Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand

"Kitsuchi sure is straightforward. When he decides to retreat, he really retreats," Jing Hang remarked, raising two fingers to cover his right eye as he manipulated the Iron Eye to observe the Iwagakure army's slow withdrawal, leaving behind a massive cloud of dust in their wake.

"Could it be a trap?" the Third Raikage asked, his tone cautious.

Jing Hang didn't answer immediately. Instead, he retracted the Iron Eye and turned to Shimizuru Pengman.

"Rest assured, Lord Kazekage. There are no signs of Iwagakure ninjas within a five-kilometer radius," Pengman reported confidently.

"What about underground?" Jing Hang pressed. His approach to problem-solving was always three-dimensional.

"The terrain here isn't suitable for hiding a large number of troops underground," Pengman replied.

"It seems they've truly retreated. Kitsuchi must've realized that if he waited for my reinforcements to arrive, he wouldn't even have the chance to retreat. Send word to the Third and Fourth Divisions of the standing army—tell them to halt their forced march and redirect to Kannabi Bridge. We'll rendezvous there," Jing Hang ordered.

"Kannabi Bridge? That's still 200 kilometers away!" Pengman asked, puzzled.

"Ah, it's not often we bring so many people to Iwagakure territory. Consider this a training exercise. Besides, I want to visit an old friend," Jing Hang said with a faint smile.

"An old friend? You have acquaintances in Iwagakure? Have I met them before?" the Raikage asked curiously.

"You? Probably not. But your predecessor certainly has," Jing Hang replied thoughtfully, his tone serious.

"My predecessor? You mean the Second Raikage? I've never heard of him having any friends here. Enemies, maybe," the Raikage said, his confusion deepening.

"Enemies? Hmm, you could say that. They didn't exactly get along," Jing Hang admitted. After all, there were few in the shinobi world who could claim to have been on good terms with Madara Uchiha.

"Well, what do you say, old brother? If you're not in a hurry to head back, why not accompany me on this little detour?" Jing Hang asked with a playful grin.

"Sure, why not? By now, Kōichi should be back in the village. With him there, the Eight-Tails won't be causing any more trouble. I might as well join you. But enough teasing—who exactly are we going to see?" the Raikage pressed.

"Haha," Jing Hang chuckled, clearly pleased to have such a powerful ally on board. With the odds of success now higher, he decided to reveal his plan.

"The legendary shinobi—Madara Uchiha."

Meanwhile, in Kumogakure's Thunder Valley...

After paying a steep price, the shinobi of Kumogakure had finally managed to move the rampaging Eight-Tails, Gyūki, from the village center to this desolate valley.

"It's almost out of strength. Hold on, everyone!" shouted Dodai, his face etched with exhaustion. For six days and nights, the Kumogakure ninjas had fought relentlessly, suffering heavy casualties. Among the most tragic losses were eight members of the "Letter Squad," including Isaran, who died from chakra exhaustion after using the Cloud Mist Technique, and Kumogakure's top swordsman, Nishiyaku.

Nishiyaku's death was particularly heroic. In the absence of the Third Raikage and Tsukigami Kōichi, who were still away, Nishiyaku had taken on the critical task of luring the Eight-Tails away from the village center. Using his agile footwork and swift movements, he danced around Gyūki, occasionally slashing at it with his lightning-infused machete, leaving shallow wounds.

This enraged Gyūki, who relentlessly pursued Nishiyaku, smashing and charging in fury. But this was exactly what Nishiyaku wanted. He led the beast all the way to the open expanse of Thunder Valley.

Located east of Kumogakure, Thunder Valley resembled an overturned water ladle. Any sound within the valley would echo endlessly. During thunderstorms, the valley would reverberate with deafening thunder, giving it its name.

For the next three days, the Kumogakure ninjas fought a grueling battle against the Eight-Tails within the valley. But human stamina was no match for a tailed beast—except, perhaps, for monsters like the Third Raikage. After three days and nights without food or rest, Nishiyaku made a fatal mistake. Gyūki seized the opportunity, impaling him with its horn and ending his life.

Nishiyaku's sacrifice, however, bought enough time for the Third Raikage's force of five thousand ninjas to return. Their arrival stabilized the situation. Although they couldn't completely subdue Gyūki, they managed to keep it confined within Thunder Valley.

Finally, on the sixth day of the rampage, the "Crown Prince," Tsukigami Kōichi, arrived on the battlefield, weary from travel. His appearance marked the turning point of the conflict.

Seeing the valley littered with the bodies of fallen Kumogakure ninjas and the still-struggling Gyūki, Kōichi's anger boiled over.

"Tighten the chains! Leave this to me!" he commanded.

Activating his Lightning Release Armor, he leapt into action.

"One-Finger Nukite!"

With a single devastating strike, Kōichi severed one of Gyūki's horns. The beast let out a furious roar, thrashing its massive body in rage.

Fortunately, the Kumogakure ninjas were well-prepared. By now, reinforcements had swelled their numbers to nearly ten thousand. Together, they held the chains firmly, preventing Gyūki from breaking free.

Realizing it couldn't escape, Gyūki opened its massive jaws.

"It's preparing a Tailed Beast Bomb! Take cover!" Dodai shouted urgently.

But Kōichi merely sneered, showing no fear. He leapt high into the air, delivering a powerful kick to Gyūki's jaw just as the black chakra sphere was about to form. The force of the kick sent the beast sprawling onto its back, and the half-formed Tailed Beast Bomb shot skyward, dissipating harmlessly.

Though formidable, Gyūki was now at its limit after nine days of relentless combat. The self-inflicted damage from the Tailed Beast Bomb proved too much. With a final, thunderous crash, the Eight-Tails collapsed.

"Quick! Bring the Jade Purification Vessel!" Kōichi ordered.

A massive urn was brought forward. Dodai removed the stopper, and four jonin surrounded the vessel, forming hand seals and chanting incantations. A sudden whirlwind rose from the ground as Gyūki's chakra, like a liquid, was slowly drawn into the vessel. Its massive form shrank until it disappeared entirely, leaving only Blue B's lifeless body behind.

Dodai swiftly sealed the vessel and affixed a sealing tag.

"It's done," he said, breathing a sigh of relief.

Kōichi knelt beside Blue B's body, checking for a pulse.

"How is he?" Dodai asked.

"He's dead," Kōichi replied, his face dark with grief and fury. "Someone must've sabotaged him. If I find out who, I'll tear them apart!"

"Let's deal with that later. Right now, the Third Raikage stayed behind to cover the retreat of our forces. We don't know if he's alive or dead," Dodai said.

"What?!" Kōichi exclaimed in shock.

"Gather the troops immediately. We're going to rescue my father. You four, take the Jade Purification Vessel to the Temple of Thunder. Guard it until we find the next Jinchuriki," Kōichi instructed the four jonin from the Letter Squad.

"Take Blue B back to the village for burial. Everyone else, follow me!" he commanded.

With that, the Kumogakure ninjas left Thunder Valley in haste, carrying Blue B's body with them.

Unnoticed by anyone, a shadow slithered into the valley like a serpent. Before long, it reached Gyūki's severed horn.

"My, my, what a marvelous specimen," Orochimaru murmured, his eyes gleaming with fascination. He patted the horn appreciatively before pulling out a scroll.

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