If you want a fight, I'll fight!
Thunder gathered, giving birth to a huge thundercloud that shrouded the sky. Right above the Kumogakure, thunder rumbled and roared incessantly.
The residents of Kumogakure gazed uneasily at the sky, their eyes revealing deep terror.
Even in the dead of night, no one can find peace and quiet to sleep...
Sudden!
An even louder clap of thunder seemed to explode right next to their ears, followed by a thick, white beam of light that plummeted from the sky, heading straight for the Raikage Building!
A white beam of light enveloped the Raikage Building, its blinding radiance instantly illuminating the entire Kumogakure.
"Lord Raikage!" Samui's expression changed drastically, and he cried out in alarm.
How insignificant humans are under the weight of heavenly thunder.
At that moment, Samui deeply felt the power of nature; it was the roar of the heavens, something mortals could never bear...
Sizzle...
The Raikage recklessly squeezed the chakra within his body, arcs of electricity crackling, and chakra overflowing and visibly flowing around him.
How fast is Lightning? How fast is the speed of light?
The only thing that can rival it is Pegasus Flight imagination.
In this 0.000...01 second.
The Raikage's body was covered by a layer of Lightning Armor, using lightning against lightning—this was the only method he could think of, and the only defense he could mount.
Rumble!!!
The massive Raikage Building was engulfed by Pure White pillar of lightning...
The blinding light was as dazzling as the sun. Everyone stared in shock at that spot, yet they had no choice but to look away, instinctively avoiding the horrifying sight.
The lightning came with incredible speed and disappeared just as quickly.
All the lights in the Raikage Building went out; it was as if all the light had been taken away by that pillar of lightning.
Dark...
In the deathly silence, a space like Black Hole completely covered the Raikage Building, making it impossible for anyone to see what was happening there.
No one dared to approach easily...
Above the towering peaks, there is not only fierce wind and thunder.
And then... the heavy snow that came with the wind.
Snowflakes fell, instantly covering the ground with a layer of silvery frost, reflecting the halo of thunder, faintly bright but not dazzling.
"This heavy snowfall is really nice, it's just right for the season."
A soft chuckle came from beneath the Fox Mask; a shadow buried under the heavy snow—isn't that a rather poetic thing?
"However, the Raikage is really... a cautious guy!"
Others might not be able to see the situation inside the Raikage Building, but how terrifying was Tōka's vision? He could clearly see that everyone inside the Raikage Building was safe and sound!
The moment the white lightning pillar descended, the Raikage activated his Lightning Armor using his own chakra, not to deal with the lightning bolt.
It was to activate the Defensive Barrier of the Raikage Building!
"It seems impossible to destroy the Raikage Building. Are there similar Defensive Barrier in other parts of Kumogakure?"
Tōka narrowed his eyes, a cold glint in them.
Tōka would never forget the kick the Raikage gave him in Konoha Year 46.
If the Six Harmonies Divine Technique hadn't been activated automatically, he probably wouldn't have even had a chance to react before being instantly killed by the Raikage.
A gentleman takes his revenge even after ten years!
Eight years have passed, and this time...
"My turn!" Tōka sneered, her voice filled with icy coldness.
Sizzle...
Arcs of electricity flashed around Tōka, like playful little snakes darting around affectionately but not daring to get any closer to him.
Lightning arcs lingered around Tōka, creating a Vacuum Zone within ten steps of his body.
The power of the Jutsu Formula: Sage Art Lightning Prison is affected by the environment.
Within the Land of Lightning, countless cloud-piercing peaks echoed with the sound of thunder, as six Lightning Rod concentrated Lightning from six different areas into a single point!
The Jutsu Formula is controlled by Tōka, and it takes time to gather a massive amount of Lightning power to activate it.
"I wasted my first attack. Next time, I'll charge it up longer and go for a big one." Tōka looked at the dark sky, where lightning flashed and thunder roared.
The Lightning power on all the peaks within the Land of Lightning was absorbed by the six Lightning Rod and then channeled into the black thunderclouds that had gathered above the Kumogakure.
Guided by Tōka's Jutsu Formula, the lightning pillar fell like divine punishment.
It exudes an aura of destruction, enough to instantly annihilate any life!
Currently, all Tōka needs to do is lure the target out, as lightning is more likely to hit in open areas.
At the summit of the mountain, amidst wind, snow, and thunder, a blizzard was ravaging the entire peak.
Snow and ice covered the rocks, then lightning struck, scattering the snowflakes in all directions. As the space rippled, Tōka's figure gradually disappeared into the snow and ice.
In the blink of an eye, the mysterious aura faded away and then vanished completely.
The Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
In the courtyard, Ōnoki sat under the eaves, coldly watching the heavy rain. He had naturally noticed the bolt of lightning from earlier.
