Iwagakure.
Ōnoki carefully read Konoha's statement, his expression filled with emotion.
After a moment, he handed the document to his son, Kitsuchi, and said with a sigh, "The pressure of being an 'Kage' really can force a person to become something like a demon…"
"Sarutobi Hiruzen has always been a loyal and upright man, yet even his wording has become this sharp."
As he finished speaking, Ōnoki twisted his waist slightly, producing a faint cracking sound.
Having reached middle age, the body that had once been full of endurance was beginning to send abnormal signals.
In Ōnoki's view, the provocations from Kumogakure had finally enraged Hiruzen, who had long maintained a dovish stance…
"The Hokage said the Third Raikage's accession was illegitimate? Is that really a thing, Father?" Kitsuchi asked.
The moment those words left his mouth, Ōnoki's waist—which had not hurt much before—felt as if it had been struck by a hammer, and the pain instantly intensified.
"Kitsuchi! Just because you're not cut out to be Tsuchikage doesn't mean you can slack off!" Ōnoki scolded him, blowing his beard and glaring.
"Go through the history of the shinobi wars ten times!"
Kitsuchi stood at attention. "Yes, Tsuchikage-sama!"
Seeing this, Ōnoki shook his head helplessly.
His son was 'slow' but tenacious, 'slow' yet steady.
But slow was still slow in the end…
"Whether the death of the Second Raikage had anything to do with the Third Raikage—who besides himself would know?"
"But the Third Raikage was undeniably a hardline fighter; that point is beyond dispute…"
"Senju Tobirama and the Second Raikage were negotiating peace when they were ambushed by the Gold and Silver Brothers, who were also hardliners…"
"Lightning and fire together, two Kage dead violently, and the survivors take the throne—doesn't that sound remarkably smooth?"
"Conspiracy theories don't need a logical chain; they only need a starting point aligned with interests. Those with ulterior motives will naturally fill in the rest."
"It really does sound plausible…" Kitsuchi's expression changed. "Will this have an impact on Kumogakure?"
"Yes, but not a major one."
Ōnoki floated into the air with his hands behind his back. "Although I greatly dislike Kumogakure and the Raikage, as an opponent I must admit he is a leader with considerable charisma."
"Kumogakure may have some dissenting voices, but it won't change much."
"What's truly interesting is Kirigakure—the kind where the speaker may have no intention, but the listener certainly does."
Ōnoki chuckled and recounted to Kitsuchi the entanglements between the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, and the Third Mizukage.
"Then Kirigakure is probably going to fall into chaos now, right?" Kitsuchi said gravely. "Father, do you think the Third Hokage did this on purpose?"
"Whether it was intentional or not isn't important."
"What matters is that if it can throw Kirigakure's internal affairs into turmoil, then regardless of who he is or what he intends to do, I must step in and help stir the pot!" Ōnoki made a table-slamming gesture, but since he was in midair, his hand hit nothing.
For a moment, it was rather awkward.
Kitsuchi silently lifted the Tsuchikage's desk and held it steady. "Father, slap it again!"
Ōnoki and his son exchanged a glance, and both of them laughed.
"Mu-sama's case was precisely because that madman, Hōzuki Gengetsu, died…"
"These bastards from Kirigakure are savage by nature, as if uncivilized, bloodthirsty to the core!"
Ōnoki waved his hand broadly.
"Issue a public notice to the entire shinobi world. State that a person like the Third Raikage, whose virtue does not match his position, inexplicably assumed power after the death of the Second Raikage. Because he was not trusted by the major shinobi clans, his personality became twisted, and he is destined to become cruel and bloodthirsty."
"Such a person is unqualified to serve as a Kage. Encourage the shinobi of Kumogakure to replace their Kage of their own accord—this would benefit the Land of Lightning and the entire shinobi world."
Kitsuchi's mouth twitched. Was this still talking about the Third Raikage?
This was practically pointing at the Third Mizukage's nose and cursing him…
Ōnoki stroked his beard, feeling rather satisfied inside.
Being a loud critic really was exhilarating—especially when the target was an old rival.
"However, since Sarutobi Hiruzen dared to say this…" A glint flashed in Ōnoki's eyes. "He himself had controversies back then. That means Konoha's power integration is currently very solid."
Kitsuchi chuckled. "At least you've had no controversies at all in that regard."
Ōnoki smiled smugly.
He truly was the most legitimate Kage at present.
From the time he was still a child, the First Tsuchikage, Ishikawa, had taken a liking to him—
laying a solid foundation for Ōnoki and even having him polish the stone that represented the 'Will of Stone.'
