Chapters 58 and 59 have been significantly revised; those who haven't read them can go back and take a look.
training ground
"I believe you already know why I summoned you here, don't you?"
Ōnoki looked at the twelve people in front of him and spoke.
"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage!"
"Um."
Everyone spoke up, except for Roshi.
Roshi didn't come here because of Ōnoki; he was simply doing it for the village's benefit.
"Now that we've decided, let's try them one by one."
Ōnoki gave Didaze a look, and Didaze picked up the Exploding Blade Shibuki first.
" The Explosion Release Corps, take a step forward!"
Didaze took out his Exploding Blade Shibuki and spoke to the crowd.
The eight members of the Explosion Release Corps took a step forward in unison, each looking at the Exploding Blade Shibuki with longing on their faces.
They could sense that they could use the Exploding Blade Shibuki, but the intensity of its use would vary among the eight individuals.
"Whoever can unleash its greatest power will wield this sword."
After Ōnoki finished speaking, Didaze threw the Exploding Blade Shibuki to the Explosion Release Corps.
The first thing I tried was sand. Although I could use the Exploding Blade Shibuki, its strength wasn't very good.
Several others tried it as well, but in the end only Kari and Sekido, the oldest among them, were the strongest at using the Exploding Blade Shibuki.
Because Gari was younger than Sekido, Ōnoki made the decision to give the Exploding Blade Shibuki to Gari.
" Kabutowari, you two try it."
Didaze took out Kabutowari. This knife was primarily heavy, and it could not be used without sufficient strength.
However, the Kabutowari Chakra without chakra is only slightly heavier than a regular Ninja Blade, but it becomes much heavier after being infused with Chakra!
"A blunt knife isn't as heavy as people say when it comes to cutting with it."
Kitsuchi picked up Kabutowari and injected Chakra into it, then used the Kabutowari as if it were a toy.
"You and Han have a match."
Ōnoki planned to have Kitsuchi and Han fight each other to see how powerful the Kabutowari was.
"I'll go then!"
Kitsuchi picked up Kabutowari and walked towards Han.
" Steam Mode!"
Steam rose from Han's body as he cautiously stared at the Kitsuchi.
The Kitsuchi shook the small iron hammer on the Kabutowari, then slowly approached.
Han, his body steaming, slammed his fist into the Kitsuchi!
His fist struck the Kitsuchi, but Han's arm was also hit by the hammer.
However, Han possessed the Tailed Beast Chakra and quickly repaired his injured arm.
Then Han began to move at high speed, and when he found an opening, he punched the Kitsuchi!
"I'm not fighting anymore!"
Using the Kabutowari on Kitsuchi is too cumbersome, and he is known for his Earth Release rather than his Taijutsu.
If he takes a Kabutowari, he won't be able to use Earth Release.
" Kōdo, you give it a try."
After Kitsuchi put down the Kabutowari, Ōnoki called out to Kōdo.
"Um."
Kōdo picked up Kabutowari, then faced Han directly.
Let's begin!
At Ōnoki's command, Han began to move at high speed.
" Steel Release!"
Kōdo also activated Steel Release, and with the support of Steel Release, Han's fists were completely unable to break through Kōdo's defense!
If Han were to force a full-scale attack, the Kabutowari would block his advance.
Kōdo, wielding his Kabutowari, was like a war god, relying on his unparalleled defensive capabilities to only attack and never defend.
He shook the hammer with one hand, while using the other to smash the axe at Han.
If they missed, they would pull the target back and keep hitting it, while Han couldn't get close at all, and even if he did, his Steel Release would be used to defend against it.
"Stop!"
Ōnoki, seeing that Han was completely at a loss, nodded in satisfaction.
The combination of Steel Release Kabutowari is indeed unbeatable in defense, and with its immense strength, it is also formidable in attack.
The only downside might be its slow movement speed.
But this doesn't matter much. After all, if Kōdo are on the battlefield, they'll mostly be at the front lines. They don't need to run around; being able to withstand attacks and fight is already a good thing.
"Once Kabutowari, it's yours."
Ōnoki nodded in satisfaction, and then Didaze picked up the last Ninja Blade.
"Who goes first, you or Roshi?"
Ōnoki looked at the two Jinchūriki from Iwagakure and asked.
"I don't need it. I haven't reconciled with the Four-Tails yet, and it wouldn't be as good as Han's for me."
Roshi knew he was no match for Han, so he didn't bother trying.
"Then Han will take it, but we need a goal..."
Ōnoki looked at Roshi, the meaning of which was self-evident.
"You want me to release the Four-Tails? Are you sure?"
Roshi asked, somewhat surprised.
Although he and Ōnoki don't get along, he wouldn't release Tailed Beast simply to get revenge on Ōnoki.
"It's alright, there are so many people here, even if the Four-Tails comes out, it will be beaten back."
Didaze said with a smile.
"If you think it's okay, then let's go."
Roshi lifted his clothes and then pressed his stomach.
Roshi quickly transformed into a gigantic, fully-formed Four-Tails!
"Roar!"
As soon as the Four-Tails appeared, it pounded its chest and roared angrily.
" Hiramekarei Unleashing!"
A deep, resonant voice came from Han.
The Hiramekarei started to grow bigger and bigger...
"No, it can get bigger?"
Didaze watched helplessly as Hiramekarei transformed from an ordinary Ninja Blade into a five-meter, ten-meter, twenty-meter sword...
Even after reaching 30 meters, the Hiramekarei continued to grow!
The Hiramekarei quickly reached 50 meters!
Han Du was already struggling to hold onto Hiramekarei.
" Perfect Steam Mode!"
Seeing that his strength was running low, Han quickly activated the Perfect Steam Mode, which greatly increased his power!
However, Han did not increase the size any further; fifty meters was sufficient.
When the light stretched to fifty meters, he had already infused it with nearly a third of his Chakra.
The massive Hiramekarei slammed directly down towards the Four-Tails!
"Awooooo!"
The Four-Tails -Four-Tails was slammed to the ground by the giant Hiramekarei, the immense energy pressing down on it so much that it couldn't get up at all!
"This is much better than the one from Kirigakure..."
Looking at the enormous energy wave, Didaze muttered to himself.
As the smoke cleared, the Four-Tails had vanished, leaving only an unconscious Roshi in the same spot.
"Send Roshi to the hospital for proper treatment, give him the best possible care!"
Ōnoki summoned an Anbu, Anbu and carried Roshi away.
"Even if both Kirigakure and Kumogakure launch a joint war against us, we won't be afraid..."
Ōnoki beamed with joy; he could see that Iwagakure had been greatly strengthened this time.
As for starting a war, let alone Kirigakure, we wouldn't be afraid even if we added Kumogakure to the mix!
"Go back, everyone. Familiarize yourselves with your Ninja Blade. Didaze, come with me."
Ōnoki gave some instructions to the person who received the Ninja Blade, then called out "Didaze".
Didaze didn't know why Ōnoki called him alone, but he still followed him over.
Led by Ōnoki, they arrived at the cemetery in Iwagakure.