The Tsuchikage walked silently through the streets with Kurotsuchi. Iwagakure had suffered major upheavals over the years. First, the village's Tailed Beast had vanished without explanation, then his most prized student, Deidara, had defected, leaving Tsuchikage Ōnoki utterly exhausted for a time. On top of that, as the Holy Church spread its teachings throughout the country, nobles everywhere had sent documents demanding that its influence be driven out.
But faced with the powerful Holy Church, Tsuchikage Ōnoki could only keep suppressing those demands. He had also reported the situation to the Holy Church's Embassy.
Yet the Ambassador-General in the Land of Earth had told him, "Saving the people is our mission. Nobles who take pleasure in torturing and killing commoners deserve to die. If the Tsuchikage intends to shield such crimes, then Iwagakure will have to bear the Holy Church's wrath."
Hearing that blatant threat, Ōnoki had almost flipped the table in rage. But the disparity in their strength had forced him to swallow his anger. "Can't the Holy Church stop killing the nobles?"
The Ambassador-General of the Land of Earth had said nothing, merely taking a document from a drawer and handing it over. "Read this, Tsuchikage. I believe you'll make the right decision."
Ōnoki had taken the document and read through it, holding back his anger. "Th-this is impossible! How could Konoha submit to the Holy Church? Has the Third Generation lost his mind?" he had exclaimed in disbelief at the declaration of allegiance bearing the Hokage's seal.
"Tsuchikage, let me make this clear. Now that the Holy Church has come to the Land of Earth, we will have absolutely zero tolerance for nobles oppressing commoners. Do not expect the Holy Church to change its stance on this matter. This is our bottom line-unless you intend to pit