Tsunade Bows Her Head and Admits Defeat, Konoha Unconditionally Merges into Iwagakure Territory!

Konoha, Hokage's Office.

Outside the door, there was dead silence. The Anbu and ninja who usually hurried back and forth now slumped against the hallway walls like frostbitten eggplants, too dejected to even breathe loudly.

The air inside had practically congealed into a lump of rotten fermented mud, weighing heavily on Tsunade's chest.

Several folded agreements lay on the newly replaced desk.

They were all "ultimatums" sent by Iwagakure.

Every corner of those papers carried a suffocating smell of sulfur, the lingering scent of battlefield smoke that had yet to disperse.

Tsunade sat in the seat that belonged to the Hokage, her golden hair hanging messily over her shoulders. Her usually radiant face had drained of all color.

She gripped her teacup tightly. The tea stains on its walls looked like layers of old, festering scabs, enough to make anyone nauseous.

"Still haven't made up your mind?"

Yoru had somehow wandered to the office entrance. A few traces of uncleaned black lime still clung to the hem of his black trench coat.

With his hands in his pockets, his leather shoes tapped against the floor.

His scarlet Mangekyō Sharingan stared across the battered desk like a pair of icy hooks, locking firmly onto Tsunade.

"This is your last card, Tsunade."

Yoru walked to the desk, casually picked up the stack of agreements, and rhythmically tapped them against his fingers.

"Either sign it and let Konoha's people live in peace."

"Or we bring the Susanoo outside in here right now and tear this building down to the ground."

Tsunade abruptly raised her head, her brown eyes bloodshot.

She clenched her teeth, her nails digging deeply into her flesh until beads of blood emerged and dripped onto the desk, spreading into dark red stains.

She did not want to bow her head.