"Oh, has that Raikage started his final counterattack?"
At their base, Guo Wang had removed the bandages around his eyes. A pair of Three-Tomoe Sharingan had appeared in his cold eyes, drawing repeated sidelong glances from Orochimaru and Aburame Torune.
"He must have learned that we've made peace with Iwagakure. Before the final battle, he's trying to clear the field."
As Danzo's right-hand man, with Orochimaru always putting in little effort, Aburame Torune had long been Root's most trusted strategist, enforcer, and workhorse. Although he couldn't compare with the Nara Clan's Talented Strategist, his basic analysis of the battlefield was still above average.
"Does he want to use his overwhelming strength to force Konoha and Kumogakure into signing the same kind of peace agreement? If so, our plans will be in trouble."
Orochimaru had only just finalized a plan with Danzo to invade the Land of Water when the Land of Lightning front began to collapse. He couldn't help frowning, looking slightly displeased.
"Jiraiya's an idiot. He can't even handle something like this."
Hearing that, Aburame Torune's mouth twitched. He wanted to speak, but then remembered this lord's glorious record on the Land of Earth front and realized he did have a point.
If people had to choose between the Raikage and the Tsuchikage, more than half would choose the Raikage.
At least the Raikage's techniques were within a ninja's understanding. As for the Tsuchikage's Dust Release, no one dared—or could—stand against it!
"Lord Jiraiya held the Third Raikage off for at least half an hour, buying the army time to retreat."
As he listened to his right-hand men, Guo Wang scanned the latest report from the Cipher Division.
Year 47 of Konoha, March 2. The Third Raikage personally led the Shadow Guard into battle and defeated Lord Jiraiya, who was in Sage Mode. The Land of Lightning front has collapsed. Konoha Ninja are being pursued by the Kumogakure AB Duo. Fortunately, Jonin Namikaze Minato arrived in time and stopped Kumogakure from advancing further. The situation is unfavorable. Lord Hokage, please make a decision as soon as possible!
"This is the result of Hiruzen's cowardice."
Imitating Danzo's tone, Guo Wang set down the scroll, his eyes full of indignation.
"Lord Hokage's orders should arrive soon. After all, you're Konoha's strongest Wind Release ninja."
Aburame Torune considered himself a ninja who had inherited the Will of Fire. When Konoha was in crisis, his first thought was how to solve the problem and weather the difficult times.
"My injuries from my last fight with the Raikage haven't healed. I'll refuse the summons."
Guo Wang had no Will of Fire to speak of, and he gave the answer Danzo would have. Orochimaru sneered, while Aburame Torune grew anxious, but he knew his master's temperament and didn't press the issue.
"This is a good opportunity. The Third Raikage is an excellent opponent. You can use him to test whether the complete Mirror Flower, Water Moon is truly as invincible as you claim."
"There'll be a day for that, but not now."
The characters who appeared at the beginning were all important figures. Guo Wang didn't care about Konoha or the Hokage, but he had to admit that Danzo's identity had brought him many advantages. Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to give up Root, such a vast organization.
If possible, he wanted to climb even higher.
Even becoming Hokage wouldn't do much to help him accumulate personal strength. But it was the original owner's obsession, and indulging it would help him feel at ease.
"Come to think of it, this is a rare chance to mock Jiraiya. He's always claimed to be invincible after entering Sage Mode, but he's lost both times. Looks like he's still as boastful as ever."
Hearing that, Guo Wang knew that Orochimaru had inherited at least a little of the Will of Fire.
After all, he was Sarutobi's student.
"Actually, refusing the Hokage's summons outright would leave a stain on my reputation in the village. If Hiruzen's orders arrive, you'll take my place and lead Root's forces to the Land of Lightning battlefield. Given the Raikage's strength, you, Jiraiya, and Minato might not be able to defeat him, but you should be able to hold him back."
After hearing that, Orochimaru shook his head and refused.
"Why should I care whether that idiot lives or dies? I'd rather spend the time running a few more Living Corpse Reincarnation experiments. Besides, we made peace with the Land of Wind ages ago. Send Tsunade instead. The Raikage badly wounded Jiraiya."
Princess Slug might have developed some problems after all those years of war, but her Medical Ninjutsu was still second to none. With her on the battlefield, their side's morale would rise by at least thirty percent.
"Suit yourself. Torune, you'll take Orochimaru's place and prepare for war."
Guo Wang issued his final order. Then the Three Tomoe in his eyes slowly grew hazy and vanished, and his scarlet pupils returned to their usual black.
"Oh, can you fully control the Mangekyo now?!"
"Orochimaru, don't think that reaching this level means you can disrespect your elders. Hiruzen and I are both far stronger than you imagine."
As Danzo, he could access any information in Konoha, including so-called forbidden techniques.
During these days of adapting to this aged body, Guo Wang had completely mastered the secrets of Chakra. After familiarizing himself with the original body's Wind Release nature, he had also used generations of Jonin training notes from Konoha to develop and master Water, Fire, Earth, and Yin Release. With the exception of Lightning and Yang Release, he had regained the strength Danzo had at his peak.
And with Mirror Flower, Water Moon in his eyes, he felt he could defeat even Konoha's strongest Hokage.
"I've always held you and my teacher in the highest regard."
Orochimaru finished speaking with a smile, then his body turned into a puddle of mud and disappeared into Root.
Land of Lightning!
A golden flash, wreathed in dazzling blue-white light, slammed into the chest of the giant who had entered Lightning Release Body Flicker mode. But the Rasengan, which had always been unstoppable, left only a wisp of smoke against the strongest body in the world.
His form blurred. The fastest Body Flicker Technique in the Shinobi World dodged the Raikage's Lariat, and Namikaze Minato appeared behind him. He poured Wind Release Chakra into the Special Kunai in his hand. A razor-sharp, invisible blade burst into fine sparks, and even the air began to twist.
Yet when it cut across the back of the Raikage's neck, it left only a faint red mark.
"This is a problem!"
After using the Mark to reposition himself once again, Minato looked at the Special Kunai, cracked by the recoil of the Lightning Release, and couldn't help giving a wry smile.
"I always thought I was pretty good at Wind Release. Is the gap between me and Senior Danzo really that big?"
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