It was rare for Tsunade to acknowledge the truth that technology was the primary productive force, so Zenkichi saw no reason to press the issue.

Killing Orochimaru would be a waste. After all, The snake still controlled much of Konoha's core forbidden knowledge and technology.

Not long after, Tsunade's formal invitation for the unification of the Ninja World was dispatched to all major shinobi villages.

The small and medium-sized villages were filled with unease upon receiving this. Naturally, their leaders were reluctant to relinquish their authority and positions, but they lacked the courage to resist Konoha, knowing full well what fate awaited them should they oppose.

Thus, they chose to lay low and await the decisions of the other Five Great Nations. If any of the other major villages showed a willingness to resist Konoha, they would lend their support. Otherwise, they'd remain silent.

The remnants of Sunagakure and Kumogakure could only sigh upon receiving the invitation. In their prime, they might have scoffed at such a thing — but now, after suffering devastating losses, they understood Konoha held the power to erase them completely.

"Let's wait and see what Iwagakure and Kirigakure decide," the top officials of both villages agreed reluctantly. The matter was no longer in their hands.

As for Kirigakure, Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei encountered no resistance. She had learned about the circumstances in the parallel ninja world from Arakawa Zenkichi himself and understood that unifying the ninja world was one of the surest paths toward lasting peace. She had no interest in clinging to the title of Mizukage if it stood in the way.

More importantly, Terumi Mei's biggest obsession now was to marry Arakawa Zenkichi. Their relationship was no longer a secret, and after growing truly close, she believed in him completely.

With Kirigakure aligned, only Iwagakure Village remained resistant.

Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki scowled darkly as he spoke, "As if I would give up Iwagakure so easily! Not a chance!"

Though he was painfully aware of Konoha's current overwhelming might — especially with a monster like Arakawa Zenkichi at its helm — Ōnoki refused to surrender without testing Konoha's resolve.

He sent a formal reply, challenging Konoha to a battle before any agreements would be made.

Tsunade wasn't the least bit concerned. She knew Ōnoki's nature and chose to dispatch the Hyuga clan to deal with him. It was time to let the other villages witness that even without Arakawa Zenkichi's intervention, Konoha remained a force that could suppress the entire world.

The Hyuga clan, having recently obtained their new treasure — the Eternal Tenseigan — was more than eager for a worthy opponent.

Outside Iwagakure Village

Ōnoki stood before his forces, a scowl plastered across his aging face. "Is the Leaf Village mocking us? Only sending one clan to face Iwagakure?"

His son, Kitsuchi, spoke carefully. "Father, the Hyuga clan is one of Konoha's most powerful families. We can't underestimate them."

"Tch," Ōnoki snorted disdainfully. "Powerful? A rich family in a village without tigers, so the monkeys became kings. If the Senju and Uchiha clans were still around, the Hyuga would never have climbed so high."

He spat to the side. "Konoha sent them here to insult us. And probably hopes we'll destroy the Hyuga for them."

Kitsuchi hesitated, considering the idea seriously. "If that's the case… Konoha never planned to negotiate in the first place."

Kurotsuchi, Ōnoki's granddaughter, crossed her arms. "It's too soon to jump to conclusions. Let's see what the Hyuga can do first. It's possible their strength skyrocketed after receiving aid from that otherworldly visitor. Maybe you're underestimating them."

"Ha!" Ōnoki scoffed. "A single ninja clan against a Hidden Village? Impossible. Even the Senju and Uchiha, at their peak, didn't have that kind of power — unless you counted Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara themselves."

While they spoke, the Hyuga forces approached, the Eternal Tenseigan gleaming ominously.

At their head stood Hiashi Hyuga, calm and proud. "Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, we're here under Hokage-sama's orders to challenge you."

Ōnoki sneered. "All this fuss for one clan. Are you sure you can afford the loss if your whole family dies here?"

Hiashi remained composed. "That's not your concern, Tsuchikage-sama. What you should worry about is whether your village can survive."

Enraged by the arrogance, Ōnoki wasted no time.

"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"

A blinding white light erupted from his hands, the destructive technique capable of disintegrating anything to its base molecules.

But before it could strike, the Eternal Tenseigan activated. Both Hinata and Hanabi Hyuga formed seals, and the attack was effortlessly absorbed by the eye's power.

"Impossible!" Ōnoki's jaw clenched. In his mind, nothing should have been able to counter Dust Release. "What kind of ninja tool is that?! The Hyuga never possessed anything like this!"

Floating midair, he glared at the Hyuga sisters.

"Don't worry, Tsuchikage-sama," Hinata said softly, a hint of amusement in her tone. "After we defeat you, we'll explain everything."

With seals formed again, Hinata's eyes glowed a radiant green. A powerful wave of chakra surged from the Eternal Tenseigan, unleashing an overwhelming attack upon the stunned Iwagakure forces.

---

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