Ōnoki carefully read Konoha's statement, his expression filled with emotion.
A moment later, he handed the document to his son, Kitsuchi, and sighed. "The pressure of being a Kage really turns people into demons..."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi is a decent man, yet even his wording has become so sharp now."
Having said that, Ōnoki twisted his waist, and a faint crack sounded.
As people reached middle age, even bodies once blessed with abundant stamina began sending strange signals.
In Ōnoki's view, Kumogakure's provocations had truly enraged the dove-minded Hiruzen Sarutobi...
"The Hokage said the Third Raikage's position was illegitimate? Was that true, Father?"
The moment Kitsuchi said that—
Ōnoki's back, which had not hurt much before, felt as if it had been struck by a hammer. The pain instantly intensified.
"Kitsuchi, just because you aren't suited to become Tsuchikage doesn't mean you can slack off!" Ōnoki snapped, blowing out his beard and glaring.
"Read through the history of the Shinobi World Wars ten times!"
Kitsuchi stood straight. "Yes, Lord Tsuchikage!"
Seeing this, Ōnoki helplessly shook his head.
Though his son was stubbornly resilient in a "stupid" way and steadily reliable in a "stupid" way—
Stupid was still stupid...
"Whether the Second Raikage's death had anything to do with the Third Raikage, who knew besides the man himself?"
"But the Third Raikage is undeniably a member of the Militant Faction..."
"Senju Tobirama and the Second Raikage were holding peace talks when they were ambushed by the equally militant Kinkaku and Ginkaku..."
"Lightning-Fire clashed, both Kage died violently, and others rose to power. Doesn't that sound perfectly plausible?"
"Conspiracy theories don't need a logical chain. They only need one point that aligns with someone's interests, and interested parties will naturally fill in the rest through insinuation."
"It really does sound plausible..." Kitsuchi's expression