Chapter 11: Collecting the Rewards Early
After hearing Ziyun say that, the Third Raikage was tempted.
If Hidden Cloud shinobi could all learn those three powerful taijutsu styles, the village's strength would skyrocket, and they would never need to bow to the Hidden Leaf again.
But the price was putting Ziyun in danger, so the Third Raikage hesitated.
"How about this, Uncle Raikage. You come with me. If you're there, the Hidden Leaf won't dare act recklessly," Ziyun said after thinking.
In truth, the Third Raikage's strength was terrifying. Among the current Five Kage, he should surpass Onoki, the Third Mizukage, and the Third Kazekage, and he could even compete with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the so-called strongest Hokage, for first place.
After all, his ultimate defense could not be broken even by the Eight-Tails. The only thing that could truly pierce that strongest defense was his strongest spear, Hell Stab: One-Finger Piercing Hand.
In a true one-on-one fight, Hiruzen Sarutobi might not be able to beat the Third Raikage and could even be crushed outright.
With the Third Raikage present, the Hidden Leaf would not dare do anything.
"Fine. This is worth the risk. If real danger appears, I'll stay behind and cover the retreat," the Third Raikage said after carefully thinking through Ziyun's plan.
He had weighed it thoroughly. Heaven had given the Hidden Cloud a chance. If they seized it well, the entire shinobi world's balance would change.
The worst-case outcome was simply leaving behind to fight the Hidden Leaf and preserving the Hidden Cloud's spark, Yotsuki Ziyun.
The Third Raikage was not like Hiruzen Sarutobi, the type who would hide the moment danger appeared. You could see that from how he died in the original history while covering the Hidden Cloud's main force retreat.
If the worst happened, he would sacrifice his life without hesitation to protect Ziyun.
If it were Hiruzen Sarutobi instead, there was no need to say what he would do.
The difference was obvious.
"Dodai, go relay my words to the Hidden Leaf envoy. If they agree to my conditions, I'm willing to ally with the Hidden Leaf," the Third Raikage said in a low voice, as if making a firm decision.
Dodai accepted the order at once and immediately led people to the inn where the Hidden Leaf special envoy was staying to deliver the Third Raikage's message.
............
Hidden Leaf Village, Hokage Office. Hiruzen Sarutobi's group of four were holding a high-level meeting.
"Good. The Third Raikage is all muscles and no brain. A little benefit, and he bites the hook," Danzo Shimura sneered after receiving the report that the Third Raikage agreed to the alliance.
"Don't get careless, Danzo. The Third Raikage is coming with them. If we anger the Hidden Cloud, war might break out," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, far less optimistic than Danzo.
Because deep down, he was cautious to the point of timidity.
He had not fought the Third Raikage himself, but Hidden Leaf ANBU had.
The intelligence they brought back was only two words: monster.
And the Hidden Leaf's situation was not good right now. According to reports from the front, Hidden Sand shinobi had already been seen along the Land of Fire's border.
The Third Kazekage, the strongest Kazekage, was about to lose patience.
The reason he had not declared war on the Hidden Leaf yet was also because the Hidden Leaf had announced it was forming an alliance with the Hidden Cloud.
If this relationship with the Hidden Cloud collapsed, the Third Kazekage would likely send troops immediately.
"Hmph. Hiruzen, now is not the time to hesitate. This is the best chance to kill Yotsuki Ziyun. Leave everything to me," Danzo Shimura said, volunteering.
"Fine, but don't make it too obvious. Also, leave no evidence behind. The Hidden Leaf is strong, but fighting the Hidden Cloud and the Hidden Sand at the same time would still be unfavorable," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, puffing on his pipe with a troubled face.
"Don't worry. I already have a plan," Danzo Shimura snorted, having thought of a plan that satisfied everything.
Killing Yotsuki Ziyun did not require him to dirty his own hands. He could simply have the Uchiha handle it.
If the Third Raikage demanded accountability, they could hand over the Uchiha. That would weaken the Hidden Cloud and weaken the Uchiha at the same time.
Two birds with one stone.
"Hmph. What a coward, Hiruzen," Danzo Shimura thought coldly.
Then he flicked his sleeve and left the office.
.........
At the same time, the Third Raikage set out with Dodai and Ziyun.
Yes, the Hidden Cloud's trip to the Hidden Leaf this time had only three people.
Since there was always the risk of tearing things apart, fewer people meant easier retreat.
And since the Hidden Leaf's target was Ziyun, they would not care whether the Hidden Cloud brought one person or many.
The Third Raikage had even thought about the possibility of death. By Hidden Cloud rules, the strongest person in the village could become the next Raikage.
If he died, then the next Raikage would unquestionably be the First Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Blue B.
At the moment they left the Hidden Cloud Village, Ziyun's rewards were also issued.
Because the Hidden Cloud had agreed to ally with the Hidden Leaf, and since Ziyun was going to the Hidden Leaf, he would inevitably face the Hidden Leaf's trial.
So in the system, the mission was counted as completed.
Ding. Detected completion of A-rank mission: Form an alliance with the Hidden Leaf and participate in the trial tournament. Rewards granted: 30000 points, Uzumaki Hakim Body, Zoan-type Dog-Dog Fruit Mythical Model Nine-Tailed Fox, Fire Release Great Fireball Technique, Fire Release Dragon Flame Technique, Constitution plus 5.
After receiving the rewards, Ziyun found an additional Zoan-type fruit in his system storage. It should be the Mythical Zoan Nine-Tailed Fox fruit.
In the One Piece world, this fruit's user was Catarina Devon, the Crescent Moon Hunter, a vicious criminal Blackbeard brought out from Level 6.
According to the original story and the system's explanation, the Nine-Tailed Fox fruit could transform into other people's appearances.
Unlike the shinobi Transformation Technique, this was an advanced transformation. Neither Observation Haki nor sensory techniques could detect it. If developed far enough, it could even use the transformed target's abilities and techniques.
Of course, how strong those techniques would be still depended on Ziyun's own strength.
Otherwise, if this Nine-Tailed Fox fruit awakened and became unstoppable, he could just transform into Kaguya Otsutsuki and steamroll the world.
Ziyun accepted this fruit gladly. At critical moments, it was an extremely useful trump card.
It was perfect for sowing discord and infiltrating to gather intelligence.
He didn't know how the relationship between the Uchiha and the Hidden Leaf was right now. Maybe this trip could stir their relationship and speed up the Uchiha's downfall.