Iwagakure.
The village had been built among the mountains, and after years of work by generations of Iwa Shinobi, the surrounding mountains had become a natural barrier.
"A natural stronghold."
This described the surrounding mountains that stood like walls, and also expressed their confidence in the sense of security those mountains gave Iwagakure.
Since early that morning, Ōnoki, who lived in an underground chamber in Iwagakure, had been restless, an ominous premonition hanging over his heart.
Through the deeply recessed window, Ōnoki could see beyond the "natural stronghold" to an endless rocky plain.
Why hasn't that boy Kitsuchi come today yet?!
Ōnoki floated awkwardly in the air. The permanent injuries Takahashi Yū had inflicted on him all those years ago were getting worse.
He could no longer bear sitting in a wheelchair. Only by floating with the Light-Weight Rock Technique could he ease his aching body a little.
A faint sound came from the thick layer of rock overhead.
Finally!
Ōnoki thought to himself as he slowly floated toward the soft layer of rock deliberately left in the underground chamber.
After several rounds of complicated coded exchanges, Kitsuchi finally emerged from the relatively soft "ceiling."
"Dad!"
Kitsuchi called out the moment his head emerged, unable to contain himself, his panic plain on his face.
"What are you panicking for?!"
"How can you be Tsuchikage when you're so reckless?!"
Ōnoki had lost count of how many times he had scolded him out of frustration at his failings.
"At least you deserve some praise this time. You didn't just jump straight down. You remembered to exchange the codes."
Hearing Ōnoki's words, Kitsuchi pursed his lips. Who had said last time that he would disown him if he didn't exchange the codes?
With practiced ease, Ōnoki snatched the document from Kitsuchi's arms.
*Let