However, what followed truly went far beyond Terumi Mei and Genji's expectations—the utterly unstoppable momentum of Iwagakure.
Most importantly, Uchiha Shōji's overwhelming power, capable of killing gods who stood in his way and slaughtering Buddhas who blocked his path.
Deeply shocked both Terumi Mei and Genji.
Later, when they reestablished contact with Konohagakure, they learned that Uchiha Shōji actually possessed the Rinnegan—the Eyes of God once believed to belong only to the legendary Sage of Six Paths!
While this allowed Terumi Mei to understand deeply why Uchiha Shōji was so powerful.
It was also because of this.
That Terumi Mei's heart was filled with gloom regarding the coming war.
In Terumi Mei's view, if Uchiha Shōji truly possessed power equal to that legendary figure's.
Then this war was destined to end in defeat.
How could mortals possibly fight Gods!?
Of course, despair was one thing, but giving up was impossible. Just as when Uchiha Shōji had personally come to Kirigakure long ago to form an alliance with them, Terumi Mei and Genji had discussed afterward that Iwagakure becoming the leader of the shinobi world was not a problem!
Kirigakure would certainly give its full support, but the final balance underpinning the entire shinobi world could absolutely not be broken—the structure in which the Five Great Shinobi Villages restrained one another. With Sunagakure destroyed and Iwagakure still refusing to halt its advance.
Kirigakure, led by Terumi Mei and Genji, had no room left to retreat unless they were willing to watch their own village be destroyed, and that was obviously impossible. Therefore, no matter how perilous the road ahead was.
Even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, or even less.
Terumi Mei would not abandon hope.
It was with this resolve to shatter like jade rather than survive as broken