Chapter 20: Supreme Conqueror's Haki
Hatred flashed in her eyes as she moved swiftly toward Hatake Sakumo.
"Heavenly Guard Kick!"
Seeing Granny Chiyo's movement, Tsunade charged in. The ground cracked apart, blocking the shuriken Chiyo had controlled.
Raising her fist, Tsunade glared furiously at Chiyo, thinking the old woman was ready to fight to the death.
"Hmph!"
Chiyo snorted coldly as a series of bang! bang! bang! sounds rang out nearby.
Tsunade exhaled sharply—she had truly feared Chiyo might lose her reason in anger and choose mutual destruction.
After giving Sakumo one last glance, Chiyo withdrew her gaze. She knew that continuing to fight would only make her the sinner of the Sand Village. Even if she didn't care about reputation, there was no point in going further.
Meanwhile, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio stopped as well.
"The young generation today is terrifying," said Nara Shikaku, unable to stop himself from sighing.
Beside him, Yamanaka Haiichi and Akimichi Chōza nodded in agreement.
It wasn't mockery—it was the most honest thought Shikaku had. The first generation of Ino–Shika–Chō was already considered elite, yet this battle showed how far the next ones had come.
"Hmph!"
While Rasa gave a cold snort, Yakura showed little emotion.
At this moment, all the Sand shinobi turned their eyes toward the Third Kazekage. Their morale couldn't be lower. Whether they would continue fighting or surrender was entirely up to him.
"I…"
The Third Kazekage clenched his fists tightly, speechless and filled with unwillingness.
They had gathered the entire power of the Sand Village—how could they still lose?
Was Sunagakure truly no match for Konoha?
"Are you… planning to continue?"
At that moment, Tsunade, the commander of Konoha's side, stepped forward, her tone filled with mockery as she looked at the Kazekage.
"Don't push me too far! I am still the Third Kazekage of the Sand Village!"
"Tch."
Tsunade clicked her tongue and looked away, clearly unimpressed, but she didn't press the fight further.
Suddenly—
A dragon's roar echoed through the skies above. Everyone's attention turned upward.
On the Sand's side, many wondered if Aoyama Ryūun had finally reached his limit. After all, he had been injured while battling Shukaku earlier.
"Compatibility 70%! Advanced Conqueror's Haki evolving into Supreme Conqueror's Haki!"
The battles against the Third Kazekage and the One-Tailed Beast had increased Ryūun's synchronization rate by seventy percent. His Conqueror's Haki instantly evolved to its highest form.
Feeling the surge of overwhelming strength, Ryūun couldn't help but let out a deafening roar.
"Rooaar!"
Crimson light glimmered in his dragon-like pupils as a tremendous aura burst outward from him.
"Power…!"
Could a human's presence really reach such a level?
No—it wasn't human anymore. That man was a genuine monster.
"Truly… a monster,"
Even Hatake Sakumo couldn't help but sigh in awe.
But his words made Tsunade's eyes turn dangerously sharp. Sakumo could only smile bitterly—wasn't he right though? Look at that guy in the sky! How could he not be a monster?
Of course, Sakumo didn't dare say that out loud—he didn't want to get punched.
Then, as Ryūun's Haki continued spreading, several shinobi suddenly collapsed, unconscious.
Like falling dominoes, more and more people fainted one after another.
Under Ryūun's control, every unconscious person belonged to the Sand Village.
"Enough! Stop! I declare the Sand Village's defeat!"
Even if his pride burned, the Third Kazekage had no choice but to surrender—for the sake of his people.
"Heh."
High above, the divine dragon snorted arrogantly, then slowly descended from the clouds.