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"Let me see the power you claim to have pacified a ninja village overnight. If you really can do it, I will lead the Cloud Ninja to surrender. Faced with certain death, surrender is not an unacceptable thing."

Having calmed himself down, the Fourth Raikage spoke calmly.

“As you wish!” Iori said calmly, his arms crossed, the tomoe in his eyes spinning wildly before finally settling, powerful chakra surging from his body like a tsunami.

"Susanoo Susanoo!" he said calmly, and then the chakra surging from his pupils engulfed him.

In an instant, a pitch-black giant stood on the earth, a colossal Susanoo thousands of meters tall, blotting out the sky and the sun, like a demon god destined to destroy the world.

Its appearance cast a shadow over the entire battlefield, as if even the sun feared its power.

The demon god merely waved his hand, and a hurricane rose up on the sea, even swirling up the seawater to form huge columns of water, like giant dragons dancing wildly in the sea.

Iori's voice came from high above: "Would you like to see more? If you wish, I don't mind showing you my power."

"No need, sir. The Yunren are willing to follow your lead."

Looking at the demon god before him, who was far beyond human capabilities, the Fourth Raikage abandoned the idea of ​​resistance. A resolute glint flashed in his eyes, and he was willing to offer his loyalty.

Rather than letting the Cloud Ninja perish in the natural disaster, it's better to wait for the right opportunity; perhaps there is still hope in the future.

Chapter 365 The Surrender of Kumogakure (4000 words)

In the distance, the Cloud Ninjas, gazing at the Susanoo that blotted out the sky, involuntarily stopped in their tracks. The despair that surged in their hearts was as biting and cold as the winter wind.

"Is that kind of monster really something that humans can fight against?"

"Ah, I fought that giant? Really?"

Amidst the despair, Killer Bee was the first to regain his senses, his voice booming like thunder in everyone's ears: "Show some backbone as a Cloud Ninja! The Raikage is still waiting for us over there! Bastards! Idiots!"

But all he received in response was deathly silence. The Cloud Ninja remained silent, their eyes revealing deep worry.

A wave of disappointment washed over Killer Bee. He clenched his fists, preparing to face the invincible giant alone.

Just then, the voice of Jonin Tsuchida broke the silence: "Darui, Omoi, Samui, Atsui, go back. If we don't come back, Darui, you will be the next Raikage."

His words were calm and firm, as if he were talking about an everyday matter, rather than a life-or-death decision.

Tsuchikage's gaze swept over each Cloud Ninja, his voice devoid of any emotion: "Those who are willing to go, let's set off together. If you're unwilling to go and die, then go back with them. There's no shame in that."

The other Cloud Ninjas showed relieved smiles. They hadn't spoken before, only worried about the village's future.

But since the earthen platform had already made its plans, they would not hesitate to sacrifice their lives.

At this moment, Atsui, who had been assigned to return to the village, angrily said, "Lord Tsuchidai, why won't you let me go? I am also a Jonin of Kumogakure, how can I back down here!"

Darui's voice interrupted his anger: "Enough, let's go back. Even with the support of Lord Killer Bee and Lord Tsuchidae, we may not be able to stop that giant for long."

"Before they die in battle, we must evacuate the ninjas and villagers from the village. The location of Kumogakure is far too conspicuous."

"If the enemy attacks, there is no way to avoid it, and the natural barrier will actually bury everyone."

Darui raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, etching their figures deeply into his mind.

He knew that if the giant was indeed the enemy, these ninjas would likely have little chance of survival.

Tu Tai's voice rang out again, "Azui, if we all die there, the Cloud Ninja must have someone to lead them. Your task will not be any easier than ours. Remember, you must lead the Cloud Ninja to survive."

Atsi clenched his fists, veins bulging on his face, but ultimately said nothing.

His sister, Samui, bowed to the crowd preparing to die, saying, "May you all have good fortune in battle!"

The others followed her in bowing, their movements solemn and respectful.

Killer Bee and the others accepted their blessings without hesitation and then left without looking back.

As Killer Bee ran, he thought to himself, "Big brother, wait for me, I'm coming soon!"

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Before long, the black giant suddenly vanished into thin air, and an ominous premonition rose in the hearts of Killer Bee and the others.

But they gritted their teeth and did not give up, choosing to continue.

They will not give up hope until they actually see the Fourth Raikage's corpse.

After passing through the forest in the mountains, a wide-open space appeared before them, and the coastline came into view.

The sea breeze, carrying a salty scent, caressed their cheeks, while the waves gently lapped against the rocks on the shore, making a rhythmic splashing sound.

To their surprise, the Fourth Raikage was not only unharmed, but was also chatting happily with a burly, dark-skinned man, while a handsome young man lay on the sea surface, seemingly enjoying the sunshine.

"Ai Da..." The two wooden figures were about to speak when they were stopped by the earthen platform beside them.

"Wait, that man... that man is the Third Hokage!" Tsuchida blurted out in surprise, unable to hide the shock in his heart.

He had been Tu Tai's subordinate for over twenty years and had served under him for more than ten years, so he would never mistake him for someone else.

"The Third Generation Lord? Wasn't the Third Generation Lord gone almost ten years ago?" the two Yugito asked in confusion.

"Is it a resurrection? I remember my father's chakra very clearly, and that man's chakra is exactly the same as my father's!" Killer Bee closed his eyes and carefully observed the Third Raikage's chakra.

His expression gradually changed from confusion to shock, and then to acceptance.

After comparing it with the chakra in his memory, he concluded that the man's chakra was no different from that of the Third Raikage.

"It doesn't seem to be the worst outcome, but it seems that the Hidden Cloud Village has no other choice." Tsuchida sighed and calmly accepted reality.

