Chapter 229: Could It Be Uchiha Madara?
Deep within a desolate sandstone canyon in the Land of Wind, hidden is an extremely secretive cave.
Dry wind carrying grit futilely beats against the cave entrance cleverly concealed by illusion technique.
The cave interior is slightly chilly, with only a few dim oil lamps providing faint light, illuminating Konan’s worried face.
She carefully uses paper clone to assist Nagato, placing his emaciated body connected to the Outer Path Demonic Statue chakra receivers on a relatively flat stone platform.
“Nagato, what exactly happened?” Only now, ensuring temporary safety, does Konan finally speak, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremble.
She has been staying near Nagato’s true body, sensing distant vague chakra clashes through paper clone, but that final golden light pillar tearing through the sky and destroying everything, its terrifying might, even from such a remote distance, made her soul tremble, as if facing heavenly might directly.
“That light…”
Nagato coughs violently several times, in his deeply sunken eye sockets, that pair of Rinnegan surprisingly still have undried bloodstains, like blood tears, sliding down his pale face without a trace of color, appearing especially piercing and eerie.
Overuse of Rinnegan power, and the massive mental shock suffered, left his condition worse than ever before.
He pants for a moment before slowly speaking, his voice hoarse like sandpaper friction: “Lost… Asura Path, Human Path… and Animal Path.”
Konan’s pupils shrink.
The Six Paths of Pain are extensions of Nagato’s power, symbols of “god,” each one extremely precious and not easy to create.
Losing three in one battle is an unprecedented heavy blow!
“How could…” Konan finds it hard to believe.
Though she sensed the battle’s intensity, she didn’t expect it to reach this extent.
“That Shura… he himself didn’t even appear.” Nagato’s tone carries a lingering fear even he himself hasn’t noticed, blood light flickering in his Rinnegan, as if seeing that despairing scene again.
He slowly recounts, from the Land of Stars border that land full of vitality and hope, to the encounter with Natsuhi Squad, then to Shisui Uchiha’s sudden intervention, and that inconceivable massive dark red chakra remotely transmitted through engraving…
“That chakra… filled with cold, brutality, yet carrying a strange vitality, massive nearly infinite, just like… Tails!” Nagato’s voice is low.
“Moreover, that method of remote conduction and precise manipulation is similar to the chakra receivers on my Pain… remarkably alike, even… possibly more efficient.”
Konan listens quietly, shock intensifying in her pale purple eyes.
“Then… that attack.” Nagato’s breathing quickens again, as if merely recalling exhausts his strength.
“Unable to sense the source, unable to judge the trajectory, as if from beyond the heavens… that extremely compressed chakra attack. Just one strike… merely one strike! Asura Path and Human Path… not even a scrap remained…”
He pauses, struggling to add: “Moreover, he… he can even use a technique similar to ‘Almighty Push’! Power… not inferior at all!”
Konan falls completely silent.
True body not present, remotely transmitting Tails-level chakra, summoning mysterious summoned beast, using Rinnegan-like techniques, finally even triggering heaven-punishing attack…
This Shura’s means are simply unheard of, immeasurably deep!
Nagato’s narration continues, mentioning the Uchiha woman who suddenly appeared, manipulating a dark red giant.
“And that Uchiha Clan woman ‘Madara’ and Zetsu mentioned before… very strong, extremely strong.”
“Her power can directly clash with my Almighty Push, even… killed Animal Path.”
Finally, his voice becomes immensely heavy, stating the part that shook him most.
“And the most terrifying… is that he knows. He knows Pain are puppets, he knows Rinnegan, he knows ‘Uchiha Madara’…” Nagato lifts his head, his blood-tear-flowing Rinnegan staring straight at Konan, saying word by word, “He… called out my true name.”
The air in the cave seems to freeze.
Konan suddenly covers her mouth, her eyes filled with horror.
Since Yahiko’s death, after the original Akatsuki was killed leaving only them two, Nagato has hidden behind the scenes; only she, that guy claiming to be ‘Uchiha Madara’, and black and white Zetsu know of Nagato’s existence.
These years, Akatsuki has also secretly recruited rogue ninja from various ninja villages, absorbing a batch of new members.
But these people at best have jonin level strength; Nagato recruited them using Deva Path, so impossible for a fourth person to know that behind Deva Path Pain, it’s Nagato manipulating.
