Chapter 2: The Thunderfront

The Border of the Land of Lightning, Kumogakure's Main Camp

"Father! Why are you here in person? Don't you trust me to handle this? There's so much to take care of back in the village!"

Tsukigami Kōichi stepped forward to support Third Raikage A, concern evident in his tone.

"There's nothing major happening in the village right now. I've handed off the routine work to Burubi and Dodai. How's the situation here? Are they behaving themselves?"

Third Raikage A brushed off Tsukigami Kōichi's hand and pointed in the direction of Iwagakure as he asked.

"Behaving? Hardly. They've sent several waves of envoys, pestering us daily with questions like, 'Why have you mobilized your forces without cause?' and 'What are your intentions?' It's been driving me insane."

"Hahaha! Looks like they're getting anxious. Well, they should be. Come, let's talk inside."

The Third Raikage laughed heartily, slinging an arm around Tsukigami Kōichi's shoulder as they entered the tent.

"You all, wait outside. Guard the entrance. My son and I have things to discuss. No one is to enter under any circumstances!"

Third Raikage A waved off his guards with a commanding gesture.

"Take a look at this," he said, handing Tsukigami Kōichi a letter.

The envelope bore no signature. Tsukigami Kōichi opened it, pulled out the letter, and skimmed through it quickly.

"…What?!"

Tsukigami Kōichi abruptly stood up, his expression filled with shock.

"This… this was all a setup?"

"Exactly," Third Raikage A replied with a faint smile.

"Who sent this to you?"

"Third Kazekage… Jing Hang."

"What?! When did he send it?"

"Not long after you mobilized the troops. He sent someone to deliver it personally. The timing was impeccable. The letter arrived just as Sunagakure finished quelling their internal rebellion."

Tsukigami Kōichi fell silent, his mind racing.

Jing Hang's tactic of 'luring the snake out of its hole' was indeed masterful. It had flushed out all the internal traitors in one fell swoop. But…

"Doesn't that mean we've been running in circles for nothing?"

"How is it for nothing?" Third Raikage A retorted proudly. "Iwagakure was indeed stirring things up behind the scenes. And besides, do I need a reason to attack them?"

"Of course not," Tsukigami Kōichi chuckled.

"Jing Hang's been quite cooperative. He's even expressed gratitude for our military actions and, through the Hourglass Group's stores in Kumogakure, provided us with a batch of ninja tools for free. He's also shared an important piece of intelligence."

"What intelligence?"

"Iwagakure's Fourth Tsuchikage, Purple, may already be under someone's control. Right now, the village is being run by Ōnoki's remnants."

"Ah!" Tsukigami Kōichi exclaimed, his excitement evident. "No wonder Iwagakure was so eager to withdraw from the Ninja Alliance. If that's the case, we could have a legitimate excuse to…"

"Not so fast. Look at the last line of the letter."

Third Raikage A pointed at the bottom of the letter.

"'Beware… of… betrayal'? Betrayal?! From who? Konoha?"

"Who else? That old monkey is more than capable of pulling something like this. That's why I came here in person."

"What's your plan?"

"You'll return to the village. I've instructed Dodai to prepare four thousand ninja for you. Take them and secretly position yourselves along the Lightning-Fire border to guard against Konoha."

"And you plan to take Iwagakure with just five thousand ninja? That's unrealistic!"

Tsukigami Kōichi exclaimed, incredulous.

Third Raikage A responded by smacking the back of his son's head.

"If I left it to you, of course it wouldn't work. You're still too green. That's why I'm here personally!"

"How about I transfer Seiki and Iselan to assist you? At least you'd have some help," Tsukigami Kōichi suggested.

"No need. We're already fighting on two fronts. The village's defenses are stretched thin as it is. They're better off staying put."

"But what if we ask Kazekage Jing Hang to deploy troops to distract Iwagakure?"

Third Raikage A stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment before shaking his head.

"Forget it. He just finished dealing with internal strife; he's probably swamped. Besides, good relations are one thing, but once we take Iwagakure, how do we split the territory? Too much hassle. Let's leave it be."

Seeing his father's insistence, Tsukigami Kōichi could only relent.

"Remember, if Konoha doesn't move, neither do you. But if they dare cross the border…"

"Then I'll smack them right back!" Tsukigami Kōichi declared fiercely.

Konoha Village, Orochimaru's Secret Underground Laboratory

"Did you know? Hiruzen Sarutobi already knows about your human experiments. He even specifically instructed me to keep an eye on you," Danzo said, his gaze sweeping over the countless jars and containers in Orochimaru's collection.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Orochimaru's response was devoid of any emotion, as if Danzo's warning was of no consequence. He continued to tinker with his flasks and test tubes.

"You don't seem surprised," Danzo remarked.

Orochimaru smiled faintly.

"Danzo-sama, there's something I can only say to you. I hope you won't take offense."

"Speak."

Danzo's expression remained stoic.

"The so-called political games and power struggles between you, Hiruzen-sensei, and those two advisors? In my eyes, it's nothing more than children squabbling over toys.

Compared to the vast and magnificent field of life sciences, it's utterly trivial."

Orochimaru peered at Danzo through a transparent flask half-filled with liquid.

"What?!"

For once, Danzo was genuinely taken aback. He had anticipated rebuttals, evasions, or even violent outbursts from Orochimaru—but not this.

"Then why…?"

"Why did I join Konoha's decision-making circle?"

"Yes."

"To make my research more convenient, of course. Frankly, Danzo-sama, you should set aside your obsession with power and experience the beauty of science. You might discover an entirely new world."

Orochimaru smiled.

"Forget it. That's not for me," Danzo replied, shaking his head. The thought of spending his days surrounded by jars, microscopes, and petri dishes was utterly unappealing to him.

"Then what's your purpose in going to Kumogakure this time?" Danzo asked.

"My current research involves tailed beasts. I want to gather data on the Eight-Tails."

"Why the Eight-Tails?"

"No particular reason. I can't exactly experiment on the ones in our own village, can I?"

Danzo fell silent for a moment before speaking again.

"Let's collaborate. Share your research results with me, and I'll provide you with political protection."

"Sure," Orochimaru agreed without hesitation.

Danzo seemed uncomfortable in the damp, shadowy environment of Orochimaru's lab. After exchanging a few more perfunctory words, he left.

Watching Danzo's retreating figure, a look of disdain flickered in Orochimaru's eyes.

"Second-rate at best when it comes to politics. What kind of protection could you possibly offer me?

It seems that after my trip to Kumogakure, I'll need to find a new place to continue my work…"

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