Kicking a Chakra Steel Plate

After the high-level meeting passed the resolution, Ōnoki secretly headed to Six Paths City with several elite Iwagakure jonin, without even notifying Hokage, Iwagakure's person in charge in Six Paths City.

In Ōnoki's view, this matter should not be publicized. The fewer people who knew, the better.

The reason was simple: Ōnoki felt that he would most likely lose.

Ōnoki did not think he was weaker than Hiruzen Sarutobi, but neither did he think he was stronger. Since Sōsuke could defeat Hiruzen Sarutobi, he could most likely defeat him as well.

Since he was very likely to lose, he naturally had to do his best to keep the news under wraps.

It was hardly a glorious matter for a Kage to lose. Ōnoki had no intention of passing on his position yet, and Iwagakure could not even find a ninja who satisfied him.

Until they entered Six Paths City, Ōnoki remained disguised with the Transformation Jutsu, as did the Iwagakure jonin who had come with him.

After entering Six Paths City, Ōnoki did not immediately seek out Sōsuke. Instead, he wandered around the city.

Although he had always kept an eye on Ninshu affairs, this was his first visit to Six Paths City.

After all, he was the Tsuchikage. He could not leave the village freely and had to remain behind to maintain the village's stability and oversee the bigger picture.

"These Ninshu ninja aren't nervous at all." Ōnoki observed the Ninshu ninja throughout Six Paths City from the corner of his eye as they carried out their duties.

He was not out shopping. He was gathering intelligence, confirming the atmosphere in Six Paths City and the state of the Ninshu ninja.

"Kitsuchi, let's go. We're meeting Sōsuke." Ōnoki turned to Kitsuchi, who stood behind him.

For secrecy's sake, he