“He… he also mentioned Yahiko…” Nagato’s voice carries suppressed pain and massive bewilderment, “He said… the one who created that tragedy, killed Yahiko, killed the Akatsuki members who came to rescue… the true culprit… has always been lurking by my side.”
“What?!” Konan cries out in shock, this news shocks her more than Nagato’s true name leaking.
Yahiko’s death is eternal pain in her and Nagato’s hearts, also the root that prompted Nagato’s complete transformation, firmly believing “feeling pain” can bring peace.
Now someone says the truth isn’t what they thought?
Besides Rain Village leader Hanzo of the Salamander and Konoha Root leader Shimura Danzō who were present then, there’s still a behind-the-scenes culprit?!
“That person… has always been by my side…” Nagato repeats this, complex light flickering in his Rinnegan: doubt, anger, and a trace of fear he doesn’t want to dwell on interwoven.
Two figures instantly appear in Konan’s mind.
That tiger mask-wearing, elusive “Uchiha Madara”, and that always half-black, eerie Zetsu.
“Could it be… them?” Konan’s voice trembles, almost blurting out.
Once the seed of suspicion is planted, many previously ignored details instantly become clear: their appearances too “timely”, their “help” to Akatsuki always with some purpose, especially Black Zetsu, always giving a sinister eerie feeling.
Nagato slowly nods, though weak, his gaze sharpens: “No evidence… but their appearances are indeed too ‘coincidental’.”
He recalls “Uchiha Madara”‘s proposed ‘Eye of the Moon Plan’, obsession with Tails collection plan, and subtle attention to Rinnegan power; suspicions in his heart grow heavier.
Shura’s words can’t be fully believed, but this accusation itself, like a key, opens the door of doubt long sealed in his heart.
The cave falls into long silence, only the crackling of oil lamps burning.
Konan needs time to digest this earth-shattering information and the massive doubts it brings.
After a long while, she takes a deep breath, forces herself to calm, and asks: “Nagato, next… what should we do?”
Nagato closes his bleeding eyes, as if gathering strength, or thinking.
Moments later, he opens them again, still fatigued but regaining some of “god”‘s calm and decisiveness.
“This battle, though heavy losses, not without gains.” His voice returns to former dullness: “At least, we truly probed part of the strength of the Land of Stars, or rather that Shura possesses. Far exceeds estimates.”
He looks at Konan: “For Stone Village side, Onoki’s task, we reply: already attacked the border heavy town of original Land of Swamps, but met fierce resistance from Star Ninja. Opponent deployed several elite jonin, including two Uchiha Clan ninja, extremely strong, at least near Kage-level strength. Akatsuki executing the task elites suffered heavy losses, task barely partially completed.”
He pauses, adds: “As for detailed intel on those two Uchiha, and further info on Star Village leader ‘Shura’… tell him, that’s another price. Whether he believes or how he verifies… battle happened outside Bonsō Castle, not small commotion, news will spread sooner or later, he has no choice but to believe.”
Konan nods thoughtfully.
This report both conceals Six Paths of Pain secret and fact of Nagato personally acting yet failing, preserves Akatsuki’s mystery and deterrence, draws fire to Land of Stars and Uchiha Clan, even can squeeze more intel fee from suspicious Onoki; indeed best strategy.
“As for ‘Uchiha Madara’ and Zetsu…” Cold light flashes in Nagato’s Rinnegan: “First find ways to secretly probe their backgrounds. But now… can’t move him yet.”
Akatsuki needs ‘Madara”s support and Zetsu’s intel; more importantly, Nagato still wary yet intends to utilize that Mangekyo Sharingan and his claimed plan.
“Shura’s words, can’t fully believe, but he clearly harbors great hostility toward ‘Madara’.” Nagato finally summarizes, scheming light in his eyes: “Perhaps… we can utilize this.”
……
Several days later, deep in Rain Village secret base.
Damp air filled with rust and dust smell.
Massive Outer Path Demonic Statue stands in the shadows.
Konan pushes Nagato in a custom wheelchair, slowly entering the base core area.
Two people already waiting here.
Wearing orange swirl-pattern mask, exposing only one scarlet Sharingan “Uchiha Madara”, casually leaning on a stone pillar, seemingly lazy, but that single eye subtly scans Nagato, especially his seemingly overexerted Rinnegan with faint blood traces.
