Chapter 35 – The Breath of Thunder: A Flash of Lightning!
"This is Konoha. Outsiders are not allowed to enter!"
Shenyue Izumo and Gangzitie stepped forward, blocking Chiyo and her group.
It was their duty, after all.And considering Sand Shinobi had invaded Konoha not long ago, the fact that they weren't attacked on sight was already generous.
"Konoha shinobi, hm?"
Chiyo narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Shenyue Izumo and Gangzitie with disdain.Just two Chūnin guards… and they dared to stop her?
"I am the envoy of Sunagakure," she said sharply. "I request to see your Hokage… oh, wait—your Hokage is dead, isn't he? Then bring out whoever's in charge."
Her tone dripped with deliberate venom.Even though she came to Konoha for diplomacy, her hatred couldn't be contained.If not for Konoha, her son and daughter-in-law would still be alive.Her grandson wouldn't have defected.Konoha destroyed her family.
"Go back to where you came from, Sand Shinobi," Shenyue Izumo said coldly, his hand tightening on his weapon.
Gangzitie mirrored him, his face equally grim.By procedure, they should have reported this to their superiors—but letting Sand Shinobi enter Konoha so easily could cause chaos.Not to mention, with the village still rebuilding, and the existence of the manga system being a secret, outsiders were a risk.
"Brats," Chiyo said, her voice hardening. "Did your elders not teach you to respect those stronger than you?"
"Stronger than us? You?"Izumo sneered. "You may be Chiyo the Puppet Master, but that doesn't mean we'll let you pass."
Even standing before a veteran Kage-level shinobi, the two gatekeepers didn't flinch.After all, they'd fought countless powerful figures through the manga system—First Hokage, Second Hokage, and others.Even if those were simulated battles, they weren't intimidated by Chiyo.
"Anyway," Gangzitie added calmly, "Konoha doesn't welcome you right now. Please turn back."
Being talked down to by two Chūnin only made Chiyo angrier. Her chakra flared for a brief moment, but she restrained herself.She knew the situation—Sunagakure wasn't ready for another war.If she killed these two, it would destroy any chance of negotiation.
Still, their arrogance burned her pride.
"You two think you can stop me?" she said, her tone trembling with suppressed rage.
Izumo and Gangzitie exchanged a glance—then chuckled.
Chiyo's expression darkened. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Izumo said with a smirk. "We just thought of something amusing."
"You'd better leave. We've been patient out of respect—but if you don't, we'll remove you by force."
"Expel me by force?" Chiyo snapped, barely keeping her composure. "Such arrogance!"
She took deep breaths to calm herself. She didn't know about the existence of the manga system; after all, the Sand delegation had left before the information reached them.All she knew was that Konoha had weakened after the Third Hokage's death.
"I'll say this once more," she declared coldly. "We come representing Sunagakure to make peace with Konoha."
"Even if your Kazekage came himself, you're not getting in," Izumo replied flatly.
"What if I force my way in?"
"Then don't blame us for being rude."
The air grew tense. Both sides braced for battle.Izumo and Gangzitie shifted into fighting stances, while Chiyo's hands hovered near her puppet scrolls.
Seeing this, Baki quickly stepped forward.He understood the weight of Chiyo's hatred toward Konoha. If she fought now, the two Chūnin would surely die—and all diplomacy would be lost.
"Elder Chiyo," Baki said firmly, "allow me to handle this."
Chiyo glared at him, then exhaled sharply and stepped back.She knew her temper could get the better of her. If she killed someone, there would be no going back.
Baki turned toward the two gatekeepers."Konoha's situation isn't ideal, is it? You've lost your Third Hokage. Many nations are eyeing your village. Isn't it in your best interest to ally with Sand?"
Izumo drew his sword, his tone icy."Save your breath. Since you won't leave, we'll make you."
Konoha's downfall, the pain they suffered—it was all because of Sand. He wouldn't forgive them that easily.
Without another word, he inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.Electricity crackled faintly along his blade.
"The Breath of Thunder… First Form—"
A sharp gust swept through the clearing.Chiyo's eyes widened as she sensed the sudden spike in chakra.Izumo vanished in a blur of lightning.
"—Thunderclap and Flash!"
A blinding arc of light split the air, faster than thought—And in that instant, the atmosphere around Konoha's gates trembled with power.