The news spread like wildfire throughout the Shinobi World.
Naturally, the news also reached the Kumogakure.
Kumogakure, Raikage Building.
A somber atmosphere in a meeting room.
"Bang!!"
With a loud crash, the sturdy solid wood conference table was smashed through by a fist wrapped in Lightning Release Chakra, sending wood chips flying everywhere!
" Chiyo Uchiha!! This is outrageous!!!"
Like a furious lion, Ai suddenly stood up, his bronze skin turning red with rage, his whole body crackling with lightning, and his violent chakra almost lifting the roof off.
He clutched the intelligence Scroll that the communications ninja had risked his life to deliver, his eyes bloodshot.
Use money to redeem your father?
This is an utter disgrace!
Where does he place the Kumogakure, his father, and his own dignity?!
In contrast, Kitsuchi, sitting opposite him, was much more composed.
He was tall and muscular, with an honest face, but his eyes shone with the composure and determination unique to Earth Release ninjas.
He silently watched the enraged Ai, then glanced at the identical intelligence report in his hand, his large fingers slowly tapping his knees.
"Hey, be rational."
The voice of the Kitsuchi was deep and resonant, carrying a soothing quality.
Anger solves nothing.
"Rationality?! How can you expect me to be rational?!"
Ai growled, his voice hoarse with rage.
"He is humiliating us! Humiliating our father! Humiliating our village!"
Kitsuchi was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.
"But this is indeed the current situation..."
The only way to bring them back.
Ai's roar abruptly stopped.
He stared intently at the Kitsuchi, his chest heaving violently. The lightning gradually subsided, but the anger in his eyes still burned.
Yes, the method!
They had considered countless possibilities beforehand.
armed rescue?
Negotiation and pressure?
I even considered the possibility that Konoha might impose harsh conditions such as ceding land or handing over secret techniques...
But they never expected the other party to make such a proposal...
Such "vulgar" yet crucial conditions.
And it's all money from the Land of Fire!
Cloud and Iwagakure had just suffered a major defeat and heavy losses, and were in dire need of funds to recover.
Konoha's move was like adding insult to injury; it was trying to drain their lifeblood!
but...
As Kitsuchi said, this seems to be the only clear and "feasible" path.
At least, it offered a direction to bring the father back.
The two fell silent, the heavy atmosphere making it hard to breathe.
Whether it's mugwort or Kitsuchi.
When the name " Chiyo Uchiha " is mentioned, a deep sense of powerlessness is felt.
That towering, dark red giant, with its cold, Red Eye that looked down upon all living beings, had become an inescapable nightmare in their hearts.
To be an enemy of such a being, any thought of confronting it head-on seems both laughable and hopeless.
Rebellion?
reject?
Then what?
Are we awaiting an even fiercer retaliation from Konoha?
Or watch helplessly as her father suffers humiliation at the hands of Konoha, or even...
They dared not think any further.
Ai slumped back into his chair, clutching his head with both hands, letting out a low growl of pain and resentment.
Kitsuchi Tu sighed deeply.
His gaze drifted out the window to the rolling mountains of Kumogakure, his eyes filled with worry for the village's Mirai.
I don't know how much time passed.
Ai suddenly raised her head. Although her eyes were still bloodshot, her anger had been replaced by a suppressed, unavoidable reality.
He looked at the Kitsuchi, his voice hoarse.
"What does Iwagakure plan to do?"
Kitsuchi gave a bitter laugh.
"What else can we do? Raise funds."
Even if it means selling everything we own, we will redeem the old man.
"A village cannot be without a shadow."
His tone was filled with helplessness, yet also revealed a firm resolve.
Ai fell silent; he knew Kitsuchi was telling the truth.
This is a reality he must face.
The Kumogakure also cannot function without the Third Raikage.
Another unspoken silence ensued.
The descendants of the two shadows.
Such a proud status.
At this moment, they are tasting the endless bitterness and humiliation brought about by defeat.
a long time.
Ai seemed to have made up her mind.
He stood up, his tall figure casting a heavy shadow under the lamplight.
"I will convene Elder Council immediately to discuss... how to raise funds."
He practically ground his teeth to powder when he uttered the words "raise money".
Kitsuchi also stood up and nodded.
"The war is almost over, and I need to leave Kumogakure!"
Looking at the Kitsuchi, Ai sighed.
The Kitsuchi itself was a "hostage" left in Kumogakure by the alliance between Iwagakure and Kumogakure...
War today.
It's coming to an end, I suppose.
The alliance between the two countries ultimately failed.
With the war essentially over, the Kitsuchi left here has little significance.
Ai already knew about this alliance.
At first, I thought Iwagakure out of a molehill, and I scoffed at Iwagakure's overly cautious behavior.
But when Chiyo Uchiha swept through the group, capturing his father and the Third Tsuchikage...
I just realized it.
But unfortunately, it was too late.
The main force was completely wiped out, so even if they had any ideas...
It seems there's absolutely no chance left.
The two countries have joined forces against Konoha, and now, in order to raise money, they have become even more like brothers in distress.
This turning point in the war was completely unexpected.
Ai walked to the door and stopped.
He didn't turn around, remained silent for a few seconds, and then suddenly spoke.
"Hey, Kitsuchi."
Kitsuchi looked at him.
Ai still didn't turn around, her voice low but clear.
"Be careful on your way back."
This simple sentence carries a complex meaning at this moment.
It was a token of friendship between them as temporary allies.
It's also like saying...
Let's each do our best to get through this difficult time.
Kitsuchi paused for a moment, then a rare smile appeared on his face.
He stepped forward, came to Ai's side, and without saying much, simply extended his clenched fist.
Ai looked at his fist, then at Kitsuchi's composed face.
Finally, he slowly clenched his fist and gently touched it to the ground.
Their fists collided, producing a dull, soft sound.
Without further words, the two young people, burdened with heavy Mirai, reached a tacit understanding in that moment.
Then, Ai strode away, his back view resolute and heavy.
Kitsuchi watched him leave, the smile on his face gradually fading, turning into a deeper solemnity.
The long road to raising the ransom has only just begun.
The name Chiyo Uchiha weighed heavily on the hearts of all those who were hostile to Konoha, like a mountain.
Konoha, the Uchiha Compound.
The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the paper door, bathing the Japanese-style room in a warm orange hue.
Mikoto Uchiha sat in front of a low table, with two steaming cups of green tea and snacks in front of her.
She sat upright, her expression seemingly calm, but her slightly furrowed brow and the occasional glance towards the door revealed a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.
The door was gently pulled open.
"Lady Mikoto, you wanted to see me?"
Obito Uchiha walked in, scratching his head. He looked a little tired, but more relaxed, as if he were back in familiar surroundings.
But deep in his eyes, there seemed to be something more than before—an indescribable gloom that seemed out of place for his age.
" Obito's here? Sit down."
Mikoto gave him a gentle smile and gestured for him to sit opposite her.
Obito Uchiha's disappearance was suspicious, and his return was even more so.
Something must have happened here.
How are you feeling physically?
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Mikoto! I'm fine now! I'm completely healed!"
Obito sat down respectfully cross-legged, patted his chest earnestly, and was then drawn to the tea and snacks on the table.
Wow! It's Three-Color Dumplings!
"Eat up!"
Mikoto Uchiha spoke gently.
Obito Uchiha then picked up a skewer of dumplings, took a bite, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face.
Mikoto watched his somewhat clumsy movements, and the worry in her eyes eased slightly, but did not disappear.
She took a small sip of tea and asked casually.
"That day at the hospital... you suddenly disappeared, and everyone was very worried."
Can you tell me what happened next? Where did you go?