The gigantic warrior created by Uchiha Madara's Susanoo towered over the battlefield like a living mountain.
Standing more than a hundred meters tall, the colossal figure radiated terrifying chakra. Each step it took shook the ground beneath it.
The Susanoo warrior walked forward slowly.
On the ground behind it lay Hōzuki Gengetsu, who was barely able to remain conscious after exhausting nearly all of his chakra.
Madara's Susanoo stepped past him without even glancing down.
It continued walking toward the distant village hidden in the mist.
Gengetsu stared in disbelief.
For a moment, he didn't understand what had just happened.
Then confusion turned into anger.
"Wait!"
He shouted hoarsely.
"Are you not going to kill me?"
The Susanoo's footsteps paused slightly.
But it did not turn around.
Gengetsu clenched his fists.
Anger surged through him.
"Am I not even worthy of being killed by you?!"
His voice grew louder.
"Or do you think getting my blood on you would be a disgrace?!"
Gengetsu had always been a battle maniac.
Otherwise, he would never have ended up fighting the infamous Mū of the Land of Earth.
The Hidden Mist Village and Iwagakure were separated by enormous distance, yet somehow these two men had still managed to develop a deep rivalry.
Even now, lying on the ground after defeat, Gengetsu could not accept being ignored.
His blood boiled with frustration.
But the towering Susanoo continued walking forward.
A calm voice suddenly came from behind him.
"You have no strength left to fight."
Gengetsu turned his head.
Walking toward him was Uchiha Su.
The young Uchiha smiled casually as he spoke.
"That last technique you used placed a heavy burden on your body."
"So there's no need to kill you."
Su looked toward the distant Susanoo.
"A living Mizukage is more valuable than a dead one."
Behind him followed Uchiha Setsuna, who kept a cautious eye on Gengetsu.
Although the Mizukage was currently weak, Setsuna still positioned himself protectively beside the young clan leader.
Gengetsu stared at Su.
Then he snorted.
"And who are you supposed to be, brat?"
"When adults are talking, children shouldn't interrupt."
Right now Gengetsu felt like a tragic hero.
First he had been completely ignored by the monster who defeated him.
Now he was being lectured by a child.
Setsuna's eyes flashed with anger.
"Watch your mouth."
"You're just a defeated man now."
"If the Clan Head hadn't shown mercy and spared your life, you wouldn't even be able to speak right now."
Gengetsu glared at him but said nothing.
Su simply waved his hand.
"That's enough."
Setsuna immediately fell silent.
Su stepped closer and spoke calmly.
"My name is Uchiha Su."
"I am the Young Clan Head of the Uchiha."
He tilted his head slightly as he looked at Gengetsu.
"And you are… which Mizukage again?"
Gengetsu answered automatically.
"The Second Mizukage."
The moment the words left his mouth, he felt embarrassed.
Why was he answering questions from a child?
Su nodded thoughtfully.
"Oh, I see."
"Then that means I'll probably be the Third Mizukage."
He smiled brightly.
"My uncle doesn't seem very interested in becoming the Kage of your small village."
"But that's fine."
"I don't mind."
"I'm willing to take the position."
Su extended his hand toward Gengetsu.
Gengetsu stared at the hand but ignored it.
"You want to become Mizukage too?"
His tone was mocking.
"Do you even understand what it means to bear the title of Kage?"
Su answered honestly.
"I don't know."
Then he added calmly,
"But at the very least, I wouldn't let someone attack my village's gate."
Gengetsu nearly choked on his own breath.
"That situation was an anomaly!"
He muttered defensively.
"Who could have predicted that Madara would defect from the Uchiha?"
After only a few exchanges, Gengetsu realized something unsettling.
This young Uchiha spoke in almost exactly the same way as Madara.
Both of them delivered the most irritating statements in the calmest tone imaginable.
Gengetsu suddenly remembered something.
"By the way…"
He glanced toward the distant Susanoo.
"Where is that monster actually going?"
Su answered casually.
"Obviously to split the Hidden Mist Village in half."
