Chapter 147: The Tsuchikage's Gambit
The possibility of the Third Raikage personally entering the fray solidified a theory in Kagenori's mind: Iwagakure would not let such an opportunity pass. While Konoha was a target, a distracted and over-extended Kumogakure was a far more tempting prize. If his suspicions were correct, the legendary battle where the Third Raikage held off ten thousand Iwa-nin was about to unfold.
He didn't want to miss it. Furthermore, he was deeply skeptical of the reported numbers. Ten thousand shinobi? The total active forces of Konoha, spread across all its fronts and homeland defense, likely numbered around that figure. Could Iwagakure, while also maintaining a presence in the Land of Grass, truly field ten thousand ninja for a single operation? The logistics and the sheer lack of intelligence such a massive movement would generate seemed improbable.
"Orochimaru-sensei," Kagenori began, turning to his mentor. "I wish to request a mission."
Orochimaru's serpentine eyes narrowed with interest. "What manner of mission?"
"An intelligence-gathering operation. I want to verify the Raikage's movements and intentions personally."
Orochimaru seemed surprised. "The intelligence points to his direct involvement. What is there to verify?"
"The Iwagakure will not sit idly by," Kagenori stated with conviction. "I believe their target is not us, but our enemy."
Orochimaru's brow furrowed slightly. "You believe the Tsuchikage would break his tacit alliance with Kumo and move against them directly?"
Kagenori nodded. "The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, is a pragmatist above all else. His forces in the Land of Grass have been conservative, preserving their strength while the other villages bleed. Iwagakure is likely the strongest of the Five Great Villages at this moment. Kumogakure, after years of stalemate here, is exhausted. Its elite are being committed here, leaving its rear vulnerable. Ōnoki cares for profit, not alliances. He will see a chance to cripple a rival and seize the initiative. I believe he will ambush the Raikage himself."
Orochimaru processed this, his tongue flicking out to wet his lips. The analysis was sharp, if speculative. But if it were true, it would signal a catastrophic shift in the war, one Konoha could exploit.
"An intriguing hypothesis," Orochimaru conceded. "Very well. The mission is yours."
Kagenori departed immediately. If Iwagakure planned an ambush, it would not be within the Land of Lightning or the Land of Hot Water. The most likely location was the neutral Land of the Moon, which lay directly on the route between them.
...
Days later, Kagenori was positioned within the Land of the Moon. The moment the Third Raikage and his small, elite guard of two dozen crossed the border from Lightning Country, Kagenori's Observation Haki locked onto his distinctive, powerful chakra signature—one he remembered from his infiltration of Kumogakure.
He shadowed the Raikage's party, maintaining a distance at the very edge of his sensory range.
Two days into his surveillance, as he paused to rest, he jolted upright. A massive wave of presences had entered his range. Not ten thousand, but a formidable force of several thousand. The majority were weak, cannon-fodder chakra, but a significant core of powerful signatures moved among them. It was more than enough for an ambush.
He focused on the Raikage's position. The Kumo party seemed unaware, continuing their march. Kagenori was baffled. How could Kumo's intelligence be so poor? The movement of an army this size across multiple minor countries should have been impossible to conceal.
He accelerated his pace. The confrontation was imminent.
When he arrived, the two forces were already arrayed against each other. The Iwa force was led by Kitsuchi, the son of the Tsuchikage.
The Third Raikage stood before the overwhelming numbers, his voice a thunderous rumble. "What is the meaning of this?! The Tsuchikage assured me your forces were to flank through the Land of Rice to support our push in the Land of Hot Springs! Explain your presence here!"
A cold understanding dawned on Kagenori. It was a deception. Ōnoki had used the guise of their shaky alliance to maneuver his army into the perfect position for a betrayal.
Kitsuchi stepped forward, his expression grim. "By the order of the Tsuchikage! The Third Raikage is to be eliminated here! Afterwards… we march on the Land of Lightning!"
A roar of pure fury erupted from the Raikage. "That two-faced old fossil! He dares to betray our accord!"
"Lord Raikage," Kitsuchi replied, his tone cool and unyielding. "This is war. Deception is its currency. I would not expect a Kage to be so… naive."
With a crackle of raw power, the Third Raikage's body became sheathed in the brilliant blue-white aura of his Lightning Release Chakra Mode. He didn't look back at his men as he gave his final orders.
"I will hold them here. All of you, retreat to the Land of Hot Springs immediately. You are to withdraw every one of our shinobi back to the village. Tell A… tell my son to inherit my name and my will! Inform him that the Land of Lightning withdraws from this war! We have lost!"
His guards stood frozen, their faces etched with conflict. "Lord Raikage, we cannot leave you—!"
"GO!" the Raikage bellowed, the command echoing like a peal of thunder. "You are the future of Kumogakure! Your deaths here serve no one! That is my final order as your Raikage!"
With hearts heavy with grief and duty, the elite guards gave their leader one last, pained look before turning and fleeing westward, their speed a testament to their despair. The Third Raikage stood alone, a single, titanic figure against an army, ready to sell his life for the survival of his village.
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