Capítulo 26: Chapter 26: The Grief of the Tsuchikage
The air in the Tsuchikage's office felt heavy, as if the very walls were closing in. Onoki, the revered leader of Iwagakure, stood alone in his chamber, his eyes fixed on the scroll in his hand. Its contents burned into his mind like a brand—his eldest son, Kintsuchi, was dead.
The quiet of the office was deafening, save for the soft rustle of the paper as Onoki tightened his grip. The words were simple, factual, and cold. Kintsuchi had fallen in battle against the Third Raikage. The Raikage himself had killed him during a devastating raid at the border, leaving no room for survival. Onoki's son—his heir, his pride—was gone.
For a moment, the old Tsuchikage's resolve faltered. The pain was deep, far beyond anything physical. Kintsuchi had been more than just a skilled commander, more than a brilliant strategist—he had been Onoki's hope for Iwagakure's future. A future that was now brutally severed.
Onoki's hands trembled for a fleeting second before he forced them to still. There would be no tears. No visible weakness. He was the Tsuchikage, and Iwagakure depended on his strength, now more than ever. The grief, sharp as it was, would have to be buried deep.
He set the scroll on the desk with deliberate care, but his mind raced. The Raikage would pay for this. Kumogakure would pay. There would be no forgiveness, no peace between their villages—not now, not ever.
With grim determination, Onoki stood straight, his small frame radiating a power that belied his size. His chakra flared momentarily, a ripple of fury that spread through the room before he reined it in. He would need to act swiftly.
He opened the door and called for one of his most trusted aides. The shinobi appeared immediately, sensing the tension in the air.
"Summon the council," Onoki commanded, his voice calm but cold as ice. "We're going to war."
The aide blinked, a flicker of concern in his eyes, but he dared not question the Tsuchikage. "At once, Tsuchikage-sama."
As the aide disappeared, Onoki's gaze lingered on the window overlooking the village. Iwagakure's mountains stood tall and unyielding, much like its people. But even mountains could be shaken by the right force, and today, Onoki felt like the earth itself was crumbling beneath him.
The grief was still there, gnawing at him, but he hardened his resolve. This was not the time for personal loss to cloud his judgment. His son would be avenged, and the strength of Iwagakure would crush any who dared to challenge it.
---
The war council gathered quickly. Onoki's senior advisors and the most experienced jonin assembled in the Tsuchikage's office, their faces set in grim anticipation. They had all heard the rumors—whispers that Kintsuchi had fallen in battle—but none of them spoke of it until Onoki himself addressed the issue.
"Kintsuchi is dead," Onoki said bluntly, his eyes sweeping over the gathered shinobi. A murmur of disbelief and sorrow spread through the room, but Onoki didn't give them time to dwell on it.
"He was killed by the Third Raikage," Onoki continued, his voice steady but laced with cold fury. "At the border. The Raikage has crossed a line, and now he will face the consequences. We will mobilize at once."
There was no hesitation in his words. The jonin and advisors exchanged glances, but they all knew there would be no argument. Onoki was resolved, and once he made up his mind, there was no stopping him.
One of the senior jonin, a grizzled veteran with a scar running down his cheek, spoke up. "The Raikage is a formidable opponent, Tsuchikage-sama. His Lightning Chakra Mode makes him nearly invulnerable in battle. And his forces are well-trained."
"I am well aware of the Raikage's strength," Onoki replied, his voice icy. "But no shinobi is invincible. We will strike where they least expect it, and we will bring the full force of Iwagakure down on them."
Another jonin, younger but no less experienced, stepped forward cautiously. "Tsuchikage-sama, what about our forces in the Rain Country? We're already stretched thin, fighting against Konoha, Suna, and Amegakure. Can we afford to open another front?"
Onoki's eyes narrowed slightly, his frustration barely contained. It was true that Iwagakure was deeply entrenched in the war at the Rain Country, fighting against three other villages. But this wasn't just about strategy anymore. This was personal. This was about his son's death.
"We will take 3,000 of our elite jonin," Onoki declared. "I will lead them myself. The Raikage's arrogance will be his downfall."
The jonin exchanged wary glances. They knew the stakes. War with Kumogakure could escalate quickly, but they also knew that the Tsuchikage's resolve was unshakable. They would follow him into battle, as they always had.
---
Within hours, Iwagakure was buzzing with activity. The elite jonin were gathered from every corner of the village, their faces set in grim determination as they prepared for war. These were Iwagakure's best—handpicked for their skill, loyalty, and strength. They would be led by Onoki himself, and there was no greater honor.
The village's forges burned brightly as weapons were sharpened, and armor was distributed. The shinobi checked their supplies, ensuring that they were prepared for the coming battle. There was no room for error. This war would be fought to avenge their fallen comrade and to show the world the might of Iwagakure.
Onoki stood at the village gates, his small figure radiating power as he watched his army assemble before him. Despite his stature, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was a force to be reckoned with. He was the Tsuchikage, and he would lead them to victory.
His heart still ached with the loss of his son, but he buried it deep beneath layers of cold resolve. Kintsuchi would be avenged, and the Raikage would pay for his arrogance.
As the last of the elite jonin gathered, Onoki addressed them. His voice carried across the ranks, calm but filled with an underlying fury.
"We march to the border," Onoki declared. "Kumogakure has taken from us, and now we will take from them. No mercy. No retreat. We will show them the strength of Iwagakure."
The jonin roared in agreement, their voices echoing through the mountains. The ground beneath them seemed to tremble with the force of their determination. They were ready for war.
---
Onoki led from the front, his Light-Weight Rock Technique allowing him to hover just above the ground as his army moved behind him in perfect formation. The 3,000 elite jonin followed, their faces set in steely resolve.
The path to the border was treacherous, winding through rocky terrain and jagged cliffs. It was a landscape suited for Earth Release users, and Onoki had chosen this route deliberately. If the Raikage wanted to fight, they would fight on Iwagakure's terms.
As they moved closer to the border, the tension in the air grew thicker. Onoki could feel the weight of the task ahead pressing down on him, but he did not waver. He had led Iwagakure through many battles, and this would be no different.
But there was something else driving him now—something deeper. The loss of Kintsuchi gnawed at him, a constant, painful reminder of what had been taken from him. Onoki had always taught his son that a shinobi must be prepared for death, but nothing could have prepared him for this.
As they reached the final stretch before the border, Onoki came to a halt. The jonin gathered around him, their eyes fixed on their leader.
The Raikage would be waiting on the other side, with his own forces. Onoki knew the risk, but he was not afraid. He was angry.
"Today, we fight not just for Iwagakure, but for honor," Onoki said, his voice resonating with a steely determination. "The Raikage has taken from us, and now we will take from him."
The jonin roared in approval, their chakra flaring with anticipation. The earth beneath them trembled, as if responding to their collective power.
Onoki turned his gaze toward the horizon. The border was just ahead, and beyond it, the Raikage awaited.
There would be no peace. There would be no forgiveness.
The war had only just begun.
End of Chapter 26
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Israfil
Israfil This story has been on my mind for a while, I'm only doing this for fun and to share it with you all. I'm busy in real life so don't hope for a really fast update time.
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