So when he saw Zhang Chong arrive at their village, he grew extremely nervous.
After all, if Uchiha Yin had appeared here, it almost certainly meant his father and the others had failed.
And if that was the case, Iwagakure was in danger.
Ōnoki saw the hope on Kitsuchi's face and found it hard to speak.
But the more conflicted Ōnoki looked, the stronger the unease in Kitsuchi's heart grew.
Kitsuchi grabbed Ōnoki's clothes in a panic. "Father, what happened?"
Ōnoki swallowed and turned slightly to look at him. "Kitsuchi, have Kurotsuchi pack her things and come see me in a little while."
With that, Ōnoki turned to leave.
Kitsuchi stared at him blankly, as though he hadn't understood a word.
Two or three seconds later, he caught up in two strides and seized Ōnoki's clothes so hard he nearly tore his sleeve.
"Father, what are you sending Kurotsuchi away for?"
The despair on Kitsuchi's face made Ōnoki's heart ache.
After all, Kurotsuchi was his only granddaughter, and he had always doted on her.
Even when she mischievously called him an old man to his face, he never got angry.
So when Ōnoki decided to send her to Konoha, he felt as though his heart were breaking.
Ōnoki wrenched Kitsuchi's hand away.
Without looking back, he said, "Kurotsuchi is important, but what about all the Ninja of Iwagakure?"
By the end, Ōnoki was nearly shouting.
Kitsuchi froze, his head dropping heavily.
Several minutes passed before he slowly turned to leave. "Father, I understand."
Ōnoki watched his son's defeated figure retreat.
His heart ached. Seeing the look in his eyes, the ninja beside him couldn't help saying, "Lord Tsuchikage, I think we could try to fight!"
Ōnoki's face instantly darkened. "Have you forgotten how the Raikage died?"
The Ninja beside the