Kumogakure (The Hidden Cloud Village)
Inside the Raikage's Office.
The Third Raikage looked at his son, A, standing before him. "Have your injuries fully recovered?"
"I've made a complete recovery, but..." A recalled the humiliation of that day, his eyes burning with frustration and fury. "That man's insult—I'll never forget it!"
The Third Raikage spoke sternly, "It's good to be motivated, but don't forget who you are. You are the future Raikage; the future of the Hidden Cloud rests on your shoulders. Don't always think you can solve problems with brute force. Learn to use strategy. Defeating a single Leaf Genin means nothing. Figuring out how to defeat Konoha is what you should be focusing on."
A's mouth twitched. 'Dad, do you even have a conscience saying that?'
You're the Raikage who always charges to the front lines first whenever a war starts, forgetting everything else! And now you have the nerve to tell me I get too hot-headed in a fight?
However, considering his father had to bail him out to save his life this time, A decided it was best not to argue.
Seeing that A didn't talk back, the Third Raikage nodded in satisfaction, then looked to the side. "Dodai, tell him the information you've gathered on Chishun Setsuna."
The one-eyed man had a grave expression. "We haven't collected much. We only know he is currently 14 years old, and a year ago, he was still a repeat student at the Academy, completely unknown and often mocked. The Third Hokage was the one who scouted him. In the year since, Chishun Setsuna has only carried out missions, with the highest not exceeding C-rank. Before this incident, probably very few people in Konoha even knew he possessed such immense power."
When Dodai's report abruptly ended, A quickly asked, "That's it?"
Dodai looked embarrassed. "We really couldn't gather any more intelligence."
"Don't give Dodai a hard time. Is it difficult to accept that you were defeated by an unknown Genin?" the Third Raikage said coldly.
A shook his head slightly. "It's only a matter of time before his name echoes throughout the Ninja World. I simply didn't expect someone so arrogant to endure such anonymity for so long."
"His inner strength is indeed formidable," the Third Raikage nodded. "I have more news. The Hidden Sand Village has invited us to participate in a joint Chunin Exam. What do you think?"
A's facial muscles tightened. "Chishun Setsuna will most likely participate. I don't believe anyone in the Hidden Cloud can stop him."
"I thought the same thing," the Third Raikage said. "Do you think we should warn the Hidden Stone or Hidden Mist?"
"Warn them of what? Actively spread Chishun Setsuna's fame?" A sneered. "We stumbled badly against him; they need to stumble even harder."
"But this might be an opportunity to crush him," the Third Raikage mused.
"Crush him? That applies to prodigies who haven't fully grown," A said heavily. "He has already moved beyond the category of a prodigy; he is a genuine powerhouse. Trying to kill him is incredibly difficult."
A then added, "If you truly want to attempt it, Dad, we don't need to do the dirty work ourselves."
The Third Raikage understood his meaning and nodded. "I'll have someone post a bounty in the underground Exchange. We can let those desperate mercenaries test the waters for us."
---
Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted outside, accompanied by a roar that sounded ancient.
"That noise... Blast it, it's the Eight-Tails!" The Third Raikage's expression changed dramatically. "B's body is having problems."
Sure enough, a ninja rushed in with a report: "Lord Raikage, bad news! Killer B has completely gone berserk!"
---
Iwagakure (The Hidden Stone Village)
Simultaneously, at the Tsuchikage's Office.
Ōnoki looked at the three figures cloaked in rain ponchos standing before him. "Have the three of you considered my offer? If you temporarily pose as Hidden Stone ninja and win first place in this upcoming Chunin Exam, I will agree to your request and forge an alliance between the Land of Earth and the Land of Rain."
He had already learned the format of the exams from the Hidden Sand—the final round would determine the official rankings.
The leader of the group was silent for a moment before asking, "We just have to win first place in this Chunin Exam?"
Ōnoki gave his promise: "That is correct. Provided you can achieve it."
"Good. We accept this commission," the lead ninja said with full confidence.
"Excellent. You can stay in the Hidden Stone for now. It's a good chance to get a feel for your future ally's culture," Ōnoki chuckled.
After the three stepped out of the Tsuchikage's Office, the leader was excited. "I didn't realize the Tsuchikage was so easy to talk to! Konan, Nagato, we've finally taken the first step toward achieving our dream."
Konan hesitated. "But Hanzō the Salamander still refuses to see us. Without his approval, a unilateral alliance won't mean anything."
Yahiko smiled. "We're nobodies right now, so it's natural that Hanzō doesn't want to meet with us. That's why we need to achieve something and show him our dedication. He is the leader of the Land of Rain; surely he wants to achieve genuine peace with the Great Nations."
Konan nodded. "I understand."
Yahiko noticed Nagato, the red-haired boy with his eyes covered, looking worried. "Nagato, what are you worried about?"
The red-haired boy looked a bit shy. "I'm just concerned. Can we really win first place in this joint Chunin Exam? After all, we'll be facing the genius ninja of the Great Nations."
Yahiko laughed. "A true genius wouldn't wait until our age to take the Chunin Exam. That means we'll be dealing with either mediocre peers or younger prodigies. Either way, the advantage is on our side. Besides, we have you, don't we?"
Nagato clenched his fist firmly. "I will do my absolute best."
Inside the Tsuchikage's Office, Kūzuchi, who was standing behind Ōnoki, couldn't help but ask, "Father, why are we hiring these three kids to fight for the Hidden Stone instead of our own?"
Ōnoki grumbled, "It's because none of you are good enough! The Sand has Sasori, the Cloud has A, the Leaf has Minato Namikaze, and the Mist has Yagura. These are the rising prodigies of the major villages. Only the Hidden Stone has absolutely no one worthwhile to show off! At a crucial time like this, we absolutely cannot let anyone else, especially the Daimyō of our Land of Earth, notice our weakness."
Kūzuchi lowered his head in shame; the Hidden Stone was indeed having a generational gap. "But those three kids are from the Land of Rain. Can genuine prodigies really come from a place like that?"
Ōnoki smiled. "Don't underestimate them. Anyone who can make Hanzō the Salamander wary is absolutely not simple."
Kūzuchi was surprised. "Hanzō the Salamander, the 'Demigod of the Ninja World'?"
While the Ninja World stage was always dominated by the Great Nations, he had to admit that Hanzō had earned the right to dance on that stage as well.
Ōnoki sighed. "If they were people of the Hidden Stone, I would foster them greatly. Unfortunately, they are from the Hidden Rain Village. Hanzō doesn't have the broad outlook that I do. The more outstanding they become, the closer they draw to ruin."
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