“Damn it!
It actually failed!” The Third Raikage slammed his fist onto the table, his face filled with fury.
“It was a flawless plan.” “So why did it fail?” “According to the intelligence we’ve received…” Tsuchidai spoke from the side.
“Aoki was killed by Konoha’s Sakumo Hatake.” “Sakumo Hatake?” The Third Raikage froze for a moment before sitting back down.
“So it was him.” “That explains everything.” “Aoki, that idiot…” “He actually got caught by Konoha’s White Fang?” “If that’s the case…” “Then he deserved to die.” “What has Konoha said?” “So far, nothing.” Tsuchidai thought for a moment.
“But the diplomatic delegation has most likely already been detained.” They hadn’t heard anything from them since.
That was the most likely explanation.
“Hmph.” The Third Raikage snorted.
“In that case…” “Send Konoha a message.” “Tell them the people responsible were rogue ninja from the Land of Lightning.” “Order them to release our delegation immediately.” “Otherwise…” “They can prepare for the full might of the Hidden Cloud army.” Tsuchidai nodded.
At this point, it was the only way to save the delegation.
After all…
Aoki and the others were already dead.
There was no point discussing them anymore.
Besides…
They couldn’t openly acknowledge the truth.
They had been the ones in the wrong from the very beginning.
“I’ll take care of it immediately.” Just then, a Hidden Cloud ninja burst into the room in a panic.
“Lord Raikage!
Something terrible has happened!” “What now?!” Already in a foul mood, the Third Raikage glared at him so fiercely that the messenger nearly burst into tears.
Tsuchidai stepped in with a calmer voice.
“Take your time.” “What happened?” “I-It…” “The Eight-Tails’ Jinchūriki has gone berserk again.” Everything had been fine just moments ago.
No one knew why…
But the Eight-Tails had suddenly gone out of control.
Quite a few people had already been killed.
“Damn it!” “I’m already pissed off, and now he’s causing trouble too?!” The Third Raikage exploded in anger.
Glancing toward the distant valley, he punched straight through the wall and charged out of the building.
He was going to teach that Eight-Tails a lesson.
As long as it stayed quietly inside its Jinchūriki…
Everything was fine.
But if it dared come out…
He’d beat it into submission himself.
The messenger stared blankly at the massive hole left in the Raikage’s office wall.
He had no idea what to do.
Beside him, Tsuchidai rubbed his forehead helplessly.
“There he goes again…” “Can’t he ever use the door?” Just how much money had they spent repairing this building over the past year alone?
With a sigh, he waved the messenger away.
“You may leave.” “Yes, sir.” As for the Eight-Tails…
The Raikage could handle it.
After all…
He was a man capable of fighting a Tailed Beast with nothing but his own body.
There was nothing to worry about.
Compared to that…
He cared much more about Konoha’s response.
At that very moment…
A terrifying explosion echoed from the distance.
BOOM!!
It was immediately followed by a miserable scream.
“ROOOAAARRR!” Judging by the sound…
The Eight-Tails had been beaten quite badly.
… “Rogue ninja?” Koharu Utatane stared at the envoy before her, her face darkening with anger.
“Do you take us for fools?” “Your people infiltrated Konoha and tried to kidnap someone.” “And now that they failed…” “You call them rogue ninja?” “What kind of joke is this?” “Believe it or don’t.” The envoy replied coldly.
“I’m merely delivering Lord Third Raikage’s message.” “I know nothing else.” “And Lord Raikage also said…” “If you refuse to release our delegation…” “The Hidden Cloud army will march on the Land of Fire.” “You…!” “Enough.” The Third Hokage stepped in to calm everyone down.
“We’ll investigate the truth thoroughly.” He then turned to the envoy.
“For now…” “Please return to your inn.” “And do not wander around.” “We’ll notify you once we’ve reached a conclusion.” He deliberately emphasized the words do not wander around.
The envoy clearly caught the threat hidden beneath the polite tone.
His expression changed slightly.
In the end, he merely snorted and stormed out.
After he left, Homura Mitokado’s face darkened.
“He actually dared threaten us?” “So if we don’t release them…” “The Land of Lightning will invade the Land of Fire?” “It’s entirely possible.” Koharu’s expression wasn’t any better.
“The Hidden Cloud are all a bunch of lunatics.” “They really might do it.” As far as she was concerned…
Every single one of those muscle-brained fools was insane.
“What troubled times…” The Third Hokage sighed.
“The war has only just ended.” “Konoha simply cannot endure another one.” What the village needed now…
Was time to recover.
Only then could Konoha regain its strength.
“So…” “You’re choosing compromise?” Danzo Shimura, who had remained silent the entire time, slowly opened his eyes.
His indifferent gaze settled on the Third Hokage.
“Hiruzen?” “And what would you have me do?” The Third Hokage shot back.
“You’re the Hokage.” Danzo calmly tossed the responsibility back to him.
He had no intention of answering.
The Third Hokage’s lips twitched.
What an old fox.
After a moment’s thought, he finally spoke.
“How about this.” “We’ll have the Land of Lightning sign a non-aggression treaty with us.” “In return…” “We’ll release their diplomatic delegation.” “…That’s all?” “That’s all.” Danzo slowly closed his eyes.
A quiet sigh echoed within his heart.
You’re still too weak, Hiruzen.
Koharu and Homura exchanged glances before nodding.
“Konoha truly isn’t in a position to fight another great war.” “Exactly.” “Our younger generation hasn’t matured yet.” “If another war breaks out now…” “The other four great villages might unite against Konoha.” “How would we fight them?” “What could we even fight them with?” “Then it’s settled.” The Third Hokage made the final decision.
“Someone!” “Bring the Hidden Cloud delegation here.” And so…
With the Third Hokage personally pushing the matter forward…
The entire incident was quietly swept under the rug.
In truth…
He also feared what might happen if the investigation continued.
If the little schemes he and Danzo had orchestrated were exposed…
Where would he hide his face?
No…
It wasn’t merely a matter of pride.
If Lady Mito came demanding answers…
Neither he nor Danzo would escape unscathed.
Thinking of that…
The Third Hokage exchanged a glance with Danzo.
The two immediately looked away again.
Some things…
Didn’t need to be spoken aloud.
They both understood them perfectly.