"What arrogance!"
"You actually dare to dream of standing on equal ground with Kumogakure?"
"Going up against Konohagakure? Do you even have the strength for that?"
"Don't think that defeating a declining Kirigakure is some kind of impressive achievement!"
The Raikage, who had just sat down, sprang to his feet once more.
Crackle!
A dense ring of blue lightning erupted from his body, transforming into a streak of electricity as he launched himself toward Sōmi in the distance.
"Lightning Release: Lariat Hot Blade!"
Boom!
A massive burst of golden sand exploded in front of Sōmi, blocking the Raikage's attack.
The swirling gold sand seemed to be drawn toward the Raikage's body, rapidly contracting around him.
"Hmm?"
The Raikage was surprised by the sand's exceptional defensive power—it had managed to withstand his strike head-on.
However, his figure once again vanished into a streak of blue lightning, disappearing from sight.
When the Raikage reappeared, he was already above Sōmi.
"Guillotine Drop of Righteous Thunder!"
Blinding blue electricity concentrated around the Raikage's right foot, which descended like the divine axe of a thunder god, aiming straight for Sōmi's head with unstoppable force.
But Sōmi, already in One-Tail Chakra Mode, showed no sign of panic. His right hand reached forward without hesitation.
A flicker of surprise crossed the Raikage's eyes.
He hadn't intended to take the boy's life, but if this brat was so reckless, then perhaps...
As the thought crossed his mind, the lightning on the Raikage's foot intensified, with white bolts of electricity crackling across its surface, dazzling to behold.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Sōmi's outstretched right hand rapidly transformed into a massive yellow beast claw, its tips and veins glowing with eerie purple patterns.
"Shukaku's Shield!"
Boom!
A violent burst of lightning and wind detonated within the office, sending shockwaves rippling outward.
Crash! Crash!
The sharp sound of shattering glass echoed as several floor-to-ceiling windows were blown apart by the force, fragments tumbling down the cliff outside.
The dark-skinned man in the room pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation.
Another hefty bill for window repairs...
But soon, he noticed that the damage wasn't limited to the windows. The office floor had also been gouged with deep trenches by the lightning, resembling a vegetable patch ravaged by wild boars.
"Raikage-sama!"
"What happened?"
"Are we under attack?"
Swish, swish, swish!
Several figures, their skin either dark or light yellow, appeared at the office's doors and windows.
When they saw Sōmi standing off against the Raikage, they didn't hesitate to form hand seals or draw their ninja swords.
"Raikage..."
"Are you sure you want to continue this?"
As Sōmi's beast claw reverted to a human hand, his gaze grew cold as he surveyed the Kumogakure forces.
Even a clay figure has its limits. Enduring two attacks for the sake of diplomacy had already pushed Sōmi to the edge of his patience. If the Raikage didn't back down, Sōmi would make Kumogakure pay in blood.
A terrifying, malevolent aura began emanating from Sōmi's body, as if countless venomous snakes lay coiled within him, ready to strike.
"Hmm?!"
The Raikage's pupils contracted sharply.
This brat hadn't even been using his full strength earlier?
And this power... it wasn't Tailed Beast Chakra...
"Stop!"
"Everyone, stand down!"
"This guest has come from Sunagakure as an esteemed envoy, not an enemy!"
"Raikage-sama was merely sparring with him to exchange skills and foster camaraderie."
The dark-skinned man quickly stepped in to mediate, dispersing the gathered Kumogakure shinobi.
As he shouted, he forcibly dragged the Raikage back to the sofa and somehow produced a cushioned chair, placing it behind Sōmi.
"Quick!"
"Prepare some fine tea!"
"Bring out our best cloud mist tea!"
Before long, the dark-skinned man stood beside the Raikage's sofa with a cheerful smile, as if nothing had happened. He chatted amiably with Sōmi about the natural wonders of the Land of Lightning.
"Here, here!"
"This is the finest tea we have, reserved for the Raikage's most honored guests."
"Take your time and savor it!"
The man raised his teacup first, taking a sip with an expression of pure satisfaction.
Sōmi couldn't help but admire the man's quick thinking and thick skin. It must have taken the previous Raikage considerable effort to find such a talented individual.
Looking down at his teacup, Sōmi noticed the white tea leaves floating within. Their unique shape resembled tightly curled clouds, and as he stared, the clouds seemed to dissolve into wisps of mist, blending into the tea.
It was the first time Sōmi had seen such remarkable tea leaves. He raised the cup and took a sip.
As for the possibility of poison...
Not only would any attempt to poison him fail to escape his notice, but even if they tried, Sōmi's extensive experience with Sasori, the "Master of Poisons," had made him highly knowledgeable about toxins.
Though he rarely used medical ninjutsu, his skills in the field were far from mediocre.
"Excellent tea!"
The tea's color was a delicate jade, its aroma reminiscent of orchids, and its taste rich yet refreshing.
Its appearance resembled that of compressed tea, but its flavor was lighter, like white jade resting in a bowl. Within the luminous, warm liquid, clusters of cloud-like shapes seemed to dance.
Sōmi's eyes lit up as he couldn't help but praise it aloud.
The dark-skinned man, having reluctantly finished his own cup, responded with a smile:
"Ah, I see you're a connoisseur of tea as well!"
"This cloud mist tea is renowned across nations for its rich flavor, elegant appearance, fragrant aroma, and clear liquid."
"In the past, this tea was exclusively reserved as tribute for the daimyo's court. Even we had to wait in line for a chance to drink it!"
His tone carried a hint of nostalgia.
A flicker of thought crossed Sōmi's mind.
He had heard about Kumogakure's dealings with the daimyo's court, and he himself had played a role in those events.
Still, gratitude from Kumogakure was out of the question. The fact that this dark-skinned man wasn't demanding a "campaign assistance fee" from Sōmi was already a pleasant surprise.
"Young brother, I've understood and agreed with the Kazekage's intentions."
"An alliance between our two nations, standing as brothers, working together against Konohagakure to dominate the ninja world—this is certainly an ideal arrangement."
"However, regarding trade between our nations..."
"The Land of Lightning's unique geography provides us with countless rare and valuable resources."
"Meanwhile, Sunagakure only offers the same mineral resources over and over, resources that we already have in abundance..."
"If we were to impose equal tariffs on goods from both sides, wouldn't it be obvious that Sunagakure stands to benefit more from importing from Kumogakure?"
"Moreover, given the distance between our nations, rare items transported to the Land of Wind would likely become treasures for your citizens..."
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
Explore More Amazing Fanfiction on My Patreon!
Unlock 30+ Advance Chapters and Enjoy Exclusive Stories Early!
��patreon.com/GoldenLong