Chapter 85: Surrender.
Inside Konoha Village
Momochi Zabuza and the others stared at the blazing sky for a moment, then turned their attention to the massive Four-Tails in the distance.
Moments later, a golden flash lit up the battlefield, and the enormous beast vanished without a trace.
Zabuza's eyes lit up. "Zenkichi-sama must've defeated the Four-Tails! Let's press forward!"
"Konoha's ANBU—surrender now and we'll show mercy!" he shouted, surging with morale.
The sudden announcement left the ANBU around them speechless and overwhelmed.
"Captured without resistance? What a grand idea."
A cold voice cut through the battlefield. It was Koharu's shadow clone, her tone sharp as she directed Konoha's ANBU to surround Zabuza's group.
Suddenly, Mangetsu Hōzuki stepped forward, using the Water Transformation Technique. His body liquefied, blending into the surrounding moisture and forming a monstrous construct of water.
With a crushing swing, the watery titan slammed into the ANBU without hesitation.
Shuriken and ninjutsu rained down, but the chakra-infused tailed beast coats shielding the Kirigakure shinobi nullified most attacks.
Terumi Mei followed suit, unleashing highly corrosive acid from her mouth. The toxic fluid sizzled as it tore through the environment, forcing ANBU to scatter.
Thanks to the Tailed Beast chakra enhancing them, the strength of Kirigakure's shinobi became overwhelming.
"Water Release – Water Shark Bullet Technique!"
Hidden in the rear, Kisame Hoshigaki stood surrounded by allies. Shielded by layers of Tailed Beast chakra, he transformed into a walking artillery battery.
With chakra stolen from Konoha shinobi, Kisame rapidly launched shark-shaped torrents—waves of condensed water bursting outward with each attack.
Even with superior numbers, Konoha's ANBU couldn't gain the upper hand. Every enemy they faced was powered by tailed beast chakra—pseudo-jinchūriki enhanced far beyond normal levels.
Without Kage-level strength, victory was impossible. The protective coat of a Tailed Beast was no joke.
Even in the original timeline, Naruto's Version 2 cloak left Jiraiya heavily wounded and overwhelmed Orochimaru—without even manifesting all nine tails.
Though Mangetsu and the others lacked the Nine-Tails' chakra, their power was still fearsome.
"Stop this at once!"
"There's no need for more bloodshed. Konoha shinobi—stand down!"
Tsunade appeared in the distance, her voice echoing across the battlefield.
Koharu's shadow clone narrowed her eyes, face darkening. "Tsunade… what is the meaning of this?"
Her voice trembled with anger.
Tsunade remained calm. "Just what I said. Konoha has lost. If we continue to resist, more of our comrades will die. It's time to surrender."
"You… traitor!" Koharu snapped. "You're the First Hokage's granddaughter, yet you'd betray the village like this?!"
She turned to the surrounding shinobi. "Everyone listen up! From now on, Tsunade is considered a traitor to Konoha. You are no longer to follow her orders!"
Shinobi still loyal to the village called out in defiance:
"Tsunade-sama, please reconsider!"
"You're one of the Legendary Sannin! How can you just give in like this?"
"This is disgraceful!"
"Would the First Hokage approve of this?"
Before any of them could shout another word, golden lasers silently flashed—piercing their skulls with chilling precision.
Zenkichi lowered his glowing fingers as he stepped into view, expression casual.
"I think you misunderstood something."
"This isn't about Tsunade begging for your loyalty, or me asking for your submission."
"In truth, Tsunade doesn't want to see you killed. She's asking me to let you live."
"If you'd rather die proving a point—then so be it."
A crushing wave of killing intent poured from Zenkichi. Golden light radiated from his body like a warning sun.
"Gulp!"
Several Konoha shinobi instinctively took a step back, unable to resist the suffocating pressure.
"Don't falter!"
Koharu's shadow clone barked—but was instantly vaporized by a pinpoint laser from Zenkichi.
Bang!
The clone dispersed in a puff of white smoke.
Gasps rippled through the remaining ANBU. They hadn't even realized the real Koharu had already fled—leaving them behind.
"What a bunch of fools."
"The real Koharu ran long ago. Only you suckers are left."
Zenkichi looked around at the stunned shinobi, his tone lazily amused.
"You have three seconds."
"Either drop your weapons, sit your asses down, and I'll accept your surrender."
"You'll have a place in the new village I'm building."
"Or… keep fighting, and I'll personally put you down."
As he spoke, his right hand gleamed with golden light.
"Three… two… one…"
As if some unseen signal had passed through them, one Konoha shinobi dropped his kunai.
Then another.
Soon the ground was littered with surrendered weapons. The remaining ANBU squatted silently, signaling their surrender.
"Your face is really persuasive," Zenkichi said to Tsunade with a faint smile.
"No. This is because you're powerful."
Tsunade replied, her expression complicated.
Not far away, Terumi Mei stared at the pair, dumbfounded.
What's going on between these two? she wondered.
Did they… get closer?
Damn it!
She suddenly felt an unfamiliar twist in her chest—heartache and frustration tangled together.
Zenkichi exhaled calmly.
"Alright, the fighting's over. Let's check on the situation outside the village."
But as he spoke, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Observation Haki pulsed quietly in his senses.
Danzo and the others… had escaped.
Zenkichi made no move to pursue. A cryptic smile curled at the corner of his lips.
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I won't even request for stones today, as usual just do your thing.
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