Chapter 110: The Raikage’s Decision

The Burden of a Fallen King

The Raikage's office felt emptier than ever.

He sat in his chair, staring at the village through the large windows.

Kumogakure still stood.

But it was not his anymore.

The streets below were filled with shinobi—not just his, but Konoha's.

They patrolled side by side.

They trained together.

They worked together.

And soon, there would be no difference between them.

Konoha had won.

And now, his people were starting to accept it.

His fists clenched.

Was this really how it ended?

Would his legacy be the Raikage who surrendered?

Would history forget that Kumogakure had once stood proud?

His thoughts were interrupted by a quiet knock on his door.

He already knew who it was.

"…Enter."

The Resistance Approaches

The door opened silently, and three figures stepped inside.

The old veteran, his face lined with experience.

The sharp-eyed woman, her gaze intense.

The young warrior, his frustration barely contained.

They shut the door behind them and bowed.

For a long moment, no one spoke.

The Raikage looked at them carefully.

He had expected this.

It had only been a matter of time before the resistance sought him out.

Finally, the older shinobi stepped forward.

"Raikage-sama." His voice was low but firm.

"We need to talk."

The Raikage exhaled slowly.

"I know why you're here."

The woman spoke next, her voice urgent.

"Kumogakure is slipping away."

She gestured toward the window.

"Konoha is embedding itself into our economy, our military, our people. If we don't act now, there won't be a Kumo left to save."

The younger shinobi leaned forward, eyes burning.

"Say the word," he said, barely above a whisper.

"And we'll fight."

The Weighing of Options

The Raikage studied them.

They were strong. Loyal.

But they were also desperate.

Desperation led to recklessness.

And recklessness led to failure.

His voice was calm when he spoke.

"And what do you propose?"

The old shinobi exhaled.

"We have a plan."

The Raikage motioned for them to continue.

The Plans of Rebellion

The older shinobi stepped forward, placing a scroll on the desk.

Plan 1: Assassination

The young shinobi spoke first, his voice sharp with conviction.

"We take out Orochimaru. Or Danzo. Cut off the head of the snake, and the body will collapse."

The Raikage remained expressionless.

"And then what?"

The young shinobi hesitated.

The Raikage's voice hardened.

"Konoha doesn't need Orochimaru or Danzo to control us. Kill one, and another takes their place. Kill two, and they send an army."

His fingers tightened around his desk.

"Konoha is not a single man. It is a machine. And machines do not die from one broken piece."

Silence.

Plan rejected.

Plan 2: Open Rebellion

The sharp-eyed woman spoke next.

"We take back key locations. The mission hall. The barracks. The Raikage's Tower."

She leaned forward.

"We cut Konoha's influence out of our village."

The Raikage let out a slow breath.

"And what of the people?"

The older shinobi hesitated.

"If we move too soon," the Raikage said, his voice growing cold, "our own people will turn against us."

He stood, his towering frame casting a shadow over them.

"Do you know why Konoha hasn't crushed us completely?"

They remained silent.

"Because they don't have to."

He gestured toward the window.

"They're not taking Kumo by force. They're making us accept it willingly."

He turned back to them.

"If we fight now, we look like the villains. And the people will side with them."

Silence.

Plan rejected.

Plan 3: The Slow Subversion

The older shinobi spoke next.

"We break them from within."

The Raikage's gaze sharpened.

"We target their supply chains," the old man continued. "Disrupt their movements. Make their rule seem unstable."

"We spread doubt among the people. Let them see the cracks in Konoha's control. Let them remember that they are Kumo."

The Raikage finally sat back.

"And what do you want from me?"

The woman's voice was quiet, but strong.

"Leadership."

The young shinobi nodded.

"We need you, Raikage-sama. We need Kumo's true leader."

The Moment of Decision

The Raikage stared at them.

At the ones still willing to fight.

At the ones who hadn't given up hope.

For the first time in weeks, something stirred in his chest.

Something he thought had died.

He slowly leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk.

His voice was low but firm.

"No reckless moves."

The resistance nodded.

"No unnecessary deaths."

They agreed.

He exhaled.

"Then let's begin."

And just like that—

Kumogakure's true fight had begun.

The First Cracks in Konoha's Empire

Far above the village, Orochimaru stood at the highest balcony of the Raikage's tower.

The wind howled around him, the scent of rain thick in the air.

Danzo stepped beside him. "The people are adapting."

Orochimaru smirked.

"Of course they are."

Danzo's voice was quiet. "But for how long?"

Orochimaru chuckled.

"Let them resist." His golden eyes gleamed.

"They will break eventually."

But far below, hidden in the shadows—

Kumogakure's rebellion had just begun.

And Konoha had no idea what was coming.

End of Chapter 110.