Early the next morning.
Kumogakure, Raikage Office.
Yondaime Raikage A lay on a temporarily set up hospital bed, his face pale as paper.
His right arm had undergone emergency treatment and wasn't deteriorating further, but the arm was completely irrecoverable.
The internal injuries were even more severe. Medical ninjas had clearly stated that he couldn't fully recover and could only recuperate quietly.
"Big Brother, drink medicine."
Killer B held a bowl of dark medicinal soup, carefully feeding it to the Yondaime Raikage's mouth.
"Cough cough..."
"B... how is... the village..."
The Yondaime Raikage managed to drink a few mouthfuls, then coughed up another mouthful of blood. His voice was so weak it was almost inaudible.
"Don't worry, Big Brother."
"The village has entered level one combat readiness. All ninjas on missions outside have been recalled, and the defensive barrier has been activated."
"Various clans have also stated they will fully support... support the next Raikage."
Killer B held back tears. When saying "next Raikage", his voice choked up slightly.
"You... did very well..."
A gratified smile appeared on the Yondaime Raikage's pale face.
"Big Brother..."
"Report!"
"Urgent intelligence from Konoha!"
Before Killer B could say anything more, an Intelligence Department ninja suddenly rushed into the office, kneeling on one knee.
"Konoha...?"
"Read it."
The Yondaime Raikage forced himself to stay spirited, wanting to do something more for the village...
"Thousands of Kirigakure elites are sneaking north, targeting Kumogakure directly."
"Source of intelligence... Konoha."
The Intelligence Department ninja read it out quickly. Two short sentences, yet they made him sweat profusely.
Deathly silence in the office.
The medicine bowl in Killer B's hand shook, spilling quite a bit of the black liquid.
"Kirigakure... thousands of elites..."
Killer B murmured, turning sideways to look at the Yondaime Raikage.
Kumogakure had just experienced a crushing defeat, with over half its elites lost, two Jinchūriki heavily injured, and the Raikage dying.
At such a time, facing Kirigakure's full-scale attack...
Also, didn't Kirigakure declare war on Konoha? Why would they turn to attack their Kumogakure?
"Konoha... why..."
"Why give this intelligence... to us..."
The Yondaime Raikage suddenly spoke, his turbid eyes full of confusion.
"Everyone says Konoha's Godaime Hokage is a madman, but in my opinion, he is a truly smart person."
An aged voice came from the door.
Everyone turned to see an old man with a hunched figure carrying a huge scroll slowly stepping into the Raikage Office.
He was Dodai, a veteran advisor of Kumogakure, who held important positions since the Sandaime Raikage's era.
"Lord Dodai!"
Everyone bowed to Dodai.
"A, have you figured it out?"
Dodai waved his hand and walked to the Yondaime Raikage's bedside.
"Lord Dodai, you mean..."
"Konoha's move like this is partly to test whether we trust Konoha, and at the same time to test our Kumogakure's last reserves?"
The Yondaime Raikage spoke deeply after a brief silence.
The corner of his mouth even pulled up a powerless smile.
"Your mind is still very clear."
"You... sigh..."
Dodai was somewhat helpless.
The Yondaime Raikage was good in everything, just his competitive heart was too strong.
Otherwise, his path could definitely have gone much further.
"Then we now..."
Killer B asked urgently.
"Fight."
The Yondaime Raikage's voice suddenly became firm.
"Pass my order—"
"The whole village of Kumogakure, enter a state of deathmatch!"
"All ninjas, regardless of gender or age, fully armed!"
"Set up three lines of defense outside the village; prepare sufficient explosive tags and traps for each line!"
The Yondaime Raikage forced himself to sit up, flames reigniting in his eyes.
His voice was trembling, but every word was forceful.
This battle must be won!
He wanted to use the victory of this battle to tell the entire ninja world that even if Kumogakure had experienced defeat, they were not something any Tom, Dick, or Harry could provoke!
At the same time, it was also to send an affirmative response to Konoha!
"Yes!"
One by one, Anbu roared and rushed out of the office.
Orders spread throughout Kumogakure at the fastest speed.
This village, which had just experienced a crushing defeat, erupted with amazing cohesion... in a desperate situation.
The elderly picked up dust-covered ninja tools, children learned the most basic ninjutsu, and women prepared medical supplies and food in the rear.
Every ninja who could still stand walked onto the defense line.
...
Meanwhile, border dense forest of the Land of Lightning.
Uchiha Obito stood on the canopy, gazing in the direction of Kumogakure.
"Almost there."
Obito whispered to himself.
The journey here was unimaginably smooth.
Kumogakure seemed completely unaware of their arrival, without even basic reconnaissance.
Perhaps because of the recent defeat, plus Konoha letting them leave.
Only caring about dealing with internal village matters, they forgot the most basic defense.
Plus the Sharingan he left on Karatachi Yagura let him know that Konoha really hadn't arranged defenses, and the current Karatachi Yagura was already approaching Konoha village.
Previously, it was completely Obito overthinking, which led to missing the best opportunity to raid Konoha.
So, this time, he wouldn't hesitate anymore!
He would capture Kumogakure with thunderous momentum and take away the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails!
"Xiu xiu xiu!"
While Uchiha Obito was pondering, countless sounds of breaking air suddenly rang out!
In the dense forest, thousands of shuriken, kunai, and explosive tags poured down like a rainstorm!
"Enemy attack!"
Kirigakure's vanguard troops were instantly submerged!
Explosions, screams, and the sounds of collapsing trees rang out together!
"Retreat! Retreat!"
Kirigakure's commander roared, but it was too late.
Kumogakure's ambush wasn't one wave, but... endless!
The first wave was ninja tools.
The second wave was ninjutsu.
"Raiton: Raibō Daisō (Lightning Release: Thunderstorm Great Burial)!"
"Doton: Doryūdan (Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet)!"
"Katon: Kaame (Fire Release: Fire Rain)!"
Dozens of ninjutsu mixed together, turning the entire dense forest into purgatory!
"How could it be?"
Uchiha Obito's face was livid.
Why was it like this again this time?
While Uchiha Obito was pondering, more than a dozen Kumogakure ninjas had already rushed towards him.
These Kumogakure ninjas charged like madmen, disregarding casualties.
There was no fear in their eyes, only killing intent for the target!
Although these Kumogakure ninjas couldn't hurt Obito who possessed Kamui, they had suppressed Kirigakure and him in momentum.
"These madmen..."
After Uchiha Obito killed six Kumogakure ninjas, he retreated to another big tree.
He witnessed with his own eyes a KumogakureChūnin, despite having been stabbed over a dozen times, still hugging a KirigakureJōnin tightly and detonating the explosive tags on his body.
Perishing together.
Such scenes could be seen everywhere on the battlefield.
Kumogakure ninjas were singing their war song loudly in the most extreme way.
In contrast, although Kirigakure wasn't weak, they lacked this cohesive war soul!
In less than a day, even with Obito present, Kirigakure still quickly suffered over half casualties.
Helplessly, Uchiha Obito could only order a retreat.
<><><><><><>
Read Advanced Chapters on: patreon.com/Anna_N1
~Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]