The Third Raikage observed the person standing before him.
The figure was clad in a white cloak that concealed their entire body, leaving not even their face visible. Only a silhouette could be discerned.
Such attire made it obvious, even without deep thought. This person was certainly no ally, and approaching him now clearly meant they harbored some hidden agenda.
"What is it you want?" the Raikage asked.
Hearing the Third Raikage's question, the figure chuckled softly before slowly raising their head and removing their hood. Their gaze fixed upon the Raikage before them.
"Konoha!" the figure declared. "They are your enemy, just as they are ours! The enemy of my enemy can be a friend. That is why I've come here. I wish to see if Kumogakure is interested in cooperating... in dealing with Konoha together!"
Dealing with Konoha together. The words themselves didn't immediately stir any particular emotion within the Third Raikage.
Yet, Konoha was an adversary that needed to be confronted. Otherwise, Kumogakure would never escape its shadow, never have a chance to truly rise again. The village couldn't simply drift along aimlessly like this forever.
If things continued unchanged, he feared that within a few decades, the entire Shinobi World would genuinely belong to Konoha. Of the famed Five Great Shinobi Villages, only the Leaf would likely remain, the others fading into oblivion one by one.
This was a future the Third Raikage refused to accept under any circumstances.
After a moment's thought, the Raikage acknowledged the danger. Cooperating with such a dubious character was tantamount to bargaining with a tiger for its own hide. Even if they succeeded against Konoha, Kumogakure would likely be betrayed and exploited by this mysterious ally afterward.
However!
Right now, the Third Raikage had only one overriding thought: Konoha must be dealt with, regardless of the cost. Even if Kumogakure gained no immediate advantage, even if it didn't lead to the village's resurgence... at the very least, hope would remain. Doing nothing meant resigning themselves to a future where even that glimmer of hope was extinguished. Therefore, rather than passively waiting for their demise, it was better to take action, to at least try.
"How do you propose we cooperate?" the Raikage demanded, his voice firm. "And if this is a partnership, you'll at least tell me who you represent!"
The Third Raikage seemed resolute, expressing his willingness to consider it without much hesitation. The person sent here for this negotiation was none other than Koji Kashin of the Kara organization.
He slowly lowered his hood, revealing his face as he looked at the Third Raikage. "I am Koji Kashin, a member of Kara – an organization dedicated to the research and development of Scientific Ninja Tools!"
"The Scientific Ninja Tools provided by our organization can rapidly enhance Kumogakure's combat strength. They can grant your village the power to truly stand against Konoha!"
Koji Kashin gestured towards the Raikage himself. "Even you, Lord Third Raikage, can have your power dramatically increased if you accept our modifications. Enough power," he added, "that you would have no need to fear Konoha's Sixth Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki!"
Scientific Ninja Tools? The Third Raikage was familiar with the concept, but in his eyes, such contraptions were an insult to ninjutsu, an insult to the very essence of being a shinobi! Could one truly gain strength by relying on such things?
Koji Kashin, however, had done his research before arriving. He knew the kind of man the Third Raikage had been – a pure warrior, a true battle-hardened Kage. His strength was legendary, earning him the titles of the "Strongest Spear" and the "Strongest Shield."
Words alone wouldn't sway such a man. What mattered was making him feel the power of Scientific Ninja Tools firsthand. With that thought, Koji Kashin prepared to demonstrate the tools Amado had provided him. It was time for the legendary Third Raikage to experience the might of the new era.
Meanwhile, in Kirigakure, the Second, Third, and Fourth Mizukage stared intently at the mysterious figure who had suddenly appeared before them. Terumi Mei, also present, was equally astonished. How could someone infiltrate their private meeting room so silently? Had the Mist shinobi stationed outside all been eliminated?
"Honorable Mizukage, please don't be alarmed," the figure said smoothly. "I bear you no ill will. I trust you understand the current situation – in this era, Konoha reigns supreme. The other shinobi villages are forced to merely survive in its shadow."
"Your villages are constantly exploited by the Leaf, which drains resources and talent from all the great shinobi villages to fuel its own growth! This so-called 'peace' is nothing but a facade!"
The Kara member sent to Kirigakure, Victor, offered a smile. "The Shinobi World today appears peaceful, doesn't it? But in reality, the people of every nation are unknowingly supporting Konoha, supporting the Land of Fire!"
"The people of Konoha, the people of the Land of Fire, live comfortable lives precisely because they exploit the rest of the world!" Victor's gaze swept across the Mizukage. "There may be no open war, and fewer die in direct combat, but under Konoha's economic pressure, how many poor souls in the Land of Water starve to death? That is their 'peace' – war merely transformed into another, more insidious form!"
"Just what are you getting at?" The Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki, never known for his patience, cut straight to the point.
Victor met his gaze. "Cooperation! Let us face our common enemy together – Konoha!"
At that very moment, the same proposal was being made in Sunagakure. Delta, an Inner member of Kara, addressed the Third and Fourth Kazekage. "I trust you've already witnessed the power of Deidara following his modifications by our Kara organization."
"The reason his power increased so drastically is that he embraced the potential of Scientific Ninja Tools. If Sunagakure desires such power, if you wish to stand against Konoha's dominance, then we can join forces!"
"It's time for a change in the Shinobi World. The era of Konoha's sole supremacy must be brought to an end."
Hearing Delta's words, both the Third and Fourth Kazekage were undeniably tempted. It wasn't just them; even the Second Tsuchikage, Mū, facing another Kara operative in his own location, felt a similar pull.
It wasn't necessarily the specific terms offered by the Kara member that swayed Mū, but the prospect itself: crushing Konoha. The thought of bringing down the Leaf, which had dominated the Shinobi World for far too long, was deeply appealing.
And yet, he knew – just as all the Kage currently being approached knew – that collaborating with an organization like Kara was undoubtedly inviting the wolf into the sheepfold. After all, becoming a Kage required more than just formidable strength; it demanded intelligence. They were perfectly aware that Kara had its own hidden motives, its own agenda.
But! Compared to the slow decay of the current status quo, even an ally with their own schemes wasn't entirely out of the question. Konoha! Bringing the Leaf down, dragging them into the mud... even if it meant paying a heavy price, wouldn't it at least preserve some hope for the future? To not act against Konoha felt like accepting a slow, inevitable decline – a chronic death.
Mū: "Fine... I agree!"
Third Kazekage: "Explain the specifics. How would this cooperation work?"
Third Raikage: "How much stronger can you make Kumogakure's shinobi?"
Second Mizukage: "I hope you truly possess the power to enable us to crush Konoha!"
Hearing these responses from the Kage, the Kara operatives stationed in each location simultaneously allowed smiles to spread across their faces.
"You won't be disappointed," they assured their respective counterparts. "Because the moment you agreed, Konoha officially became the public enemy of the Shinobi World! The other villages have already consented to cooperate!"
"Konoha's destruction... is not far off!"
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