On the other side, half-black half-white Zetsu like pitcher plant growing from underground, slowly emerges from the ground.
White Zetsu side exclaims in exaggerated tone: “Yayaya! Looks like leader Lord personally acted this time, but didn’t gain any advantage? Truly rare~”
Black Zetsu half silent, but that small yellow eye also carefully observes Nagato’s condition.
‘Uchiha Hikari… didn’t expect that woman to have such powerful strength? Previously overlooked this guy.’ After all, Black Zetsu focused on Asura and Indra’s chakra reincarnations for millennia in ninja world, naturally not paying much attention to female ninja.
Nagato expressionless, doesn’t get angry at White Zetsu’s teasing, just faintly “hmphs”, acknowledging the action wasn’t smooth.
He skips this topic directly, instead gazes at Obito with a trace of probing and imperceptible scrutiny.
“That Uchiha mad woman, very strong.” Nagato slowly speaks, like stating facts, or questioning: “She manipulates a dark red chakra giant, offense and defense integrated, astonishing power, even can directly resist my Almighty Push.”
He pauses, Rinnegan locking on the eye under Obito’s mask: “That power… why have I never seen you use it?”
Obito silent for a moment, brows under tiger mask slightly furrow.
Nagato suddenly mentioning Uchiha Hikari’s power and directly asking about Susanoo catches him off guard, alerting him.
Looks like quite a few things happened in Land of Stars.
He replies in tone fitting “Uchiha Madara” identity, slightly world-weary and arrogant: “That’s the third power hidden in Sharingan, Susanoo. Not all who awaken Mangekyo can awaken it, but once awakened, gains divine power.”
He slightly straightens, as if recalling past glory: “I in my prime, naturally could use it.”
With that said, he stops.
Nagato deeply eyes him, asks no more, but doubts in heart not dispelled.
Opponent’s answer makes him feel “Uchiha Madara” hides more than imagined, and this “Uchiha Madara” before him absolutely not true Uchiha Madara, but who exactly is he?
Thinking of that Uchiha mad woman in Land of Stars, Nagato secretly wonders, does Uchiha Clan also have clansmen scattered outside?
Suppressing his guesses, Nagato turns to black and white Zetsu, changes topic: “Intel on Star Village, how’s the collection?”
He wants to know exactly how much Zetsu understands.
White Zetsu side immediately blurts out an answer, tone still exaggerated: “Very sorry~ Leader Lord! That Land of Stars has Uzumaki Clan ninja, sensing ability super~ strong! My clones couldn’t get too close at all, slight approach risks discovery~ So detailed intel, hehe…”
Black Zetsu adds in his characteristic low hoarse voice: “Currently only know they annex surrounding small countries very quickly, internal management seems very strict too, but specific combat power composition and high-level officials info, indeed hard to probe deeply.”
He skillfully attributes intel insufficiency to opponent’s tight defenses, hiding his possible knowledge yet unreported intent.
Nagato sneers inwardly, as expected.
He ignores Zetsu, directly commands: “Release our known intel. Through underground bounty exchange and all secret channels, spread two pieces of news: one, Star Village’s actual controller is ‘Ninja World Shura’. Two, Uchiha Clan ninja colluding with Shura, serving him.”
He pauses, cold gleam in Rinnegan: “Especially ‘care for’ Konohagakure
The single eye under Obito’s mask flickered slightly, but he did not voice any objection.
Spreading intelligence and disrupting the situation fits his plan to fish in troubled waters.
White Zetsu let out a meaningless laugh from that half, indicating he would go handle it immediately.
Within the shadowy base, various parties harbored devious thoughts, and a chain of suspicion quietly formed.
The intelligence deliberately spread by the Akatsuki organization quickly spread throughout the entire Ninja World through the Underground Bounty Exchange, like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake surface, rapidly stirring up layers of ripples in the intelligence networks of the major forces in the Ninja World.
The combination of the keywords “Land of Stars”, “Shura”, and “Uchiha” is enough to attract the highest attention from any Kage.
Cloud Village, Raiden Building office.
A heavy thud echoed inside the office.
Raiden was not wearing the white Raiden cloak that symbolized his status, but only a black sleeveless tight-fitting shirt, exposing his muscular, knotted arms.
The stump of his left arm below the elbow was particularly conspicuous, but this did not affect his power in the slightest.
