Chapter 497: First Arrival in Cloud Ninja Village
Cloud Ninja Village.
Crossing layers of mountains and treading over numerous peaks, the Hidden Cloud Village hidden among the open hills with towering peaks appeared before Haruno Sakura.
"Is this Cloud Ninja Village?"
The girl couldn't help but stop, looking into the distance, taking in the entire Cloud Ninja Village surrounded by clouds and mist—
Thousand mountains as blades, cliffs steep; clouds and mist as flags, dense and ethereal.
Picturesque scenery, like a paradise hidden deep in the mountains away from the world.
The Konoha ninja following Sakura also couldn't help holding their breath, finding it hard to imagine how ninja built so many magnificent buildings on this terrain.
Speaking of which, among the Five Great Ninja Villages, Konoha was the most open, built on an open plain, allowing ordinary people to enter in large numbers and live mixed with ninja.
Benefiting from the First Hokage's grand spirit, the village was built on the plain, which facilitated Konoha's subsequent expansion and development; convenient transportation attracted a large number of mortals to settle and interact, creating Konoha's prosperity. But on the other hand, the plain terrain with no natural barriers and the dense population were also huge hidden dangers for Konoha.
That's why the huge destruction caused by Pain's attack on Konoha was particularly shocking.
In comparison, Cloud Ninja and Stone Ninja located among peaks, Sand Ninja built inside valleys, and Mist Ninja hidden in secret places behind waterfalls rarely had moments when the village was attacked due to the dangerous and rugged terrain.
These ninja villages were relatively closed, and intelligence was not as easily leaked as the open Konoha, so even Haruno Sakura saw the true face of Cloud Ninja Village for the first time.
The magnificent scene made her unable to help but sigh with emotion.
"That's right, this is our Cloud Ninja Village..." The leading Cloud Ninja waved his hand pointing at the scene in front of the girl, with a hint of pride in his tone, smiled, then pointed to the highest peak in the distance and said, "Over there is the highest peak of Cloud Ninja, Raikage Peak. The Raikage Office Building is built on Raikage Peak, also called the Funnel Building."
"Raikage-sama will receive you there."
The leading ninja had the bronze skin and robust physique common among Cloud Ninja men, named Omoi, who happened to visit Konoha once a month ago. Haruno Sakura still had some impression of him.
Before Sakura could say anything, this slightly chatty man muttered in a low voice again: "You came slower than expected. Raikage-sama A has been waiting for a long time. He has a bit of a temper, hates waiting for people the most, I'm going to be scolded again later..."
The girl laughed dryly.
"Encountered some situations on the way... found someone following us, so delayed some time." She explained.
They were targeted by White Zetsu almost as soon as they left the village.
To drive away this group of monitors, Haruno Sakura had to enter Sage Mode and use her keen perception to catch these little mice who liked to hide in the ground one by one.
Wasted some time on the way.
"Alright." Omoi shrugged, muttering with a lollipop in his mouth, "Let's go, watch your step."
He led the Konoha delegation through the rugged mountain road, crossed the towering bridge, and came to the Raikage Building piercing into the clouds.
"Please."
Omoi stood at the door and bowed.
Haruno Sakura paused, smiled slightly, and walked up the steps.
The Fourth Raikage A wore a white top, exposing his robust chest, with a thick belt around his waist, sitting grandly.
Wearing heavy arm guards on both hands hanging naturally on both sides of the chair, he just sat there casually. With a glare of his round eyes and a frown of his thick short eyebrows, a majestic mountain-like momentum naturally rose spontaneously.
No... should be an active volcano with surging undercurrents.
"Hello, Raikage-sama."
Haruno Sakura had a faint smile on her face, stepped forward a few steps, walked to the Raikage, and nodded.
In front of the burly man like a majestic mountain, the girl's slender body looked as tiny as an ant at the foot of the mountain.
The huge contrast even made the Cloud Ninja present suspect if the Konoha envoy could withstand the pressure on the field and kneel down showing an ugly state when facing the Raikage's imposing pressure directly.
However, Haruno Sakura's performance disappointed them.
Under the Raikage's heavy and condensed imposing pressure, the girl was completely at ease. The faint smile on her face became even more obvious, as if A's daunting spirit was just a spring breeze blowing on her face.
"Interesting."
Seeing Haruno Sakura's performance, Raikage A became somewhat interested in her.
Looking weak, but actually indeed an expert. Worthy of being the leading figure of Konoha's new generation of ninja, living up to the reputation.
He didn't continue to probe, but said in a deep voice: "Konoha's envoy... Haruno Sakura?"
"Yes, I am Haruno Sakura." The girl nodded.
"You are late."
"Encountered Akatsuki's peeping on the way here, spent some time dispatching them." Haruno Sakura explained slightly, took out a scroll from her bosom, and handed it to the ninja beside the Raikage, "This is a personal letter from the Fifth Hokage Tsunade-sama to you, please accept it."
C (Shee) took the scroll, checked that there were no traps, and handed it to the Raikage.
Written on the scroll in Tsunade's elegant yet magnificent handwriting: "To the Fourth Raikage A."
A unfolded the scroll, inside was a letter.
"Fourth Raikage:"
"...It can be seen that the Akatsuki organization's arrogance is rising, acting more recklessly day by day. Under Akatsuki's covetous eyes, Jinchuriki and Tailed Beasts of various villages have either been captured or become targets; the strength of each village is constantly weakened, everyone is in danger. Nowadays, no single ninja village can alone resist the threat of Akatsuki, hence the previous alliance proposal."
"The Fourth Raikage is deeply righteous and wise, surely able to see the crisis in the current ninja world. On the eve of the storm, if our Five Great Ninja Villages cannot help each other and work together, there is a danger of being defeated one by one and the ninja world being overturned. These words are not deliberately exaggerated, but a major crisis imminent in the ninja world! Therefore, at this time of crisis, Konoha Hidden Village is willing to put aside all past grievances and prejudices, unite with Cloud Hidden Ninja Village and other ninja villages to form an army, fight side by side, and jointly deal with the threat of Akatsuki!"
"The Fourth Raikage should know: Akatsuki's combat power far exceeds any of the five villages, Akatsuki's conspiracy must be earth-shattering; if the Five Great Ninja Villages do not put aside prejudices and hatred in time and join hands against the enemy, I fear that under the overturned nest, no egg will remain intact!"
"For the benefit of Cloud Hidden Ninja Village, for the safety of the entire ninja world, Konoha Hidden Village, Sand Hidden Ninja Village, and Mist Hidden Ninja Village sincerely invite Cloud Hidden Ninja Village to join the Ninja Village Alliance, discuss major issues, and join hands against the enemy. Hope the Fourth Raikage makes a careful decision."
"Note: This letter has also been copied and sent to the Third Tsuchikage Onoki of the Stone Hidden Ninja Village."
"To be seen by the Fourth Raikage A."
"Konoha Year 62, September 28."
The signature was Sakura's master's flamboyant signature written like dragons flying and phoenixes dancing—
Fifth Hokage Tsunade.
"Tsunade huh..."
Raikage A pondered while reading the letter.
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