However, this is, after all, Kumogakure), and it's not yet time for the agreed-upon meeting.
Ōnoki wasn't sure whether the lightning strike was natural or man-made, so he absolutely wouldn't reveal himself until he found Hozuki Mangetsu.
To be on the safe side, Ōnoki dispatched Ohara Tsugu, Elite Jonin from the Shadow Guard, to cover Deidara's team as they hid in the shadows.
Once the battle in Kumogakure begins, Deidara's squad's mission will be to create chaos.
The raindrops fell gently, gathering into thin lines along the eaves, forming a hazy rain curtain that looked quite beautiful.
Sudden!
A ghostly figure approached, and Ōnoki, who had been drowsy, suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint in them, as he stared at the person emerging from the ground.
Immediately afterwards, a ninja wearing a Stone Ninja Forehead Protector emerged from the ground. This person was the Stone Ninja that Ōnoki had sent to investigate Hozuki Mangetsu.
"Did you find anything?" Ōnoki asked in a deep voice.
"Lord Tsuchikage!" the Stone Ninja called out respectfully, then continued, "Hozuki Mangetsu has followed us and is outside. Shall we see him?"
"Right outside? Won't anyone find out?" Upon hearing this, Ōnoki suddenly stood up and asked with a furrowed brow.
As the highest-ranking commander dispatched by Kirigakure, Hozuki Mangetsu shouldn't be so careless. If the Cloud Ninja discovers their secret meeting, wouldn't it expose them?
The Stone Ninja, sensing what Ōnoki was thinking, quickly explained, "Don't worry, Lord Tsuchikage- sama, most of the Cloud Ninja are heading to the Raikage Building because of the sudden lightning strike."
Even the Cloud Ninja Anbu who were monitoring the courtyard nearby have all withdrawn.
"In that case, let him come over." Ōnoki was naturally aware of the withdrawal of the nearby Cloud Ninja Anbu.
Having received the order, Stone Ninja withdrew.
Ōnoki reached out and picked up a steaming Clear Tea, taking a sip to moisten his slightly dry lips.
The pitter-patter of the rain, like pebbles tapping against his heart, stirred ripples in Ōnoki's usually calm and undisturbed mind.
At this moment, he could no longer remain calm...
"Tsk, Tsuchikage is really in high spirits!" A stream of clear water flowed along with the trickle formed by the rain in the courtyard, and then gathered into a blurry human figure.
It gradually solidified, transforming into the shape of Hozuki Mangetsu.
Ōnoki glanced coldly at Hozuki Mangetsu. Although Hozuki was also Kage-level, Ōnoki never considered him a Hozuki Mangetsu for him.
The Hozuki Clan's Water Transformation Technique is utterly useless against his Kekkei Tōta: Dust Release!
"Well, it seems the Tsuchikage isn't in the mood for small talk, so I'll get straight to the point..." Hozuki Mangetsu grinned, uttering a strange sentence with an eerie expression.
"We've already taken action!"
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere under the eaves instantly froze.
Like the cold air outside in the dead of winter, freezing a drop of water into ice crystals in an instant, the two stared at each other as if they were not breathing.
Tick-tock...
Tick-tock...
Raindrops fell on the eaves and shattered into sparkling water droplets.
A brief silence fell under the eaves, the atmosphere heavy with tension.
The two had different expressions; Hozuki Mangetsu had a smile on his face, while Ōnoki's eyes were full of caution.
After a few thumps, Ōnoki's heart gradually calmed down, and he stared seriously at Hozuki Mangetsu.
"Was it you guys who did this?"
"How did it go? Did it succeed? That Raikage couldn't have died so easily, could he?"
There was such a big commotion in the direction of the Raikage Building just now...
It should have been a success, right?
If the Kumogakure loses one of its strongest combatants, Kage-level, the success rate of this plan will increase significantly.
Ōnoki stared intently at Hozuki Mangetsu's mouth, hoping to see a positive answer.
"The Raikage Building has Defensive Barrier, so it failed." Hozuki Mangetsu shrugged helplessly. "Besides, we've already been exposed, you'd better act quickly."
"Are you brainless? You've already given yourself away?" Ōnoki's face twitched, and his old face instantly darkened.
An endless killing intent surged from the bottom of his heart: a bunch of useless trash who are good for nothing!
They acted ahead of time without informing him, and then failed, completely disrupting his plans!
The stagnant air was compressed by an invisible giant hand, and the powerful aura released by the two Kage-level made it difficult to breathe.
Swish swish swish!!
Several dark figures quickly appeared; they were none other than members of the Tsuchikage's Shadow Guard.
