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"How… how could this be?!"
Qianyu spoke. The color drained from Nawaki's face.
"You… all of you…!"
Nawaki's eyes were bloodshot as he stared ahead. No one met his gaze. One by one, the Konoha ninja looked away.
None of them had thought the higher-ups would actually compromise with the enemy. But now that it had happened, their will to fight to the death had drained away. They just… accepted it. Silently.
"Ah… so that's how it is." Kosuke let out a heavy sigh. He took two quiet steps forward. His frame wasn't large, but it stood firm between Nawaki and Qianyu.
"How touching."
Ōnoki's figure slowly levitated. He drifted leisurely over the Konoha formation, inspecting them like they were his own troops on parade.
Damn it…
Many Konoha shinobi tightened their grips on their weapons. Shame twisted their faces. They gritted their teeth. Held back the urge to strike.
The order had come down from the top. These three were being recalled. What could they do?
Start a fight for pride? Get their comrades killed alongside these three? A worthless, meaningless death?
Hooooom.
The pressure rolled off Ōnoki. A tangible, crushing wave. It grew stronger as he closed in, crashing over the three like a tidal wave.
Gulp.
Qianyu swallowed hard. His heart felt like a giant hand squeezed it. Breathing became a struggle.
This… this is a Kage-level presence? This isn't just an aura, it's physical weight. It crushes any thought of resistance!
With his current strength, fighting a Kage was impossible. Even escaping was a pipe dream.
"So… is this checkmate?" Qianyu murmured. The gap was too vast. He couldn't see any way out.
"So, you three killed Kuugo?"
Soon, Ōnoki hovered before them. His gaze swept down, inspecting them.
"Tsk, tsk. Two brats and a cripple. How is an old man like me supposed to deal with you?" Ōnoki stroked his beard, feigning difficulty. "How about this? I'll use just one technique. If you survive, I'll let you go. Fair?"
Idiot. You think you're funny? Qianyu cursed inwardly.
"Pfft… hahaha!"
The trio stood silent. Ōnoki scoffed, waving a hand. "So serious! I was just joking, you know. As the leader of a village, I can't go around bullying youngsters. Bad for my reputation."
He paused, pretending to think. "Alright. A life for a life. Choose one of you to die for my nephew. I'll let the other two go. Fair, right?"
Just… one?
Nawaki glanced back at Qianyu and Kosuke. Then he stepped forward, resolution hardening his features. "I killed your nephew! I did it, so come at me! Just me!"
They were in this mess because of his stupidity. If his life could buy Qianyu and Kosuke a chance to live? That was a bargain.
"Let it be me. You're both still young. Live. Live well." Kosuke's arm shot out, pulling Nawaki behind him once more. He stood in front again, a shield.
Qianyu closed his eyes, pain in his voice. "Nawaki. Kosuke-senpai. Stop. Both of you, just stop."
Watching their struggle, Ōnoki raised an arm to his eye, pretending to wipe a tear. "So moving. Your sincere bond brings a tear to this old man's eye."
"He's not—"
Qianyu's eyes snapped open. He pointed at Ōnoki, fury burning. "He's playing with us! He never had any intention of letting any of us go! Not from the start!"
Nawaki gave a bitter smile. "I know, Qianyu. I know. But… what if? What if he…"
"There is no 'what if'!" Qianyu and Ōnoki spoke in unison.
"To keep your nerve under a Kage's pressure… I'll give you some credit for that." The last trace of a smile vanished from Ōnoki's face. The wrinkles on his aged face folded into a grotesque, malicious mask. A demon from hell.
"You guessed right. I am playing with you. As a reward… I'll send you on your way ahead of schedule." His eyes passed over each of them, one by one. His voice was a dry, rasping verdict.
"All three of you will join my nephew in the afterlife."
…
Meanwhile, Central Land of Rain.
Tsunade had just disengaged from one battlefield. In the brief moment before heading to the next, she used a summoning technique to get remote intelligence.
Two messages made her freeze in her tracks. Her face drained of color.
"Nawaki and Qianyu are in danger! Jiraiya, we have to head back to the southern front. Now!" She looked at her bewildered teammates, urgency blazing in her eyes.
"Tsunade, you can't!" Jiraiya grabbed her arm as she tried to turn. Under her shocked gaze, he slowly shook his head. "The next stronghold is critical for Konoha. We… we can't just abandon it."
"Konoha? Screw Konoha!" For the first time in her life, Tsunade swore. She wrenched her arm free. Reached up. Grabbed the forehead protector on her brow. With a sharp CRUNCH of straining metal, her slender fingers crushed the steel Konoha insignia into a misshapen lump.
"If Qianyu and Nawaki die, I'll defect! Let someone else protect this damned village! I'm done!" She hurled the ruined protector to the ground.
"Tsunade, don't be reckless! The bigger picture matters!" Jiraiya's face changed as he looked at the protector on the dirt. He tried to reason with her.
But then, Orochimaru, who had been silent, stepped to Tsunade's side. "I'll go back with you, Tsunade."
"Tsunade! Orochimaru! You…!" Seeing both comrades now standing opposite him, Jiraiya's expression hardened completely.
"Jiraiya. One last time. Are you coming with us or not?" Tsunade's patience was gone. Her voice was ice.
"…Go. I will hold the forward stronghold for Konoha." After a brief silence, Jiraiya's voice was firm, his gaze resolute.
It was true Jiraiya loved Tsunade. But in his heart, Konoha came first. Far before her.
Otherwise, in another story, he would never have said to her: 'If you ever betray the village… I will kill you with my own hands.'
"Maybe I'm the one being too selfish… Orochimaru, let's go." Tsunade gave Jiraiya one last, deep look. Then she turned, Orochimaru at her side.
Jiraiya, too, quickened his pace, heading toward the enemy stronghold.
Everyone moved forward. No one looked back.
…
Back to the southern battlefield.
"Dust Release: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu!"
High above, Ōnoki brought his hands together. A small, translucent cube shimmered between his palms.
Seeing it, Qianyu's heart turned to ash.
"No way… just to deal with the three of us, you're using that technique?" He laughed bitterly inside.
This single Dust Release would erase them from existence at the molecular level. Even if he had a "Back from Death" card up his sleeve… it was useless. No way out.
"Ah… what a pity." Qianyu sighed, watching the shimmering cube.
He had a system. A future full of potential.
Who would have thought? His life had just begun to get exciting.
And now it was about to end?
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