Boom!
Thunder roared across the sky as a fierce wind pressure approached. In an instant, the Raikage's speed reached its peak. The lightning armor surrounding him collided and scraped against the air, creating ripples and a sharp sonic boom.
The sky glowed red as if on fire. A meteor left a blazing trail behind, followed by a ring-shaped cloud of sonic booms that exploded continuously.
The shock waves were visible, accompanied by terrifying whistling sounds. The windows of nearby houses shattered, and civilians covered their ears in distress.
Moments later, the Raikage made a dramatic entrance, crashing through the wall and appearing in his office.
"Ninja of Konoha, tell me your name!"
The Raikage glared at the ninja seated in his chair, his legs propped up on the table, anger barely contained.
His eyes, wide and as hard as brass bells, seemed to blaze with fury. His light yellow hair stood upright like steel needles from the lightning's intensity.
His muscles, bronze and formidable, twisted like tree roots with bulging black veins. The sheer pressure emanating from him felt like facing a thunderstorm.
"Owl is my code name."
Uchiha Sogetsu put down the scroll and straightened his posture. "As for my real name, I'm just an insignificant ninja, so there's no need to reveal it."
The Raikage, recognizing the details of the white owl mask, black robe, and short black hair, recalled the report Kurabi brought back the previous day.
A ninja from the Uchiha clan, an Anbu of Konoha, had appeared during the siege of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and single-handedly slaughtered 47 Cloud Ninjas with ruthless methods.
Kurabi, who had witnessed the entire ordeal, was left deeply traumatized.
"Oh, it's you!"
The Raikage clenched his fist, eyes icy with rage. "You've killed so many of our ninjas, and yet you dare to confront me!"
"That's correct."
Uchiha Sogetsu nodded slightly in acknowledgment. "So, Lord Raikage, are you planning to seek revenge?"
"You are truly brave, young man."
The Raikage's gaze fell on the scroll, and his anger intensified: "Since the founding of the Hidden Cloud Village, you are the first ninja to break in."
"Is that so? It seems I'm quite fortunate to be the first."
Uchiha Sogetsu folded his arms, his voice barely audible as he chuckled. "By the way, the ninjutsu of your village is truly remarkable, especially the research and application of human acupuncture points, tendons, muscles, and so on. In my opinion, it can definitely be considered the best in the ninja world."
"Are you finished with your nonsense?"
A surge of lightning crackled around the Raikage, violently leaping through the air, exuding an aura of destruction.
"No, and I advise Lord Raikage to remain calm."
Uchiha Sogetsu chuckled, tilting his head with a playful tone. "If you hurt me, perhaps a tailed beast will appear somewhere in your village."
"What did you say?!"
The Raikage's calm demeanor finally showed signs of disturbance.
His brows furrowed with anger, and the lightning around him seemed to intensify, reflecting his agitation.
It was unmistakably a threat! Moreover, this bastard was using the Tailed Beast Jinchuriki to intimidate the entire Cloud Village!
"Calm down, calm down, Lord Raikage."
At this moment, Uchiha Sogetsu had the upper hand, showing no fear of the Raikage's power. He continued, "Don't look at me like that. If the roles were reversed, I'm sure you would understand my actions, right?"
"Little brat, you're asking for death!"
The Raikage's eyes widened with fury, and a chilling murderous intent filled the room.
His entire body trembled with the activation of lightning, and with a single step, his tendons and bones snapped like bowstrings, creating crackling sounds.
"Have you really thought this through before acting?"
Uchiha Sogetsu placed a hand on his face and spoke meaningfully. "Is it worth trading my life for the safety of your entire village?"
In the Raikage's eyes, Uchiha Sogetsu's entire body was full of vulnerabilities.
Even though Uchiha Sogetsu had no intention of resisting, he maintained a confident smile. His demeanor wasn't due to arrogance but because he had meticulously planned for this moment.
If it had been the young and impulsive Fourth Raikage, he might have been rash enough to use such a tactic, uncertain if the enemy would retaliate head-on.
But with the Third Raikage, the situation was entirely different.
Despite the Third Raikage's imposing and rough exterior, he was known for his thoughtful nature.
The appearance of a tailed beast within the village would spell disaster!
Even if they managed to repel the tailed beast, the Hidden Cloud Village would suffer massive casualties, and countless civilians might face tragic deaths.
Uchiha Sogetsu's strategy was a cunning one, placing the entire village at risk.
For a moment, the Raikage found himself in a quandary.
His instincts told him to eliminate the troublesome kid before him to avoid future complications. Yet, as a rational individual, he quickly suppressed this impulsive urge.
The Raikage found it unacceptable to sacrifice thousands, or even tens of thousands, of civilian lives over a mere ninja.
"Lord Raikage!"
"There's been a breach!"
"Kill him!"
Outside the door, elite Cloud Ninja forces were preparing to burst in and eliminate this arrogant foe.
"Your reinforcements are here, Lord Raikage."
Uchiha Sogetsu shrugged and spread his hands. "Then, make your choice, Lord Raikage."
The Raikage waved his hand, his eyes cold and sharp as blades. After slashing through the air several times, he shouted toward the door, "Everyone, don't move!"
The Cloud Ninjas who had come to support were bewildered.
Even though they didn't understand why the Raikage gave this command, they obeyed.
So, a group of Jonin from the Hidden Cloud Village stood by the door, glaring at the Konoha Anbu who was seated in the Raikage's chair with intense hatred.
"Kid, your target is Minato Namikaze, right?"
The Raikage's frown deepened, his gaze growing more menacing. "No need for idle talk. Let's get straight to the point."
"Oh?"
Uchiha Sogetsu displayed an interested expression and listened intently. "Please, go on."
"Since you've given me two choices, I'll give you two choices as well."
The Raikage sat beside him, resting his chin on one hand, and regarded him with an indifferent stare. "Either I release Namikaze Minato and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and you stay; or you release the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and I'll kill you, Minato Namikaze, and the Jinchuriki."
"Fair enough."
Uchiha Sogetsu nodded, smiling. "Some say life is just a series of multiple-choice questions. What do you think?"
The Raikage slightly lifted his eyelids, and his murderous intent swirled like a tangible force. "It's clear that you've drawn the joker card."
********
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