The negotiation venue instantly plunged into chaos.
Senju Tobirama's smile froze.
The sudden turn left him flat-footed.
Where did that inexplicable Kumogakure assassin come from? A single kunai just ruined his grand plan.
"Was that kunai arranged by Kumogakure?"
"Are they insane?"
"They dared plant an assassin on an occasion like this?"
Snapping out of his brief daze, Senju Tobirama fixed his gaze on the Second Raikage.
He couldn't fathom it.
Why would Kumogakure's shinobi dare be so bold?
Not only Senju Tobirama.
The First Tsuchikage of Iwagakure as well.
Right now he was staring at the Second Raikage with a what-is-my-life face. Was this your script, Kumogakure?
This is the surprise you prepared?
Have you lost your minds?
Akatsuki Village had seized such an advantage on the battlefield and was even willing to accept unconditional ceasefire. You could say they'd already made a huge concession. Yet Kumogakure dared pull a sneak attack at the table?
And do it right in front of Konoha and Iwagakure?
What are you even trying to do!
Even if you wanted to avenge the First Raikage, this is not the way!
The First Tsuchikage suddenly regretted allying himself with a pig teammate like Kumogakure. Don't fear a godlike enemy—fear a teammate like a pig. Not wrong in the slightest.
Under their stares, the Second Raikage looked just as stunned.
He had no idea where that Kumogakure assassin popped up from. He had never ordered a hit at such a critical occasion—he wasn't an idiot. Kumogakure truly couldn't keep fighting now.
If they could secure an unconditional ceasefire with Akatsuki and hurry to recuperate for a comeback, that was the wisest choice.
Who was it?
Who wrecked Kumogakure's big matter?
Names flashed through the Second Raikage's mind.
He was only acting Raikage for now, not fully seated. Several strong rivals were eyeing his chair in the shadows. Was it their doing?
But what those three—Senju Tobirama, the First Tsuchikage, the Second Raikage—were thinking no longer mattered.
Because the situation at hand was no longer theirs to control.
More eyes had swung to Uchiha Makoto, who was raising his arm and shouting to keep fighting. The photographers who'd long been in place were jamming their lenses at his handsome face for emergency shots. Tomorrow's front page across the ninja world would be that photo.
"Fight, fight!"
"Akatsuki did nothing wrong. We never wanted war; it was something we were forced into because we had to defend Akatsuki's interests. Even after Akatsuki gained a huge advantage, we were still willing to accept an unconditional ceasefire for peace. It was a hard decision, but I knew I was leading Akatsuki down the right path."
"Who would have thought Kumogakure would remain so obstinate. Then let us fight!"
Uchiha Makoto threw himself into the performance, projecting fearless courage after being attacked. His words were flawless—brimming with righteous light and an unbending will.
The shinobi of Akatsuki Village and the Uzumaki clan were stirred to the core, blood running hot with indignation. They hadn't expected Kumogakure to use such a despicable tactic.
With so great an advantage in hand, Akatsuki had still offered unconditional ceasefire—an act of true magnanimity and a major sacrifice for peace in the ninja world.
Yet Kumogakure launched a sudden strike at the Light-and-Shadow Lord during talks?
One kunai nearly hit the Lord of Light and Shadow.
Good thing heaven guards the virtuous.
He happened to slip that blow.
Otherwise, disaster.
They pressed toward the Kumogakure delegates, chakra already condensing on their bodies, ready to attack at any moment.
And Konoha's shinobi were itching too.
These days they'd been living with their Konoha foreheads bowed.
Back-stabbers, cowards, nothing in your pants—every insult had been hurled at them, and they had no chance to talk back. The facts were what they were. Konoha shinobi had been stewing in resentment.
Now Kumogakure had the gall, right in front of Konoha, to ambush their ally Akatsuki's Light-and-Shadow Lord. Another loud slap to their faces.
If they kept silent again, not only Akatsuki and the Uzumaki—spit from the four corners of the ninja world would drown them.
Screw it.
"Raikage, say something. What is going on here!"
"If you keep dragging this out, are you planning to brawl right here with Akatsuki, the Uzumaki, and Konoha?"
The First Tsuchikage noted the predatory look on Akatsuki, Uzumaki, and Konoha shinobi and felt bitter. But he'd chosen this ally himself; there was no going back. He could only urge the Second Raikage to step up and defuse it. If a free-for-all broke out, would Iwa stand by, or help Kumo?
Awkward didn't begin to cover their position.
"I don't know either."
"I swear on the name of the First Raikage, that assassin was not sent by Kumogakure. We are innocent!"
"Even if it was some disgruntled Kumo shinobi acting alone, that was his personal action. Lord of Light and Shadow, he does not represent the will of Kumogakure!"
"Please don't escalate a personal act to a village stance!"
The Second Raikage clearly understood how dire this was.
He shouted toward Uchiha Makoto, hoping to cut Kumo free.
First, he himself was clean.
He could swear by the First Raikage he revered most: that Kumo assassin wasn't acting on his orders.
Second, that shinobi acted without authorization.
Do not raise a personal act to the level of the village.
"Hmph. So you admit he was a Kumogakure shinobi."
"At this point—"
"What else is there to say!"
"All Akatsuki, Uzumaki clansmen, and Konoha shinobi present—hear my order. Full attack on Kumogakure!"
The corner of Uchiha Makoto's mouth curled. A smile broke across his face and he even let out a soft hum. Then he gave the order to Akatsuki, the Uzumaki, and Konoha to strike.
"Yes, Lord of Light and Shadow!"
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