The Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
Unlike the open grief in Kumogakure, Iwagakure was now shrouded in a deathly silence—more oppressive and more unnerving.
The shadow of defeat hung over every stone building like a heavy leaden cloud. Even the usually rowdy demolition training grounds were frighteningly quiet.
Inside the Tsuchikage's office, Ōnoki's short frame hovered in midair. The posture he habitually assumed seemed unsteady now, and he swayed slightly. Spread across the broad stone desk before him were two emergency intelligence scrolls, delivered almost simultaneously, their ink still wet.
One had come from a covert operative in Kumogakure. In the briefest possible terms, it confirmed the shocking news: [Third Raikage A, confirmed killed in battle against Uchiha Ling at the Hot Water Border.]
The other was a frontline report brought back by a messenger ninja who had barely escaped the rout of the Iwagakure army. It was fragmented, but every word seemed soaked in blood and tears:
[Our army, numbering over ten thousand, successfully surrounded the heavily wounded Uchiha Ling in the designated area. However, the target manifested an unknown, gigantic, dark-red energy avatar (provisionally named: Susanoo). Its defense is invincible, and its attacks are devastating. Our army has been routed. Casualties cannot be accurately counted, but are estimated to exceed three thousand. Lord Kitsuchi is gathering the remnants and withdrawing.]
The two reports struck Ōnoki in the heart one after the other, like two invisible hammers.
Several Iwagakure higher-ups had hurried to the office upon hearing the news. They hardly dared breathe as they watched the little old man hovering in midair.
Ōnoki said nothing.
His wrinkled face, usually marked by shrewdness and stubbornness, was expressionless now, as if he had donned a stone mask.
Only his eyes, which had witnessed the vicissitudes of life, remained fixed on the