"Reidby has been pushing for an attack on Kirigakure. This is clearly retaliation from them!"
"But haven't they been busy fighting Sunagakure lately?"
"Other jutsu can be faked, but the Hydrification Technique is a Bloodline Limit of the Hozuki Clan. That's not something you can just imitate."
"I still think this doesn't match Kirigakure's usual style. They've always operated in secrecy..."
"Secrecy my ass! Look at the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Which one of them isn't arrogant as hell, strutting around the shinobi world with their giant blades? Since when have they ever been discreet?"
"Can you guys stop jumping to conclusions? Do you even think before you talk, or is your brain just pure muscle? We've been targeting—"
"Shut up!"
Whoosh—
A crackling figure wreathed in lightning descended from the sky, landing with an impact that sent dust scattering.
The debate among the higher-ups was cut off instantly as the Third Raikage, A, made his entrance.
After the Second Raikage's sudden death during the Kinkaku and Ginkaku rebellion, A had seized power with sheer force. Over the past two decades, he had solidified his rule with unquestionable strength, an iron-fisted approach, and a commanding presence that had subdued all factions within the village.
The respect he commanded was absolute. The moment he arrived, all arguments ceased.
From a distance, Yamanaka Shinno watched the scene unfold.
He had to admit—this kind of raw authority and intimidation was something Hiruzen Sarutobi could never hope to match.
"Lift the village-wide alert! ANBU Unit One, lock down the scene. Any teams without assigned missions, immediately secure and inspect all water sources!"
"Tutai, send a message to Kirigakure. Ask their Mizukage if they want a war. As soon as the document is ready, send it out."
"Evacuate civilians and non-essential personnel. The Security Corps will maintain order—no unnecessary panic!"
A barked out three successive commands, barely containing his fury as his subordinates finished reporting the situation.
He had spent the morning at the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, checking on his son and Killer Bee. Yet the moment he was on his way back, he saw the village in chaos from miles away.
An open assassination attempt by Kirigakure, the war-hawk factions stirring up unrest, and high-ranking officials using the situation to win political favor…
Every single one of these things enraged him.
He had only been gone for half a day.
It wasn't like he had died!
A's emerald-green eyes swept across the gathered officials.
Some averted their gaze, some remained silent in feigned composure, and some seethed with righteous indignation.
But not a single one dared to meet his eyes.
"Hmph. I'll be waiting for you in the conference room. Use this time to think carefully about how you're going to explain this to me."
With a snort, A pushed off the ground, his body rocketing skyward. Lightning flashed around him as he leapt from rock pillar to rock pillar, vanishing from sight in moments.
"Tch—still as terrifying as ever."
Shinno watched A's retreating figure and sighed inwardly.
This old man was no joke. No wonder he could go toe-to-toe with the Eight-Tails and battle ten thousand Earth Release users for three days and three nights.
...
Name: A
Occupation: Raikage
Traits: Strongest Spear (Red), Slightly Imperfect Shield (Purple), Thunderous Might (Purple), Mountain-Crushing Strength (Purple), Wild Lightning (Purple), Accumulated Authority (Blue), Willing to Listen (Green), Parental Affection (White)
...
Hiruzen, oh Hiruzen…
You lost again.
As Shinno followed the Security Corps' guidance, dispersing with the rest of the crowd, he reassessed the aura A had emitted upon arrival.
His mental ranking of the Raikage's strength went up another notch.
By his estimates, the Third Raikage should have started with at least two red-tier traits:
Strongest Spear and Strongest Shield.
After all, this was a man whose body could take a direct hit from Wind Release: Rasenshuriken and only sustain minor injuries.
If it weren't for the 'weak point' he himself created in his chest with One-Finger Nukite, he would definitely have two red traits.
The absolute pinnacle of attack and defense.
His steadily enhanced physical prowess, fortified by Lightning Release Chakra Mode…
His ever-growing mastery over Lightning Release…
His overwhelming raw power and unbreakable will…
Forget Hiruzen—Shinno himself, despite his own superior trait rankings, would have a hard time against him.
Even Naruto's Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, which had an elemental advantage, failed to deal significant damage.
Shinno's Water Release: Rasengan? Yeah, that was going to be useless.
Genjutsu and clan techniques could keep the Raikage occupied, but actually defeating him? That would take something like Hozuki Gengetsu's Steam Danger Tyranny to wear him down.
A quick victory?
The only viable method was using genjutsu or clan abilities to replicate Naruto's strategy—
Making A stab himself with his own One-Finger Nukite.
"If I fully master the Spirit Transformation Technique, I might be able to test it in a spirit form… but my physical body would be completely unprotected. Tch—should I try copying the Strongest Spear trait instead…?"
Shinno rubbed his chin thoughtfully but dismissed the idea.
The Third Raikage's strength came from all his traits stacking in a single direction.
A heavily specialized juggernaut.
Copying just one trait wouldn't be enough—without the foundational physical strength, he'd never be able to unleash its full potential.
...
"Uncle, can I come find you at your house tomorrow?"
Just as they were about to part ways, Nii Yugito nervously rubbed her hands together, lowering her head as she asked in a small voice.
"Uh… I have to report in at the mission center tomorrow morning, but I should be free after that. Cloud Pillar No. 36, Apartment 1701."
Shinno gave her his current address, but inwardly, he was already mourning for her.
If she ever found out he was a spy, she'd probably have a complete mental breakdown.
Maybe when the mission was over, he could fake an 'accidental death'?
Hmm… those two ANBU tailing her wouldn't be able to resist his genjutsu. Worst case scenario, he could leave her a parting gift like Pakura's…
'Your Jinchuriki was actually a long-lost relative from my clan~'
The Raikage would lose his mind.
Damn, I'm so considerate.
"Okay!"
Yugito's eyes lit up with excitement. She ran a few steps ahead before turning back to wave enthusiastically at him, then disappeared into her home.
...
"Old man, is that my stepmom's daughter, or… my stepmom?"
A resentful voice came from behind.
Smack!
Without hesitation, Shinno smacked the boy across the back of the head.
A father disciplining his son—perfectly reasonable.
Even if the kid wasn't technically his son.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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