Half a month later, in Kumogakure, arguments in the Raikage's office had hardly ceased over these past two weeks.
In fact, a week ago, when Konoha returned the ashes of the Fourth Raikage, the entire Village erupted in chaos.
Bang!
A high-ranking official slammed his fist on the table. "I warned you before the war even began that we should not have pressured Konoha too much. How could the Fourth Raikage think Konoha would agree to forcibly take the Byakugan?!"
Across from him, Killer B clenched his fists, having removed his sunglasses, his eyes bloodshot with tension.
"My brother… everything he did was for the village…"
Before Killer B could finish, the opposing official glared at him. "For the village?! Do you even know how many lives Kumo lost in this war? How many missions were lost just to confront Konoha?"
Another official added, "He acted recklessly. He was not a competent Raikage. Regardless, his death will deal a significant blow to Kumo."
Kumo official slightly raised his gaze toward Killer B. "Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, do you wish to avenge the Fourth Raikage?"
Killer B asked quietly, "A Kage of a village was killed, are my brother's enemies just to be left unpunished?"
"Sigh…"
Kumo official sighed, looking at Killer B. "That's why, no matter what, a person filled with hatred cannot become Raikage. Killer B, do you remember when the Third Raikage was besieged by Iwagakure and ultimately died from exhaustion?"
"The Third Raikage died to allow the main forces to retreat. That differs slightly from the Fourth. But from that day on, we held a deep grudge against Iwagakure. And yet, why did the Fourth Raikage, son of the Third, not cry for revenge daily? Do you know why, Killer B?"
Before Killer B could respond, this relatively mild-mannered Kumo official stood and looked out over the village.
"Because, even a father's death is not more important than the Village, nor the countless comrades within it!"
"Killer B, if I said that Kumo should insist on attacking Konoha to avenge the Fourth Raikage, Kumo Village would be annihilated, do you understand?"
For a long moment, silence fell.
Whether Killer B, Yugito, or the young Darui-in-training, all could recognize the truth in the elder's words.
If they acted recklessly, Konoha's outcome would be unpredictable, but Kumo would inevitably be divided by the other three great villages.
This was not something that even two perfect Jinchūriki could prevent, and no one would gamble on an enemy's goodwill.
At that moment, the Eight-Tails' voice rang in B's mind.
'B, that Uchiha Yun… his strength and abilities have already surpassed the Tailed Beasts.'
'With Kumo Village's current power… There is no chance of victory.'
B remained silent.
After a long pause, he looked up at the Kumo elder. "I… understand."
The elder finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Behind B, Yugito looked around at everyone and ultimately agreed as well.
As for Darui, he had no right to speak yet due to his age; if it weren't for Black Lightning, he wouldn't even be allowed to stand there.
…
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Tower's advisory meeting room in Konohagakure…
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had spent the past six months guarding the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire against threats from Sunagakure and Iwagakure, now sat with a deeply furrowed brow.
Across from him, Homura Mitokado was reading from a report.
"Half a month ago, the plan to use the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki as bait succeeded. The Fourth Raikage, along with the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails Jinchūrikis, launched a surprise attack on Outpost Eight in the rear."
"But thanks to the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki's extraordinary sensory abilities, the ambush was detected early. The Fourth Hokage used the Flying Thunder God Technique to gather all elite forces from the front lines."
"In that battle…"
Homura looked up at Hiruzen, exhaled slowly, and continued: "In that battle, Uchiha Yun killed the Fourth Raikage, burning him to ashes with black flames. The Eight-Tails and Two-Tails Jinchūrikis managed to escape."
As his words fell, the room fell into a long silence, and even Koharu Utatane said nothing.
After a while…
Hiruzen asked, "With the Fourth Raikage dead, the two escaped Jinchūrikis will surely bring the intel back to Kumogakure. That means… they'll have to make the right decision."
Koharu looked at Hiruzen. "If Kumogakure doesn't want to end up destroyed, then the war's end is inevitable. But Hiruzen… the Uchiha…"
The mention of the Uchiha name made all three of them frown.
Homura spoke slowly: "Ever since Uchiha withdrew from the quagmire of the police force eight months ago, the village's resentment toward them has been gradually fading."
"And on the battlefield… thanks to the Uchiha's unwavering support, especially from Shisui, Yun, and Itachi, they've saved many civilians and clan shinobi."
"This phenomenon has, over the past eight months, created a new trend in the village: 'The Uchiha are Konoha's Uchiha.'"
Koharu glanced at the report on the table, then looked at Hiruzen: "And starting yesterday, this report, which was submitted ten days ago, has begun circulating throughout Konoha…"
"Hiruzen, you should understand what this situation could evolve into, right?"
Hiruzen's brow tightened further. He exhaled and looked at his two old friends: "Just like Sakumo back then, with astonishing achievements, a rising name, and the trust of his comrades… the only thing Uchiha Yun lacks is age."
Bang!
Homura slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "Exactly! That's what makes him so terrifying, his age!"
"To have such power at that age… if his reputation in the village continues to grow…"
Hiruzen closed his eyes tightly. A flood of thoughts rushed through his mind.
Most of them were about the precautions his teacher, the Second Hokage, had always taken against the Uchiha clan.
"So… what do you want to do?"
As his words fell, Homura and Koharu exchanged glances.
Without Danzō, they truly didn't know how to handle something like this.
But… perhaps someone in the remnants of Root still did.
At the border of the Land of Rain, Uzumaki Ku tapped the tree trunk beside him.
"Come out. We need to talk."
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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