Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 184 The Third Raikage with a Heart Deep Within

Inside the flagship office of Wuying Village, the air felt thick and oppressive, as if it had been infused with heavy seawater.

The moment the door closed, it shut out all the noisy hostility on the deck, but sealed two even more dangerous atmospheres into this small space.

On one side, there was the unique chill of Kirigakure, a mixture of moisture and gloom.

On the other side, there was the scorching heat brought by the Hidden Cloud Village, filled with lightning and violent activity.

The two auras collided, producing a silent hiss.

The room was simply yet elegantly decorated. A painting depicting deep-sea eddies hung on the wall, and incense with a calming effect burned in a burner in the corner. The faint fragrance mixed with the salty smell of the sea breeze, attempting to create a peaceful atmosphere.

However, this atmosphere was completely shattered the moment the Third Raikage, A, sat down.

He strutted down to the head seat at the conference table, acting as if he were the master of the place.

The Third Raikage didn't even glance at the tea prepared on the table; his gaze, like a tangible blade, pierced straight at the Mizukage, Mitsuki.

"Seeing the moon."

"Let's skip the formalities."

"Since you're inviting us to cooperate, you should show sincerity."

He extended a thick finger and pointed at Hong Lei Zuo Yue, who was standing beside him.

Zuo Yue grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth, her gaze filled with aggression.

"The vanguard must be commanded by my men."

The Third Raikage's voice left no room for negotiation; it was entirely a command.

"Zuo Yue will lead the vanguard of two villages to infiltrate the Land of Whirlpools."

"You people of Kirigakure only need to follow orders."

Upon hearing this, the temperature in the meeting room suddenly dropped.

Hozuki Kaigetsu's once calm eyes suddenly turned chilling.

The wrinkles on Elder Yuanshi's aged face deepened.

Only Shuiying Jianyue maintained a gentle smile, seemingly oblivious to the blatant contempt in Leiying's words.

"Lord Raikage, how can an agreement be so easily revoked?"

Jian Yue picked up the teacup in front of her, gently blew on the floating tea leaves, her movements unhurried.

"But if I may be so bold, your suggestion is probably inappropriate."

He put down his teacup, raised his eyelids, and calmly met Lei Ying's domineering gaze with his deep eyes.

"Our goal this time is the sealing technique of the Land of Whirlpools, not simply destruction and slaughter."

"If some reckless brute were to take command, the infiltration would turn into a full-scale attack, and the sealing technique would be destroyed."

Jian Yue's voice was unhurried and clear.

"And my Hidden Mist Village's assassination squad has already planted spies in the Land of Whirlpools."

His gaze turned to Hozuki Kaigetsu, who had remained silent.

"The most efficient and reliable method is to have Hozuki Kaigetsu, who is most skilled in infiltration and assassination, lead the vanguard to dismantle their defense system from within."

The Third Raikage, A, seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world and let out a deafening burst of laughter.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Zuo Yue, standing beside him, also sneered and took a step forward, exuding an aura of oppression.

"Give me just half an hour, and I can open the barrier on that dilapidated island."

His words were too much for Kaguya Soranosuke to bear.

"Oh?"

A cold and insane voice rang out.

Kaguya Soranosuke slowly stood up, his joints cracking and popping with a teeth-grinding sound, and sharp bone spurs slowly protruding from his skin on both sides of his spine.

His bloodshot eyes were fixed on Zuo Yue, his face filled with a bloodthirsty desire.

"You lousy bum, do you really understand what 'crushing' means?"

"What did you say?"

Zuo Yue flew into a rage, and the greatsword in his hand instantly erupted with blue and white lightning, his violent chakra surging wildly.

"Want to fight? I'll grant your wish!"

A fire was about to break out in the meeting room.

"Hehehe..."

Yukinojo, who had maintained an elegant demeanor, let out a soft chuckle.

I picked up the teacup, took a small sip, as if I were watching a wonderful play.

"Truly... crude art."

He then shook his head, his emerald eyes filled with disdain for brute force.

"Kūnosuke, be quiet."

"Do not let the roar of wild beasts disturb your peace of mind."

"Who are you calling a beast?!"

Zuo Yue turned her attention to Xue Zhicheng.

"cough!"

The Third Raikage, A, coughed lightly, and his violent aura swept across the entire area like a tsunami.

The lightning on Zuo Yue's body instantly subsided, and Kaguya Sonosuke also snorted coldly and slowly sat down, but his crazed eyes were still fixed on the Cloud Village members opposite him.

