Chapter 380: Losing with dignity, glorious even in defeat!

Undoubtedly, after saying all this, Huangtu's heart was extremely terrified.

At this moment, Huangtu even dared not look at Onoki's eyes. ### CHAPTER 717

He could not imagine what Onoki's thoughts were at this moment; he could not even bring himself into Onoki's perspective.

There is an old saying: "The cub sells the grandfather's land without feeling the pain."

Even if Huangtu had struggled and had various internal battles when agreeing to Mizunuki Ryosuke's request.

But compared to Onoki, who had truly accumulated these "family businesses," Huangtu was at best "generous with others' wealth."

And Onoki was the entrepreneur who had truly fought for this territory for the Rock.

In the countless years of the past, Onoki had racked his brains for these every day, and now, just because of one wrong move, he had to hand all this over to others.

Huangtu dared not imagine such a mood, nor could he experience it.

Even the Third Raikage on the side, after hearing the details of the whole thing, slowly closed his eyes.

For Onoki, this opponent, although he was hostile to him, he still respected him very much.

After all, in a situation where his strength was inferior to his, he had forcibly schemed him to the point of serious injury, and almost succeeded.

Such scheming and means were enough to be his opponent.

And now, seeing a scene of a "hero at the end of his road" about to be staged before his eyes, the Third Raikage was filled with emotion for a moment.

The reason he closed his eyes was not because he couldn't bear to look.

But because he already knew the ending in his heart, because things had come to this, Onoki was fundamentally unable to turn the tide.

There was only one road left for him to walk.

Finally, after a long time, Onoki spoke slowly.

"It's been hard on you, Huangtu."

Onoki looked at his son with complex eyes, his tone full of complex and bitter meaning.

Unwilling?

Onoki was naturally extremely unwilling!

But what could he do?

Reality was just like this; no matter if he was convinced or not, what could he do?

And Huangtu being able to do this step was already the limit.

Whoever was in Huangtu's position might not be able to do better than Huangtu, even if it were himself.

Even if Huangtu hid things like the confrontation with Mizunuki Ryosuke and the huge pressure when fighting against the "heart-piercing argument" in his heart.

But how could Onoki not understand the pressure and torment Huangtu endured to get to this step and to get the chance to see his father again?

In the end, it was his own wrong move; who could he blame?

Now that things have come to this, one can only face it.

Moreover, Onoki also knew that the road of the Rock next could only be walked by Huangtu on his behalf.

The name of the Third Tsuchikage, Two-Days-Scale Onoki, would probably only exist in the history of the Rock from now on.

The kind where "bad reviews" outweigh "good reputation."

Future ninjas of the Rock would not remember that there was once a Tsuchikage who, after the First Shinobi World War, racked his brains for the Rock for decades, developing the Rock to a prosperous state.

I am afraid that in the future, members of the Rock would only remember that it was this Tsuchikage named Onoki who single-handedly led this war that caused the Rock to turn from prosperity to decline.

Hearing Onoki's words, Huangtu suddenly raised his head, his tiger eyes filled with tears.

At this moment, he noticed that Onoki's already thin figure was now even more hunched.

The theme of this meeting was clearly not to show the father-son affection between the Tsuchikage and his son.

Like the Third Raikage, Onoki, who was more seasoned than Huangtu, instantly tasted many deep meanings in Mizunuki Ryosuke's actions.

Recalling everything Huangtu described earlier, looking at Mizunuki Ryosuke's face that was young to an excessive degree, Onoki had to sigh that heroes really do come from youth.

According to Huangtu's description, whether it was strength, wisdom, means, or strategy...

This Mizukage, who was young to an excessive degree, was without exception a top-tier choice, even compared to the older generation of ninjas who had been through many battles, he was not a bit inferior.

Such means, such composure, it was not an exaggeration to describe it as terrifying.

Even at this moment, in a sense, he, who was defeated by this young man, still had to owe this young man a favor.

After all, now that things have come to this, Mizunuki Ryosuke could completely shelve him directly and use him as a hostage to threaten the Rock.

And there was no need at all to let him appear again.

Onoki's appearance in the current scene seemed unimportant, but for the Rock, it had great significance.

And this was extremely important to Onoki and to the Rock.

After deep thought, Onoki did not delay anymore; he put away his complex eyes and let his face gradually become serious and earnest.

Even if he had to lose, as a Tsuchikage, he had to lose with dignity.

And this, I am afraid, was what this terrifying young man wanted to see.

So, Onoki sank his energy into his dantian and said slowly with a majestic voice.

"In this battle, I admit I lost, and lost completely."

"Because of my improper command, it caused the casualties of over ten thousand Rock ninjas, as well as the death of Roshi and the capture of the Four-Tails."

"But I lost; the Rock didn't lose."

"Now, as the Third Tsuchikage, I agree to the requirements proposed by the Mizukage."

"The war ends in a draw!"

"And everyone present, the Mizukage, the Raikage, including myself, are witnesses."

Onoki said word by word, his tone full of solemnity.

After these words, everyone in the field had different expressions.

The Third Raikage slowly opened his eyes, his expression complex; Bee was at a loss, somewhat confused.

Huangtu's eyes were wet, already choking.

Mizunuki Ryosuke's face was calm, as if it should be so.

It seemed to be just a very simple and somewhat contradictory set of words, but it was the last thing Onoki did for the Rock and for Huangtu.

As long as this statement was spread, it would be Onoki, as the Third Tsuchikage, taking almost all the blame for the failure of this battle on himself.

Just as Onoki said, everything he admitted was witnessed by both the Mizukage Mizunuki Ryosuke and the Third Raikage Ai.

In the future, when mentioning this war, everyone would only use "it was all the failure of the Third Tsuchikage Onoki" to skip over it; perhaps the Rock ninjas would also curse this incompetent Tsuchikage a few times to vent their anger.

This seemed to be an extra move, but in fact, it cleared certain obstacles for Huangtu to sit firmly in the position of Tsuchikage in the future.

At least it would not let Huangtu be implicated in the failure of this battle.

Although there would still be some influence, taking the blame for Huangtu signing the "traitorous treaty" and "commanding the war failure" all on himself...

This not only made Huangtu's succession to Tsuchikage much smoother but also eliminated the possibility of civil strife in the Rock.

And this was why Onoki had to owe Mizunuki Ryosuke this favor.

If Mizunuki Ryosuke did not give him this chance to "take the blame," everything that followed could only be faced by Huangtu alone.

This was not a good thing for the Rock that followed.

After speaking, Onoki placed his gaze on Huangtu; even though he was known for being stubborn and strict, his eyes were full of love at this moment.

"You did very well, Huangtu."

"Don't forget the 'stubborn stone spirit' of the Rock!"

"Stones can be lost and found again, but the fundamental spirit must never be forgotten!"

"I leave the Rock to you!"

After speaking, Onoki looked at Huangtu with encouraging eyes.

And at this moment, Huangtu was already choking and unable to speak; his strong body was trembling violently, and his honest face was covered in tears.

Immediately, without Mizunuki Ryosuke's signal, Kisame Hoshigaki came behind Onoki, applied a simple seal to Onoki in front of Huangtu, and used shackles formed by water flow to restrict Onoki's movements.

From now on, the second half of Onoki's life would likely only be spent under the forced supervision of the Mist Village. ### CHAPTER 718