After a long time, Onoki spoke in a deep voice: "Konoha's bombs, their stockpile can't be infinite, it can't be just us taking the hits while all the other Hidden Villages remain unscathed."
Kitsuchi suddenly startled, looked up and hesitantly asked: "Does this mean we start an internal conflict now?"
"Although Uchiha Aomi is extremely troublesome, in direct combat, he is not unstoppable. With just the numbers Konoha has, it's impossible for him to annihilate the other Five Great Hidden Villages..."
"If we ceasefire afterward and only our Hidden Rock Village suffers a heavy blow, we will instead become the prey for other injured villages. These bastards won't see us as allies, but rather they'll tear into us as a nutrient supplement..."
Onoki coolly said:
"If the Third Kazekage and that brute from the Hidden Cloud form a corps with me, and the ninjas under our command adjust according to Konoha's aerial bombings, we can still defend against them."
"As for The Hidden Mist Village, having gotten the Secret Technique of the Second Mizukage from Uchiha Aomi, we can't count on them to do anything. It's a village on the brink of collapse anyway, and after it's shattered, it will probably fall into civil war."
"Although Konoha's new weapons are ahead of us, once we have intelligence, they're not untargetable."
"Uchiha Aomi can't lead Konoha to destroy the entire Ninja World, not at least for now..."
Kitsuchi silently nodded.
He understood his father's meaning; it was to make the entire Ninja World feel the pain caused by Konoha...
But it couldn't be helped.
If only Hidden Rock suffered such a severe blow, some inappropriate thoughts would surely arise in the minds of the other Hidden Villages.
Returning to the Hidden Rock encampment, Kitsuchi and a few Jonin swiftly killed a few liaison ninjas from other villages, informing their companions of this tragedy...
The bad news was that ten thousand people died.
The good news was that there were still ten thousand left, the Hidden Rock was still a fighting force, there were still people left to fight...
But amidst the anxious Hidden Rock army, there was a blonde boy whose eyes shimmered with excitement; his name was Deidara, a future Tsuchikage successor highly favored by Onoki.
Just like the First Tsuchikage in the past, young Onoki was guided by this founder of the Hidden Rock, constantly training with the stone symbolizing the Will of Stone on his side.
And Deidara was the future Tsuchikage successor chosen by Onoki himself!
This blonde boy possessed unparalleled warfare talent, especially having experienced the great war with Konoha, Onoki had even higher expectations for Deidara's future...
Konoha's bombing force was strong?
If Deidara grew up, he could surpass the entire Konoha bombing force all by himself!
While Onoki was pondering this, Deidara's thoughts were entirely different...
"That explosion, that giant puppet-born explosion, was so beautiful!"
Deidara's face was flushed as if seeing the ultimate art, he clenched his fists and murmured: "Explosion is art!"
"The name they keep mentioning, I've remembered it, Uchiha Aomi..."
Deidara's gaze was resolute, looking towards Konoha's direction: "I will come to challenge you, the strongest artist in the Ninja World!"
"When I create a satisfactory piece, I will seek you out!"
Onoki had keen judgment; Deidara's talent was indeed extremely strong. In the original timeline, he even matched Indra's reincarnation Sasuke without being defeated, even without subsequent Tsuchikage guidance.
If Deidara remained in the Hidden Rock Village, receiving resources as a genius, his future was certain.
Yet, Onoki saw Deidara's talent, not his heart...
As an artist, young Deidara was deeply drawn to the explosion of the Tobirama Puppet, feeling a profound admiration...
Neither Kurotsuchi's long legs nor a village-representing Tsuchikage Kasa could move an artist's heart like pure beauty could.
The gears of Deidara's fate began to turn at this moment, rapidly shifting direction...
#
[Perceived Deidara's strong admiration for the host, now bound as the confrontation target!]
[From confrontation target Deidara, you gained a special talent — Art is Explosion!]
[Art is Explosion]: When researching ninjutsu with explosive effects, your inspiration and speed increase; the power of your explosion series ninjutsu enhances while chakra consumption reduces.
