Under Ren's superb skills, and given the short time they had been together, Ōnoki didn't have time to think much about it.
Especially when Chakra becomes unavailable and the body gradually feels heavy.
Ōnoki spoke with much more difficulty than usual.
"Hokage, it's all a misunderstanding! Iwagakure came with good intentions!"
Ōnoki couldn't help but be anxious; if he delayed any longer, Ōnoki felt he would die here.
Are the people of Konoha blind? How could they possibly approve of a madman like Uchiha Yushu!
After Ōnoki shouted at Ren, he watched as Ren raised his hand and waved.
The heavy pressure disappeared, and the Chakra within his body became active. He let out a long breath.
That was close!
The thought had barely crossed his mind when Ōnoki saw the anger on Ren's face vanish in an instant, replaced by a bright smile.
"Tsuchikage, I hope you won't joke about war so easily again, or Konoha will take it seriously!"
Upon hearing Ren's words, Ōnoki realized that he had just been tricked.
That's a master!
As Ōnoki became more wary, he also gave up on continuing to use tricks.
"Hokage, to be honest, I've come for my disciple. I hope you can explain why my disciple became a ninja of your Konoha?"
Seeing that Ōnoki was talking about things honestly, Ren also answered seriously.
"Tsuchikage, you're talking about Deidara, right? This goes back several years. I wasn't Hokage yet. When I was traveling in the Land of Fire, I met Xiao Di by chance. I saw his exceptional talent and brought him back to Konoha. Later, as we got to know each other, I learned about his background. But by then, Xiao Di had completely integrated into Konoha and didn't want to return to Iwagakure."
After saying that, Ren looked at Ōnoki with a sincere expression. His expression and eyes clearly showed that what he said was true and he was not lying.
Having just witnessed Ren's abilities, Ōnoki completely ignored Ren's expression.
A chance encounter in the Land of Fire?
You're kidding me!
Deidara, as Ōnoki's only disciple, was personally taken outside by Ōnoki, but he still received a lot of attention.
Ōnoki didn't believe a word of what Ren said.
"Hokage, if you continue to show no sincerity, then there's no point in continuing this discussion. When it comes to the vital matter of Iwagakure's legacy, Iwagakure is willing to pay any price, even if it means starting a war!"
Ōnoki stopped acting and calmly stated his attitude.
Ren was indeed spouting nonsense, but Ōnoki's last sentence made Ren very uncomfortable, as if anyone in the Shinobi World now dared to threaten Konoha with war.
After cursing Hiruzen Sarutobi in his heart, Ren spoke again.
"Alright, I won't beat around the bush. Deidara is someone I brought back from the Land of Earth, and it's true that he doesn't want to return to Konoha!"
"He directly acknowledged Deidara's origins, "Ren continued.
"The current Deidara is Konoha Ninja, and has nothing to do with your Iwagakure. As for the issue of succession that you mentioned, Tsuchikage, whether you believe it or not, what I'm telling you is that Konoha doesn't care about Iwagakure's succession at all. In your Land of Earth's parlance, someone who owns a gold mine won't waste time picking up a gold coin from the roadside!"
Regarding Ōnoki's biggest concern, Ren made it clear that Konoha wouldn't care about what Iwagakure.
"Finally, Tsuchikage, don't mention the word 'war' in front of me again, or Konoha will grant Iwagakure's wish and grant you war!"
As Ren finished speaking, his Mangekyō Sharingan activated, manifesting a skeletal arm that gently gripped Ōnoki without applying any force.
Ōnoki had completely forgotten what Ren had said before, whether it was deliberately taking Deidara away or belittling the legacy of Iwagakure.
Mangekyō Sharingan!
Susanoo!
This was Ōnoki's second visit to Konoha, but it brought back memories of his first Konoha.
Ren's Mangekyo Sharingan is similar to that of the spotted one, but the pattern is simpler.
Ren's Susanoo is different in color from Madara's, and its form is equally simple.
But at this moment, Ōnoki felt almost the same way he did when facing Madara—utterly invincible, and he couldn't even muster the slightest thought of resistance.
In Ren's combat system, the power of the ninja system has always been just icing on the cake, mostly playing a supporting role and enriching the means.
Time flies, and I'm really getting old!
Ōnoki snapped out of his daze and started making excuses for himself.
Ren placed Ōnoki on the chair, then deactivated his Susanoo, gathering all his power. With a smile, he narrowed his eyes and asked softly.
"Do you understand?"
Ōnoki, that old man, is usually smooth and worldly-wise, but when you really push him to the brink, he can really explode.
Ren had no intention of doing anything to help Ōnoki solidify his resolve.
One moment they were in purgatory, seemingly about to turn to ashes, the next they were in a field, feeling as if bathed in a spring breeze.
Ōnoki just wants to take a break right now!