Iwagakure.
At the very last moment, Ōnoki ended up shouldering everything alone.
"Aaaaaargh! Stop, damn you!"
With only a few meters left before impact, he managed to hold up both meteors by the skin of his teeth.
Quite a few Stone Shinobi had already collapsed to the ground, basking in the joy of surviving the disaster.
Someone murmured.
"God only knows what we just went through in that single minute..."
"Is that guy even human anymore? Only a god could possess that kind of power!"
Someone said excitedly.
"Then didn't Lord Tsuchikage just rival a god with a mortal body?!"
Someone else snapped irritably.
"If you don't know how to talk, keep your mouth shut from now on!"
"We know you're praising Lord Tsuchikage, but anyone who didn't would think you were praising Madara Uchiha."
Up above.
Ōnoki trembled as he held up the two meteors, slowly flying toward the outskirts of Iwagakure.
For some reason.
He suddenly felt like a dung beetle...
Boom!
After using every last ounce of strength to throw the two meteors outside Iwagakure.
Ōnoki completely wilted.
His arms and legs no longer felt like his own.
"Owww... these old elbows of mine..." Ōnoki groaned.
"These old kneecaps... and my poor spinal discs..."
Seeing this, Kurotsuchi hurried over and supported Ōnoki, her heart aching for him.
"Are you all right, Grandpa? Let me help you somewhere to rest."
"No!"
Ōnoki braced his aching lower back, waved a hand, and spoke through gritted teeth.
"Take me to Deidara. I have something to ask that ungrateful disciple!"
Kurotsuchi said in astonishment.
"Grandpa, you're in this state, and you still won't go get some proper rest!"
"What could possibly be so urgent that you have to ask him now?"
Ōnoki said fiercely.
"You don't understand, Kurotsuchi. Take me there