I, The New Hokage of Konoha - Chapter 226

“Sealing the Layer of Golden Sand Tomb!”

Upon hearing Uchiha’s words, Gaara, who sensed something was amiss, didn’t wait any longer and immediately took action.

At that moment, the vast surface covered entirely with specks of golden sand lit up with a sealing technique.

As more and more golden sand poured in without restraint from Gaara, a massive pyramid, entirely constructed of golden sand and covered in black sealing symbols, appeared before everyone, tightly sealing Uchiha within.

“It’s over!”

From a distance, the Sand Village’s Jonin, Baki, who had been nervously watching the battle, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Kazekage Gaara using the Sealing Layer of Golden Sand Tomb. He had witnessed the Tailed Beast Shukaku being effortlessly sealed under this jutsu multiple times and believed that no one could escape it.

However, at that moment, Ao, with the Byakugan activated, wore a progressively worried expression and said, “No! It’s far from over!”

In Ao’s vision, the chakra belonging to Uchiha Itachi, which should have been sealed, didn’t subside but expanded at an unimaginable speed.

“What… What is that?” Watching all this, Ao nervously swallowed and continued, “Even Tailed Beasts can’t compare to it! Uchiha Itachi… Is he still human?”

“What do you mean ‘still human’?” Deidara, who had been watching calmly with his naked eye, thought about advising him to see a doctor when suddenly, he exclaimed, “It’s here!”

“What’s coming…” Deidara’s words were cut off as a loud roar emanated from within the golden pyramid.

Following that, to his utter astonishment, a pair of massive arms clad in thick armour emerged from the pyramid, followed by a helmeted giant head, a body, wings, and finally, legs.

At the moment when this blue-armoured giant, much larger than the earlier manifestation of Shukaku, stood up, Deidara understood why the seemingly invincible Sealing Layer of Golden Sand Tomb had instantly crumbled. He also grasped the true meaning of Ao’s “not human.”

“This is… another form of artistry!” Clad in heavy armour, with outstretched wings and a stature surpassing mountains, it was as if a war god had descended.

It was the complete form of Susano!

At this moment, even the ninja observing from afar felt a deep sense of despair upon witnessing this breathtaking scene.

Especially the Kage, who was facing Itachi head-on, felt the intensity of his power at such close range, and it was even more palpable for the Fourth Raikage.

“Is this… Susano?” Ei, who had defeated the Two-Tails with his Wood-style human, looked in disbelief at the Susano before him. It was much more powerful than the one used by Uchiha Shisui!

“Is the difference that significant?” Gaara, standing by, stared in shock at the large amount of golden sand scattered around, realizing that the power capable of sealing Tailed Beasts appeared insignificant in the face of the person before them.

“Uchiha Itachi has become so powerful. It’s hard to imagine how strong Hashirama Senju, who fought him to a draw, was in his prime,” Tobirama said with a bitter smile, shaking his head. “And even more so, Tobirama Senju, who could hold his own against Itachi’s increased power. In comparison, we were too arrogant.”

At this moment, the three of them, the Kage of their respective villages, were also filled with despair. Uchiha Itachi’s power was beyond their wildest imagination.

Not only were they overwhelmed, but with the sight of the fully manifested Susano blocking out the sky, they couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of hopelessness.

Even more so for the Kage, who faced Itachi head-on, at close range, and could keenly feel his overwhelming power.

“Is this Uchiha Itachi?” Temari said with a stunned look as she watched the large amount of golden sand scattered around. The power to seal Tailed Beasts appeared insignificant compared to this person before them.

“I said before, only Hashirama and Tobirama could compare to me.” Inside the Susano, Itachi looked down on the Kage below. “You should be grateful for my intervention this time. Otherwise…”

Itachi’s gaze shifted, and a sharply honed chakra blade was drawn from the sheath at his waist. In an instant, the blade that had sliced through the heavens and stars earlier swept across the heads of the Kage, cutting the mountains behind them in half.

Boom! Boom!

Mountains fell to the ground, creating a loud commotion.

Simultaneously, although the Kage managed to evade the earth-shattering strike, the intense gust of wind that followed still sent them retreating in a sorry state, travelling hundreds of meters before they could come to a stop.

“Mountains… were sliced apart!” Seeing the mountains split behind them, a stable-looking Gaara had a face covered in cold sweat. If that strike had been directed at them…

Thinking the same, Ao clenched his fists tightly and shouted at Itachi, “Why didn’t that strike come our way? Itachi, are you trying to humiliate us further?”

“Is there any adult who gets angry with children?” Standing high above, Itachi said, “Given the current situation, let me ask one last time: have you caused enough trouble?”

Caused enough trouble…

Those were admonitions that only parents would give to unruly children. But when applied to the Kage, they felt humiliated and uncomfortable.

However, upon witnessing the devastation caused by Itachi’s single strike and comparing it to the deep red armour he had donned, even Onoki, who had lost his Dust Release while battling, realized they had been naive in their earlier plans.

Onoki’s strength far exceeded their expectations.

In their estimation, even if they couldn’t defeat him individually, they believed they could hold him back by working together. But after Itachi’s lesson, they realized they had been deluding themselves.

Onoki’s power surpassed their imaginations.

If someone with that kind of power were left unchecked, it would be a catastrophic disaster for the Four Nations Allied Forces in the upcoming Fourth Great Ninja War.

So, someone had to hold Onoki back.

Now, it appeared that only Itachi Uchiha could do so.

After exchanging several glances, Gaara, Ei, Mei, and Gaara agreed silently.

While they had a strong distaste for Itachi personally, as responsible leaders, they understood the rational decision they had to make in the face of the imminent crisis.

The same went for Onoki.

In the face of the imminent threat to their countries and villages, personal grudges didn’t matter.

“Itachi Uchiha, the Four Nations Alliance is willing to cooperate with you to confront Konoha,” finally, representing the Four Nations, Gaara agreed to

Itachi’s proposal. “As you said earlier, we will handle the Konoha ninja, and you will take care of Onoki.”

“Of course.” Satisfied with the outcome, Itachi said, “Rest assured, when it comes to dealing with Konoha, I will be even more committed than you.”

Indeed, he would be more committed.

Once he used the combined power of the Four Nations to eliminate Konoha, he would have free rein over the entire ninja world.

At that point, everything would be under his control, whether it was Tailed Beasts or the Eye of the Moon Plan.

So, this alliance was genuinely in his best interest as long as no unforeseen circumstances arose.

“In that case, let’s cooperate.”

“Cooperate… willingly.”

This established the unimaginable alliance between Itachi and the Four Nations.

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