No matter what he thought in his heart, Kitsuchi could only let out a sigh in the end and force a bitter smile. "Long time no see."
After a brief exchange of greetings, Namikaze spoke in a low voice. "Lord Yuzuru, this time we annihilated over ten thousand enemy troops and captured the Five-Tails jinchuriki and the Tsuchikage's son alive."
"For the time being, Onoki shouldn't dare to invade again."
Yuzuru nodded and smiled. "Minato, you've worked hard. I'll record a merit for you this time."
However, Namikaze shook his head. "During the support operation, I was delayed somewhere and nearly ruined the entire plan. I don't deserve any merit."
After speaking, he recounted how the Third Raikage and his subordinates had fallen into danger at the time.
When Yuzuru finished listening, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
No matter how carefully he had calculated, he had never expected Namikaze's "late arrival" constitution.
Late...
Was that truly the destiny of someone who moved at godlike speed?
After silently noting it down in his heart, Yuzuru waved his hand. "We'll talk about that later. Go get some rest first."
"Yes."
After Namikaze left, Yuzuru noticed the lingering fear on Kitsuchi's face and asked softly, "Kitsuchi, what are you thinking about?"
Startled by the voice, Kitsuchi snapped back to his senses. After hesitating for a moment, he frowned and asked, "Yuzuru… the Uchiha clan has already reclaimed Konoha, and the authority in your hands is unparalleled in history. Why would you still take the initiative to start a war?"
Yuzuru snorted lightly. "Kitsuchi, I didn't take the initiative to attack Iwagakure. It was Iwagakure that came to provoke me."
That single sentence left Kitsuchi speechless.
Just as Yuzuru said, this time it had indeed been Iwagakure that struck first.
After thinking for a moment, he asked honestly, "Then does that mean you won't attack Iwagakure in the future?"
A smile appeared on Yuzuru's face. "I see what you're getting at. But not for now."
"Hm? Why?"
Seeing the confusion on his face, Yuzuru raised a brow. "Kitsuchi, you don't think you can ambush me… and pay no price at all, do you?"
Kitsuchi's heart tightened. "We've already lost nearly ten thousand ninja in this battle!"
"If that's not enough, I'm willing to die to atone!"
"Ridiculous." Yuzuru's smile faded, his voice turning cold. "No matter how many losses you've suffered, it's nothing more than the consequences of your own actions."
"And you're already in my hands. Whether you live or die is decided by a single word from me. What right do you have to make that decision?"
His voice grew colder as he spoke, then he laid it out plainly.
"I'll be frank with you. It's precisely because the entire shinobi world is filled with schemes and calculations that peace is so hard to achieve."
"I intend to unify the entire shinobi world, let everyone live prosperous lives, and realize everlasting peace!"
After hearing his words, Kitsuchi stood frozen for a long time before finally saying, "So we should be thanking you?"
Yuzuru nodded, his expression completely matter-of-fact.
"That's right. Think about it. If it weren't for that goal, desolate places like the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth—no matter how freely they were offered to me, I wouldn't even be interested."
Kitsuchi thought about it and realized there was some truth to it.
For years, the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind had clashed repeatedly, yet no matter how much advantage they gained on the battlefield, they had never harbored the desire to occupy the Land of Wind the way one would covet the Land of Fire.
Seeing him fall silent, Yuzuru waved his hand. "That's enough. You may go. During this time, travel around the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning. I believe you'll gain a new perspective."
Kitsuchi looked up in surprise. "You're not going to kill me?"
Yuzuru chuckled lightly. "With your strength, killing you makes little difference. Alive, you might still serve some purpose."
"If you're willing to persuade Onoki to surrender in the future, fewer ninja from Iwagakure will have to die."
After hearing that, Kitsuchi finally understood Yuzuru's intentions.
He remained silent for a long time before turning and leaving the tent without another word.
Once he was gone, Yuzuru shifted his gaze to Han, who stood at the side.
This burly man felt an inexplicable fear rising from the depths of his soul under Yuzuru's gaze.
Even being looked at like that placed immense pressure on him.
Seeing Yuzuru staring without speaking, Han said coldly, "Don't think you can use the same words you used on Kitsuchi on me. I won't fall for it."
"It was Iwagakure that gave me my current life. I will never betray the village."
Yuzuru frowned. "What are you thinking? After falling into my hands, you still expect to live?"
Han froze on the spot.
Wait, that's not how it goes in the novels…
Sensing the killing intent emanating from Yuzuru, Han's heart jolted.
He couldn't understand why this man, who had patiently tried to persuade Kitsuchi earlier, now seemed like a completely different person—unwilling to say even an extra word.
Unable to help himself, he asked, "Aren't you going to try persuading me to surrender?"
Yuzuru raised a brow. "What, do you also have a Tsuchikage daughter?"
"Eh?"
Before Han could process it, he saw a pair of scarlet Mangekyō Sharingan.
The next moment, darkness swallowed his vision, and he lost consciousness.
————
————
Within the mental world, Yuzuru looked at the enormous Five-Tails and spoke calmly, "Five-Tails, follow me from now on."
"What benefit would that bring me? I have no desire to become a human puppet."
The Five-Tails snorted, completely unwilling to acknowledge the human before it.
In response, Yuzuru raised his fist. "The Eight-Tails and the Nine-Tails are already under my command. You can see how they're living."
Hearing this, and recalling what the Eight-Tails had said on the battlefield, the Five-Tails couldn't help but look at Yuzuru with curiosity.
It extended a hoof and lightly touched Yuzuru's fist.
In the next instant, a flood of images poured into its mind.
Its pupils widened abruptly.
Walking freely along bustling streets, basking in sunlight, enjoying human delicacies, receiving respectful bows wherever it went…
Th-this…
What kind of heavenly life is this?!
The images ended abruptly as Yuzuru withdrew his fist.
"Well? Are you willing to serve under me?"
The Five-Tails immediately dropped its previous impatience and knelt on all fours. "Through fire and water, my lord!"
"Hahahahaha…"
Seeing how quickly it changed its attitude, Yuzuru burst into laughter.
He shook his head. "Alright. Next, I'll seal you inside my body."