At this moment, he was using only his right hand, gripping a shockingly heavy extra-large barbell with five fingers like iron clamps, effortlessly and steadily performing bicep curls, each movement causing his muscles to bulge, filled with an explosive sense of power.
Fine beads of sweat emerged on his bronze skin, demonstrating his unwavering training.
The door to the office was gently pushed open, and secretary Mabui walked in.
She was still wearing the standard Cloud Village Ninja uniform, with the faint scar on her forehead recording the brutality of that attack several years ago.
She held a scroll in her hand, her expression calm yet carrying a hint of heaviness.
“Lord Raiden.” Mabui slightly bowed.
“Mm.” Raiden grunted from his nose, his movements not stopping, but his gaze swept over: “What is it?”
“The Underground Bounty Exchange’s intelligence network has a new important update regarding the Land of Stars and… that ‘Shura.'” Mabui presented the scroll: “The speed and scope of the intelligence dissemination is extremely unusual. Preliminary judgment is that someone is deliberately spreading it.”
“Shura?!” Raiden’s movements suddenly halted, his right arm muscles instantly tensing, that massive barbell seemingly as light as nothing as it stopped in mid-air.
Rage instantly blazed in his eyes, like a fierce beast whose reverse scale had been touched. The air in the Tsuchikage’s Office seemed to become stagnant and hot from his anger.
“That bastard!” Raiden’s voice was like thunder, shaking the windows with a buzzing sound.
He fiercely slammed the barbell onto the ground, producing a “thud” of a loud bang, and the sturdy floor instantly developed spiderweb-like cracks.
“Assemble the troops immediately! This old man will personally lead them to flatten that damned Land of Stars! I’ll twist off his head and use it as a ball to kick!” Raiden roared, his only remaining right fist clenched tightly, lightning faintly flickering, displaying his extremely agitated emotions.
Mabui seemed to have already anticipated Lord Raiden’s reaction. She was not intimidated by his presence, merely calmly adjusted her glasses and reminded him in a steady voice: “Lord Raiden, please calm down. The Land of Stars is located in the western part of the continent and does not border our country. It is separated by the vast Land of Earth and several other countries. Large-scale military action cannot possibly evade the Stone Village’s notice. And our relationship with the Stone Village…”
She paused, emphasizing, “It is still a hostile relationship.”
“……” Raiden’s chest heaved violently, his heavy breathing sound clearly audible.
Mabui’s words were like a basin of cold water, extinguishing part of his impulse, yet igniting a deeper, more humiliating rage burning at the bottom of his heart.
The painful memories of the Third Great Ninja War instantly flooded his mind. His father, the Third Raiden, stayed behind to cover their retreat, facing over ten thousand Rock Village ninjas alone. In the end, he exhausted his strength and died, worn down to death by that old fox Onoki!
This blood feud as deep as the sea, he has never forgotten for a single moment!
And immediately following that were the two brutal clashes with that mysterious man who called himself “Shura”.
For the first time, the opponent single-handedly raided Cloud Village as if it were unoccupied territory, directly clashing with the “AB Combination” formed by him and Killer Bee. Not only did he severely injure them, but he also caused over two hundred ninja casualties within the village. Finally, he swaggered off, leaving devastation everywhere and a bounty of as high as seventy million ryo.
That was an unprecedented humiliation for Cloud Village since its founding!
Secondly, upon learning that the opponent had appeared in Hell Valley within the border of the Land of Lightning, he unhesitatingly personally led twelve Anbu elites including Darui and Xi to surround and annihilate them, vowing to redeem his honor.
So, what happened?
Another crushing defeat!
Killer Bee and Yugito Nii, the two perfect jinchūriki, were severely injured and on the brink of death, over half of the twelve elite Anbu were killed or wounded, and even he himself paid the heavy cost of losing his left arm!
These two blood debts, like a red-hot brand iron, were deeply imprinted on Raiden’s heart, burning with pain day and night.
He constantly thought of nothing but revenge, wanting to tear that Shura into a thousand pieces.
He fiercely smashed a fist onto the desk beside him, and the hard solid wood desktop shattered with a crack, sending wood chips flying.
“Damn distance! Damn Onoki!” Raiden growled, his voice sounding somewhat hoarse from suppressing his anger with all his might.
He of course knew that Mabui was speaking the truth.
