"They proposed to the Fourth Raikage... that they join forces!"
"Offering one hundred pairs of Sharingan seized by our Iwagakure as payment, they invited Kumogakure to send troops alongside us!"
"Their target... is to wipe out the Uchiha Clan that just entered the Land of Earth!"
Kitsuchi's voice trembled violently with overwhelming anger and fear, every word seemingly forced through clenched teeth!
The urgent secret letter in his hand now seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, pressing down on him until he could barely breathe!
"What?!"
Beside him, Akatsuchi was so shocked that even the gum he was chewing fell to the ground, disbelief written all over his face!
Had the Council of Elders gone mad?!
How dared they?!
They had bypassed Lord Tsuchikage and privately contacted Kumogakure, which had a blood feud with Iwagakure?
And they were even using the legendary Sharingan as bargaining chips?
This was no longer betrayal. They were gambling with Iwagakure's entire future!
More terrifying still, the family they intended to wipe out was the fearsome family right before them, which had just used three children to toy with their proud Explosion Corps!
In an instant, Kitsuchi and Akatsuchi felt cold all over, as though they had plunged into a bottomless abyss.
They instinctively looked toward the white-clad figure not far away.
It was over.
This time, it was completely over.
Given the ruthless decisiveness and vengeful nature Uchiha Gen'yō had previously displayed in the Land of Fire, what terrifying thing would he do after learning that his allies had stabbed him in the back?
Kitsuchi could already imagine that purple demonic god, Susanoo, descending in the very next second and erasing them, along with the entire One-Line Sky canyon, from the map!
And yet.
Contrary to all their expectations, the towering fury they had anticipated never appeared on Uchiha Gen'yō's face.
There was not even the slightest trace of surprise.
He merely listened quietly. Instead, the corners of his mouth curved into an intrigued, utterly icy smile.
"Oh? Joining forces with Kumogakure?"
Uchiha Gen'yō's voice was as calm as if he were discussing the weather.
"One hundred pairs of Sharingan? They certainly have the nerve to ask."
"It seems I still underestimated how stupid certain people in your Iwagakure could be."
That unruffled attitude made Kitsuchi's scalp prickle more than any hysterical roar could have!
"Lord Gen'yō! Please let me explain!"
Kitsuchi dropped to one knee with a thud, his face filled with anxiety and guilt.
"This absolutely wasn't my father's intention! It was those old fossils in the Council of Elders! Blinded by greed, they acted on their own! Please give us another chance. My father will certainly give you a satisfactory explanation!"
All he hoped for now was to quell the wrath of the demonic god before him with his utmost sincerity.
Even if there was only the slightest chance, he had to save Iwagakure!
"An explanation?"
Uchiha Gen'yō seemed to have heard an amusing joke.
"Kitsuchi, you seem to have misunderstood something."
He slowly began to walk, approaching the kneeling Kitsuchi one step at a time.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Every step was like a beat of the Grim Reaper's drum, pounding heavily against Kitsuchi's and Akatsuchi's hearts.
"My Uchiha Clan came to the Land of Earth neither to seek your protection nor to beg for an alliance."
Gen'yō stopped before Kitsuchi and looked down at him. His strangely patterned Mangekyō Sharingan radiated an eerie light that made souls tremble.
"I was giving your Iwagakure an opportunity."
"An opportunity to follow behind me and share in the future territories of the entire Shinobi World."
"Unfortunately, there are always fools who think themselves clever and treat opportunities offered by others as handouts they are entitled to."
"Lord Gen'yō..." Cold sweat already covered Kitsuchi's forehead. He felt even breathing becoming difficult.
"Still, this works too."
Uchiha Gen'yō changed tack, the smile on his face growing increasingly teasing.
"I was just wondering how to teach those disobedient dogs in your Iwagakure what 'rules' mean."
"By willingly putting their necks beneath my blade, they've saved me quite a bit of effort."
At those words, Kitsuchi jerked his head up, his eyes filled with horror.
He understood.
Uchiha Gen'yō was not angry about being betrayed at all.
Quite the opposite!
He seemed... to be looking forward to it?!
He intended to turn this "banquet trap," orchestrated entirely by the Council of Elders, into a demonstration of power as he purged Iwagakure!
This man's scheming and methods were even more terrifying than his strength!
"Get up."
Uchiha Gen'yō paid no further attention to the utterly dazed Kitsuchi. He turned and waved a hand at the Uchiha clansmen behind him, who were likewise filled with righteous indignation and murderous intent.
"It seems our original plan to 'visit' will need a slight adjustment."
"Uncle Fugaku, Shisui."
"Here!"
Uchiha Fugaku and Shisui immediately stepped forward.
"Tell all our clansmen to rein in their killing intent. We're here as 'guests.' We must be polite."
An utterly harmless smile appeared on Gen'yō's face.
"Itachi, Izumi, Hikari, you three did very well. But the game isn't over yet."
He looked at the three children who had just distinguished themselves, a hint of approval in his eyes.
"In a little while, even more 'enthusiastic' guests will arrive."
"Your task is to accompany me in welcoming our future new 'friends.'"
"New friends?" Uchiha Hikari asked in confusion.
"That's right."
Uchiha Gen'yō raised his head, his gaze seeming to pierce through mountain after mountain and reach distant Iwagakure.
"A group of guests traveling all the way from the Land of Lightning."
He turned to Kitsuchi, the smile on his face brilliant yet dangerous.
"Mr. Kitsuchi, your Council of Elders and Kumogakure's envoys should be in Iwagakure right now, drinking tea and discussing how to divide up our Uchiha, shouldn't they?"
Kitsuchi's body shuddered violently. He dared not answer.
The secret letter said that Kumogakure's envoys would arrive today!
Judging by the time, they had probably already arrived!
"Lead the way."
Uchiha Gen'yō's voice brooked no argument.
"I've suddenly become very interested in Iwagakure's hospitality."
"I want to see for myself just what sort of grand 'welcoming ceremony' you've prepared for us."
"What do you think? If I personally twist off your Iwagakure head elder's head in front of the envoy sent by the Fourth Raikage..."
"Wouldn't the expression on his face be quite a sight?"