Jörmungandr looked at the dazed and distraught Butō with surprise in his eyes.
He never expected that such a powerful Butō would be so fragile inside, collapsing after being defeated by him, truly wasting his exceptional talent.
"It seems I need to change my opinion of you. Someone as fragile as you doesn't deserve my respect. So let's end this here, Butō Arts Master."
Jörmungandr had already raised his arm, ready to deliver a fatal blow to the kneeling Butō.
Suddenly, a dazzling white light appeared in front of him.
" Dust Release - Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique "
In an instant, the spot where Jörmungandr turned to dust, leaving a terrifying circular crater in the ground beneath his feet.
" Butō, are you alright?" A short figure appeared above Butō Butō and asked him from below.
" Lord Tsuchikage..." Butō choked up as he looked at the suddenly appearing Ōnoki, but then remembered something and lowered his head in shame.
"It's okay, a temporary setback is nothing. As long as you get back up, you're still a success."
Even without seeing Butō's expression, Ōnoki could guess what he was thinking. After all, Muto was someone Ōnoki had personally trained.
However, Ōnoki didn't continue to comfort Butō. Instead, he turned to look at the empty space not far from the pit. "So, are there more brats with your strength in the Shinobi World now?"
"You flatter us, sir. We are far inferior to you."
Suddenly, two figures appeared from nothingness in the previously deserted place. They were none other than Aizen and Jörmungandr.
After Aizen sensed Ōnoki's presence, he used Genjutsu to cover him and Jörmungandr, then hid to the side until Ōnoki called out his presence and he then revealed himself.
" Genjutsu? That's quite rare." The experienced Ōnoki immediately recognized Aizen's method of appearance and was amazed by the level of Genjutsu skill Aizen displayed.
"You brats, state your names! Those who have defeated my Iwagakure ninja deserve to be remembered by this old man."
As Ōnoki, who was proudly suspended in mid-air, spoke, he unleashed a powerful aura that pressed down on Aizen and Jörmungandr.
An ordinary ninja would have been paralyzed by Ōnoki's aura, but Aizen and Jörmungandr were no ordinary people; they were utterly unafraid in the face of Ōnoki's imposing presence.
Aizen stepped forward and addressed Ōnoki, "As expected of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki Ryōtenbin, such strength and spirit are truly awe-inspiring. I am Aizen, and beside me is my comrade Jörmungandr."
Aizen realized he had miscalculated; he hadn't expected that a simple bounty mission would lead to the appearance of two Kage Level powerhouses, Butō and Ōnoki. However, he wasn't afraid of Ōnoki, he just found him a bit troublesome.
" Aizen and Jörmungandr, this is the first time I've seen such special ninjas as you. To have mastered Taijutsu and Genjutsu to this level, you are both extraordinary." Ōnoki looked at them with admiration upon hearing Aizen's reply.
One could defeat a Taijutsu prowess alone, and the other could deceive him with his Genjutsu Butō. Both of them were rare talents, not to mention that they were both bounty hunter ninjas. He liked their identities and strength the most.
Aizen was surprised that Ōnoki would praise them instead of reprimanding them.
This situation was somewhat unexpected, but after seeing Ōnoki's expression, he had some guesses in his mind.
"Such outstanding individuals as you are, would you be willing to join my Iwagakure? My Iwagakure will certainly not treat you unfairly."
Upon hearing Ōnoki's next words, Aizen thought to himself, "Just as I expected."
He had this premonition as soon as he heard Ōnoki's praise.
Not to brag, but based on the strength he and Jörmungandr displayed, and their lack of affiliation, any Ōnoki with any sense would know to make an effort to recruit them. Ninjas with such strength and status are not exactly commonplace in the Shinobi World.
It was quite prestigious to receive an invitation from Tsuchikage Ōnoki one of the Five Great Nations, but unfortunately, Aizen and Jörmungandr allegiances, so they had to decline. "I'm sorry, sir, we have no intention of joining a ninja village at the moment, so please allow us to decline."
Ōnoki narrowed his eyes as he looked at the two people in front of him, and said with a hint of anger, "Do you know the price of refusing me?"
He sincerely invited Aizen and Jörmungandr join Iwagakure, and he genuinely believed in them.
Although he wouldn't give them important positions initially, Ōnoki would definitely treat them well once they truly integrated into Iwagakure. He just hadn't expected Aizen and the others to refuse his invitation, which angered him.
"We are well aware of the consequences of angering Tsuchikage, the leader of one of the Five Great Nations, but we are also confident that we can escape unscathed from your clutches, sir. However, I still hope you will reconsider. My companions and I are not as simple as we seem; we might just surprise you."
Putting everything else aside, as long as Ōnoki can't see through Aizen's Genjutsu, they will always be invincible. That's why they can confidently say no to Ōnoki.
However, they wouldn't underestimate Ōnoki, after all, he was the leader of one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, and who knew if he had some trump card that could just counter them.
Therefore, their eyes flickered slightly, and their muscles tensed, preparing for the possible battle that was about to take place.
However, their defensive posture was in vain; Ōnoki had no intention of stopping them.
He simply floated down from the air to the ground, then patted the Butō on the ground, and took off with the Butō.
"Since you're unwilling, then forget it. My Iwagakure also has its pride and doesn't have the habit of forcing people."
Ōnoki withdrew his earlier outburst of energy, and the hostility in his eyes dissipated.
He wasn't stupid; as the village leader, his judgment was exceptional. He could see that Aizen and Jörmungandr were exceptionally strong, especially Aizen, who was like a mystery to him. Even he wouldn't easily offend someone of such strength.
Therefore, he would not act rashly, because if he did act and failed to kill the two, he would be needlessly inviting a powerful enemy for Iwagakure, which would be a loss.
"Since we've come this far, I'll take my leave of the Butō duel. I hope you can give me some face," Ōnoki said with a polite smile, now placing Aizen and the other man on equal footing.
Since the decision has been made not to offend either of them, there's no need to show an unpleasant expression. Mutual respect is the way strong people communicate.
"No problem, I agree with the old man's actions on behalf of my companion."
Seeing Ōnoki's smiling face, Aizen nodded, giving Ōnoki a lot of face.
Since Jörmungandr has already tested its strength and achieved its main objective, this minor detail is irrelevant.
Aizen's words made Ōnoki in the sky give him a serious look. He had originally thought that Aizen and Jörmungandr were equals, but now it seemed that Aizen was in a dominant position. To be able to make a Shinobi World powerhouse proficient in Taijutsu obey him, perhaps Aizen was even more terrifying, which made him take Aizen even more seriously.
"There is one more thing I need to ask of you. It is the missing-nin Iwahato from our village. I hope you two can hand him over to me."