"Indeed, politics are filthy no matter which village you're in. However, other villages wouldn't push their own strongest shinobi to death."
There was a hint of sarcasm in Kai's words. Even though years had passed since the death of Sakumo Hatake, Kai still couldn't let it go.
Jiraiya's expression dimmed slightly. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, "Alright, the situation with the Cloud Shinobi has been resolved. As we agreed earlier, I'll regroup my troops and head to support the old man. Meanwhile, you can head to the battlefield in the Land of Water. How about that?"
Kai nodded. "Alright, I'll head out now."
With that, he activated Kami no Kōrin (God's Descent), and his figure disappeared from the battlefield in the Land of Lightning.
"Such an enviable space-time ninjutsu," muttered Jiraiya, his face filled with envy as he remained in place.
"To think it's the Tenseigan... After a thousand years, it has reappeared. Could he be a descendant of Hamura? But then, why does he also possess the Sage Body of Hagoromo? This man is definitely a variable. I must find a way to eliminate him; otherwise, Mother's resurrection plan could be jeopardized."
Neither Kai nor Jiraiya noticed the pig-like plant creature slowly burrowing into the ground a short distance away from the battlefield.
If Kai had seen this, he would have immediately recognized this bizarre creature as none other than the third son of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, who had been tirelessly working for her resurrection over the past millennium.
The Land of Water, a nation of islands floating on the open sea, had once annihilated the Land of Whirlpools to prepare for an all-out war with Konohagakure. This act also led to the extermination of the Uzumaki Clan.
The Uzumaki Clan, carrying traces of Ashura's bloodline, were naturally gifted with immense vitality and chakra reserves. They were also the designated clan for the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki chosen by Konoha.
To annihilate such a clan was akin to a direct slap to Konoha's face. How could this be tolerated? The Third Hokage immediately dispatched Shishio Mitarashi, the Head of Konoha's ANBU, to the battlefield in the Land of Water.
Due to the Land of Water's location amidst the sea and its constant shroud of mist, the battlefield there was dominated by the Uchiha Clan and the Hyūga Clan, who had innate advantages in such an environment.
"Stop right there! Who are you? This is Konoha's camp; no unauthorized personnel are allowed!"
Before even stepping into the camp stationed in the Land of Water, Kai was stopped by two individuals.
Seeing the two Uchiha clansmen wearing the signature fan-emblem attire, Kai's expression became slightly displeased. He was clearly wearing a Konoha forehead protector. Was that not obvious enough?
Suppressing his irritation, he coldly replied, "Konoha shinobi, Kai Mitarashi."
The two Uchiha clansmen exchanged glances, a trace of jealousy flashing in their eyes. One of them said, "Kai Mitarashi? Never heard of you. Wait here. I'll go confirm whether you're a spy from Kirigakure."
After waiting for a while, Kai noticed that the two Uchiha clansmen had no intention of verifying his identity. Losing patience, he began walking directly toward the camp.
"What do you think you're doing, Kai Mitarashi? Are you trying to force your way into Konoha's camp?"
Seeing Kai walking toward the camp on his own, one of them suddenly shouted.
In truth, upon hearing the name Kai Mitarashi, the two had already recognized him. After all, the tales of a five-year-old Genin and a seven-year-old Jōnin had spread throughout Konoha, making him a household name.
However, recalling how Shishio Mitarashi had ordered the Uchiha Clan to take on guard duties upon his arrival, the clan felt resentment at being assigned to protect a group of civilian shinobi. Naturally, they vented their frustration on the newly arrived Kai.
Hearing their words, a cold glint flashed in Kai's eyes. He quickly realized that the Uchiha duo was targeting him deliberately.
Steel Fist: Stacked Force!
Unwilling to waste any more words, Kai struck decisively.
The two Uchiha shinobi were merely Chūnin at best. How could they possibly evade Kai's attack?
Without any chance to resist, the two were struck directly by Kai's fists, their bones shattering entirely as they collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain.
"Trash," Kai coldly remarked before stepping into Konoha's camp.
Entering the central tent of the camp, he saw Shishio Mitarashi deep in conversation with the Ino-Shika-Chō Trio.
"Uncle Shishio," Kai called out.
Shishio Mitarashi looked up, surprised to see Kai, but his expression soon turned into a smile. "Kai, what brings you here? How's the situation in the Land of Lightning?"
"The war in the Land of Lightning is over. Jiraiya-sensei went to support the Iwa battlefield. I've come to assist you, Uncle," Kai replied, genuinely happy to see Shishio Mitarashi after so many years.
A look of surprise appeared on Shishio Mitarashi's face, followed by doubt. "The war in the Land of Lightning is over? How is that possible? That hot-headed old man, the Third Raikage, would never give in!"
"The Third Raikage is dead. How could the war not end?" Kai said with a smile.
"The Third Raikage is dead!"
Shishio Mitarashi's face was filled with disbelief. As a Kage-level shinobi himself, he was well aware of the Third Raikage's strength.
The title of "Strongest Shield" in the ninja world was not given lightly.
After all, names might be mistaken, but titles rarely were.
Knowing Jiraiya's strength, Shishio Mitarashi was certain that Jiraiya lacked the ability to break through the "Strongest Shield."
The only way to kill the Third Raikage was to exhaust him to death, which would require nearly ten thousand shinobi.
Not only did Konoha lack such a large force on the battlefield in the Land of Lightning, but even if they had it, the village couldn't afford such a massive loss in its current state.
"Hmm, I killed him."
Kai spoke lightly, as if recounting something insignificant.
"What!"
Shishio Mitarashi's eyes widened in shock as he stared at Kai, clearly doubting his words.
Seeing his uncle's expression, Kai smiled wryly. If anyone else doubted him, he wouldn't even bother explaining. But since this was Shishio Mitarashi, he reluctantly clarified:
"Uncle Shishio, would I lie to you about something like this? Besides, if the war in the Land of Lightning hadn't ended, how could I have come to the Land of Water?"
Though initially skeptical, Shishio Mitarashi knew Kai wouldn't joke about such matters. His face lit up with pride and joy.
"You brat! I didn't expect you'd surpass me. Now you can even take down the Third Raikage!"
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