Konoha 47, April, early spring.
The war between Konoha and Kumogakure has been going on for a year, and the two sides are in a stalemate on the border of Yuno Country with each other winning or losing.
Konoha's tenacity is beyond everyone's imagination, but to be able to push Konoha into such a situation, Kumogakure's power cannot be underestimated.
However, Kumogakure's aggressive attack at the beginning did bring huge trouble to the Fire Country and Konoha. However, as the strong period passed, Konoha sent yellow flashes to the battlefield to support, and the battle between Kumogakure and Konoha became apparent. Quite depressed.
Although in terms of supplies, Kumogakure adopted the transmission method of time and space ninjutsu, and was not too worried about the sneak attack of the yellow flash, the yellow flash could become famous on the Iwagakure battlefield, and the two battles ended with absolute strength, which destroyed Iwagakure's attack on Konoha. Oppression, the pressure brought to Yunyin, is not only reflected in sneak attacks on supplies.
Previously, in order to harass the border of the Fire Country and allow Konoha to disperse its forces, Kumogakure adopted a small team combat strategy to put pressure on the Fire Country from various aspects.
This strategy is theoretically sound, and if used properly, it can put pressure on Konoha and allow Kumogakure to regain the advantage.
However, this strategy was simply broken by the yellow flash.
The multiple elite Jonin teams they sent over all mysteriously disappeared from the Land of Fire in less than half a month.
And during that time, it was also the moment when the yellow flash disappeared from the frontal battlefield, and it was clear who did it.
The ninjas of the Hyuga clan determined the direction and hiding place of the Kumogakure ninja team, and then Yellow Flash took action to solve the problem. Not only did Kumogakure get no benefit, but it also lost many elite ninjas for no reason. It kind of shot itself in the foot. a feeling of.
It is said that the Fourth Raikage was furious in the camp because of this incident, and he was naturally resentful of the yellow flash, but his hatred for the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan was even higher.
Perhaps the mention of the word "Hinata" reminds him of the extremely troublesome white-eyed woman he met on the Iwagakure battlefield two years ago.
Every time Kumogakure's good deeds are ruined, it seems to be related to Byakugan.
On the Iwagakure battlefield, Kumogakure was undoubtedly the dominant side, but as a result, Hyuga Ayane blocked the way and ruined Kumogakure's attack plan many times.
The same is true now. The ninjas of the Hyuga clan provided Yellow Flash with an accurate route, and in just half a month, they wiped out all the Kumogakure elite team that had sneaked into the Land of Fire.
Of course, this is due to the powerful yellow flash, but if it weren't for the Hyuga clan's Byakugan, Konoha would never have been able to eradicate these Kumogakure elite teams so easily.
After all, the elite team that infiltrated the Fire Country in order to put pressure on Konoha were all elites selected from their own Shadow Guards and Anbu. With so many losses all at once, the Fourth Raikage was of course very depressed about this matter.
◎
In Yuno Country's Kumogakure Camp, an office made of simple tents.
Kumogakure Jōnin Todai was reporting to the Fourth Raikage Ai.
"Lord Raikage, according to statistics, we lost a total of one hundred and twenty-three ninjas last month, including seven jounin, seventy-one chunin, and forty-five genin."
"Why did you lose so much?"
After hearing this, the Fourth Raikage was stunned.
It seems that the losses are very small, but this is only the death toll of Kumogakure ninjas in one month. It does not count the injured, nor the number of sacrificed ninjas throughout the year.
In addition to the large-scale battle with Konoha last year, if all statistics were calculated, the number of casualties would be at least 2,000, and including the injured and remnants, there would be at least 4,000.
Tutai said nothing.
The Fourth Raikage snorted lightly and knew who did it.
Apart from Yellow Flash, there was no other person in Konoha who could do this.
"Have the battle damage statistics been calculated in Konoha?"
The Fourth Raikage asked.
Tudai opened a few pages of the document he held in his hand and reported according to the contents above:
"Calculated over the whole year, Konoha's casualty rate should be less than 60% of our Kumogakure casualty rate."
After hearing what Todai said, the Fourth Raikage's face darkened.
Doesn't this mean that for every six Konoha casualties, Kumogakure will suffer ten casualties?
Kumogakure has been dormant for many years, even recuperating his energy for the Second Ninja War, waiting for the opportunity to defeat Konoha and establish his position as the dominant ninja village of the five major countries...
This was inconsistent with the Fourth Raikage's predictions.
"Before the yellow flash came, Konoha's casualty rate was far higher than ours. His ability to harvest the battlefield is so terrifying. No wonder Iwagakure was defeated so quickly."
