Chapter 26: Konohagakure

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In the Raikage's office.

The towering Third Raikage sat on the sofa, holding the results of the Chūnin Exams in his hands, studying them with a serious expression.

The office door opened, and people began to enter one after another.

Soon, the senior officials of Kumogakure had all gathered.

Noticing this, the Third Raikage set down the papers in his hand, scanned the room with a stern gaze, and said in a deep voice:

"I've called you here today to issue some important orders."

"First, during my recent visit to the daimyo to request funding, the incident of the Two-Tails being released occurred.

So! I have reason to suspect that spies from other villages may have infiltrated our mid-level or even upper-level ranks.

The first thing you must do when you return is to conduct thorough inspections of all departments."

Hearing this, Ayawai, who was taking notes at the desk, briefly paused, her fingers trembling slightly. She quickly composed herself and continued writing as if nothing had happened.

The Raikage continued.

"After inspecting personnel, conduct detailed checks of every corner of each department.

I suspect that this spy may be the same attacker from before, and that attacker possesses an unknown space-time ninjutsu."

Hearing the Raikage's words, several senior officials, including Tosen, nodded repeatedly.

"And one more thing—until we find this person, we cannot remain passive!

Therefore, I have decided to seal the Two-Tails into a jinchūriki."

At this, the crowd immediately became visibly intrigued.

Kumogakure was different from other villages. As a village that valued strength above all, the existence of jinchūriki was not rejected;

On the contrary, figures like Killer B and Yugito Nii were highly respected within the village.

This was precisely why the senior officials were so eager.

Gaining a tailed beast would immediately elevate their family's status tremendously.

At the same time, their combat power would also receive a significant boost.

At this moment, Tosen, one of the Raikage's senior advisors, suddenly stood up and said in a deep voice:

"Lord A, the Iron Armor Seal works well for the Eight-Tails, but for the Two-Tails, it's too easy to break free."

"I know!" The Raikage slapped his thigh heavily.

"That's why I plan to organize a delegation to visit Konohagakure!"

The people present were among the smartest in Kumogakure; they immediately understood the Third Raikage's intentions and nodded in agreement.

If the Second Raikage could still be considered reasonable, then the Third Raikage was outright a proponent of banditry.

Scanning the room and seeing the eager expressions on everyone's faces, the Third Raikage nodded in satisfaction and continued:

"If you have recommendations for candidates, you can suggest them now."

Upon hearing this, everyone began speaking at once, desperately trying to push members of their own families into the delegation.

This was a golden opportunity!

If someone achieved merit during this trip to Konohagakure, according to Kumogakure's rules, the person with the greatest contribution would naturally have the first say.

In no time, Ayawai's notebook was filled with densely packed names.

Seeing this, the Raikage nodded.

"This time, Tosen will lead the team. Ayawai, you will accompany them."

Hearing this, the middle-aged Tosen and Ayawai accepted the orders.

"Everyone else, return to your work."

With a single command from the Raikage, the senior officials began leaving the office one after another.

Soon, only the Third Raikage, Tosen, and Ayawai remained in the office.

Once Ayawai closed the door, the Raikage furrowed his brows and spoke again:

"This trip to Konohagakure has three official objectives. First, sign a grain supply agreement with Konohagakure. I want to purchase their grain at prices below market value and secure trade priority for our caravans.

Second, assess Konohagakure's strength, especially the capabilities of their younger generation.

Third, and most importantly, obtain or exchange for sealing techniques from Konohagakure!

Our bargaining chips are gold mines and a ten-year peace treaty between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire.

Secretly, there are also three objectives, which must be carried out by capable and trusted individuals.

If we fail to obtain the sealing techniques, abduct members of the Uzumaki Clan, preferably high-ranking ones;

Alternatively, kidnap important figures from Konohagakure—Tsunade, who we failed to capture last time, would be ideal. Use her to threaten Konohagakure into handing over the sealing techniques."

It had to be said, as the leader of a village, the Third Raikage was both highly strategic and completely unscrupulous.

Hearing his words, Ayawai nodded seriously, though she was secretly delighted.

Getting revenge on Konohagakure—how could she miss such an opportunity?

Moreover, kidnapping Tsunade was something she had always wanted to do.

After all, according to intelligence from their spies, it seemed that some ruthless individual had saved Tsunade, hadn't they?

Thinking of this, a bold plan suddenly formed in Ayawai's mind.

"Uncle, can I bring someone along?" Ayawai asked coquettishly.

The Third Raikage turned his head to look at his graceful niece.

"Who?"

"Raimei," Ayawai said shyly, her eyes showing a hint of longing.

Hearing this, the Third Raikage's eyes flashed with amusement.

His niece was at the age of romance!

He had heard rumors in the village that his niece, known as the "Princess of the Clouds," was in a relationship with Raimei.

But this was excellent!

If his niece married Raimei, a commoner, it would be like bringing him into their family.

Given the boy's potential, it would be a great benefit to the village and to himself.

Thinking this, the Raikage decisively nodded.

"Fine. Go fetch him. I was just about to give him the scroll for the Lightning Release Chakra Mode."

Hearing this, Tosen, who had remained silent until now, suddenly exclaimed:

"Lord Raikage, are you planning to make Raimei the next 'Bee'?"

The Raikage's face darkened instantly. After a moment of silence, he shook his head.

"The current 'Bee' is Fukae's uncle, but I don't think he can hold out much longer.

When he can't, Fukae will take over as the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki and also become the next 'Bee.'"

Hearing this, Tosen let out a sigh of relief and cautiously asked:

"Then why are you passing the Lightning Release Chakra Mode to Raimei?"

The Raikage's expression grew even darker. Standing up, his towering figure exuded an oppressive aura as he said in a deep voice:

"Don't ask further!"

I'm suffering here, but you wouldn't understand!

Every Raikage before me had a strong partner, a 'Bee.'

Even my son's 'Bee' is already arranged!

But my own 'Bee'? He's constantly fighting with the Eight-Tails, nearly killing himself every time.

I've trained so hard on the Lightning Release: Double Lariat, but there's no one to clash with me!

I had to switch to the Hell Stab instead.

Now that I've finally found a suitable muscle-bound partner, can't I have a helper for once?

Of course, no one else was to blame for this, not even himself.

As the strongest Third Raikage, he was different from his son, the Fourth Raikage.

The Fourth Raikage excelled in speed.

But the Third Raikage was the epitome of toughness and endurance.

Just look at his son—his punches were unstoppable.

But against the Third Raikage, even the Rasenshuriken struggled to make an impact, forcing him to stab himself.

So, to be the philosophical partner of the Third Raikage, you had to be unbreakably tough.

And Rinjin was the one the Raikage had chosen at first sight as his philosophical partner.

Seeing the Raikage's determined expression, Tosen dared not argue further.

Before long, Rinjin, who had been at home, was brought to the Raikage's office.

He was then informed that he would serve as Ayawai's bodyguard on the mission to Konohagakure.

Afterward, a scroll titled "Lightning Release Chakra Mode" was shoved into his hands.

Looking at the scroll in his hands, Rinjin wanted to refuse.

The Jashin Cult's emissary, who had infiltrated Amegakure as a spy, been sent to Konohagakure, and then reassigned to Kumogakure, was now going to Konohagakure as part of Kumogakure's delegation?

Disgusting. He wanted to puke!