Third Raikage A

"Let's get one thing straight, Second Hokage. What will you do if you lose?" The Second Raikage crossed his arms and looked at Tobirama with an arrogant expression.

"If we lose, we'll withdraw from the Land of Iron, return to the Land of Fire, and end the war."

"Second Hokage, saying that is no different from saying nothing. I gained nothing from this campaign. Do you think that's acceptable?" The Second Raikage spoke bluntly.

"Then what do you want?"

Tianqi listened from the side, shaking his head. Tobirama Senju was letting concern cloud his judgment. He was so focused on ending the war that he'd shown all his cards. Wasn't he practically inviting the Raikage to fleece him?

"If you lose, you'll have to cover the expenses of our campaign and cede some of the Land of Fire's territory to us." The Second Raikage looked at Tobirama with a sly grin.

"Ceding territory is out of the question. The most I can do is cover your expenses."

Hearing Tobirama say this, the Second Raikage smiled. "Fine."

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't take it anymore. He was about to warn Tobirama when he saw that his teacher had already agreed to the Raikage's terms. It was too late to stop him. His teacher wasn't a skilled negotiator, but why was he acting like an idiot today? He went over to Tobirama and whispered,

"Sensei, he tricked you. He deliberately set the price high so you'd bargain him down. You may have offered him even more than he originally wanted."

Tobirama understood now, and his expression changed instantly. Damn it! That bastard had played him. He'd really fallen for it.

The Second Raikage was overjoyed. So Tobirama Senju really did want to end the war quickly. He'd agreed to terms like those—and called himself a skilled negotiator? What a joke.

Watching Tobirama's crestfallen expression, Tianqi was so happy he wanted to clap. Hahaha! Who says all the Raikage are dumb brutes? The Second Raikage had Tobirama Senju dancing in the palm of his hand. He was clearly a cunning old fox.

Though Tobirama knew he'd been tricked, he couldn't take back what he'd said. Looking at the delighted Second Raikage, he asked, "What will you do if the Cloud Ninja lose?"

"We'll withdraw. What else? We were the ones who declared war. If you don't agree, we'll just keep fighting." The Second Raikage sounded unconcerned. He wanted to end the war too, but he couldn't let it show, or he'd lose out on billions in expenses.

"No! You'll have to cover Konoha's expenses too."

"Then there's nothing left to discuss. Let's keep fighting." The Raikage turned to leave.

Seeing the Raikage walk away, Tobirama gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I agree." He had no choice. He'd already lost the upper hand and handed the initiative to the Second Raikage. Now he'd just have to swallow his pride.

Tianqi wasn't concerned with the terms. He was wondering what he should do. The original story never mentioned this battle, but in the end, both sides signed a treaty as equals. In other words, the battle would end in a draw.

I'll have to make sure I win one fight, then withdraw. That way, I won't disrupt things, and they can still end in a draw before signing the treaty. Then Tobirama Senju will meet his end for sure.

"Good. A, you're up first. Show them the true strength of the Cloud Ninja!" The Second Raikage pointed to a young man beside him.

"Yes!" The young man stepped into the middle of the arena.

A! So he'd inherited the name A, the title of the Raikage. Tianqi's eyes widened. Every Raikage of Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning was named A. That meant this young man was the future Third Raikage, the father of the Fourth Raikage—the powerhouse with the Strongest Spear and Strongest Shield who'd fought tens of thousands of ninja.

Damn! How had I not noticed him before? Tianqi carefully looked over the Second Raikage's subordinates again. Kinkaku and Ginkaku were there too. Damn, they came as well. Could this really end in a draw?

"Tianqi, what are you thinking about? Get out there! If you lose, I'll deal with you when we get back." Tobirama urged Tianqi to hurry.

Tianqi rolled his eyes at Tobirama and walked into the arena.

As the two entered, both sides moved back to watch.

"You've inherited the name A. It seems your village is grooming you to be its next Kage," Tianqi said to A.

"Oh? You know our village's tradition?" A looked surprised.

The Second Raikage was surprised too. This young man knew about their tradition? He turned to Tobirama and asked,

"Second Hokage, you didn't send a spy into our village, did you?"

"I'm not that bored. Why would I send a spy to mess with you over something as trivial as stopping a war?" Though he didn't know anything about this A business, Tianqi would probably lose against a future Kage.

Don't let your guard down, Tianqi. Sarutobi watched him anxiously.

Kagami Uchiha didn't react at all. He was like a transparent man; as long as he kept quiet, few people ever noticed him.

"Not only do I know that, I also know you're strong."

"Since you know how strong I am, you should surrender now. That way, you won't have to suffer an embarrassing defeat."

"Lose? Not necessarily. Let's see what you can do." Tianqi launched a side kick and struck A.

A stood where he was after being kicked, as if nothing had happened.

"Not bad. But you can't break through my defense." A grabbed Tianqi's foot and flung him away.

Bam! Tianqi slammed into the snow, leaving a crater as snow flew everywhere.

Tianqi climbed out of the crater. What incredible defense. No wonder he could fight the Eight-Tails one-on-one. He's no ordinary opponent.

When Tianqi emerged, A coated himself in Lightning Release Chakra, forming a Chakra Cloak, and charged at Tianqi with a punch.

"What incredible speed!" Tobirama, Danzo, and the others stared in shock.

"Not good! Even I can't match that speed. Tianqi won't be able to dodge!" Sarutobi's heart sank.

Seeing A appear in front of him in an instant, Tianqi knew he couldn't dodge. He activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and used Kamui to make himself intangible, sending the parts of his body that were struck into the Kamui Dimension.

"I've got him." Seeing that Tianqi couldn't dodge, A smiled slightly.

Just as his fist touched Tianqi, it passed straight into his body, then emerged from the other side. Carried by his momentum, A passed right through Tianqi.

"Hmm!!! What's going on?" The Second Raikage stared at Tianqi in shock.

Sarutobi, Danzo, and the others were just as stunned.

But Tobirama noticed something. Tianqi's eyes had changed.

That strange pattern in his pupils, along with that bizarre ability—there was no mistaking it. It was the Mangekyō Sharingan. After Madara, the second person to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan was actually his son.

Remembering the fear of being controlled by Madara's Mangekyō Sharingan, Tobirama looked at Tianqi with a complicated expression. No wonder you dared to insult Danzo to my face that day. You'd awakened the Mangekyō. If your opponent hadn't been so strong today, you wouldn't have revealed it, would you? Uchiha Tianqi, you've been hiding your strength well.