Tutai answered this, showing a helpless look.
Before the fight with Konoha, no one expected that a well-known Jounin of Konoha would become a turning point on the battlefield.
By the time you pay attention, it's too late.
The opponent's strength has grown to a very terrifying level.
Kumogakure is famous in the ninja world for his fast and fierce ninjutsu. The Raikages of all generations have been the best in the teleportation technique. After Konoha's second Hokage Senju Tobirama died on the battlefield, the fastest ninja in the ninja world has always been Kumogakure. Hidden Raikage inheritance.
The Fourth Raikage, who inherited the excellent genes of the Third Raikage, is faster than his father, the Third Raikage, and can be said to be the fastest ninja in the modern era.
However, once you meet Yellow Flash, you will find that the title of the fastest in the ninja world is prepared for Yellow Flash.
Even if he is proud of his lightning escape technique, the Fourth Raikage will not say that his speed is better than his opponent at this moment.
"He is simply a monster. His neurological reaction ability, I can only be exhausted after turning on the Thunder Chakra mode. That is not a reaction ability that humans can achieve at all."
The Fourth Raikage said in a solemn tone.
"Raikage-sama, are you admitting defeat?"
Tutai smiled.
"Hmph, for now, if the yellow flash is not restricted or solved, the rest of the conspiracy will be completely useless to Konoha."
The Fourth Raikage spoke in a strong tone, but he already felt admiration and respect for Yellow Flash's abilities.
"However, we have no way to restrict the yellow flash, even if we try to contain him. We have a warm spring for our own people and a cold winter for the enemy. There is no more appropriate adjective to praise him than this."
Although they are enemies, Dodai also respects young and promising ninjas like Yellow Flash.
"Not only that, the eye roll is also a problem."
The Fourth Raikage clenched his hands on the table into fists, thinking of an unpleasant memory.
Dodai understood why the Fourth Raikage was depressed.
Rolling eyes... Alas, another unsolvable problem. Tutai smiled bitterly in his heart.
With the existence of the Byakugan, Konoha is not afraid of any sneak attacks, and Kumogakure's sneak attack strategy will be seen through by the ninjas of the Hyuga clan.
In front of those eyes, no matter how sophisticated Yunyin's plan was, it seemed to be unfolding under the opponent's eyes, completely exposing his whereabouts.
"What should we do next?"
The Fourth Raikage seemed to be talking to himself, with a cautious expression.
"How about adding the power of the Eight-Tails?"
Tutai suggested.
"Are you making fun of me, Tutai? Last time Bi and I teamed up to fight against Yellow Flash."
The Fourth Raikage's face was ugly and he did not tell the result, but his face said everything. That battle was not satisfactory.
His younger brother Kirabi is Kumogakure's Eight-Tails Jinchuuriki.
Moreover, it is a special Jinchuuriki who has completed the perfect Jinchuuriki training and can control the eight tails in his body at will. However, coupled with the power of his fourth generation Raikage, he still cannot defeat the yellow flash.
Even if he goes to fight the yellow flash again, it is impossible to change the result.
Thinking of the young man with blond hair, the Fourth Raikage felt a little desperate.
Will Kumogakure fail to defeat Konoha Hope in the next few decades?
The Fourth Raikage was extremely unwilling. The achievements of his father, the Third Raikage and Kumogakure's decades of joint efforts, were easily blocked by a Konoha ninja who was younger than him.
It is conceivable that among the five major countries in the future, the Fire Country will still be the leader, the ninja village will still be headed by Konoha, and Kumogakure will always be the second in command.
Seeing the uncertain expression on the Fourth Raikage's face, Todai knew that the Fourth Raikage's belief in invincibility had been shattered.
During the battle with Hyuga Ayane, the proud thunder armor was unable to withstand the attack of Rou Fist and suffered multiple internal injuries.
Fighting against the yellow flashing wave Feng Minato, his speed was completely defeated by the opponent.
When he met these two ninjas, Dodai didn't know how to describe the fourth generation Raikage's bad mood.
Maybe this is the setback that the Fourth Raikage must go through, and it is also the setback that Kumogakure has to go through.
But experiencing setbacks is not necessarily a bad thing.
To be able to regard these setbacks as growth is a good thing for the immature Fourth Raikage.
Knowing how to advance and retreat, being able to clearly recognize the gap between the enemy and ourselves, broadening one's horizons, rather than relying solely on brute force to win, and having both wisdom and courage are the talents that the Five Shadows must possess.
Even with yellow flash, life cannot be smooth sailing.
