The Third Shinobi World War!

Missing?

Akiyama Shun glanced at the two of them without a trace, then withdrew his gaze.

He knew very well that the Third Kazekage had not gone missing at all; he was dead, and his death marked the beginning of the Third Shinobi World War.

"We're here."

While Akiyama Shun was lost in thought, Jiraiya knocked on the door of the Hokage's office. After receiving permission from Sarutobi Hiruzen, he led Akiyama Shun inside.

"Ah, Jiraiya, and Akiyama Shun? Is there something you need?"

The moment he saw Akiyama Shun, Sarutobi Hiruzen guessed that the boy had come to him with a specific matter.

"It is like this, Lord Hokage. I have awakened a new Kekkei Genkai, but I am unsure whether I should use it."

Upon hearing the words "new Kekkei Genkai," a look of intense interest flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes: "A new Kekkei Genkai?"

Akiyama Shun did not waste time; he activated [Hinata Hyuga (New Year Limited)], and the Byakugan manifested.

"It's the Byakugan."

Seeing Akiyama Shun's eyes transform into the Byakugan, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt no surprise; instead, he felt a strange sense of accomplishment.

It seemed his previous experimental direction had been correct!

"I have said it before: Konoha will always be your strongest backing. If you have a Kekkei Genkai, use it as you please." The more Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Akiyama Shun, the more pleased he was. Not only were his strength and Kekkei Genkai impressive, but his conduct was also exemplary—after awakening a Kekkei Genkai belonging to the village, he had even made a point to report it to him.

"I understand. Thank you, Lord Hokage."

With Sarutobi Hiruzen's approval, Akiyama Shun felt much more at ease. He had genuinely feared that the old fossils of the Hyuga Clan would go mad; seeing him satisfy both conditions—possessing the "Byakugan" while "not being from the main branch"—felt like triggering some rule that would lead them to drag him back and brand him with the "Caged Bird" seal.

But now, it was different. The Hokage himself had told him to use it freely; if the Hyuga Clan wanted to throw a tantrum, let them.

Go tell the Hokage, then.

After expressing his gratitude, Akiyama Shun left with Jiraiya.

At this moment, the entire shinobi world was beginning to tremble due to the news of the Third Kazekage's disappearance.

Kumogakure.

The Third Raikage had already begun his wild flights of fancy.

"Missing, fate unknown? That means he's dead!"

Upon hearing the news, the Third Raikage slammed his hand on the table and stood up, brimming with excitement.

"Dodai! Have the village strengthen its defenses and prepare for wartime! With the Third Kazekage missing, Sunagakure must be leaderless! This is the perfect opportunity to strike! Prepare an elite unit for me! I will lead this force myself to attack Sunagakure!"

When Dodai heard the first half of the Third Raikage's order, he wasn't surprised. After all, the death of the Third Kazekage was a major event, and strengthening defenses to prevent other villages from acting was standard procedure.

But when he heard the second half, he completely lost his composure.

So the "other villages" that were going to take action were actually Kumogakure!

Dodai looked up at the hot-blooded Third Raikage, feeling as if his brain were about to smoke.

Even if he shoved his head into a toilet, he couldn't fathom the point of attacking Sunagakure at this time, especially why their village, Kumogakure, would be the one to do it.

One was in the top right corner of the map, the other in the bottom left, with so many countries in between!

And they would have to pass through the middle of the Land of Fire, where Konoha was, and the Land of Earth, where Iwagakure was!

The logistics were simply absurd!

Most importantly, Dodai couldn't understand the point of attacking Sunagakure.

That place was dirt poor!

No land to speak of, no knowledge to gain!

Even if they successfully reached Sunagakure and won, what would be the point? They would gain absolutely nothing!

"Dodai! Go prepare!"

Hearing the Third Raikage's urging, the corner of Dodai's mouth twitched. He wanted to say something, but seeing the expression on the Third Raikage's face, he knew it would be useless.

The Third Raikage was just that kind of person; once he had an idea, he would put it into practice immediately, and no one could stop him.

"Understood. I will handle it, Lord Raikage."

After saying this, Dodai sighed. He was numb—truly, completely numb.

And so, while Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure were still pondering the impact of the Kazekage's disappearance and what consequences his absence would bring to the world, it wasn't long before they received another piece of massive news.

The Third Raikage of Kumogakure had taken an elite squad, charged through over a dozen countries, and rampaged all the way to the Land of Wind!

Upon arriving in the Land of Wind, he didn't say a word, headed straight for Sunagakure, and started smashing things the moment he arrived!

The Third Raikage's "Western-style" blitzkrieg left all the major villages stunned. They knew the Third Raikage was decisive, but they hadn't expected him to be this decisive.

Mostly, they were just confused: what on earth was the point of attacking Sunagakure?

As for Sunagakure, they immediately launched a defensive counterattack.

First, a ninja named Rasa stepped forward, demonstrating not only exceptional leadership but also Kage-level combat prowess, utilizing Magnet Release to hold off the Third Raikage's lightning-fast onslaught.

Following this, the reclusive Chiyo and Ebizo both emerged to take the stage!

After the two sides remained locked in a brief entanglement, the Third Raikage led his team away, perhaps having had his fill of eating sand.

Once the Third Raikage departed, Rasa's reputation soared due to his merit in resisting the attack. With the backing of Chiyo and Ebizo, he ascended to the position of the new Kazekage, becoming the Fourth Kazekage!

The chaotic situation within Sunagakure was brought to a complete end!

The chaos had ended, but new problems emerged.

How exactly did the Third Kazekage go missing?

The Third Raikage had led a team all the way to the gates of Sunagakure without meeting any resistance—was that not humiliating? After the battle, they simply brushed themselves off and left—was that not even more humiliating?

This was a major event known to the entire shinobi world!

The final problem, and the most pressing one, was resources!

This battle took place in the Land of Wind. Sunagakure had expended significant resources to rapidly construct defensive fortifications, and the Third Raikage had pillaged the already barren Land of Wind, leaving them with even fewer resources!

Each of these issues was difficult to handle, let alone having them all piled together at once.

Rasa took one look and realized this would not do; he had only just become Kazekage, and if he did not resolve these major crises, he likely would not be able to hold his seat for long.

In the end, he decided to follow the fundamental logic of a politician: use an external war to divert internal conflict!

The root of everything that had occurred was the disappearance of the Third Kazekage!

And how did the Third Kazekage go missing?

He was assassinated by their "good ally," Konoha!

It was all Konoha's doing!

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had originally been watching the show from the sidelines, was left stunned when he heard the news.

How could this possibly be blamed on Konoha?

If you failed to wipe yourself properly after using the toilet and got a stain on your underwear, would you also have to curse, "Damn you, Konoha"?

And just like that, the Third Shinobi World War, which would sweep across the entire shinobi world, officially began.