Chapter 93: Will of Stone

Onoki gazed blankly at the devastation before him, a wave of powerlessness rising in his heart: "So this is Uchiha Madara..."

Suddenly, a faint sound caught his attention.

He looked down and saw a shattered rock slide down from above, landing at his feet.

Onoki bent over, trembling fingers picking up the rock; its rough texture suddenly brought him back to a memory from many years ago.

"Onoki, remember, the ninja of Iwagakure are as resilient as this rock."

The First Tsuchikage's voice was gentle yet firm: "No matter how great the difficulty, we will never yield easily. This is the will of the Iwa ninja."

Onoki clenched the rock in his hand. His eyes shifted from confusion to determination.

"How can I admit defeat here?" Onoki murmured: "I am the Third who inherited the will of generations of Tsuchikage!"

"Light Weight Rock Technique!"

In the next moment, Onoki abruptly soared into the air and flew before Uchiha Madara, staring directly into those Rinnegan filled with overwhelming pressure.

Uchiha Madara looked down at Onoki, his tone carrying clear contempt: "Tsuchikage, what is that look in your eyes? With the lesson from before, you should know clearly how great the gap between us is."

"Uchiha Madara!" Onoki shouted: "I am the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, inheritor of the will of generations of Tsuchikage! Even if you are Uchiha Madara, I will absolutely never submit to you!"

A flicker of interest flashed in Uchiha Madara's eyes: "Oh? Then let me see to what extent this 'Tsuchikage' can go."

Onoki took a deep breath, chakra surging through his whole body like a tide, even the wrinkles on his face tightening completely.

"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!" Onoki roared.

"Hum!"

In an instant, a huge glowing cube appeared out of thin air, instantly enveloping Uchiha Madara's Susanoo completely within it.

This cube spanned several hundred meters, emitting heart-palpitating energy waves.

The surrounding Wood Release trees seemed to be devoured by some invisible force in an instant, turning to dust and dissipating in the air, leaving only that huge cube of light suspended in midair.

Onoki panted heavily, bean-sized beads of sweat seeping on his forehead; this move had nearly exhausted all his chakra.

"Did it succeed?" Onoki raised his head with difficulty, a trace of hope showing in his eyes. Even if it's Uchiha Madara, taking a Dust Release head-on shouldn't leave him unscathed, right?

However, at this very moment, that huge cube of light suddenly began to twist and deform, as if being absorbed by some unseen force.

"Not bad, but still far from enough." Uchiha Madara's voice came from within the distorted light, calm with a hint of praise.

"What?!"

Before Onoki could react, an irresistible repulsive force struck him head-on. His body was instantly blown away, crashing into a distant rock wall like a kite with its string cut.

"Pfft!" Onoki fell heavily to the ground, spraying a large mouthful of blood. He raised his head with difficulty, staring in disbelief at the unharmed Uchiha Madara.

Uchiha Madara looked down from above at the wretched Onoki: "Power is not will, but a phenomenon caused by matter, which in turn manifests power. Your Will of Stone, before true power, cannot withstand a single blow."

Finishing, Uchiha Madara walked slowly to Onoki's front: "Hand over your village's ninja scrolls, and I can consider sparing your life."

Onoki gritted his teeth, answering weakly but firmly: "Dream on. I will absolutely never betray the village!"

Uchiha Madara's hands began forming Hand Seals: "It seems you still don't understand. Weakness is the destiny of being eliminated." As Uchiha Madara moved, the surrounding Wood Release suddenly spread out again. Thick branches twisted like giant pythons, extending outward unstoppably.

Solid houses were fragile before this power, crushed to dust in the blink of an eye. Wood Release tentacles ruthlessly pierced through walls, sweeping up the residents hiding within.

"Crack!" The sound of snapping wood rose and fell, mixed with the rumble of collapsing buildings and people's screams.

Onoki listened to the continuous miserable cries around him, struggling incessantly inside. Finally, he spoke with difficulty: "Stop! I... I'll give it to you."

Onoki gritted his teeth, hands trembling as he formed Hand Seals. "Summoning Technique."

With a soft sound, a puff of white smoke dispersed, and an ancient scroll appeared in Onoki's hand. He sighed heavily and handed the scroll to Uchiha Madara.

Madara took the scroll, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. He casually put the scroll away, his gaze turning to the two jinchuriki not far away.

They had already lost their Tailed Beast Transformation state, bound tightly by Wood Dragons, struggling to support their bodies, watching Uchiha Madara warily.

"Now to deal with you two." Uchiha Madara's voice carried undeniable pressure.

Uchiha Madara pressed one hand to the ground and shouted low: "Summoning Technique!"

With a huge boom, a massive cloud of smoke suddenly exploded on the battlefield. After the smoke cleared, a huge and ferocious statue appeared before everyone.

The moment the Gedo Mazo appeared, it opened its huge mouth. Two chains shot out like shells from a cannon, instantly piercing the bodies of the two jinchuriki.

"Ah!" The two jinchuriki let out miserable shrieks. Two huge masses of chakra were forcibly pulled from their bodies.

Just then, a white figure suddenly burrowed up from underground, a bizarre smile on his face: "Madara-sama, shouldn't the One-Tail be sealed first?"

Uchiha Madara glanced at White Zetsu, tone flat: "Doesn't matter, as long as not too many Tailed Beasts are sealed in a short time."

As his words fell, the chains in the Gedo Mazo's mouth suddenly tightened, and the Four-Tails and Five-Tails shot into the Gedo Mazo's mouth like two meteors.

"Boom!"

A deafening huge sound exploded in the air. Among the Gedo Mazo's dense eyes, two suddenly snapped open, emitting an eerie light.

Uchiha Madara looked up at the Gedo Mazo, the corner of his mouth hooking into a satisfied smile: "Good, another step closer to the goal."

Then his figure slowly rose into the air, looking down from above at the devastated Iwagakure: "Next stop, go to Konoha to capture the Nine-Tails."

Whoosh! A sonic boom sounded, and his figure instantly vanished into the horizon.

At this moment, Onoki stood up, looking at the once prosperous Iwagakure now turned into ruins, his face full of rage.

"Gather all ninja still able to move!"

Onoki ordered, voice weak but very calm: "Immediately organize treatment of the wounded, clear the ruins, search for survivors!"

He turned to the vice officer who had rushed to his side: "At the same time, relay orders to frontline units: immediately cease all offensive operations, contract the defensive line."

He paused, thought for a moment, then continued: "Dispatch communication units to convey the message to other ninja villages. Uchiha Madara has revived; this is a threat to the entire Ninja World."

A sharp light flashed in Onoki's eyes: "Especially notify Konohagakure. Uchiha Madara is their missing-nin; they must be made to take responsibility!"

(Chapter End)