Uchiha Shao Yu's figure fell from the dissipating Susanoo, kneeling on one knee and panting heavily. The light of the Mangekyo Sharingan in his left eye was dim, and a trace of blood even trickled from the corner of his mouth.
His face was pale. Although his Chakra was not depleted and he hadn't been hit directly, the backlash from the collapse of the Susanoo and the intense exhaustion left him in an extremely poor state.
He had lost.
The Third Raikage truly lived up to his title as the strongest Raikage. Unlike the so-called'strongest' like Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Raikage's'strongest' was the real deal.
The current Shao Yu, combined with Tiger Burial, was already considered extremely powerful among Kage-level Ninjas. However, facing the Third Raikage, he still lost. In Shao Yu's view, the Third Raikage before him had already faintly surpassed the Kage-level threshold.
The current Third Raikage Ai, although his breathing was also slightly hurried, the light of his Lightning Release Armor fluctuated, and he had several deep scars on his body, he still stood firmly in place like an immovable mountain.
The finger that had performed the Two-Finger Spear was slightly emitting thin smoke.
Silence.
Only the sound of the cold wind howling remained.
Everyone was shocked by this battle, which was intense beyond imagination, and remained speechless for a long time.
After a long while, Third Raikage Ai slowly withdrew the Lightning Release Chakra surrounding him. He looked at Uchiha Shao Yu, who was kneeling on one knee but still trying his best to straighten his back. The sharp battle intent in his single eye was gone, replaced by an undisguised admiration.
'Uchiha Shao Yu...' Raikage Ai's voice was still loud, but it carried a hint of complexity. 'You have lost.'
Shao Yu looked up, wiped away the blood from the corner of his eye, and admitted it frankly.
'Yes, I lost. Third Raikage, the strongest spear and the strongest shield, you truly live up to your reputation.'
'However,' Raikage Ai changed his tone, speaking with absolute certainty, 'you lost with honor!'
His gaze swept over the surrounding Kumogakure and Uchiha Clan members who were still immersed in shock, his voice echoing through the field.
'At your age, to possess the Mangekyo Sharingan, to summon and command so many strange summoned beasts, to perform those unique Ninjutsu and healing abilities, and more importantly...'
'To be able to manifest the Susanoo and fight with all your might against this old man for nearly half an hour!'
'Your strength, your potential, your will... they all far exceed this old man's initial expectations! Those fools in Konoha actually forced a person like you to defect; they are simply blind!'
'Uchiha Shao Yu,' Raikage Ai's voice remained loud, but it carried an unprecedented solemnity.
'Your strength is worthy of Kumogakure's respect and an important position. From this day forward, you shall be the second Elder of our Hidden Cloud Village.'
As soon as these words were spoken, the Hidden Cloud guards, who had not yet recovered from the shock, showed expressions of astonishment once again. The second Elder?
This meant that the young Uchiha rogue Ninja before them would leap to become one of the top figures in the power core of the Hidden Cloud Village.
'Lord Raikage, this...'
A Jonin who had followed the Raikage for many years couldn't help but speak up, seemingly feeling that this decision was a bit too hasty and exceptional.
Raikage Ai waved his hand, his tone brook no argument.
'My mind is made up! Strength is the best seniority. In Kumogakure, status is determined by power. The power and potential Shao Yu has shown are enough to break all conventions. As for other Village affairs and procedures, they can be completed later.'
Recruiting talents without following conventions—this was the tradition of their Hidden Cloud Village.
He looked at Shao Yu, his single eye flashing with sincere light.
'In our Hidden Cloud, including you, there are only two Elders. The other is my elder, Elder Yotsuki Yume. She is of advanced age and usually lives in seclusion, responsible for some of the Village's ancient heritage and sacrificial matters.'
'As a newly appointed Elder, your status will be equal to hers, transcending ordinary departments. You will report directly to me, participate in the Village's highest decision-making, and have the right to mobilize certain resources to build your own power.'
This was an extremely heavy and bold appointment, directly elevating an outsider and a defector to the peak of Kumogakure's power, granting him great autonomy and trust.
During the battle with Shao Yu just now, he could feel Shao Yu's character. He was definitely not the kind of fickle villain. The Third Raikage believed that Shao Yu was definitely not a conspiracy from Konoha.
It might be a bit subjective, but the Raikage trusted his intuition.
Uchiha Shao Yu took a deep breath, suppressing his physical fatigue and inner turmoil, and solemnly cupped his fists.
'Thank you for your trust, Lord Raikage. I, Uchiha Shao Yu, will not fail your trust and will serve Kumogakure.'
