Enough with You!

On the grassland, behind the shallow crater left by the explosion.

"Third Raikage-sama, are you serious?"

Hearing the Third Raikage's words, Dodai's expression changed, though he kept his voice restrained.

"Yes."

The Third Raikage remained unquestionable. His gaze toward the primeval forest grew increasingly grave, yet he did not spare Dodai a glance.

"But..."

As soon as the Third Raikage said that, Dodai could not help taking a step forward, a hint of panic already showing on his face.

He knew very well what it meant when the Third Raikage made a decision. Unlike his appearance, their Third Raikage might seem rough, but he was steady and prudent. During both Ninja World Wars, it was his unique strategic policies that had kept Kumogakure from falling into a disadvantage, allowing it to remain among those competing for victory and forever among the powerful villages of the ninja world. However, once he had made up his mind, it was basically impossible to change it.

And now, the Third Raikage was abandoning the battlefield that might suffer an Iwa ambush in order to deal with Taki Chiba and that Uchiha brat here. It truly left him both surprised and uneasy.

He was surprised because, although the Third Raikage's decisions were almost impossible to change once made, every one of them had been carefully considered and wise. For him to fixate on two children like this while disregarding the overall situation was practically unprecedented.

What unsettled him was that, on the rear battlefield, with the AB Combination absent and much of their strength tied down by Konoha on the front battlefield, Kumogakure's forces in the rear had only held a slight advantage over Iwa even with the Third Raikage included. Without the Third Raikage, they would be weaker than Iwa. Moreover, the Third Raikage