Friendly Visit

The people of Iwagakure saw only a blinding white light bloom from Gigue's palm. The next second, a terrifying repulsive force surged forth like a tsunami, instantly blasting every ninja away sideways, while the Tsuchikage Building collapsed directly into ruins.

By the time Kitsuchi and the others were awakened by the medical unit that had rushed over, Gigue and the other two had long since departed.

Tsuchikage Ōnoki stared blankly at the ruins before him. Since waking up, he had not said a word. Worried about Ōnoki's condition, Kurotsuchi stepped forward and bent down to support him.

The moment she touched him, she noticed that Ōnoki's body was trembling slightly. When she felt his hand, it was ice-cold. Frightened, she was about to call for a medical ninja to examine him again, but Ōnoki stopped her.

"Don't worry. I'm fine. Don't cause an even greater panic."

After saying that, Ōnoki's already somewhat stooped body seemed to sag even further. He clenched his fists and muttered in a low voice,

"How many years has it been? This feeling of powerlessness is even stronger than it was back then. The village has clearly grown so much stronger, and I... sigh!"

Ōnoki let out a heavy sigh, seeming several years older. Kurotsuchi had never seen her grandfather in such a weak state. Iwagakure was unquestionably at its strongest point in history, and although she often seemed disdainful of Ōnoki, she truly respected her Tsuchikage grandfather from the bottom of her heart.

Seeing Ōnoki lower his gaze, completely consumed by self-doubt, Kurotsuchi changed her usual tone and said softly in an exceptionally gentle voice,

"Grandfather, you don't need to blame yourself. This enemy really was too strong. Think about it—if it had been Kirigakure or Sunagakure, they would have fared even worse against him