"The Fourth Raikage has long been renowned across the shinobi world. He even clashed with the Fourth Hokage, your mentor, Lord Minato. Are you confident, Kakashi?"
"If I weren't, I wouldn't be here."
"Good! That's the spirit worthy of the Fourth Hokage's disciple! Then I'll entrust this to you."
Hyuga Tobii gave Kakashi a firm pat on the shoulder, clearly placing high expectations on him.
Originally, Hyuga Tobii already held a favorable view of Kakashi, but this time, Kakashi's actions saved the Hyuga clan, further deepening Tobii's respect.
"Senior Tobii, please intensify the perimeter defenses."
"Understood," Hyuga Tobii nodded solemnly.
Meanwhile, near the Thunder Country border, at a command post not far from the observation tower, the Fourth Raikage studied a scroll of intelligence in front of him.
Kuze's cooperation in this operation stemmed from his ability to use long-range communication ninjutsu to quickly send intel back to the Raikage.
Upon reading the scroll, the Fourth Raikage's brows furrowed, and he smashed his fist into the solid wooden desk.
Bang!
With a loud crash, the sturdy table splintered into fragments under the force of the Raikage's punch.
His assistant rushed in and asked, "Lord Raikage, what happened?"
"Kuze and Mimura's plan has been exposed! Not only that—those fools tried to be clever and had Mimura commit suicide in Hyuga Hiashi's home to frame him. What utter idiocy!"
The assistant was equally shocked. How could Kuze and the others carry out such blatant slander? That was a direct slap to Konoha's face.
And Konoha conceding at this point? Impossible.
Despite its recent hardships, Konoha was still one of the Five Great Nations—yielding under these circumstances would be unthinkable.
"Lord Raikage, what are our next steps?"
"What else can we do? Even if things have gone sideways, we must see it through. Otherwise, this entire operation is wasted."
"But…"
"No buts! I refuse to believe Konoha dares to confront us directly!"
The Raikage's body crackled with chakra as bolts of lightning flickered over his frame.
"Hmph! Without the Yellow Flash, who in Konoha can match my speed? It's a pity… my greatest rival died so young."
With those words, the Raikage turned toward the exit. As he reached the doorway, he ordered, "Have our troops launch a show of force along Konoha's cordon at dawn. Make it threatening—but ensure the casualties are minimal. We can't afford for this to spiral out of control."
"Understood, Lord Raikage."
The Raikage's goal wasn't to start a war—it was to apply pressure.
After all, the Third Great Ninja War hadn't ended that long ago. Yunyin couldn't afford another prolonged conflict.
Especially since the other great villages—Iwagakure among them—would seize the opportunity to strike. During the last war, Yunyin had created significant enmity with Iwagakure.
Beneath the surface, tensions were boiling. One wrong move, and open war would erupt.
Back in the observation tower, Kakashi sat cross-legged in a quiet room, forming hand seals.
He had been diligently practicing the spiritual techniques inherited from the Hatake clan. Now, they had finally begun to yield tangible results.
While his improvements weren't earth-shattering, his Sharingan had become increasingly adept.
At full power, he could now use his eye techniques two or three times in succession with minimal strain.
An hour later, Kakashi opened his eyes. His left eye's Sharingan spun rapidly.
"My condition is optimal. Now I just need to wait for the Fourth Raikage."
Touching his Sharingan, Kakashi murmured to himself, "I'm counting on you."
Against the Fourth Raikage, Kakashi would have to go all-out. Anything less might cost him his life before the sun rose.
Though he had never fought the Raikage directly, Kakashi knew his speed could rival Minato-sensei.
Kakashi understood Minato's speed better than anyone.
Only when his own Body Flicker technique reached true mastery could he hope to keep pace.
But for now, his movement techniques were still slightly lacking.
In a short clash, he might hold out—but in a drawn-out battle, he would struggle.
Luckily, Kakashi had one more card to play: an incomplete version of the Flying Thunder God Technique. Though he only had three marked kunai, if used cleverly, they could be game-changing.
The Fourth Raikage would never expect someone else to wield the Flying Thunder God.
That element of surprise was Kakashi's greatest weapon.
"All preparations are complete. Now, I face the Fourth Raikage."
Determination lit up Kakashi's eyes. His mentor's old adversary—now it was his turn to confront him.
"Sensei, I won't shame your name. I'll make the Raikage understand—Konoha is not to be trampled, even in your absence."
The night passed quietly, yet the tension Kakashi's arrival brought to the observation post left a heavy silence in its wake.
Hyuga Tobii had already sounded the alarm that Yunyin could strike at any moment, and every shinobi stationed there was on edge.
Meanwhile, in Konoha—at the council chamber:
"Hiruzen, Yunyin has gone too far this time. We must retaliate," growled Danzo, his eyes cold and filled with murderous intent beneath his bandaged face.
Ever the hardliner, Danzo saw this as the perfect justification for aggression.
"Danzo, you know well that Konoha cannot endure another upheaval," the Third Hokage replied, his eyes steady and contemplative.
Seeing the tension rise, Mitokado Homura interjected, "Let's not quarrel. Yunyin's actions are calculated provocation. If Konoha yields, we'll become the laughingstock of the shinobi world."
"Yes, but Konoha is still recovering," Koharu Utatane added gravely.
Danzo scoffed. "Hmph! I say we give them a strong response. That alone will make them back off."
On this point, Hiruzen surprised them all.
"I agree with Danzo."
The room fell silent. Even the usually unshakable Homura and Koharu looked shocked. That Hiruzen—the ever-peaceful Hokage—would side with Danzo?
Ignoring their reactions, Hiruzen continued, "I've sent Kakashi to the border to intercept the Fourth Raikage. If he can hold him off, this conflict will de-escalate naturally."
"What?! Hiruzen, are you insane? How can one man, even Kakashi, stand against the Fourth Raikage?"
Danzo rose in fury—not from concern for Kakashi's safety, but because success would elevate Kakashi's status.
If Kakashi triumphed, he'd become a hero of Konoha. That could position him as a future Hokage something Danzo could not accept.
"Hiruzen, this is reckless. Hatake Kakashi is talented, yes but he's still too young to face the Raikage," said Homura.
"Let's wait and see," Hiruzen replied calmly.
The Duel doesn't end here… it only gets more intense.
30+ chapters ahead are already waiting.
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