[From confrontation target Onoki, you gained a special talent — Fear of the Tsuchikage!]
[Perceived current attempts to confront the protagonist's numerous targets, possessing equal but similar potential —]
[Host bound special confrontation target: The Hidden Rock Village!]
[From confrontation target The Hidden Rock Village: You gained a special talent — Fear of Hidden Rock!]
[Similar or complementary special talents can be fused —]
[Currently, you can synthesize — Fear of the Tsuchikage, Fear of Hidden Rock!]
[Synthesize?]
[Synthesizing...]
[You gained special talent — Stone Destruction!]
[Stone Destruction]: When you cause negative emotions such as fear, terror, or helplessness in Hidden Rock faction ninjas, your Earth Release ninjutsu expertise and skills improve.
The amplification is directly related to the level of fear Hidden Rock ninjas have towards you.
This talent can open the final confrontation, completed to receive a special reward — Earth Contract.
In Aomi's mind, an electronic tone from Hidden Rock sounded for quite some time, delivering him the true spoils of this war.
First was the Second Tsuchikage's legacy, left unchecked until now...
Within this legacy, there were all sorts of Dust Release techniques and forms, transformations, and various Earth Releases.
Delicate techniques like "Earth Release: Super Heavyweight Rock Jutsu," "Earth Release: Super Lightweight Rock Jutsu," "Earth Release: Golem Jutsu," all unique Earth-attribute Chakra Jutsu of Hidden Rock.
And Second Tsuchikage Mu's unique Secret Technique — more powerful than Shadow Clone Jutsu, the "Splitting Jutsu," which could obscure Chakra perception with "Mujin Meisai," and corresponding Perception Ninjutsu.
Then, there were the insights from Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato, who returned from Mount Myoboku, on Sage Mode of Mount Myoboku.
Sage Mode involves unique Jutsu which utilizes Natural Energy, beyond regular Ninjutsu, or even Kekkeigenkai and Kekkeitota as a branching power system.
Namikaze Minato's insight was how to enter quickly, while Jiraiya's insight was how to extend Sage Mode's duration...
The mentor and student combined provided Aomi with a comprehensive training guide.
"Sage Mode is not exclusive to Mount Myoboku..."
Aomi's eyes sparkled; not only was Mount Myoboku a Holy Land, but also Shikkotsu Forest and Ryuchi Cave.
And as it happened, Tsunade and Orochimaru had good relationships with Aomi.
"Let's try Shikkotsu Forest first, after all, Tsunade's belongings are mine, and I should take a look at the Hidden Cloud Battlefield..."
Aomi pondered in his heart, he needed to pretend to leave Zetsu's sight temporarily, to relax its vigilance, and prepare for the deployment against Uchiha Obito.
Of course, what Zetsu didn't know was that an entity constantly spying on others would eventually be bitten back.
In Konoha's barracks, diligently writing a diary for Uchiha Obito, beneath the ground Black Zetsu currently stood on, Aomi's few clones hid there using Mayfly Jutsu, watching its every move with a grin.
"And as for the Hidden Rock Village, have they engaged with me as a confrontation as well? And the final confrontation type at that..."
Aomi's eyes glimmered: "Earth Contract? Interesting... is this asking me to completely shatter their Will of Stone?"
"Then, step by step, let's slow the pace and give Zetsu some space."
As Aomi contemplated, Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato came in, with a touch of indescribable respect in their eyes, almost seeming like fear or wariness...
"Aomi, I'd like to talk to you."
Jiraiya looked at the two Hidden Rock Jinchuriki lying at Aomi's feet, took a deep breath, and said in a deep voice:
"About the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage, about the world's future peace..."
"Please believe me, I bear no hostility towards you, I just need to confirm some things and hope to gain your help."
Namikaze Minato nodded on the side: "Aomi-kun, if possible, please give Jiraiya-sensei a moment."
Aomi looked at these two who had just contributed their Sage Mode insights, a gentle smile rose, and he nodded:
"Alright..."
"We're all Konoha ninjas, companions who have grown under the Will of Fire, just speak your mind."