Chapter 166 – Kakuzu's Envy
The constant noise of debate grated on his nerves. Kitsuchi didn't know how these old men tolerated it for hours—or how his father, the unflappable Third Tsuchikage, could sit through it every time.
But he had no choice. Even if he couldn't get used to it, he couldn't just walk away. His father might call on him at any moment, and he needed to be ready.
Sure enough, Ōnoki's voice suddenly cut through the chatter.
"Kitsuchi! What are your thoughts?"
Snapping to attention, Kitsuchi sighed inwardly. As expected.
It was always like this—his father would let everyone argue, then call on him to bring order to the chaos.
Clearing his throat, Kitsuchi rose to his feet, his tone calm and deliberate.
"Tsuchikage-sama, I believe everyone here is being too cautious."
The elders quieted, listening. Kitsuchi continued,
"Even if Konoha possesses the strength to destroy the Hidden Cloud Village, their overall state hasn't changed. After the Third Great War, their manpower was drastically reduced. The Land of Lightning is vast—far too large for Konoha to occupy fully.
I suggest that we move by sea and claim the northern territories of the Land of Lightning before their forces arrive. The faster we move, the more land we can annex before Konoha notices."
His words were smooth and confident, revealing none of the nerves he'd felt moments ago.
Ōnoki and the elders exchanged subtle glances, silently acknowledging the maturity in his tone.
The elders thought, He's grown more like the Tsuchikage each day.
Ōnoki himself nodded slightly. Not bad. He's much steadier than before. The training has paid off.
After Deidara's betrayal and disappearance, Ōnoki had reluctantly shifted his focus toward grooming Kitsuchi.
Though his son lacked Deidara's talent, his diligence and calm nature made him a dependable leader—one who could maintain Iwagakure's stability in uncertain times.
Still, in the old man's heart, Deidara remained the favored disciple.
He had sent Anbu to search the mountain where Deidara lived, but they found no signs of a struggle. Ōnoki knew what that meant—Deidara had left on his own.
The realization had stoked a deep irritation in him. That brat's been gone only three years and already forgotten everything I taught him… When he returns, he'll get an earful.
Snapping back to the present, Ōnoki gave a single approving nod.
"Good. You may sit down."
Then he swept his gaze over the council.
"What about the rest of you? Do you believe Kitsuchi's plan is feasible?"
An elder leaned forward, stroking his beard.
"I agree. Although Konoha somehow defeated the Fourth Raikage and took Hidden Cloud Village, they couldn't have done it without heavy losses. Their numbers are likely stretched thin. We can take advantage of the situation and secure the northern territories while they're preoccupied."
Another elder chimed in,
"Yes. By the time Konoha finishes consolidating its hold over the Land of Lightning, we'll have already built outposts and claimed the territory. If they question it later, we can simply deny everything—it's always been ours. If they insist on fighting, we have the advantage in numbers."
One by one, heads nodded. The council refined the plan and finalized the operation.
Soon after, squads led by Kitsuchi, Mahiru, Ōishi, and other elite Jōnin departed Iwagakure with teams of Chūnin under their command, heading north.
The elders wore satisfied smiles, already envisioning the expansion of their borders.
Only Ōnoki sat still, his expression grave.
He felt uneasy.
Until he learned how Konoha had managed to kill the Fourth Raikage, he had no intention of truly going to war.
This mission, for him, was just a test.
If Konoha truly possessed someone powerful enough to slay the Raikage…
then they could do the same to Iwagakure.
So that's it, Ōnoki thought grimly. I must uncover Konoha's trump card before making any move.
He leaned back, muttering,
"These are truly turbulent times…"
First Deidara disappeared.
Then the Hidden Cloud fell.
The balance of the Five Great Nations was shifting—and fast.
Ōnoki didn't yet know if that change would favor Iwagakure or doom it.
But one thing was certain: the era of peace between the Great Nations was over.
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Meanwhile, far to the southwest, in the Land of Rain…
A man wearing a black cloak patterned with red clouds sat in a dimly lit tavern, sipping quietly as he listened to the latest rumors.
It was Kakuzu.
For days, he had been hunting a lucrative bounty target near the border between the Land of Lightning and the Land of the Moon.
After claiming his prize—and losing yet another disposable partner—he stopped by an underground exchange to collect the reward.
That was when he overheard the whispers.
Hidden Cloud Village… destroyed.
The Fourth Raikage… dead.
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed in the shadows. That's not something you hear every day.
The moment he learned that mountains of silver and gold had been stored within Hidden Cloud Village, he didn't hesitate.
Using the faint chakra link of his Akatsuki ring, he contacted the organization's leader through the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and reported the situation directly.
His plan was simple—if Konoha had already taken the spoils, the Akatsuki could intercept the transport and claim a share for themselves.
The information had come from a terrified informant Kakuzu had "persuaded" to talk.
The poor man had confessed everything before the bounty hunter even started his interrogation.
At Akatsuki's base, the projected image of the leader—Pain—listened in silence.
After a long pause, he gave a slight nod.
"I understand. I'll consider our next move."
When the connection ended, the true leader, Nagato, turned to Konan beside him.
The two exchanged a serious look—then immediately began an urgent discussion.
Something big was unfolding in the world beyond their rain-soaked borders.
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