Several powerful Stone Ninja surrounded Hozuki Mangetsu, ready to subdue him instantly at Ōnoki 'Hozuki Mangetsu command!
Under immense pressure, even the smile on Hozuki Mangetsu's face became unnatural.
Seemingly to avoid being detected by the Tsuchikage, he pretended to cough, covering his mouth. "Just glaring at me won't do any good. Let's find a way to leave quickly."
As soon as he finished speaking, Hozuki Mangetsu gave Ōnoki no chance to say anything more.
Jutsu Formula activated, Hozuki Mangetsu's body felt light, as if it had no substance, and gradually sank into the ground...
The Shadow Guard members glanced at the Tsuchikage, hoping to get instructions for the next step.
Ōnoki stared intently at Hozuki Mangetsu, but he didn't utter a single word!
Before long, Hozuki Mangetsu's aura dissipated, and he had already left the area of Tsuchikage's compound, quickly heading in one direction.
"Lord Tsuchikage?" the captain of the Shadow Guard called out in a low voice.
"Alright, Hozuki Mangetsu isn't an enemy yet. Let's get everyone ready to move in!" Ōnoki said with a stiff, unyielding face, as hard as a rock.
"Yes!"
Swish swish swish!!
At the Tsuchikage's command, several members of the Shadow Guard immediately dispersed, sending messages to the hidden Stone Ninja in various locations.
In a secluded, Shadowy Corner Kumogakure, stood a person.
A person dressed in Red Cloud Black Cloak with a Pitcher Plant growing on his shoulder—this person was none other than Black Zetsu, the most mysterious and insidious member of the Akatsuki Organization.
He stood quietly in place, Budong, as if waiting for someone.
Not long after, gurgling...
A stream of clear water came with the rain, and as the bubbles rose, the water floated into the air, eventually coalescing into the shape of Hozuki Mangetsu.
"Looks like it worked." Black Zetsu noticed Ōnoki flying out of the courtyard and stared at the person in front of him expressionlessly.
"Yes." Hozuki Mangetsu's chakra stirred, revealing his true form: a pale, humanoid monster— White Zetsu!
"Weren't we discovered?" Black Zetsu asked cautiously.
"No, I was very careful." White Zetsu used the Object Transformation to transform into Hozuki Mangetsu's appearance, which Ōnoki couldn't detect.
To make the other party believe him even more, he even deliberately faked the Water Transformation Technique, thinking that the other party should believe that he was Hozuki Mangetsu.
Upon hearing this, Black Zetsu nodded, indicating that the other party could leave.
In this way, the plan to start a great war between the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning can be considered half successful.
"The rest is up to you, Tōka."
A gust of cold wind swept by, and in the dark corner, Black Zetsu's figure vanished like a ghost, as if he had never existed.
The dark alleyway once again fell into a desolate atmosphere.
However, the entire Kumogakure, and even the Land of Lightning, were in an uproar.
Thunder roared and lightning flashed in the sky, and the white pillar of lightning that descended from the heavens could be clearly seen by everyone in the Land of Lightning.
Everyone's heart trembled with the surrounding lightning, fearing that the next bolt of divine lightning would strike their own land.
Kumogakure, Raikage Building.
A mysterious energy shield covered the entire building; this was Defensive Barrier set up by the First Raikage, who founded the Kumogakure.
It will not be activated unless absolutely necessary.
This is because the barrier's defense system does not rely on force to resist force, but rather redirects attacks from the outside into the entire land of Kumogakure.
In other words, if the attack exceeds the barrier's capacity.
That will lead to a result...
The entire land of Kumogakure vanished from this world in an instant!
In the eyes of the First Raikage, only those two could create Jutsu Formula with such terrifying power in a single strike.
"Lord Raikage!" As the lightning dissipated, Samui rushed to the Raikage's side. The Raikage absolutely could not fall at a time like this!
"Don't worry, you won't die!" Raikage twisted his shoulders, moving his numb body.
As the key to activating the Defensive Barrier, his body bore a certain amount of heavenly lightning power, and at this moment, his whole body was numb, and he didn't even feel like he was his own body anymore.
This is one of the reasons why every Raikage must possess a strong physique, be proficient in Lightning Release, learn Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation, and study Lightning Release Taijutsu.
The Raikage's body is the central hub the moment the barrier is activated.
Although the lightning bolt, as thick as a bowl, was dispersed across the land of Kumogakure by the barrier, a small amount of Lightning still struck the Raikage's body.
Fortunately, the Raikage was physically strong, and the numbness gradually subsided before long.
"Sound the red alert! The enemy is here, we must fight!" As he felt his body gradually regaining sensation, Raikage shouted in a deep voice, his words filled with an invincible and valiant aura.
If you want war, then I will fight!
This is the Land of Lightning — Kumogakure!!