In the next moment, Sasuke even saw a blazing red mushroom cloud rise, dominating most of the sky!
The compressed air was pushed by the blast's aftershock, creating visible shockwaves that roared outward, forming a massive, perfect circle!
After the terrifying flames swept across all directions, an eardrum-shattering explosion followed!
Even the clouds high above were torn apart by the sound waves, and the ground below showed signs of cracking and collapse.
The raging fire consumed everything in its path!
"Erii-nee..."
Sasuke stared dumbfounded at the scene, almost on the verge of tears. "Y-you didn't forget the Kazekage, did you?!"
Right now, all she could do was pray to the Sage of Six Paths for protection. She desperately hoped Gaara wouldn't be hurt!
But looking at the area scorched by the nine-tiered tower's raging flames, it resembled a giant crater formed by a meteor strike, hundreds of meters wide.
The rocks at the edges were sandified from the intense heat, and molten lava flowed at the center. She couldn't help but feel Gaara's chances of survival were slim.
"Ah, I forgot."
Erii showed a somewhat innocent, blank expression, her big eyes wide and naive.
She really didn't mean it — Gaara's presence was just too low-key. Besides, Adam hadn't given any special instructions, so she hadn't thought much of it.
"He's probably... maybe... still alive?" Erii pressed her lips nervously, feeling uneasy.
"It's over."
Looking at the girl's somewhat innocent expression, Sasuke had completely lost hope.
She couldn't bring herself to scold her, after all, the girl came to save her.
Besides, she belonged to the Rain Village, so there was no need to rescue the Sand Village's Kazekage.
"Hm? Wait."
Seeing Sasuke's guilt and disappointment, Erii frowned slightly and suddenly looked toward the center of the explosion.
"What's wrong?"
Sasuke noticed her change in expression and asked.
But the next moment, from the magma at the center of the crater, a huge stone giant began to surge out.
It looked like a small hill made of hard, gray-white rock, its surface engraved with complex and mysterious runes.
The giant slowly opened its palm, and in the center were Gaara, Deidara, and Black Zetsu.
However, what shocked Sasuke the most was the figure standing on the giant's head—a large, bulky man who seemed overweight but tall and strong, wearing a yellow scarf, a Jonin vest of Iwagakure, and the forehead protector of the Iwa Village Jonin!
"Again... Iwagakure?!"
Sasuke's pupils shrank slightly as she stared intently at the man.
If Deidara's appearance might be explained as a rogue ninja from Iwagakure who hadn't removed his forehead protector in time, then this overweight man wearing the official Jonin vest and protector clearly denied that guess!
"Deidara, Black Zetsu, are you two alright?"
Akatsuchi looked somewhat simple on the surface, but in reality, he was very smart. Just by looking at the injuries of the two, he sensed how terrifying that woman was.
Although he arrived early, he chose to act only at the most critical moment.
"I didn't want things to turn out like this," Deidara snorted coldly, turning his head and complaining, "Who would've known that woman was so strong? If you hadn't shown up, we almost lost our lives!"
"Isn't it your own fault for showing off?" Black Zetsu nearby was full of resentment. Just moments ago, they were almost dead!
If Akatsuchi hadn't come in time and rescued them from underground, they would have been reduced to nothing by now!
It was just too difficult.
If Black Zetsu had known provoking Sasuke would bring out this fierce lady, he would have run away long ago!
After tens of thousands of years, he had only appeared openly once, and ended up getting beaten so badly.
Black Zetsu was mentally scarred and silently vowed never to show himself again if he could avoid it.
"Guys, can you save your arguing for later, after we get back?"
Akatsuchi still looked like a nice guy, squinting his eyes and kindly advising, "After all, we're not out of danger yet."
Hearing this, Black Zetsu and Deidara immediately fell silent.
Erii sighed softly in her heart, relieved they finally came out. Otherwise, she didn't know how she could continue the act.
"What exactly does Iwagakure want?!"
But at that moment, Sasuke could no longer control himself. She loudly questioned the people on the mountain giant, "You're actually working with the Aurora Order? Are you crazy? Is this the Tsuchikage's order, or are you two traitor ninjas?!"
"Hm, you must be a child of the Uchiha clan, right?"
Akatsuchi, standing atop the mountain giant, smiled and looked at Uchiha Sasuke. "I thought you'd ask a more valuable question. I didn't expect it to be this."
At this time, Hyuga Neji and the others who had torn off the Seal Tag and finally defeated the clone also rushed back.
Seeing the huge mountain rock giant, as well as the unconscious Gaara, Black Zetsu, and two people from Iwagakure, they all showed shocked expressions.
"Hm, since all of you from Konoha are here, I'll speak directly."
Akatsuchi's eyes, usually narrowed, opened slightly, a cold sharpness in his gaze that seemed to press down on the surrounding air.
"From now on, we, Iwagakure, officially rename ourselves the Iwagami Empire (Rock God Empire). In the name of the First Iwa (Rock) Emperor, the Onoki of Two Scales, we hereby declare war on the Shinobi World!"
At these words, everyone from Konoha was shocked.
Did they hear it wrong?
Iwagakure renamed itself as the Iwagami Empire, and the Two Scales Onoki changed from Tsuchikage to Iwa Emperor?
And what was this about declaring war on the entire Shinobi World?
"Hm, don't understand?"
Akatsuchi paused briefly, then smiled.
"No worries. Let me explain again. We declare war on Konoha, Sunagakure, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure."
As he said this, his gaze passed over Erii, who wore a black cloak with the red clouds, her eyes sharp and fierce.
"We also declare war on Amegakure!"
"Are you all insane?!"
Neji Hyuga's pupils shrank sharply, a chill rushing up his spine to his head.
He even suspected that the Two Scales Onoki of Iwagakure was suffering from dementia due to old age.
Otherwise, how could anyone say that one village could declare war on the five great Shinobi villages?
"That's enough."
However, Akatsuchi ignored the shocked Konoha group and said to Deidara, "It's time to leave."
Deidara formed his giant bird, and the group transferred over the rocks.
"Well then, next time we meet…"
Akatsuchi looked down at the Konoha people below and smiled.
"It will be on the battlefield. I hope you all can deliver this message to your Kage intact."
With that, the giant bird carried them up into the sky.
"Wait! Don't go!"
Sasuke tried desperately to chase after them, but her strength was drained.
After only a few steps, she nearly fell.
Erii, standing beside Sasuke, supported him gently. Her eyes flickered slightly as she whispered, "May I borrow your sword for a moment?"
"Y-yes, of course you can."
Although Sasuke didn't fully understand, after witnessing Erii's strength, she decisively handed over her sword.
Erii gripped the sword firmly, a faint golden light shimmering in her eyes. She disliked people who left harsh words before leaving.
"Word Soul: Imperial Sword!"
In an instant, Sasuke's sword shot through the sky like a meteor.
"Ah—!"
Akatsuchi's chest was pierced through by the sword.
He was both shocked and terrified. Turning around, he looked at Erii with eyes full of hatred. "Next time we meet, I will definitely kill you!"
"Alright, I'll be waiting."
Erii said softly, her expression remaining unchanged from start to finish.
*******
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