Crossing the distance of more than half the Ninja World to launch a large-scale war is simply unrealistic and would only give the watchful Stone Village and Konohagakure an opportunity to take advantage.
He forced himself to calm down, took several deep breaths, and asked in a heavy voice: “Konoha, Sand Village, and Stone Village—what’s the situation there? What was their reaction to this intelligence?”
Mabui was already prepared and immediately reported: “From Konoha’s side, due to our previous tough questioning attitude, they seem to think we are being unreasonable and unreasonable, and have not provided more explanations on the specific situation of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. They just repeatedly emphasize that the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is safe and sound, and firmly deny the possibility that Shura has the ability to obtain Nine-Tails Chakra from Konoha.”
“Regarding Shimura Danzō,” Mabui continued, “our intelligence personnel conducted a thorough investigation. This man is the leader of Konoha Root organization and was a disciple of Second Hokage Tobirama Senju.”
“According to the records, when the Second Hokage led the delegation here for peace talks that year, they encountered an attack from the rebellion of the Gold Brother and Silver Brother. Danzō was indeed present, and based on age calculations, he is now over sixty years old. No matter from age, identity, or past experiences, he cannot possibly be that terrifyingly powerful Shura who appears to be merely a boy.”
Raiden frowned, and after listening to the report, he snorted coldly, “Hmph, it seems this Shura deliberately used this name to confuse people, or… he has some personal grudge with that Shimura Danzō?”
He leaned more toward the latter; this kind of framing technique was not uncommon in the Ninja World.
“What about the Stone Village?” Raiden was more concerned about the movements of his old rival.
“There are no signs of large-scale military mobilization on Stone Village’s home territory.” Mabui replied: “However, we have reliable intelligence showing that Rock Village’s elite jonin Bun’ya has been unusually active at the underground bounty exchange recently, frequently contacting some stronger wandering ninja organizations and mercenary groups.
“Preliminary judgment suggests that Onoki likely wants to probe or conduct destructive actions against the Land of Stars through employment, to avoid losses from directly using Rock Village’s power.”
“That old fox sure knows how to scheme!” Raiden scoffed, but he had to admit it was the most beneficial approach at the moment.
Finally, Raiden’s voice lowered, carrying a barely perceptible trace of concern and helplessness: “Killer Bee and Yugito Nii… how are their injuries recovering?”
Mabui let out a soft sigh: “Lord Killer Bee and Lord Yugito Nii’s injuries are both very severe. Although their lives are not in danger, they need a long period of rest and recovery. The ninja hospital’s latest assessment is… it will take at least another half year or more to preliminarily recover their combat power.”
“……Half a year, huh.” Raiden fell silent, the rage in his eyes gradually replaced by a heavy suppression.
Losing the high-end combat power of two Perfect Jinchūriki, Cloud Village’s defenses and deterrence were greatly diminished, leaving him feeling constrained even if he wanted to do something.
He walked to the window, gazing at the Cloud Village shrouded in clouds and mist outside. The area destroyed by Shura’s attack several years ago had also been fully repaired, but the tragedy of that year was still vivid in his mind.
A’s massive fist slowly clenched, his one-armed figure appearing exceptionally resolute, yet also revealing a trace of solitary anger.
“This grudge, I’ve
“Shura, Land of Stars…… wait for me! One day, I’ll personally lead people to collect this debt! With interest!”
Land of Earth, Stone Village, Tsuchikage’s Office.
The short-statured, white-haired Third Tsuchikage Onoki was floating in mid-air, his small brows tightly furrowed together as he listened to the report from the Anbu Ninja in front of him.
He held in his hand the report on Akatsuki’s mission execution that Bun’ya had just submitted.
“……The mission encountered strong resistance from Star Ninja, with the enemy deploying multiple elite Jonin, including two Jonin from the Uchiha Clan, possessing strength close to Kage level……Akatsuki suffered losses of multiple elite members, mission partially completed……Currently confirmed that the Leader of Hoshigakure is ‘Shura’……” Onoki stroked the beard on his chin, suspicion flickering in his small eyes.
“Those Akatsuki guys, although they charge black-market prices, they do have strength. Losing multiple elite members in one mission? The opponent still has ninja approaching Kage level? This report from Bun’ya has quite a bit of exaggeration…”
He instinctively felt that things weren’t that simple, but he also doubted that Akatsuki was exaggerating their war results.
