"I didn't expect the Ninja World to have such a powerful fellow like you; I hadn't received a single shred of intelligence before!"
A strode alongside Yang Jiu, glancing back from time to time at the behemoth behind them, his rugged face filled with emotion.
"It seems our Hidden Cloud Village's intelligence System is lacking!"
He shook his head, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone.
"However—" His tone shifted, his brows furrowing slightly as he looked sideways at Yang Jiu, "I'm a bit curious, why did you cross the ocean from the Land of Water to the Land of Lightning?"
He paused, a meaningful smile appearing on his rugged face.
"Aren't you afraid I'll keep you here?"
He wasn't making an empty boast.
With the strength of the Hidden Cloud Village, let alone one Tailed Beast, even two Tailed Beasts would only end up being Sealed before the powerful Hidden Cloud Village.
The foundation of the Hidden Cloud Village was not something the Hidden Mist Village could compare to; looking at the entire Ninja World, only Iwagakure and Konoha could be mentioned in the same breath.
Yang Jiu looked at him, no ripples in his golden eyes, only a faint, composed confidence.
"If I want to leave, no one can stop me." His voice was calm, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears, "And—you don't dare to gamble."
A's smile stiffened for a moment.
Yang Jiu continued: "As for why I came to the Land of Lightning..."
He stepped forward, the Three-Tails' massive body following behind him.
"First, to find you for a sparring match."
A kept pace with him, looking at him sideways.
"Second, to announce the emergence of my Wolf Clan."
The mountain wind blew through the canyon, ruffling Yang Jiu's silver-gold fur, which shimmered dazzlingly under the sunlight.
A looked at him, silent for a few seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Announcing your emergence? Interesting! Very interesting!"
He walked ahead with large strides, glancing back at Yang Jiu with a glint of excitement in his eyes.
"Does your Wolf Clan intend to intervene in the struggle for hegemony in the Ninja World?"
Yang Jiu didn't answer, just looked at him.
A continued, his voice carrying a sense of heroic spirit: "If that's the case, you can cooperate with our Hidden Cloud Village! With our Hidden Cloud's strength plus your Wolf Clan's combat power, it won't be long before we sweep across the entire Ninja World!"
He spoke as if it were a matter of course, as if the hegemony of the Ninja World was just a matter of his word.
Yang Jiu looked at A, a hint of a smile flashing in his golden eyes.
"Sweep across the Ninja World?" He repeated the phrase.
"Right!" A suddenly clenched his fist, lightning crackling, "I've been annoyed with those other Villages for a long time! Especially that Old Monkey from Konoha, putting on airs all day long, it's incredibly irritating!"
Yang Jiu didn't respond, just smiled faintly.
A waited a few seconds, and seeing that he didn't answer, frowned: "What? You don't believe me?"
Yang Jiu shook his head: "It's not that I don't believe you. It's just—my Wolf Clan will not participate in the struggle for hegemony in the Ninja World."
At least not for now; the Wolf Clan's current strength wasn't enough, and there were too few members.
A's footsteps paused, his frown deepening: "Then what are you announcing your emergence for?"
Yang Jiu looked at him, his golden eyes calm as water: "To let the Ninja World know of our existence, nothing more."
A stared at him for a good while, then suddenly sighed, his tone carrying a hint of disappointment: "Fine then. But—regarding cooperation, think about it some more. The gates of the Hidden Cloud are always open to you."
Yang Jiu nodded, a sharp light flashing in his golden eyes: "There will be an opportunity."
"Hahahaha~"
A laughed loudly, a rough and bold sound that echoed through the valley.
"Do you dare to come to my Hidden Cloud Village? Today's fight was very satisfying; I'll treat you to a meal!"
When he said this, his eyes were fixed straight on Yang Jiu, as if waiting for a reply.
Yang Jiu looked at him, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
"The ones who should be worried are you guys."
A was stunned for a moment, then laughed even more happily: "Good! You've got guts! I like fellows with courage!"
He turned and strode toward the Village, shouting without looking back: "Darui! Have someone prepare the best wine! Slaughter five bulls! No, ten!"
Darui's voice came from behind, carrying a hint of helplessness: "Lord Raikage, those were for the New Year..."
"Slaughter more for the New Year then! I'm happy today!" A waved his hand without looking back, "If you dawdle any longer, I'll go myself!"
Darui gave a bitter smile and turned to make the arrangements. In all his years, this was the first time he had seen Lord Raikage so excited.
Treating an opponent to a meal after a fight and even slaughtering ten bulls meant for the New Year—if the Village Elders found out, they would probably be hopping mad with rage.
But he didn't say much, just quickened his pace.
A strode ahead, with Yang Jiu following beside him, his ten-meter-tall silver-gold body shining brightly in the sun.
The Three-Tails' massive body followed behind; with every step it took, the ground trembled slightly, its three giant tails raised high and swaying gently behind it.
The Ninjas in the Village followed from a distance, none daring to approach.
They passed through the mountain path.
The Hidden Cloud Village finally appeared before their eyes.
The Village was situated atop the peaks, with buildings constructed along the mountainsides in layers; at the highest point was the Raikage's office building, with the Hidden Cloud flag fluttering on the roof in the wind.
Sunlight spilled over those white buildings, casting a dazzling glow.
Many people in the Village had already received the news and came running out of their houses to watch.
"Is that a Tailed Beast? It's huge!"
"What is that wolf in front? How is it taller than a house?"
"I heard it fought with Lord Raikage and ended in a draw!"
"What? A draw with Lord Raikage?!"
"It wasn't just a draw, Lord Raikage admitted defeat!"
"Impossible! How could Lord Raikage admit defeat!"
Discussions rose and fell; children hid behind adults, poking their heads out, while Ninjas kept their hands on their weapons, staring nervously at the Three-Tails, and the elderly stood at a distance, pointing and gesturing.
The Three-Tails' single eye swept over the crowd, letting out a low growl.
The villagers retreated a step in unison, frightened.
"Don't scare them," Yang Jiu spoke lazily.
The Three-Tails closed its mouth unwillingly, but its severed tail was still raised high as if in a show of force.
A led Yang Jiu through the Village to an open space in front of the Raikage's office building.
The open space was large, usually a training ground for Ninjas; at this moment, it was just enough to accommodate Yang Jiu and the Three-Tails.
"This is the spot!"
A plopped down on the steps and waved at Yang Jiu, "Sit anywhere!"
Yang Jiu looked at the office, which was pitifully small for him, and did not go inside.
He lay down in the open space, his ten-meter-long body occupying almost the entire area.
The Three-Tails also lay down, its massive body filling the space in front of the office building completely, its tails resting on the roofs of nearby houses, making the tiles creak and crack.
A stood up from the steps, walked over to Yang Jiu, and looked him up and down.
"I've lived for over half my life, and this is the first time I'm treating a wolf to a meal."
He grinned, his eyes full of excitement, "But I'm happy to do it!"
He turned and shouted into the distance: "Darui! Where's the wine! Where's the meat! Stop dawdling!"
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