Land of Earth
The Third Raikage charged at the very front, crushing several Iwagakure shinobi who tried to block his path.
His adjutant quickly caught up.
"Lord Raikage, we've already broken into the Land of Earth. So far, we haven't encountered any organized resistance—just intermittent harassment."
"It feels like… the Iwa ninja are deliberately stalling for time."
"They may be setting traps for us."
"Setting traps for us?"
The Third Raikage burst into loud laughter the moment he heard that.
"Good. That just proves the Fourth Tsuchikage really is useless—resorting to traps of all things."
"I'll show him that in the face of absolute power, any trap is completely meaningless."
As he spoke, lightning crackled across his body, his presence overwhelming and domineering.
The adjutant could only nod helplessly. In Kumogakure, seventy percent of administrative matters were handled by the secretariat. Even he himself had been assigned by the secretaries to keep an eye on the Raikage—because the Raikage was simply too reckless.
Yet on the battlefield, that very figure always gave people an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
"Report!"
A Kumo ninja foot soldier stepped forward.
"We've received intelligence from Iwagakure. Their main force is advancing in our direction."
"As for the Fourth Tsuchikage, Rōshi—since Hanzo's invasion some time ago, he's remained out of sight under the pretext of recovering from his injuries."
"However, one of our spies happens to be embedded in this expeditionary force. During a nighttime reconnaissance, he personally saw the Fourth Tsuchikage inside a command tent."
Hearing that the Tsuchikage himself was taking the field, the adjutant's expression twisted.
"Is this information reliable?"
"This is the original report."
The soldier handed over a note to the Raikage, then withdrew.
After reading it, the Raikage passed it to the adjutant.
"What do you think?"
"This appears to be Iwagakure's plan," the adjutant said gravely.
"Continuous harassment to slow our advance, buying time for their main force to arrive."
"As a jinchūriki, the Fourth Tsuchikage has access to wide-area battlefield-clearing Tailed Beast Bombs. Before clashing with the main Iwa army, we'll inevitably have to regroup—and that would give him the perfect opportunity."
"We all know what happened to Konoha after being hit by a Tailed Beast Bomb. If he strikes at that moment…"
"He's hiding among the Iwa forces precisely for this reason. Fortunately, we learned about it in advance. Otherwise, our losses would have been catastrophic."
"Hmph. Such underhanded tactics," the Third Raikage spat disdainfully.
"I'll deal with the Fourth Tsuchikage myself. Since he's come, he might as well stay here forever—it'll save us the trouble."
"The army will continue advancing. I'll handle the Tailed Beast Bombs. As long as he dares to use one, I guarantee Iwagakure will suffer the consequences themselves."
He wasn't boasting without reason.
During sparring sessions with Killer B, he had used the unparalleled defense of his Lightning Release Chakra Mode to directly tank a small Tailed Beast Bomb from B in his six-tailed state—then followed up by cleaving apart a second one with his Hell Stab.
If the Fourth Tsuchikage planned to use a Tailed Beast Bomb against them, the Third Raikage was confident that, given the transformation time and charge-up required, he could rush in and split it in half before it detonated—letting Iwagakure taste its own weapon.
As for Iwa's attempts to block him?
No attack could pierce his defense, and no defense could withstand his Hell Stab. His Lightning Style stimulation technique granted him explosive speed. Failure was not an option.
In fact, the Third Raikage almost hoped that Rōshi would immediately enter full Tailed Beast mode and fire off a Tailed Beast Bomb. That way, Kumogakure's casualties would be even lower. Once the Fourth Tsuchikage was captured or killed, their operations in the Land of Earth would become completely unhindered, and he could return early to the Land of Hot Water front to counterattack Konoha.
"But Lord Raikage…"
Even though the adjutant trusted the Raikage's strength, he still couldn't help worrying. After all, the opponent was a jinchūriki.
"Hmm?"
Hearing the displeasure in the Raikage's voice, the adjutant knew there was no changing his mind.
"Lord Raikage, in that case, we could spread the troops laterally," he suggested.
"Since Iwagakure is advancing in a concentrated formation, once the battle begins, we can gradually encircle them and cut off their retreat."
"We can also reduce troop density somewhat, extending the horizontal battle line."
The Raikage understood his meaning. Though still displeased, he admitted the logic.
"Fine. We'll do it your way. Iwagakure is nothing to worry about anyway."
After all, a village that could lose to a minor country like Amegakure hardly impressed him.
"Continue the advance."
---
At the Iwagakure Camp...
"How is the plan progressing?" Rōshi asked from within the command tent.
"Everything is going smoothly, Lord Tsuchikage," Mazu replied, kneeling on one knee.
"We've already seen him release the messenger lizard. By now, Kumogakure should have received the information."
"Good. Eliminate him."
"Yes."
As Mazu answered, his body dispersed into a puff of smoke, leaving Rōshi alone in the tent.
After closing his eyes for a moment, two figures appeared before him—one the captain of the Barrier Team, the other the captain of the Sealing Team.
"How are your preparations?" Rōshi asked.
"Reporting, Lord Tsuchikage. The trap is fully set," the Barrier Team captain said.
"The area has been carefully disguised. Once an A-rank Lightning Style technique is detected within the zone, the trap will automatically activate and drag the caster into an alternate space created by the formation."
The captain still couldn't quite believe it—back then, the Tsuchikage had ordered them to dismantle part of Iwagakure's Sealing Barrier and incorporate it into a trap. But considering the identity of the enemy, it now seemed entirely justified.
"Lord Tsuchikage, the Unmoving Mount Sealing Style has also been completed," the Sealing Team captain added.
"This jutsu will seal all sensory perception of anyone who enters the formation. It's linked to the Earth Mountain Barrier—so long as the barrier remains intact, the sealing jutsu will continue operating."
"Good. You've worked hard. Go rest."
"Yes."
After the two departed, Rōshi began calculating the timing.
"At their speed… two more days."
As he spoke, red Tailed Beast chakra slowly spread from his hand.
"My control is still lacking. I just hope it won't have too much impact on the battlefield."
"You should be satisfied. To reach this level in just a few days while using chakra of my quality—there aren't many who could manage that."
Rōshi's consciousness was suddenly pulled into the sealed inner space, where the Four-Tails stood arrogantly before him.
The iron chains that once bound the Four-Tails completely were now reduced to only three—insurance Rōshi had left for himself, the final condition of his compromise with the beast.
"Remember what you promised me. In this battle, I will draw on all of your power."
"Of course."
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