**Chapter 80: Mabui’s Excitement!**

Mabui thought this, and so she said it aloud.

"Lord Raikage, the person scheming in the shadows is definitely a genius."

There was admiration in her eyes.

"We never imagined that someone would use genjutsu to control ronin and bandits, make them follow legitimate trade caravans, and boldly march into the Hidden Cloud Village, planting explosive tags in various inconspicuous spots."

"Oh, and after inspection, we discovered that these explosive tags had been tampered with. They were set on timers, and once the time was up, they would all detonate at once."

"Heavens, do you realize how difficult this is?"

"They had to find enough people."

"They needed strong genjutsu abilities!"

"They had to rely on a trustworthy trade caravan."

"They needed extensive knowledge of the Hidden Cloud Village to place the explosive tags in key locations."

"They needed funding because a large number of explosive tags, especially the special ones, cost a lot of money."

"They had to avoid the village's patrols."

…

The more Mabui spoke, the more excited she became. "Even a tiny mistake would have tipped us off, yet this person perfectly executed their plan. This is definitely the work of a genius."

Raikage's face darkened, and he said coldly, "You admire them so much—why don't you join them and become their secretary?"

Mabui shrugged.

If she could, she honestly would.

The Fourth Raikage barely handled any of the responsibilities, dumping everything onto her. It was exhausting!

And besides!

There were so many things she, as just a lowly secretary, had no authority over. Dealing with such matters only made things more complicated.

At this point, she felt like she was using her brain so much that her hair was starting to fall out.

"Lord Raikage, you need to be careful. It would take at least half a year to set up a plan like this."

"The frightening thing is, we still don't know what their true goal is."

Raikage frowned and asked, "No clues at all?"

"I suspect it's related to the Leaf Village."

"The Leaf Village?"

Raikage was startled; that was an unexpected answer.

"Yes. This chaos requires significant financial and material resources. The average person couldn't pull it off, but one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages could."

Mabui said in a deep voice, "Additionally, the Leaf Village suddenly came to us seeking cooperation to deal with the Uchiha genius, offering us all the Sharingan eyes, yet their Anbu attacked us in a suicide mission. It doesn't make sense."

Mabui glanced toward the village gate and said, "Even now, there's still an entire Anbu squad standing outside our village gates, facing off against our people."

"Why?" The Fourth Raikage frowned deeply, puzzled. "Is the Third Hokage, that weakling, really bold enough to target the Hidden Cloud Village?"

Mabui asked, "When did you start thinking the Third Hokage was weak?"

"Of course, ever since the Hyūga... ugh!"

Raikage suddenly froze.

Mabui said meaningfully, "The last time the Hidden Cloud was so close to the Byakugan, the Hyūga clan leader lost his brother, and the Third Hokage suffered great humiliation. If you calculate the time, it hasn't been that long."

Raikage immediately understood and murmured, "Hizashi Hyūga... because of him?"

"This is just my guess!"

Mabui said slowly, "The Leaf Village is the top shinobi village, and Hiruzen Sarutobi is known as a great shinobi, a professor of ninjutsu. Would someone like that really sacrifice a comrade to gain our forgiveness when they held the moral high ground?"

"Believe it or not, I certainly don't."

Raikage's face darkened further.

Hizashi Hyūga's death seemed like a farce.

The Hidden Cloud Village had a notorious reputation in the shinobi world—as thieves.

They were known for one thing: stealing!

There was nothing in the shinobi world that they wouldn't steal.

Whether it was ninjutsu, secret techniques, bloodlines, or even people, they took everything.

After they'd taken from small shinobi villages and ninja clans, they set their sights on the great shinobi villages.

And so, they targeted the Leaf Village.

Their goal was the Hyūga clan's Byakugan.

However, after kidnapping Hinata Hyūga, they were caught by Hiashi Hyūga, who killed the kidnapper on the spot.

At that time, the Hidden Cloud Village brazenly demanded an explanation from the Leaf Village.

As for stealing the Byakugan...

Haha!

The Hidden Cloud Village was already prepared for war, but who would've guessed that Hiruzen Sarutobi would swallow the bitter pill and endure the humiliation?

In the end, the matter was settled when the Hyūga clan handed over Hizashi Hyūga's body.

When the news returned, even the high-ranking officials of the Hidden Cloud Village were shocked.

Was this really the number one shinobi village?

That's incredible!

It was even more impressive than the Hidden Cloud's Turtle Island.

"You suspect this is the Leaf Village's revenge?"

Raikage's voice was low.

The linen-clad figure spoke softly, "This is just my personal guess, offering you a suggestion."

"This suggestion is very reasonable."

The Fourth Raikage slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the village.

Throughout the village, explosions could still be heard from time to time. Many places had begun to burn, only to be quickly extinguished.

Even though only insignificant places were destroyed, this time, the Village Hidden in the Clouds would still suffer losses.

The rebuilding after the explosions.

The losses during the chaos.

And, the casualties.

Not to mention, some people with ulterior motives might be stirring up trouble in the midst of it all.

All of these, which one doesn't cost money?

"Kill!"

The Raikage's voice was cold as he said, "Inform Ulu to kill those Leaf Anbu members."

"Raikage-sama!"

The linen-clad man looked serious and spoke sternly, "Once we make a move…"

"Haven't we already killed a group?"

"That was because they struck first."

"Is there a difference?" The Raikage sneered and said, "If the Hokage is unhappy, let him come find me. If he wants to start the Fourth Ninja World War, I'll gladly oblige."

"Understood!"

With that, the linen-clad man understood the Raikage's intentions, responded in a deep voice, and strode out of the Raikage's office.

Soon.

Orders were given.

The Anbu were fully mobilized.

The village was locked down—no one in, no one out.

Then, anyone with suspicious behavior was to be hunted down with full force.

Once these three orders were issued, it was as if the entire village was dyed in red.

The most terrifying thing was the third order. It was so vague that many people were killed in confusion.

Including the Cloud Ninjas!

Suspicious behavior?

How would this "suspicious" be determined?

Who would make that judgment?

"Tsk tsk tsk, Raikage, well done!"

At that moment, a young man was walking through the village.

Ninjas would occasionally pass by him, yet they instinctively ignored his presence.

As he observed the abnormal state of the village, Itsuki muttered, "The Fourth Raikage… as expected of the commander-in-chief of the Fourth Ninja World War. He's actually using this opportunity to eliminate dissent and completely consolidate the Village Hidden in the Clouds."

"Alright!"

"My mission is complete."

Itsuki's mission was to ensure that the Hidden Cloud couldn't make a move against the Hidden Leaf for five days.

Seeing the current situation, not to mention five days, even ten days, the Cloud wouldn't have the ability to act.

But!

Itsuki chuckled darkly.

Once this passes, the Hidden Leaf would be facing an extremely powerful Cloud Village.

A Cloud Village with no internal dissent.

Perhaps!

The Fourth Ninja World War might happen sooner than expected.

Tsuchikage, you might have to wait until the Fifth War.

But what does that have to do with him?

Little kitten, where are you?

Itsuki's face carried an amused smile.

After searching for so long, he still hadn't found her.

Should he go to the Raikage's office and ask him?

He must know! 

(End of chapter)