Both the Hokage faction and the Kumogakure delegation were taken aback.
The Third Hokage had no idea what Uchiha Natsuki intended by stepping out at such a time, but he absolutely could not allow Konoha and Kumogakure to clash again.
Yugito frowned. She hadn't expected Natsuki to appear and throw the situation off balance. The Hokage was already pressing the Hyūga—soon she could have ended the play and moved on to renegotiations. Yet here came Natsuki, spoiling it all.
Still, she kept up the act: "Uchiha Natsuki, one of our Kumogakure shinobi lies dead in the Hyūga compound, and you think this is the time for mocking words?"
But Natsuki refused to play along. "Cut the act. Didn't you just send a disposable pawn to his death, to test Konoha's stance? What's the point of pretending?"
"You've got your answer now. Konoha won't dare to go to war."
He raised a finger.
"Too bad you got one thing wrong."
Everyone present paled. Knowing the truth was one thing—but having it said aloud was another.
Yugito dropped the pretense, her face darkening. "And what, exactly, did we get wrong?"
Natsuki strode forward, clenching his fist. "That fool was killed by my punch. This has nothing to do with the Hyūga."
"You—!" Yugito's shock and fury flared.
"Don't ask. I just didn't like his face. Dead is dead." Natsuki sneered.
"If you don't like it, come kill me."
"Kirabi!" Yugito barked.
"Lariat!"
Already cloaked in the chakra of the tailed beast, Killer B could restrain himself no longer. Wreathed in lightning, he charged with terrifying speed, shattering the stone slabs beneath his feet.
"Natsuki!" Hizashi cried out in alarm—things had escalated too suddenly.
But Fugaku only crossed his arms, as though confident in Natsuki.
The impact came instantly—
With a thunderous roar, dust and debris exploded into the air.
A massive yellow giant rose from the ground—Natsuki's Susanoo. No longer just a skeletal form, its body was layered with flesh, sinew, and armor-like chakra, a towering figure radiating oppressive might.
The sheer chakra pressure struck terror into every heart present.
And Killer B, in comparison, was crushed like an insect beneath its foot.
"Susanoo!!"
Cries of shock echoed all around.
The Third Hokage's face grew even darker—so Natsuki too possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Yugito's heart jolted violently. So this is the Uchiha's divine power?
"Damn it! Rrraaaagh!"
Killer B wasn't one to surrender easily. Though pinned, he thrashed, the crimson tails of the Eight-Tails' chakra bursting from him in rapid succession. Slowly, Susanoo's foot began to lift—
BOOM!
Another Susanoo appeared, this one a dark violet-black, stomping down once more.
Fugaku had unleashed his own Susanoo!
Two Susanoo giants manifested side by side, their combined force blasting every nearby ninja off their feet.
Under that divine might, Killer B was instantly crushed, bones cracking with a sickening snap. His scream cut off as he fell unconscious, the tailed beast cloak peeling away.
Yugito's blood ran cold. Even half-transformed, the Eight-Tails can't withstand them?
Natsuki seized the limp form of Killer B.
"If it's war you want, I'll crush him here and now. Yugito—your choice."
Holding B's life in his hands, Natsuki left her paralyzed. "Wait! Uchiha Natsuki, what do you want?"
Standing tall within Susanoo, Natsuki's voice boomed. "What do I want? Nothing. Wasn't this entire farce your own scheme? What's wrong—can't handle your own trap now?"
His mocking words struck deep—but Yugito couldn't respond.
Not only was B hostage to Natsuki's grip, but the revelation of two Mangekyō users among the Uchiha had shaken her to the core.
Meanwhile, the Hokage faction had cowered like turtles, selling out the Hyūga despite knowing Kumogakure's ploy for what it was.
The titanic clash had already drawn countless shinobi to the scene.
Realizing the defeat, Yugito's face fell. Gritting her teeth, she admitted, "This time, Kumogakure has lost. Please… spare Killer B."
Natsuki exchanged a glance with Fugaku, then dismissed Susanoo.
He tossed the gravely wounded Killer B toward Konoha's side.
"As for this peace treaty—I'm not satisfied. The terms must be redrawn."
He had no idea what the treaty's contents were, but it didn't matter—this was a favor he could casually gift Konoha.
And why extend such a favor?
Natsuki smiled faintly. "Lord Hokage, our compound is well-secured now. No need for your protection. Otherwise, I might accidentally mistake fellow villagers for intruders."
His emphasis on "fellow villagers" carried sharp weight.
The Third Hokage stepped forward. "Previously, while the Uchiha compound was under construction, we stationed Anbu for its defense. But now that it's complete…" He glanced at the unconscious B. "…of course, we'll withdraw them."
Natsuki nodded, then turned to Hiashi. "Lord Hiashi, you're always welcome to visit our new compound."
Hiashi shot the Hokage a cold look before replying earnestly, "Once I've settled family matters, I'll be sure to call."
"Let's go." Natsuki beckoned Fugaku and the other Uchiha, and they departed.
The Third Hokage could feel the Hyūga's disdainful eyes on him. Once again, he had been outmaneuvered by the Uchiha.
Still, Kumogakure's misstep left him with an opening. Forcing composure, he turned to Yugito.
"Yugito, there are flaws in this peace treaty. I believe we must renegotiate."
Back at the compound, Fugaku staggered, nearly collapsing until Natsuki caught him.
"Clan Head, you didn't need to step in. I could have handled Kumogakure alone."
Fugaku sank into a seat, covering his eyes.
"What you did today was far too reckless. If Yugito had acted as well, you could not have withstood two jinchūriki. I only intervened to help you subdue B quickly."
His breathing was ragged, his eyes aching—his vision blurrier than before.
Seeing Fugaku's condition, Natsuki's heart clenched with guilt.
His boldness came from the convergence of several Mangekyō powers within him—his ocular force far surpassing ordinary Mangekyō. The Eternal Mangekyō was only a matter of time.
Even with just the second stage of Susanoo, he had already overwhelmed Killer B. If necessary, he could have advanced to the third stage.
At present, no one in Konoha could rival him.
The Uchiha no longer needed to bow to the village.
"Clan Head… has your vision already begun to fade?"
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