Izuna smiled. "How can you be so sure you can beat us? Besides, I'm not the only one who came this time!"
After he finished speaking, he clapped his hands, and two figures walked out from behind him. One of them had a pale face, long, smooth hair, and snake-like pupils. He licked his lips, his eyes filled with mockery.
The other person was dressed in Jonin combat uniform, with white hair standing on end and Chakra dagger emanating white light from his waist and hips. He looked at the enemy with a gentle expression.
Orochimaru! Hatake Sakumo!
Hatake Sakumo may not be well-known now because he didn't kill Chiyo's son Rin due to the arrival of Uchiha Kō, and he didn't earn the title of Konoha's White Fang, but that doesn't mean he was weak.
However, Orochimaru is a true Kage Level ninja, possessing a dazzling array of Ninjutsu. He could easily trap Kage Level ninja with a single Many Mandas Formation.
The Third Raikage's face was ashen, his brows furrowed, and his breathing was heavy. In this head-on confrontation, his side was not in a favorable position, as his son's strength had only just reached the threshold of Kage Level.
I reckon he can only handle that white-haired guy. If Uchiha Kō were here, he'd definitely have a strange expression on his face; that white-haired guy is no pushover!
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi Hiruzen might not be able to defeat him, let alone Orochimaru. Among the Kage Level shinobi, Hatake Sakumo is one of the top few.
His Hatake Kenjutsu is fluid and versatile, capable of both offense and defense, but in terms of swordsmanship Ninjutsu, Izuna is probably no match for him, although Izuna has the Sharingan.
Sometimes you can't help but marvel at how a good family and a good bloodline limit can be such a huge boost for a ninja!
Susanoo, Hatake Sakumo is invincible. Even the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato, in the original manga, when he didn't have any Tailed Beasts, wouldn't dare say he could easily defeat Hatake Sakumo.
"Does Your Excellency wish to start a war?" The Third Raikage asked a ridiculous question. Uchiha Izuna rolled his eyes at him. Wasn't that obvious?
"Wasn't the war already over?" he said gently to the Third Raikage A. "The war started a long time ago, but you were too weak to have a good experience, or at least not a good one."
Alright, alright, better not to say anything at all. This provocative line and nonchalant attitude perfectly exemplify the proper way to be Uchiha Clan ninja!
The Third Raikage A, took a deep breath. "Why don't we call a truce? Your Konoha has already killed over four thousand of our ninjas. Isn't that enough?"
He was suppressing his rage. If he were alone, he would have charged forward by now, but he couldn't. There were so many ninjas around him; he had to hold back!
"Ceasefire? You say you'll fight, and you say you won't, and you won't fight? There's no such thing as a free lunch!" Uchiha Izuna's eyes were filled with sarcasm.
"Trying to retreat? Too late..." Uchiha Izuna's voice was chillingly cold.
Please, we're all adults, stop being so childish! Stop with the fluff and show us something real, or where will Konoha's reputation stand?
The Third Raikage's gaze was uncertain. He looked at his own ninjas and compared their spirits to those of Konoha Leaf Village ninjas, realizing that his side was completely defeated and had no fighting spirit whatsoever.
Moreover, everyone is injured now. If they charge in, I estimate that within an hour, not a single one of my soldiers will be left alive!
"If that's the case, then there's only one way," the Third Raikage said, looking at Uchiha Izuna. "Izuna, you are also a hero of the Warring States Period. It's impossible for me, A, to surrender unconditionally. However, I have a way to minimize the losses for both our villages!"
"Oh? Tell me about it!" Uchiha Izuna laughed. He knew that the Raikage A in front of him was only rough on the surface, but was actually very meticulous. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to see through his plan before. It's just that he had been too arrogant over the years, or rather, he underestimated Uchiha Izuna.
"We will each send three people to fight. If we win, you will clear a path for us to return to Kumogakure." The Third Raikage stared intently at Uchiha Izuna.
"Heh, so what if you lost?" A playful glint appeared in Uchiha Izuna's eyes.
"If we lose, we will surrender unconditionally, sign the terms of defeat, and compensate you for your losses!" the Third Raikage declared firmly.
"My lord, you mustn't! We have the upper hand now. Even if we fight to the death, the Third Raikage will die. There's no need to duel with them!" Orochimaru said, bowing.
In his eyes, as long as the Third Raikage survives this time, it would be worth it even if 7,000 ninjas died, since he was the only Kage that Kumogakure could be proud of!
Hatake Sakumo, however, held the opposite opinion. "I think the lord is benevolent. This action doesn't cost a single soldier and can ensure the safety of our comrades!"
Uchiha Izuna glanced at the two and got a general idea of what was going on. Orochimaru could be the overall commander, while Hatake Sakumo could only lead a force of no more than 1,000 people.
After all, it's common knowledge that a kind heart cannot command an army. This isn't to say that Hatake Sakumo is bad, but rather that he's not suited to leading troops. (In the original Hatake Sakumo never served as a battlefield commander; he was merely a sharp blade thrust at the enemy. The author checked, but the author is unaware of other fanfiction.)
After a moment's Uchiha Izuna smiled and said, "Of course! But how about best two out of three?"
"That's natural!" The Third Raikage A, nodded.
"Alright, then have your people retreat, and I'll have mine retreat too!" Izuna smiled.
"Everyone, retreat three hundred meters!" the Third Raikage shouted.
"You too! Orochimaru, Hatake Sakumo, stay!" Izuna smiled.
"For the first match, I wonder who the Raikage will send out?" Izuna looked at the Third Raikage, his eyes gleaming.
"The first battle will naturally be fought by my son, Ai!" After saying this, the Third Raikage patted his Young Lord A on the shoulder, his face full of confidence.
"Alright, then I'll send out Hatake Sakumo!" Uchiha Izuna smiled, as if everything was under his control.
"Hatake Sakumo Jonin? This Konoha Jonin? Izuna, you must have lost your mind. Let me tell you the truth, my A has already reached the threshold of Kage Level! He's not someone any random Konoha Jonin can handle!" The Third Raikage A, was extremely proud at this moment.
Uchiha Izuna's lips curled up; he'd taken the bait. He knew Hatake Sakumo's strength; without using Susanoo and Genjutsu, he could only manage a draw against him.
Not to mention your little... big brat, Uchiha Izuna glanced at Young Lord A, pursed his lips, and wondered what the Raikage family of Kumogakure ate to grow up like that, all of them burly men with bulging muscles.
He simply can't appreciate this kind of violent aesthetic; I suppose only a few individuals could tolerate it.
Hatake Sakumo accepted the order, smiled, and stepped forward, looking at Young Lord A, "Please guide me!"
Young Lord A was not good with words; he simply nodded to indicate that he understood, showing no humility whatsoever!