However, the Raikage-sama cannot be allowed to bear too much of a blow, and the setbacks must be moderate. Now is the time, it's almost time. Tutai nodded secretly and made a certain decision.
◎
In the camp of Konoha in Yunokuni.
A quick flash of lightning flashed by, and the beautiful sword light like fangs split the air.
Figures of one large and one small passed by.
The moment they landed, the two used the earth as a fulcrum, turned around and rushed toward each other.
The fang-like short sword and the strange three-pronged kunai collided together, and the wind and thunder collided, creating fierce sparks.
"Okay, Kakashi, that's it for today. I still have tasks to do next."
With a look of relief in Minato's eyes, he stopped his sparring session with Kakashi.
Kakashi nodded, put down the White Fang dagger in his hand, the lightning on it spread out, and placed it in the sheath behind his back.
"Your teleportation technique is already very fast. Next, you need to enhance the ability of thunder escape."
This means that the power of Lei Dun is still weak.
But this is because Kakashi has made such harsh demands. It has been some time since he became a jounin. Kakashi is now fourteen years old and is the youngest jounin in the history of Konoha. His strength is also among the middle among jounin. Upgrade.
Minato believed that Kakashi might be able to surpass himself in the future.
"I understand, Minato-sensei."
Kakashi replied calmly.
Today's Minato Team actually only exists in name only.
Because Minato kills enemies so fast, no one in Konoha can keep up with Minato's skills. Therefore, Minato's team-building style is extremely random and is not a fixed team pattern.
Changing the team according to different tasks is also a decision made by Konoha's top management.
But among these constantly changing teams, Kakashi is the ninja who is often carried by Minato.
One is because Kakashi has served under Minato for several years and has a high degree of familiarity with him.
Second, Kakashi inherited the sword skills of his father, Konoha White Fang, and was also a Jonin, able to participate in difficult tasks.
However, this mission seems a bit special. Kakashi did not receive an order to perform the mission with Minato, so the training can only end here.
Minato and Kakashi said a simple farewell and left here to carry out the tasks assigned to him.
Probably another solo mission to raid the Kumogakure ninja.
Kakashi guessed in his mind.
Because this is Minato's daily job.
At the same time, he also lamented Minato's power.
In the past, he could vaguely feel the limits of Minato's strength, but now he can no longer feel it.
If he continues to develop at this rate, it will only be a matter of time before he becomes the strongest ninja in the ninja world.
Regardless of thinking about these things, Kakashi did not continue training after Minato left.
Although I know that what I have to train next is to further strengthen my Lei Dun, there is actually no need to rush.
That's not something you can do in a day or two. You have to relax your body occasionally and combine work with rest.
So, Kakashi was going to go back to take a rest, read a book, and absorb knowledge other than ninjas.
Ninja is only a part of life, but it is not the whole life.
He walked towards the camp, and when he got there, two people walked towards him, causing Kakashi to look at them twice.
the reason is simple.
One of them was too young.
He is about four or five years old, with a small body and arms, and an extremely immature face... he looks exactly like a little boy.
The boy's clothes were embroidered with the symbol of a round fan.
Represents the Uchiha clan.
Kakashi knew the adult next to the boy.
Uchiha Fugaku.
The current leader of the Uchiha clan is powerful. Although his reputation is not as good as Yellow Flash, he is also a well-known figure in the ninja world.
Possessing the Sharingan, which is as famous as the Byakugan, in terms of strength, it may be comparable to the Sannin.
Kakashi looked at the boy next to Fugaku again and sighed inwardly.
Really, is it really appropriate to bring such a young and ignorant child here to shape his outlook on life?
It will leave a lifelong shadow.
Does this child have a grudge against Fugaku Jounin? Kakashi couldn't help but have this thought.
Kakashi and Fugaku were not acquainted, but he was somewhat related to the Uchiha clan.
One of the three former subordinates of his father, Hatake Sakumo, was a ninja from the Uchiha clan.
Before defecting, he was still a genius who could compete with Uchiha Fugaku for the position of Uchiha clan leader.
But Kakashi had no desire to talk to Fugaku and walked past Fugaku silently without saying anything.
Fugaku stopped and was as silent as Kakashi.
The boy next to him saw his father stop and stopped too.
The boy turned to look at Kakashi's back, curiosity in his eyes.
"Father, that person is..."
Fugaku heard the boy's question and said: "Kakashi Hatake. A genius who entered school at the age of four and graduated from the ninja school at the age of five. He later became a chuunin at the age of six and a jounin at the age of twelve... It can be said that... One of the most legendary Jounin of Konoha in Konoha today."