The two Yugito asked in confusion, "Lord Tsuchidai, what do you mean by this? Do you already know the situation?"

Raikage's secretary, Mabui, also sighed. Seeing that some of the people around her understood, while others remained confused, she explained:

"The resurrected Third Hokage, the terrifying Titans that are thousands of meters tall, and the unharmed Lord Ei, this can only mean that Lord Ei has given up the idea of ​​fighting and intends to surrender and join."

Many ninjas were startled and were about to retort that the Raikage was not a man who would surrender.

But then they thought of that terrifying giant, and their hearts sank, realizing the Fourth Raikage's thoughts.

As the Raikage, he was not afraid of death, but it was also because of this that he could not let his subordinates and villagers go to their deaths.

Between total annihilation and surrender, there seemed to be only one choice.

Killer Bee wanted to say something, but he shook his head and calmly walked out.

The Fourth Raikage keenly sensed the movement behind him, but only after Killer Bee walked out did he calmly turn around and walk over.

He said solemnly, "I have decided to surrender. The Cloud Ninja will be incorporated into Konoha... no, it should be said that it will be incorporated into the Star Han Empire, becoming a military region that is half a level lower than Konoha."

Upon hearing the Fourth Raikage's words, the group asked somewhat blankly, "The Star Han Empire? What's that?"

The group looked at Mabuyi with confusion, but Mabuyi shook his head, indicating that he had never heard of the country's name either.

"That's right, the Star Han Empire, a new nation established by the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, which is about to unify the ninja world and destroy the Five Great Nations."

"In his plan, the five great ninja villages will be preserved as military regions, but Konoha's rank and treatment will be half a level higher than ours."

During their time there, the Fourth Raikage was not idle either. Although he dared not question Iori too much, he still grabbed his father and asked him about everything.

"Oh, right, where are Samui and Karui? Let them come over later. I have something I need their opinion on." The Fourth Raikage seemed to have thought of something and suddenly spoke up. "And Yugito, you and Mabui come over later too. This matter also concerns you."

Mabui frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "Lord Raikage, what is it that involves all four of us at the same time?"

These four ninjas had almost nothing in common, and their relationships varied, with some being good and others bad. Mabui found it hard to guess what could possibly be related to all four of them at the same time.

After a moment's thought, the Fourth Raikage made no attempt to hide his thoughts and said directly, "I have a mission that I need your opinions on, and in the end, only one person will be selected."

"The future emperor, Uchiha Iori, plans to marry a ninja from Kumogakure as a symbol of his equal treatment of the five great ninja villages."

"His only requirement was that she not be too ugly, and it would be best if there were several women he could choose from."

"This is a very serious mission, and it must be done voluntarily. If none of you are willing, I will choose from among the Chunin or even Genin."

Mabui and Nii Yugito looked troubled. Although they didn't have anyone they liked, the sudden task still made it difficult for them to make up their minds.

At that moment, the Fourth Raikage suddenly pointed at Iori on the sea surface and said, "That man lying on the sea surface is the future emperor, Uchiha Iori."

Mabui and the two Yugito looked closely and saw that Iori's handsome appearance, which had been reshaped several times, was shining brightly in the sunlight.

The two made up their minds instantly and said in unison, "We agree. Please let me carry out this difficult task!"

Before they finished speaking, they turned their heads and looked at each other with some surprise and uncertainty, as if they hadn't expected the other person to be so decisive.

The Fourth Raikage looked at the two of them, rubbed his forehead with a hint of helplessness, and changed the subject. He then turned to Killer Bee and the others and asked, "Do you have any more questions?"

Killer Bee stepped forward and asked excitedly, "Big brother, what's wrong with Dad? Has he really come back to life?"

"I suppose so. After persuading the Cloud Ninja to surrender, he paid off his debts and became a free man. Except when he is summoned to fight, he can move freely at other times," the Fourth Raikage remarked.

"Uchiha Iori has mastered another ninjutsu that can transform deceased ninjas into life forms similar to tailed beasts, whose memories, thoughts, and five senses are not much different from when they were alive."

According to him, the ninja world is just a remote little world. Although he is a top-level expert, the overall strength is nothing in the starry sky.

"In order to deal with threats from other worlds, he plans to unify the entire ninja world, including the dead in the Pure Land."

"A threat from other worlds?" Tutai and the others muttered to themselves, feeling that their defeat was not unjust.

They've already set their sights on the stars beyond the ninja world, while I can't even leave my planet. The difference in strength is beyond measure.

At this moment, Tutai suddenly remembered Darui and the others who had been sent back to evacuate the villagers, and quickly sent a signal to them to stop their actions.

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Darui and the others, who were far away in Kumogakure, had just gathered the village's ninjas and were preparing to direct them to evacuate the villagers when they suddenly received a message from Tsuchida.

He stared blankly at the information in his hand, his eyes full of confusion.

Omoi walked over and asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Why did you suddenly stop?"

Darui took a deep breath and said to him, "Tell them to stop. Things have changed; the giants may not be the enemy."

"Bring Samui and Karui over here. Go with them. Lord Tsuchitai said he has an important task that requires their input."

Omoi nodded blankly. Although he didn't know why they were being asked to go, he obediently went to deliver the message.

Before long, Samui and Karui arrived. Darui didn't give them a chance to ask questions and immediately set off with them.

On the way, they couldn't contain their curiosity and kept asking questions, but Darui didn't know the specifics and could only give vague answers, telling them to ask the Fourth Raikage and the others when they arrived.

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When they arrived, the group sat in the chairs summoned by Iori, listening attentively to Iori's explanation.

Upon seeing Darui and the others arrive, they simply invited them to sit down without saying much.

Not daring to disrupt the atmosphere, the three could only suppress their doubts and sit on the ground, listening to Iori's speech.