The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, was also his teacher…
Thus, in Iwagakure, Ōnoki's word carried immense weight, and he exercised extremely strong control over the vast majority of the village.
But when such a situation persisted for too long, a certain arrogance was inevitable.
Some geniuses and powerful figures did not like this kind of constraint.
For example, Rōshi, the jinchūriki, deeply resented Ōnoki's autocratic style and had long delayed returning to the village.
"Konoha is changing; Iwagakure cannot fall behind either…"
"Kitsuchi, the formation of the Explosion Release unit must be accelerated!"
"Also inform the village's shinobi of appropriate age to hurry up and have children while they can. If any show talent, it wouldn't be impossible for me to take them on directly as disciples!"
"And you too, Kitsuchi!" Ōnoki rapped his son's head hard. "Don't think this doesn't apply to you when I'm talking about others!"
This account didn't roll a top-tier Tsuchikage candidate…
But train another one, and a grandson might not be without hope!
...
Several days later.
After Iwagakure's statement was announced to the entire shinobi world,
Kumogakure showed no particularly strong reaction. At first, they simply found it baffling.
How could an insult miss the mark this badly?
Talking about such groundless rumors—did they really think Kumogakure's shinobi would believe this?
The Third Raikage's heroic figure—fighting the Eight-Tails with his own body and standing at the forefront to shield the villagers—was deeply engraved in everyone's heart.
Not to mention that his succession had never been particularly controversial; even if it had been…
After this incident, there were even fewer who harbored any resentment toward the Third Raikage.
For a Kage, whether he can make the village better and be the first to step forward when trouble arises is always the top priority.
"Oh… so this is talking about that Third Mizukage guy, right?"
"Ōnoki really is cunning—using Sarutobi Hiruzen's words as a pretext to try and stir up internal strife within Kirigakure…" the Third Raikage snorted coldly.
"Since that's the case, then we'll add fuel to the fire as well!"
"If we can weaken our opponent by even a small margin, our shinobi will shed that much less blood in the future!"
Off to the side, Dodai nodded in tacit understanding. "Leave it to me, Raikage-sama."
....
When these pieces of information were gathered and reached Kirigakure—
The Third Mizukage, who was waiting for responses from the other villages in order to further reinforce the 'legitimacy' of the Blood Mist Village, nearly flipped his entire desk.
What did this mean?
It was clearly Konoha and Kumogakure trading verbal blows…
So why, in the end, was everything pointing at him?
No—this wasn't hinting at him anymore.
It was outright targeting him!
The Third Mizukage's fist clenched tightly in an instant. His eyes were cold as ice, yet the agitation and fury in his heart burned like raging flames.
Even back then, when he had been publicly defeated by Hōzuki Gengetsu, the killing intent in his heart had never been this intense!
Being mocked by the entire shinobi world over the most sordid matters of his heart—this feeling was enough to drive him mad!
"Kumogakure, Iwagakure—even Sunagakure wants to jump out and say a few words!"
The Third Mizukage panted heavily. "And Konoha as well…"
"No. I am the Mizukage. I must maintain calm thought. Konoha is counterattacking Kumogakure; it should not harbor malice toward me. Sarutobi Hiruzen even echoed my call to strengthen the military preparedness of each village…"
Facing four at once—even in a rage, the Third Mizukage would not consider such an idea feasible.
If some degree of cooperative relationship could be established with Konoha, then there would still be benefits.
At worst, cooperate first and stab them in the back later—that could also be considered a Kirigakure tradition.
Isolation only meant that Kirigakure's shinobi were isolated; it did not mean that he, the Mizukage, would be the same.
If he were completely closed off and the major hidden villages united without his knowledge, that would be truly troublesome.
"This was dragged onto me mainly because of that beast Ōnoki! And the Third Raikage as well!"
"And those damn kekkei genkai clans that refuse to submit to my authority!"
The Third Mizukage suddenly rose to his feet.
From this moment on, he would officially initiate the 'Blood Mist Village,' devoting all his energy to purging those rebellious elements that refused to obey him!
When the next great shinobi war came, he would lead a loyal force and prove through strength that his formidable reputation as the Third Mizukage was in no way inferior to Hōzuki Gengetsu!
Some rejoiced; others were troubled.
Kirigakure's Mizukage Tower swayed violently amid the fury.
Meanwhile, at Konoha's Ninja Academy—
Asuma, Shisui, Kakashi, and the others gathered together, sitting cross-legged on the grassy slopes of the back hills as if on a picnic, each taking out their own prized items from within their clothing.
For ordinary children, what they would take out should have been snacks and the like…
But what they produced instead were their families' inherited training manuals!
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