unwilling. He promised, "My lord, I will absolutely not betray you. Please let my granddaughter go."
Perhaps he had been very defiant at first, but whenever he recalled today's scene and this terrifying destructive power in the future, he probably wouldn't have the heart to resist.
He felt that his spine had been broken, and his former ambition was gone. It was likely due to witnessing such transcendent combat power.
A guy like this couldn't be defeated by numbers or schemes. He absolutely shouldn't harbor any wishful thinking. If he angered the other party and suffered retaliation, the consequences would be dire.
Ryōsuke looked at the pleading Ōnoki. "I don't need you to question my actions."
Who knew if this guy would develop rebellious thoughts later on, or simply disobey his orders?
These were all highly possible scenarios. But with Kurotsuchi in his grasp, if this guy ever thought of rebelling or failed to follow his demands, he would have to consider Kurotsuchi's situation first.
Of course, he also wanted to raise Kurotsuchi, nurture their relationship, and eventually have children with her to obtain the gorgeous treasure chest rewards.
Hearing the other party's words, Ōnoki felt incredibly stifled.
This guy was truly treating him like a mere subordinate.
But he didn't dare to resist anymore, afraid of angering him. If their positions were reversed, he would have done the same. Betrayals were countless in the shinobi world. This was the only way to guarantee loyalty.
He figured that no matter how much he argued, he wouldn't be able to change the other party's mind.
Meanwhile, Kitsuchi struggled to move his body.
'Damn it, I can't even protect my own daughter.'
"No! If you want to take my daughter away, you'll have to get past me first!"
Ryōsuke looked at Kitsuchi and directly activated a genjutsu with his Rinnegan.
Kitsuchi's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed backward.
Ōnoki, who had been in his arms, fell to the ground, a look of pain crossing his face.
This guy had used genjutsu again, just like he did against his two subordinates earlier.
What a terrifying genjutsu—anyone who met that gaze would fall under its spell.
These eyes seemed to be an evolution of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Genjutsu was the hallmark of the Sharingan, and the Rinnegan possessed even more powerful genjutsu.
Could the Uchiha Clan be descendants of the Sage of Six Paths?
This guy had awakened the Rinnegan of his ancestors.
Of course, this was entirely his own speculation, but it might actually be true.
Now, there was truly no stopping this man. That devastating ultimate attack that descended from the sky was perhaps also a special ability of the Rinnegan.
And now, this Rinnegan's genjutsu was so potent. Although Kitsuchi's combat power was currently compromised, falling under a genjutsu instantly was enough to prove the sheer strength of the opponent's genjutsu.
Or rather, the sheer power of those eyes.
"My lord, take Kurotsuchi with you. Please take good care of her."