The battle report struck Kumogakure like a bolt of lightning.
"Did you hear?! The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally went to the front lines!"
"What?! The Third Hokage actually dared to leave Konoha? How could he dare?!"
"What's even more terrifying is... he killed our elite reinforcements, and he also killed five of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!"
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? Five of them died?!"
...
The news swept through the entire Kumogakure like a storm.
On the streets, at the training grounds, and inside the taverns, every ninja was discussing it intensely.
The ninjas of Kumogakure were already hot tempered by nature. Now their fighting spirit was boiling over. Many had already clenched their fists, their eyes filled with the desire for battle.
"What a joke! Do those Konoha people really think Kumogakure is easy to bully?!"
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were arrogant, but no one could deny their strength. Yet five of them were taken down so easily..."
"Hmph, they were just trash from Kirigakure! If they were our Kumogakure ninjas, they would never have lost!"
"But that was the Third Hokage..."
"So what?! Lord Raikage will never sit back and ignore this!"
...
Raikage Building, top floor office.
Bang!
The Third Raikage slammed his fist onto the table. The heavy solid wood desk, which had just been replaced, instantly shattered into pieces, sending wood chips flying everywhere.
Violent Lightning Style chakra surged around him. Sparks crackled continuously, and even the air seemed to become ionized, producing a faint buzzing sound.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi..."
His voice rumbled like thunder, every word squeezed out through clenched teeth.
"What nerve!"
"Isn't he afraid someone will attack Konoha while he's away?"
He suddenly grabbed the battle report from the desk, and Lightning Style chakra instantly tore it into countless pieces.
"Lord Raikage!"
An ANBU ninja knelt on one knee, cold sweat covering his forehead.
"Urgent report from the front lines. The Konoha force led by the Third Hokage is moving toward the northern battlefield. It seems... it seems they are heading straight for us!"
"Oh?"
The Third Raikage sneered, lightning flashing in his eyes.
"He's provoking me!"
"Father! Please calm down!"
A , standing in the distance, showed a trace of concern in his eyes.
"Logically speaking, no village would ever send its Kage to the front lines.
"But Konoha did exactly that. There must be a major reason behind it."
Hearing his son's analysis, the Third Raikage looked at him with approval.
"Sending you to the front lines this time was indeed worthwhile. You've matured a lot."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Third Raikage stepped forward.
"But you don't need to worry about what comes next."
He suddenly stood up. His massive body resembled a volcano ready to erupt. The Lightning Style Armor covering his muscular arms shone even more brilliantly.
"Pass down my order! Gather the Lightning Style forces. I will personally meet him!"
Everyone was shocked by those words.
"Lord Raikage, please reconsider!"
One of the advisers hurriedly tried to stop him.
"Our cooperation plan with Iwagakure has not been completed yet. Acting now could ruin our entire deployment!"
"Cooperation?"
The Third Raikage snorted coldly.
"Who knows what that old fox Onoki is really thinking? He keeps saying the Uchiha are what he fears.
"But now Hiruzen Sarutobi has already stepped all over my head!"
"Does he think I wouldn't dare just because he's the Hokage?"
The Third Raikage paused.
"Getting rid of a Hokage will be easy."
His voice rolled like thunder, making the entire office tremble slightly.
Every word was filled with overwhelming confidence.
"Today, I will make Konoha and the entire ninja world understand.
"They cannot bear the consequences of provoking Kumogakure's wrath!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Third Raikage had already transformed into a streak of lightning and flashed out of the office, appearing on top of the Raikage Building.
He looked down over the entire Kumogakure. Lightning Style chakra surged wildly through his body as his voice exploded across the sky like thunder.
"Ninjas of Kumogakure!"
"Konoha's Third Hokage has stepped onto the battlefield!"
"They killed our elite ninjas. Now they are heading toward the Land of Lightning. They think Kumogakure will also fear them!"
"Tell me, are you afraid?!"
"No!!!"
A deafening roar erupted from every direction as the Kumogakure ninjas all looked up, their fighting spirit blazing.
"Very good!"
A savage smile appeared on the Third Raikage's face.
"Then let them witness what the true Will of Lightning is!"
"Gather the entire army! Our target is the eastern battlefield!"
"Yes, sir!!!"
In an instant, the entire Kumogakure became like an ignited powder keg, completely erupting with excitement.
The Lightning Style forces quickly assembled as elite ninjas poured toward the village gate like a tidal wave.
The Third Raikage led the charge, the brilliance of his Lightning Style Armor lighting up the entire sky.
"Lord Raikage!"
An ANBU captain instantly appeared beside him.
"Should we notify Iwagakure?"
"No need!"
The Third Raikage answered coldly.
"Let them see that the ninjas of Kumogakure need no one's help!"
He waved his hand sharply.
"Move out!"
Boom!
Lightning descended from the sky, followed by deafening thunder.
Kumogakure's elite forces charged out of the village like bolts of lightning, racing toward the eastern battlefield!
...
Compared to Kumogakure's excitement, Kirigakure was shrouded in an unusually oppressive atmosphere.
Inside the dim Mizukage's office, the Third Mizukage quietly sat at the head seat. His pale face showed no emotion at all.
Before him, Kirigakure's senior officials were arguing fiercely.
"They actually killed five of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?! Konoha is trying to stand above Kirigakure. This is a serious provocation!"
One of the hardline elders slammed the table and roared.
"Calm down!"
A conservative ninja replied in a deep voice.
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist acted on their own. That was their own responsibility!"
"Their responsibility?"
An ANBU ninja sneered.
"The Third Hokage personally took action. Isn't Konoha clearly showing its strength to us?"
"Perhaps... this is Konoha's trap."
A masked ninja quietly analyzed the situation.
"They deliberately lured us into attacking. Otherwise, with the Third Hokage's strength, not a single member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist would have returned alive."
"Hmph, you're being too timid!"
The hardline elder glared angrily.
"Are we supposed to swallow this humiliation?!"
...
The argument became increasingly heated.
"Enough!"
Suddenly, the cold voice of the Third Mizukage echoed through the room, instantly silencing everyone.
He slowly stood up and swept his gaze across the crowd before finally looking toward the thick mist outside the window.
"We will not ignore Konoha's provocation."
His voice was low and dangerous.
"But acting recklessly will only cause us even greater losses."
Everyone exchanged glances and waited for his decision.
"Pass down the order. Suspend all attacks against Konoha for now," the Third Mizukage said slowly.
"At the same time... send an envoy to contact Kumogakure."
"Lord Mizukage?!"
Everyone was stunned.
"The Third Raikage of Kumogakure has a violent temper. Konoha's forces seem to be moving toward the Land of Lightning. That has certainly crossed his bottom line. He will never tolerate the Third Hokage's provocation."
A faint smile appeared on the Third Mizukage's lips.
"In that case, let them fight first."
"When both sides are exhausted..."
A crimson light flashed deep within his eyes.
"That will be when we strike."
The room fell silent for a moment before everyone lowered their heads.
"Yes!"
The meeting ended, and the senior officials left one after another.
The office became eerily quiet.
The Third Mizukage stood alone before the window as the thick mist nearly swallowed his figure.
Suddenly, he slowly closed his eyes.
A dark shadow faintly appeared behind him.
When he opened his eyes again.
A pair of crimson Sharingan had appeared in the Third Mizukage's eyes.
"Things are becoming more and more interesting."
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