"So, who gave you the courage to turn your blade against your god again?"
Uchiha Gen'yō's question, filled with supreme authority, struck the very souls of Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Akimichi Chōza like a massive hammer weighing billions of tons!
Thump!
The three of them could no longer hold on and collapsed to their knees, panting heavily, their bodies drenched in cold sweat.
Before God, their pitiful courage and awareness were utterly crushed.
Shikaku Nara's mind went blank; he knew that any explanation was futile in the face of absolute power.
They lost.
They suffered a crushing defeat.
Now all they can do is wait, wait for the final judgment from the gods...
Audiences around the world held their breath at that moment.
Everyone believed that what followed was inevitably a devastating divine wrath.
Those three "heroes" who dared to defy Kamui will be publicly executed in the most cruel and bloody way in front of the whole world!
However, what Uchiha Gen'yō next once again overturned everyone's expectations.
"Raise your head."
On the throne, Gen'yō's voice returned to its usual calm tone, yet it contained an undeniable air of authority.
With difficulty, Shikaku and the other two raised their heads and saw, through the huge holographic projection above the battlefield, the god-like man sitting high in the heavens.
Your behavior is foolish.
Gen'yō commented casually.
"So stupid that I don't even feel the urge to get angry."
His words were filled with utter contempt, yet they also ignited a faint glimmer of hope in the hearts of Shikaku and the other two, as well as Tsunade, who was far away on the moon.
Not angry?
Does this mean... there's still a chance?
"I established Divine Kingdom, bringing a new order to this long-decayed continent."
Gen'yō's voice continued to resound throughout the heavens and earth.
"I have bestowed upon the common people food and clothing, upon the ninjas glory, and upon this world unprecedented peace and prosperity."
"And you fools, blinded by the old era, dare to try and overturn everything I have created with that ridiculous ' Will of Fire '."
"Tell me, do you deserve to die?"
"... We deserve to die."
Shikaku Nara closed his eyes and said in a hoarse voice.
He had nothing more to say at this point.
"Yes, you deserve to die."
Gen'yō said without any politeness.
"But..."
He abruptly changed the subject, a playful smile curving his lips that surprised everyone.
"I've always been a person who clearly distinguishes between rewards and punishments."
"You were among the first families to choose to submit. I've remembered that 'merit'."
"So I've decided to give you another chance."
What?!
These words shocked the entire room!
Whether it was Danzo and Orochimaru on the ground, or Ebizo and Kitsuchi in front of the live stream, everyone had an expression of utter disbelief!
pardon?!
Uchiha Gen'yō tyrant who treats human life like dirt, is actually going to pardon these three traitors who attacked his fleet in front of the whole world?!
This... how is this possible?! Has he gone mad?!
"My lord! No!"
Even Tsunade couldn't help but gasp in surprise at the Moon Palace!
Although she hoped that Shikaku others would survive, she was even more aware of how much damage pardoning them at this time would do to the dignity of the Divine Kingdom!
This will only make those with ill intentions think that the rule of the Divine Kingdom is not unshakeable!
"Shut up, Tsunade."
Gen'yō didn't even look at her, he just said coldly.
Do you think I'm showing mercy?
He looked at the rebels on the screen, who were equally shocked and confused, and his smile grew colder and crueler.
"No, I'm just telling everyone a very simple truth."
His voice, transmitted clearly through the live broadcast, reached the ears of everyone and touched the very depths of their souls!
"Those who obey me, even if foolish, may still be forgiven once."
"But those who oppose me..."
His gaze suddenly turned as cold as ancient ice, precisely locking onto Shimura Danzō, whose face was already ashen, and Orochimaru expression was constantly changing, at the center of the sinkhole!
"... There's only one way out: death!"
"Moreover," Gen'yō's voice grew increasingly malicious, "I will not only kill you, but I will also exterminate your entire family!"
"From today onwards, all the masterminds behind the Fallen Moon ' plan— Shimura Danzō, Orochimaru ..."
His gaze then turned to the missing-nin leaders from Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
"And the Land of Fire Daimyo, the Land of Wind Council of Elders, and the former nobles of the Land of Earth who funded them behind the scenes..."
With each name he called out, the guys watching the live stream, hiding in the shadows, trembled violently and turned paler!
"You and all your immediate family members will be listed as the first priority for 'extermination' in the Divine Kingdom!"
"No matter where you flee to, the Divine Punishment of the Divine Kingdom will follow you like a shadow!"
"I will make you pay the most terrible price for your stupidity!"
boom!
This bloody and iron-fisted "declaration of genocide" exploded like a nuclear bomb with a yield of hundreds of millions of tons across the entire Shinobi World world!
Those rebels who were initially relieved that they hadn't been exposed were now plunged into utter panic and despair!
They finally understood!
Uchiha Gen'yō's pardon of the Ino-Shika-Cho was not merciful at all!
This is the most ingenious art of ruling!
Make an example of someone!
Divide and disintegrate!
He used the "life" of the Ino-Shika-Cho to contrast with their "death"!
He wanted everyone to see that submission offered a glimmer of hope, while resistance would lead to utter destruction!
At this moment, the last embers of hope in the hearts of all those who still harbored illusions about the " Anti-God Alliance " were completely extinguished.
The alliance is now defunct in name only!
Shikaku Nara stared blankly at the sky, and only then did his clever mind finally grasp the crux of the matter.
He looked at the man seated on the throne, and for the first time, his eyes revealed a genuine sense of awe and fear.
This man not only possesses divine power, but also a devilish cunning!
They were never fighting on the same level from the start.
"Alright, this boring farce should end now."
On the throne, Uchiha Gen'yō seemed to have lost his patience.
He slowly stood up and gave the final, and coldest, command to the battlefield below.
"Itachi."
"Exist."
"Those three old guys are still somewhat useful to me. Just capture them alive and break their arms and legs."
Uchiha Gen'yō was referring to Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Akimichi Chōza. In his view, the tactical acumen and clan secret techniques of these three might come in handy in future interstellar wars.
His voice suddenly shifted, becoming incredibly sinister and filled with a chilling cruelty.
"As for Danzo, Orochimaru, and those 'Impure World Reincarnation through Edo Tensei..."
Gen'yō's lips curled into a smile that could make the whole world tremble.
"Let's give it to my children as a... salute for their opening ceremony."
"Let them bury their own past."