"What?! Minato Namikaze is resurrected?! Is it...Impure World Reincarnation?!"
Inside Hidden Cloud Village, Raikage's Office, the atmosphere was as solemn as a lead cloud before a rainstorm.
"... No, according to the 'eye' installed in Konoha, it is not the forbidden technique of Impure World Reincarnation that desecrates the dead."
Kumogakure Intelligence Ninja, who was standing in front of Raikage's desk, reported in a low voice, with uncontrollable surprise in his voice, "That is a living Minato Namikaze with body temperature and complete vital signs. Konoha officials issued a formal announcement this morning, confirming the matter."
Fourth Raikage A's fist pressed against the solid wood tabletop, making a dull and loud sound, and the tabletop cracked into several fine lines. His brows were furrowed on his rough face, and the veins on his forehead were beating faintly.
Alive? Konoha What kind of tricks are those people playing?
Raikage's voice rumbled in the office, "Official announcement? What explanation did they give?"
Intelligence Ninja swallowed and handed over a transcribed notice with the Konoha Hokage coat of arms. "The explanation announced by Konoha is... Fourth Hokage After Minato Namikaze used Reaper Death Seal, his soul remained in Grim Reaper's body. Recently, because of his 'tough will and deep attachment to the village', he 'influenced' Grim Reaper, and the two parties reached a reconciliation."
"Grim Reaper not only released his soul, but also reshaped his entire body with the 'special escape chakra', allowing him to return to the living world."
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Raikage grabbed the transcript, glanced at it a few times, then crumpled it into a ball and threw it to the ground, "This kind of fairy tale can't even fool a three-year-old child! Konoha are you too lazy to make up lies?!"
Of course, intelligence Ninja also understands the truth that can be seen at a glance, but Konoha has no objection to this internally.
The villagers rejoiced and rushed to tell each other, considering Fourth Hokage's return as a blessing from heaven, and their morale was high. There was no doubt among the Ninja class, and almost everyone readily accepted this bizarre statement."
Raikage stood up, his burly body casting a huge shadow in front of the window. He looked out the window Hidden Cloud Village at the rugged rocks and lingering clouds and mist.
"So what is Minato Namikaze doing now? Has he taken charge of Hokage Position again?"
"No." Intelligence Ninja shook his head, "He is currently only active as an ordinary Jonin and lives in seclusion. Fifth Hokage Lord Jiraiya is still in charge of the overall situation."
"How about it? Lord Raikage, should we..."
Intelligence Ninja tentatively asked whether we should conduct some diplomatic tests, even if it was just a courtesy inquiry, to verify how true the so-called "Fourth Hokage resurrection" was.
If it is true, for Kumogakure, this is tantamount to a thunderbolt from the clear sky. The reappearance of the deceased "Yellow Flash" is enough to tilt the balance of combat power between countries.
But Raikage slowly shook his head after a long silence. "Let's not act rashly for the time being."
Fourth Raikage, contrary to his appearance, he can make decisions that take into account the overall situation even if he is angry.
"Testing? Even if we send the top spies and use all means to prove that Minato Namikaze is standing on the streets of Konoha, so what? In addition to making ourselves more aware of the gap with Konoha, what else can we get?"
"But, Lord Raikage, we can use this--" The subordinate tried to state the common thought hidden in the hearts of many people.
"Can we use this to unite other countries to attack Konoha in the name of 'playing with life and death and blaspheming common sense'? Try to start a war?"
Raikage directly cut off his subordinate's words and threw out the most radical but straightforward possibility in his mind. He continued, "Yes, if Fourth Hokage is really resurrected, Konoha's current strength is enough to make any village, no, all villages feel sleepless."
Once the seeds of fear are planted, alliance seems to be a natural choice."
Ninja, who reported the report, nodded. This was exactly the worry and potential idea that he did not dare to fully express.
"Is Lord Raikage still worried about that [Jin] organization? But, after so many years..."
"Even so, we can't afford to bet." Ai gave a categorical answer, "[Jhin]'s deterrent power cannot be easily erased by time. As long as there is no conclusive evidence to prove that the organization has completely fallen apart, we must not bet the life and death of the entire Hidden Cloud Village on the bottom line and reaction of Menma."
"Then... what should we do?"
"Wait." Raikage spat out a word, "We will know the follow-up of this information soon. Since Konoha dares to release the information so 'fairly', this move will not be the only one... They will definitely have follow-up actions. What we have to do is to open our eyes to see clearly, and prick up our ears to understand, instead of jumping out impatiently and becoming a target."
"At the same time, here's the order. If during this period, Iwagakure... sends any letters regarding this matter, implying or explicitly requesting cooperation, intelligence sharing or even joint operations, they will be treated as if they have not been seen, will not be responded to, and will be returned intact."
Seeing his subordinates showing some confusion, Raikage snorted coldly and explained, "Whether Minato Namikaze's resurrection is true or not, it is just Konoha's unilateral statement. But when it comes to who is the most anxious, we Kumogakure are by no means the first."
Intelligence from all sides quickly passed through his mind. Hidden Cloud Village The next generation of talents has emerged in large numbers, Darui has developed its capabilities, and there are two Perfect Jinchurikis, Killer B and Yugito Nii, sitting in charge. He is not very worried about the future and high-end combat power of the village.
On the other hand, Iwagakure, according to reliable information, Deidara, the direct disciple of Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, has already rebelled and ran away from the village, and there are signs that he may have been associated with the [Jin] organization.
In addition, Four-Tails Jinchuriki Rōshi has been at odds with the village for a long time, and his whereabouts are a mystery... The anxiety of the lack of talents and the loss of top combat power is deeply bothering him.
(Originally I wanted to write about weddings, but found that the number of chapters wasn't quite right)