Gengetsu froze.
"…What?"
Su continued as if stating something obvious.
"You said earlier that there isn't a single coward in the Hidden Mist Village."
"You said everyone would fight to the death."
"So my uncle is heading over there to destroy the village."
He pointed toward the giant Susanoo in the distance.
"If anyone is foolish enough to try stopping him…"
"He'll simply cut them down with one swing."
Su looked confused.
"Did you already forget what you said earlier?"
Gengetsu's expression stiffened.
He remembered.
When he first confronted Madara, he had proudly boasted that every ninja in the Hidden Mist Village was strong and fearless.
At the time it had been simple bravado.
Now that same statement was about to cause a disaster.
"I was joking!"
Gengetsu shouted desperately.
"Before I came here, I already discussed everything with Gensui!"
"If I lost the battle, I told him to open the village gates and surrender!"
Su glanced toward the distant Susanoo again.
"…That might be too late."
Gengetsu suddenly jumped to his feet.
Despite his exhaustion, panic gave him sudden strength.
He took two steps forward—
Then collapsed back onto the ground.
After using Steaming Danger Tyranny, his body had entered a severe period of weakness.
Su opened his mouth to speak.
"Don't worry so mu—"
But Gengetsu interrupted him immediately.
"How can I not worry?!"
"My village is about to be destroyed!"
His expression was almost ferocious.
Su blinked.
Then he smiled brightly.
"Oh."
"You misunderstood."
"I was joking."
His smile looked innocent and harmless.
Like a child who had no idea what kind of chaos he had just caused.
Gengetsu stared at him silently.
Inside his mind, only one thought remained.
This kid is terrifying.
Meanwhile…
The massive Susanoo warrior had already arrived outside the Hidden Mist Village.
Compared to the giant warrior, the village walls looked small and fragile.
Like toys.
The ninjas guarding the village gate trembled in fear.
"This… this is a disaster!"
"Lord Mizukage only left a short while ago!"
"How could such a monster appear already?!"
The Susanoo warrior slowly raised its enormous sword.
Just as it prepared to strike—
The village gates suddenly opened.
A large group of people hurried out.
Leading them was Gensui.
Behind him followed many clan leaders and senior ninjas of the Hidden Mist Village.
They walked forward nervously.
Then—
They all bowed deeply.
"Welcome, Lord Madara."
"Please take command of the Hidden Mist Village."
Their voices were respectful.
Facing the terrifying Susanoo warrior, none of them dared resist.
When Su finally arrived with the Uchiha clan members, he witnessed the scene.
Behind him, Gengetsu was being carried on Setsuna's back.
Seeing the village leadership surrender made Gengetsu's expression complicated.
Earlier, he had told himself he could accept it.
But seeing it happen in reality created a strange bitterness in his heart.
The giant Susanoo disappeared.
Madara stood there calmly.
He glanced at the kneeling crowd with clear disdain.
Without saying a word, he walked straight into the village.
Gensui tried to speak.
Perhaps he wanted to ease the tension.
But Madara ignored him completely.
Su walked forward with a bright smile.
"You must be Gensui."
"My uncle is tired after the battle, so he went to rest."
"Let me introduce myself."
"I am Uchiha Su."
"The current Young Clan Head of the Uchiha."
He paused briefly.
"And the future Third Mizukage."
Behind him, Gengetsu's eyes widened in disbelief.
Where exactly did Madara look tired?!
The man had just sliced a mountain in half.
Gensui forced a smile.
"I understand."
"Please… come inside."
Su nodded.
"Good."
He looked around at the gathered leaders.
"All important figures of the Hidden Mist Village should come with me."
"We need to discuss the village's future."
His tone was polite.
But the meaning behind his words was obvious.
This was courtesy before authority.
First greet them politely.
Then establish the new rules.
Gensui swallowed the rest of his words.
He didn't like this situation.
But he also understood a simple truth.
When the strongest power stood above you—
Resistance became meaningless.
Sometimes…
The only option left was to bow your head.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)