Rasa replied, "I will answer that in a bit. But if you have any other questions ask them first."
And Shota had many.
'There must be something worthwhile that we could get from the mission for the village to take such a risk. Otherwise I don't think the mission is worth it.' Shota thought but decided to ask his other questions first.
Shota asked, "How do they plan to kill the Raikage if he escapes? No one would be able to stop him. Why would he really care about getting ambushed? And what if the forces with Raikage are greater and stronger than what we believe them to be?"
Rasa raised one hand. Shota shut his mouth at once.
The Kazekage's voice was calm, almost cold.
"The numbers are correct. Iwa had planned it perfectly and is using every resource with them to make it work. Suna has also confirmed the numbers with its own spies in Kumo. So you don't have to worry about the numbers. Iwa's large army would easily be able to crush the rest of the Kumo army especially when it is led by the third Tsuchikage."
"And as for the Raikage escaping, he will not escape. He would protect his people no matter if they were bound to die and once they die, he would fight to avenge them. His pride is something that would not allow it. Every Raikage has it, but this one carries it like armour. He will not retreat while his men die for him."
Shota swallowed. He already knew this story. But in that the Raikage had not avenged his men but had let his men escape and fought the army alone.
In the original timeline the Third Raikage fought ten thousand men for three straight days and nights so his men could live and escape back to Kumo. This was that battle. History was repeating itself right in front of him.
Rasa continued.
"Ten thousand men is normally enough to kill anyone. Not the Third Raikage. His Lightning Chakra Cloak makes him nearly untouchable. His speed is the strongest version ever seen. Even the Tsuchikage admits normal numbers will not work fast enough. They will lose too many shinobi. And they don't want it and thus have requested for our help. That is where you come in."
Shota stayed perfectly still.
"Your Erasure removes his cloak the moment you look at him. His skin loses its lightning armour. His speed drops to human levels. He becomes a very strong man instead of an untouchable god. Iwa wants to lose as few soldiers as possible. You are the perfect tool for that."
Shota's mind raced.
Without chakra the Raikage was still a monster of pure taijutsu and raw power. He had fought for days with almost no rest. He probably saved his cloak for short bursts and relied on muscle the rest of the time. Still, without the cloak he could bleed. He could tire. He could die.
Shota asked the question that mattered most.
"Why is Iwa so desperate to kill him now? They are already winning their war front."
Rasa leaned forward, gold dust swirling slowly around his fingers.
"Because Kumogakure is becoming too strong, too fast. The Raikage's son, A, is already S-rank. He fought the Yellow Flash of Konoha and survived. Rumours say the Eight-Tails jinchūriki is learning perfect control of his failed beast. Toroi of the Magnet Release is another nightmare on the battlefield. Meanwhile every other village has paid a heavy price in this war."
He counted on his fingers, voice flat.
"Konoha lost the White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, and thousands of good shinobi. Iwa lost almost their entire Explosion Corps. Kiri lost four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to a single Leaf genin. Suna lost the Third Kazekage himself. Only Kumo keeps growing stronger."
Rasa's eyes were hard.
"If the war ends tomorrow, Kumo will be the clear winner. They will rest, rebuild, and then choose their next target. Onoki knows this. He wants the tallest tree cut before it blocks the sun for everyone else. He wants the Raikage dead now, while Kumo is still fighting on two fronts."
Shota understood completely.
It was cold, brutal logic. Kill the strongest piece on the board before the game ends.
He had only one question left.
"What does Suna gain? Kumo is far away. We get no land. There is no benefit in weakening them since they have only been neutral with us. We only make a new enemy. And I don't think that we are in need of another enemy when all other great villages are already gunning for us."
Rasa actually smiled. It was small and sharp, like a knife made of gold.
"Exactly what I asked Onoki. I had thought that he had got senile to ask me such a thing after our past relations with Iwa and our current relations with Kumo but he offers something we cannot refuse."
Shota waited.
"In return for your help, Iwa will give us the support to get Seven Tails and a second jinchūriki for Sunagakure. A second living weapon."
"And I decided the price is well worth it."
Shota felt the weight settle on his small shoulders.
A second tailed beast.
That was why the village was willing to risk so many elite ANBU.
That was why they were sending him.
---------Author Notes--------
Thankyou Gregory Johnson, David H and Hugh Jass for supporting me!
Y'all can read the next 20 chapters of the fanfic on my pat*reon. Thankyou for your support!
https://pat*reon.com/Charizard6
[No star]