The Raikage didn't believe for a second that Konoha only wanted what was written in the peace agreement.
Otherwise—why would they force him personally to come?
"Raikage, please don't misunderstand," Minato said calmly, both hands resting on the table.
"We simply wished to prevent any future complications."
He gestured to Shikaku, who handed over the finalized agreement.
A took the document and scanned it with a frown.
There were no hidden clauses.
No extra demands.
Everything matched the prior negotiations exactly.
Honestly— he didn't want to sign.
But given the current situation, refusing was no longer an option.
He picked up the pen, signed the agreement, then tossed it back onto the table in front of Minato.
Without another word, he turned and walked out with his entourage.
Mifune watched the scene without the slightest hint of anger.
To him, this was simply the impatience of the younger generation.
Behind them, Wen Lan called out:
"Raikage-sama, please remember to withdraw your defensive lines promptly.
In one week, Konoha will assume control of those two territories."
A's temper flared instantly.
He almost exploded.
But after clenching his teeth, he forced himself to stop.
With a cold snort, he continued walking.
Minato watched him leave, expression calm as ever.
Then he turned to Mifune with a polite smile.
"We will take our leave as well.
Affairs in Konoha demand our attention."
Mifune nodded slightly.
"Travel safely."
In the Snow
The Raikage's group marched through the snow-covered landscape.
Cold wind whipped fine flakes into their faces.
A's footsteps were heavy and fast—each step crushing the snow beneath him.
No one dared speak.
Only the howling wind filled the silence.
His clenched fists trembled—not from cold, but from suppressed rage.
Finally, Tutai stepped forward, knelt on one knee before him, and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry, Raikage-sama.
My failure has brought shame upon Kumogakure."
The others followed suit, kneeling in silence.
A looked down at them.
After a moment, he reached out and lifted Tutai to his feet.
"Stand up.
You did nothing wrong."
His voice was deep but steady.
"The fault lies with the times—not with you."
He gazed into the storm ahead, eyes turning cold.
"Konoha appears to yield…
but in truth, they press forward step by step."
He clenched his fist slowly.
"This humiliation—
I will repay someday."
The wind howled around him as his cloak snapped sharply in the gale.
"Send orders," he said at last.
"All units withdraw into the Land of Lightning.
Strengthen border defenses."
The Intrusion
"Well now… what is Kumogakure planning, I wonder?"
A playful voice suddenly echoed through the storm.
"Who's there?!"
The entire group reacted instantly, forming a defensive circle around the Raikage.
Snow swirled.
Then—
A white figure crawled up from the ground nearby.
White Zetsu tilted its head, wearing a grotesque grin.
"Why so tense?
I'm just here to deliver a message."
A narrowed his eyes at the black cloak patterned with red clouds.
"Akatsuki."
White Zetsu clapped happily.
"Sharp eyes, Raikage!"
"But don't take your anger out on innocent little me.
After all…"
"The game has only just begun."
The Swarm
Suddenly—
The ground around them began to ripple.
One after another, countless White Zetsu bodies crawled up from beneath the snow.
Dozens.
Hundreds.
More and more.
"What the hell are these things?!" Samui exclaimed, visibly unsettled.
They looked wrong.
No clothing.
Stitched bodies.
Pale skin like bone.
Twisted faces.
Their numbers seemed endless.
A scanned the battlefield coldly—then roared:
"Good timing!
I've got plenty of anger to burn!"
Lightning exploded around his body.
Lightning Release Armor.
He became a streak of blue thunder.
In a single charge, he smashed through multiple White Zetsu.
Bodies charred instantly.
Snowfields were torn open into deep trenches as electricity crackled through the storm like a web of death.
A moved like a war god.
Every punch carried devastating force.
White Zetsu fell in waves—
But more kept rising.
Even severed limbs regenerated.
Broken bodies fused together into larger monsters.
A stood at the center of the shattered ground, lightning illuminating his stern face.
With a roar, he slammed his fist into the massive fusion creature.
Thunder exploded.
The monster disintegrated into fragments.
Meanwhile, Tutai and the others joined the fight.
Wind and lightning techniques combined into coordinated attacks, shredding the swarm.
The Watchers
High on a distant mountain peak—
Obito stood silently, idly spinning a kunai between his fingers as he watched the chaos below.
Black Zetsu frowned.
"These White Zetsu are dying for nothing.
What exactly are you trying to do?"
Obito chuckled softly.
"Are they really?"
He stood up.
"Alright.
Time for us to enter the stage."
With a step forward, space twisted around him.
He vanished.
Black Zetsu followed.
The Reveal
The blizzard suddenly stilled.
Ripples spread through the air.
In the next instant—
Both figures appeared at the center of the battlefield.
The attacking White Zetsu immediately retreated, parting like a tide to form a clear path.
Kumogakure's forces noticed.
Their guard rose instantly.
A stopped his attack, lightning still crackling around him.
His gaze locked onto Obito.
Seeing the red-cloud cloak, he spoke coldly:
"So you finally show yourself.
The mastermind."
Obito walked forward calmly, stopping about several dozen meters away.
His Sharingan scanned the group.
Finally, it settled on the Raikage.
"Raikage—
your strength is impressive."
A's eyes widened slightly.
"Sharingan?!
You're from Konoha!"
Obito's expression turned icy.
"Konoha?
They are beneath me."
Then he spoke casually:
"I came today to discuss a small matter with you."
He paused.
"That is—
I would like to borrow your Tailed Beast."
Silence fell instantly.
Even the wind seemed to freeze.
Tutai reacted first, teleporting in front of Yugito.
Darui and Samui followed, forming a protective wall around her.
The Tailed Beast was the village's most important weapon.
It could never fall into enemy hands.
"Arrogant fool!"
A erupted in fury.
Lightning armor flared brighter than ever.
"Konoha.
Akatsuki."
"You all think Kumogakure is some soft target?"
"You think you can squeeze us whenever you want?!"
Obito remained completely calm.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Everyone," he said quietly,
"You must have enjoyed that warm-up just now."
He lifted his head slightly.
"Now—
it's time for you to witness the trap I prepared."
—------------------------------
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