He has employed the Akatsuki not just once or twice. The strength of that group of rogue ninja in the Akatsuki cannot be underestimated; they are more than capable of wiping out a small country. How could they suffer such a huge loss so easily at the hands of a newly emerging force?
Is that Shura really that strong?
Although Konohagakure and Cloud Village concealed some information, the Rock Village’s Intelligence Department still gathered quite a bit of intelligence on Shura.
Also, two Uchiha at “near Kage Level”?
No matter how I think about it, it’s impossible!
The Uchiha Clan of Konoha is already terrifying enough. How could Hoshigakure possibly have Uchiha ninjas?
At that moment, the door to the office was knocked on, and another Anbu Intelligence Division ninja quickly walked in, respectfully handing over an intelligence scroll.
“Lord Tsuchikage, this is intelligence brought back by the merchant caravan returning from the border region of the Land of Swamps. It has been verified through multiple sources and has high credibility.”
Onoki took the scroll and unrolled it to read.
The above content is quite scattered, mostly descriptions from eyewitnesses: about several days ago, a brief but unusually intense battle erupted near Bonsō Castle in the original Land of Swamps, with a huge commotion, the earth shaking and mountains quaking, and even eerie golden light descending from the sky… Rumors were flying, among which one piece particularly caught the attention of Anbu Intelligence Division personnel. More than one eyewitness claimed to have seen a “dark red armored giant” flying over the sky above Bonsō Castle and joining the battlefield.
“A dark red… armored giant?” Onoki muttered to himself. Originally, he hadn’t paid much attention to it, only thinking it might be some kind of new summoned beast or ninjutsu.
However, the next second, a nightmare image sealed deep in his memory, bringing endless humiliation and fear, suddenly crashed into his mind!
That was in the distant past, when he was still young and vigorous, accompanying Second Tsuchikage Mu with Lord Second Tsuchikage Mu to Konoha to meet the First Hokage, seeking an alliance, when they encountered that man like a demon god—Uchiha Madara!
That man once stood among a colossal giant that towered between heaven and earth, that giant like a war god descending to the world, shattering all in its path, invincible and unmatched!
He and his teacher, Second Tsuchikage Mu, appeared so pale and powerless in front of that giant!
The fear of being dominated by absolute power, the humiliation of being the Tsuchikage yet powerless to protect the village, instantly overwhelmed him!
Onoki’s body trembled violently, his face turning deathly pale in an instant, nearly losing control of his levitation technique and plummeting from midair. He hurriedly grabbed the desk, his breathing becoming rapid.
“No…… impossible…… how could this be……” He muttered in a daze, cold sweat beading on his forehead: “Su…… Susanoo?! Is it Susanoo?! Uchiha Madara’s…… could it be…… could he still be alive?! No…… that’s not right…… the color is wrong…… Madara’s was blue…… dark red……”
After the extreme shock and fear, Onoki’s brain began to operate frantically.
Combining the “two Uchiha Clansmen” mentioned in Bun’ya’s report with Akatsuki’s unusual “losses report,” a terrifying guess formed in his heart.
The Akatsuki organization didn’t encounter any opponent that was merely “close to Kage Level” at all!
They most likely encountered a top Uchiha strong practitioner who possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan and can activate Susanoo!
Even…
There might be more than one!
That’s why the Akatsuki, strong enough to wipe out a small country, suffered a setback and is using this vague report to cover it up!
If the Land of Stars possessed Uchiha power of this level, plus that enigmatic “Shura” who could make both Konohagakure and Cloud Village suffer losses…
Onoki’s expression became extremely grave.
He originally just wanted to spend some money to employ the Akatsuki organization to cause some trouble for this unruly emerging force that was arbitrarily annexing small countries, and incidentally test its strength.
But now it seems that the waters of the Land of Stars are far deeper than imagined!
It might even involve the terrifying existence of Uchiha Madara!
“Could it be that Uchiha Madara guy back then…” He slowly sat back in his Tsuchikage chair, his short body sinking deeply into it, lost in prolonged contemplation.
The office was completely silent, leaving only the Tsuchikage’s heavy breathing sound and the unconscious tapping of his fingertips on the desk.
It seems the strategy for the Land of Stars must be re-evaluated.
It’s the end of the month, hurry and cast your unused monthly votes!
