"Lord Father, Iwagakure has already dispatched forces toward the Land of Rain."
"If timing is right, they may have already clashed with Akatsuki shinobi."
The Fourth Raikage A didn't break his word—he actually went in person to the Land of Earth to observe Iwagakure's movements.
"Good. It's our turn now."
"Depart."
After many days of waiting, the Cloud Ninja Village merchant ships finally set sail once more under the command of the Third Raikage.
Though the heavy fog had passed, natural barriers no longer mattered now that the Akatsuki had gone ahead and drawn fire.
With the merchant ships speeding forward, before long, land from the Land of Earth appeared within the Cloud Ninjas' sight.
At the same time, the Cloud Ninjas came into view of the Iwagakure ninja.
Ever since they were ambushed by the Cloud during the Second Shinobi World War, this coastline had been constantly guarded by Iwagakure ninjas.
"Sir, dozens of unidentified vessels are approaching rapidly."
One Iwa ninja didn't dare hesitate, rushing at top speed into the outpost to report to his captain.
"What?!"
"Hurry, come with me to intercept them."
Without even glancing back, the Iwa captain threw down the magazine in his hand and rushed outside.
Within moments, he led over a hundred men speeding across the sea surface, preparing to stop all Cloud Ninja ships.
Vessels without confirmed identification must not be allowed into port—otherwise, if anything happened, he'd bear responsibility he couldn't handle.
While praying silently it was just unregistered merchants, he steeled himself and stood firm less than a hundred meters from the ships.
"All vessels ahead, halt immediately and prepare for inspection."
"Otherwise, we'll open fire."
Only after shouting his warning did the Iwa captain realize his forehead was already covered in sweat.
If these were enemy ships, his two hundred pounds would end here today.
"Raikage-sama, what should we do?"
Tudai's face remained impassive, betraying no emotion.
"Continue sailing. Let me warm up."
The Third Raikage cast his cape aside and in an instant shot forward like a streak of blue lightning toward the Iwa ninja.
"No good! It is the Cloud!"
Upon seeing that familiar Lightning Strike Armor, the captain already knew who approached—he had fought the Cloud during the Second World War.
He would never forget how terrifying that blue-clad figure could be.
What one fears most comes true—the moment he braced himself for death.
Even knowing it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, still he must act. This was his duty as a ninja.
"Attack!"
[Wind Release – Gale Cut]
Overcoming tremendous inner fear, the Iwa captain launched his jutsu and charged head-on.
While Wind Release technically countered Lightning Release, unfortunately the power gap between them was simply too vast.
That massive wind blade, capable of slicing men in two, couldn't even slow the Third Raikage's charge.
"Brave effort."
With a casual swipe of the Third Raikage's hand, the wind blade dissolved like mist—easier than taking a breath.
Puchi~
The sound of a sharp object piercing flesh.
The Iwa captain's chest was directly pierced through by the Third Raikage's hand, becoming their first victim.
As he looked down at the wound, confusion filled his eyes—so this was how he would die?
Yet the Third Raikage showed not the slightest pity. In an instant, he tore his arm free amidst flying sparks and lunged at the next Iwa ninja.
It had only been two or three minutes, yet this stretch of sea had already turned crimson with blood, and scattered limbs floated on the surface.
Third Raikage, drenched in blood, strode across the sea's surface, steadily advancing as the fleet behind him moved in unison, churning waves through the bloodied waters.
"They're all dead… everyone's dead…"
In a secluded corner of the shore, an Iwa ninja sat slumped on the ground, his gaze hollow and distant.
He soon shook himself out of his daze—there was still a mission to complete.
The captain had left him behind specifically to prevent exactly this kind of situation from occurring.
He wiped his tears, took several deep breaths, and staggered to his feet before sprinting back toward Iwagakure.
He didn't dare look back, nor did he dare slow down. Desperately pushing his body beyond its limits, he channeled more chakra to move even faster—just a little faster.
When the devastating news reached Ōnoki, he once again lost control of his emotions.
His newly replaced desk splintered into pieces once more, and the entire room fell silent as Iwa's upper echelon froze in fear.
"Damn it! That damned bastard!"
Ōnoki no longer had the patience to scold his subordinates. He clearly understood what this meant.
Iwagakure now faced the greatest danger in its history.
"There's Akatsuki coming at us head-on, and now Cloud ninjas are right behind them like vultures."
"Do you really think something like this could just be a coincidence?"
Ōnoki keenly sensed that this was part of a massive conspiracy aimed directly at Iwagakure.
"You're absolutely right. The Akatsuki must have allied with the Cloud Village."
"This is entirely my fault. Please punish me, Tsuchikage-sama."
The intelligence division chief dropped to his knees, abandoning any hope of excuses.
If the Akatsuki attack alone gave him a chance to explain himself, then the arrival of the Cloud ninjas made him the perfect scapegoat.
No matter how well the Cloud had hidden their movements, the fact remained that he'd found no clues whatsoever—it was an unforgivable failure.
"Punish you?"
"Of course I will."
"From now on, you're demoted straight to the front-line combat unit."
"And if you die, you better die fighting on the battlefield."
"Do you understand?"
Ōnoki scoffed coldly, stripping the man of his position outright.
Had it not been for the fact that the man still possessed some skill, Ōnoki would've crushed him into dust without hesitation.
"Yes sir."
The former intelligence chief, now broken in spirit, slowly rose and shuffled out of the office. He no longer had the right to stay in this meeting.
"Tsuchikage-sama, our top priority now is halting the Cloud ninjas' further advance."
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[Please issue your command.]
Now that a scapegoat had been found, someone finally dared to speak up before Ōnoki.
"Gather every ninja in the village. We leave immediately."
Ōnoki made the decision instantly. Whether he liked it or not, this battle had to be faced head-on.
"Yes sir."
All the high-ranking Iwa ninjas present answered together, though gloom hung heavy on every face.
They had seen firsthand the power of the Cloud Village. Even one-on-one, victory wasn't guaranteed.
And now part of their forces were already drawn away dealing with Akatsuki. Everyone silently dreaded the war's outcome.
Yet none dared voice their concerns while standing before Ōnoki.
"What are you waiting for?"
"Go!"
Ōnoki drove everyone away with his overwhelming aura, which immediately dissipated, making him look as though he had aged decades overnight.
"Teacher, if only you were still here."
Recalling his teacher's guidance, Ōnoki murmured to himself.
At this moment, where was the brilliant, calm hero who once orchestrated battles from the shadows?
After about an hour, someone reported that the troops were ready. Hearing this, Ōnoki finally snapped back to reality.
"Let's go."
Slipping on his Tsuchikage cloak, he regained some of his former vigor.
Arriving at the village entrance and seeing a sea of warriors before him, Ōnoki raised his voice proudly.
"Cloud Ninja Village dares to attack us again. Can we really just sit back and do nothing?"
"No!"
A thunderous roar split the air.
"Then tell me, what shall we do?"
"Destroy them!"
"Destroy them!"
"Excellent! Then follow me into battle and eradicate those vile traitors!"
With that, Ōnoki soared into the air and led the warriors forward at the forefront of the battle formation.
...
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