Chapter 321: Terumi Mei Formed a Plan; Oonoki Attempted to Surrender!

The battle between Tsuchi and Oonoki caused massive destruction in an instant.

Even though Tsuchi was only half-step Kage-level, barely stronger than a elite Jonin, Oonoki, a Kage himself, could not quickly subdue him.

Dust Release might be powerful!

But unless it’s a surprise attack or a large-scale battlefield, its excessively long startup time is a fatal flaw in a Jonin-level fight.

No one will give Itachi that much time to calmly activate Dust Release.

Right now, it’s the same!

Under Tsuchi’s relentless pressure, Oonoki had no time to gather Dust Release.

Meanwhile, Rosha stood with arms crossed, far off to the side, watching the battle with cold indifference.

He had clearly seen Samui and the others flee, yet made no move to stop them; instead, he kept pondering whether he should defect too.

After all, any sane person could see this alliance had no future!

The moment the thought of surrender arose, the heavens and earth seemed to open wide.

“Kazekage, Itachi…”

At that moment, Terumi Mei arrived.

But seeing the current situation, she was stunned: Oonoki and Tsuchi were already locked in deadly combat, the Cloud Village emissaries had fled, yet why was Rosha standing there like a spectator?

Facing Terumi Mei, Rosha didn’t know how to explain.

So.

He repeated Tsuchi’s words exactly, without adding any of his own thoughts.

Terumi Mei understood.

After all, she was a village leader—even if newly appointed—she instantly grasped Rosha’s unspoken meaning.

“Your Sand Village plans to follow the Cloud Village’s example?”

Terumi Mei cut straight to the point.

And as for that—

Rosha, though surprised by her bluntness, paused briefly, then slowly nodded.

“Still considering.”

Terumi Mei fell silent, and began considering too.

Did this so-called Four Village Alliance truly have any future left?

Konoha was already absurdly strong—capable of fighting all four alone—and now the Cloud Village had decided to defect to Konoha; it seemed the Sand Village was also considering surrendering to Konoha…

This damn thing!

Could the Mist and Stone Villages alone stand against Konoha?

Don’t even think about it.

Even if Konoha were in its weakened state under Hiruzen Sarutobi, it would still be two villages against three—no guarantee of death, but certainly more losses than wins.

And now, under Uchiha Jin’s leadership, Konoha was terrifyingly powerful.

So, in an instant—

She began to wonder: should the Mist Village surrender too?

Now that she was considering surrender, Terumi Mei had no interest in interfering in Oonoki and Tsuchi’s battle.

…

Five minutes later.

Reinforcements from Stone, Mist, and Sand Villages arrived; the Stone Village immediately rushed to support Oonoki.

But on the other side—

Seeing Sand Village forces preparing to assist, Rosha immediately shouted to his people.

“Everyone, stop!”

The Sand Village forces stared in confusion.

Yet—

Seeing Rosha’s stern expression, they hesitated, but all stepped back behind him.

Terumi Mei, seeing this, quickly ordered: “Mist Village, fall back!”

Mist Village forces: “...”

They too looked baffled, but still obeyed and retreated.

After all, their own Kage had spoken—and Sand Village wasn’t intervening—so they naturally followed orders.

The battlefield was now complex, even subtly tense.

“Tsuchi, surrender.”

“Itachi can’t escape. And I don’t want to kill Itachi… yet.”

Oonoki’s voice was icy.

His eyes burned with murderous intent, yet he forcibly suppressed his rage.

He chose to offer surrender.

The reason was simple.

Though furious that Tsuchi had allowed Samui and the others to escape—making him want to kill Tsuchi on the spot—

He couldn’t.

A living Tsuchi held far greater value than a dead one.

The Cloud Village’s defection was already sealed; Oonoki had to think ahead. Tsuchi could become a valuable pawn.

As the first village to defect to Konoha, whether Uchiha Jin liked it or not, he must show sufficient magnanimity—he must find a way to rescue Tsuchi.

Otherwise—

Would the newly joined Cloud Village ninja truly be willing to serve Konoha?

Under these circumstances, Uchiha Jin had no choice.

Yet—

Oonoki could see this. So could Tsuchi.

Hearing this, Tsuchi merely gave a cold, dismissive laugh.

“Oonoki, give up.”

“Since I chose to stay, I never intended to leave alive.”

“As a ninja, death isn’t frightening.”

“And I’m already so old—how much longer could I even live?”

“If my aged body can buy the younger generation of my village a chance to survive, then—”

“Hmph. Worth it.”

“And let me advise Itachi: stop dreaming of resisting Konoha.”

“It’s useless.”

“Look at the Mist and Sand Villages over there.”

“They haven’t moved. Don’t Itachi understand what that means?”

“I advise Itachi—surrender.”

“Villages have no future left. Unification of the ninja world is the only path.”

“Itachi alone, Oonoki, cannot defy heaven’s will.”

“And Itachi’re already so old—don’t Itachi think of your descendants, your Stone Village ninja, your people?”

“Besides Itachi, Oonoki, does your Stone Village have any young person capable of holding the Kage position?”

“Even if Konoha doesn’t force its hand, the day Itachi die will be the day your Stone Village collapses completely.”

“On the contrary!”

“If Itachi surrender now, Itachi might still secure a better future for your village.”

“Otherwise, when Konoha crushes your Stone Village, your people’s future will be bleak.”

Tsuchi’s tone was icy, his lips curled in contempt.

Yes!

Since he chose to stand alone against Oonoki, he never planned to leave alive.

He was already so old—he truly feared no death.

On the contrary—

He now felt liberated, even turning to counsel Oonoki.

Oonoki: “...”

He opened his mouth to refute, yet found no words.

Because Tsuchi was right: Stone Village had no successor.

It relied entirely on this old man; not a single soul below him could carry the Kage’s banner.

His son and granddaughter were talented, but only compared to ordinary people.

Against true top-tier peers, their strength was pitifully weak.

Not even close to Uchiha Jin—and they couldn’t match Terumi Mei or Rosha either.

“Stop! Release him!”

At that moment, a cold voice rang from afar.

Immediately after.

Everyone turned to see a large group of Hidden Leaf reinforcements arriving.

The leader was Tsunade.