The boy didn't speak, he just looked at Kakashi's back curiously.
"Itachi, you must grow up as soon as possible...to become such a genius, and you must surpass him."
Father Fugaku's voice rang in his ears.
The boy named Itachi didn't understand why his father made such a request.
He just nodded confusedly.
But there was also a thought in my mind. If I became a person beyond this person named Kakashi, would I be able to make my father happy?
Itachi's little head was filled with such thoughts.
◎
In the conference room of Cloud Hidden Camp.
The Fourth Raikage gathered together with all the Kumogakure jounin who participated in the meeting.
The Kumogakure jounin who can enter this conference room are all famous jounin in the ninja world, and hold important positions in Kumogakure. It can be said that they are a strong team that the fourth generation Raikage relies on.
Among them, the earth platform is also included.
He was once a blood-successor ninja who followed the Third Raikage. After the Third Raikage's death, he has been doing his best to assist the Third Raikage's son, who is now the Fourth Raikage.
Kumogakure has held more than one meeting this month on how to fight Konoha, but each meeting ended without any solution because he could not find a suitable solution.
Facing the yellow flash, even with all his wisdom on the battlefield, he could not shake the current Konoha at all.
Although Kumogakure did not use all his strength, Konoha also had some remaining strength, and both sides were testing the limits of the other's strength.
However, compared to Konoha, the current situation is indeed unfavorable to Kumogakure.
The Fourth Raikage saw that the Kumogakure jounin present could not come up with any good solutions. Although he was disappointed, he also knew that they had tried their best in the face of the yellow flash. However, God's will has allowed Kumogakure to dominate the ninja world for many years. His long-cherished wish fell into ruins.
At this moment, Kumogakure Jounin Dodai, who was sitting on his left, spoke.
"There are two paths before us now."
"Two roads? Which two roads?"
Everyone was attracted by Tutai's words.
"The first is to retreat and make a truce with Konoha."
Tutai said.
Kumogakure Jōnin and the Fourth Raikage frowned.
They know it's the best option, but they don't want to do it.
"At present, we have no way to deal with the yellow flash, and a truce is the best option."
"..." The Fourth Raikage couldn't bear his temper and asked Tudai: "Tudai, just tell me the second way. What is the second way?"
Dodai knew that the Fourth Raikage would say this, so he coughed and continued: "The second way is still to have a truce with Konoha."
"?"
Everyone looked at him in confusion.
Tutai looked at everyone calmly and said calmly: "It's not really a truce, but waiting for an opportunity to prepare."
"But if you lose this opportunity, it will be harder to find opportunities in the future."
A Kumogakure jounin said.
Tudai didn't think so, and replied to the jounin: "No, there is really no chance now. I have already determined it."
"Sure?"
"There are many hidden dangers within Konoha. Now it is because of the external pressure exerted by us Kumogakure that this conflict has not exploded. This time to deal with us Kumogakure, Konoha did not send Orochimaru, one of the three ninjas. This actually shows that Problem."
"It's indeed a bit strange. After Orochimaru finished the battlefield of the Kingdom of Rain, when our Kumogakure attacked the Kingdom of Fire, Konoha left Orochimaru idle and sent Akimichi Kaifeng over. According to common sense, Orochimaru should be allowed to come over. right."
Konoha made such an unexpected move, which made Kumogakure think it was some kind of conspiracy.
"Not only that, when Akimichi Tofeng fought with us, Kumogakure, we basically never won, and Konoha was always suppressed by us. But after the yellow flash ended the threat of Iwagakure, he was immediately dispatched here by Konoha's top management, and then the situation was reversed. The decline of Konoha. It can be seen that the third generation of Hokage is already paving the way for the yellow flash."
Tutai said seriously.
The Kumogakure jounin whispered.
"If this is the case, then we should not withdraw our troops."
"Yes, once Yellow Flash becomes Hokage, it will be more difficult for us to deal with Konoha."
"Sure enough, we should keep fighting."
…
The Fourth Raikage ignored these, but turned to look at Tudai, indicating that he could speak more clearly.
Tutai also knew that these people were scared to death by the yellow flash, so he didn't say anything about it. After all, he was also surprised by the power of the yellow flash.
You can't do it forcefully, you can only use outsmarts.
Tutai handed out the information that had been prepared in front of him one by one.
Everyone stopped talking and watched the summary of information made by Qi Tu Tai.
The content created above is all about Konoha.
Moreover, the initial inference was that the analysis started when Orochimaru ended the battlefield of Rain Country.
Among them, there are also spies who infiltrated Konoha.
