The First Strike is the Strongest (Seeking Votes, Seeking Follow-ups)

The next morning, before the roosters had even crowed and while the hazy moon still hung above the hills, a large crowd had already gathered inside the Hokage Building.

The cramped office was packed with people, as every ninja clan had dispatched representatives to attend.

The Interrogation Department had failed to extract even a shred of intelligence from the minds of the Cloud Ninjas, yet Sarutobi Hiruzen did not reprimand them for their dereliction of duty.

"The Cloud Ninjas' objective was clear: Uzumaki Kushina. They breached the border of the Land of Lightning and pushed straight into Konoha specifically because they coveted her unique constitution."

Everyone present was well aware of the nature of the Uzumaki Clan's constitution.

In this ninja world, clans possessing a Kekkei Genkai are inherently a cut above ordinary people, with each clan boasting its own distinct advantages.

The vast chakra reserves of the Senju and the Sharingan of the Uchiha are the most prominent examples.

The Uzumaki Clan are distant relatives of the Senju; their chakra levels are measured not in units, but in tons, and their unique sealing techniques are unparalleled in the ninja world.

The number of Kekkei Genkai users within the Land of Lightning is pitifully small. To maintain their own combat strength, the barbarians of Kumogakure have always acted like bandits, targeting the Kekkei Genkai of other villages to steal and plunder—a behavior that has become their signature village characteristic.

"To think that mere Chunin from Kumogakure would dare to invade our village."

"This is a provocation, the greatest provocation against our Konoha."

His voice was exceptionally loud and his eyes were widened to their limit; Sarutobi Hiruzen gritted his teeth, his beard trembling slightly as he spoke.

This display of extreme rage left the clan representatives, who knew Sarutobi Hiruzen well, feeling particularly astonished.

Ever since Sarutobi Hiruzen took power, he had always employed defensive tactics; even when attacking, he relied on small squads of elites for assassinations. Judging by his tone, was he actually planning to launch a full-scale war of annihilation this time?

"Hokage-sama, I have one more piece of intelligence." Uchiha Yuji suddenly raised his hand.

Almost no one had ever gained a deep understanding of Uchiha Yuji, and the other clan members were filled with suspicion regarding the presence of an Uchiha inside the Hokage Building.

Everyone knew exactly how rigid the relationship was between the rebellious Uchiha and the Hokage faction.

Except during wartime strategy meetings, it was rare to see anyone from the Uchiha at these gatherings.

Uchiha Madara rebelled during the First Hokage's time, Uchiha Setsuna rebelled during the Second's, and now, during the Third's, you lot are planning to negotiate?

"Please, speak, Clan Head Yuji."

Sarutobi Hiruzen deliberately mentioned his status, which caused the group of clan representatives to cast several more glances at Uchiha Yuji.

"Last night, while rescuing Uzumaki Kushina, I inadvertently let one Cloud Ninja escape. Given that ninja's speed, he has likely already reached the Land of Lightning by now."

"The genjutsu I used carries an interrogation effect. Given the personality of the current Third Raikage, upon seeing the state of his subordinate, he might charge in alone. Rather than letting the Cloud Ninjas attack us, it is better to strike first and catch them off guard."

His reasoning was sound and logical, but why would an ordinary Chunin be able to escape from your hands in the first place!

We aren't blind; the power you displayed when you took down Shimura Danzō that night was more than enough to handle a mere Chunin, wasn't it?

But no one voiced their complaints.

The astute Nara Clan had already realized that the Third Hokage and Uchiha Yuji were putting on a coordinated act; he leaned lazily back against the wall, waiting for the final announcement.

"At present, the village can muster at most five hundred ninja. With such numbers, I fear it would be difficult to make an impact on the Cloud Ninjas' borders and defenses, wouldn't it?" Sarutobi Hiruzen feigned a look of concern.

"That is fine. I alone am enough."

Sarutobi Hiruzen: ???

I was hoping you would take some Uchiha elites to charge and kill, not for you to go off and throw your life away alone.

Taking a group of Uchiha elites would not only deplete the Uchiha's stored strength but also serve to suppress every other ninja clan; such a fine blade is best used until it snaps.

But what are you doing, acting so impatient to seek your own death?

Wreaths of smoke obscured Sarutobi Hiruzen's complex expression. "Kumogakure is not lacking in skilled fighters. Even if you possess the Mangekyō Sharingan, sometimes two fists are no match for four hands."

"A bunch of rabble, nothing more." Uchiha Yuji crossed his arms. "The current Kumogakure only has the Third Raikage who possesses any real deterrent power."

Susanoo is strong, but it is not invincible. The Third Raikage, who holds the title of the [Strongest Spear], absolutely has the ability to pierce through the defenses of Susanoo.

And with his tempered body and the extreme speed granted by the Lightning Release Armor, the Third Raikage is undoubtedly top-tier among the Kage-level fighters.

But it is precisely such an opponent that is worth hunting, and from whom one can reap a richer harvest.

The Third Raikage is a man whom everyone in Kumogakure currently admires.

To fight such a man and emerge victorious would be enough to max out the hatred of Kumogakure, and also enough to earn the admiration of a group of Iwagakure Ninja.

After all, the villages of Iwagakure and Kumogakure have been blood enemies for generations.

"When I head to the border of the Land of Lightning, if luck is on my side, I should be able to encounter the Third Raikage. It will be the perfect opportunity to test the caliber of the Raikage," Uchiha Yuji said casually.

Does the caliber of a village's Kage really need you to measure it?

The clan representatives looked at Uchiha Yuji in silence.

After hearing his words, they understood that the man before them was a standard Uchiha—a member of a clan so arrogant they looked down upon everyone else.

"Then I will leave it to you, Yuji-kun."

After offering one word of caution, Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally had no intention of continuing to persuade him.

"Leave it to me."

As soon as the words fell, Uchiha Yuji's figure had already vanished from the Hokage's office.

Meanwhile, far away in the Land of Lightning, the Third Raikage was listening quietly as the escaped Chunin described the intelligence, including the appearance of Uchiha Yuji and the message he had delivered.

"I understand. Hm?"

The eyes of the subordinate who had just finished reporting the intelligence suddenly transformed into the Sharingan, and before the Third Raikage could even make a move, flames from Ming Tang erupted from his eye sockets, setting the chunin ablaze.

The moment the flames appeared, the surrounding air ignited. The fire burned with such intensity that it caused the very space to solidify and warp, and the scorching heat claimed the chunin's life before he could even utter a single cry of agony.

"Sasahara!"

The Third Raikage shouted the chunin's name, but the dead could not respond.

Veins bulged like writhing earthworms beneath the Third Raikage's brown skin, and tiny arcs of electricity danced wildly across his hulking frame.

"Transcription Seal! Damn you, Uchiha! I will have you all buried with them!"

The earth suddenly tore apart. The roar of the atmosphere mingled with the thunderous crackle of lightning, and before Dodai could even offer a warning, he watched as a bolt of lightning surged out through the door.