The Grand Ming... Cough Cough Cough, Rock Hidden Splendor

A few days later.

The major powers of the Ninja World received the Youth-Preserving Pill one after another.

After conducting experiments, they all proceeded to use them.

In the Land of Earth, Iwagakure.

"Father, although it has been tested, for the sake of safety, let your son go first. Iwagakure can exist without Yellow Earth, but it cannot exist without you!" Yellow Earth snatched the Youth-Preserving Pill first, speaking with a firm tone.

"Yellow Earth, you..." Ōnoki wanted to stop him, but it was too late; Yellow Earth had already swallowed the pill.

Kurotsuchi was also horrified: "Daddy! Don't!"

Ōnoki gritted his teeth and said: "Hyuga, you had better pray that my son is fine, otherwise I will have you buried with him..."

"Oh... ho ho~" After taking the medicine, Yellow Earth let out a comfortable moan, as if he had just finished a sauna.

Shortly after.

Yellow Earth became younger, still a stout and honest-looking man: "Hehe~ Father, I seem to be fine. I feel full of energy now, super hyped..." He even waved his fists.

Kurotsuchi's eyes lit up. This is great.

"Really~ Really~"

"Quick, quick, quick~ help me get mine..."

Then, Ōnoki also transformed into a young man.

Well, young.

A young man.

Ōnoki roared with excitement: "Oh ho ho~ This is a constant stream of strength, this vibrant body!" He felt the power surging within him and was incredibly thrilled.

However.

Just at this moment, Kurotsuchi suddenly spoke up: "But Grandpa, you still haven't grown any taller."

"Didn't you say that you were tall and mighty when you were young, and that your back only bent from working too hard for the village?! You lied..."

"Boom~"

This sentence was like a bolt of lightning, causing Yellow Earth's face to turn pale instantly. He widened his eyes, looking at Ōnoki in terror, silently praying that he wouldn't lose his temper.

One must know that the issue of height had always been a taboo for Ōnoki; no one in all of Iwagakure dared to bring up this topic, as height was an absolute forbidden word in the village.

And now, this unlucky child Kurotsuchi had said it without any regard, practically stepping on a landmine!

Yellow Earth hurriedly shielded Kurotsuchi behind him, his voice trembling with nervousness: "Father, Kurotsuchi is just a child speaking without thinking. Please do not blame her. I will take her back and discipline her properly, punish her well..."

As he spoke, he desperately winked at Kurotsuchi, hoping she would realize her mistake and apologize.

"Hee hee~ Only liars don't grow tall, right?!"

The carefree Kurotsuchi didn't seem to notice the change in atmosphere, still looking at Ōnoki with an innocent face.

Damn it~ You unlucky child, stop talking! Are you trying to get us both killed?!

Yellow Earth groaned inwardly, wondering why this child was so reckless. It was truly a headache!

However, she was his own flesh and blood after all; no matter what, he couldn't give up on her. He took a deep breath, steeling himself, determined to protect Kurotsuchi no matter what and keep her from harm.

At the same time, he silently prayed that Ōnoki would spare Kurotsuchi for the sake of family, forgiving her unintentional slip of the tongue.

Even a tiger doesn't eat its own cubs.

Right?

"Yellow Earth~ Do you think I would lay a hand on Kurotsuchi, my only granddaughter?! Or would I lay a hand on you, my son?"

Ōnoki's voice was low and hoarse, as if carrying deep exhaustion and helplessness. His eyes revealed a trace of desolation, as if he were incredibly disappointed by the scene before him. Even the joy of regaining his youth was greatly diluted.

"Have we reached a point where we, father and son, distrust each other to this extent?" This sentence struck Yellow Earth's heart like a heavy hammer, leaving him unable to answer for a moment.

"Father, I... I didn't... I just wanted Kurotsuchi to be safe... I didn't think too much..."

Yellow Earth looked at Ōnoki quietly, his heart filled with conflict and struggle. He knew he should trust his father, but his real-life experiences forced him to be suspicious.

Power corrupts.

He just wanted his family to be together and happy.

As for the position of Tsuchikage or the heir to the village, he really hadn't thought about it much.

"Grandpa~ My dad is just an honest man, he doesn't know how to talk, so stop scaring him... He's already covered in sweat..." Kurotsuchi said with a giggle, looking completely indifferent. This boldness was worthy of the future Fourth Tsuchikage... compared to her, Yellow Earth was much less impressive.

