Raikage's Office.
The Third Raikage, A, stood there, his fingers repeatedly rubbing the shallow yet incredibly glaring scar on his right arm.
Sealing jutsu.
Wiping out the shame.
The muscles on the Third Raikage's burly, mountain-like body gradually tensed, and veins bulged under his skin like coiled dragons.
He narrowed his eyes and stared at the Kirigakure old man before him, who barely reached his chest and looked as if a gust of wind could blow him over.
Sarutobi Hiruzen!
These four syllables were like a red-hot branding iron, searing fiercely into A's heart.
That expression, forever calm and breezy, as if everything was under control, surfaced clearly in his mind once again.
A's heart pounded wildly, blood rushing through his veins. He could feel his fighting intent, dormant for months, reviving frantically.
"Brother... Lord Raikage... he won't attack, will he?"
Hozuki Shio swallowed nervously and whispered to Hozuki Umitsuki beside her.
She could clearly feel that the chakra emanating from the Third Raikage had become violent to a terrifying degree.
It was no longer mere pressure from his aura, but almost forming tangible lightning, scorching the air in the office.
Hozuki Umitsuki did not answer, but gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, every muscle in his body entering combat readiness.
At the slightest movement from the other party, he would draw his sword immediately and use the Hydrification Technique to retreat with Gen and his sister.
Even though he knew that in front of this man, the chance of successfully escaping was slim.
The entire office was terrifyingly quiet.
After a long while.
"Haha..."
The Third Raikage suddenly grinned and laughed.
"Hahahahahaha!"
The laughter was wild, domineering, and made everyone's ears buzz.
"Gen."
A looked at the old man before him, his eyes full of appreciation.
"You have guts. Daring to mention that name in front of me, and using my shame as your bargaining chip."
He slammed the table.
Boom—!
The desk made of hardwood instantly shattered into pieces, turning into a sky full of sawdust.
A violent wave of air mixed with sawdust swept towards the group from Kirigakure.
Hozuki Umitsuki instantly blocked in front of everyone, water vapor surrounding his body, ready to take the impact head-on.
However, just as the wave of air was about to touch them, it was forcefully suppressed by A with an even stronger aura.
"Boom—"
Hozuki Umitsuki held his sword vertically and slashed upwards with extreme speed.
The sawdust scattered.
Gen still stood in the same spot, not even a corner of his clothes fluttering.
He looked calmly at the moody Third Raikage before him, no fear in his cloudy eyes.
"You have successfully persuaded me."
A looked at Gen, clearly having made a decision.
"Go on!"
"I want to know what kind of sincerity your Kirigakure intends to show to facilitate this alliance!"
The stone hanging in Gen's heart finally fell to the ground.
It worked.
He knew that for a pure combat-oriented powerhouse like A, any beating around the bush was superfluous.
Only the most direct benefits and revenge that ignited fighting intent were the only keys to move him.
"Lord Raikage is straightforward, this old man admires that."
Gen smiled and said unhurriedly, "Our sincerity will naturally satisfy you."
"First, regarding the distribution of spoils."
Gen extended a finger. "All sealing jutsu scrolls from the Land of Whirlpools, regardless of value, will be copied by both sides, half for each. Not one more, not one less. As for other gold, silver, treasures, population, and land, they will be distributed fairly according to each side's contribution in the battle."
"Fifty-fifty split?"
The Third Raikage raised an eyebrow, clearly a bit surprised by this distribution plan.
In his opinion, since Kirigakure came to him, they should pay a higher price.
"Lord Raikage."
Gen seemed to see through his thoughts and said with a smile, "Secondly, troop deployment."
"To show our sincerity, this operation will be personally led by our Third Mizukage to hold the line."
The Mizukage leading the team personally?
A flash of surprise crossed A's eyes.
It seemed Kirigakure was determined to win this time.
"At the same time,"
Gen's voice carried a hint of pride, "The three strongest Kekkei Genkai clans in our village—Kaguya, Yuki, and Hozuki—will each dispatch their most elite units to join the expedition."
"The Kaguya clan's Shikotsumyaku, its powerful close-combat ability, I'm sure Lord Raikage has heard of it."
"The Yuki clan's Ice Release is invincible in maritime combat."
"As for the Hozuki clan..."
Gen glanced at Umitsuki and Shio beside him, his eyes full of appreciation. "Their Hydrification Technique is the best means for infiltration and assassination."
Hearing that Kirigakure had dispatched such a luxurious lineup, the last trace of doubt in the Third Raikage's heart was completely dispelled.
The Mizukage personally holding the line, elites from the three major Kekkei Genkai clans all out.
This sincerity was enough.
At the thought of wiping the most valued ally of Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had brought him such great shame, off the map.
At the thought of seeing that person's exasperated yet helpless expression after hearing the news.
The Third Raikage felt the blood in his entire body boiling.
"Good!"
A slammed his fist into the only remaining chair beside him.
Boom!
The chair instantly turned into powder.
"I agree!"
The Third Raikage A's voice, full of dominance and arrogance, resounded through the entire office, even intertwining with the rolling thunder in the sky outside.
"For this operation, this old man will lead the team personally!"
"Let our Kumogakure's lightning and your Kirigakure's dense fog deliver an unforgettable gift to that little Land of Whirlpools, and the Konoha behind it!"
Outside the office, the thunderclouds in the sky seemed to sense it and began to surge violently. A thick bolt of lightning tore through the sky.
Immediately after, deafening thunder illuminated A's ferocious face clearly.
It was as if playing a prelude for this alliance that was about to subvert the ninja world.
Hozuki Shio looked at the Third Raikage before her, at the crazy fighting intent burning in his eyes, and subconsciously swallowed.
She leaned into her brother's ear and whispered, "Brother... this guy... is even crazier than that gorilla Kaguya."
Hozuki Umitsuki did not answer, but silently tightened his grip on his sword.
A storm sweeping across the ninja world was inevitable.
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