Chapter 286: The Collapse of the Tenshukaku, Iwagakure Takes Action!
Meanwhile, in the heart of Yunming City, the capital of the Land of Lightning—an opulent district protected by towering inner city walls.
This was the Daimyō's residence, known as the Tenshukaku.
The Tenshukaku, the highest and most prominent structure in a Japanese-style castle, served both as a watchtower and command center. In feudal times, it symbolized supreme ruling authority. Located at the highest point within the city, it consisted of a main keep and three auxiliary towers.
At this moment—
A burly, broad-shouldered man with a round face, clad in Iwagakure's red uniform, a brown vest, and a red forehead protector, stood atop the inner city walls, which were now littered with corpses. His massive frame resembled a bear as he silently awaited something.
Before him, the towering main keep of the Tenshukaku was being pierced through by a crimson beam of energy, collapsing in a thunderous roar.
The white-gray stone walls and embankments crumbled,
The topmost watchtower caved in, crushing the lower irimoya-style roofs,
Columns of nanmu wood toppled, bricks shattered, debris scattered,
A massive cloud of dust and rubble erupted into the air!
For a long moment, silence followed.
As the most revered structure in the Land of Lightning came crashing down, chaos erupted within the inner city.
Frantic footsteps echoed as samurai and shinobi guarding the Daimyō's residence rushed toward the scene.
But before they could arrive—
The crimson beam, which had pierced through the Tenshukaku and dyed the sky blood red, gradually faded.
From the smoldering ruins of the Tenshukaku, a figure emerged.
A muscular, red-haired man with a thick beard and a tattered purple monk's robe strode forward, his bare chest scorched but unscathed.
With a powerful leap, he landed atop the high city wall—standing beside the burly man.
These two were none other than Iwagakure's emissaries to Yunming City:
Kitsuchi, son of the Third Tsuchikage.
Rōshi, the Four-Tails Jinchūriki.
After entering the city and settling in the embassy, they had swiftly dispatched their shadow clones and set their plan into motion—allowing Rōshi to single-handedly obliterate the revered Tenshukaku.
At this moment—
Kitsuchi turned toward Rōshi, whose body was covered in dust, his expression tense and serious.
"So? Was the Daimyō inside?"
"Did we kill him?"
Though Kitsuchi outwardly maintained a calm demeanor, deep down, he was unsettled. What they had just done was nothing short of treason, a crime punishable by seppuku in the past.
Rōshi shook his head and frowned.
"No. The one inside was merely a decoy."
"According to the intelligence we received earlier, after the first assassination attempt by that immortal cultist failed, the real Daimyō was relocated."
"At this point, no one knows where he's hiding."
Hearing this, Rōshi let out a scoff.
"To think that someone so high and mighty—someone we once had to bow our heads to—is now running like a stray dog."
"And that old man still shows respect to the Tsuchikage of the Land of Earth? Ridiculous."
"Such nonsense."
After effortlessly wiping out the nobles within the Tenshukaku, Rōshi found the situation almost surreal, as if trapped in a dream. His voice carried an air of detachment.
"Watch your words." Kitsuchi frowned and shot Rōshi a sharp glance.
"Don't forget our real objective."
"This mission isn't about actually killing the Daimyō. It's about fueling the flames—stirring up chaos among the hot spring shinobi and assassins, forcing the Daimyō into a corner."
"He still serves a purpose for us."
Rōshi remained silent for a moment, then looked down at the now-chaotic ruins of the Tenshukaku.
"So, what's next?"
"Killing a fake Daimyō means nothing. Do you really think that'll provoke him?"
"You should know, people like him—like the old man—who live within the walls of power don't flinch even if their wives and children die before their eyes."
"They've already become something else."
"Cold, unfeeling machines of power."
Kitsuchi shook his head and chuckled confidently.
"I told you, we're just setting the fire."
"By killing the decoy, we force the real Daimyō to reveal himself."
"If he refuses to step forward, his reputation will be in tatters, and his authority will crumble. At the upcoming Five Kage Summit, we'll have the upper hand."
"If he does come out to regain control, then the constant assassinations will push him toward the only 'right choice'."
Rōshi exhaled sharply, clearly uninterested in the political maneuvering.
He looked at Kitsuchi's sturdy, honest face and sighed.
"Kitsuchi, you're becoming more and more like the old man."
"And that's not a good thing."
Kitsuchi's expression didn't change, but his gaze dimmed slightly.
At this moment—he was just like Konoha's shadow, willing to stain his hands for his village.
By making this choice, he had already forfeited any chance of ever becoming the Fourth Tsuchikage.
"Someone has to do this."
His gaze darkened briefly, but he quickly regained his composure and turned to Rōshi.
"Enough talk. What about that brat, 'Uchiha Ci'?"
"Capturing him and bringing him back to Iwagakure is our top priority!"
"Even if everything else fails, it doesn't matter—Hidan's cult techniques are invaluable. Our ability to wage war against the Land of Lightning hinges on him!"
At these words, Rōshi took a deep breath and closed his eyes, as if disgusted by the situation.
After a brief silence, he finally spoke.
"I've already given the kid his options."
"And just as you predicted—"
"He agreed."
Rōshi's voice was heavy.
"He claims it's all for the sake of killing the Third Raikage, A."
"But Kitsuchi, I won't do this again."
He fixed his gaze on Kitsuchi, his expression conflicted.
"Trying to control love through hatred will only backfire."
"If you can't draw a clear line between good and evil, all you'll create is an endless cycle of vengeance."
Hearing this, Kitsuchi's expression turned cold.
"That's war."
"No matter how despicable or ruthless—if it brings victory,"
"Then it's worth it."
For a long moment, Rōshi simply closed his eyes, unwilling to align himself with such thinking.
Kitsuchi, hiding his inner turmoil, let out a hearty laugh and said,
"Well then—"
"It's time for us to take the stage."
"By now, our 'other selves' should be arriving."
"It's time to become—"
"The 'heroes' who vanquished the assassins."
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