Raikage's office.
The tall and imposing Raikage sat on the sofa, seriously reviewing the results of the Chūnin Exams in his hands.
The door opened, and people began to enter one after another. Before long, all the high-ranking officials of Kumogakure had arrived.
Seeing this, the Third Raikage set the papers down, looked around with a stern expression, and said in a low voice, "I've gathered you here today to give a few important instructions."
"First, when I went to the Daimyō to request funding, the incident with the Two-Tails being released occurred.
So! I have reason to suspect that spies from other villages may have already infiltrated our mid or even upper ranks.
When you return, the first thing you must do is conduct thorough inspections of each department."
Upon hearing this, Amai, who was sitting behind her desk taking notes, suddenly flinched, then quickly composed herself and continued writing as if nothing had happened.
Raikage continued speaking.
"Once you've finished checking personnel, inspect every corner of each department.
I suspect that the spy may be the same person who attacked earlier—and that attacker possesses an unknown space-time ninjutsu."
At Lord Raikage's words, several high-ranking officials, including Tsuchishige, nodded repeatedly.
"There's one more thing. We can't keep reacting passively while that person is still out there!
So I've decided—the Two-Tails will be sealed into a Jinchūriki."
The moment he said this, the room stirred.
Unlike other villages, Kumogakure, which values strength above all, has never rejected the idea of Jinchūriki.
On the contrary, both Killer Bee and Yugito Nii were held in high regard within the village.
That was exactly why the officials were stirred—securing a Tailed Beast would instantly elevate a clan's status and significantly boost its combat power.
At that moment, Tsuchishige, a senior advisor to the Raikage, suddenly stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "A-sama, the Iron Armor Seal works well on the Eight-Tails, but the Two-Tails could break free too easily."
"I know!" The Raikage slapped his thigh.
"That's why I plan to send a delegation to Konoha!"
The people present were among the sharpest minds in Kumogakure. They quickly caught on to what the Third Raikage was implying and began nodding in agreement.
If the Second Raikage was still somewhat reasonable, then the Third was pure force and domination.
He glanced around the room and, seeing everyone's eager faces, nodded in satisfaction and continued, "If you have anyone you want to recommend, speak now."
As soon as he said that, everyone began talking at once, each trying to push someone from their own clan into the mission.
This was a golden opportunity!
If they performed well on the Konoha mission, by Kumogakure's rules, the one who achieved the most would earn the greatest merit.
Before long, Amai's notebook was filled with names.
Seeing this, the Raikage nodded.
"Tsuchishige will lead the team. Amai, you'll go too."
Hearing this, the middle-aged Tsuchishige and Amai accepted the order.
"The rest of you, return to your duties."
At the Raikage's command, the high-ranking officials filed out of the office one by one.
Soon, only the Third Raikage, Tsuchishige, and Amai remained.
Once Amai closed the door, the Raikage furrowed his brows and spoke again.
"This time, we're heading to Konoha for three official purposes. First, to sign a grain supply agreement—I want to buy grain from Konoha at below-market prices and secure trade privileges for our caravans.
Second, to assess Konoha's strength, especially their younger generation.
Third—and this is what you two need to focus on—demand or negotiate for their Fūinjutsu!
The bargaining chips I'm giving you are gold mines and a ten-year peace treaty between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire.
Privately, there are also three missions, all to be carried out by our most capable operatives.
If we can't get the Fūinjutsu, then kidnap a few members of the Uzumaki Clan—the higher their status, the better.
Or abduct someone important from Konoha. That Tsunade we failed to snatch last time will do. Use them to pressure Konoha into a trade for the Fūinjutsu."
You had to admit, for someone who rose to become a village Kage, the Third Raikage was both sharply organized and shamelessly underhanded.
Amai nodded with a serious face as she listened, but inside she was ecstatic.
How could she pass up such a golden chance to get revenge on Konoha?
And kidnapping Tsunade? That was something she had dreamed of for ages.
After all, according to intel from the covert agents, wasn't it some heartless bastard who saved Tsunade last time?!
A bold plan suddenly formed in Amai's mind.
"Uncle, can I bring someone with me?" she asked in a sweet, coquettish voice.
The Third Raikage turned and glanced at his tall, graceful niece.
"Who?"
"Raimei," Amai answered bashfully, a flicker of yearning in her eyes.
At her reply, a glint of amusement flashed in the Third Raikage's eyes.
So his niece was hitting that age, huh?
He'd heard rumors around the village that this "Kumo Princess" niece of his was in a relationship with Raimei.
Well, that worked out just fine!
If his niece married Raimei, then that common-born kid would be marrying into his clan.
With Raimei's potential, that would benefit both the village and himself.
Thinking of this, the Raikage nodded without hesitation.
"Fine. Go call him over. I was just about to give him the scroll for the Lightning Release Chakra Mode."
At that, Tsuchishige, who had been silent this whole time, suddenly exclaimed, "Lord Raikage, are you planning to make Raimei the 'B'?"
The Raikage's expression instantly darkened. He paused for a moment, then shook his head.
"The current 'B' is Fukai's uncle, but he doesn't seem like he'll last much longer.
When he can't continue, Fukai will step up, become the Eight-Tails' Jinchūriki, and take the title of 'B.'"
Tsuchishige let out a breath of relief but still asked cautiously, "Then why are you giving Raimei the Lightning Release Chakra Mode?"
The Raikage's expression grew even darker. He stood up, his massive frame exuding a heavy, suffocating pressure as he said coldly:
"No more questions!"
Do you guys even know how bitter this is for me?
The First and Second Raikage—each of them had strong partners! They had their own 'B.'
Hell, I even arranged a 'B' for my son!
And my own partner? Constantly clashing with the Eight-Tails, nearly dying every other day.
I spent years mastering Lightning Release: Double Lariat, and no one was even strong enough to clash with me!
Now I've got to start from scratch and retrain Hell Stab.
I've finally found a solid musclehead who fits the bill—can't I just have a reliable partner for once?
To be fair, it's not really anyone's fault. Not even his.
As the strongest Third Raikage, he was a bit different from his son, the Fourth.
The Fourth was all about speed.
The Third? Pure, unbreakable power and absurd endurance.
Just look at the protagonist—his Rasengan wrecks everything in its path.
But when he tried it on the Third Raikage, it barely scratched him—he had to stab himself just to take damage.
So, to be a true partner to the Third Raikage, your body has to be built like a damn tank.
And Reiji? He was the philosophical partner the Raikage had set his sights on.
Seeing the Raikage's determined expression, Tsuchishige didn't dare speak up again.
Soon after, Reiji, who had been lounging at home, was brought to the Raikage's office.
And then he was told he'd be accompanying Amai to Konoha as her bodyguard.
Right after that, a scroll labeled "Lightning Release Chakra Mode" was shoved into his hands.
Reiji stared down at the scroll, thoroughly rejecting the situation.
A Jashin cult envoy who infiltrated Amegakure as a spy, got sent to Konoha, then passed on to Kumogakure by Konoha, and now he's the bodyguard for the Kumogakure envoy to Konoha???
Disgusting. Makes me want to puke.