Although there is no access to the core of Konoha, through long-term observations and private investigations, a lot of seemingly useless information can be analyzed to analyze many real benefits.
The War in the Land of Rain ended, Kumogakure attacked Konoha, Orochimaru was idle, and Konoha faced Kumogakure's decline. It was not until the Iwagakure battlefield was ended by a yellow flash that the situation was reversed.
This series of events were carefully recorded and analyzed by Tutai.
"According to my investigation, many of Yellow Flash's missions were completed by one person. Although he is very famous and strong enough, he has never held a battlefield command position. Do you think it is reasonable for such a person to become Hokage?"
"..."
All the Kumogakure jounin began to think.
The answer is unreasonable.
If they were Konoha ninjas, they would be more willing to recommend Orochimaru to become Hokage.
The five shadows are not something that can only be held by those with sufficient strength.
Ninja is a symbol of a country's military power.
Shadow is the core figure of this army and must have strong command capabilities.
As for Yellow Flash... although he is powerful, he has never commanded any battles.
Simply put, the Yellow Flash becoming Hokage is seriously flawed.
He has not demonstrated any decent commanding abilities.
The Kumogakure jonins are not fools, and Konoha's top management deliberately left Orochimaru idle during Kumogakure's attack. The yellow flash ended the Iwagakure battlefield, but he was immediately dispatched...
They could only think of one possibility - the Third Hokage of Konoha needed a puppet.
The yellow flash was his chosen object.
"So, are you going to pretend to have a truce at this time and let the top management of Konoha fall into infighting?"
A Kumogakure jounin guessed Todai's plan.
"That's right. We can't deal with Yellow Flash now. If this loss continues, it will be extremely detrimental to Kumogakure's development. Personally, I prefer a truce and let Yellow Flash go back and inherit the position of the Fourth Hokage. Once he becomes Hokage, he will The Third Hokage is in conflict. That is our opportunity, Kumogakure."
"But all this is just speculation. It is not certain that this is the situation inside Konoha."
A Kumogakure jounin objected.
"The guesses are also analyzed from accurate intelligence." Dodai said confidently: "To be on the safe side, we really need to be prepared. If the inside of Konoha is not as we thought, we will not be able to communicate with Konoha at that time. It’s not too late for Ye to fight.”
"What about the deadline? We can't wait forever."
"Let's take the deadline of December this year." Dodai thought for a while and continued to answer: "We have a truce now. Before December this year, Konoha should be able to decide on the candidate for the Fourth Hokage. If Yellow Flash is promoted to the Fourth Hokage by then, Regardless of whether the Third Hokage intends to support Yellow Flash as a puppet, becoming the Yellow Flash of Hokage means that he will not easily go to the battlefield again."
As long as there is no yellow flash, the other Konoha ninjas, even if the Third Hokage comes in person, they are not afraid of Kumogakure.
"Will we have another showdown at that time?"
Some Kumogakure jounin held objections, but most of the jounin who participated in the meeting were moved.
Just delaying it for a few months would be no big deal to Kumogakure.
Konoha, who had fought against Sunagakure and Iwagakure, had suffered a total loss far greater than Kumogakure.
In addition, Kumogakure has sufficient armaments and logistical supplies. The only obstacle in front of the road is the yellow flash.
If Yellow Flash is promoted to the Fourth Hokage and his power is removed, he will definitely conflict with the Third Hokage and cause chaos within Konoha.
It doesn't matter if the Third Hokage really plans to regard Yellow Flash as his successor and transfer all power to him. Busy with the heavy affairs within Konoha, no matter how powerful the yellow flash is, it is impossible to be distracted and maintain stability within Konoha while personally fighting Kumogakure.
After all, Kumogakure has long heard about the complicated relations between the ninja clan in Konoha.
"That's right. The next thing we have to do is to prepare one thing, and that is to build momentum for Yellow Flash so that he can successfully become the Fourth Hokage. It is best to tout him as the number one ninja in the ninja world."
A gleam flashed in Tutai's eyes.
Rather than disintegrating Konoha's prestige from the outside, there is also a way to do it from the inside.
After hearing Tudai's plan, the Fourth Raikage nodded slightly.
Although this method is not very to his liking, as a shadow, there is no need to be petty and just use brute force to solve problems.
"Tutai, can success be guaranteed?"
The Fourth Raikage only asked this question.
Tutai smiled helplessly.
"No, it's just a reasonable inference after collecting enough intelligence. Anyway, we can't control the yellow flash now, can we?"
The Fourth Raikage was speechless.
Indeed, there is no way to suppress the yellow flash now, which is the biggest problem.
"Huh, let's follow this plan."
