Chapter 22: Heaven and Earth as One?
Mifune couldn't say anything for a moment. He couldn't very well state that he urgently needed a member of the Akatsuki to take the fall and deal with the Kumogakure side.
"Lord Tsuchikage, regarding this captured Akatsuki member you have..."
Before Mifune could finish, the Tsuchikage interrupted him.
"This is a rogue ninja from my Kumogakure. His judgment must be handled internally by our village. What, Lord Mifune, do you intend to interfere in the internal affairs of Iwagakure?"
The heavy accusation of interfering in Iwagakure's internal affairs struck Mifune, leaving him silent.
Seeing that Mifune had stopped speaking, the Tsuchikage turned his gaze to Obito. He was now clear that among their group, Danzo was clearly trying to sit back and fish for gains, the Kazekage was too young—though a decent person, his political acumen was average—and as for the Mizukage, Kirigakure was currently too preoccupied with its own troubles to seek more problems. Therefore, he was the most suitable to negotiate with 'Uchiha Madara.'
"Although it's shocking that Uchiha Madara is still alive, why would someone like you resort to such roundabout methods? With your power, any plan could be carried out as you please."
The Tsuchikage recalled a scene from the past, when he was still a youth. For some reason, Uchiha Madara had stormed into Iwagakure, nearly unstoppable. Their village's jinchuriki had no chance against Uchiha Madara and was instead controlled.
Uchiha Madara was so powerful back then that it was no exaggeration to say he swept through Iwagakure.
"After my battle with the First Hokage, I was severely injured. My strength is far from what it once was. Now, I am merely an empty shell."
Obito knew Uchiha Madara well, so no one could expose his lie.
"What exactly is your goal?"
The Mizukage couldn't help but speak this time. She urgently wanted to know the Akatsuki's plan. If that plan had nothing to do with Kirigakure, she would immediately withdraw from this matter. Kirigakure's internal turmoil had just settled, and it needed time to recover, not war.
"Allow me to sit down and explain slowly."
As he spoke, Obito actually sat down on the conference table, seemingly unconcerned about the four Kage in the room. His attitude clearly conveyed that the four Kage were mere juniors.
Just then, footsteps echoed, and a figure entered the conference room. It was Su Xiao, followed by Bubu Wang and Amu.
"Seize him!"
The Tsuchikage roared, and a square, transparent barrier appeared in his hands. It was about the size of a Rubik's cube, emitting a faint white light. This was Dust Release!
The attack power of Dust Release was nearly insane. It could decompose most substances into molecular form, causing irreversible damage.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
The Tsuchikage's beard and hair fluttered, exuding an imposing aura without anger. He was directly unleashing his ultimate move, given Su Xiao's record of killing the Raikage.
"If you don't want to die, put your hands down."
A fiery red sphere appeared in Su Xiao's hand, about the size of an apple. He squeezed it, and a terrifying fluctuation spread out.
At that moment, the Tsuchikage, Kazekage, Mizukage, and even Danzo all felt their hair stand on end. If that sphere in Su Xiao's hand exploded, the entire tower would be reduced to ashes.
This fiery red sphere was none other than Apollo. The majesty of Apollo was not something even a Kage dared to provoke.
The Dust Release in the Tsuchikage's hand dissipated. The Kage guards retreated to their respective Kage. Danzo, who had stood up, sat back down, his eyes fixed on the Apollo in Su Xiao's hand. That gaze clearly held desire; Danzo seemed very interested in Apollo.
Su Xiao tossed Apollo in his hand and sat down on the conference table where Obito was.
"Everyone, listen carefully to what Madara has to say. If this thing in my hand explodes, nothing will grow within five kilometers. You can try to see if I have the guts to activate it."
Su Xiao pulled out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. He raised Apollo to his face and used a hot spot on it to light the cigarette.
Seeing this, the Tsuchikage's eyes twitched. He could certainly sense how violent Apollo was. To use it to light a cigarette—this guy was either a madman or an extremely ferocious desperado.
And upon hearing the key phrase 'five-kilometer explosion radius,' all four Kage became wary. What would happen if this thing was thrown into a ninja village? Without a doubt, it would be a disaster.
In reality, the four Kage were overthinking it. Apollo's explosion radius wasn't as terrifying as five kilometers; it was only one kilometer. Although a one-kilometer explosion radius was also horrifying, it wasn't as shocking as five kilometers.
Su Xiao had originally wanted to say ten thousand meters, but after thinking it over, that would be an insult to the four Kage's intelligence.
"Everyone, sit down and listen. I'm naturally timid. If you're all standing, I can't help but get nervous."
As he spoke, Su Xiao squeezed Apollo again, and the fluctuation became even more terrifying.
The four Kage exchanged glances, then leaped onto the conference table behind them, sitting in various postures, but all ready to spring into action at any moment.
Temari stood behind Gaara, watching Su Xiao and Obito. A thought couldn't help but cross her mind: this was practically a living, breathing villain.
Seeing the situation in the room, Obito's lips curled beneath his mask. He had previously threatened the four Kage using Uchiha Madara's identity, but that was just a verbal threat. Now, Su Xiao was holding an unknown weapon—a tangible threat.
Unlike the false identity of Uchiha Madara that Obito was pretending to be, which was just a reputation, the weapon in Su Xiao's hand was displayed right before the four Kage's eyes. The deterrent effect of the two was on completely different levels.
"Earlier, you all asked about my plan. Now, I will explain it in detail. My plan is... to become a complete entity where heaven and earth are as one."
As soon as Obito finished speaking, Bubu Wang, who was crouching beside Su Xiao, immediately turned around to face the wall. He was barely holding back his laughter. After hearing Obito's phrase 'heaven and earth as one,' Bubu Wang's mind immediately conjured the thought that Obito was trying to cultivate immortality.
Bubu Wang used his dog paw to nudge Su Xiao. Su Xiao looked at him, puzzled. He saw Bubu Wang's dog face contorted, his eyes seemingly asking Su Xiao: "Master, do you think Obito is trying to cultivate immortality? 'Heaven and earth as one'? This dog is dying of laughter."
Understanding Bubu Wang's meaning, Su Xiao's mouth twitched slightly.
"Becoming heaven and earth as one? What does that mean?"
The Tsuchikage seemed not to understand Obito's meaning.
Obito's eyes narrowed, and his voice deepened as he said, "Uchiha..."
"Pfft~"
Bubu Wang, who had his back turned, couldn't hold it in anymore and let out a sound. Obito paused.
Su Xiao glared at Bubu Wang, his meaning roughly: "We're about to declare war on the Five Great Ninja Villages. Be serious. Just quietly watch Obito show off."
Bubu Wang turned around and sat up straight, his eyes fixed on the Mizukage, Terumi Mei. At this point, Obito 'understood' Bubu Wang's earlier behavior. He knew Su Xiao had a grudge against Terumi Mei, and he also knew the relationship between Bubu Wang and Su Xiao. That dog was probably suppressing its killing intent just now.
If Bubu Wang knew what Obito was thinking, he would definitely tell Obito: "You're absolutely right. Just imagine my personality along those lines. The prefix in my data is 'Sky-Rending Vicious Dog.' Very hungry. The kind that's very hungry."