For a moment, the battlefield fell silent. Countless people looked up at the Wood Human and Wood Dragon, with many female shinobi even showing infatuated expressions.
Inside the Five-Tails Jinchūriki Han, Kokuō gave Han a thumbs-up. "You reacted quickly, good job. Ah, avoiding a beating, who wouldn't want that? Just look at this."
Kokuō even exchanged a glance with Matatabi, his expression full of provocation. 'Tsk, not as strong as me, and your choice of Jinchūriki isn't as good either. Pathetic.'
Han might be simple-minded, but he was obedient. His body was tough, so perfect Tailed Beast transformation had no adverse effects on him. Plus, he was kind-hearted and pure-minded.
'Look at your Yugito. Tsk, skinny as a twig, clearly malnourished. Must've been abused too much as a kid, stunting her growth. That's why she can't handle full Tailed Beast transformation.
'Seriously, Matatabi, what even are you?'
Ever since Han and Kokuō established their bond, their minds became connected. Han's thoughts were clean—just things like protecting the village and his comrades. But Kokuō's mind was far messier.
Now, sensing Kokuō's muttering and praise, Han felt a little embarrassed. "Kokuō, thank you!"
Kokuō's smirk faded as it rolled its eyes. "Thank you? Thank you for what? You're so dumb, it's painful. After this war, I'll find you some books to read. All you do is train in ninjutsu and physical skills. You've turned into an idiot!"
Han just laughed foolishly in their mental space. Kokuō couldn't help but chuckle too and shook its head. 'Thank goodness Han is my Jinchūriki. If he were Shukaku's, he'd probably be driven insane.'
Standing atop the Wood Human, Uchiha Ryun spoke. "I heard the Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Stone Village signed a treaty. How come you're causing trouble before it expired?
"Is the Hidden Cloud Village's credibility this worthless? Or are you just trying to take advantage of the Hidden Leaf's weakened state?" Ryun's gaze swept across the crowd.
The shinobi who met his eyes immediately looked away, not daring to speak. But the female shinobi batted their eyelashes and struck poses, trying to catch his attention.
This made Ryun quickly avert his gaze. "I'll say this only once. Any nation that declares war on the Hidden Leaf and then tries to take advantage after a truce will have to answer to us first!"
His domineering declaration sent a chill down everyone's spines. Some wanted to argue, but after seeing the mountain-sized Wood Human, they kept their mouths shut.
Ōnoki slowly approached the battlefield. As he looked up at Ryun—his posture, his movements, his silhouette, his tone—he couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
Though he had no proof, he was absolutely certain: Uchiha Ryun was undoubtedly Madara's descendant.
'Does the Hidden Leaf not know? Or have they not told him? If I drive a wedge between him and the Leaf later, even if I can't use him, I can turn him against them.
'Then, heh heh, the Hidden Leaf will pay us back tenfold for what they owe the Hidden Stone!'
While Ōnoki schemed, the Third Raikage A arrived on the battlefield with the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki Killer B and his son, the Fourth Raikage candidate, along with 6,000 troops.
They frowned at Ryun and asked Yugito, "Why has everyone stopped fighting? And why is Uchiha Ryun here?"
The Third Raikage also glanced at Han, who had discarded his weapons beside Yugito. Han even taunted him. "Hit me, come on, hit me~"
The Third Raikage gritted his teeth, gathering chakra as he prepared to strike. But then Ryun's head turned toward him, his expression clearly asking, 'Who dares disrespect me like this?'
Yugito quickly intervened. "Lord Raikage, you mustn't attack!" She even shielded Han, begging the Raikage to stop.
The Fourth Raikage candidate looked baffled. 'What the hell? The Hidden Cloud's Two-Tails Jinchūriki protecting the enemy's Five-Tails Jinchūriki? Did she defect?'
Killer B, however, said, "Don't rush, let her explain. That giant Wood Human is suspicious, skr~" He pointed at Ryun, who narrowed his eyes.
Inside Killer B's mind, Gyūki panicked. "B! Stop singing right now! That guy is no joke! Wood Human Technique, Wood Dragon Technique, Mangekyō Sharingan—damn it, even my full power wouldn't be enough to beat him!"
Killer B froze and asked Gyūki for details. Gyūki recounted how Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha had once used the Buddha Statue and Susano'o to capture all the Tailed Beasts.
And now, Ryun had mastered both. Provoking him was like playing with fire! If he combined Susano'o with the Wood Human, he could single-handedly destroy four nations!
"Oh! The Raikage is here! Yugito, explain to Lord Raikage why attacking isn't allowed," Ryun said with a smile, looking at the Third Raikage.
The Wood Dragon roared, unleashing a spiritual pressure wave toward the Raikage. A's clothes fluttered, but he remained unfazed—his willpower and physical strength were among the top three in the ninja world at this time.
But the other Cloud shinobi weren't so lucky. They wailed, begging Ryun to stop. Seeing this, Ryun waved his hand, and the Wood Dragon quieted down, coiling around the Wood Human.
Ryun sat on the Wood Dragon's shoulder, one leg crossed, his head tilted as he rested his chin on his hand, staring lazily at the Raikage.
The Third Raikage's face darkened as Yugito explained the situation. The more he listened, the angrier he became. But instead of taking it out on his own people, he directed his fury at Ryun.
"A truce? Fine! But Uchiha Ryun, don't forget we're allies. By blocking our interests, aren't you afraid the Hokage will disapprove of your actions?" the Raikage challenged.
Ryun smirked. "Ah, I forgot to mention something. I, Uchiha Ryun, am about to turn 19 and will serve as the Hidden Leaf's Vice-Hokage, overseeing diplomacy, war, and negotiations.
"Everything you mentioned falls under my jurisdiction. So no, I'm not afraid."
His words shocked the over 20,000 shinobi present.
'Nineteen? He's only nineteen?'
'Vice-Hokage? There's such a position?'
'At such a young age, with this kind of power... In a few decades, how strong will he become?'
The Third Raikage's expression darkened further, his back teeth grinding. He knew this invasion was over before it began. He glanced at Ōnoki, who was silently mocking him from afar.
Though he couldn't hear the words, he could read the Tsuchikage's lips: "Brute!"
But he couldn't leave empty-handed. If he couldn't get what he wanted from the battlefield, he'd reclaim his pride by challenging Ryun.
His eyes lit up. The Third Raikage tore off his thin outer robe, revealing his muscular physique. He raised his right hand, muscles bulging as he retracted his thumb and extended his other four fingers.
"If you want us to retreat, fine. But Ryun, I wish to test your strength! Please grant me this match. Regardless of the outcome, the Hidden Cloud will withdraw!" the Raikage declared firmly.
Ryun's interest was piqued. He grinned. "I've long heard of the Third Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode, his 'Hell Stab' technique, and his ability to clash with the Eight-Tails bare-handed. It's an honor to spar with you today."
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