"It is said that the Third Raikage has the strongest spear and the strongest shield. Now it seems that his spear is more powerful."
"He has the most powerful attack—Hell's Thrust. Zenkichi's hand pierced through the strongest shield the Raikage was so proud of. Neither the Lightning Armor nor his body could block it!"
Tsunade stood on the hillside in the distance, watching the fate of the Third Raikage with emotion.
The Third Raikage had been caught by Zenkichi, and after being pierced by his own Hell Thrust, the Thunder Armor was shattered and his life was already counting down.
The devastating power of the Hell Thrust not only broke through his armor and physical defenses—it also destroyed his internal organs.
Although the Third Raikage was left-handed, he couldn't pierce the heart on the left side of his chest using his right hand. Knowing he wouldn't escape, the Raikage smiled heroically and launched one final all-out attack, coating his index finger in Lightning Release chakra.
Zenkichi didn't move unnecessarily. Calm and direct, he formed a golden lightsaber and thrust it forward—sending the Third Raikage to his death.
Any other time, the wound might not have been fatal. But under Zenkichi's Observation Haki, even a slight injury to vital organs meant a rapid decline in combat effectiveness.
And unfortunately for the Raikage, the chest wound from his own strike had ruptured crucial organs.
"This is the final thrust from hell…"
The Third Raikage roared.
"Go to hell and stab!"
Zenkichi replied indifferently. The tip of his golden lightsaber clashed with the Raikage's finger, completely overpowering it.
"Are you going to run too?"
After killing the Third Raikage, Zenkichi turned his gaze to the distance, where no one remained in sight.
Everyone in that direction had used Earth Release—Iwagakure's Jutsu—to escape underground.
But hiding beneath the earth was useless against Zenkichi's Observation Haki.
His body turned into golden light, soaring into the sky. Then, countless golden light orbs rained down.
Yasakani no Magatama!
The sky filled with deafening roars as the densely packed golden orbs bombarded the earth.
They pierced through the soil, killing many Iwagakure ninjas and burying them underground forever.
Others were driven out by the pressure of the golden barrage, forced back to the surface.
A moment later—
Kitsuchi, who had lost an arm, stood before Zenkichi with a group of defeated Iwagakure ninjas.
"Why do you insist on running? I don't want to kill you."
Zenkichi stood before them, shaking his head with pity.
Kitsuchi glared at him coldly, eyes filled with disbelief.
Zenkichi shrugged helplessly. "You're being unfair. Just because you attacked me and tried to take my life—does that mean I have to kill you?"
"After all, you're so weak. Even if you want to kill me, it wouldn't make a difference."
Zenkichi sighed. His words made Kitsuchi's face flush red with shame—he nearly spat blood from the insult.
"So, you're safe."
"I've decided to spare your lives. You can go."
Zenkichi smiled and waved his hand, allowing them to leave.
Kitsuchi and the other Iwagakure ninjas exchanged confused glances, unsure what Zenkichi was planning.
"Zenkichi, what are you playing at? Just say it!"
After a moment of hesitation, Kitsuchi spoke coldly.
"There's really nothing."
"You saw it yourself—powerful figures like Chiyo and the Third Raikage were killed by me."
"Wouldn't it be a waste if no one spread word of such a glorious event?"
"So…you're lucky enough to be chosen as my storytellers. That's why I let you go."
Zenkichi explained lazily, causing the group's expressions to darken.
That's why they were spared…
Although it felt humiliating, none of them were foolish enough to take their own lives.
"Can't they be storytellers?"
Kitsuchi glanced at Tsunade and the others in the distance, sneering as he spoke to Zenkichi.
He didn't believe for a second that Zenkichi hadn't noticed them.
"I noticed."
"But having them alone as witnesses isn't enough."
"Humans are short-sighted. They might not believe I have this kind of strength."
"Your village might even blame Konoha for your deaths."
"So…"
Zenkichi looked at Loess and the others and explained lazily.
"I got it."
Kitsuchi gave Zenkichi a deep look, then turned toward Tsunade and the others. A flicker of hatred flashed in his eyes.
It was unfair. It wasn't just loss—it was imbalance.
They all came for the same reason, with the same goals.
So why was Konoha safe and sound while everyone else suffered and died?
Noticing Kitsuchi's envious stare, Zenkichi smiled faintly and instantly appeared before Tsunade with a flicker of movement.
"What do you want?"
Tsunade exhaled and asked him as calmly as she could.
"Nothing."
"I just wanted to tell you that you're free to tell others exactly what happened today."
"I'm curious to see how the major ninja villages will react."
Zenkichi gave a light smile and spoke casually.
"All those things you did back in Konoha—there were hidden motives, weren't there?"
"Don't deny it. I've figured it out."
Tsunade stared at him and spoke firmly.
"Tsunade, do you remember the question I once asked you?"
"Well, I have the answer now."
"The reason the great villages attack Konoha is because they're all in competition."
"If you think of the ninja villages as shopping malls, then Konoha is the one with the best layout."
"People go to Konoha to show off, and most of the customers are pulled in by Konoha's allure."
"If the competition continues peacefully, Konoha will eventually crush all the others and leave them behind."
"So the other villages start wars to drag everyone down—buying themselves time."
"That's the truth of the Shinobi World War: the village leaders—the shopping mall owners—starting conflict to protect their interests."
"When you tried to kill me just now, it wasn't to uphold peace. It was to protect your own assets."
"If we want true peace, the selfish ones need to step aside."
Zenkichi narrowed his eyes, speaking with resolve.
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