Perched atop a towering mountain, Kumogakure was shrouded year-round in rumbling thunder and swirling clouds.
Its rugged stone buildings clung to the mountainside and rose into the sky, embodying the bold, forthright nature of the ninja who lived there, as fierce as thunder itself.
At that moment, the atmosphere in the spacious room of the Raikage's Office, which overlooked most of the village, was so tense it seemed ready to drip.
The Third Raikage was an elderly man of immense stature and strength, like a silent black iron tower.
His features were steely, his face sharply chiseled, and a thick beard covered his jaw. Even standing still, he radiated an oppressive presence as weighty as a mountain.
He stood with his arms crossed before the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, his deep gaze piercing the clouds as though he could see the boundless desert of the distant Land of Wind.
"Bang!"
A fist wrapped in Lightning Release chakra slammed into the specially reinforced wooden desk, making a dull crash that rang with an unsettling force.
"That useless Third Kazekage just vanished without a trace!
"Hmph, Sunagakure's gone downhill!" The Third Raikage's voice rumbled through the office like thunder, full of undisguised scorn and a hint of barely restrained excitement.
The Third Raikage turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping over the figures in the office.
Besides his secretary Mabui, who had just been promoted to jōnin, there were two young but imposing ninja: his son, the future Fourth Raikage A, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B.
A had not yet inherited the title of "Shadow," but he was already powerfully built, with bulging muscles, short pale-yellow hair, and an eagle-sharp gaze. His whole body radiated explosive strength, clearly marking him as an elite jōnin.
Killer B still wore his sunglasses and hummed a strange rhythm, but the terrifying chakra that flickered around him showed that his fusion with the Eight-Tails Gyūki had grown quite deep. His strength was not to be underestimated either.
"Father, has the intelligence been confirmed?" A asked in a low voice, his words carrying the sharpness characteristic of youth.
Mabui held a coded scroll in her hands and reported in an even tone. "Yes, Lord Raikage, Lord A.
"Our intelligence networks in Sunagakure and the Land of Wind's capital have all confirmed it. The Third Kazekage has been missing for more than a month.
"At first, Sunagakure tried to suppress the news, but the turmoil among its leadership and their frequent secret meetings have made that impossible.
"Sunagakure is now without a leader. The council of elders has taken temporary charge, but it lacks authority, and factional infighting is severe.
"It's fair to say that Sunagakure is at its weakest point since its founding."
Mabui's voice was clear and calm, like a precision instrument analyzing the situation.
"As for Konoha, according to a message from our Shadow Child, their Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, has already convened an emergency meeting of the leadership and declared a state of highest alert.
"Konoha reacted quickly, but it seems to be focused mainly on defense and intelligence analysis.
"Furthermore, there have apparently been some recent changes within Konoha, particularly reforms to the Uchiha Clan's role in the Military Police Force, which have drawn some of their attention."
"The Uchiha? Hmph. A bunch of recluses lost in their past glory. They'll never amount to much."
The Third Raikage waved a hand dismissively. He wasn't especially concerned with the feuds between Konoha's clans. His attention was fixed on the prey before him: Sunagakure.
"We have to watch Konoha, but that juicy prize, Sunagakure, is one Cloud Village must sink its teeth into first!"
He strode to the enormous strategic map and jabbed a finger at the Land of Wind.
"Sunagakure is poor in resources, but it produces high-quality minerals and Puppet Materials.
"If we can annex Sunagakure, or at least deal it a heavy blow and force it to sign a treaty, the Cloud Village's strength will grow enormously, giving us the upper hand in the coming war!"
Mabui furrowed her brow slightly and voiced her concern. "Lord Raikage, would attacking a major village whose 'Shadow' has gone missing provoke an excessive response from the other great villages?"
"Ōnoki of Iwagakure and Hiruzen Sarutobi of Konoha, in particular, might use it as an excuse to join forces against us."
"An excessive response?"
The Third Raikage grinned, baring his white teeth. His smile was wild.
"Precisely because the Kazekage is missing and Sunagakure is unstable, we have to act! It's called seizing the moment!
"That old fox Ōnoki is surely thinking the same thing. We can't let him get the first move.
"As for Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi is old and too hesitant. By the time he reacts, we'll already have established ourselves in the Land of Wind!"
The Third Raikage paused, a glint flashing in his eyes. "Besides, who said we're going to commit our full strength? The first strike has to be fast, precise, and ruthless! Like a bolt of lightning, we'll tear through their defenses when they least expect it!"
"You mean..." Mabui said thoughtfully.
"Form an elite strike force!" the Third Raikage declared. "A and Bee will lead it. We'll select the village's strongest jōnin-level ninja and send them across the border as quickly as possible, straight for several of Sunagakure's most important outposts!
"The goal is to destroy their defenses, seize their resources, and kill as many of their forces as possible. Ideally, we'll force their temporary command to come out and crush them in one fell swoop!"
"Yo~! Is it finally time for yours truly to show off? You fools~! You idiots~! Desert winds, get ready for a taste of the Eight-Tails!"
Killer B danced about and launched into an improvised verse.
A's eyes blazed with fighting spirit. He clenched his fists, faint sparks of lightning flickering around them. "Father, don't worry! I'll show Sunagakure what the Cloud Village can do!"
The Third Raikage had complete faith in the strength of his son and his sworn younger brother. He turned to Mabui. "Mabui, A and Bee will choose the strike force themselves. I want the fastest and strongest! Make sure they have full logistical and intelligence support!"
"Yes!" Mabui quickly began taking notes. "When should they strike?"
"At dawn tomorrow. We'll attack when the desert's temperature swings are at their most extreme and the sentries are most likely to be tired!"
The Third Raikage's eyes flashed like lightning. "Let those sand-throwing fools of Sunagakure experience the Cloud Village's 'warm welcome'!
"A, Bee, we can only win this first battle. No retreat! Show them the might of the Cloud Village!"
"Yes, Father!" "Yes, Boss Raikage!" A and Bee answered in unison, their voices brimming with confidence and bloodlust.
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