"Suien-sama, you taught us that a wise bird chooses its branch. Now that the situation is settled, don't blame us for not dissuading you tha
"Suien-sama, you taught us that a wise bird chooses its branch. Now that the situation is settled, don't blame us for not dissuading you that day," Tōsei said calmly, showing no remorse.
"You!" Suien sputtered, speechless with rage.
A figure appeared like a ghost, slender but with inky crimson eyes and a chakra blade gleaming coldly.
The blade sliced towards Suien's throat.
Pshhh! Crimson blood spurted. Suien's eyes widened in disbelief.
With a powerful spinning kick from Itachi, Suien was sent flying like a cannonball. As his life ebbed away, the giant shuriken filled his dying vision.
Pshhh!
The immense force of the Totsuka no Tsurugi pulverized Suien, his remains scattering in the air.
The shuriken, its power undiminished, sliced through the massive waterfall and mountain that protected Takigakure. A deafening explosion echoed as a kilometer-high peak was sheared in half.
The Totsuka no Tsurugi continued its trajectory, striking a distant mountain range. It was like a divine thunderbolt, shattering mountains and sending a colossal plume of dust into the sky.
Takigakure's isolation had been due to this natural barrier, cutting it off from the outside world. Now, the mountain was gone, and a huge crater marred the landscape.
The scene sent shockwaves through everyone, leaving only the sound of nervous gulps.
Eyes turned to Kai with a mixture of awe and terror.
The power of that single strike was terrifying!
Who could withstand even a few such attacks? Suien and Akahoshi's confidence had been utterly misplaced.
"Village Head Shibuki, what do we do now?" Tōsei asked, clearly choosing a side.
"What else? We surrender! Do you want Takigakure to be razed again?!" Shibuki, ignoring his weakness, glared angrily.
Shibuki knelt. Tōsei and the remaining Takigakure ninjas followed suit, as did the stunned Hoshigakure shinobi.
"Master, Takigakure surrenders. We beg for mercy!"
"We beg for mercy!"
Hundreds, then thousands, joined in the chorus of pleas, their voices echoing. The simple six words seemed to carry a hypnotic power. More villagers arrived, joining the throng.
Many didn't understand, but witnessing the mountain peak's destruction and the monstrous Blood-Colored Susanoo, the power of conformity took hold. If their village head was bowing, so would they.
This scene of thousands bowing left Kakashi and the others speechless. Even Kakuzu, the emotionless killer who had once ravaged Takigakure, muttered, "Boss, you're more like an evil god than Hidan."
"If he were here, he'd be envious of your worshipers."
"Kakuzu, I didn't expect you to joke, but this isn't funny," Kai said, rolling his eyes.
He wasn't a saint, but he didn't enjoy needless slaughter. He would have eventually come to Takigakure for the Seven-Tails, but Itachi's situation had brought him here sooner. Killing Suien and Akahoshi had served as a powerful deterrent; he might get the Seven-Tails without a fight.
"Alright, get up," Kai said, turning to Shibuki. "Suien and Akahoshi's rebellion was… conveniently resolved by me."
"But, Village Head Shibuki, you saw my red cloud cloak. Akatsuki always charges a fee."
Kai looked at Shibuki. He had already smeared Akatsuki's reputation in Kumogakure; he didn't mind doing it again.
"A fee?" Shibuki was startled, then his face fell. "Uchiha Kai, Takigakure is a small village; we can't afford your fee."
"Hmph, can't afford it? Then pay with your head. As village head, you're worth thirty million ryō," Kakuzu interjected coldly.
Besides his stoicism, Kakuzu was sensitive about payment for services rendered. Non-payment was worse than death.
Shibuki shivered. Compared to Kai, Kakuzu was far more terrifying. Kakuzu had almost destroyed Takigakure. Another rampage would be disastrous.
"No, Master, just name a price; we'll do our best to pay," Shibuki said, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Heh, Village Head Shibuki, you're being overly cautious. Since you're so willing, let's make a deal," Kai chuckled.
The others winced at the words "pleasant transaction." The good guy act was swift; intimidation with Kakuzu, followed by Kai's benevolence. A perfect combination of carrot and stick.
"Master, please tell us," Shibuki said, no longer daring to be sly.
The kneeling Takigakure ninjas and villagers held their breath, their eyes fixed on Kai.
"Alright, don't be so tense, I'm not a villain," Kai said, wiping his nose. "I came to Takigakure to rescue someone, but you have something valuable."
"Hand over the tailed beast. Recovery is good, but constant tailed beast rampages drain your resources. A tailed beast is a powerful weapon, but a double-edged sword. Give it to me, and you'll see it's the right choice."
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