That evening, Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki finished his work and returned home from the Tsuchikage's office. At his age, he increasingly felt his strength and energy failing him. He had passed a shinobi's prime and begun his decline.
Although Ōnoki's experience continued to grow, he had to acknowledge his deteriorating physical condition. Even the Medical Ninjutsu of Iwagakure Ninja Village could not slow his aging.
Normally, this was when he should consider choosing the next Tsuchikage. Ōnoki was indeed older than the leaders of the other shinobi villages, and retiring early would not necessarily be a bad thing.
Yet Ōnoki discovered, to his dismay, that he had no suitable successor at all. There were plenty of exceptionally strong shinobi, but none quite met his expectations.
Ōnoki believed that a successor to the Tsuchikage title should at least master Dust Release. This powerful kekkei tōta could wipe out a thousand-man force in a single strike. With Dust Release at one's disposal, one possessed a weapon every bit as formidable as a tailed beast.
Only then could the reigning Tsuchikage stand against the leaders of the other shinobi villages. Without Dust Release, Ōnoki could not imagine how he would fight Third Raikage A or Third Hokage Kazemori Masaki. The leaders of the other two villages were less of a concern. One was likewise an elderly man, while the other was isolated overseas, and Earth Release countered the release techniques his village specialized in.
Of course, Iwagakure Ninja Village did have shinobi who could wield tremendous power without Dust Release. Its two jinchūriki were examples: one specialized in Lava Release, the other in Boil Release. Combined with their status as jinchūriki, either possessed terrifying strength.
However, Ōnoki had always remained wary of jinchūriki. They lacked the powerful Sealing Jutsu of Konoha Ninja Village, so