The Hidden Cloud Village only had two Elders including him; this was something he hadn't expected. The Third Raikage before him actually trusted him so much, which indeed moved him a little.
Compared to being constantly suspected in Konoha, where the Uchiha Clan could never enter the core of power, being trusted by the Third Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village and directly entering the center of power was a complete contrast.
He knew that this position of Elder was both an honor and a responsibility and test.
By using this method, the Raikage not only fulfilled his promise but also firmly tied him and the Uchiha behind him to Kumogakure's war machine.
'Good!'
Raikage Ai nodded with satisfaction and then said.
'Since you have become an Elder of my Hidden Cloud, you naturally need a place to settle down. You Uchiha have just arrived. Although your numbers are few, more clansmen might come to join you in the future. I will now order someone to allocate a piece of clan land for you.'
After a while.
The Third Raikage pointed toward the southeast of the Village, an area backed by a steep mountain wall, facing an open training ground, and adjacent to a rushing stream.
The terrain was high, with a wide view, easy to defend and hard to attack. It was far from the noisiest area in the Village center but not far from the Village center itself. It appeared relatively independent and quiet, yet it was a place with very convenient access.
There weren't many buildings, but they were all in the typical sturdy stone style of Kumogakure. It was clear they were frequently maintained and could be moved into immediately.
The area was naturally not as vast as the Uchiha Clan Compound in Konoha, which had been managed for decades, but for the twelve of them currently, it was more than enough, even appearing quite spacious.
'What do you think of this land?' the Raikage asked.
Uchiha Shao Yu looked carefully. The insight of the Mangekyo Sharingan allowed him to see more details. The buildings were sturdy, the layout was reasonable, the training ground was flat, the stream provided water and a natural barrier, and the mountain wall at the back was an excellent defensive support and a possible point for excavating secret passages... This place was clearly carefully selected. It gave the Uchiha enough independent space and respect while also incorporating them into Kumogakure's overall defense system.
'It's very good. Thank you, Lord Raikage.'
Shao Yu thanked him sincerely. This treatment was a world of difference compared to the constant restrictions and marginalization he faced in Konoha.
The Third Raikage waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of emotion.
'Don't thank me. To tell you the truth, in our Hidden Cloud Village, we are strong in everything, but Bloodline Limit Ninjas... are too few.'
He looked at Shao Yu, then at the Uchiha clansmen behind him who had also awakened the Sharingan, and continued.
'Aside from the Bloodline Limit passed down through generations in our Yotsuki Clan, which is considered our hallmark, the other Bloodline Limit families in the Village are just a few scattered individuals.'
'Either the families are small and inheritance is difficult, or the Bloodline awakening is unstable, making it hard to produce powerful individuals. For the Uchiha to arrive with twelve elites who have awakened the Sharingan, including someone like you with the Mangekyo... it's simply unprecedented.'
Raikage Ai's single eye flashed with a pragmatic light.
'Your joining doesn't just mean adding more than a dozen powerful Ninjas. It also greatly strengthens the overall power and number of Kumogakure's Bloodline Limit families.'
'This has incalculable value for enhancing the Village's high-end combat power reserves, enriching tactical systems, and even for future development and deterrence. Therefore, giving you the best treatment is only right and worthwhile.'
These frank words caused the last trace of doubt in the hearts of the Uchiha members to dissipate significantly.
Kumogakure valued their tangible strength and value. This was a relatively fair and more reassuring transactional relationship.
'I understand.'
Uchiha Shao Yu nodded.
'The Uchiha Clan will settle down as soon as possible, familiarize ourselves with Kumogakure, and contribute our strength to the Village.'
'Mhm!' Raikage Ai patted Shao Yu's shoulder.
'First, recover from your injuries and restore your state. I will send someone to assist you with the settlement. In a few days, a formal high-level meeting will be held to hold your inauguration ceremony as an Elder and introduce you to other high-level officials and families in the Village.'
He paused and added.
'Kumogakure admires strength, but we also value loyalty and friendship. As long as you integrate sincerely, this will be your new home.'
'Home...' Uchiha Shao Yu mulled over the word, looking at the brand-new clan land in the distance that was about to belong to the Uchiha, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
'Let's go, to our new home,' Shao Yu turned and said to the clansmen behind him.
Uchiha Renka, Chikage, Rice Fire, Ling, Mei... everyone's eyes flashed with an unprecedentedly bright light.
Even the youngest, Shisui, held his brother's hand tightly, looking at the unfamiliar land with curiosity and anticipation.
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