(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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The Land of Lightning, very similar to the Land of Earth, was built on harsh barren terrain.
However, numerous towering mountain peaks dotted the rugged landscape, and the rather frequent sound of booming thunder from above gave the country its fitting name.
Kumogakure, the Hidden Cloud Village, was strategically situated along the main road, surrounded by majestic mountains.
In the Raikage's office:
BOOM!
The Fourth Raikage angrily smashed his desk, while Darui and C stoically watched impassively.
'We should have a budget for ruined desks and their replacements'
If Shizune was present here, she would have found the chaotic situation all too painfully familiar being an attendant to Tsunade.
As the respected leader of Kumogakure, renowned for its unmatched martial prowess, the Fourth Raikage was widely known for his hot fiery temper and muscle-over-brain approach.
As for why was he angry on this day…
He had just received troubling news that thirty Cloud shinobi had been mercilessly killed and their second tailed beast Jinchūriki was captured by Konoha's formidable forces.
"Darui! Assemble the entire army immediately! If Konoha wants a fight, we'll certainly give them one! They dare to brazenly bully our Hidden Cloud Village!" the Raikage fiercely roared, his powerful body crackling with intense lightning as he instinctively activated his [Lightning Style Chakra Mode].
If not for his responsibilities as a village leader, he would have personally led the troops to battle. However, appearing too early would only serve to show the world how they were impulsive and idiotic.
The Fourth Raikage never concerned himself with the morality of his actions. Since Konoha had killed and captured one of his people, he would seek some payback.
It didn't matter that he had started the conflict; in the ninja world, there was no right or wrong, only interests being served.
"How troublesome... we're going to war again," Darui sighed, but turned to get out and gather the forces.
C intervened,
"Raikage-sama, I believe you should reconsider. Darui, please wait."
As Kumogakure's strategist, even the Fourth Raikage often heeded C's advice.
He turned his head with a gruff look on his face to listen.
Darui paused.
Pulling out a small book, C's expression turned serious.
"The ninja who attacked us from Konoha's side is no ordinary opponent. Underestimating him could lead to disaster."
"Kamiyo Colt, thirteen years old, graduated from the ninja academy a year ago and became a Jōnin shortly after the Fifth Hokage took office, setting a record for the fastest promotion to Jōnin.
"He completed a mission in the Land of Waves, eliminating a large number of Sand and Sound shinobi during the Chūnin Exams.
"Ten days ago, he infiltrated our camp alone, killed nearly 30 of our ninjas, and captured Yugito. His methods are unknown."
The three men in the office grew solemn as they listened. Colt's record was impressive, but there was more.
C took a deep breath.
"Most importantly, nine days ago, Kamiyo Colt single-handedly entered Konoha's Root headquarters."
"He killed more than a hundred Root members and used over ten different methods to torture and kill Shimura Danzō, the leader of Root."
"These included the Five Elements of Ninjutsu, Kenjutsu, Taijutsu, Ninja Tool Manipulation, Sharingan, and... the Wood Style!"
"Our Strategy Department's assessment is... he's beyond you and Bee-sama in combat ability."
The Fourth Raikage's eyes widened at the mention of the Wood Style.
"Are you certain it's the Wood Style?"
This revelation was potentially devastating to several Hidden Villages at the same time.
Meanwhile, in Otogakure, the Hidden Sound Village:
Sasuke had been living here since defecting from Konoha.
Orochimaru placed no demands on him, allowing him to freely study the available ninjutsu scrolls.
Orochimaru's sole purpose was to train a perfect vessel for his [Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique] in three years' time.
Sasuke understood this arrangement.
He was safe for now, but after three years, he would need to rely on his own abilities.
Thus, he seized every opportunity to improve, knowing that only under the pressure of death could he make rapid progress.
On this day, Sasuke was browsing Orochimaru's ninjutsu collection in the library.
Orochimaru's dream was to achieve immortality and learn all the world's ninjutsu, so he had amassed an extensive collection of techniques, both useful and obscure.
The door creaked open as Orochimaru entered with Kabuto, wearing an unsettling smile.
"Is something wrong?" Sasuke asked without looking up, his demeanor colder and more detached than before.
Kabuto seemed displeased by Sasuke's attitude but was stopped by Orochimaru from commenting.
The Sannin's tongue extended, offering Sasuke a scroll.
Suppressing his disgust, Sasuke took the scroll and opened it. His expression changed as he read its contents, gripping the paper tightly.
"Kamiyo Colt… Mangekyō Sharingan, Danzō, Root, Uchiha Massacre..."
Sasuke recalled his encounter with Colt and his words about Konoha's involvement in the Uchiha genocide.
While part of him was uncomfortable that he couldn't kill his enemy with his own hands, he grudgingly accepted that it was Colt who had done this.
With a cold snort, Sasuke looked at Orochimaru disdainfully.
"What are you trying to say? Are you bitter that Kamiyo Colt killed your associate?"
"I think you misunderstood," Orochimaru replied.
"I merely wanted to show you how powerful your former comrade has become, to motivate you. As I understand it, Jiraiya has taken Uzumaki Naruto to train, and Kamiyo Colt has signed the Summoning contract with the Shikkotsu Forest, becoming Tsunade's disciple. As my apprentice, Sasuke, I don't want you to fall too far behind..."
Orochimaru smiled grimly and left with Kabuto, leaving Sasuke looking uncertain.
News of these events spread to other nations:
The Land of Earth... The Land of Wind... The Land of Water...
Almost all major powers obtained information about these two incidents, though the details varied.
Except for Ōnoki in the Land of Earth, who was somewhat apprehensive, the other countries didn't respond immediately.
The Land of Wind, having suffered heavy losses, was still allied with Konoha and couldn't easily turn against them.
The Land of Water remained in isolation, ignoring external conflicts.
Only the Akatsuki, due to Colt's actions, held another emergency meeting.