"Then are we just going to do nothing?"
Kitsuchi was still puzzled.
Although it seemed like Iwagakure hadn't suffered any real losses, only a blow to their pride, this incident undoubtedly left a significant hidden danger for the village's future.
After all, Iwagakure shared a border with the Land of Rain.
Onoki shook his head, a sly smile forming on his face. "Let's wait for now. We're not the only ones who sent spies. Kumogakure is probably itching to make a move too."
Although Iwagakure and Kumogakure were geographically distant, they had a long history of bloodshed between them.
The spies from both villages had practically reached each other's borders, which was why Kumogakure had noticed the anomalies in the Land of Rain.
Similarly, Iwagakure had long been aware of Kumogakure's infiltration into the Land of Rain.
"Those muscle-headed brutes from Kumogakure don't think things through. They won't be able to tolerate such a provocation."
"Let them test the waters first and gauge the enemy's strength. Then we'll decide how to respond."
"I see. As expected of Tsuchikage-sama. You're truly wise."
Kitsuchi couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly.
However, his naive demeanor only made Onoki's veins bulge in frustration.
"I'd rather share some of this brainpower with you." He muttered through gritted teeth.
---
Kumogakure, in the Raikage's Office.
A deafening crash suddenly echoed through the room.
Bang!
"Those bastards! How dare the Land of Rain do this?!"
The sturdy wooden desk was shattered by the Fourth Raikage, Ay's massive, dark fist. Papers and documents scattered everywhere, and the floor beneath him cracked like a spiderweb from the sheer force of his punch.
It was hard to say whether A's strength was extraordinary or if the Raikage's desk was just too flimsy.
At this moment, A's entire body was crackling with lightning, his golden spiky hair standing on end. His face was a mix of rage and shock.
"Those Amegakure Ninjas, have they gone mad? How dare they do something like this!"
Earlier that day, when Ay arrived at the Raikage Building, he had been greeted by the sight of corpses of several Kumogakure Ninjas hanging outside the windows like morbid decorations.
No one had ever dared to be so brazen.
A's fury was immediate. He smashed the windows with a single punch and brought the bodies inside.
Upon inspection, he discovered that they were all the Ninjas he had sent to investigate the Land of Rain a few days ago… every single one of them.
Normally, infiltrating another country with spies was a risky move, and if the spies were killed, it was considered part of the job.
However, hanging their corpses in the heart of the village as a blatant provocation? That was something no one could ignore.
Especially for a village as 'emotional' as Kumogakure.
Not only was the Raikage furious, but the Anbu in the room also had grim expressions. Even the usually calm Raikage's secretary, Mabui, was visibly shaken, her chest heaving with anger.
Compared to Iwagakure's more restrained warning at the border, this act of defiance was far more provocative.
It was downright humiliating!
"Mabui, mobilize Kumogakure's forces immediately! We're going to war with the Land of Rain! I'll lead the charge myself! Let's see what those dirt-poor Ninjas have to back up their arrogance!"
Ay roared, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Raikage-sama, please calm down. We still don't know the full situation in the Land of Rain. Acting rashly could leave us at a disadvantage due to lack of information."
Although Mabui was equally furious, as a competent secretary, she quickly regained her composure and continued, "Moreover, the Ninja World has just emerged from the shadow of war. If Kumogakure initiates a conflict, we might draw the attention of the other great villages."
"Especially with Konoha currently closed off, our Kumogakure, having gained the most from recent events, could easily become their next target."
"Damn it! I won't just swallow this insult!"
Ay's frustration boiled over. With nothing else to vent on, he punched a stone pillar.
Fortunately, it was just a decorative pillar and not a load-bearing one, or the entire Raikage Building might have shaken.
Mabui rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. "The best course of action right now is to act as if nothing happened. Then, we can collaborate with other villages to investigate and reduce the risks..."
"No!"
Before Mabui could finish, Ay cut her off.
"This... Raikage-sama..."
"Now, Kumogakure has become the strongest Ninja Village in the Ninja World! Yet we've been humiliated like this. Even if I can swallow this insult, the entire village can't!"
Ay interrupted Mabui again, his eyes blazing with determination.
"Mabui, prepare the Heavenly Transfer Technique. Bee and I will personally go to the Land of Rain and test their strength."
Hearing this, Mabui's expression turned even more serious, and she immediately objected.
"No! Raikage-sama, we don't have enough information about the Land of Rain. What if..."
"Hmph! Combat is the best way to gather intelligence."
"But you're putting yourself in danger. If something happens, the entire Kumogakure will fall into chaos."
Mabui argued firmly, refusing to back down.
"That's why I'm taking Bee with me. There's no one in the shinobi world who can stop the A-B Combo!"
"But..."
"No buts. My decision is final. Mabui, just prepare the Heavenly Transfer Technique."
Before Mabui could continue her attempts to persuade him, Ay cut her off with a swift motion, disappearing from the Raikage Building in a flash to find Killer Bee.
"Sigh--"
Seeing this, Mabui could only let out a long sigh.
After all, she was just a secretary. If the Raikage chose not to listen to her advice, no matter how reasonable it was, there was nothing she could do.
An hour later.
Ay returned to the Raikage Building with a muscular, dark-skinned man wearing sunglasses and sporting golden hair.
"Yo~ Yo~ Brother, what's the rush? What's going on~"
Bee's state of confusion was obvious, and even his usual rap sounded half-hearted.
He had been sleeping in Valley of Clouds and Lightning when he was suddenly dragged here by his brother.
"We're going on a mission."
Ay didn't elaborate, instead turning to Mabui, who seemed to have everything prepared.
Mabui, with a somewhat resigned expression, asked, "The coordinates are set at the border of the Land of Rain. Raikage-sama, Killer Bee-sama, are you both ready?"
The Heavenly Transfer Technique worked by instantly transporting the target to a specified location through high-speed movement. It wasn't a Space-Time Ninjutsu but rather relied on extreme speed, which caused intense friction with the air.
Normally, it was used to transport supplies, as few people could withstand the friction generated by such high-speed movement.
In the past, only the Third Raikage had used this technique to transport himself. There were no other precedents.
However, Ay and Bee were no ordinary individuals. Ay had honed his body to its peak and had no concerns about the strain. Bee, as a Perfect Jinchuriki, was protected by the Tailed Beast's Chakra, so his physique wasn't an issue either.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine."
Mabui could only nod solemnly and began forming hand seals.
"Heavenly Transfer Technique!"