"Kakashi, you've grown stronger."
Since the latest update, Hiruzen Sarutobi's go-to unit had become Susanoo Kakashi.
As expected of the meta king if you didn't ban him, you had to pick him.
After three straight wins and thirty good-boy head pats delivered to the enemy, Sarutobi finally ended his leisure time.
Now it was back to the stack of documents piled high on his desk.
There were two major matters that demanded his attention.
First, a report from the Intelligence Division: the Raikage's corpse held little value. His brain had been scorched and carbonized by his own lightning-style chakra. Nothing could be extracted.
Truly a fierce man... the Raikage lived up to his reputation as the wild general of the shinobi world.
Second, the Hidden Cloud showed no signs of backing down. Under the banner of avenging their fallen leader, they were gathering a large number of troops and resources at the border.
Why are muscle-headed hotheads always the hardest to deal with...
Despite being manipulated by the Akatsuki, they insisted on clinging to Konoha as their enemy. This kind of aggressive, underdog mentality was the most difficult to counter.
Sarutobi sighed and was about to order troop deployment to the Fire–Lightning border when new intelligence came in: Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails jinchūriki of the Hidden Cloud, had gone missing.
Sarutobi burst out laughing. "Fools."
He immediately ordered a 50% reduction in the troops assigned to the Fire–Lightning border. Defensive fortifications would suffice.
In high spirits, he figured the rest of today's paperwork could wait until tomorrow. He was ready to jump into the meta again and start ranking up.
Just then, a knock came at the office door.
It was the ANBU in the monkey mask.
"Lord Hokage. The delegation from Iwagakure has arrived and is requesting an audience."
Sarutobi picked up his pipe and rubbed his temples thoughtfully.
What is that old fossil Onoki up to now?
Their arrival was completely unannounced. Given the timing, they must've set out right after the Fourth Raikage died.
He lit his pipe and asked, "Who's leading the delegation?"
"Elite Jonin Kurotsuchi."
So, the son of the Tsuchikage...
Someone with real authority much like Konoha sending out Jiraiya or Kakashi. This wasn't just formality.
Sarutobi puffed a cloud of smoke and nodded. "A heavyweight, then. Send Shikaku to meet with him. Tell them I'm currently occupied with official duties."
Time to posture a little. If they were this eager to visit, they clearly needed something.
The ANBU agent bowed and left.
Sarutobi returned to his paperwork and started stamping documents with the Hokage seal.
Soon, another knock came.
It was the fox-masked ANBU this time, with a tone of mild surprise.
"Lord Hokage. A delegation from Kirigakure has also arrived and requests an audience."
Kirigakure? The same Hidden Mist that's been silent for years? The one ruled by its council of elders?
What an interesting coincidence.
Sarutobi set down his seal and asked, "Who's leading them?"
"A female jonin named Mei Terumi."
The future Fifth Mizukage... I know her.
He thought for a moment, then said, "Take her to the reception room next to the Iwa group. Tell her I'm busy with state affairs for now."
"Then let Shikaku know. Once he finishes speaking with Kurotsuchi, have him meet with Mei Terumi next."
...
Land of Lightning – Hidden Cloud Village
Perched atop steep mountains, the village stood in sharp contrast to Konoha. If one had to compare it to something, it resembled Thunder Bluff.
Inside the Raikage's office.
Darui, now cloaked in the Raikage's ceremonial robe, had officially become the Fifth Raikage. He'd also inherited Mabui as his secretary.
At the moment, they were discussing strategy.
"Stationing troops along the border should exert enough pressure on Konoha," Darui said.
Mabui, still visibly grieving the death of her previous superior, nodded. "Yes, Lord Raikage. Once we've flexed our muscles, it will be time to initiate peace talks with Konoha."
Darui shook his head. "Just call me Darui. It still feels weird hearing 'Raikage' all the time."
"You'll get used to it," Mabui said softly. "Because now... you are the Raikage."
Darui fell silent.
He had to get used to it to restraining his anger, to weighing every decision by its consequences.
Even though Konoha had proven that the Akatsuki orchestrated everything, the one who personally severed the Fourth Raikage's head was still Hatake Kakashi of Konoha.
Darui would never forget that.
But vengeance belonged to Darui the man not Darui the Raikage.
Even if retaliation was necessary, now was not the time. Too many Cloud shinobi had already fallen in the Land of Fire.
"We have to avenge our brother!"
The door burst open.
It was Killer Bee, jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails.
He stormed up to the desk, snatched the intelligence scroll sent by Konoha, and tore it in half.
"So what if it was Akatsuki?!"
Shredded paper floated to the floor.
"Rally the troops! We're going to Konoha to take that white-haired punk's head!"
He glared at Darui.
"The whole shinobi world is saying it Kakashi from Konoha took our Raikage's head!"
Mabui rushed to intercept him. "Lord Bee, wait"
"Outta my way!" Bee shoved her aside and locked eyes with Darui.
"And you? You're just going to sit there?!"
Darui kept his head down, his face shadowed and unreadable.
Then he spoke in a low, firm voice. "I'm the Raikage now. Bee, my order to you is this: stand down and recover."
"Bullshit!"
Bee's fist trembled. He was about to punch Darui.
But Darui looked straight into his eyes, unmoving.
In the end, the fist slammed into the wall.
Bee grabbed Darui's collar. The chakra of the Eight-Tails surged wildly around him.
"My brother trusted you! He trained you like his own! He even gave you his name 'A', the name of the Raikage, passed down through generations!"
Mabui moved instinctively, but Darui waved her off.
"He's not even cold in his grave"
Bee suddenly shoved Darui back. He stumbled into the Raikage's chair.
"And you're already playing politician in his clothes and hat?!"
Darui took a deep breath and forced his voice to remain steady. "Now isn't the right time…"
But Bee was done listening.
From inside his cloak, he pulled a bloodstained bandage used by the Fourth Raikage on the battlefield.
He ripped off a long strip and tied it around his forehead.
"If you won't avenge him today, who'll still respect you as Raikage tomorrow?!"
He slammed the rest of the bloodied bandage onto the desk.
"I'll gather the old guard myself. Those who ride with me to war will wear this shroud of mourning!"
Before Darui could respond, Bee turned toward the door.
As he stepped out, he shouted in a fierce rap:
"Yo yo! Cloud shinobi dressed in white
Won't return till Konoha's crushed tonight!"
Darui shot up. "Bee! You-!"
Bang!
The office doors shattered from the force.
...
The Next Morning – Hidden Cloud Village Gate
The morning mist still clung to the ground.
A dozen Cloud shinobi stood silently, their foreheads bound in white cloth, shoulders draped in mourning robes like a funeral procession.
At the front was Killer Bee, ready to lead them into battle.
"Kakashi of Konoha took our Raikage's life!"
Bee roared, "If this isn't avenged, what future is there for Cloud?!"
The shinobi behind him slammed their fists to their chests in unison. "Vengeance!"
A flash of lightning streaked through the air.
It was the Fifth Raikage, Darui. His face was dark as thunderclouds.
"That's enough, Bee!"
Bee ignored him and prepared to lead his men out.
Darui's voice thundered with rage. "Yugito was attacked. The Two-Tails has been captured."
He pulled off the Raikage's hat.
A bloodstained bandage was already tied around his forehead.
"Akatsuki..."
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