A Sage's Pursuit of Power

The Raikage almost choked in anger at Aoba's taunt. However, having suffered losses in previous encounters, he managed to restrain himself this time.

With a grim expression, he waved his hand to signal his subordinates to retreat. There was no other choice, facing someone like Aoba Kamikawa was already challenging enough.

Although the Raikage had brought over 2,000 elite soldiers this time, a number sufficient to siege nearly anyone under normal circumstances, things were different now.

Among the Konoha shinobi, there were those with the Flying Thunder God Technique, making them nearly impossible to encircle and kill. At the same time, the members of the Akatsuki organization were not to be underestimated. If a battle broke out and those individuals were no longer contained, the Cloud Shinobi forces would inevitably suffer heavy casualties.

If a full-scale battle erupted, the Cloud Shinobi would not be able to bear the losses. Despite the burning rage threatening to consume him, the Raikage ultimately decided to swallow his pride and let it go.

But just as he was about to retreat, Aoba's voice rang out once again.

"Hold it."

"…Aoba Kamikawa, don't push your luck. Behind me are over 2,000 elite Cloud Shinobi. If a fight breaks out, you might not come out unscathed!"

"Is that so? If you're so confident, then I won't bother saying what I was about to say. Let's just get started."

"…"

A heavy silence hung in the air before the Raikage finally spoke with visible difficulty.

"Aoba Kamikawa, what do you want?"

"Heh, earlier someone threw a Tailed Beast Bomb in our direction. That wasn't meant as a greeting, was it? Whoever threw it, step forward."

"Aoba Kamikawa! Don't take it too far!"

This time, the Raikage truly felt like he was on the verge of losing his mind. The disappearance of the Eight-Tails had been confirmed to be the work of the Akatsuki. This was why the Raikage had marched here with his forces, determined to destroy both Amegakure and the Akatsuki to avenge his brother.

Although the Eight-Tails was gone, Amegakure still had the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, Yugito Nii, who was close to being a perfect jinchūriki herself.

The Two-Tails might not have been as powerful, but it was still a Tailed Beast and a strategic-level weapon.

This was one of the reasons the Cloud Village could maintain its status as one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations.

But if they were to lose the Two-Tails as well, the Cloud Village would truly fall into decline.

Without strategic weapons like the Tailed Beasts, no matter how strong the Raikage himself was, the Cloud Village would inevitably enter a period of weakness.

At that point, the village would need at least two Raikage-level powerhouses to stabilize its position.

But in reality, the Cloud Village didn't even have one right now.

"When someone makes a mistake, they should face the consequences. That's a universal truth in this world. Raikage, I'm reasoning with you right now, so I hope you can respond with reason as well."

Aoba's tone was polite, but his words were domineering. So much so that the Raikage felt as though he were facing a mirror image of his younger self.

Yes, in the past, he had pressured Konoha in this very same way, forcing them to kill Hizashi Hyūga from the Hyūga clan.

Back then, the Cloud Village had been full of ambition, leaving Konoha struggling to catch its breath. But now, the tables had turned.

The Raikage couldn't help but feel that Aoba's demands were meant to humiliate him, a form of revenge for the humiliation Konoha had suffered back then.

This thought wasn't unique to him; standing silently nearby, the Third Hokage felt the same way.

The incident with the Hyūga clan had occurred during his tenure as Hokage, and it was one of the greatest shames of his administration. Now, disguised with a youthful appearance, he went unrecognized by the Raikage.

Hearing Aoba's demands, Hiruzen was filled with mixed emotions, regret over his past weakness and inadequacy, and awe at the gap between himself and Aoba.

Of course, no one knew that Aoba's thoughts were far less complicated than they imagined.

From start to finish, his reasoning was simple: since they were already here, they might as well take a Tailed Beast back with them.

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Currently on Chapter 272 - Failure