"Enough!"
After using his Flash Strike three times in a row, Lock finally caught sight of the Tsuchikage Building. He hurled his Blink Dagger, teleporting inside a heartbeat later.
"Enemy attack!"
The moment Lock appeared, the entire building erupted in alarm. Dozens of rock ninjas flooded the halls, and Iwagakure's Anbu dashed straight toward the Tsuchikage's office.
Inside, Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, frowned.
"They actually let the intruder reach this place? Hmph. So, the target is the old man himself. It's been a long time since anyone's dared to try something this bold."
Though surprised, Ōnoki wasn't shaken. This was his village — and here, he feared no one.
The office doors burst open.
"Lord Tsuchikage! Someone broke into the building!" shouted a masked Iwa-ninja. "We've already dispatched squads to intercept — we'll have him soon!"
Ōnoki waved him off. "No need. He's already here."
The ninja froze, then felt a sudden chill behind him. He swung his arm instinctively, his fist swelling with earth chakra into a massive stone-fist strike.
Lock had appeared just behind him, but instead of attacking, he darted past the blow and into the office.
Boom!
The wall exploded outward — but Lock was already standing safely before Ōnoki.
"Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble," he said evenly.
Ōnoki's sharp gaze studied the mask.
"Konoha Anbu?" he asked at once. He'd seen enough of them over the years to recognize the armor and style immediately.
Dozens of Iwa-nin rushed in and surrounded the room, waiting for orders.
"Lord Tsuchikage," one said tensely.
Ōnoki raised a hand. "Hold your positions."
Lock met the hostile stares calmly, completely unbothered.
"You're right, Lord Tsuchikage," he said. "I'm an Anbu from Konoha. I came here not as an enemy — only to deliver a message and speak with you."
"Hah!" one Iwa-nin snapped. "You barge into our village and call it a talk? Lord Tsuchikage, let's subdue him!"
Lock ignored them, eyes never leaving Ōnoki.
"If I could enter this deep without anyone noticing," he said, "don't you think I could leave just as easily? You might as well hear what I came to say."
Ōnoki chuckled. "Judging by your voice, you're still young. Konoha really does breed talent — a boy bold enough to walk into Iwagakure alone."
Even though Lock had masked his tone, Ōnoki wasn't fooled. He waved his hand.
"All of you, stand down. I'll handle this guest myself."
"Lord Tsuchikage, that's too dangerous!" protested the nearest guard. "At least let us — "
"What? You think this old man's gone soft?" Ōnoki barked. "If I can't handle one youngster, what use are any of you? You didn't even notice him enter!"
Red-faced, the Iwa-nin withdrew, though they stopped a short distance down the hall, close enough to intervene if needed.
Lock inclined his head slightly. "Lord Tsuchikage, your courage is admirable."
Ōnoki smirked. "Courage? Boy, I've eaten more dust than you've seen in your life. But you — you've got guts. Breaking into my office alone? If nothing else, you've earned a place in the bingo books."
"I come on Hokage-sama's orders," Lock said, drawing a sealed letter from within his vest. "This is addressed to you, Lord Tsuchikage."
Ōnoki leaned back in his chair. "Hold on. I don't negotiate with masked men. If you want to talk to me, take off that mask."
Lock hesitated. He knew the old man was testing him — wanting to see the face of the one who dared trespass into his village. But refusing now would only make things worse.
"…As you wish."
He lifted the mask away.
Ōnoki's eyes widened in shock. "You're just a child…?"
He had expected a young man, perhaps in his late teens — not someone barely into adolescence. But Lock stood straight, his expression calm, his presence sharp as a blade.
Despite his age, the strength in his chakra was unmistakable.
For the first time in many years, the Third Tsuchikage found himself truly intrigued.
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