Yellow Earth: "Sigh~ I understand?!"

Ōnoki sighed deeply, a flash of pain crossing his eyes. He understood that his son's worries were not groundless, but he could not accept such suspicion between father and son.

"I'm sorry~ Father, I shouldn't have doubted you."

After a moment of silence, Yellow Earth spoke slowly: "Father, I... I don't know how to face the current situation." His voice carried a trace of confusion and unease. The image of the honest man was firmly established.

"Dad understands~"

Ōnoki gently patted Yellow Earth on the shoulder and said with a firm tone, "Yellow Earth, no matter what happens, we are a family. I hope you can trust me, just as I have always trusted you. The future of Iwagakure still depends on us."

Yellow Earth gave a simple, honest laugh and scratched his head in embarrassment: "I understand, Old Man. I was just overthinking things. You're right, we're a family~" Only he knew what he was actually thinking.

Ōnoki smiled as well: "That's the spirit. If you have any thoughts, it's better for us to just talk them out..."

"I don't know what you two are talking about?!"

Kurotsuchi said with a grin: "Grandpa, Father, I'm going to find Big Brother Deidara to play, hehe~ I'm off~"

"How old is this girl, still so playful..."

"Yellow Earth, you should go too. Go back and rest early, and get some more exercise. Look at how chubby you've gotten, kid..." Ōnoki watched Kurotsuchi skip away with a chuckle before speaking to Yellow Earth.

"Understood, Father. You should get some rest early as well." Yellow Earth bowed obediently and rose to leave.

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, watched his son's retreating back with a flickering expression, sighing deeply after a long while before closing his eyes.

Stepping out of the Tsuchikage Building.

Yellow Earth realized his back was soaked through, and his mind felt utterly exhausted—it was all from the sheer terror of the encounter... When he looked back at the Tsuchikage Building, his gaze became incredibly complex.

What "the future of Iwagakure is ours."

That belongs to you.

What kind of "young village leader" stays in that position for thirty years?

You have the ambition.

I would have ascended long ago.

Now that you, Old Man, have regained your youth.

I dare not even think about becoming Tsuchikage.

I have a family now.

I am afraid of death.

I only want to watch Kurotsuchi grow up in peace, get married, have children, and live a quiet life. I ask for nothing else.

Old Man, I hope you don't force my hand. I want to be your good son, but I want to be a good father even more.

Thinking back to the past.

When he was young, Ōnoki had told him many times: Yellow Earth, I am getting old. The future of Iwagakure will be handed to you, so you must work hard~ Back then, Yellow Earth had taken it seriously, working desperately, taking on missions, and even risking his life in training to increase his strength, all just to gain recognition.

But the Old Man kept delaying the transfer of power.

He even purged all political rivals and forced the Jinchuriki Roshi away.

It was then that he realized.

The Old Man.

His desire for power was profound.

Whoever touched it would die.

Forget it. I'm not cut out for it anyway. I'll just be a good father and a good son, hehe~

Afterward, Yellow Earth resumed his usual simple-minded expression as he walked home, greeting the villagers he passed by as he always did.

"Father... forgive me..."

Kurotsuchi emerged from the shadows.

Her expression was also somewhat complex. Today's risky probe had indeed uncovered many things and confirmed her own suspicions.

From now on.

I'll just be a happy little fool.

That way, Grandpa will be most at ease.

Having inherited the power of the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, how could Ōnoki's sensory perception be anything less than extraordinary? Seeing this display from the father and daughter made him feel even more distressed.

In your eyes.

Is this old man really that ruthless? You even teamed up to put on a show for me, didn't you? This final scene was also staged for my benefit, wasn't it? Who among you doesn't know how powerful my senses are?

Doing this right below my office, hehe~

You two really are something. He was so angry he laughed.

While feeling pained inside, a sense of gratification also welled up in Ōnoki. These two rascals are actually quite cunning. When the day comes that I am no longer here, I won't have to worry about them being taken advantage of.

Iwagakure can be considered to have capable successors. It would just be better if they trusted me a little more.

These two rascals, rascals, absolute rascals~

"Sigh~" Ōnoki murmured, his tone devoid of anger and instead filled with a hint of joy.

An honest man could never be a Kage.

Good grief, this family has eight hundred schemes hidden in their hearts.