177 - People Who Got Stabbed to Death Have No Right to Speak

As the alarm in Suna ceased, the higher-ups and numerous Suna ninjas adopted a stance of "open the gates and welcome the guests."

Kei and Hashirama clapped their hands together simultaneously.

On the tall walls surrounding Suna, bridges formed from Wood Release jutted out from beneath their feet, stretching forward.

They spanned several kilometers, leading directly to the front of the Kazekage Building.

Kei, Kushina, Hashirama, Tobirama, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and others walked forward gracefully atop the bridge.

Madara, controlling his Susanoo, quickly appeared at Hashirama's side. With a cold snort, he retracted Susanoo and walked shoulder to shoulder with him on the wooden bridge.

Izuna, on the other hand, went straight for the dark-faced Tobirama.

Two days ago, after being reanimated, he had learned that his brother had actually joined forces with the Senju clan to found Konoha. And that Hokage title? Not a single Uchiha had held it! He felt like the sky was collapsing.

But then he heard that the Senju clan had dwindled to just a single heir, while the Uchiha clan was thriving.

What was there not to accept about that?

Senju? Hmph—A pathetic clan destroyed by their own thirst for hollow fame!

"Some guys are really useless, needing to borrow the Three-Tails."

"People who got stabbed to death with one strike have no right to speak."

Tobirama sneered coldly, glancing sideways at the approaching Izuna.

"My brother lent me his Rinnegan's power, letting my Susanoo reach its complete form. Yet some people can't even get close to using Wood Release."

"People who got stabbed to death with one strike have no right to speak."

"Some people even became Hokage but still couldn't amount to anything. Covering their subordinates' retreat, they ended up killing themselves instead."

"People who got stabbed to death with one strike have no right to speak."

"Tobirama! You only won once! This time, when we go back, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"

Izuna's rage made his hair stand on end, but he didn't dare stir up trouble at a time like this, not wanting to mess things up for his brother.

He could only suppress the fury welling up in his chest.

"People who got stabbed..."

"Can't you say something else for once?!"

"Your brother was killed by mine, you were killed by me, your brother was killed by my grandson-in-law, and you were also killed by my grandson-in-law..."

Tobirama's lips curled slightly in a mocking, cold smirk, his voice full of ridicule and contempt.

"Damn it! Come on! Stab me once!" Izuna grabbed Tobirama's arm and jabbed it toward his own chest.

"Now that you've got a reanimated body that can't be killed, you're all bold, huh? Oh right, I almost forgot—I created that jutsu."

"I'll kill you, damn it!"

"Heh... tui..." Tobirama looked down with disdain at Izuna, who was nearly ten centimeters shorter.

He thought to himself, next time, he needed to have Kushina release the Nine-Tails more often.

It had really paid off—truly paid off!

Far away, atop the wooden bridge, Hashirama placed a hand over his eyes, watching the bickering between Tobirama and Izuna with a bright, cheerful smile.

"Madara, look how well they get along. They're even holding hands now."

"..."

Through his Rinnegan, Madara saw everything clearly from afar. After a brief silence, he decided it wasn't worth arguing with an idiot.

Izuna—if you can't win the argument, why not fight?

Just use your complete Susanoo and beat that white-haired Senju!

This is Suna, not Konoha's territory. Who cares if some Suna ninjas die?

Idiot!

As the group walked along the wooden bridge, countless Suna ninjas beneath them—some holding kunai or ninja blades, others deploying their puppets—stood firm despite fear in their eyes and trembling legs, refusing to retreat.

"The song of mankind is the song of courage; the greatness of mankind is the greatness of courage."

Standing before the Kazekage Building, he glanced around at the many Suna ninjas with firm gazes, already prepared to face death, Kei was deeply moved.

No matter the time or place, those who can stand up bravely are always worthy of greater respect.

"Edo Tensei…"

Chiyo looked at several familiar faces among the approaching group, faces marred by the characteristic cracks of Edo Tensei, and quickly understood why they were here.

Borrowing the power of the deceased... Had Tobirama foreseen this day when he developed Edo Tensei?

To gather the wisdom of the ancients and let it shine in the present—burning with the might of three generations…

Her gaze became complicated as she looked at Tsunade, who now wore the Hokage's ceremonial hat, and all the others standing behind her.

Kei, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Kushina… Even without Hashirama and the others anchoring the force, such a lineup alone was enough to annihilate Suna.

"Please, this way."

She didn't bother with much politeness. She understood why they had come, and knowing what was to come, she turned and led the way into the Kazekage Building.

The overwhelming power Konoha displayed was suffocating, yet within that despair, she keenly noticed something:

Konoha didn't actually want Suna to suffer too great a loss.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent so many top-tier powerhouses all at once.

This… Might be Suna's opportunity to negotiate for more favorable terms.

A cunning old hag. Tsunade curled her lip, ignoring the hostility around her, and strode confidently into the Kazekage Building.

"You two—if you want to fight, get out into the desert."

Madara glanced at Izuna and Tobirama, their arms locked in a silent struggle, each trying to overpower the other. He took a deep breath, suppressing his irritation.

"Go ahead, go ahead. Get some quality time together. Madara and I are also deepening our friendship."

Hashirama waved cheerfully at the pair.

Kei also gave them a subtle nod. He admired people with courage, but too often those people didn't understand pain until they bled.

The awe they had tried to instill earlier—it looked impressive, but the Suna ninjas hadn't truly felt its power yet. There would always be those who acted tough.

Even Chiyo was still scheming, thinking of possibilities that didn't exist.

In that case… He figured the wall Tobirama had stood on earlier was a good place to "open a door."

As the crafty veteran he was, Tobirama instantly understood everyone's intention.

He used Flying Thunder God Technique, taking Izuna with him, and appeared atop the wall where he had previously stood.

He stabbed a kunai into the exact spot he had before.

"Tobirama! You're done for, I'm telling you! I've got Complete Body Susanoo now! Prepare to die!"

Buzz—

As Izuna unleashed his Complete Body Susanoo, Tobirama stepped back, landing atop the Three-Tails Isobu's head. He linked his chakra with Isobu's and quickly formed hand signs.

Waves surged from the sky like a heavenly waterfall descending to earth, crashing into the advancing Susanoo and pushing it back significantly!

Chiyo spun around abruptly, watching the floodwaters near the village border engulf swathes of buildings.

Susanoo slashed upward with its sword, carving a massive trench into the wall, and glared angrily at Tsunade and the others.

"Are we not going to start the negotiations already?" Tsunade adjusted her Hokage hat, her face calm and slightly amused, as though she hadn't noticed what had just happened.

Nor did she spare any attention to the Suna ninjas who had drawn weapons and were ready to act.

"Evacuate the villagers."

Chiyo's fists clenched tightly, her face flushed with fury. She gritted her teeth and spoke to Ebizō, then turned and headed for the meeting room.

She understood clearly—this was a warning. Konoha would not give her another chance.