The Raikage's gaze, like that of a lion surveying its territory, swept over every member of Kirigakure.

Finally, he looked at Shuiying Jianyue.

"Jian Yue, it seems your men are quite energetic."

"However, I will not relinquish command."

"This is a matter of principle."

The smile on Yue's face finally faded a bit.

He knew that the Raikage was not a mindless brute.

This is both a test and a suppression of Kirigakure, and also an effort to secure the greatest initiative and post-war benefits for Kumogakure.

Just as the atmosphere reached a stalemate.

The strategist, Hijiri, who had been standing behind the Raikage and wore a single eyepatch, finally spoke.

"Lord Raikage, Lord Mizukage."

Tsuchishiro's voice was calm and composed, completely out of place with the tense atmosphere around him.

He bowed slightly, his posture humble.

Why don't we combine the two?

Tsuchishiro's words drew everyone's attention to him.

On the other side, a glint of light flashed in Elder Yuanshi's cloudy eyes. He leaned on his cane and spoke up at the opportune moment.

"What you say is absolutely right, Mr. Toshiro."

Master Yuan's aged voice possessed a convincing power.

"A knife should have both a sharp blade and a sturdy handle."

"I propose that the vanguard infiltration force be jointly commanded by Lord Zuoyue of Kumogakure and Hozuki Kaigetsu of Kirigakure."

Master Yuan looked at Thunder Shadow and Water Shadow.

"Shared command."

"A combination of light and shadow, strength and gentleness, is the best strategy."

Master Yuan's suggestion brought a brief silence to the meeting room.

This is a seemingly fair and most reasonable compromise.

Hijiro looked at the Raikage and nodded slightly, indicating his approval of the plan.

The Third Raikage leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlaced in front of him, his sharp eyes fixed on Mizukage Mitsuki, as if trying to see right through him.

Jian Yue's face regained its gentle smile, but deep within his calm eyes, undercurrents surged.

The gazes of the two Kage-level powerhouses collided silently in mid-air.

Sparks flew everywhere.

Thoughts raced through the Third Raikage's mind.

Shared command?

...That's fine too.

Once Zuo Yue obtains the sealing technique and the Land of Whirlpools is razed to the ground, this fragile alliance will be torn apart.

When that time comes, once the Hidden Mist has lost its usefulness... it will simply be the next prey.

At the same time, the same thought flashed through Jian Yue's mind.

Both of them wore calculating smiles.

In their eyes, so-called allies are nothing more than tools that can be used temporarily.

It is a stepping stone on the road to hegemony.

Moreover... after taking the fruit, it can devour the next prey at any time.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

A burst of wild laughter broke the silence.

The Third Raikage, A, suddenly stood up and slammed his huge hand heavily on the table.

"Good! Well said!"

He grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth.

"That's what we'll do!"

His straightforwardness relieved Master Yuan.

Hozuki Shio excitedly waved her little fist, only to be stopped by her brother's gaze.

Kaguya Sora and Satsuki were still exchanging deadly glances, but their murderous aura had finally subsided somewhat.

The Third Raikage abruptly changed the subject, a sly glint flashing in his hawk-like eyes.

"Um."

"I have one additional condition."

Jian Yue's eyelids twitched almost imperceptibly.

Lei Ying Ai looked around at everyone, then his gaze finally settled on Jian Yue's face, and he spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Since it's a shared command structure, it must be truly shared, and the original personnel arrangements must also be changed."

"This unit that infiltrated the heart of the Land of Whirlpools..."

His lips curled into a wild, untamed smile.

"Half of my men must make up the rest!"

This statement was full of domineering tone, leaving no room for negotiation.

The atmosphere plummeted to freezing point in an instant.

After all, this matter had been discussed beforehand, with the vanguard being led by the Kirikage Village. Now, the Third Raikage wanted both, not only command but also a reshuffling of personnel.

This is a blatant power grab.

It also shows a complete distrust of Kirigakure.

"..."

Shuiying Jianyue's smile remained unchanged.

He remained gentle and composed, as if he had not understood the overbearing intent in Lei Ying's words at all.

He slowly and gently put the teacup down, making a crisp sound.

"hehe."

Jian Yue let out a soft laugh, breaking the suffocating silence.

"Lord Raikage, you really are..."

He paused for a moment, as if searching for the right word.

"...Really, they've thought this through quite thoroughly."